The Robo-Kissa is finally opening its doors.

  ?If I were to gather a few felines here—the real, biological kind—what would the price tag be?

  "One hundred million won't even cover a single big cat's lifetime," the Doctor’s mentor once barked.

  ?But what about a robot?

  ?By design, he should have been battery-powered. Instead, he’s pulsing with energy from an invisible circuit.

  ?"It’s draining, isn't it?" the Doctor muttered. "Trying to execute a perfect plan to the letter."

  Nothing went according to the blueprint. Not a single thing. Yet, perhaps this is the true starting line. The Doctor is finally learning the art of the 'unplanned'—the grace of flexibility.

  ?He has one robot running on that invisible link. To move a machine like this, four elements must align. But to reach perfection—to make this Tiger-bot truly whole—one final piece is missing.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  ?If he gains that fifth element, he might just join the ranks of the living. The five keystones of life on this planet.

  Can he actually seize it?

  ?"Is this... permitted?"

  Amethyst’s voice ripples through his mind, an old echo haunting his conscience.

  ?He may have crossed a line. Committed an irreversible act against ethics. The Doctor carries the weight like a monolith balanced on his shoulders. Is the fifth element a human sacrifice? He steeled himself, the air growing heavy with the cost of creation.

  ?"Don't overthink it."

  ?An entity—hardly an angel, yet something close—appears.

  The Doctor turns.

  ?"Isn't it a relief? That it’s 'irreversible'?"

  ?"Ame-chan..."

  ?There she stood. Amethyst, in a white dress, her presence overwriting the shadows of her past words.

  ?"You could have slept in."

  She shakes her head.

  "It’s opening day, after all."

  ?"Good morning."

  ?The morning sun, pale and gaining heat, pierces through the glass botanical garden. It’s a bit chilly for the lush coconut and date palms, but the orchids—hauled in on a monolithic slab by an excavator—stand resilient and defiant.

  ?Byakko and Clamo show up right on cue.

  ?"Everyone, I said 8:00 AM. Aren't you early? We aren't on Daylight Savings, you know. Take it easy."

  ?Two hours until the doors open.

  The thought of that fifth component—the one to complete Byakko—is pushed aside. No time to dwell.

  On hold until closing time, he decided.

  ?Today’s Special is...