002 ♫ VIDEO

[assonant]

[ From the perspective, someone's got his communicator propped up on a shelf or a windowsill.

The view encompasses Aoba, his desk, and the remains of four computers, four tablets, three smart phones, three remotes of nebulous origin, and a...toaster oven? From the organized chaos of metal, plastic, casing, wires, tools, and junk food, someone's been working at this a while. ]

Okay, I just have a quick request. If you have any computers or electronic devices that you don't want or that you're going to throw away, can I have them?

I need them for something.

Comments

[video]

[glassinine]

And he cannot heal?

[video]

[assonant]

I don't know. He hasn't been hurt yet and it's not like I'm going to do something on purpose just to find out.

So all I can do is be prepared.

[video]

[glassinine]

Hm. Well, that is very diligent.

[video]

[assonant]

Mm, thanks. But it's the last I can do for him. He's been looking after me for most of my life.

[video]

[glassinine]

Is that sort of thing standard in your home? Having a lifelong association with a single artificial intelligence?

[video]

[assonant]

No. [ He hesitates a little, wondering how much he should go into it. ] Ren is - was - an old model. But he's special to me. I could never replace him.

[video]

[glassinine]

Special for what reason, if I might ask?

[video]

[assonant]

E...er, well...

[ What to say? He's been keeping it a secret so far, though something in him aches to tell someone.

It's been hard. ] ...can you, well. Can you keep a secret?

[video]

[glassinine]

[Well, this is a surprising turn in the conversation. But for Miles Edgeworth, that question might as well be bacon waved in front of a hungry dog; he has never in his life been able to not chase after secrets.]

Of course.