"Fine, fine,"
"But I want a full report afterward, Horikita. Every detail. Every sensation. I need all the data."
Touko's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Don't forget Onee-chan exists, okay?"
She's already walking through the open doorway before anyone can respond.
Haruka follows with a dismissive wave. Kaito gives me an apologetic look on his way out.
Lenah is the last to leave. She pauses at the doorway.
Her violet eyes search mine, and for a moment, I think she's going to try to talk me out of it. But then, she nods.
"Be careful, Horikita," Lenah says.
She walks out, forcing the broken door back into its frame with one hand.
I'm left alone with the unconscious girl.
Or at least, I thought...
I turn around, startled, and see Kotori standing silently by the bedside.
"Kotori! I thought you left!"
I glance at the unconscious girl on the bed, then back at Kotori. This is… Unexpected. And potentially useful.
"Then you can help me."
"Directive clarification required: In what capacity am I to assist?"
"This girl... The anomaly... Haruka thinks there's a connection port on her body," I explain, walking closer to the bed.
"A keyhole for system access. I need to find it. You know your own body's systems—you're the Alpha Prototype. You'll know what to look for, right?"
"Negative. I am not familiar with the design specifications of the Series X Androids. My core is organic, and my systems are integrated with a human body. The Series X models are fully artificial. Their design parameters are likely significantly different."
"Even if you don't know the exact design... You'd know what to look for better than I would."
"Your logic is sound," Kotori replies, nodding.
"While I lack specific schematics for the Series X, my own system architecture can serve as a baseline for identifying anomalies in a humanoid form. I will assist in the diagnostic."
At least with Kotori, I feel a bit better.
"Alright," I say, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.
"Where do we start?"
"The interface port is unlikely to be located on a surface area that is routinely covered by fabric, as that would compromise accessibility and data transfer efficiency. However, the clothing itself is an obstruction to a full tactile diagnostic."
Right. Clothing. Obstruction. Logic.
I walk towards the bed, stopping before the unconscious girl.
"...What is this she's wearing?"
"It is a form-fitting, full-body suit," Kotori replies, her gaze analytical as she assesses the suit.
"Likely a tactical undersuit or pilot gear. It appears to be a single, continuous piece of material."
"A single piece?"
"How… How do we get it off her?"
Kotori moves to the side of the bed and leans over the girl, her fingers tracing the dark grey lines that run along the suit's torso.
I swallow hard, my hands clenching and unclenching. I should be helping. This is my responsibility. However, I can't seem to get my body to move.
I just… Watch.
Kotori's hands run over the girl's side, her stomach, the curve of her hip. The suit is so tight, it hides nothing. The swell of her breasts, the arc of her waist… It's all there, outlined in perfect detail.
"No visible clasps or buttons on the anterior side," Kotori reports, her voice pulling me from my thoughts.
"The fastening mechanism is likely located on her back."
Kotori lifts the android slightly and looks towards me.
"Pilot,"
"Your assistance is required to examine the back of the anomaly."
My feet feel like they're glued to the floor.
"Pilot," Kotori says, her voice cutting through my hesitation.
"Your delay is inefficient. Are you experiencing a system conflict?"
"N-No," I say, forcing my legs to move.
"I'm coming."
I stop beside Kotori.
"What do I do?"
"Identify a fastening mechanism. Seam, zipper, or button. Any point of structural separation."
I lean over and lift the girl's shoulders slightly, holding her up.
Kotori's hand settles against the girl's spine, fingers spread flat against the dark material.
Nothing happens.
Then—
*Shhk*
A seam opens beneath her fingers.
I lower her back down without thinking...
"..."
"Kotori. What did you do?"
"Applied standard biometric contact." She pulls her hand back, studying her own palm.
"The suit's security protocol registered my Ki as authorized access. The response was automatic."
Why would it recognize her?
The answer surfaces before I can stop it.
Because of what she is.
If the Series X were built on a foundation that began with Kotori—
"Then you can interface with—"
"Negative." Kotori's gaze returns to me.
"The access was passive. Residual recognition from a shared design lineage. I cannot proceed further."
"The suit has opened. That is the extent of my function here."
"So I have to take it off her myself?"
"Hai. The disengaged mechanism should allow the fabric to separate along the seam line," Kotori explains.
"Grasp the material near the shoulders and pull it down along the spine. Be careful not to apply excessive force to the subject's limbs."
I nod.
There's no choice but to do it. This is the only way.
I grip the material on her shoulders.
"Okay…" I mutter to myself, more for my own benefit than for Kotori's.
I pull the suit down slowly.
The fabric gives way easily, sliding down her back and front, before I stop right where her nipples are.
...Ah.
"Pilot, are you experiencing a system malfunction?"
"Your heart rate has increased by 12% and your respiration rate is elevated. Is the task proving too difficult?"
"N-No! No malfunction!" I stammer, shaking my head violently.
"I am just… Being careful not to damage the 'obstruction.'"
"Your hesitation suggests an emotional rather than a technical impediment," Kotori observes, tilting her head.
"If the task exceeds your current operational parameters, I can assume the physical execution."
"No!" I say through gritted teeth, tightening my grip on the suit.
"This is mine."
Focus on the problem: the suit. Not the body beneath it.
I pull again, more firmly this time, guiding the material down her body.
My hands pause.
Her breasts aren't huge, but they look heavy.
Full in a way that makes it obvious the suit was working hard. They don't move. Not even a little. No give, no bounce. Just... sitting there, perfect in a way that makes my mouth dry.
In fact...
I...
I touch the tip of her left nipple with my thumb.
...Mmmm…
"Pilot?" Kotori asks.
"You are currently applying tactile pressure to the subject's mammary gland. Is this action part of the diagnostic protocol?"
"Y-Yes," I lie, quickly retracting my thumb.
"I'm checking for… For thermal anomalies," I stammer, heat in my cheeks.
"The nipple is a high-density nerve cluster; it would register temperature changes quickly."
I can't believe I'm using the same language Haruka used on me to get out of this!
Kotori processes this for a moment.
"Hypothesis: The mammary gland is an inefficient site for thermal interface due to high adipose content. However, given the subject's unique physiology, proceed with the diagnostic. Note any abnormal firmness or rigidity."
I nod quickly, relieved for the escape route.
"R-Right. Abnormal firmness."
I pull the suit down further, sliding it past her waist, over the gentle curve of her hips, and down her thighs.
And finally, off her feet.