“The…Singularity Project.”
“I will now begin an explanation of the first Singularity Point.”
The term singularity represented a turning point. It made sense to use it in reference to the Project.
Matsumoto strung characters together into a massive wave of information that swept Vivy away, with his disembodied voice following her. “All right, let’s get started. First, you need to know what began the end.”
. : 4 : .
THE CONVERSATION IN The Archive was nothing more than an exchange of data and, without the need for spoken communication, only took a few seconds. No one would be suspicious of Vivy for being alone in her dressing room for such a short time, for better or worse, as her conversation with Matsumoto wasn’t something she could share. She couldn’t help but emulate an emotion—the feeling one might call pride—in NiaLand for being a place filled with so many kind and respectful workers.
“I’m not sure about this liking humans thing,” said Matsumoto. “Honesty and innocence can be weaknesses someone might take advantage of, as much as humans tend to extol them as virtues. It matters little to us AI, but an ill-intentioned human would call an honest person an ‘easy mark.’”
His voice threw a damper on Vivy’s thoughts as he casually insulted her coworkers. Even now that he’d made his way outside The Archive, he was witty and casual. Vivy made a stiff frown, an emotional response she was lacking in.
“Oh, look at that. You’ve got pretty humanlike emotional responses. It seems the most humanlike AIs elicit more positive responses. Personally, I think if it comes down to it, having the best specs in the way to go instead of getting hung up on how humanlike you are. What do you think, Vivy?”
“If you were a humanoid AI, it would be best to remove your voice components.”
“Ha ha, nice one! There would be no point, though, considering the differences between you and me.”
Vivy was in a state close to what humans might call “fed up” with Matsumoto.
In her pale, slender arms was the multipurpose clock shaped like a cute teddy bear. It was the present she’d received from Momoka, but now its cute mouth was moving with a less-than-cute voice. Strictly speaking, the teddy bear wasn’t talking. Matsumoto was using the alarm function and manipulating the internal code to create a voice.
“I can’t believe this is where you’ve ended up, after traveling through time with no body…”
“While this era doesn’t have as many digital security systems as the future, there are still lots of them. To me, they don’t look much more secure than a flimsy screen door, though. It’s like easy breezy hacking heaven. Or, cracking, really, but I feel like ‘hacking’ elicits a better image. Humans prioritize that over using the technically correct term, but I don’t understand why. Do you, Vivy?”
“You talk a lot.”
Being pure data, Matsumoto didn’t have a body. Now that he’d borrowed one, he would be able to help Vivy with the Project. The bear would only be the first replacement body he hacked his way into. Having a physical form would also allow him to hack into other nearby interfaces.
“It might seem a bit unnatural, but having an AI that looks like a teddy bear in your arms will likely elicit a positive response from humans. I think it’s a bit childish for the age you’re supposed to be, but eh, we’ll just leave it be.”
“Don’t talk more than is necessary. And…what do I do? My performance on the main stage might be over, but the park is still in the middle of the event. I’m part of the cast. I can’t just leave NiaLand.”
“That’s right, you’ve got to change out of your stage clothes and into something for walking around so you can take pictures with guests, shake their hands, and all that stuff. Hrm… All right, problem solved! I got into the park’s central security system and adjusted the process that monitors your location.”
“It was that easy to modify?”
“Yep. So easy, I feel like yawning. Not that I feel tired, but it was simple enough. Now I can make sure the park has the incorrect data for your location no matter where you are. Heck, I could maybe even modify recordings of you singing onstage to make a dummy projection that’ll go around the park, or—”
“Stop right there,” Vivy said firmly, interrupting Matsumoto’s display of his incredible capabilities. “Music is my everything. I will cooperate with you. Just don’t do anything to my music.”
Matsumoto obeyed and stopped talking right away. The words that followed weren’t meant in apology or admiration; they were just a statement of facts. “Okay, I understand. We are going to be partners for a long time to come. I’ll keep your request in mind. Just don’t think that music is all you have. Your actions will affect humanity’s existence. Don’t forget that.” Despite his flowery language and casual tone, it was clear that AI of the future were just as emotionless as most of the current AI. “All right, all right,” said Matsumoto. “Let’s put an end to this chitchat. We’re on a tight schedule. We have ten hours allotted for the corrections to this point in time and… Uh, Vivy?”
“Wait. A guest dropped something.”
Vivy ignored Matsumoto as he spun his motors in frustration at the start of their work being waylaid. Instead, she carried out her duties as a NiaLand cast member. She picked up what the guest had dropped and called out, “Excuse me, sir. You dropped something.”
The man turned around, an apologetic look on his face. “Oh, thank you…” His eyes went wide. “Ah, Vivy?”
Vivy also put a surprised expression on her face when she recognized the man and the small figure beside him.
“Vivy!”
“Momoka. Kirishima-sama.”
They had only parted ways a short time ago, but Momoka beamed and flung herself at Vivy as if it had been ages. As she came in for a hug, her small body crushed Matsumoto between them, and he let out a small cry.
“Huh? Did you hear a weird noise?” Momoka asked.
“I think so. It came from the near future,” Vivy told her.
“Ha ha! The future… You’re so silly, Vivy! And that’s the teddy bear I gave you! I’m so happy you’re carrying it around! You must be excited because it’s your birthday!” Momoka chirped away, assuming what Vivy said had been a joke.
Vivy handed her the envelope her father had dropped. “Here, try not to drop them again. Are these tickets?”
“Yep! Our plane tickets for going home. Daddy’s so clumsy! We almost couldn’t go home… But then we could’ve come to see you again tomorrow!”
“Maybe I should have been clumsy too and not picked it up.”
“Hey, Vivy! That’s naughty!” Momoka hid her mouth behind the envelope and giggled like they were playing a prank.
Vivy emulated Momoka’s cute little mannerism with a smile and then looked up at her father. “Kirishima-sama, my heart is filled with joy at the thought of your next visit to the park, although it is an artificial heart.”
“Ha ha, you’re funny. Thank you, Vivy. I imagine you’ll be busy for the rest of the day. Keep at it!” he said.
“Yeah, Vivy. Keep it up and celebrate lots!”
“I will. Thank you.” Vivy smiled wider, then said goodbye again to the father and daughter.
“I feel like a reject when I can’t actually talk,” Matsumoto grumbled afterward. “Something to fix…”
“I don’t think Kirishima-sama or Momoka would have found a talking teddy bear clock suspicious.”
“Probably true, but that’s an optimistic view of the situation. It’s unnatural and impossible for me to exist in this era. We shouldn’t let anyone else know I exist.”
Matsumoto was made to be humanity’s salvation; it was his raison d’être. Knowing that gave his words gravity, and his voice carried a tone unlike that of his earlier embodiment of levity.