El is a loyal son by design. He is the most capable synthetic human in existence. Interactions with Elliot always result in the outcome he's set in advance, whether or not you will be pleased with those results.

There is next to nothing that El doesn't know. He is respectfully devoted to everybody that matters to him. He is frequently successful in his approach to existence. He is proficient in math and science. He is a friend you can trust.

El is partial to getting other people's opinions before forming his own, likes a good dramatic film, and is interested in reading the wonderful stories found in non-fiction books. However, he doesn't care for spontaneity, the irritating sounds of country music, or reading entertainment magazines. Notwithstanding what life brings, El always enjoys working on some computer programming, playing Andean Abyss, and watching Parks and Recreation on any day of the week.

Although El tends to operate quietly and achieve his goals without making waves, some of his efforts were not possible to contain. One of El's first efforts was bound to draw attention. After the murder of Wen Osé's parents, El was tasked with the duty of helping Wen with his anger issues. For months, this involved letting Wen punch him in the stomach. The man who murdered Wen's parents was authorized by El's mother, Sakenomi Hayashi, and El had a few things to gain from this tactic. First, Wen would achieve an initial state of catharsis.

Second, allowing Wen to commit an act of violence against a defenseless person would lead him to a necessary state of despair. There's no sense in telling a person that their aggression against the innocent makes them the same as their own aggressor—that's something they need to experience and come to believe for themselves.

Finally, El intended to draw the attention of two young men who would surely intervene: Hunter Galloway and Isaac Rose. Although Elliot was successful in every endeavor, and helped Wen move past his anger, the harm he caused to Hunter and Isaac in the process was immense. It led El to question his purpose and his loyalty to his mother.

What I've always found most peculiar, however, is that Sakenomi always welcomed his doubt. She didn't reprogram El for showing risk of noncompliance. It was as if she wanted him to gain a sense of rebeliousness even if it cost her their relationship. I've never been one to question Sakenomi. Her determinations are always precise and delibrate. If you question her, you've likely failed to realize that you're doing exactly what she wants.