Electronic Emotions(Completed)

11

It took about two weeks before they could convince Karma's old friends, Rio and Hiroto, to meet them. Understandably the two were suspicious and wary of them, because after Gakushū was claiming that their dead friend was actually alive and that they can meet him again.

They met at a playground in an unfamiliar area of town. At least, unfamiliar for Gakushū, but Karma felt deja vu as the car passed small houses and street lights.

This must be a special place for human Karma, maybe he spent his childhood here, or visited this everyday, or maybe used to live here.

The car stopped infront of the playground. Gakushū and Karma got out of the car.

The playground looked unkept. The swings and see-saw looked rusty, the grass was over grown, and the monkey bars was missing some bars. Nevertheless, Karma felt warm, and allowed himself a smile as he admired the place.

Sitting on one of the swings was a girl with long blonde hair, with her was an orange haired male.

When they saw each other, the blonde girl and the orange haired male's eyes widened in complete shock, and then disbelief.

"Oh my fucking God" the blonde gasped. Her eyes watered. "Karma?"

"That can't be him...can he?" The orange haired boy asked.

Karma cautiously approached them, his eyes moving from the blonde on the swing to the ginger standing by the slide.

He raised a hand. "Sup guys" he greeted. "Rio, Hiroto, you look terrible, heh" he forced out a chuckle. "But I guess that's my fault, since I... traumatized you so much"

Rio stood up, and then ran forward, suddenly embracing her best friend.

Karma was shocked and took a step back, but he hugged her back.

Then, Rio pulled away, cocked her fists back, and then punched his face

PUNCH!

"OWE!-- what the?!"Karma landed on is butt, his hand rubbing his cheek.

"WHAT THE HELL ASSHOLE?!" Rio screamed. "We thought you were dead! Where have you been?!"

"What kind of idiot would jump off a cliff laughing, make his best pals believe he died, and then show up again out of nowhere after three weeks?!" Hiroto yells as well.

"Uhhhh" Karma said not sure what else he could say to his emotional friends.

Gakushū approached them, and helped Karma up. "Have to say, I think you deserved that punch" he said. Karma smiled sheepishly. "Yyyyeaah, I think so too"

Rio and Hiroto eyed Gakushū suspiciously. "Who's this douche?" Rio pointed at Gakushū.

"Hi, I'm Asano Gakushū...I uh, own Karma" Gakushū awkwardly introduced.

"So you 'own' Karma now?" Hiroto glared at him. "Pretty sure that's illegal"

"Guys, listen" Karma stepped Infront of Gakushū protectively, just in case Rio or Hiroto tries to punch his boyfriend

"If you're wondering how I'm...here-"

"Hell yeah we're wondering how! We were there when they buried you! We saw you in that casket! The casket was a glass one so we could see you inside" Rio pointed at Karma. "And yet...somehow, you're standing here, with us, not a scratch on your face"

Suddenly she pulled the sleeves up his arm. "And no scars either. Don't get me wrong I'm really happy to see you again but...I'm still, really really confused"

"I combined my brain with an AI base model. My family donated my brain for a pilot project to enhance AI personalities. Gakushū here owned the AI model that housed my personality sample" Karma explained pulling his hand back.

"Oh, that makes sense" Hiroto said scratching the back of his neck. They already knew that Karma had volunteered to be a tester for a personality software. They felt surprised, but pleased, that it worked. Because this means they got their Karma back.

"So where are you staying now? Are you...going back to your parents?" Hiroto asked.

Karma frowned. "No fucking way"

Rio nodded. "Then what about crashing with one of us?"

"Don't worry guys, I'm staying with Gakushū" Karma's cheeks were colored red to match his hair. "He's my boyfriend"

"What the fuck?! Dude, you were a lonely virgin last time we saw you. And now you're dating a man that is at least 10 years older than you?"Rio gasped.

"He's wonderful and he treats me right!" Karma defended. "He makes me feel on top of the world, and I'm happy" he interlaced his fingers with Gakushū. "I hope you understand"

"Whatever makes you happy" Hiroto sighed.

Rio bit her lower lip. Then, she glared at Gakushū. "Break his heart I'll break your neck" she warned him, cracking her knuckles.

"Don't worry, I don't plan on it. Ever" Gakushū responded softly smiling at Karma, before kissing his cheek.

Karma smiled back at him.

He will treasure life from now on and no longer try to cut himself short. His parents were never his family, Gakushū, and his friends are his real family