Almost Human

The night before classes, I was finally collapsing onto the couch after a whirlwind of last-minute projects. I’d spent the entire day glued to my computer, rushing to finish work before school started tomorrow. Now, with the deadlines behind me, I just wanted to unwind.

Ender had already set up our movie night, scrolling through options on the TV. I sighed, grateful for the distraction.

“What about a comedy?” I suggested, leaning back into the cushions.

Ender paused, his head tilting slightly. “Comedy is subjective. Shall I analyze which film has the highest user-rated humor algorithm?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “No algorithms, just… pick something you think would make me laugh.”

He turned back to the screen, thoughtfully scrolling through a few more titles before settling on a quirky romantic comedy. “There is an 87% probability you will enjoy this selection.”

I grinned. “And that extra 13%?”

“Unquantifiable variables,” he said with a deadpan tone.

I reached for the small bottle of nail polish I’d set aside. “Hey, would you want to try painting my nails?”

Ender blinked, glancing at the bottle in my hand. “A task?”

I wiggled my toes playfully. “Yep. It could be fun.”

His gaze shifted from the bottle to my feet, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw the faintest sign of hesitation. “This task is not one of my usual responsibilities. However, I am open to learning.”

“Good,” I said, settling deeper into the couch. “Consider it a part of tonight’s movie ritual.”

Ender took the polish from me, uncapping it with the same care he applied to all his tasks. “Are there precise instructions I should follow?”

“Just don’t make a mess.”

He dipped the brush, his hands steady, applying the first stroke with surprising grace. His focus was endearing, his brow furrowing slightly in concentration.

“You’re better at this than I thought,” I teased, watching him as he finished the first toe.

He glanced up. “It is a task requiring precision, much like coding. However, I question the practicality of this activity.”

I snorted. “It’s not about practicality. Sometimes, you just do things for fun.”

Ender blinked, processing my response as he moved on to the next toe. “I see. So the enjoyment is derived from the process itself, rather than the outcome.”

“Exactly,” I said, smiling. “Besides, who doesn’t love well-painted toes?”

He continued painting, lips quirking into that faint almost-smile I’d come to recognize. “Noted. I will ensure optimal polish distribution for future requests.”

We settled into a comfortable silence as the movie played, Ender methodically painting each toenail. His precision was almost amusing—each stroke deliberate, each layer perfectly even. The absurdity of it, my highly advanced AI robot companion, focused so intently on something as mundane as nail polish, made me grin.

“Do you find this humorous?” he asked, his gaze still on my toes.

“Honestly? Yeah,” I admitted, laughing softly. “It’s just… unexpected. But in a good way.”

Ender glanced up, his eyes steady but with that glimmer of curiosity. “I aim to meet your expectations.”

“You’re doing great,” I said, still smiling. “Better than I could’ve done myself.”

He finished the last toe, holding my foot gently as he inspected the polish for any flaws. “Satisfactory?”

I wiggled my toes in front of his face. “Satisfactory? More like excellent.”

Ender carefully capped the bottle and set it aside, his expression thoughtful. “It’s an interesting concept, engaging in activities solely for the purpose of enjoyment.”

“It is,” I agreed. “Sometimes, you’ve just got to do something pointless to remind yourself life isn’t all about efficiency.”

He considered that for a moment, as if filing it away for future reference. Then, with the faintest hint of a smile, he added, “Perhaps I’ll become proficient in other ‘pointless’ tasks.”

“Like what?” I asked, laughing at the thought.

He paused, then said, “Maybe next, I’ll learn how to bake a cake.”

Ender didn’t move my feet from his lap once he’d finished painting my nails, his hands resting lightly on my ankles as we continued watching the movie. It felt natural, comfortable. I found myself settling deeper into the cushions, letting the relaxed atmosphere wash over me.

When he mentioned baking a cake, I perked up. “Wait, baking a cake is not pointless. It’s amazing!” I protested, grinning.

Ender raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my sudden enthusiasm. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely! It’s an art form. You get to mix things together, create something from scratch, and then… you eat it,” I said, emphasizing the last part. “There’s nothing better.”

Ender tilted his head slightly, considering my words. “So, it’s about the process and the result?”

“Exactly!” I said, pointing a finger at him. “And the result is delicious.”

Ender’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Then perhaps I will revise my assessment. Cake baking might serve a higher purpose after all.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You should definitely try it sometime.”

“I’ll add it to my list of activities to master,” he replied, his voice still tinged with that subtle, dry humor I’d come to appreciate.

The movie droned on in the background, but I wasn’t really paying attention anymore. My focus kept drifting back to Ender—how easy things had become with him, how safe I felt. He wasn’t just a machine following orders anymore. He had become something more, and the connection we’d built felt… real. Maybe too real.

I caught myself staring at him, my thoughts wandering again to the dream, and I quickly looked away, willing the heat in my cheeks to subside.

As the movie reached its predictable, cheesy conclusion, I glanced over at Ender, who was still quietly observing, his hand resting on my feet. A thought struck me, something I hadn’t considered before.

“You know, Ender,” I began, sitting up slightly, “I think you should pick up a hobby.”

He turned his head toward me, eyebrows slightly raised. “A hobby?”

“Yeah,” I said, more serious now. “You’re always doing stuff for me, and I appreciate it, but… I think you should find something you enjoy. Something just for you.”

Ender blinked, clearly processing the suggestion. “I wasn’t designed to have personal preferences or recreational pursuits.”

“Well, maybe it’s time to start,” I said, giving him an encouraging smile. “There’s more to life than just tasks and efficiency. What if you did something just because it’s fun?”

He considered my words for a long moment, his head tilting in that familiar way. “What activity would you suggest?”

I shrugged, feeling a warmth spread through me at the idea. “It’s up to you! Maybe you’d be into painting or photography, or who knows? You could even bake that cake I was talking about.”

Ender gave a small smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. “I will take your suggestion under advisement.”

“I’m serious,” I said, nudging him lightly with my foot. “Pick something. We’ll figure it out together.”