-Early in the morning-
*alarm rings*
Uh…Whe..am..?
*alarm stops*
I need…more…slee…
*ZzzZZzzzzZ*
-Later that day-
*Yawn*
Oh damn… It’s 12 pm. I almost forgot... about going to the store.
I need to get dressed. Hmm... What should I wear? It looks like it will be very hot today. White T-shirt and grey shorts. Yeah, I don't care too much about fashion.
Now I need something to eat... aaaand I only have one banana left. It will do, I guess.
Living alone as a 25 years old is not easy.
-Outside-
Man I’m still sleepy...
It's getting really hot. I should have taken a cap or sunglasses, eh, whatever.
Anyway, let’s check where the store is located. Umm, where did I put my phone?
.....Aha!
A little bit north from the City Centre. I will need to take the metro.
Okay. Done. Guide me to heaven, my dear GPS!
……
-Inside the metro-
Damn, I forgot to brush my teeth. Too late for that now.
The store I’m headed is one of the biggest in the world apparently.
Corona sure is amazing place. I’m actually glad I moved here.
You can find pretty much everything from around the world in this city.
Many of the major corporations in the world have headquarters here. The city is pretty much one big corporation itself. There is barely any small business here.
But the cost of living is horrible. The rent and the food prices will make me die homeless one day.
Hmm. Almost there.
Alright. Time to check out my future wife!
…..
Let’s pretend that didn’t happened.
-City Centre-
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
*walking sounds in the background*
Wow, this city is huge. I really don’t want to pay for transport, it’s just too expansive. Even the tourists coming here are reluctant to pay for transportation, what’s left for a guy almost crossing the poverty line?
……
It’s been 4 months since I moved to Corona. I miss mom. I kinda miss my hometown too, but I could not stay there. No jobs, only old people living there. Not a place for someone in his late twenties.
It was great growing up there though, among old people, it was very peaceful.
Sadly there weren’t that many children my age around which is probably why I never had any long lasting friends.
Not that today I’m any better. But there are a lot of people just like me out here.
With the improvements in AI and engineering we have created a different age.
One of the biggest problems around the world today is the demographic crisis. Even immigration and robots are not helping the replacement rates. It’s that bad.
A lot of people have been pushing for regulating the sale of ancoms. In the past this was unacceptable, but these days people are more open to the idea.
Boris – “It’s not like it’s my problem. Ancoms are superior to humans anyway.”
Now that I think about it, I don’t see that many young people with ancoms here.
That’s strange. In my country it was full of them.
Anyhow, time to head to the store and fulfill my destiny!
…
I need to stop doing this…
-Outside the store-
Ugh… so tired…
How long I’ve been walking? One hour? Maybe I should have taken the direct route with the metro.
Nah, gotta save the money. I need to eat, after all!
No need to think about it since I’ve finally arrived, anyway!
Wow, this place is huuuge. I’ve never seen such a gigantic building!
Let’s not overanalyze things and just get the job done. I have the money and I know what I’m looking for.
I’ve been saving cash for 10 years just so I could buy one of these ancom babies.
Okay, time to head in!
Just as I was about to enter, a girl is reaching with her hand towards me.
Leaflet Girl – “Hello!”
She is handing me a leaflet.
Boris – “Hi.”
I take the leaflet and take a look at it.
Hmm. It’s an advertisement for a government funded matchmaking program called “Lovegame”.
Leaflet Girl – “Do you wish to hear about “Lovegame”?”
Boris – “No, thank you.”
I put the leaflet in my pocket and continue on my path.
“Lovegame”, eh? No matter where you look, you can see ads for this program. They are really trying.
Why would anyone waste time with this bullshit? Why would anyone want a human partner these days? It’s all bullshit I tell you.
“Together for the future”…
Pfft. Not with me.
-Inside the store-
Well, here we are.
Pretty decent interior. Not that I’m expert on the subject.
But holy molly, is it full! So many people here…
Android – “Can I help you with something, sir?”
An android approaches me, speaking with a robotic voice.
Boris – “I’m planning to buy an ancom.”
Android – “Wonderful. I’ll call an employee to help you. Please wait a few seconds.”
Boris – “Okay.”
Few seconds later, a young, well-dressed woman appears.
Well-dressed woman – “Hello, sir. How can I help you?”
Boris – “I wish to purchase an ancom but this is my first time coming here, soo… I don’t know where to look. I’m really interested in the “Hantei” models.”
Well-dressed woman – “Oh, no problem! I’ll help with that. Follow me.”
She starts walking and I follow.
Well-dressed woman– “By the way, sir, how old are you?”
Boris – “Twenty five.”
Well-dressed woman– “And who are you buying ancom for?”
Boris – “Uuhm...Myself.”
She stops walking and turns towards me.
Well-dressed woman– “Um, sir, you do know we do not sell ancoms to people under 28, right?”
Boris – “Sorry? What do you mean by that?”
What’s going on?
Well-dressed woman– “It is forbidden by law to sell android companions to people under 28.”
Boris – “What?! When did this happened?!”
Well-dressed woman– “It’s been almost two years since the law has been passed. You did not know that?”
WHAT?!? NO WAY!
Boris – “You’ve got to be kidding me! What if I’m citizen of another country?”
Well-dressed woman– “It doesn’t matter. If you want to buy an ancom, you have to go to one of our stores overseas. But you won’t be able to transfer it here. Also, it’s just a matter of time before other countries ban the sale of ancoms to young adults.”
Boris – “This is unbelievable!”
Well-dressed woman– “I’m sorry, sir, but these are the circumstances.”
Boris – “…”
Well-dressed woman– “Can I help you with something else?”
Boris – “…”
Well-dressed woman– “Sir?”
Boris – “No, thank you. Goodbye.”
I storm out of the store angry.
SHIT!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
...
What the hell?! How did I not know about this?
I can’t buy an ancom? How could they even do this?
What I’m going to do now?
I hate my life.