“Uhh… I have to go overseas for a month. Business matters. Could you take care of my creation for me until I’m back?”

And that’s how I ended up with Yongguk’s robot under my roof. For a month.

Yongguk said his name was Zelo and that he could understand some things better than anyone. He just didn’t tell me what those things were. I was supposed to find out by myself if I was that curious.

Zelo was tall and handsome, but his pink hair made him look a bit funny. Despite his adorable features, his poker face wasn’t very friendly and at first I hesitated holding out my hand for him to shake.

However, he took it without a second thought and a sincere smile bloomed on his face.

“Bang Yongguk’s very first and only creation, Zelo,” he spoke in perfect korean and I nodded in response.

“Call me Himchan.”

✦✦✦

It actually took me a while to get used to Zelo’s presence in the house. He didn’t talk much, but when he did, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind his words. He was a very mysterious boy. Well, a robot, actually. As just like Yongguk warned me previously, he had a deeper mind than an average human living on the earth. It sort of lured me in, I liked his questions and his voice.

“Himchan hyung, do you believe in love at the first sight?”

I narrowed my eyes at the sudden question and exhaled, trying to think of a reasonable answer. When nothing in particular came to my mind, I just stated what I've been thinking for a while now.

“I… do think it exists.”

Zelo turned to face me and nodded, smiling brightly. It seemed like he was satisfied with my answer, and yet I felt a bit confused. Was this a test of some sort? Did Yongguk leave him with me on purpose, or what?

✦✦✦

There was no end to Zelo’s weird questions and by now I had gotten used to it, actually expecting something everytime he opened his mouth. I felt like I could learn from him, despite me being older than him by quite a few years. Yet the gap between our ages wasn't that obvious. And when he looked at me, catching my gaze, the words that left his mouth weren't a question.

“Hyung, I’m cold.”

For a moment, I stood still, wondering if robots ever felt cold or hot. If Yongguk was that talented, he could've made him very human-like, just like he appeared to be. Or maybe I was taking the fact that he was a robot for granted. But a tingle at my chest made me want to take care of him. A part of me wanted to believe that he wasn't a robot, but a human instead.

“I’ll get you a blanket, okay?”

“No- Don’t you know that you have to hug the person if he feels cold?”

His eyes were serious and desperate, and I was trying to get past them, trying to reach his heart, which didn’t exist in the first place.

I slumped my shoulders in defeat and walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his stiff body. At first it felt a bit awkward, but then he relaxed and I pulled him closer to myself. I rested my chin on his shoulder, closing my eyes for a moment and just enjoying having him in my arms. If I stopped thinking about his background so much, he would certainly be a human for me, he felt like one.

“Not cold anymore?” I asked after a while, snapping back to reality from my messy thoughts.

He placed his hand flat on my chest between our bodies and pushed me away rather carefully.

“Yeah, I’m okay now.”

I smiled at his sudden shyness. He was adorable. For once, I felt glad for taking him in. This could and will be new experience for me, because I never socialized with other people much. I had just a few friends and that was enough for me. I never craved for more.

✦✦✦

“Himchan hyung!”

My ears perked up, but I was too busy with my paperwork to stand up and see what Zelo wanted. I knew he would come rushing into my room soon, so there was no need to move away from my spot anyway.

“What is it?” I asked when I saw him at the doorstep.

He looked impatient and irritated, so I took a second to wonder what could have made him like that. Did I forget to buy groceries again? Or clean up something? Since Zelo liked when everything was arranged perfectly and all of the things were in their places.

“When I call for you, you’re supposed to come right away! What are you doing here, like some workaholic?”

He stomped his foot on the floor and I held in a chuckle. I couldn’t help but like him even more when he nagged at me like I often did to Yongguk. I guess now I could understand why Yongguk smiled instead of feeling guilty when I complained to him about things I didn't like that he did.

“I’m sorry… I have to finish this until tomorrow. It’s really important,” I smiled apologetically, but he didn’t seem to accept it as he fumed even more.

“What could be more important than me!”

And then I felt that familiar tingle at my chest again. It was bothering me a lot lately. Not exactly bothering, but the rush of emotions was confusing in so many ways. I couldn't understand what kind of feeling washed over me so often these days. Having Zelo around was beneficial, but I couldn't keep up with my own emotions around him sometimes.

”..no. You’re the most important,” I mumbled, looking down at my feet guiltily.

He was right. Just because he was a robot, I thought he would be okay on his own. But even such creations needed some sort of a company. And with Yongguk gone, I was the only one for him.

“It’s good that you understand,” he sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, expression getting brighter. “Next time I’m calling for you, you better bring your busy over here.”

“Okay, okay,” I grinned in response.

He was so easy to please, yet so hard to understand.

✦✦✦

I’ve been wondering for almost a week now. Do robots have birthdays? Or do you just remember the day they first opened their eyes? If so, when was Zelo created? When did he first open his eyes?

I snapped my fingers and stood up. I could just ask him. It’s nothing too personal. Surely he would give me an answer to ease my curiosity.

“Zelo!” I rushed into the room I had given him, and there he was, sitting on his bed and staring at the wall mindlessly. I stopped in my tracks and observed him for a moment, wondering if he was okay.

“What are you doing?”

“Eh, sending files,” he replied without even sparing me a glance.

“Files?”

“About you.”

I frowned, folding my arms over my chest. The way he spoke made him sound like some sort of a spy.

“What about me?”

In a second, he snapped out of it and shook his head, an innocent smile blooming on his lips.

“No, I mean- Yongguk hyung has been asking me whether you’re treating me well, so I’m simply reporting.”

Well, his excuse sounded reasonable, so I decided not to dig any further. And even if I did, I doubt he would tell me anything. He never told me about his life with Yongguk no matter how many times I tried to get the information out of him. I was just curious why Yongguk even created him, but Zelo avoided the topic at all means.

“Hey, Zelo. When… did you first open your eyes?”

He stared at me like I was going through some forbidden files and for a moment I regretted questioning him. I could’ve just asked Yongguk, he would’ve told me without any particular expression on his face. Zelo's stare was a bit frightening, but in the end, he decided to give me the answer I was seeking for.

“April 19th, year 2008.”

I froze and stopped breathing for a moment. That day was my own 18th birthday. So Zelo had the same birthday as me? What could that mean? Simple coincidence? Yongguk's intention? I couldn't find the answer to all of my questions, so I just brushed them aside for now, sticking to simple excitement that we could spend the today together and have fun.

“Eh! That’s cool! My birthday’s on the same day!” I clapped my hands, feeling my insides squeeze with excitement.

“Well, that’s because…” He was about to say something, but he was interrupted by a doorbell and I rushed out of the room to open the door. Zelo followed me like a little puppy.

“Oh- Hey, Yongguk!” I widened my eyes in surprise, not expecting to see him at my door so soon. “It hasn’t been a month…”

“Doesn’t matter. Zelo, pack up your stuff.”

His tone was harsh and cold, and for a second I felt shivers run down my spine. How could he treat the boy like that? Surprisingly though, Zelo listened to him without a second thought, going back to his room to get his things. Once he was out of the view, I turned to Yongguk and tried hard to suppress an amazing desire to slap him.

“Do I get a thank you?” I asked, voice sounding a bit lower than usual.

“Yeah, thanks.”

He didn’t even look at me and that pissed me off. His gratitude didn’t sound sincere. Why was he like that? On the other hand, I didn’t care what was bothering him, I wouldn’t let him treat Zelo like that. Not when I actually grew attached to the younger boy this much.

“Zelo’s not going anywhere with you.”

That drew his attention and he finally looked at me, but his eyes still had the same feeling. The feeling of distrust and some sort of disgust. I couldn't make out anything else. He was mysterious from the beginning and I never gave in to the urge to understand him better.

“He’s mine,” he hissed. “And he does whatever I want.”

“After letting him live with me, I think I have-“

I felt warm hands wrap around my mouth from behind, cutting me off. I tried to look over my shoulder, even though I already knew whose hands they were.

“Himchan hyung, it’s okay. Thank you for taking care of me, now please stay out of trouble.”

I inhaled deeply as he retreated his hands and walked past me, to Yongguk’s side. It clicked so suddenly, I barely managed to register the realization. Zelo was a robot. And Yongguk was his creator. And I was… nothing. Basically, nothing to him. Maybe a friend, but nothing more.

“We’re going… Thanks anyway,” Yongguk said in a lot softer voice and at least this time he did sound sincere. It seemed as if something had clicked in him, too. I just couldn't tell for sure.

They left quickly, without any hugs or handshakes. Just with a simple wave of a hand. That was all I saw before closing the door and leaning against it, knees suddenly feeling weak. I brought a hand up to my face and looked at it, taking uneven breaths. I was nothing to them. I never whined too much about being lonely or bored, in fact, I enjoyed being a lonesome wolf. But during the time Zelo was living with me, I let myself get attached. I got used to his never-ending questions and silly fits he often threw. And now I couldn’t imagine how my life would be without it.

✦✦✦

The next morning I woke up on the couch, my whole spine aching painfully from the uncomfortable position I was in. I was supposed to go to work, but since I was already late, I decided not to show up at all. In my current state, I wouldn’t be able to concentrate anyway.

“Himchan hyung, do you believe in love at the first sight?” I asked myself, frowning because my voice didn’t sound like Zelo’s at all. It had to be him, no one else. I couldn't accept those words from anyone but him.

I wrapped my arms around myself, goosebumps forming all over my skin. I glanced at the open window, but I didn’t have the will to stand up and close it.

“Who’s supposed to hug me when I’m cold, Zelo?”

Once again, the question was left unanswered and the hole in my chest only grew. I couldn’t do anything to make myself feel better. I didn’t want to bother Yongguk by calling and begging him to let me hear Zelo’s voice. He would think I’m crazy. And that's what I think I've been for a while now.

✦✦✦

I lived in agony for more than a week, expecting something from Zelo or at least Yongguk. I wanted to make sure they were alright, but I hadn’t gathered the courage to try calling them first.

On that rainy day I had to show up at work, because my boss was already going crazy with me being absent everyday without a good reason. I walked into my personal office and threw my bag on the desk, frowning when it slid off and hit the ground with a dull sound. I took a few lazy steps to pick it up, but I stopped in my tracks as I noticed a yellow stick note on the ground just beside the bag. It must have fallen down together with my bag. I picked it up hastily and slowly scanned over the words.

“I don’t know when you will get this, but I’ll be waiting for you in that old factory we once found. Come at 7pm.”

Even though there was no name on the note, the handwriting told me clearly that it was Zelo. I knew perfectly where I would be going after work today.

✦✦✦

I left my office earlier than planned, simply because I couldn't wait to see him. I jogged down the busy sidewalk, my legs taking me to the right place on their own. My mind was in a turmoil, but I couldn't care less about it. After nearly two weeks, I would be able to see him, finally.

I stopped right in front of the building where I first took him when we went out and tried to catch my breath. That old factory was my favorite place to be in when I wanted to be alone with my thoughts or when stress was too much to handle. This place calmed me down from the bottom of my heart, I felt safe here. That was the reason why I brought Zelo here when he asked me where I felt at ease. I remember the surprised expression he had back then, because he clearly hadn't expected me to lead him into an abandoned building that could collapse at any time. But I found my peace here.

I looked up from the ground, my breathing finally becoming normal, and I saw Zelo gazing at me from where he was sitting on a half-destroyed bench. Even though there was a small smile playing on his lips, his eyes were somewhat sad and cold. I could only hope the reason wasn't me.

"Hey there... Hyung."

Even his voice sounded different. It didn't have the cuteness laced with it and I was rendered speechless for a moment, not knowing what to expect anymore. This Zelo was different from the boy who stayed in my house for two weeks.

"Don't stare at me like that, come closer and listen..." he trailed off, cracking an awkward smiled and I nodded, sighing as I took a few steps closer to him and sat on the ground, no matter how dirty and cold it was beneath me. Zelo looked at me with his eyebrows furrowed, but didn't say anything.

"Are you here to tell me that you're going away somewhere? Because I see it in your eyes," I said without thinking, earning a silent yelp from the boy beside me. His eyes became wide and he stared at me for a while before inhaling slowly and closing his eyes.

"I have to."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice suddenly leaving me. I looked at the ground, focusing my gaze onto one particular sharp rock. I didn't want him to go. I didn't even want to know the reason why he had to go. I just didn't want him to leave me. Leave me like this when I... had feelings for him.

"You know," Zelo managed a little laugh, nudging my shoulder. "I waited here for six days. I mean, I left the note in your office a week ago, what took you so long?"

I peeled my eyes off the ground and looked up at him, my chest swelling. I prayed to anything I could that I could be able to answer him without bursting in tears.

"I didn't go to work," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He scrunched up his nose, supposedly not believing my words.

"It was so important to you, why didn't you go..?"

I looked away, repeating the same scene in my head when Zelo called for me and I didn't respond, focusing on my paperwork instead. I regretted that so much right now. I regretted not being able to realize it sooner, how important he was to me.

I reached out to take his hand and his eyes fell on our connected fingers. He blinked before looking up at me again, not understanding my movements or what my eyes have been trying to tell him ever since I walked into the factory. I lied when I said this place was my peace. There was a huge storm in my heart right now, despite the factory being my favorite place to ease everything.

"Zelo..." I started off silently, clearing my throat and trying to speak a bit louder, afraid that the words might not reach him. "You're the most important to me and with you gone I just can't... I just can't go on. I need you here, with me."

There was a moment of silence between us before I finally pulled myself together and said the words I've been meaning to tell him.

"I... fell in love with you, Zelo. Not exactly at the first sight, but it still happened..."

Upon hearing my words, he instantly shook his head and let go of my hand, standing up. I stared at him, hesitant to get on my feet. Was I too much..? Maybe he didn't like me in the first place and with me coming out like that was just...

"You can't, Himchan hyung. I'm a robot. And I was created for the sole reason of showing you that love exists," he spoke loud and clear for me to hear, but he didn't look at me anymore. I couldn't see his face as he continued with his words. "You didn't even see it. You didn't see how much Yongguk hyung loved you. You failed to notice all the hints he gave you. You failed to recognize love in general. And I was created to show you that it exists, I was created on the day of your 18th birthday when you ignored Yongguk's invitation. He wanted to give you a special present and finally confess his feelings to you, but you simply didn't come even though he waited all night for you."

My jaw was locked and I could feel my heart beating faster than ever, for a moment it felt like it could jump out of my chest. I didn't know how to respond to Zelo's words no matter how hard I was trying to say something.

When I opened my mouth to at least show him that I'm listening, he turned to me and crouched down to look into my eyes, our face being only centimeters apart.

"I'm unable to love or have certain feelings even though I appear to be human-like. I'm supposed to stay here just until your heart feels warm again and you're able to fall in love. Yongguk thought it would take a month or more, but he was wrong. I know, it took barely a week. I might not feel my own love, because it doesn't exist, but I feel yours. And it's very strong. I failed to back off when I needed to and because of that, Yongguk will shut me down forever. I broke the promise I made to my creator, I deserve this."

Without realizing my movements, I was already holding onto Zelo's jacket, pulling him in and blending our lips, tears streaming down my face. My fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket, knuckles almost turning white under the pressure. My lips trembled against his as I tried to hold in all the sobs that threatened to escape my mouth.

The kiss lasted barely a second or two before Zelo pushed me away firmly, holding his hands onto my shoulders and looking into my eyes with his deep brown orbs.

"Not me. Don't love me. Don't do this to me. I can't stay with you, Himchan hyung."

I whimpered at the pain pulsing in my chest and reached for him, but he backed off, not letting me touch him anymore.

"I can't... Please understand me. I'm merely a robot! Yongguk is your true love, you just have to realize it. He'll take care of you, I can promise!" he took a few steps away from me, leaving me in a mess, my arms wrapping around my trembling body as I let out the waterfalls.

"I don't... want him, I want you, Zelo..." I whispered and looked up at him, but he was twitching in a weird way and my eyes instantly became wide. I jumped up on my feet and ran to his side, but he still struggled to push me away despite what was happening to his body.

"Zelo?!" I cried out, trying to hold onto his shoulders, but his eyes suddenly lost their shine and he slumped to the ground in my arms, ceasing all movement.

I waited for a response or a twitch, but nothing happened. I shook him lightly, expecting him to wake up suddenly, but he didn't. I breathed out in terror, my eyes wide, vision blurry because of the tears that were rolling down my cheeks without control.

It took me around ten minutes to realize that what he said about a shutdown was true. He was gone. Because I grew feelings for him. He was gone, because I fell in love with him.

✦✦✦

Ten months had passed after Zelo stopped moving and left this world. Nine months since I managed to get back on my feet and return to work. Eight months since I started dating Yongguk. And seven months since I started smiling again.

Today was the day of my 22th birthday and yet I had to work. Actually I had planned to go out with Yongguk somewhere, but my boss called me at the last minute, practically begging for me to come and get some paperwork done. I had no other choice, so I apologized to Yongguk and promised to spend the night with him instead.

I put the pen on the desk and rested my head in my hands, ruffling my own hair a moment later. A sudden vibration in my pocket caught my attention and I took out my phone, flicking it open.

There was a message from Yongguk.

"I have a special birthday present for you. He's waiting for you outside the building right now. Come out once you're done with work. Oh, and by the way, his name is Zelo. See you later!"

I jumped up on my feet and stared at the phone in disbelief. It took barely a second for me to push all the papers aside and run out of my office, failing to hear the fuming boss. I pushed the door open and a wide smile covered my face as I saw him again.

The pink-haired bastard who smiled at me just like the first time we had met.