Shadowing Practice: I Was SOLD to a Billionaire to Pay My Family's Debt! | Story Matter Animated - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B2
I'm Lisa.
556 sentences
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I'm Lisa.
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On this stage, I go by the name Leo.
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One half of the duo hailed as a phenomenon in the idol world.
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But the truth is, I've been carrying a secret.
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Something no one can ever know.
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Something no one is allowed to discover.
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And the price I've had to pay for this dream is hiding that truth beneath layers of makeup.
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The truth is, I'm a girl.
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Becoming an idol has been my dream since I was a kid.
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And just when I was about to reach it...
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The winner of today's audition is...
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Miss Lisa, huh?
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But right at the moment my name Lisa was about to be called,
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I let it slip away.
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That was the moment the hospital called.
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They said my mom had been in a serious accident.
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I couldn't focus on the results anymore.
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I rushed to the hospital and begged the doctors to save her.
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She's out of immediate danger,
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but she'll need several more surgeries to recover.
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The cost will be high.
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Someone already paid half.
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Who helped me cover half the cost?
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I didn't have time to worry about that.
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I needed to find the rest of the money quickly.
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Luckily, a nearby gym was hiring janitors with really high pay.
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The catch?
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They only hired men.
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Just be a boy for a while.
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What's the big deal?
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If I have to pretend to be a guy to save my mom, I will.
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Luckily, no one figured out my secret.
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If things kept going smoothly,
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I could slowly pay off mom's medical bills.
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But things didn't go as planned.
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Not a bad voice.
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I accidentally let Jay, the group leader, hear me singing.
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Would he realize I sounded like a girl?
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Ever wanted to be a singer?
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I was shocked by his offer.
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And sure enough, he brought me to a real stage,
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the kind I'd always dreamed of.
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Even if it was only behind the curtains.
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Jay transferred a large sum of money to me,
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enough to pay for Mom's next surgery.
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Now that you got the money, do your job.
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I was the voice behind the lights,
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accepting the role of the invisible singer.
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He was the face that shone before the public.
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Yes, my job was to sing behind the scenes.
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But regardless of who judged me,
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I sang like I was the one in the spotlight.
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I thought I'd only have to do it once.
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But then, applause.
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A strange woman approached me.
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My boss wants you to join a new group.
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With Jay.
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She handed me a business card.
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My hands trembled as I took it.
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Of course, the salary has nine zeros.
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We're sorry, but your mother's condition has worsened.
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If she hasn't operated on in time,
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it will leave permanent damage.
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The moment I thought I was about to step into a new life,
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reality yanked me back without mercy.
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If you can't afford it,
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letting her go may be the kindest option.
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Mom was my only family.
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I couldn't give up.
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My mom, she's the only reason I can still get up every morning.
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I accept your offer.
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I didn't care if signing this contract was the right choice or not.
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If it meant getting the money, I'd sign.
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If it meant saving my mom's life, I'd do it.
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Even if this wasn't the real me, I'd accept it.
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I was no longer Lisa.
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I was Leo, a name masculine enough to avoid suspicion.
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Jay showed up again.
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Why does he always find me in private places like this?
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Startled, I didn't notice the carpet and...
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I thought I was going to hit the floor.
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I fell into Jay.
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His whole body pressed against mine.
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So close I could almost hear my own heartbeat go wild.
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Thank you.
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Say it louder.
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You sound like a girl.
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His words made me freeze.
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He didn't know.
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But that single remark had just struck a nerve.
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Everyone gather backstage.
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Now.
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This wasn't the time to let my feelings take control.
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I couldn't let myself fall.
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I couldn't afford to be weak.
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I had to sing.
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I had to make money.
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I had to save my mom and I could only hope my true identity wouldn't be exposed.
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Once again, I stepped onto the stage as a male idol.
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While performing, the stage beneath my feet suddenly opened.
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I didn't have time to think.
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I fell, free falling in panic.
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The only thought in my head was,
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This time, I'm really done for.
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But then, it was Jay.
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He jumped down and broke my fall.
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Ouch!
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Are you okay?
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He looked genuinely concerned about me.
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I could feel his quick,
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warm breaths by my ear.
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Filled with worry.
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I think the one who's hurt is you.
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The result?
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Jay ended up with a broken arm.
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Apple, please!
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And from that moment on,
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I officially became Jay's personal assistant.
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A reluctant way of repaying him.
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Still...
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I didn't really mind it that much.
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This is a photo shoot contract for a famous clothing brand.
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Yes, I'll do great this time.
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It had to be Jay's contract.
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After all, he was more famous than me.
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But that name...
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Lisa...
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Oh, no, I mean Leo.
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This is your first big contract.
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Don't let the company down.
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Me?
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This lucrative contract was actually mine.
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Jay's definitely going to be salty.
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But I didn't let that stop me from accepting the job.
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I'll leave your outfit here.
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I'll get ready myself.
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You can leave now to hide my identity.
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I always dressed alone But something felt off.
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Why was the outfit prepared for me this it was a dress does someone know I'm a girl and
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That wasn't the end of it.
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I hope that contract ends up being mine bitter about losing the photo photoshoot deal,
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Jay made a move.
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He teamed up with a shady investor.
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He handed the man my hotel room key.
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Obviously not for any good reason.
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Ready to give me a private show?
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But guess what?
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The woman waiting in the room wasn't me.
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How about I give you a show, hubby?
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The model's here.
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Let's start the shoot.
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And all the while, Jay still thought he was in control of the game.
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But what he didn't expect was...
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What's going on?
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Seems like they're talking about this.
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His dirty scheme was exposed all over social media.
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No one believed a word he said anymore.
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That's fake!
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That's not me!
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That's not me!
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I sat calmly, watching the drama unfold from my room.
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You knew!
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I've been through more than he has.
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Yes, the assistant did give Jay the fake room key.
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It was the only reason his plan even happened.
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Why did you help me?
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You may not know this,
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but your mom got into that accident, trying to save me.
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So it was her.
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She was the one who paid half of my mom's medical bills.
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Then she handed me another contract.
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The boss wanted to give you this, but I'm a girl.
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Would a company that only produces male idols sign someone like me?
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Yes, you'll be MJ Entertainment's first female solo artist.
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Oh!
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I accept.
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It's finally time.
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To shine as my true self.
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A day of mine usually begins with writing,
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and tolerating the nuisance of Enid getting ready for yet another date.
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You really need to stop making those unnecessary loud noises.
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She even wore the necklace I gave her to the date,
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without realizing that I like her.
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Too much?
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You should probably leave that eye at home.
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Maybe that's why all your boyfriends keep running away.
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Hey!
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Ajax and Lucian had their own reasons,
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but this time I really think he's the one.
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Aha!
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Okay, bye, roomie.
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I know that look.
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That hand of hers always assumes I care about her messy love life.
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What?
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I'm not going to follow her.
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I swear, I'm just an unwilling stalker.
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I know Thing is judging me,
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and honestly, he has every right to.
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Just to be clear, I'm not following Enid.
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I'm only...
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The moment I agreed to this,
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I already knew what I'd have to see.
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Enid and Bruno sitting in a tree.
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K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
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I looked away before the scene could make me sick.
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You better not tell her I was there.
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The next how, Enid's.
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The scene ahead, there was no trace of a sweet date anymore.
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Just Enid, sitting there, dazed as if under a spell.
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Where is Bruno?
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Why are you sitting here?
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Bruno?
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Did he leave me too?
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But this is the only way out.
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He never came back through.
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Meaning, he really disappeared?
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At this school, rumors spread faster than the flu.
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And today, Enid was the new epidemic.
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Enid, you're not hiding those three guys just for yourself, are you?
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I'm not.
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Better be careful, touch her,
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and you might disappear just like they did.
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That's not true.
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When words started to stink,
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I did the most hygienic thing.
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Shoved a toothbrush in their mouths.
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What the hell?
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Your words reek so badly,
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I thought I was scrubbing toilets, not talking to you.
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Hurt the dog, greet the leash.
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If they wanted to bully Enid,
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they'd have to get through me first.
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But what if they're right?
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What if I am the reason they vanished?
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I knew this overthinking was coming.
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I know Mother forbade me from using my powers,
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but I need to help Enid before she convinces herself she's cursed.
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I am cursed!
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See?
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Told you so.
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Do you still have anything that belonged to those three?
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Here's Lucian's frisbee.
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This is Ajax's bone.
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And this tennis ball is Bruno's.
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She held them carefully, like treasures.
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If those boys really disappeared,
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then these items would tell me who the culprit was.
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I knew Mother's rules, but Enid needed me.
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Enid, what's happening?
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But why?
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Why in my vision?
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Was it Enid?
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What's wrong?
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And what's that on your face?
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Nothing.
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Just a little side effect.
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Maybe my visions aren't back yet.
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I didn't see anything.
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The worst lies are the ones you want to believe yourself.
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And the worst had already come.
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Miss Sinclair, I need a word.
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That look.
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Enid's fear.
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She was in that room for over an hour.
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I hated the waiting.
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And when she finally stepped out,
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I knew what had happened.
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Hmm.
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Enid will take a temporary leave of absence for the safety of the outcast community.
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You don't even have evidence!
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Well, if everyone stays safe while she's gone, I'd call that proof.
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Hmm.
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Ugh!
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Her back turned as she left,
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leaving me with enough anger to burn this entire school down.
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If they wanted a scapegoat, fine.
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Wait, it was me.
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I'm the reason they vanished.
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As long as Enid is safe.
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I'm sorry, but you don't have a motive, Ms. Adams.
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That's right, Wed.
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You don't have to take the blame for me.
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I do have a motive.
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I like her.
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Her dating made me jealous.
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Y-you.. like me?
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Everyone knows my hobby is torture.
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That's motive enough.
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Huh.
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Ms. Adams, you'll have to come with me to the police station.
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Take care of him.
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Enid gave me back the necklace I once gifted her.
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I'll save you, I promise.
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Wed may be ruthless, but sneaking around like that isn't her style.
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I have to prove she's innocent.
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He gotta know something.
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Thing under Enid's persistence and cuteness cracked.
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What do you mean, in her vision I turned into a wolf?
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But why don't I remember anything?
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Then I need to recreate what happened that night.
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Ugh.
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But now no guy even wants to come near me.
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Things, surprisingly, had a solution.
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You're right.
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Kill Dew.
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You're a lifesaver.
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Are you sure this is safe?
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Relax.
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It's a hide cage I borrowed from the asylum.
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Mm-hmm.
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So first the gifts, then the kiss.
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Unlike Eugene, who never had his first kiss.
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I didn't know who annoyed me more.
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Enid, ready to kiss him,
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or Eugene, about to get that kiss.
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But in an instant, Enid's eyes glowed red.
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This is my first kiss!
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A steep price for it.
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Claws raked the ground, her howl splitting the night.
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Enid had fully transformed, just like in my vision.
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The clouds parted, revealing a twisted moon.
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Her howl shattered the space,
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tearing open a warped portal that began sucking everything in, Eugene included.
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Even the hide cage couldn't hold her.
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I couldn't just stand there,
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the necklace Enid always wore.
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Maybe it held the answer.
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He doesn't even like living creatures.
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How could he like me?
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If I just date someone else, I'll be fine.
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But we wolves only ever have one true mate.
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What happens if I reject that?
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I haven't found my one yet,
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but I heard that if you reject true love,
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the wolf loses control and hurts everyone around them.
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Enid likes me, but then thing was there.
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Huh?
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What did you say?
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What's wrong with her?
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Enid, completely out of control now.
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But Bat!
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Bad dog!
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But unlike before, Enid didn't return to human form.
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I had to stop her before she did something she'd regret- Enid, stop.
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Sit.
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The moment she heard my voice,
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she obeyed like a loyal pup and sat down.
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She really is an idiot.
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We need to call the Wildlife Control Association.
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She's not some wild animal.
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She's my girlfriend.
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Good girl.
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I still wasn't used to the dog drool, but it worked.
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But it worked.
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She shifted back to human.
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Hmm?
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Oh, sorry.
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Not a hugging person.
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You saw me lose control.
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Now I'll never have a chance with you.
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I don't want to lose our friendship.
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Shut up.
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They say the fastest way to shut a girl up is either knocking her out or kissing her.
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Like a fairy tale, the curse shattered.
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The portal burst open and spat out all four of Enid's almost boyfriends.
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Yeah, sure.
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Why not?
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Wanna join the beekeeping club?
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Yeah, sure.
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Why not?
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I guess I can finally say it.
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Howdy, girlfriend!
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To be honest, I don't really know how I was born.
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I just know that my body is made of cold steel.
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But there's something warm deep inside me that I know that my mom and I are something people would call unreal.
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She's Mira, the first female robot capable of being pregnant and giving birth in this world.
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Her daughter, Aria, is about to be born.
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She, Dr. Hannah, is the mother of me and my mom.
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She called it an experiment.
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But with us, it's the beginning of a taboo.
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She was captured right after introducing us.
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No more explanations from her since curses and yelling already overwhelmed her voice.
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They're robots!
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They're machines!
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How could they understand human emotions to raise a child properly like humans?
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This is an attempt to erase the boundary between humans and machines.
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That's the reason why we have to destroy them.
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People tend to be afraid of things they don't understand.
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They are afraid of a machine that knows about love.
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Even in that situation, I, Aria, was still born.
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Eat slowly.
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Chew it carefully so you won't be choked.
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She's been repeating those words every time we eat together for the past 16 years.
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All those years, I was born and raised like a normal human,
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except that I have to hide those robot parts on my body.
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I hid it well, didn't I?
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People are evil, but not all of them.
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Just have fun and live like a real person.
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Yes, mother.
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Teacher, your answer's incorrect.
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No way!
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I knew that she wouldn't believe it, but it's fine.
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I'm more than capable of proving myself right.
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You're a genius!
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Look at her!
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She's like a walking computer.
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She always looks so cocky.
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So annoying!
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But it seems like… no one likes the right answer.
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How weird are humans?
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Anyway, I like being alone.
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I have no intention of making unnecessary contact with humans.
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But it seems like humans prefer to act otherwise.
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Genu's so handsome.
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Spending time and money on some celebrity you've never met is meaningless.
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Let's see.
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Wasting energy, time, and money.
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Definitely a negative polynomial.
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If humans were math, I'd be stumped trying to solve this one.
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What's with all that yapping?
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I even thought she was an AI with no emotions.
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Maybe her mother is a robot.
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Robot?
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Mother?
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What's the difference between a normal and a robot mother?
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A robot mother doesn't get hungry,
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doesn't forget things, absolutely better.
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But in terms of feelings, do you love me?
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Love is a complicated feeling generated by the biological nervous system.
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As a robot, I don't have that system.
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Therefore I can't provide the function of love.
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Called it!
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A robot mother can only teach me what feelings mean.
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Is that good or bad?
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If a hug is determined by data,
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then what feeling does a hug give?
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I want to be hugged too!
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Downloading data for hug.
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This is hug?
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Quite different from my imagination.
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Transferring data of hug transferred successfully.
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So that was hug.
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People say that love is shown by giving presents.
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Giving presents?
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Could I ever have something like that?
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A present?
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For me?
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A present for you since you made progress.
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This is a present?
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This is the newest firmware update,
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designed to improve your calculation, endurance, and focus.
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Okay, thanks.
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So humans are charged by acts of caring, while me...
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Sometimes I run out of energy and need to recharge.
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When that happens, my mother helps me recharge in her own way.
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I mean, charging battery.
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Nickel cores are everywhere.
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Just being near them already drained your battery.
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But you're fine now.
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Charging complete.
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Performance enhanced.
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But emotion, can it be updated?
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Right now, while my mind's too busy wondering if I'm missing something,
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the real trouble is already ahead.
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I can even notice.
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She, Dr. Hannah, has returned.
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Unknown guest.
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Processing scanning identity.
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Hello, my masterpiece.
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Stay away.
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Stay away from me.
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Who's that?
473
Oh my god, a cyborg.
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You gave birth to her in secret?
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Security alert.
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Security alert.
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Security alert.
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I can't explain it, but right now, without thinking.
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I just want to take her.
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It's a cyborg with feelings!
481
Perfect!
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Stay back!
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Don't get close to her!
484
Aria!
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She's pushing me?
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That was the first time I felt scared,
487
without even understanding what it really is.
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Spectacular!
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The feelings created by chaos, just as I expected!
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Such a crazy woman!
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But I didn't have time to tell her that.
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I just needed to check if anything had happened to Mira.
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Aria, no!
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Stay away from it!
495
But I already touched it.
496
It's hot.
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Hurt.
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New data.
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It has never been recorded.
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Wait, what's happening with her?
501
I don't know.
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It feels like I'm melting,
503
but it seems like Mira knows what's happening.
504
Let me go.
505
A nickel net could paralyze robots,
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but for a cyborg, nickel will corrode the nervous system core.
507
What should we do now?
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Use my core to replace hers.
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Let me go now.
510
I don't think it's good for you.
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As long as she can live.
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Don't be scared, Aria.
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So this is her heart.
514
She gave me her heart.
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Please work!
516
The energy is back, not just in my wires,
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but in my chest too.
518
She did it!
519
What happened?
520
Mira didn't answer me, but her arms grabbed on me.
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This is a hug?
522
Hug me too, Mira.
523
Huh?
524
What did you do to her?
525
Your mother.
526
She sacrificed her neuro-core for you.
527
If a robot loses its neuro-core, it's nothing but scrap.
528
I can't do anything more.
529
You can't.
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But I can.
531
There's no formula for love,
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but maybe I can make one.
533
An equation with just two terms.
534
Mom and me.
535
And I couldn't believe that me and that maniac scientist actually managed to work together.
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Though we could hardly call it perfect cooperation,
537
the result was totally worth waiting for.
538
When humans correct their behavior, they call it regret.
539
When robots correct their actions, they call it update.
540
I don't know what to call what I just did.
541
Maybe both.
542
Rebooting hug mode.
543
How strange.
544
It's so warm.
545
I used to say I felt like I was missing something.
546
Now I know what it is.
547
Not data.
548
Not energy.
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But feelings.
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Something I thought robots could never have.
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Humans have their own ways to feel, while robots don't.
552
Me.
553
I'm standing right on the line between those two worlds.
554
And right there on that line,
555
I found what I've been missing.
556
Thanks to my wonderful robot mother.
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Context & Background
In the story narrated by Lisa, who takes on the persona of Leo, we explore a heartfelt journey loaded with sacrifices and dreams. Lisa's desire to become an idol is compounded by the life-threatening situation of her mother, which leads her to momentarily abandon her dreams. This narrative highlights not only the struggle of balancing personal aspirations with familial obligations but also the lengths to which Lisa is willing to go to support her loved ones. The dramatic turn of events raises the stakes, making it a compelling backdrop for language learners. Understanding dialogues rich in emotion and conflict can immensely help improve English pronunciation and comprehension.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “I need to find the rest of the money quickly.” - A practical expression showcasing urgency.
- “Just be a boy for a while.” - Contextual vocabulary highlighting the theme of disguise.
- “I was shocked by his offer.” - This conveys surprise and can be useful in various situations.
- “The cost will be high.” - A critical phrase useful in financial discussions.
- “Will he realize I sounded like a girl?” - An example of questioning that is useful in everyday conversations.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
Utilizing shadowing techniques can significantly enhance your English speaking practice. Here’s a simple guide to help you tackle the speaking challenge presented in this video:
- Watch and Listen: Start by watching the video without subtitles. Focus on the pronunciation, tone, and intonation of the speaker.
- Pause and Repeat: Play short segments of the transcript, pausing after each phrase. Repeat it aloud, mimicking the speaker's tone and style to improve your English pronunciation.
- Record Yourself: Use your device to record your repetitions. Listen to your recordings, comparing your pronunciation with the original.
- Practice with Variations: Change the context of phrases to use them in new sentences. This will enhance your vocabulary through practical application and encourage creative usage.
- Engage in Conversation: Finally, practice using these phrases in daily conversations. Role-play scenarios relevant to the video's context to deepen your understanding and fluency.
By consistently applying these shadow speak methods, you will gradually find yourself more confident in conversational situations, allowing you to better learn English with YouTube and turn your listening into effective speaking practice.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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