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xandraspalace · 1 year

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Automaton’s End Point

----- Automaton’s End Point || ZEA Cornelia [NIJISANJI] x GN! Reader - A Parting Gift

Summary : That was ZEA Cornelia's final moment before she got deactivated and she decided to spend the rest of her final time with you. But parting is still parting. Even though you parted with a smile, you still end up falling, mourning your love that has gone. With memories collected in one chip, you can only hold on tight as the last thing he left behind.

WC : 2546 words.

Warning : Grammar errors, hurt w/o comfort, hint of lore, professor’s assistant! reader, Plastic Memories references, I Picked Up a Second Lead After the Ending references, Honkai: Star Rail references, Conquer the Night lyrics mentioned, etc.

Featured Characters : Taka Radjiman, Hana Macchia (mentioned), and Professor Cornelia (mentioned).

Disclaimer : Everything written here is FICTITIOUS. This story is written in second-person point of view and the reader is gender-neutral. The personas written here are based on the avatar of the characters as vtubers, not the person behind it. Enjoy.

A/N : LISTEN, WHY DO I HAVE TO WRITE THINGS ARE A PARTING GIFT?! I WANT TO WRITE MORE ABOUT ZEAAAA!! MA’AM I WILL MISS YOU SO BAD:( WHY MY FIRST FANFIC FOR YOU IS ALSO MY PARTING GIFT FOR YOU:( This is the reason why regret always comes at the end. Be happy always, ZEA... We love you!

Other Platforms : [MEDIUM] [TWITTER]

“THANK you so much, Taka…”

"No, I should be the one who thank you, for everything. Sponsoring you had guided Mitaka and me to many opportunities.” The man named Taka sat himself in front of ZEA Cornelia.

ZEA could only chuckle. “And without your sponsorship, I would not have been able to come this far. Truly, the funds you invested in me as an idol were of great help.”

"Then we're even?"

"Yeah, you're right."

Silence enveloped for a few moments. The scent of jasmine tea pervaded, making the silence not awkward but comforting.

"I can't believe this is all going to end," ZEA suddenly said, staring out the window.

ZEA and Taka decided to terminate their sponsorship cooperation after the automaton decided to deactivate her program and system. She felt that her system had been running for too long and she had to take a really long break.

Taka himself terminated his cooperation contract with ZEA not only because the automaton would deactivated herself. Taka Radjiman intended to quit and dissolve his company. Mitaka Solution has achieved their highest vision and now he has decided to step down from his position.

One thing that bothered him was how ZEA's memory records will probably be erased when she is deactivated. He didn't know how exactly, but his heart ached at the thought of how ZEA wouldn't remember him and all the memories she had when her system stopped working.

"Something bothering you?" ZEA asked, noticing how Taka kept staring at his teacup blankly.

Taka was silent for a while, trying to choose the right words to convey his worry. "Have you spoken to Hana?"

ZEA nodded, a small smile touching her lips. “This is a very difficult situation for the three of us, and this also doesn’t make it easy for her. I remember Mitaka also sponsored her. Will you still sponsor her after you dissolve your company?”

"I'm still thinking about that."

ZEA knew what Taka was worried about, so she smiled. Taka didn't want to look worried, he couldn't come up with the right question. “If you're worried, Taka,” the automaton started as she took a sip of her tea. “My memories will be retrieved and collected in a single chip after I'm deactivated. If my professor's assistant decides to reactivate my system, they can simply reboot my system using the memory module in that chip."

Taka's gesture showed that the tension was released from his body. “Thank goodness,” Taka whispered, barely audible to ZEA. “Talking about Professor Cornelia's assistant, how are they? I believe this was not an easy decision for them either.”

Once again, ZEA smiled resignedly. "It seems I have caused them pain."

ZEA stood silent as she entered the laboratory. Across from where she stood, she stared at your back which she recognized so well. You sat down there and looked down. Their condition got worse after I asked her to do that, the automaton thought to herself.

"ZEA, are you sure?"

"Of course, I am. I don't think I can use this system anymore. I just wish to be reunited with Professor once more…”

ZEA still remembered how shock, worries, and fear mixed into one on your face. But the decision she made was final.

"Come on now, [Y/N]," ZEA suddenly voiced her concern and approached you, making you flinch a little. But you didn't turn your face to her. "I think this is what the Professor means by 'Don't get too attached to what you're doing or you'll go mad.' Are you feeling mad because I'm leaving?"

“I finished the preparations … Including your the chip for your memory module and its copies.” You were changing the subject. You kept looking down, while your right hand engraved the letters on the paper to make a report.

“And about your question a few days ago, ZEA,” you continued. “I will probably be a full-time lecturer after this. So you don't have to worry about me."

ZEA remembered. She asked what you were going to do after she was gone. She didn't expect you to answer her question. But at least, she could now leave in peace. “I see. That's good to hear."

An uncomfortable silence enveloped both of you again. Only the voice of your pen hitting the paper was heard at that time. You were too focused on writing something. However, when ZEA saw tears started to fall onto your paper, she knew why you kept looking down. You were crying.

That was when ZEA's arms reached for you, turning you around to look at her. The automaton embraced you and you started to cry. “I have sinned to make you cry like this. I'm sorry for causing you such pain,” ZEA muttered softly, cradling your hair.

"That's not fair," you shakily mumbled. “I've been trying so hard not to cry…”

“[Y/N],” she called your name. “Impian tuk berubah~”

You gasped when ZEA suddenly sang very softly, cradling your hair. Meanwhile, ZEA smiled because she can finally calm your crying.

“Hapuskan keluh kesah~ Redam gelisah, walau tak mudah~ Mari melangkah~”

You fell silent in her embrace. In the end, you could only lean on the front of her body when she hugged you. You tried to calm your heart and stared blankly somewhere while listening to her singing.

“Berlari di bawah kilau cahaya ini… Tak berhenti walau malam kan berganti… Free yourself and be ready… Change the destiny, for our reverie…”

ZEA continued singing at a slower pace and with a softer rhythm, as if she were singing a lullaby.

“Shout out, conquer the night~”

ZEA sighed as she finished singing the song for you. You were still silent in her arms and ZEA was still cradling you.

You almost forgot that ZEA was booted as an idol automaton by your Professor. It was only natural that you and many people really like her singing voice. It was her charm, her identity.

“[Y/N]…” Once again, she called you. You could only hum to answer her. "Tomorrow will be my last day, do you mind spending my final time with me?"

"What about others?" you asked, talking about all her friends she made during her active lifespan.

ZEA chuckled. "I've already said enough goodbye to them." She looked at you with her signature smile. "So, your answer?"

"What will Professor think if I say no, ZEA?" you asked knowingly.

"Uh... he'll be mad at you?"

“Exactly.”

ZEA seemed very excited. Because when she woke up in the morning, she immediately got ready and pulled you out of your bed. Seeing how excited she was, you smiled and could only comply.

From the sunrise to the sunset, you and ZEA visited many places in the city. It all started from the venue where she debuted. You still remember how it was only you who could see how nervous ZEA was at that time. She was professional, indeed.

You and ZEA also visited some of the dating spots you've been to. Some of them bring blushes back to your cheeks because of romantic memories and some of them bring laughter because of funny memories.

After that, ZEA asked you to take her to the post office. She intended to send her last letters to his friends. Seeing how many letters she wanted to send, you couldn’t tell when she wrote them all.

And the last place you visited before returning to the laboratory is the flyover, a place that may be ordinary to many people but very special for both of you.

With the sun just setting, you and ZEA gazed at the city cladded in colorful lights from above the flyover. You two just stood there in silence, enjoying each other's company.

"[Y/N], do you remember the first time Professor brought us here?" ZEA asked so suddenly without looking at you, breaking the silence.

"Of course, I do. It was right a few days after the Professor activated your system. I still remember how you got too excited when you saw the city lights,” you answered. You looked at her who was still looking at the city. “ZEA,” you called. “As expected…”

“Huh? What?” ZEA turned to you when she heard your sentence. "What do you expect?"

“That same euphoria is still dancing in your eyes. You have the same expression as when the Professor brought us here the first time.” But after saying that, you widen your eyes in surprise. “ZEA…?”

"Ah, what's wrong with me?" she said with a crack voice. Her hands hastily and carelessly wiped the tears that kept rolling down her cheeks. "What is this? I promised myself I wouldn't cry."

A faint smile suddenly touched your lips. “Now, now, shouldn't I be the one crying? I'm the one you're leaving, you know." You pulled ZEA in a hug and let her cry on your chest.

To be honest, the concept of “perfect human” has always frightened you. You once thought your Professor was crazy because of that concept he idealized. But after he created ZEA, you began to questioning yourself. Where that fear came from actually?

Was it because the automatons could feel human feelings as well like a normal human? You don't know, and probably never will. That would be an unanswered question forever.

“ZEA…” you called her name.

"Yes?" A sob escaped along with an answer.

“Were you happy during your active time?”

The automaton nods in your arms. "I am very happy."

"Is there anything you regret?"

Now she shook her head. "There's nothing I regret."

"A million dollars question. Are you scared, though?"

ZEA's grip on the front of your clothes was getting stronger. "I am very scared. I'm afraid to be deactivated!”

You pulled yourself from the hug and looked straight into her ocean blue eyes, a smile on your lips. "Then, it's enough. The perfect human concept that the Professor created was a success. Happiness, regret, and fear, those are human emotions and you can feel them too perfectly. I’m sure Prof will be so happy.”

You wiped her tears gently. “ZEA, you should know this too. I’m really glad that I could be both your supervisor and partner.”

You joined your forehead with hers. she cried again in your arms.

At this moment, you will ask, what will happen to you after ZEA falls into her eternal sleep? What will happen to you after you woke up from this dream?

After returning to the laboratory, you immediately had check up session on her for one last time. After making sure there were no defects on her system, ZEA immediately stepped into her artificial tube.

Before you close the tube, you hold her hand tightly. ZEA could feel how your hands were shaking. The automaton tightened her grip on your hand, making you look up at her.

Her blue jewel eyes shone in the dim light of the laboratory. With a smile on her face, ZEA nodded, reassuring you that everything will be fine. She was assuring you that you need not to be afraid and doubt what you will do.

ZEA leaned to your ear and whispered softly, "Let's meet again in the future, with a new system and program, but the same memory."

That was enough to convince you. You nodded and kissed her cheek and forehead one last time. You didn’t care about how your heart beating painfully.

It was a golden hour for an automaton and her supervisor lover.

A farewell with a smile was what you and ZEA really wanted. Therefore, no matter how painful it is, you smiled gently at her. You let go of her hand and closed the artificial tube.

"After I finish collecting your memories in the chip and make its copies, I will immediately send it to the people you ask," you informed her. ZEA nodded and thanked you.

“Thank you, ZEA…” you murmured, your palm touching the glass tube.

ZEA shook her head slowly and smiled. “No, [Y/N]. Thank you."

The automaton was resting herself and waiting for you to start progressing. She took a deep breath... for the last time.

You didn’t want to live with doubts and regrets. As soon as you saw the option to start the process, you immediately pressed the screen to start the option.

Shutting down ZEA.exe...

Restoring ZEA.exe to factory set: Progress begins…

Your breath hitched. The serene smile on her face made your heart ached. You stared at her who were sleeping in the artificial tube.

10%...

25%...

You closed your eyes, didn’t any heart to see her life essence slowly fading from her body.

50%...

75%...

100%...

Successfully restored ZEA.exe to factory set...

ZEA.exe successfully shutting down...

Shutting down system complete…

The beeping sound from your device was deafening and painful. You opened your eyes, realizing that the process of deactivating ZEA Cornelia had been completed. Without you knowing it, tears were sliding down your cheeks again.

You let go of the pain that you have been holding back for almost a month since ZEA told you her wish of being deactivated. You cried out loud in front of the artificial tube where ZEA's physical model was soundly asleep.

Successfully retrieved ZEA.exe memories module…

The sound of the device came back, making you flinch from your lamentation. You were silent for a moment, looking in the direction where you came from. That was when you remember one of the things ZEA wanted you to do.

Staggering, you got up and immediately pressed the "copy" option on your device. You made several copies of the module for you to share with ZEA's closest friends.

But when you analyzed every data in the module, one data caught your attention. You opened the data only to be surprised and start crying again.

“[Y/N], I'm happy to be with you until the end. Thank you, I love you very much."

It was the last bit in ZEA Cornelia's memory before you started the deactivation process.

Your forehead and palm touched the glass of the artificial tube. Even with tears flowing, you smiled. "I'm so glad I met you, ZEA. In the far future, we will be reunited.”

Taka stood by the glass window of his office with several papers of letter in hand. He gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his own feelings. His heart suddenly throb painfully. He didn't want to cry because basically he would also follow the sender of the letter soon. But sadness, anger, and worry still eat away at his heart.

On his desk, his device played some records of someone's point of view. The chip that was sent not long after the letter arrived played up memories of its owner. Taka have already watched some of the memories, but he was not strong enough to watch them all at once. He would end up spending almost 4 years watching all of it.

"Get my car ready," he ordered his assistant. Taka put the letter back in the envelope and took out the chip he was playing from his device. He grabbed his suit jacket.

"If I may ask, where are you going, sir?" the assistant asked.

"I have to go to Hana's place. I have to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid and is okay." -----[FIN].

Automaton’s End Point Fiction by Author Xandra May, 2023

#nijisanji x reader #nijisanji id #nijisanji ex-id #nijisanji ex id #zea cornelia

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