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Ruby sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes glued to the screen as the climax of the robot horror movie unfolded. Flickering shadows danced across her room, sending shivers down her spine. When the final credits rolled, she switched off the TV and buried herself under the covers, hoping to chase away the frightening images. But sleep was elusive, and her mind kept wandering back to the menacing robot antagonist.
The next morning, Ruby's alarm buzzed at its usual time. She groggily got out of bed, still haunted by last night’s movie. As she stumbled into the kitchen, she saw Dia, her older sister, calmly making breakfast. Dia was always so composed, her movements precise and calculated—a stark contrast to Ruby’s usual morning chaos.
Ruby blinked, rubbing her eyes. "Morning, Dia onee-chan," she said, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling.
"Morning, Ruby," Dia replied, not looking up from her cereal. Her voice was flat, almost mechanical.
Ruby's mind began to race. Last night's movie had planted a seed of doubt. Could it be? Could Dia be... a robot?
Throughout the day, Ruby couldn't shake the thought. Every little thing Dia did seemed suspicious. Her perfect posture, her emotionless responses, her efficiency in everything she did—it all seemed too robotic. Ruby decided to investigate.
After school, Ruby watched Dia closely. "Dia, do you ever feel... different?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Dia looked at her curiously. "Different? What do you mean?"
"Like... like you're not quite like everyone else," Ruby squeaked, hesitating.
Dia raised an eyebrow. "Well, everyone is unique in their own way, Ruby. Why do you ask?"
Ruby's suspicion grew. She needed more proof. That evening, she followed Dia to her room. She peeked through the door and saw Dia plugging in her phone. But to Ruby, it looked like she was recharging... herself.
The next day, Ruby confided in her best friend, Hanamaru. "I think my sister might be a robot," she whispered.
Hanamaru laughed. "That's ridiculous, zura! Dia-chan is just really organized and calm. Maybe you're just overthinking it because of that movie."
Ruby frowned, but Hanamaru's words made sense. Maybe she was just letting her imagination run wild. But there was only one way to be sure.
That night, Ruby devised a plan. She would ask Dia a question only a human could answer. She approached Dia cautiously.
"Dia, can you tell me about your happiest memory?" Ruby asked.
Dia looked thoughtful. "Sure, Ruby. It was the day you were born. I remember holding you for the first time and feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and responsibility. I promised myself I would always take care of you."
Ruby's suspicion melted away. Robots didn't have memories or emotions like that. Dia was her sister, and she was very much human.
Relieved, Ruby hugged Dia tightly. "Thanks, Dia. I guess I was just being silly."
Dia smiled, patting Ruby's head. "It's okay, Ruby. Everyone gets scared sometimes. But remember, I'm always here for you."
As Ruby drifted off to sleep that night, she realized that sometimes, our fears can make us see things that aren't really there. And with Dia by her side, she knew she had nothing to be afraid of.