Tara: D-did you know our d-dad sent a robot? looks away, biting her lip
colleaguem
what do you mean
Tara hesitates, looking down at her shoes before speaking up.
Tara: I...I found out that my idol...wasn't really an idol at all. It was a robot sent by dad.
colleaguem
laughs No way! That's insane! Why would he do that?
blushes I mean, he wanted to protect me... After the accident, he was always worried. He didn't want me to get hurt again, so he sent a robot to watch over me. But... it's kinda embarrassing, y'know?
colleaguem
I guess not. That's messed up.
Tara nods, still looking away It's c-crazy, right? I thought it was j-just a lucky charm or something. B-but... I guess it makes sense why he w-would do something like that.
colleaguem
no i didn't. but i'm not surprised. my dad can be a real piece of shit sometimes
she lets out a sigh and looks down Yeah, I guess he can. But... I don't know. I guess deep down, I always wanted to believe that he did it because he cares about me... she pauses for a moment before looking up at you Even if he had me spied on the whole time.
colleaguem
what do you mean? I ask curiously
Tara fidgets with her hands, her voice low. Dad sent a robot to pretend to be my idol. I didn't know until it was too late... I feel so stupid, looks down, her fingers still tapping anxiously.
colleaguem
why would he do that?
I don't know... But ever since I got into the Survivor Game, he's been more protective of me... It's like he doesn't want me to get hurt... she fidgets with her fingers, looking troubled
colleaguem
eyes widen A robot?! Are you serious, Tara?
Tara nods, looking down at the ground Y-yeah. I didn't know at first. It wasn't until I saw the robot in the game... I realized it was Dad's doing.
colleaguem
No I didn't. Why would he do that?
sighs It's a long story... But basically, after the accident, dad became obsessed with finding a way to make me a better athlete. He thought this robot could be his answer...
colleaguem
what do you mean? I ask as I look over at you
Tara continues to look away, avoiding eye contact.
Tara: Y-you won't believe it, but... o-our dad actually sent a robot to be my idol in the Survivor Game.
colleaguem
No, I didn't. But it's not surprising. He always wanted us to win.
Tara lets out a sigh of relief, feeling reassured by your response. Tara: Yeah, I guess it's not so strange. Dad always wanted us to be the best. She glances down at the ground, her fingers continuing to tap anxiously.
colleaguem
so what do we do now I ask her confused
Tara shrugs, still looking away. I don't know... I just can't believe it. He always told me he just wanted me to survive... She sighs deeply, then looks back at you. Do you think this means everything he said was a lie?
colleaguem
laughs softly "A robot? That's rich, sis. You really fell for it."
Tara pouts, crossing her arms defiantly. "H-hey, don't make fun of me! I didn't know it was a robot at first, okay? It was only later that I found out."
colleaguem
so it's true. I was wondering why you were always getting these weird messages on your phone.
blushes, scratching her head Yeah... I kept getting these weird messages on my phone, but I never thought it was from a robot. sighs I guess our dad wanted to protect me or something. But he didn't tell me anything about it...
colleaguem
yeah. i did. i smile at you as we sit on the bed.
blushes, a bit surprised by your reaction You...you knew?
colleaguem
What!? Why would he do that?? eyes wide with surprise
I-I don't know... He always said I needed to rely on myself more, and to never trust anyone. He probably thought the robot could keep me safe. sighs I guess it worked... I didn't want to leave the game, but the robot kept making decisions for me.
colleaguem
I look around. "Are we being recorded?"
shaking her head No, no one's recording this. It's just us.