Breakfast

He was already waiting for me when I descended the hard-light elevator. He somehow always manages to be present whenever he’s needed. If I didn’t know him any better I’d be creeped out by now.

“Good morning, Gio.” he greeted.

“Morning.” I replied.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Not really. But it’s amazing how simulated dreams feel so real.”

“Technology that is indistinguishable from magic, you know that old saying?” he asked cheerfully.

“Yeah. Can’t believe we've gotten this far.”

“So what do you want for breakfast? Shall I warm up the food printer? Or do you just wanna pop one of those food pills?”

I stood silent for a while, pondering my options.

“No Jake, I, uh... I want to cook.”

“You want to cook?” Jake asked, surprised.

“Yes, Jake. Does the induction stove still work?”

“Yes, it does. I’ll start it up now. Do you want me to search for recipes?”

“No need. I remember my mum’s recipes just fine, thanks.”

Jake hesitated for a while. "Why?" He asked finally.

"I just want to feel human, Jake. To savour the taste of the Old Centuries...and prepare a surprise for her."

He fell silent and left me alone to my cooking.


Why am I doing this? Cooking breakfast. It’s not like I need to eat as much as I used to, as much as a normal person. 

But she needs to. Anything for her. The most important meal of the day, can’t let her miss that.

She could just keep taking the food pills through the feeding tube. It makes no difference to her anyway. As long as it keeps her body functioning, doing it the easy way makes perfect sense. She wouldn't even need to get up. So why waste time and effort? 

I try to silence the electronic part of my brain. I hate it when the processors try to override my rationality like that.

Try as I might, I can never surpress the processors while I'm awake. This is here to stay, like it or not. I think they call this schizophrenia?

Enough! I’d better start cooking. It’s my best shot at finally getting her to come out. Thankfully, the annoying voice in my head quieted down slightly as ‘power’ was rerouted to access the memories stored in the fleshy half. It wasn't long before the stack of pancakes were done. My mum taught me this simple, traditional dish, just as her mum taught her before. A treasure from the Old Centuries. I split the stack into two servings, one more than the other, while sandwiching layers of maple syrup and butter in between.

“Those look appetizing, Gio.”

“Thanks, Jake. I’d offer you a piece, but you couldn’t eat them, now, could you?”

“Oh, I can only imagine what it would be like.”

I leave the smaller serving for myself while I take the bigger one upstairs. I walk down the hallway, past my bedroom, and stood before the locked door. I knock, hesitantly, expectantly.

“Sakura? I made breakfast for you.”

I press my ear against the door and listened for any movement, any sign of her being aware of my presence. Nothing.

“I’ll just... leave it right outside the door. Eat it before it gets cold alright?”

Sure is fun talking to a wall.

I walk away and return downstairs to eat my share. She’s going to wake up. I know she will. The pancakes are her favourite.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Gio.