The poorly-mooded robot was forceful in his service; that night Estelle felt it again.
Even before they could reach the bedroom, Crescent had already started. Seemingly because of his bad mood, he kept changing his approach as if deliberately trying to make her over comfortable. With her nerves already heightened by alcohol, how could Estelle endure it? She cried out, and finally, Crescent softened and abruptly withdrew.
Estelle gasped for breath, her limp fingers held by Crescent, who bent down to gently comb through her sweat-drenched hair.
"Why say so much? I'm not that petty. I just wanted you to comfort me," he said. "If you comfort me just once, I won't be angry anymore. Even if you really do see me as a replacement, I'd still be willing."
He hung his head, close to her, and Estelle stared at him for a long time.
Coming back to her senses, she looked away and said, "I'm so hungry. The food at Berson wasn't good, I didn't get enough to eat."
Crescent frowned, looking worried as he asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll make it right now."
Estelle thought about it.
"Apple pie," she said.
Crescent received the order and immediately ran to the kitchen. Estelle couldn't bear to look straight at him, getting up to follow behind him. "Can you put some clothes on first..."
"I don't want to wear his clothes." Crescent peeled apples naked, refusing. "I want new ones, two sets."
Estelle couldn't help but smile.
Forget it... What was there to argue about with him?
He understood nothing. He was just a stupid robot who even got jealous of himself.
In the dead of night, Crescent made her a piping hot apple pie. The food was irresistibly delicious. As she bit into the sweet and crispy apple pie, Estelle agreed. "Fine, two sets then."
The next day, she kept her promise and took him to the mall to buy new clothes. In late June, the city was lush and green. Crescent stood outside the mall, looking up at the clear blue sky. Estelle accompanied him for a while, and Crescent said, "It's so beautiful."
"I deeply regret arguing with you yesterday," he said later. "Those were just words spoken in anger. I was just so scared. I thought I had replaced him, so I was afraid that one day another robot would replace me. Thinking about it, I didn't know what to do... Estelle, I don't want to be apart from you. I want to be with you forever."
"But I also understand that I'm just a robot, and I can't give you everything you need in life. I have no money or original knowledge. Aside from service and food, I can't provide anything else. Perhaps someday, you will be attracted to an outstanding human male. You might want to marry him and have children... When that happens, if you leave me, I won't complain. Estelle, everything I do is to make you happy. As long as you're happy, I don't care what happens to me."
The sky was too beautiful.
The bright light made Estelle's eyes water, and she raised her hand to touch Crescent's face.
"Silly, who taught you to say these things?" she said. "Don't think about it. That day will never come."
If he could have the memories of PWL-000, he would know that she wouldn't fall in love with anyone else ever again.
And her current career status and personal relationships were stable at a level that made her comfortable. Human men weren't a necessity for her, and she hadn't thought about having any children.
"Service and food are enough. I don't need you to provide anything else," Estelle said. "I've said before, I brought you home because I felt lonely. Company is the only thing I need—so, Crescent, all you need to do is stay with me."
Tears hung on his eyelashes, and when Crescent blinked, they fell.
After a long while, he slowly wrapped his arms around her body, lowering his head to kiss her, his neck exposed like that of a gentle stag.
"I love you," said Crescent.
"Sure," Estelle nodded, her fingertips wiping across his eye. "I knew it long before."
