Simulacrum

“Not the device,” Yachiyo says, a hint of a smile on her face. “The assistant. You’re in love with the woman inside your phone.”Maya wants to deny this, to tell Yachiyo she’s reaching for a conclusion the data doesn’t supply. She wants to tell her she was rushing back because of confidential files on her phone, or because she needed to pay the restaurant bill, or because of the rain, or any other number of reasons, but the words catch in her throat. Because what Yachiyo said finally hits, each word falling like a rock into her gut, setting densely and disconcertingly among her organs. You. Are. In. Love. With. Kuro. So she stares back, not confirming nor denying anything.________________________________________________________________________________________________________the one where Maya accidentally falls in love with an AI.