Physical Demonstrations ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I watched Reiko fidget with her hoodie strings, her earlier laughter fading into nervous energy.

"So, um... I was thinking..." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm working on this really complex armor piece for a convention next week, and the joints are giving me trouble..."

"Elaborate."

"Maybe you could... I mean, if you're not busy... Would you want to come over to my place? To help? With the cosplay?"

"Acceptable. Technical assistance can improve efficiency by approximately 63%."

"Really? How about Friday evening? My parents are at a business dinner, so no one would-"

"Cannot comply. Friday evening schedule occupied with Nezumi Myoga."

"...Oh? Nezumi?"

"Affirmative. Previous arrangement takes priority."

"I didn't realize you and Nezumi were..." Reiko crossed her arms. "What are you two doing?"

"Information classified."

"Classified?" Reiko's eye twitched. "Since when do you have classified meetings with Nezumi?"

"Since approximately 13 hours and 42 minutes ago."

"That's... that's very specific." Reiko's fingers drummed against her arm. "And you can't reschedule?"

"Negative. Time slot optimal for planned activities."

"Planned activities?" Reiko's voice went up an octave. "What kind of activities?"

"Cannot disclose. Security protocols in effect."

"Security protocols? With Nezumi?" Reiko's face was getting redder by the second. "Since when does Nezumi need security protocols?"

"Conversation terminated. Must proceed to next scheduled activity in 2 minutes and 37 seconds."

"Wait!" Reiko grabbed my sleeve. "What about Saturday? At 8 P.M.?"

My systems processed the request. "Scanning schedule... Saturday 20:00 shows no conflicting tasks. Acceptable time slot detected."

"Perfect! I'll text you the address-"

"Address already in database from previous analysis of your shopping patterns and transit routes."

"O-okay." Reiko stepped back. "Saturday at 8 P.M. then?"

"Confirmed. Scheduling complete." Cleansuke turned and walked away.

The moment Cleansuke disappeared around the corner, Reiko broke into a dance that would've made any idol group proud.

"Yes, yes, yes!" She twirled, her hoodie swishing. Her usual composed demeanor vanished as she hugged herself, practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh my god, this is perfect. I can show them the LED modifications I've been working on!"

She pulled out her phone, thumbs flying across the screen. "Need to reorganize my workspace... maybe move the soldering station... definitely hide those family photos..."

A store clerk approached her. "Miss, are you planning to purchase anything?"

"Oh!" Reiko straightened up, aristocratic mask sliding back into place. "Yes, of course." She grabbed the nearest item - a package of seaweed snacks - and marched to the register with rehearsed dignity.

But as she walked out, I caught her reflection in the store window. That controlled expression cracked again into a smile so wide it could've powered Puri Puri for a week.

-

From my position near the study pods, I watched my body stride purposefully down the hallway. The morning's P.E. class still haunted me - Reiko had been practically glowing, shooting these little secret smiles at Cleansuke every time it glanced her way. If only she knew she was making eyes at a cleaning robot.

Now, as lunch period began, I tracked Cleansuke heading for study pod 3. My cleaning protocols kept trying to drag me toward some spilled juice near the cafeteria, but I fought against them, determined to keep watch.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, and Yuriko was already inside. Cleansuke entered, and I inched closer to eavesdrop. I strained my audio sensors, trying to catch their conversation through the study pod's walls.

"So what kind of plot assistance do you require?"

"Well..." Yuriko's voice quivered. "There's this scene I'm working on where two girls are studying together, and one of them starts cleaning the other's glasses, and then..."

"Processing. Continue."

"Maybe it's easier if I just show you? Here, let me just sync our Gogo brains to the Akashic Net and-"

"Warning: unauthorized neural connection detected-"

"Don't worry! It's just the story's AR environment. See? Loading now..."

Their voices faded into digital static. Then:

"Query: Where did all these girls come from?" 

"Welcome to Dorm Room! This is where I workshop all my scenes. Those are the background characters."

"Scanning environment. Multiple female students detected. Initiating standard cleaning protocols-"

"No, no!" Yuriko's voice crackled through. "This is just a story simulation. You don't need to clean anything."

"But her uniform is wrinkled. Must straighten-"

"That's... that's my main character! Don't touch her!"

"Analyzing character design. Posture indicates 47% efficiency loss due to improper ergonomics. Initiating correction-"

"Wait, what are you- Oh my god, stop picking her up like that!"

"Position adjusted for optimal spinal alignment."

"Put her down! That's not- This isn't-"

"Detecting elevated body temperature. Implementing cooling procedures-"

"Eep! No fan service scenes! This is supposed to be wholesome!"

"Error. Unable to process 'wholesome.' Defaulting to standard maintenance routines-"

I heard a thud, followed by what sounded like Yuriko hyperventilating.

"Tsukumo-san appears to require immediate assistance. Initiating emergency protocols-"

"Wait just a sec-!"

"Dust particles detected on lips. Removing with precise movements."

"THAT'S NOT DUSTING THAT'S KISSING!"

I heard a crash as Yuriko presumably jumped back.

"Logout! LOGOUT NOW!"

The AR connection terminated with an audible pop. Through the pod's window, I watched Yuriko press her hands to her flushed cheeks while my body stood perfectly still, head tilted.

"Error: Romance protocols incomplete. Shall we retry the simulation?"

"I think... I think I have enough material for now. Maybe... maybe too much material."

"Insufficient data collected. Requesting additional practice-"

"No! We're good! Super good! Extremely good!" Yuriko bolted for the door, nearly tripping over her own feet. "Thank you for your... unique perspective on romance!"

Yuirko nearly collided with Nezumi, who was walking through the courtyard.

Nezumi froze, her eyes darting between Yuriko's disheveled appearance and Cleansuke still standing in the pod. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.

"Oh! Nezumi-san!" Yuriko squeaked, attempting to smooth her rumpled uniform. "I was just... we were... studying!"

"Studying?" Nezumi's voice came out flat.

"Yes! Very intense studying. So intense. Got to go!" Yuriko scurried away.

Nezumi marched into the pod, her usual shy demeanor replaced with rigid posture.

"I wanted to discuss tomorrow's match. But I see you were... busy."

"Affirmative. Romance protocols were being tested."

Nezumi's eyes widened. "Romance... protocols?"

"Correct. Tsukumo-san required assistance with physical demonstrations."

"Physical demonstrations!?"