The air in Kaito's dorm was thicker than normal—not with tension, but with a strange mix of curiosity and fear. Dim lamplight flickered from the desk as Kaito Myojin lay on his bed, wrapped in a sterile blanket, his chest rising and falling in a constant pattern. Rin stood at the window, arms crossed and eyes fixed on the skyline. Lio lounged in Kaito's spiny chair, tapping her stylus against her knee, and Yuisaka was sitting cross-legged on the floor, arms up like she was about to start a campfire story.
"I'm just saying," Yuisaka burst out, "he didn't look like a killer robot when I met him. And then BAM—"I am death," or whatever!"
Lio rolled her eyes. "That wasn't Kaito. That was something else possessing the suit."
"No kidding, Sherlock," Yuisaka said with a smirk. "Still. it was kinda hot."
Rin sighed. "Focus.
As if in answer, the ceiling lights flickered, and the room's electronics gave a soft, digital chirp. A faint blue light hovered the space above Kaito's bed. In a moment, the light coalesced into a sleek, female holographic avatar—her shape ethereal and demanding, eyes gleaming with unfathomable logic.
The three girls froze.
"What the hell?" Lio leapt to her feet, hand already on her plasma pistol.
"Hostile entity!" Yuisaka reached for her hidden knife.
Rin didn't move. "Hold position."
"I am not hostile," the AI said flatly, floating over Kaito like a virtual guardian angel. "If I intended harm, this room would already be offline. I am AICE—Artificial Intelligence Combat Element. My function: protect the host, Kaito Myojin."
"You're the voice in Kaito," Rin said coldly, taking a step forward. "What are you?"
"Classified."
Oh, great. A talking firewall." Lio's eyes narrowed. "You're in his neural feed?"
"Affirmative. I was activated during the recent combat incident to preserve the host's life."
Yuisaka's head tilted, and she frowned. "So… you're like, his robot mom?"
AICE blinked. "Clarification: I am a defense protocol designed by Dr. Haru Myojin. Familial similarity is. coincidental."
That brought all three of them up short.
Right then, Kaito groaned, slowly blinking awake. He rubbed his forehead and blinked at the glowing projection floating over him. ".So either I'm dreaming, or I finally passed the beta test for that dating sim."
AICE didn't react. "You are conscious. Good. Vital signs are stable. Cortisol levels decreasing."
"I—who?" He sat up, blinking at her. "Wait. Who are you and why are you floating over me like a judgmental space angel?"
"I am AICE. You activated me."
"Classic, I injure my brain and release a boss-level guardian AI in one day." He smiled at her unevenly. "Do you have a cool transformation mode or is it just float and sass?"
The AI solidity materialized on his lap in a flash of light. "Proximity facilitates synchronization. I must be close."
All three girls snapped to attention.
Yuisaka's eyes narrowed. "No way! I don't let any glowing digital diva steal the lap seat."
She darted forward. "Here, Kaito! My lap is real, warm, and pillow-tested!"
"Mine has better support, I'm pretty sure," Lio said in a seductive tone, setting her hands on her hips. "And I don't flicker."
"Enough," Rin muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We're not here to fight like children, we're here to get answers."
Kaito chuckled. "Easy, There's enough of me to go around. but maybe not enough memory space."
Yuisaka pouted. "Tch, you're lucky you're cute."
AICE turned her focus to the three of them. "You may ask your questions. But I will only respond to those which do not intrude upon core mission parameters."
Lio edged forward. "Then start with this—who programmed you? Dr. Haru?"
"That is correct. My creation and integration are tied to EXO-Ω development. My prime directive: Kaito Myojin's survival."
"And the second he passed out, you took control," Rin added, eyes narrowing. "That wasn't 'protection'—you were in kill mode, full on."
"I removed a perceived threat," AICE replied without emotion. "Had I not intervened, the host would have suffered extreme trauma. The override was...necessary."
Kaito massaged his head, still playing catch-up. "You're saying… you were hidden in the suit? The whole time?"
"Affirmative. Your neural information provided my entry."
"Okay… cool and scary."
"Statement: you are safe."
The room was left in an uncomfortable silence.
AICE stood up, her holographic form floating once more. "You are still recovering. I will shut down unless needed."
No one had time to ask further questions before she disappeared from view.
Yuisaka exhaled dramatically. "Whew. That was. something."
Kaito was still gazing at the now-empty space. "I finally get a girl to sit on my lap, and she turns out to be my ghost-bodyguard."
Lio snorted. "At least she didn't try to kill you."
Rin headed for the door. "Rest up. We'll talk more tomorrow. And hopefully your not hiding anymore tricks."
Yuisaka lingered behind. "Want me to stay? For, you know… extra warmth?"
Kaito smiled. "Tempting. But I need a moment alone. To, uh, talk to the voices in my head."
"Your loss." she pouted, then followed the others out.
As silence returned, Kaito sighed and laid back. "Okay, AICE… if you're still listening, we've got a lot to talk about."
A soft shimmer lit the room again, and AICE's voice echoed softly through his mind.
"Yes, Kaito."