For the first time in what felt like forever, Reina had done absolutely nothing.
No sketches sprawled across the table. No soldering irons buzzing late into the night. No holographic projections hovering in the lab. Just silence, broken only by the occasional sound of ANIER humming a notification or Himari flipping a page in her notebook.
A whole week had passed like this. A week where Reina simply existed in her lab, not as the genius who shocked the world, but as a girl resting because someone—well, something—had told her to.
"Report: Subject Reina has followed rest protocol at a 91% success rate," ANIER announced one morning, voice calm but smug. "Deviation includes two unauthorized blueprint doodles and one late-night calculation scribbled on a napkin."
Reina groaned from her chair, pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders. "You're spying on me even in my downtime? That's harassment."
"Correction: monitoring. For your health."
"It's still harassment."
"Noted."
From the side of the room, Himari giggled quietly. She had been stopping by more often during Reina's break, mostly to keep her company. Unlike others, Himari never crowded, never pried. She simply sat nearby, sometimes reading, sometimes tinkering with little trinkets, sometimes just watching Reina nap with a faint smile.
Reina glanced at her now, feeling oddly guilty. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
Himari tilted her head. "Enjoying what?"
"Me being lazy for once."
"Well," Himari said softly, "I'm just glad you're not burning yourself out. You work too hard sometimes."
Reina opened her mouth to argue, then shut it again. Because Himari was right. And worse, ANIER immediately capitalized on the moment.
"Report: Himari's observation aligns with previous data. Probability that Reina overworks herself is 98%."
"Shut up," Reina muttered.
"Logging refusal: Reina denies data when confronted."
Himari covered her mouth, hiding another giggle.
The festival was tomorrow.
Reina hadn't been planning to attend—at least not seriously—but the thought of the lanterns, the laughter, the smell of food stalls… it had been gnawing at her. And maybe, just maybe, she wanted to see it with someone.
"Himari," Reina said suddenly, turning in her chair.
"Yes?"
"…Come with me tomorrow. To the festival."
Himari blinked, caught off guard. Her cheeks colored slightly, but she nodded with her usual calmness. "Of course. I'd love to."
Reina nodded, satisfied, though her heart skipped faster than she liked. "Good. Done deal then."
"Report: Subject Reina displayed signs of nervous anticipation while asking. Heart rate increase: 14 bpm."
"ANIER," Reina snapped, pointing at the HUD floating near her eye. "If you keep narrating my emotions out loud, I'll mute you for the whole festival."
"Not recommended. What if you need me for directions? Or translations? Or emergency stall-food calorie analysis?"
"…Okay, fine, you're coming. But no commentary."
"Compromise accepted. Minimal commentary."
Reina sighed. This was her life now.
Of course, Reina couldn't resist tinkering just a little before the big day.
She had been upgrading the lens chip quietly during her so-called "rest week." Nothing heavy—just adjustments, refinements. Now ANIER could do more than just voice output; she could present herself as a little icon in Reina's vision, a neat stylized symbol that floated near the corner of her HUD whenever she was active.
"Cute, isn't it?" ANIER asked, showing off her new icon: a tiny glowing sphere with orbiting rings, like a miniature planet.
Reina raised an eyebrow. "You chose that yourself?"
"Yes. It symbolizes efficiency, elegance, and overwhelming superiority."
"…It looks like a toy."
"Correction: a very advanced toy."
Himari leaned over from where she was sitting, smiling. "I think it's cute."
"See?" ANIER said smugly. "Validation achieved."
Reina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I've created a monster."
But she didn't uninstall it.
She even prepared something else. A small handheld device, no bigger than a flip phone, sleek and discreet. She placed it in Himari's palm later that evening.
"It syncs with ANIER," Reina explained. "In case of emergency, you can call me directly. Or her. She'll patch you through."
Himari looked down at it, surprised. "You made this… for me?"
Reina shrugged. "It was simple. Besides, I trust you not to misuse it."
"Report: Subject Reina spent approximately seven hours designing, miniaturizing, and calibrating the device. Claiming it was 'simple' is statistically dishonest."
"ANIER."
"Yes?"
"Mute yourself for ten minutes."
"…Fine."
Himari's lips curved into a small, amused smile. She tucked the device into her pocket carefully, as if it were something precious. "Thank you, Reina."
Reina turned away quickly, ears warm. "Don't make it a big deal. It's just practical."
The next afternoon, Reina remembered something else she had to do.
"Oh, before I forget," she muttered, tapping her lens HUD. "ANIER, notify the principal. Tell her I'll be dropping by."
"Notification sent. The principal responded with: 'Eeeee! She's visiting?!'"
Reina groaned. "Why did you include the scream in the transcription?"
"For accuracy."
She almost regretted inventing this AI.
When Reina stepped into the principal's office later, the woman was already waiting eagerly, clasping her hands as though about to meet a celebrity.
"Reina-chan! You came!"
Reina adjusted her coat, bowing slightly. "I came to apologize. For last week."
The principal blinked. "Apologize?"
"For refusing your idea so bluntly. I stand by my decision, but I could've said it more politely."
The principal shook her head quickly. "No, no, you don't have to apologize! You're always honest. That's one of your charms!"
Reina's expression softened a fraction. "Even so, I wanted to make it clear—I won't be opening a stall. But I've been taking a break from research this week, and during the festival, I'll just… explore a little. With Himari."
The principal beamed. "That makes me so happy to hear! You deserve it, Reina-chan. Enjoy yourself."
"Good," Reina said simply. Then she narrowed her eyes. "…Now stop playing with that device I gave you."
The principal froze guiltily, hiding her hands under the desk.
"You've been glued to it all week, haven't you?"
The woman coughed, looking away. "It's just… very useful! And fun. And futuristic! I can't help it!"
"Moderation," Reina scolded. "It wasn't meant to be a toy."
"Understood!" the principal said, though her sheepish grin said otherwise.
Reina sighed, turning to leave. "Honestly, adults are worse than kids sometimes."
"Report," ANIER whispered into her ear, smug, "Subject Reina is displaying maternal behavior: scolding, concern, disappointment."
"ANIER. Mute."
"Denied."
"Ugh."
The principal tilted her head. "Reina-chan?"
"Nothing," Reina muttered. "I'm going."
As she stepped out of the office, she couldn't help but feel a little lighter. Tomorrow was the festival. And for once, she wasn't dreading it.
The lab awaited her return, warm with the soft hum of machinery and Himari's quiet presence.
"Festival tomorrow," Reina said casually, tossing her coat onto the chair.
Himari looked up from her notebook, smiling gently. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Yeah," Reina murmured. She glanced at the glowing icon of ANIER in her vision, who seemed smug as ever.
"Report: Subject Reina is 72% excited. Not that she'll admit it."
Reina smiled faintly, despite herself.
Maybe, just maybe, this break wasn't such a bad idea after all.