A Shrine Website Dedicated To-

From my vantage point behind a trash bin, I watched Cleansuke march down the empty hallway.

Nezumi was blocking my locker, arms crossed.

Cleansuke halted exactly three feet away. "Greetings. Please step aside. Shoe changing protocols must be executed according to schedule."

"Not until you give me back my keys. I know you have them."

"Accessing inventory." Cleansuke reached into its uniform pocket. "Item located: one set of keys with Dai-Bōku mascot charm. Classification: lost and found."

"They're not lost! I dropped them in the study pod earlier!"

"Incorrect. Items dropped without immediate retrieval are classified as abandoned property."

"That's not how it works!" Nezumi lunged for the keys, but Cleansuke simply raised them higher.

"Warning: unauthorized item retrieval detected. Initiating containment protocols."

Before Nezumi could react, Cleansuke scooped her up in a perfect cleaning formation - the same way it handled fallen mops.

"Put me down!" Nezumi squirmed, face turning scarlet. "This is ridiculous!"

"Negative. Current position optimal for preventing further item displacement."

Of all the cleaning protocols to activate...

"I just want my keys back!" Nezumi wriggled harder. "Why are you being so weird today?"

"Analyzing behavior patterns... Processing... Unable to compute 'weird.' Please provide specific parameters."

"Like this!" Nezumi gestured wildly at their position. "The cleaning robot impression! The maid outfit in yesterday's match! Since when do you care about organizing anything?"

"Would you prefer a more efficient holding pattern?"

"I'd prefer you put me down!"

Cleansuke finally set Nezumi down. "Recalculating protocols. Item return approved upon verification of ownership."

Nezumi smoothed her uniform. "Look, the charm has my name engraved on it. See?"

"Scanning... Authentication confirmed." Cleansuke extended the keys with a slight bow. "Please exercise greater caution with personal belongings in the future."

"Thanks." Nezumi clutched the keys to her chest, her voice softening. "You know, you're different today, but... not in a bad way."

I perked up my robot sensors. This wasn't the Nezumi I knew from class - all poise and careful words.

"Actually..." She fidgeted with her keychain. "I've been meaning to ask... About Team Hanamizu... I want to join. As your collector."

Cleansuke tilted its head at a perfect 45-degree angle. "Error. Team Hanamizu collector position currently filled by user: Huro."

"But he's always missing matches! I saw your last three tournaments - he wasn't there for any of them."

"Analyzing attendance records... Confirming: Huro's participation rate: 27.3%"

"I have designs!" Nezumi yanked out her phone, scrolling through mecha sketches. "I've studied every match. I know your style, your coding patterns-"

"Processing historical data. Subject: Nezumi Myoga. Match attendance: 100%. Location: Always section C."

"I-I just like that spot! The viewing angle is perfect for-"

"Additional data: Three hundred twenty-seven photos of Team Hanamizu matches. Four hundred fifty-two sketches of mecha modifications. One shrine website dedicated to-"

"Don't mention that last part! I mean- that's not- I can explain…"

Was this the same Nezumi who spent lunch hours discussing fashion trends?

"Okay, fine!" Nezumi threw her hands up. "I'm a huge fan! I've studied every match, every mod, every line of code you've written. Happy now?"

"Calculating appropriate response..." My body's face twitched. "Does not compute. Why conceal enthusiasm for Dai-Bōku activities?"

"Because it's embarrassing! I'm supposed to be..." Nezumi gestured vaguely at her trendy outfit. "You know. Normal."

"Error. Definition of 'normal' not found in database."

Nezumi slumped against the lockers.

"You don't get it. In middle school, I was that weird girl who brought mecha manga to class. The one who spent lunch breaks drawing robot designs instead of talking about boys. Nobody wanted to hang out with the Dai-Bōku nerd."

"Query: Does current social status prevent participation in preferred activities?"

"Yes! No... I don't know." Nezumi ran a hand through her hair. "It's like living two lives. School-me has to care about fashion and dating gossip. But real-me just wants to geek out about your last battle."

"Analyzing social paradigms… Conclusion: Compartmentalization of interests appears inefficient."

"Tell me about it." Nezumi laughed weakly. "But what else can I do?"

"Alternative suggestion: Embrace technical expertise. Team Hanamizu requires collector with comprehensive knowledge base."

Nezumi's head snapped up. "Wait, are you saying-"

"Current collector attendance rate suboptimal. Your design proficiency and match analysis indicates superior compatibility."

"Really?" Nezumi bounced on her toes. "You mean it? I can join?"

"Affirmative. Next match scheduled for Friday. Arrival time 1800 hours."

"I won't let you down!" Nezumi beamed, then caught herself, smoothing her expression. "I mean, um, that would be acceptable."

"Unnecessary to modify enthusiasm levels. Dai-Bōku appreciation: normal within acceptable parameters."

Nezumi's genuine smile could have powered my circuits for a week. "Thanks, Tanaka. You know, you're actually pretty cool."

Great. Now I had a new team member I hadn't even approved - recruited by a cleaning robot wearing my face.