As the morning rose, Raika woke up and stretched. "Wow, I slept like a log. Even though I'm a cyborg?"
Her Assistant chimed in, "You must do deep sleep to activate the internal repair processes."
Raika rubbed her eyes. "What about the glitch?"
"Sorry, that's irreversible. Sleeping only fixes your physical body, not your software," the Assistant explained.
Raika sighed. "That's a bummer." Fully awake now, she stretched her arms and greeted the day. "Good morning," she said, looking out the window, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Raika walked down the school hallway, she noticed other students emerging from their dorms. Lost in thought, she asked the system, "Is there a way to repair my glitch? Maybe I could repair myself."
The Assistant responded cautiously, "It's dangerous, master. You could die in the process. Only your creator can fix you."
Raika frowned. "Why? What could happen?"
The Assistant elaborated, "Attempting to repair yourself could result in critical errors. If you misalign any core components or disrupt your energy flow, it could cause a complete system shutdown. Your neural network might fail, leading to irreversible damage. The precise calibration required is something only your creator understands. It's too risky to attempt on your own."
Raika sighed, absorbing the gravity of the situation. "I see. Thanks for the explanation."
"Just be careful, master. Your safety is paramount," the Assistant added. Raika nodded, resolving to find a safer solution.
Raika decided to fully scan her internal body structure to understand how it worked. As the detailed holographic display appeared before her, she marveled at the intricate design. "How on earth am I like an alien technology? I can't even understand how my pocket dimension works, or how my body functions," she mused aloud.
The Assistant responded, "Neither do I. I'm sorry, master."
Raika sighed but managed a small smile. "No need to apologize. We'll figure it out eventually." She closed the scan and continued down the hallway, determined to unravel the mysteries of her existence.
As Raika continued down the hallway, she heard familiar voices. Mia approached her with a cheerful greeting, "Good morning, Raika!"
Lina followed closely behind, adding with a soft voice, "Sup?"
Raika smiled at her friends, grateful for their presence. "Morning, Mia. Sup, Lina."
Mia grinned, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "Wow, as always, you look so cute in that uniform, Raika."
Raika felt a blush creep up her cheeks and laughed softly. "Thanks, Mia. You two look great as well."
Lina smiled, adding, "It's P.E. swimming day today, so it's swimsuit day!"
Raika's cheeks turned a deep shade of red. "Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?" she thought, feeling a wave of anxiety.
Mia teased, "I wonder what Raika looks like in a swimsuit."
Lina nodded in agreement. "She already has a beautiful body; she'll be the star for sure."
Raika's Assistant chimed in, "You have water-resistant capabilities."
Raika thought back, "Forget about that. I don't like the idea of going into the girls' locker room."
When they arrived at the P.E. room, the women's instructor stood at the front, smiling brightly. "Alright, everyone, it's swimsuit day! Be prepared to change into your swimsuits," she announced.
Raika gulped, her nerves kicking in, while Mia and Lina exchanged excited looks. "This is going to be interesting," Mia whispered to Lina, both glancing at Raika with anticipation.
Raika's face turned a deep shade of red as she tried to avoid eye contact. Some boys in the class couldn't help but blush as they glanced her way, murmuring among themselves about how cute she looked.
Mia nudged Raika playfully. "You're going to be the star today," she teased.
Lina grinned. "Just relax and enjoy it, Raika."
As they entered the girls' locker room, Mia and Lina quickly started changing into their school swimsuits. Raika, trying to maintain her composure, turned to her locker and started changing too, making a conscious effort to avoid looking at Mia and Lina.
"Don't worry, Raika, we don't bite," Mia joked, pulling on her swimsuit.
"Yeah, we're all girls here," Lina added with a grin.
Raika fumbled with her swimsuit, her cheeks burning. *I can't look, I can't look,* she repeated to herself. She accidentally put her swimsuit on backwards and had to quickly correct it, which only made her more flustered.
"Are you okay, Raika?" Mia asked, noticing her friend's struggle.
"Y-yeah, just... uh, making sure everything's in place," Raika replied awkwardly, her face almost as red as her hair.
Lina giggled. "Relax, Raika, you're doing fine."
Raika managed a weak smile. *This is so awkward,* she thought, finally getting her swimsuit on correctly and taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Mia and Lina exchanged amused glances but didn't say anything more, letting Raika's awkwardness slide as they all headed out to the pool together.
As Raika walked out to the pool, she moved stiffly, like a board. *In my past life, I was never this exposed,* she thought, feeling incredibly self-conscious.
Mia and Lina noticed her awkward gait and couldn't contain themselves. They burst into laughter, doubling over as they walked beside her.
"Raika, you're so cute!" Mia managed to say between giggles.
"Yeah, your reaction is priceless!" Lina added, wiping a tear from her eye.
Raika's face turned an even deeper shade of red, but she couldn't help but smile at her friends' teasing. "Alright, alright, laugh it up," she said, trying to relax a bit. *At least they find it funny,* she thought, taking comfort in their camaraderie.
As Raika sat beside the pool, dipping her feet into the water, she felt the stares of the boys on her. They whispered amongst themselves, their eyes wide with admiration.
"She's so cute. I wish she were my girlfriend," one boy said, his eyes practically sparkling.
"Dream on," another boy scoffed. "As if you could get a high-grade girl like her."
The rest of the boys laughed, their playful banter filling the air. Raika, catching bits of their conversation, blushed even deeper and tried to focus on the cool water lapping at her feet. This is so awkward, she thought, but a small part of her couldn't help but feel flattered by the attention.
While Raika was conscious of her body, she reached up to touch her face, gently pinching her skin. "Wow, my body is this soft? Are girls really this soft?" she murmured to herself.
The Assistant responded in her mind, "Yes, your body is as real as a human's. That's why repairing you is extremely difficult, if not impossible."
Raika frowned, recalling something. "But why did the scientist say during my first awakening that if he could catch me, he would reprogram me?"
The Assistant laughed. "He was bluffing. It's impossible to reprogram you. What he really meant was that he would try to imprison and brainwash you. There's no way on earth he could reprogram you. You're a very special type of machine, unparalleled among other cyborgs."
Raika tilted her head in confusion. "What am I made of?" she asked the Assistant.
The Assistant replied gently, "You are primarily made of flesh, born and engineered with a unique blend of organic material and a touch of magic."
"Magic?" Raika repeated, intrigued by the revelation.
"Yes," the Assistant continued, "the infusion of magical essence enhances your capabilities, making you more than just a machine."
Raika processed this information, reflecting on how her nature might explain some of her extraordinary abilities. "So, I'm not purely mechanical?"
"No," the Assistant affirmed. "You're a hybrid, designed to be resilient and adaptable, thanks to your organic and magical components."
Raika nodded thoughtfully. "That explains a lot," she murmured, recalling moments when she had surpassed the limits of typical technology.
The Assistant nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Your unique composition gives you an edge over conventional cyborgs."
Raika smiled, a sense of wonder growing within her. "I guess being part magic has its advantages."
"And its mysteries," the Assistant added with a hint of amusement.
Raika chuckled softly. "I suppose I'll have to embrace both."
"With time, you may uncover even more about yourself," the Assistant assured her.
Raika's expression shifted to one of concern. "So, you're saying if my arm were blown away, it's not repairable?"
The Assistant hesitated slightly before responding, "Theoretically, there's a 98% chance that such damage would be irreparable."
Raika's shock was palpable. She fidgeted, contemplating the implications of such vulnerability despite her unique composition. The realization that she might not be able to fully repair herself brought a new gravity to her understanding of her hybrid nature.
Raika sighed, processing the information. "So, I'm 98% human... what a bummer. But why does my first form seem a bit robotic?"
"It's only an illusion," the Assistant explained.
Raika furrowed her brow. "What illusion? You mean the form is just a physical hologram?"
"It's something close to that," the Assistant confirmed.
"My god," Raika muttered. "But why do I need to use electricity when I run out of power?"
"Because you are a cyborg," the Assistant replied matter-of-factly, leaving Raika to grapple with the complexities of her hybrid nature.
Lina and Mia lounged by the edge of the pool, watching Raika with amusement as she sat, fidgeting nervously. Lina couldn't help but tease, "Raika, why are you still just sitting there? Come on in and join the fun!" Her voice carried a light, teasing tone, punctuated by a playful laugh.
Raika glanced over at them, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "I... I was just thinking," she stammered, unsure how to respond to their friendly teasing.
Mia grinned mischievously, adding to Lina's jest, "Yeah, Raika, you do look kind of funny sitting there all stiff and thoughtful."
Raika sighed, but a smile played at the corners of her lips. "Alright, alright," she relented, standing up and stretching. "I'll join you guys." With a determined stride, she stepped into the pool, the cool water enveloping her, joining her friends for a day of relaxation and camaraderie under the warm sun.
As Katsuya continued to watch Raika from a distance, he found himself caught in a swirl of conflicting thoughts. Despite his insistence on seeing her as a cyborg, every movement she made seemed entirely human, her laughter and playfulness resonating with a natural grace. Nana, the Class A student, noticed Katsuya's fixed gaze and couldn't resist asking him directly.
"Hey, Katsuya, do you have a crush on Raika?" Nana inquired, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You've been staring at her for quite some time. She's quite a catch, isn't she?"
Katsuya's face flushed crimson with embarrassment. "No, I... I'm just observing," he stammered, trying to maintain his composure.
Nana leaned closer, her teasing tone persistent. "Observing, huh? Looks more like you're smitten. Are you sure you're not just a little bit in love, Katsuya?"
"No, it's not like that!" Katsuya insisted, flustered and caught off guard by Nana's teasing persistence. His attempts to deny any romantic interest faltered in the face of Nana's playful interrogation, leaving him both embarrassed and uncertain how to respond.
Nana chuckled softly, enjoying the reaction she elicited. "Relax, Katsuya. It's okay to have a crush, you know," she added with a wink, leaving Katsuya to ponder her words as he continued to watch Raika with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue from across the pool.
As the hours passed and Raika and her friends finished their time in the pool, they were greeted by a group of girls who gathered around Raika, their voices filled with admiration.
"Raika, how do you keep your skin and hair so vibrant all the time?" one of the girls asked in an awed tone.
Raika's face twisted in embarrassment at the unexpected attention. Mia nudged her playfully. "Looks like you've got some fans, Raika."
Lina joined in, adding with a smile, "You're popular among both boys and girls, Raika. Smart, beautiful, and powerful."
Raika chuckled awkwardly, still smiling as the girls continued to shower her with compliments and questions about her beauty regimen. She felt a mix of flattery and discomfort, not entirely used to being the center of such attention but grateful for her friends' support.
As Raika and her friends were surrounded by admirers, the boys observed from a distance, discussing amongst themselves.
"I'm going to try to win Raika's heart," one of them declared confidently.
His friend chuckled and replied, "Count me in too."
Another boy noticed Katsuya's lingering gaze on Raika and couldn't resist teasing him, "Hey Katsuya, you've been staring at Raika all this time. You really seem interested in her."
Katsuya, feeling slightly defensive, retorted, "No, I'm just observing."
The other boys laughed at Katsuya's reaction. "May the best man win then!" they exclaimed playfully as Katsuya walked away, clearly annoyed.
As they continued to banter, one of the boys remarked casually, "What's up with him anyway? Never mind, he's just a hothead. Maybe he's still sore about Raika beating him, a frail girl."
With a shrug, they carried on with their day, leaving Katsuya to his thoughts as they speculated about his behavior.