Estelle pushed the door open and walked into the office. Aiden was sitting at his desk, listening in on a video conference. Seeing her enter, he turned off the screen and took off his headphones.
"You said it yourself, we have no connection anymore. Why do we need to meet?"
"I came to return your suit." Estelle said.
"Not necessary." Aiden refused. "I won't wear something someone else has worn."
"Wear it or not, that's up to you," Estelle said calmly, indifferent. "Also, there's an issue with PWL's biosimulation system code. I need authorization to communicate with Gavriel."
Aiden frowned and suddenly lifted his eyes. "Biosimulation system? Have you already used him?"
"Rein in your imagination." Estelle repeated. "I want to see Gavriel. Give me authorization."
"I've said it before, PWL-000 is defective. You insisted on taking him away," Aiden said. "You're not an employee of Stella Technology anymore, so you don't have the authority to communicate with internal staff. PWL-000 isn't an official product of Stella Technology, and I don't have the obligation to provide after-sales service. Besides, this involves PWL's trade secrets. Officially and personally, I can't possibly give you authorization."
They stood opposite each other in silence for a long time, neither speaking.
Later, they spoke almost simultaneously.
Estelle said, "I could just change one segment of code. Is that not possible?"
Aiden said, "Estelle, would it be so hard for you to make a concession to me?"
Estelle paused at the sound of his voice. Aiden watched her, but didn't get a response. After a moment, he smiled again. "Forget it."
"Gavriel's office is 5013. I'll give you authorization. Go talk to him." He said. "This is the last time."
The city in late autumn was caught in incessant showers, day after day in late November, as if there would never be a clear day again.
And Estelle and Aiden also fell into endless quarrels during that late autumn, all the way until the end, when Aiden still didn't admit to being unfaithful, attributing all of her emotions to sensitivity, conservatism, and irrational tantrums.
"THG is a robot. She's a robot, how many times do I have to say it? A service robot is fundamentally a tool, Estelle, why must you be jealous of a tool?"
"A tool only needs to be functional." Estelle countered him. "We spent time and resources designing her human form and programming her biosimulation system. THG is more than just a tool. Can't you see that?"
"Designing THG as a female robot is because people need more than just physical stimulation. Enhancing immersion through realistic appearance and human-machine interaction enriches the user experience without contradicting her original function."
"Yes, immersion." Estelle repeated his term. "Isn't having immersion enough? You've treated her like a real woman. When you're with her, you already have reliance and imagination. So what's the difference if she's real or not?"
"Yes, I have immersion, but so what? She's still just a robot." Aiden said. "She won't bother me or ruin our relationship. She poses no threat to you. But since you don't like it, I'll turn her off. I'll have her sent back to the factory for destruction tomorrow, making her disappear forever. Would that be okay?"
Estelle suddenly fell silent. She stood under the living room light, gazing at him from a distance for a while.
Meaningless arguments were stuck in a vicious cycle. It seemed that Estelle and Aiden were always talking past each other, going over the same ground without reaching any resolution, only adding to their exhaustion and boredom.
"The heart and brain biosimulation program for THG was written by me." After a long pause, Estelle softly said, "I wrote 8,000 biosimulation emotion units for her, a complete biosimulation nervous system from head to toe. I'm her engineer, and I know better than anyone how much she resembles a real human being."
Unfortunately, Aiden's perspective was different from hers. Even though their conflicts had long since moved beyond the issue of him and THG to another level, he still only wanted to defend and justify himself.
To the point of negating everything she had done.
"I know she's similar, but even with 99.99% similarity, that's not 100%." Aiden said. "Estelle, let me say this one last time: THG is not human. All the biosimulation emotion units were written solely for pleasure, nothing more."
Estelle was taken aback, unable to hold back her bewilderment, losing herself in thought for a moment.
"Eight years ago, you asked me to be the chief engineer for the THG project. At that time, you didn't say it like that." She looked at Aiden and said, "You said you wanted to add service functions to a companion robot to boost sales, but that her core would still be a companion robot. This was your promise to me. Don't you remember what you said yourself?"
"I remember everything I've ever said." Aiden replied. "But Estelle, times have changed. Eight years ago, there was turmoil and the war had just ended. Countless people were alone and bereaved, that was certainly the best time for companion robots. But now? Eight years have passed, and our country has long been restored to peace. Economic reconstruction and technological development have taken place. When people can enjoy good material condition, the pursuit of spirit pleasure is the most important demand, I don't need to tell you about that. You might as well ask those customers – did they pay a high price for THG for her emotional companionship?"
Estelle was speechless and at a loss. After a moment, Aiden stood up. "The general manager and chief engineer of THG fighting over a common THG, if others found out, it would surely become a joke. Estelle, you're too stubborn and too extreme. Let's talk again when you've calmed down."
He picked up his suit jacket to leave. As he passed her, Estelle said, "There's no need."
Aiden stopped abruptly and turned around.
"We should part ways." Estelle said. "Aiden, we're not right for each other."
