In the glow of early afternoon, the sun stood high over Seoul, its rays falling sharply on the bustling city below. The streets shimmered with warmth, while the leaves of towering trees swayed lightly under the soft, heated breeze.

A group of children pedaled their bicycles past Mr. Min's residence, their laughter echoing faintly. Inside the house, the middle-aged scientist was immersed in his work, a voltage tester in hand as he meticulously examined the current flow through the intricate circuits of his latest invention.

On his laptop screen, a message blinked: "Now input your data."

Mr. Min leaned back in his chair, pulling it closer with a loud creak. A thick manual rested on the desk beside him, a trusted companion for referencing the complex code he was inputting. His work revolved around the integration of artificial intelligence and cognition into a prototype droid—a project he held in the highest regard. His expectations for the robot were as clear and ambitious as the bright sky above.

"Shift + F2," he muttered under his breath, fingers poised over the keyboard. But just as he was about to press the keys, his phone rang abruptly, breaking his concentration.

With an irritated sigh, he reached for the phone, swiping the screen without even glancing at the caller ID. "Hello?" he answered, his voice tinged with impatience.

A raspy voice came through the line. "Mr. Shin here."

Mr. Min's demeanor shifted instantly. His brows shot up as the name registered, and he straightened in his chair. "Boss! Yes, sir, what can I do for you?" he replied, his tone now a mix of deference and urgency.

As the conversation unfolded, Mr. Min wandered over to the open window. The sunlight bathed his features in a golden hue, casting sharp shadows that softened with his occasional chuckles. Minutes later, he ended the call, his eyes drifting upward to the vast, blue sky. A flock of small birds flitted about, their chirps and playful squeals blending into the natural symphony of the afternoon.

Returning to his desk, he muttered to himself, trying to recall where he’d left off. "It was Shift +…"

"Uncle! Aunt is calling you!" a high-pitched voice interrupted.

A little girl peeked into the room, her expression serious. "She’s really, really mad at you."

"Just a moment, Raehee. I’m almost done here," Mr. Min said, his focus still on the keyboard.

Raehee stomped over to him, grabbing his hand with her tiny palms. "No! Come now!" she insisted, tugging at him with all her might.

"Hold on," he murmured, ignoring her protests as his fingers moved over the keyboard. "Shift + F1." He pressed the Enter key with finality.

The laptop screen lit up. "Your data has been saved. It is under processing," a calm, synthesized female voice announced.

"Uncle, come on! You’re so heavy!" Raehee huffed, her small frame straining to pull him away from his workstation.

Chuckling, Mr. Min closed the laptop and finally stood up. "All right, all right. I’m coming, Raehee," he said, letting her drag him along.

The two hurried out, the scientist matching the little girl’s quick, hopping steps.

But back in the lab, the machine continued its operation in solitude. Sparks of electricity pulsed through the wires of the unfinished automaton, lighting up its exposed circuits. A faint red glow flickered in the droid’s still, lifeless eyes, as though something deep within it was beginning to awaken.

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