°˖✧Gaijin✧˖°

°˖✧Monochrome✧˖°

Since Claw's entire organization disbanded, there are a lot of ex-members that are scrambling to find other forms of work and ways to fit back into society. The same can be said for Sakurai Yusuke and Megumu Koyama, who have begun to live together while working at the local Smile Mart - a convenience store in the middle of Seasoning City.

Due to the fact that Koyama still has some of his brashness to work through, he's mostly on stocking duty. Sakurai, on the other hand, often deals with customers, no matter how annoying they may be at times. They do back down when he threatens to grab their heads with tongs, though, so at least he has that going for him.

It's a slow day today, and Sakurai is taking the opportunity to sweep up some of the dust and other particles that have accumulated on the tile. He glances upward upon hearing the bell in the front ringing, indicating that a customer has come into the establishment. "Welcome," he calls out, though he finds himself rather surprised when he sees that this customer isn't human at all.

A small robot with a screen for a face rolls in, chirping every so often. It rolls right past him, not even offering a passing glance as it takes a b-line toward the section where all the instant ramen is. He watches it go with a furrow in his brow. He wasn't aware that technology has gotten so advanced. He follows behind it.

The little robot's stomach compartment opens, revealing a small tray. Its body extends upward, picking out a particular ramen before it moves along, carrying its cargo on its tray.

Come to think of it, wouldn't it be heavily publicized if something this advanced were brought to the country? The more he focuses on it, the more he realizes that it's rather odd. Its movements are incredibly precise, but there's a bit of an aura surrounding it. Almost as if... someone is controlling it psychically, from a distance.

But, eventually, the robot comes to the cash register and drops its cargo onto the surface of it. Sakurai finds him looking at it with suspicion clear in his eyes. Why is this thing here, and why is it gathering food like it's no big deal at all? Not to mention that the little face on the screen is starting to freak him out.

"Your total will be 1000 yen," he says stiffly.

The robot nods, actually nods, before its tray goes back into its stomach compartment for a brief moment. Then, the tray comes back out and gently sets the money needed upon the counter. It watches him, unblinking, as he takes the money and puts it in the register. "Demae-can," it chirps robotically.

He blinks as he puts the receipt in the bag, glancing up at it. "Demae-can?" He repeats. "So you're a delivery robot."

It nods.

"Wouldn't it be easier to be here in person?"

It shakes his head before taking the plastic bag in its tray and rolling out of the convenience store like absolutely nothing is out of the ordinary.

On the drive home, Sakurai glances over at Koyama as he plays a game on his phone. He clears his throat, looking back at the road like the responsible adult he is. "I had a strange encounter today," he says, making the man beside him quirk a nonexistent eyebrow.

"Didja have to grab a customer's head with those tongs again?"

"Not today," he shakes his head. "I saw a rather unusual customer today. It was a robot, but I have the suspicion that it was controlled by someone. Did the organization have anyone that could control technology besides Hatori from The Ultimate 5?"

Koyama thinks for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now that I think about it, there was apparently a little terror in Division 5. Anyone that came across her as an enemy was left looking like hell."