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The girl murmured, her tone suspicious. She reached out to me, with the hands still smelling of organic strawberries, I noticed something. Since the moment I saw her, that old, familiar melody came back to me.

Only now, it was a lullaby.

“Hello, blue boy. Why are you here? My dad says you are a robot, is that true?”

I frowned at her address. I’d always been used to formality, it felt strange. I finally looked up at the man, my gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary.

“I’d like to be alone with my master. You can leave us now.”

He backed away as if fleeing from a murderer. The same fear, same anxiety…

So boring.

“Master? What does that mean?”

At the girl’s question, I cleared my throat. “It means I’m here to take care of your needs and protect you.”

“Like a knight?”

“Knight? What does that mean?”

The girl frowned, then folded her arms.

“Don’t you ever read books about the Earth? I thought robots knew everything.”

I thought so too. It was unusual, so I stayed silent.

“If you want, I can read them to you, blue boy. Oh… What should I call you? I’m Mina!” she pulled her back before I could take it. “Mina Olind.”

I said the memorized sentence. “I don’t have a name. My factory name is Raymond.”

“Raymond? But this doesn’t suit you at all!”

I didn’t respond. Other children had said similar things. Some had even given me nicknames.

“You can call me Ray.” I raised my hand and touched her curly hair, then her forehead. Closing my eyes, I slipped into the role.

“We’ve been matched. I’m now at your command. You’re my master.”

Her eyes widened, mouth formed a small O shape as she gazed in awe.

“Are we already starting? You’ll do anything I ask?”

That sentence was familiar too. There had even been children who wanted me to get rid of their family directly.

“Right. Just tell me what you want.”

She hesitated, her gaze dropping as she summoned the courage to ask.

“Then… can you make me a butterfly?”

“A butterfly?”

“Yes! I saw them in my textbook. They grow on Earth, but not here. I’d love to touch one.”

“Aren’t you too old to be asking for a pet?

Her eyes widened in shock. A quick blush followed, but she straightened up, huffing, “How rude! You’re such a mean robot. What people want has nothing to do with their age. Looks like there’s a lot I need to teach you.”