It was the newest thing - personal androids in the likeness of your favorite stars. She had known that it was only a matter of time before Shinhwa announced availability. She sold her car, ate ramen every night, and worked three jobs for two years. There was no eating out, no movies, and no extra expenses except the internet which was, as always, essential. An hour after she made her purchase, she had quit the two extra jobs and met her best friend for lunch for the first time in forever.

She had taken a week off work, timing it so that the box would arrive on the first day. She had been cleaning manically all week. The morning  that he was to arrive, she spent forever getting ready. She was so nervous. And then suddenly it was there. The box was seven feet long. She paced around it, ran her fingers over it. She let tears roll down her cheeks. Her very own Junjin.

It was time.

 She pulled the red tab, stood at the foot of the box, took a deep breath, and opened the box.

“Oh ”

“So soon? We’ve only just met?” He had sat up as soon as the box had opened.

She stared at him in horror. A single squeak escaped from .

“I guess we should introduced ourselves. I’m a model Dongwan version 2.6357. You may call me Dongwan. What’s your name?”

She exploded.

“WHAT THE IS THIS?! You are supposed to be Park Junjin! Not  DONGINGWAN!”

He let her scream until she stopped to breath. “There appears to have been a mix up in your order. Please call this number for assistance.” He stood up and stepped out of the box. He held a card. When she took it, he turned and closed the box. “We should keep the box. I’ll have to be shipped back in it. They tried to make it comfortable but it’s not really. Where can I store it until we know what to do?”

She just stared at him. Her plans were ruined. Her hands were shaking as she placed the call. He stood across the room watching and listening.

“Hello? Yes, I got my android today and there’s been a mistake. This isn’t the droid I ordered. Yes, my confirmation number. I have it right here. 199803081980JJ6-OT. Yes, I ordered the Junjin model. No, I received a Dongwan…..No no, I’m sure Dongwan is very nice but I ordered a Junjin….Yes. Yes, I see.  They’re already back ordered? How long? TWO YEARS?! ARE YOU SERIOUS? What am I supposed to do in the meantime? I don’t want to learn to snowboard. I wanted to dance. We don’t even get snow. Yes. Yes, ma’am, I understand. Please, if there’s a chance that it could happen sooner…someone will call me, right? Thank you.” She hung up. He was still standing there, watching. “They can’t send a replacement for 2 years. They’ll pick you up when they deliver the correct model.”

“Two years….I’ll be obsolete by then. They’ll be newer, better models. I’ll be decommissioned.” He looked sad. Were they supposed to be able to feel sad? He dusted off his hands. “Oh well. We’ll just have to make the best of it then. Where should we store my box?”

The next week was awkward. She had to come up with all these house rules she hadn’t thought she would need with the JinDroid. She hadn’t really thought of anything except going dancing, and cuddling actually. This was like having a roommate, but one that didn’t eat and never slept. She would leave him sitting at the kitchen table most days while she retreated to her bed to read and cry. She had never been so happy to go back to work.

Everyone had wanted to know what she had done with her time off. She mumbled and waved them off. Everyone just winked and nodded. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, eh?” She felt sick to her stomach. And it got worse as she got nearer to home.

But when she got home, there was a delicious smell filling the apartment. And everything was spotless. She walked into the kitchen and Dongwan was humming as he cooked. “Just in time. I prepared a meal for you and have already put aside a portion for your lunch tomorrow. Your laundry is done, pressed, and put away. I cleaned. I hope you like chicken parmesan.”

“You cook? and clean?”

“Of course. The original Dongwan played a housekeeper once so I have been programmed with those skills. Is this satisfactory?”

A housekeeper? I could use a housekeeper. She nodded. This. This could work.

Time passed. She grew used to having a hot meal ready and waiting for her, all of the hated chores done. They sat on the couch together to watch dramas. He held her hand when she cried during the announcement of the first wedding among Shinhwa members. She got used to his ill timed bad jokes and his perfectly timed jokes.

It had been almost two years and she was looking through magazines for hair cut ideas. Dongwan was making faces when she showed him pictures. Her phone rang.

“Hello? Yes, this is she. I see. No, that won’t be necessary. Cancel the return. Thank you.”

She went back to flipping through the magazine. After a few pages, she looked up at him. He was grinning. “Oh don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to let them decommission my best friend. I looked it up - what they do. And I was tempted - especially after what you did to poor Trent. But… well, you’re stuck with me.”

He stood up and pulled her out of her chair and into a hug. “Thank you. thank you. thank you.” He whispered against her ear over and over. After an awkward moment, she hugged him back.

60 years later…..

She was lying in bed. It hurt to move but that was ok. Dongwan was there to take  care of her.  

He came in and helped her to the bathroom; he bathed her and dressed her. He carried her to the living room and placed her in her favorite chair. He brushed her long silver hair. She reached up and put her hand over his. She brought it down so she could look at it. He hadn’t aged. He was still as perfect as the day she had opened the box. She sighed at the contrast of his young hand next to hers. She felt him kiss the top of her head.

“I’m glad.”

“What, dearest?”

“I’m glad it was you.”