Part 5/9:
The detective's exploration leads him to discover that Esme has developed human-like emotions—a groundbreaking realization in the world of simulants. With a diary and other personal belongings, it becomes clear that Esme embodies a form of life that transcends her original programming. This discovery ignites a quest to uncover the origins of her autonomy and the mysteries behind the modifications to her coding.
As the narrative shifts between this hunt for Esme and Ivan's internal conflict regarding his identity, the story illustrates the clash between engineered obedience and the innate human desire for self-determination.