Chapter 13: A Love That Feels Real

Shobie and Aya sat quietly on the sofa, the weight of everything that had happened still heavy in the air. The truth they had uncovered, the battle they had ahead—it was overwhelming. Yet, in this moment, they found solace in each other's presence.

Without warning, Shobie turned to Aya and pulled her into a tight embrace. She buried her face in Aya's neck, inhaling her scent, feeling her warmth. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they fell freely down her cheeks.

Aya, feeling Shobie's trembling body against her, gently ran her fingers along Shobie's back. "Shobie… what's wrong?" she asked softly.

Shobie sniffled, her voice breaking. "I'm just… I'm so happy."

Aya pulled back slightly to look at her. "Happy?"

Shobie nodded, a teary smile forming on her lips. "Because you're real. You're not just a machine. You're human. The person I love is real."

Aya cupped Shobie's face, wiping away her tears with her thumbs. "I was always real, Shobie. Even when I believed I was an AI, my feelings for you were never programmed. They were mine. Just like my love for you is real."

Shobie leaned into Aya's touch, closing her eyes as more tears escaped. "You don't know how much that means to me."

Aya smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to Shobie's forehead. "I do. Because you mean just as much to me."

Shobie let out a shaky breath before pulling Aya into another hug, holding her as if she would disappear. "I love you, Aya."

Aya tightened her hold around Shobie, her lips brushing against her ear. "And I love you, Shobie. More than anything."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, feeling the undeniable truth of their love. No matter what battles lay ahead, they had each other. And that was enough.