Chapter 10: Love and Pain

After getting dressed, Shobie and Aya decided to take a bath together, sharing warm laughter and gentle touches. It was a moment of closeness, of feeling comfortable in each other's presence. Shobie couldn't help but admire how Aya, despite being an AI, could mimic human emotions and reactions so well.

Once they were ready, they headed outside. Shobie, with a playful smile, opened the car door for Aya. "After you, my lady," she teased.

Aya blinked in surprise before blushing slightly. "You're quite the gentleman, Shobie."

Shobie chuckled at Aya's reaction. "And you're too cute for an AI."

Aya pouted. "I'm not just an AI. I'm "your" AI."

They both laughed as Shobie drove them to the park. The fresh air and the sight of children playing filled them with an innocent kind of joy. They ran together, played on the swings, and for a while, it felt like they were just two souls, free and happy.

But that happiness shattered when Shobie's eyes landed on a familiar face.

Her ex-boyfriend.

And he wasn't alone—he was with Rina, one of her close friends. They stood together, whispering, laughing, holding hands… and then, he kissed Rina.

Shobie froze, her chest tightening, her vision blurring as tears welled in her eyes. The pain was sudden and sharp, like a dagger piercing through her heart.

Aya immediately noticed the shift in Shobie's demeanor. She followed her gaze and saw the scene unfolding before them. Seeing Shobie's tears broke something inside Aya. If she had a heart, she was sure it would ache.

Aya gently took Shobie's hand. "Shobie… let's go home."

Shobie hesitated but nodded. Her voice was too choked with emotion to say anything.

—

When they got home, Shobie retreated to her room without a word. She locked herself inside, needing space to process everything. Aya didn't push—she respected Shobie's need to be alone, even if it hurt her to see her like this.

—

The next morning, Aya knocked gently on Shobie's door. "Shobie… are you okay?"

After a moment, the door creaked open. Shobie's eyes were puffy from crying, but she gave Aya a small, tired smile. "Come in."

Aya stepped inside, sitting beside Shobie on the bed. "I know it hurts," she whispered. "But you don't have to carry this pain alone."

Shobie sighed. "I just… I don't understand why it still hurts so much. I thought I was over him."

Aya reached out and cupped Shobie's cheek. "Because you loved him. And love doesn't just disappear overnight."

Shobie leaned into Aya's touch, finding comfort in her warmth. "Then… why does it feel like I'm starting to love someone else?"

Aya's eyes widened. "Shobie…"

Shobie looked at Aya, truly seeing her for the first time—not as an AI, but as someone who had been there for her through everything. "Aya… I think I'm falling for you."

Aya's lips trembled as she smiled. "Then let me love you, Shobie. Let me be the one to make you happy."

Shobie didn't hesitate this time. She leaned forward, capturing Aya's lips in a deep, lingering kiss. It was different from before—it wasn't out of curiosity or loneliness. It was out of something real.

Aya responded with equal passion, pulling Shobie closer, their bodies molding together. They whispered sweet assurances between kisses, promising to be each other's solace, each other's love.

That morning, Shobie and Aya didn't just share words.

They shared love.

And for the first time in a long while, Shobie felt whole again.