The next day, Astro was flying over the Surface to the circus. Last night, he barely got some sleep since his mind could not stop spinning the whole Reno thing, that and the guilt for having caused so much fuss.

He told his father that he would go out to study in the library. Tenma seemed to agree and allowed him. Astro did not like to lie to him, but he doubted that after last night's incident, his father would let him return, so it was better not to risk it. And since it was the weekend, he wouldn't have to worry about school; his free day had served him well, and his battery was 100% charged, he would not have to worry about being tired.

While flying, he noticed some things: the center of the Surface was very active that day. There were various market stalls for sale and exchange, made of tarps of different colors, supported by wooden poles, and tied together with cords. There were also some food stalls, with tables on the sidewalks, or they could eat in the bar where they prepared the food. The chairs were plastic, not the floating ones he was used to; there were also a couple of robots in the corners that marked the path that visitors had to follow.

Astro found all this curious. His stay on the Surface had been short as he spent most of his time with Cora and the others, so he didn't have time to explore. Maybe this would be a good opportunity since the circus was not far away, and he could walk there, so he went down.

When he landed, he noticed that the stalls sold many things, from shoes to sneakers, video games, clothes, antiques, and toys; everything was very varied. There were human and robot employees; some were big and strong and helped unload the merchandise from the trucks; others were salesmen but always accompanied by a human. And other androids even served as models, using the products. Someone honked softly at him.

Astro looked behind him and noticed a boy coming up on a yellow hoverbike, worn out and with peeling paint.

"I'm sorry," Astro said, stepping aside. The boy passed by and waved his thanks.

Astro kept moving forward; many of the sellers, human and robot, were coming up to him and saying things like:

"Come and see, young lad. What do you want?"

"What were you looking for, young man?"

"Pregunte por lo que le agrade, sin compromiso."

"Thank you. Thanks. I'm just visiting," Astro thanked as he continued.

On his route, he met a robot monkey who danced to a song played by his owner; a crowd of children was sitting around him, and everyone laughed and applauded with each new feat of the robot. Astro smiled at the little show.

He kept walking, and the stalls did not stop. There were many that day; it wasn't until something caught his attention that he stopped: a tall boy with tanned skin, red hair, and blue eyes was buying bread. He dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt. Over it, he wore a navy blue T-shirt with white lines on the shoulders, light gray jean pants, and black shoes.

Now, it would not be much of a deal if it wasn't for the fact that he looked so much like Reno.

"You'd be missing three coins," the vendor told him.

Reno reached into his pockets and pulled out a mechanical part.

"Would this be enough?" He answered, smiling.

The seller's eyes lit up.

"With that, you can pick something else."

Reno smiled as he took a red bean mochi box from the stand, put it in his bag, and waved goodbye.

"See you next week, Mamoru," the salesman said.

Astro clenched his fists. He could be wrong; he had no proof that the boy was Reno. The seller had called him by another name, and his voice sounded a little deeper than last night, but he had to make sure. He followed the boy to an alleyway, the end of which gave way to grassy areas. Reno was about to cross it when Astro arrived and called him:

"Reno?"

The boy stopped short, stood still for a second, and slowly turned around. Astro could see Reno had a drop of sweat on his forehead and a very nervous expression.

"Uh-" he stammered, then he noticed the bag; he gasped and hid it behind his back.

"You look... different," Astro continued, embarrassed now. It wasn't his intention to scare him.

"You are confusing me with someone else!" Reno said nervously. "My name is Mamoru, and I-"

"I'm sorry about yesterday," Astro apologized, putting both hands together, closing his eyes, and lowering his head, "I didn't mean to offend you and your friends, nor to cause any trouble."

Astro opened his eyes.

Reno didn't know what to do; he spent the whole night and morning angry with Astro, cursing him for being a loudmouth, but now that he saw him... Astro was sorry, and he showed it. It was hard for him to stay angry with him; he remembered the words of his father:

"Astro had no intention of causing trouble."

And it was true; it would be unfair to stay mad at him. After all, he had saved the show, and if someone had really gotten hurt... it really would have been the end for them.

So he smiled, blushing a little.

"It's okay, Astro, no problem."

Astro looked him in the eyes and smiled.

"Thank you."

Reno looked both ways.

"Do you mind if we talk somewhere more private?"

Astro nodded.

"Show the way."

...

Reno took him to a hill, on top of which was a tree that gave good shade. They sat down, and Reno ate some of the bread. Astro took the opportunity to contemplate the landscape, similar to where he had faced Frankenstein, and he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

"It's me? Or does everything look greener?" He asked.

Reno finished eating and looked at him.

"It is," he answered, "after you fought the Peacekeeper, the blue energy that spread affected nature; the flora is growing faster, and the air is cleaner... Heck, there is a lake that is blue again!"

Astro smiled, scratching his head.

"I'm glad my little sacrifice created something more than the zombies."

Reno smiled gently.

"Not only that, with the 'New Life' program, the junkyard has reduced, allowing more nature to grow! And those robots can have... well, have a new life."

He giggled, and so did Astro.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks, Astro, for all you have done."

Even though their first meeting wasn't the best, Reno had always admired Astro.

"Don't thank me. I'm just doing the right thing."

Reno playfully pushed him.

"Don't be so modest!"

They laughed and stared at the landscape until Reno sighed.

"So, you got me," he started.

"After you saved Cora, your glove fell."

"Of course, he saw it," Reno thought.

He moaned; there was no point in hiding it anymore. Besides, this was Astro to whom he was talking; if he could trust someone, it was him. And it would be nice to have someone to talk about it for once. He placed both arms on the ground and looked nostalgically at the sky.

"I was abandoned as a baby. The circus took me in."

"So they raised you?"

"Yeah, and it wasn't as those cases like in Metro City; there weren't any humans while I was growing up."

Astro widened his eyes in surprise; he didn't know of any case of a human being raised only by robots. Of course, robot nannies helped with the upbringing, but even in extreme circumstances, a human was present.

Reno's story was really unique.

"Pannacotta is like my father, and Cupcake, my mother," Reno continued, raising four fingers, "Cookie, Bonbon, Jellybean, and Marshmallow are my brothers and sisters. Can you believe it? Four siblings!"

"I don't think I could handle one," Astro replied.

Reno laughed; he jumped up, placing both hands on the ground and raising the rest of his body, then he jumped again, standing up, pointing to the front, and Astro could see it was towards the circus.

"You see that circus tent?" That is my home, and those robots are my family, the best in the world. I owe them everything."

Astro smiled. Reno spoke very fondly of his family. He didn't doubt for a second that they were the best thing that could have happened to him, but he still had a question.

"But why are you disguising as a robot?"

"For the same reason that Pannacotta disguises himself as a human, Astro. Robots are prohibited from having their own businesses."

That answer left him frozen.

"What?"

"Robots can't have a business on their own. Only humans can; it's one of the few things that the Surface and Metro City have in common, not to mention Metropolis."

Yes, that was a subject that Astro did not want to touch.

"Cupcake told me that, before they found me, their former owner abandoned them. Without a human master, there was no way they could continue with the circus. Their only choice was to volunteer for dangerous tasks, which would have destroyed them. Abandoned robots have less value."

"Didn't they think of joining the robot revolutionary front?"

"Their cause is noble. But not very lucrative, not enough to raise a child."

"Yeah, you're right about that."

"So, they had to make a disguise so that Pannacotta could present himself as our owner; now imagine if they found out they have been raising a human for these fifteen years. They wouldn't even give them a trial. They would order their destruction immediately, and I would be thrown into an orphanage. Robots cannot adopt human children; it is another law."

Those words destroyed Astro. He had no idea that robots had so many prohibitions... and so unfair. Why couldn't they be owners of their own businesses? Why couldn't they adopt human children as their own? Why did they want to treat them as if they were just tools?

"That's why it must remain a secret, Astro; we can't take such a risk. Now less Metro City has reunited, Tawashi has implemented a lot of force on The Surface, and everyone knows of his intolerance."

Astro didn't have to be reminded he had experienced it firsthand. It was a pity because Reno's story demonstrated that robots had hearts and could care for others, even if they weren't programmed. It also showed that humans and robots could be family; they could love each other as sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, not masters and servants.

But due to some stupid laws, they couldn't. It was the same as Metropolis. Was there really no hope?

No!

He refused to believe that. Even Dr. Elefun said it: even if everything seemed lost, nothing prevented him from trying, and that's what he would do. Maybe he couldn't do much for the robots in Metropolis, but he wouldn't stand these injustices in his home, in his cities; it was time to make a change, and better yet, here he would be in his territory, with Stone out of the way he would not have to worry about a power-hungry politician, nor the Red Duke could prevent him from making a change. But it was a very long-term plan. First, he would have to speak with his father and Elefun to put together a strong case, one with which it would be impossible for any court to reject them.

For now, the best he could do was protect Reno and his secret. Astro didn't want any more misfortune.

"I won't tell anyone. At least, not until I can change things."

Reno looked at him, first surprised, but then smiled.

"Thank you, Astro."

Astro stood up, offering his hand. Reno smiled and shook it.

"No one will harm your family. I promise you."

Reno smiled, trusting Astro's word. After all, he was no stranger to his achievements. And best of all, it looked like he had made a friend.

...

Bonbon and Cupcake were outside the tent checking the new harnesses they had ordered when they noticed someone was approaching the circus.

"Do you know if Pannacotta was expecting someone?" Cupcake asked, putting the ropes on the ground.

Bonbon denied.

Cupcake looked at the tent and then at the road.

"Is Reno home?"

"I dunno."

"Okay, go tell Pannacotta that we have visitors. I will stay here in case Reno returns."

Bonbon gave a thumbs up and went inside while she walked towards the guest.

"Good afternoon. Can I help you with something?"

"Thank you, and I'm glad you ask. I'm here to talk to the owner of this beautiful circus. I'm very interested in buying it."

If Cupcake could swallow, she would have.

"I'm sorry, sir. But the circus is not for sale."

The visitor smiled and took out a device from his pockets.

"Oh, but you see. I have something that can change your mind."

Cupcake took a few steps back, the man's tone scaring her.

"I think it would be better if you all join us, even your dear Reno if you don't mind."

...

Since it was still early, Reno told Astro he wanted to introduce him to his whole family. Astro was a little nervous at first, remembering the incident he caused. But Reno assured him nothing was wrong; after they explained everything, his family would accept him, so Astro agreed.

Reno couldn't tell how excited he was; he finally had a friend. During his whole life, he had been forced to keep a low profile, just hanging out with the sellers in a simple act of:

"Good morning! How much does this cost? Oh, I give you three parts in return. Can I pay you later? Thank you. See you next week."

Then he returned to the tent, and although he loved his family, he also longed for contact with other boys his age. The closest thing he had had was the greetings and thanks from some of the children who attended the show but did not pass off a handshake, a photo, or an autograph.

Now that he met someone he knew was keeping his secret, Reno wanted to be with him as much as possible and ask him about his likes and hobbies. And he could share everything he knew with Astro. He loved telling his family, but he wanted fresh opinions.

He couldn't wait.

Astro was also happy, still amazed to find a boy raised by robots. Without a doubt, the stories Reno would have to tell him would be epic. Besides, who wouldn't be excited to have a new friend? He also found it funny how Reno (out of nowhere) would do a cartwheel or walk on his hands.

Astro wished Reno would let him introduce him to Ken, Cora, and the whole gang. He was sure he would fit in well, and no one would hesitate to keep his secret. But those were long-term plans. For now, they would spend the rest of the day together, and then they could organize all their ideas.

They happily talked as they approached the tent when they noticed no one was at the entrance.

"Weird, Pannacotta always leaves someone on watch," Reno said.

Astro inspected with his eyes. Indeed, no one else was visible.

"Maybe he called them for an assembly or something."

They both entered, but they still couldn't see anyone. Astro looked at Reno, but he just shrugged. This wasn't normal.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Astro thought.

Reno started running, and Astro had to fly to catch up with him. Now, he was sure something wrong was happening. They came to a door frame with the word: Office.

Very quickly, Reno opened it. Astro landed and took a look. What was on the other side didn't reassure them at all.

On the desk, a device projected a hologram of when Pannacotta took off his mask and then cleaned off Reno's makeup. The boy choked. While Astro's body stopped responding to him. All the artists were present, surrounding the desk, their eyes fixed on the video, and no one moved a muscle. While a man, arms folded, looked very attentively at the recording.

The footage ended, and the hologram stopped projecting. The man grabbed the device and put it in his pocket, slowly raising his head. Astro could see his face, and he felt his body froze.

"Hello, Astro. I've missed you," Hamegg said.