In a quiet corner of the Robotics Club garage sat a machine—one of the P-94 units on loan to First High. But this particular unit was different. It was possessed by a supernatural entity, a "monster" whose true master was not a member of the club, but the male student who had seen through its mechanical shell to the spirit within.
That spirit was a Parasite, given form and consciousness by Honoka Mitsui's romantic longing. Having inherited those feelings, the entity had sworn absolute loyalty to Tatsuya Shiba. Known by the nickname "Pixie," the creature desired only one thing: to serve at her master's side.
"So, you're saying Pixie's malfunctions have been increasing lately?"
"That's the thing," a club member replied to Tatsuya. "It never happens when you're around, Shiba-kun, but the moment you leave..."
"And what is it you want me to do about it?"
"The loan agreement with the school is still in place, but the administration is considering terminating the contract if these glitches continue. If that happens, the unit—and the responsibility—falls back to you as the legal owner."
Buying Pixie while leaving her at the school had been a strategic move to keep her under observation. If she were removed from the school, things would become complicated. Tatsuya asked his friend to step out of the garage, leaving him alone with the robot.
"Pixie. What is the cause of these malfunctions?"
『I simply wished to see you, Master,』 the robot replied, its synthesized voice carrying a strange weight. 『Since spring break began, you have not come to visit me. I concluded that if I caused a disturbance, you would be forced to come and investigate.』
"…I'm not a member of the Robotics Club. I can't just walk into this garage whenever I feel like it."
『I am aware of the circumstances. However, surely you understand my desire to be near you. The emotions I have resonated with are the romantic feelings of Honoka Mitsui. It is only natural that I would long for your presence.』
"Even if that's true..."
Leaving her at the school meant he didn't have to destroy her, but bringing her home carried its own set of risks.
『I belong to you, Master. Therefore, I wish to serve you. I wish to care for you. I wish to be by your side.』
Tatsuya went silent for a moment, then sighed. "…I'll see what I can do."
He stepped out of the garage and spoke to the waiting club member.
"Would it be a problem if I took Pixie with me for a while?"
"Did you find the cause?"
"In a manner of speaking... but it's a bit complicated. I'd like to take her home and work on her for about a week."
"I don't mind. You're the owner, after all."
"I'll make sure she's returned in working order. Let's handle the paperwork."
Between his ownership rights and the school's desire to be rid of a faulty unit, the process of taking Pixie home was surprisingly smooth.
Even for a robot, walking through the streets in her current attire would draw too much attention. Tatsuya borrowed a girl's school uniform from the Art Club and, after dressing Pixie, brought her back to the Shiba residence.
"Welcome home, Onii-sama."
"Welcome back, Tatsuya-sama... and who might this be?"
"Pixie, introduce yourself."
『Understood, Master. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the P-94 unit, popularly known as Pixie, a possession of Master Tatsuya.』
"Oh, Pixie? Why are you here?" Miyuki asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
『It is my greatest wish to serve the Master. I have requested permission to reside here for one week.』
"That's the gist of it," Tatsuya added. "Miyuki, Minami—try to get along with her."
After introducing her to Minami, Tatsuya headed straight for the basement. Pixie moved to follow him, but she was quickly intercepted by Miyuki and Minami.
『Is something the matter?』
"I and Minami-chan will handle Onii-sama's needs," Miyuki said, her voice firm. "Pixie, you should return quietly to the garage."
『Only the Master may give me orders. Regardless of the fact that you are his sister, you have no authority over me.』
"Miyuki-sama," Minami interjected, "why does this robot possess such... intense feelings for Tatsuya-sama?"
『I am the Parasite that your family, the Yotsuba, was hunting. However, I harbor no hostility. I possess only my feelings for Tatsuya Shiba.』
Minami tensed at the mention of the Yotsuba, her guard going up instantly. Miyuki, however, remained calm, her curiosity piqued.
"Have you been investigating Onii-sama?"
『Information regarding the Master and yourself was heavily encrypted,』 Pixie replied. 『However, it was quite easy to look into a man named Aoki who was seeking me recently.』
"Aoki-san? When was this?"
Miyuki hadn't been informed that Aoki, a steward of the Yotsuba, had come to see Tatsuya. Sensing the cold spike in Miyuki's aura, Pixie answered truthfully.
『It was on February 18th, before the Parasite incident was fully resolved.』
"Knowing that man," Minami muttered, "he likely intended to insult Tatsuya-sama and buy this robot out from under him. He probably chose a time when Miyuki-sama was away for that very reason."
"Aoki-san..." Miyuki's voice was like a freezing wind. "Minami-chan, we are going to the Yotsuba main house immediately. Contact my Aunt. Tell her that depending on the situation, she may need to join me in interrogating Aoki-san personally."
"Understood. But what about Tatsuya-sama?"
"Fortunately, it seems Pixie is more than willing to look after him in our absence. Onii-sama will stay here. Taking him to the main house always leads to... complications."
Miyuki knew all too well that while some Yotsuba retainers treated Tatsuya with disdain, the maids and Lady Maya herself were a different story. Whenever Tatsuya visited, work slowed to a crawl because the staff was too busy mooning over him. Furthermore, watching the maids try to catch his eye usually caused Miyuki's magic to spiral out of control, making the trip more trouble for Tatsuya than it was worth.
A short while after Miyuki and Minami vanished from the house, Tatsuya finally emerged from the basement. He paused, tilting his head when he realized his sister and Minami were gone.
"Pixie. Where are the others?"
『They have departed for the main house to interrogate an individual named Aoki. I was instructed to inform you that you are to remain here for the time being.』
Tatsuya looked at the robot for a long beat. "I see... Pixie, you talked them into it, didn't you?"
『I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Master.』
Tatsuya sighed. He saw right through it. To get Miyuki out of the house, Pixie had simply dangled the name of a Yotsuba steward she knew would trigger Miyuki's protective instincts. By providing the information at the perfect moment, Pixie had effectively cleared the field so she could have her Master all to herself.
Even without a human heart, she had used Honoka's tactical romantic drive to win this round.
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