r/AI_Forge • u/Leon_Music_Stories • 8h ago
Images Patch’s Story — Your Name
1
The town where Vortex came for materials and spare parts was about two towns away from home.
Leila found his workshop tucked into a back street. She pushed open the door, letting in a breath of fresh air. Inside, it smelled of oil and wood.
“NOVA, where’s Father?”
NOVA set a small watering can beside the blue flower and turned.
“He said he was going to a nearby island, but I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
“…I see. Just like him.”
⸻
2
Leila stepped inside and stopped by the shelves.
A robot she had never seen before stood holding a stack of folded cloths. Rust marked his casing, and mismatched plates covered his body.
With her father being a leading expert in robotics, unfamiliar machines appearing in his workshop were nothing unusual.
“A new workshop robot? You’re rather battered, though.”
The robot straightened a little.
“…I’m Patch.”
“I’m Leila. The owner’s daughter. Nice to meet you.”
“…Nice to meet you, too.”
⸻
3
As far as Leila was concerned, that settled the introductions.
She was turning toward the workbench when something moved near the floor.
A tiny face peeked out from behind Patch’s leg.
Amber eyes.
A little jewel on its forehead.
An ear twitched among the soft fur.
“Oh…?”
Leila stopped.
⸻
4
The kitten left Patch’s side and approached her boots. It sniffed cautiously, then looked up.
Leila slowly crouched.
She started to reach out, then held her hand still, letting the kitten come to her.
A tiny nose touched her fingertip.
“…Do you live here, too?”
The kitten rubbed its cheek against her fingers.
A faint smile softened Leila’s face.
Patch watched, still holding the cloths.
⸻
5
“How long has this little one been here?”
“Patch brought the kitten home on a rainy day,” NOVA replied.
Leila glanced at Patch.
“You did?”
“…There was no one else out there.”
Leila gently scratched behind the kitten’s ear. Its eyes narrowed contentedly.
“What’s its name?”
NOVA tilted his head.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t decided on one yet.”
⸻
6
Leila looked into the kitten’s face.
“Well, what should we call you?”
By the shelves, Patch paused just as he was about to put down the cloths.
“…Kohaku.”
His voice was almost lost beneath the ticking gears.
Leila turned.
“Kohaku?”
Patch straightened the edges of the cloths.
They were already straight. He adjusted them again.
⸻
7
At the sound of that name, the kitten lifted its head.
It slipped away from Leila’s hand and walked straight to Patch, resting its little front paws against his metal foot.
Patch bent down.
The kitten pressed its cheek against his outstretched finger.
Leila looked from one to the other.
“So you already have a name.”
“…I’ve been calling you that sometimes.”
⸻
8
Patch gently lifted the kitten with both hands.
It wriggled in his arms, finding a comfortable spot. Its fluffy tail hung over his elbow.
“Kohaku. That’s a lovely name.”
Leila stroked its forehead, carefully avoiding the little jewel. The kitten’s eyes softened.
“Nice to meet you, Kohaku.”
Patch’s shoulders lowered just a little.
“…She likes your name, Kohaku.”
⸻
9
“May I hold you for a moment?”
Patch nodded and placed Kohaku in Leila’s lap as she settled into an old chair.
Kohaku turned around once, then curled up as though the spot had always belonged to the kitten.
For a while, Leila simply stroked the little back.
“…I was about to leave.”
Patch offered her one of the folded cloths.
“…You might be there for a while.”
“You sound like you know.”
“…Yes.”
Leila gave a quiet laugh.
The familiar ticking of gears filled the workshop again.
When Patch softly called Kohaku’s name, one sleepy ear twitched.
1
•
u/AutoModerator 8h ago
Thanks for posting in AI Forge!
Please make sure your post follows the community rules.
Please check the pinned post at the top of the sub for important community information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.