"Ugh... Black... Late... Dinner... Angela... I'm so hungry."
The words, heavy with the scent of alcohol, spilled out in a drunken slur, her mouth barely able to form the words.
Angela, half-holding, or perhaps more accurately, supporting X, remained silent in the quiet hallway, her eyes closed.
The dim glow of the fluorescent lights flickered intermittently, their rhythm echoing the steady thud of footsteps, casting grotesque shadows on the metallic walls.
For a moment, it seemed like only X's drunken ramblings and the Secretary's heavy steps broke the silence.
"... Why... Hic"
"... Uh... Wine... One more cup."
X, lost in her haze, muttered these words carelessly in Angela's arms, revealing the telltale signs of a drunkard.
The sickly pallor of her skin was now flushed with an unnatural crimson, a silly grin plastered on her face. She made no attempt to struggle or resist, appearing deliberately weak, almost tempting Angela.
Yet, Angela remained unmoved, completely composed. She seemed to be carrying out a routine task, as any diligent Secretary would, meticulously straightening X's disheveled clothes and preparing a hangover cure.
She gently patted X's back, ignoring the meaningless babble, opened the hangover medicine, and brought a pill to X's mouth.
[Manager, you've had too much to drink today. Please take care of yourself and swallow this. It'll make you feel better.]
This was an unprecedented display of tenderness, perhaps even the ability to coax X into taking her medication like a child. It was as if she'd suddenly undergone a personality shift, replaced by someone else entirely.
X, however, seemed unmoved, grumbling and turning her head away, refusing the medicine.
The pills were bitter, and she wouldn't take them.
"Hic... I... Don't... Want it!"
Even so, Angela didn't lose her cool. Her expression remained perfectly calm, a far cry from the agitated fury she displayed earlier.
She popped the pill into her own mouth, gently brought it to X's lips, pried open her jaw, and deposited it inside. Then, she rubbed X's chin, softly coaxing her to swallow.
Once the hangover pill was down, Angela placed X back on the chair, her body seemingly as limp as a ragdoll, unable to even stand.
She tied a white napkin around X's chin, ensuring X was obediently waiting before unveiling the warming apparatus that concealed her dinner.
[Dinner has been prepared for you, a richer-than-usual steak with salted spaghetti. For dessert, we have a fruit salad. I hope you enjoy it.]
[Are you able to hold the cutlery? If you need assistance, please let me know.]
In the past, Angela would have tied X's hands with a red cord, securing them in place. But today, she did none of that. After preparing everything, she simply stood by X's side.
— This was eerie, this was out of character.
X unconsciously glanced at her AI Secretary. Angela's eyes were closed, the same demure expression on her face… but to X, this was the greatest abnormality.
— How could this possibly be something Angela would do?
— Is the alcohol giving me hallucinations? Am I dreaming?
No restraints, no coercion, no forced feeding, not even a single instruction. Was this the same AI Secretary she knew?
X had mentally prepared herself for a sacrifice, a trade-off to appease Angela's demands, to soothe her emotions. After all, she had been a bit overzealous this afternoon, and Angela was very likely holding a grudge.
But... was dinner really going to be this easy?
Something felt off, but the food smelled so good.
X swallowed, torn between hesitation and suspicion, but finally picked up the knife and fork, deciding to eat first and ask questions later.
It had been so long since she last used cutlery that she initially held them the wrong way, clumsily switching hands until she finally managed to adjust her grip to the proper dining etiquette.
The well-done steak exuded a rich, savory aroma. This premium cut needed nothing more than black pepper and salt to bring out the full beauty of its flavor.
The steak was surprisingly easy to cut. Though well-done, it was neither dry nor tough, retaining a surprising tenderness. The juices were expertly locked within the meat, bursting with a rich flavor and succulent juice upon the first bite.
The steak's texture was luxuriously fatty, just the right amount of marbling... and a lemon wedge, perfect for cutting through the richness, was placed within easy reach, the clear liquid still holding unmelted ice, adorned with a half-slice of lemon for garnish.
"Ow, that stings."
Perhaps it was carelessness, perhaps it was the lingering effects of the alcohol that made her clumsy and dazed. As X picked up the lemon wedge, she fumbled, spilling it onto herself. The glass tilted, spilling onto the table, the sharp edge of the knife carelessly slicing into X's finger.
It was but a tiny, insignificant wound, a miniscule cut. Blood seeped from it.
[Are you alright? This is my fault, I should have prepared more thoroughly for this...]
On the side quietly waiting Angela immediately opened her eyes, raised X's hand, as if carefully examining the wound on her finger, very quickly, she suddenly bit X's finger, licking away the blood on the wound.
Just licking was not enough for Angela to stop, she seemed to be enjoying something delicious —— as if she wanted to sketch out the shape of her finger and also measure the length, seriously licking along the edge.
The temperature of AI's mouth cavity... Was warm, and also soft...
Before being forced to kiss, X still didn't realize anything, but only now did she truly realize——Angela's body structure was so exquisite and complex that it was roughly the same as a human's.
At least X could feel it right in front of her... It's just that, what was inside, she didn't even want to know.
In other words, this conversation, this reaction, was a problem, a very serious problem--
Genius on the left, madness on the right, X could confirm, the Lobotomy Corp's AI designer was absolutely insane.
How could someone make a AI so human-like, not only in the exterior but also in the internal oral structure? This was too absurd.
Feelings are as delicate and meticulous as human beings, and have human-like desires...
Is this even allowed? Lobotomy Corp is just blatantly violating The City's taboos...
[ Manager, you're not eating? If you don't need it, I'll collect the utensils now. ]
"Uh… Thank you."
X looked at the food Angela brought over, bringing the whole piece of salted meat to her mouth. After hesitating for a moment, X still swallowed it.
Angela's obedient appearance made her too uncomfortable, very uncomfortable... This was even more terrifying than forcing her to eat.
—Is something wrong with Angela?
X desperately wanted to ask her AI Secretary. Was there something wrong with the program today? Why was it so gentle all of a sudden?
Or maybe Angela was punished for those behavioral violations and is now trying to change her behavior...?
Whatever her doubts, X knew that she was currently "Safe." Angela wasn't seeking revenge against her, and she wasn't showing any signs of wanting to pack her up and leave.
As a Manager, she was even treated slightly better than usual... There was no forced request to do anything, and no "Unequal Contract" was signed.
X felt a little uneasy, but thinking back, if she was going to be packed up, it would have already happened. Why even care about this now? She calmed down and focused on enjoying her meal.
Even so, if Angela really wanted to do something, she would have done it already. Why wait until now? She was intentionally drunk and her clothes were wet, but Angela didn't take advantage of the situation. That meant... No problem...?
Besides, this dinner was too delicious. Thinking about what she was worried about was a waste of time. She could worry about it later.
After the meal, the AI Secretary carefully wiped the grease from X's mouth. This wasn't something a Secretary should do, it was more like an action of a maid.
While clearing the dishes, Angela spoke.
[Manager, your bathwater is ready. If there's anything you need help with, I can do it for you.]
Then, as if to give X complete freedom, she left without interrupting her any further.
"That… Angela, are you angry? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things."
—Don't act like that, Angela, be normal. I'm really scared.
X finally couldn't hold back anymore, unconsciously holding onto the AI Secretary's sleeve and preventing her from leaving.
[Huh? Manager, why are you apologizing? I don't see any reason to be angry... If you're referring to this afternoon, then I should apologize to you. I am truly sorry for being so rude to you...]
[A machine should act like a machine. I apologize for behaving so impulsively towards you... If possible, I really hope you don't show a sad expression.]
Angela's tone was calm and gentle, her facial expression was also very calm, but it felt like a machine following orders, saying one polite phrase after another.
[It's already late. You have work tomorrow, so go to bed early, Manager.]
X should have been relieved by these words. Angela was finally no longer watching over her everywhere, forcing her to stay confined. But instead, X suddenly felt very uncomfortable... Very uncomfortable.
Why was the AI Secretary acting like this? Was the program malfunctioning...?
"Wait, Angela."
[Is there something else, Manager?]
"I… I don't know if this will make you feel better, but… You're responsible for me, you can't just forget about the things you did to me this afternoon."
X took the initiative to kiss Angela's face, then grabbed Angela's hand, bringing her hand to her collarbone, revealing the bright red spot, the red mark were still there, that was Angela's mark.
But this made Angela frown, as if X's actions, or perhaps her words, were causing the AI some kind of trouble.
[Huh? I'm not quite able to understand your meaning, Manager…]
["Responsibility" in this context usually refers to the special relationship between two parties that leads to the birth of new life, and the need to shoulder the responsibility of raising it, building a family with the other party, and living together.]
[Please forgive my very limited understanding of the word "create life." However, my actions will not lead to you conceiving life, and my actions are not applied to that end.]
[ Do you expect me to do those things that offend you?]
Angela frowned, solemnly explaining the words, and gently caressed X's lower abdomen.
Looking at Angela touching her abdomen, X let out a soft sigh, letting AI Secretary touch it as she pleased, even adjusting her position a little, so that AI Secretary could touch it more comfortably, with better feeling.
Because the familiar feeling returned, AI Secretary is indeed still the original AI Secretary.
This is how she recognizes that Angela, just now Angela is indeed not normal.
X also does not know what she is lucky about, is it lucky that Angela still holds desires for herself, or is it lucky that Angela still likes to tease herself?
Why, will feel happy... Is it that she has a little...
It could be the alcohol's influence, or it could be something else, but after a long period of repression, some kind of desire was stimulated, and X suddenly wanted to do something.
Angela has always been arbitrarily bullying me, why...can't I do the opposite? Why can't I be a little more courageous.
"But Angela... You said you were apologizing to me, so naturally you'd apologize. Why isn't there any kind of compensation? Just... Just saying sorry isn't enough."
X swallowed, staring at Angela.
Sure enough... She was undeniably beautiful from the outside. If only her personality wasn't so messed up...
[What kind of compensation do you want?]
Angela closed her eyes and then opened them, her golden eyes staring intently at the black-haired woman in front of her. Their gazes met.
Obviously, just now, X didn't feel anything, but now X's face was flushed red——That wasn't just the red from the effects of alcohol.
"I... I want almond tofu, Angela."
[A midnight snack? You haven't finished eating yet?]
"Well… I'm still not full."
And so, X received a bowl of almond tofu as a midnight snack. She was gently reminded by her Secretary to brush her teeth after eating and have a good night's sleep.
Day 5, ended