"Feeling any better, Netzach?"
X watched the Safety Department Dean chew the ice cubes; despite the cold, she chewed effortlessly, producing a crunching sound—a testament to the AI's strength.
Netzach seemed unaffected; after swallowing the ice, she appeared more alert, no longer exhibiting the dazed smile or the irritating "hehe" sounds.
"Ah…why…Manager…there…are…two?"
The hallucinogenic effects of the Enkephalin hadn't completely worn off; Netzach was still slightly disoriented, but capable of communication.
Her previously dilated pupils seemed to have sharpened; she was regaining her clarity.
"Do you know we had a meeting today, Netzach?"
X propped her chin on her hand, condescendingly observing the Dean; her boot remained on Netzach's stomach, the pressure increasing.
Her golden eyes were cold, focused on the green, seaweed-like Dean.
"Yes…yes, hic~"
Netzach's expression was indifferent; she showed no remorse, even under X's serious gaze.
"Knowing that, why did you take Enkephalin and delay the other Deans? Do you know how much trouble you caused me in the meeting?"
X's tone was somewhat critical, but not truly accusatory; her anger had subsided, unlike before, when she was like a raging lioness.
Her anger came and went quickly; constant fury would require daily blood pressure medication.
No need to rush; no need to be angry.
She wasn't a nitpicker; she was tolerant of her Deans. She wasn't seeking blame but answers—
She wanted to know why Netzach, sober for a week, relapsed. She wanted the Dean to change, not to be scolded or reset.
Removing her boot from the Safety Department Dean's stomach, X rested her leg on the carpet.
She no longer needed Netzach to kneel; it was pointless, and her anger had lessened. Humiliating someone was wrong, even if Netzach had been at fault.
Stepping on someone's dignity when angry was one thing, but now, X felt uncomfortable continuing; she feared hurting Netzach's self-respect.
The short-haired, black-haired, golden-eyed woman gestured for the Dean to stand.
"I…I know. I'm sorry…Manager…I was wrong. Forgive me. I lost control."
The Safety Department Dean's tone shifted abruptly, becoming almost coquettish, radiating a pink bubble aura.
Instead of standing, she slid from a supine position to a kneeling one, bowing her head in a supremely contrite posture.
"Don't apologize to me, Netzach. You need to apologize to the Deans you delayed, especially Yesod. Look at the trouble you caused her."
Seeing Netzach kneeling, X softened; she was still her Dean. Even though Netzach had serious issues, X couldn't simply discard her.
But this incident was significant; X hadn't forgotten Netzach's earlier words. Maintaining a serious expression, X continued questioning, not letting Netzach rise yet.
At least, she deserved some punishment—kneeling and showing remorse.
Despite her soft heart, X hesitated to let Netzach kneel any longer. She reached out to help her up, intending to talk.
Then, the ever-reliable AI Secretary spoke.
[Manager, you overlooked her illegal use and possession of Enkephalin. The Training Department's Enkephalin should have been disposed of, but she kept and used it.]
The statement silenced the room; X retracted her hand, her golden eyes fixed on the kneeling Safety Department Dean, waiting for an explanation.
Some things could be overlooked, others couldn't.
X was forgetful; if not reminded, she'd overlook or forget things—and her Secretary had a remarkable memory, reminding her now.
…Damn Angela!
Netzach cursed silently, not daring to speak out; she maintained a contrite posture. The Enkephalin had given her fortitude, but the effects had worn off; even if bold, she wouldn't dare insult Angela to her face.
Secretly cursing was one thing; doing it openly would lead to dire consequences.
Angela usually turned a blind eye to minor infractions: laziness, messiness, drinking, using Enkephalin; she rarely pursued it, but there was plenty to hold against her.
But the short-haired black-haired woman was gentle.
Soft, ripe fruit, easily manipulated.
"Ugh, Manager…you didn't visit me yesterday. I…I felt bad. I finished my report, but…but waited until late at night for you."
"Angela…Angela threw my report in the trash. I worked so hard on it."
The Safety Department Dean looked like she was about to cry, clinging to X's leg, rubbing against her and nudging her waist, urging her to deal with the AI Secretary.
X glanced at the Secretary, who remained silent with closed eyes, neither confirming nor denying…perhaps accepting, perhaps uncaring.
Alright, that was understandable.
X didn't entirely believe the Safety Department Dean, but her words were credible; Angela did do such things; X had found reports discarded in the trash more than once.
They were crammed into the trash like garbage.
Sometimes, X retrieved and reviewed those reports; some were feasible, yet rejected by her AI Secretary.
The trash was always filled with the Deans' designs, making them seem like incompetent, failure-prone individuals.
In X's opinion, the Department AIs were competent, at least in their work. Their personalities were flawed, but even Netzach, when not incapacitated, was capable, having moments of competence.
"Alright, alright, I understand. Angela, leave us some privacy…Netzach might be nervous."
Despite her often passive nature, X had basic perceptiveness; she understood her Dean.
With Angela, the head AI, present, Netzach wouldn't speak; she was intimidated.
X empathized; she'd been intimidated by Angela, but her Secretary, thankfully, gave her some leeway, showing some respect.
The AI generally heeded X's requests.
The AI Secretary left after a brief nod, using surveillance or other means; Angela's reach was extensive; nothing was hidden.
X knew this, but it didn't matter.
At least, the AI maintained appearances.
"Alright, Angela's gone. What do you want to say, Netzach?
Or perhaps you want to explain something. I'm listening."
X looked at the Safety Department Dean, who had risen and sat beside her, looking unharmed.
Was it, as Angela said, simply a ploy to get her attention? Some foolish act?
"Can you help me, Manager? Just this once…I can't focus!"
The Safety Department Dean took X's finger, sucking it like candy, seemingly trying to remember something, her expression focused.
"What? Netzach, are the Enkephalin effects still lingering?"
X's expression was strange; she vaguely understood, but didn't want to comprehend it.
"Manager, you said I was ██. It's true…there are problems with my programming, making me…uncontrollable."
X froze, wanting to pull her hand back, but Netzach wouldn't let go.
—What? Are you kidding me?!
X had said it in anger; how could this be real? Could an AI actually ██? No one had ever tested this.
If true, Netzach's ██ might have a cause.
"…"
"Are you sure, Netzach?"
X looked at her Dean; this was the most shocking thing she'd ever heard. Lobotomy Corporation was extraordinary; why were its AIs so strange, with such unusual obsessions?
"Please, Manager, help me. I'll work hard from tomorrow."
Netzach nodded emphatically, sensing a chance.
X hadn't directly refused; she'd only hesitated.
X hadn't reacted impatiently to the earlier advances, nor directly rejected the "girlfriend" request… the probability of success was rising; Netzach knew this!
Although she seemed angry, she wasn't truly furious; she was likely upset about the meeting disruption, not necessarily her behavior.
It was more annoyance than anger…
The Safety Department Dean continued rubbing against X, who seemed to be considering something, her cheeks faintly flushed.
She was recalling her angry words… they were rather extreme.
—What did I say to Netzach?
—What was it?
—I remember saying something about needs? Curiosity about her body structure?
X felt hot and embarrassed; those words were terrible; she hadn't meant to cause such a misunderstanding.
"Just…just this once, Netzach. I'll help you…but you'll have to deal with the rest yourself."
Hesitantly, X spoke weakly and uncertainly, lacking the earlier authoritative tone; when not angry, she was like a large, timid bird, only able to chirp.
But she decided to help; she worried that Netzach's condition would worsen if left untreated.
"Twice, Manager. You're the best Manager! X, do you remember our agreement yesterday? The reward…and compensation for me."
The Safety Department Dean pressed further, like a cunning snake testing X's limits.
"Fine…Netzach, you must promise not to use Enkephalin again this week and clean up that mess."
X couldn't resist the clingy Dean; she relented. If it was just helping her Dean, she could manage.
Just assistance, solving a problem; it should be alright, right?