Part 2

(Alright, this spot should do.)

(This is the perfect place to test Inu-robo's new features. No one’s around, and there’s plenty of space…....)

Let’s see…... which feature should I run first—

Ah, there you are.

Well, if it isn’t Nene and Nenerobo. What a coincidence running into you here.

It’s not a coincidence, I was looking for you.

You were supposed to do maintenance on Nenerobo today, remember?

I stopped by your house, but your mom said you went to the park…..

Leaving Nenerobo behind all alone..… How horrible.

Ah, I assumed you’d be stopping by in the evening. Sorry about that.

That’s fine and all, but..… what exactly are you doing at the park?

I’m testing out some new features for Inu-robo. You two should stick around and check them out.

New features?

You remember the read-aloud event we helped with the other day?

That story gave me a little inspiration.

For example, an acrobatic function.

Alright, Inu-robo, go ahead—jump.

......!

Wha—?! It just jumped three meters....?!

Yeah. Just as planned. Even the landing was perfect too.

Okay, but...… does it really need to jump three meters?

Of course it does.

We always have to go beyond what the audience expects, right?

Take dodging an enemy’s attack, for instance. If you can make big, dynamic movements like this, it can add a lot more impact.

Well, I guess that makes sense......

Mmmggh......

Oh, and I also gave it a dance function.

You can’t have a musical without any dancing, and if a dog starts dancing, it’s bound to garner attention.

Whoa..…! It can do that too....?!

Now, Inu-robo. Let’s give them a little performance.

......!

H-Hold on a second!

It’s standing! And it's dancing on two legs?!

Fufu, dancing on all fours is something the audience would expect. To really wow them, you need a little twist like this.

I mean, yeah, that got me by surprise...… but it’s moving way too much like a person, it’s kinda freaky..…

Mmmgggrrrhh......

I am clearly superior!

Eh.....?

Uh, um…... Nenerobo?

Looks like she's trying to compete with Inu-robo.

Oh..… Wait, could it be..…?

ーThat she just wants more attention?

What do you mean?

Since you've been talking about Inu-robo nonstop, I guess Nenerobo was feeling a little left out.

Ah, I see. I wasn’t being very considerate, was I?

I can dance too! I won’t lose!

Thank you, Nenerobo.

You've more than proven how amazing you are.

So you understand how great I am now?!

Yeah. But don’t get the wrong idea.

Inu-robo still needs a lot of fine-tuning. But if you ask me, Nenerobo, you'll always be my number one robot.

While I’m at it, maybe I should upgrade you with something new.

Fine, do whatever you want....… Just don’t add anything weird.

Got it. Alright, let’s go, shall we?