Chapter 3The Price They Paid: Ruining My Foster Family

A month passed. At school, nobody suspected I was a robot.

As long as my human parents recharged me on time.

During the day, I acted just like any other kid my age.

Because I had incredibly powerful learning capabilities.

I didn't just learn subjects; I learned human social interaction, how to get along.

At school, I quickly became a favorite of teachers and classmates.

At home, I was obedient, sweet-talking, and handled all the chores.

I had my human parents completely charmed.

Neighbors who saw me would praise me as the most promising kid on the block.

At the end-of-term exams for eighth grade, I got first place in my class.

There was no praise from my parents. Instead, they sighed.

"Summer, this result is really disappointing."

"Your father and I spent so much time and money raising you, not for you to embarrass us."

"My colleague Sarah's son, he was first in the entire school. How am I supposed to show my face at work?"

My mom looked at the report card, her face clouded with gloom.

As she spoke, she walked over and pulled out my battery pack.

"You're staying in your room for the next few days. Consider this your punishment."

To make us more human-like, I was manufactured with the battery almost fused to my body.

It wasn't supposed to be removed unless absolutely necessary.

Doing it too often would cause fundamental damage, reducing my operational lifespan.

Correspondingly, my program would feed back a sensation similar to flesh being torn away.

My parents used battery removal as a form of discipline.

They did it without any guilt.

Just days before, they were kissing my forehead, calling me their most beloved daughter.

Savoring the meals I painstakingly cooked, applauding my culinary skills.

Then, they could turn around and casually damage my physical body.

Humans. Fundamentally hypocritical.