INSIDE A DINER IN REMANTIA
The midday rush inside brings the usual clatter of plates and hum of conversation. Amid the crowd, one figure sits motionless at a corner table.
And that person is... different.
A woman with long olive green hair tied in a ponytail and expressionless golden eyes that don't blink much. Metallic disks frame either side of her head, from which slim antennae extend upward like rods.
A waiter approaches with a smile.
"Good afternoon! What can I get you today, miss?"
And she replies in a flat, monotone voice.
"I would like a steak."
"Ah, sure! One steak. Please wait just a moment."
A few minutes later, he returns and carefully sets the plate in front of her.
"Here you go! Hope you enjoy your lunch."
"Thank you."
But as she reaches for her utensils, he quickly raises a hand.
"Wait! Just a second, miss. You should use this first."
He holds a small bottle filled with a clear liquid, and she tilts her head.
"What is that?"
"It's called sanitizer. You use it before meals. It helps kill tiny, unseen things on your hands that make people sick. You can't wash them away with poison or magic."
And then, she bluntly speaks again, causing him to chuckle awkwardly.
"Magic is illogical."
"Ah, hahaha… What do you mean, miss?"
"But I will try the sanitizer."
"A-Alright… here."
Then, he pours a few drops onto her palms and demonstrates how to use it.
"Now rub it in, like this."
And she follows the motion precisely. After that, her eyes scan her hands with a focus, clearly fascinated by what the sanitizer has done.
"Analysis complete: observed sanitation rate exceeds 99.9%. Particulate and microbial matter visibly reduced. Initializing data collection."
The waiter blinks in confusion again as people inside begin to whisper.
"Is she an automaton?"
"I have no idea what she's talking about."
"Even they're rarely seen in Heiligeichen…"
She continues speaking and staring at her palms, making him unable to follow her statement.
"Confirmed: the 'small things' referenced are biological entities invisible to the naked eye. Correlation with digestive instability is probable. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, emesis, and defecation irregularity."
"Y-Yes?"
Then, she looks up at him.
"The individual who created this demonstrates comprehension of microbial life. I wish to identify and observe this individual further. Thank you, you have provided me new data."
"Data?"
MEANWHILE, INSIDE MOTEGI'S STORE, THE FIRST FLOOR OF HIS RENTED PROPERTY
**********
The store is packed as usual today.
I stay at the counter, taking payments, giving change, and occasionally explaining to newcomers the difference between deodorant and sanitizer.
In the kitchenware section, Yomogi, with her sexy clerk uniform, is surrounded by a group of wide-eyed housewives again. They lean in closer every time she speaks, hanging on her every word as she demonstrates the proper grip for a kitchen knife.
Meanwhile, in the woodworks section, Chantal is also wearing the same uniform. And with her wild, older-sister energy, she is surrounded by young men who are interested in buying chess sets.
Kimberly, who is also wearing the same uniform, glides between the store's front and the ceramic displays. She greets customers at the entrance and then pivots to explain custom vase orders to nobles.
And when the moment the foot traffic begins to dip, I seize the moment.
"Alright, lunchtime!"
A chorus of cheers follows.
"Yessss! Thank you, Motegi-kun!"
"Can you make fried chicken again, Motegi-chan?"
"It would be... wonderful... Motegi-sama..."
"Fried chicken, huh? Got it."
I go upstairs to do the cooking, and a few minutes later, I come back down with a big wooden bowl of hot, crispy fried chicken and a small wooden bowl of honey mustard sauce, then I set it on the counter.
"Your fried chicken is ready, girls!"
The reaction is immediate as Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly each grab a piece, and the first bite leads to audible blissful moans.
"Mmm! Motegi-chan, you're the best!"
"Mmh... shhh... ghhhd..."
"You girls really love this stuff, huh?"
"I swear I could eat this every day, Motegi-kun!"
And just as we enjoy our meals, someone taps on the door.
"Excuse me. Is the store open? I would like to purchase a sanitizer."
Yomogi turns to me, still holding her half-eaten drumstick.
"Motegi-chan? What do we do?"
Chantal scoffs, still chewing.
"Tch! Can't she read the sign? We're on a break!"
Yes, it's our break.
But what's the rule number one of being a merchant?
Profit doesn't wait, even during lunch.
With that, I turn to Kimberly.
"Kimberly, would you mind?"
"Yes... Motegi-sama..."
Then, Kimberly unlatches the door, and the woman steps in without hesitation.
She walks straight to the shelf, picks up a sanitizer, and then makes her way to the counter. And it isn't until she gets close that I truly see her.
Long olive-green hair tied into a neat ponytail. Expressionless golden eyes that don't blink much. Her breasts are huge, and her body is curvy, just like the three girls.
But it's not her figure that catches my attention.
It's her ears.
Two metallic disks are mounted on the sides of her head, and slim antenna-like rods extend straight upward from them.
No way.
Could she be...?
And I can hear Yomogi and Chantal already whispering.
"Chantal, is she an automaton?"
"Looks like it. What's she doing here?"
The woman places the sanitizer on the counter, but then her eyes scan the fried chicken.
"Scanning... confirmed. Nutritional profile: high in fat content."
Yomogi's eyes widen, and she slaps a hand over her own mouth.
"High fat consumption contributes to weight gain, elevated blood pressure, and potential cardiac arrest."
Chantal chokes on her bite, coughing.
"Gack...!"
"Additional health risks include potential reduction in life expectancy."
Kimberly widened her eyes in fear.
And I have to cough awkwardly to diffuse the situation, but the woman still doesn't flinch.
"W-Well, it's just something we eat occasionally. Not every day."
"Acknowledged. Nevertheless, the fat remains."
"Y-Yeah, understood. Sorry..."
Then, I try to compose myself again and ask her.
"So, you're only here to buy sanitizer?"
She pauses.
Then, she bows deeply without warning.
"Declaration: I am... intrigued. The invention labeled 'sanitizer' demonstrates advanced understanding of microbial organisms invisible to organic sight. The application method suggests knowledge of germ theory. Magic was not involved. This indicates empirical reasoning."
She pauses for a moment to raise her head.
"Request: I wish to remain here. I will take charge of your hygiene products. I seek to study your methods, Master."
I blink and stand up immediately.
"W-What?!"
Yomogi and Chantal drop their jaws.
"Did she just call Motegi-chan…?"
"'Master'... she said?!"
What's happening here?
I have always wondered what an automaton would be like in person, and here she is, standing in front of me like a perfectly built android from sci-fi movies, just like what I've imagined. Blank expressions. Emotionless tone.
But now she wants to work for me and is calling me 'Master'?
"Wait, are you serious about this?"
"Affirmative. Observation: You possess knowledge unseen in this world. Germ theory. Data suggests you are an intellectual anomaly. I wish to learn. Directly."
Honestly, I don't know what to answer.
I sigh and rub my neck.
"Okay, fine. I'll consider it. What's your name?"
"Designation: Pinna. Origin: Heiligeichen. Occupation: Adventurer."
Chantal is surprised.
"Adventurer?"
"Confirmed."
And Yomogi asks.
"What rank?"
"Registered as: S."
Both girls gasp, and so do I.
"S-rank?!"
"Confirmed."
S-rank?
She's the same Kimberly, isn't she?
And speaking of Kimberly, she has been quiet for once, but then, she finally speaks as she asks something that confuses me.
"Wait... are you... that... S-rank...?"
"What do you mean, Kimberly?"
Then, Kimberly begins to explain.
"I heard... a story... One automaton... first... of her kind... to enter... the labyrinth... and kill... a monster. And first... of her kind... to rise... from F... to S. But... not many... know her name..."
And Pinna confirms as she turns to Kimberly.
"That story is accurate. Visual match: You are the Great Sage Kimberly."
"Yes, that... is me."
"Your record indicates: reached 24th floor in Heiligeichen labyrinth. Unassisted."
I'm surprised by that information, and I ask Kimberly to confirm it.
"Is that true, Kimberly?"
"Correct. I didn't mean... to hide it, Motegi-sama."
After that, Pinna turns to the other girls.
"You are Yomogi. Former A-rank brawler. Physical classification: strongest female wolfkin in Misdaras."
"Mou... you're being too kind..."
"And you are Chantal. A-rank rogue. Speed classification: fastest female pantherkin in Misdaras."
"Hahaha! Now that's a proper introduction!"
Then, I curiously ask Pinna.
"Hey, Pinna, how far have you gotten in the labyrinth?"
"Confirmed progress: 35th floor. Solo."
Our jaws drop.
Oi, oi, what the hell is going on with these Heiligeichen ladies?
Yomogi said she mastered the Misdaras labyrinth at the same 24th floor with her husband, but Kimberly surpassed her because Kimberly did it alone. And Chantal also said she mastered the same labyrinth at the same 35th floor with her party, but again, Pinna surpassed her because Pinna did it alone.
"How... how did you manage that?"
The moment I ask her, two devices emerge behind her. One is a hovering mono-eyed metal orb with a red light blinking in its center. The other is a metallic disc that slithers along the floor.
"These are my auxiliary units. Designation: children. Powered by Cosmic element. Integrated with navigation, analysis, and combat protocols."
Yomogi pokes the floating sphere.
"Aww... it's cute!"
Chantal yelps as the crawler darts toward her.
"Waah! It startles me!"
Kimberly watches both gadgets with a puzzled expression.
And I curiously ask Pinna again.
"Why did you become an adventurer?"
"Automata possess limited lifespans. Average expectancy: 50 years. I am the first with anomaly: data-linked self-upgrade. Hypothesis: increased knowledge correlates to extended existence."
I narrow my eyes like I immediately know what she means.
"Wait, don't tell me..."
"Confirmation: you are a high-density data source. I must remain close, Master."
And just like that, I remain silent, as I don't know what to answer anymore.
MOMENTS LATER
"Are you ready, Pinna?"
"Affirmative, Master. Ready to commence evaluation."
She sits across from me at the counter, golden eyes fixed on me with that unreadable stare. In front of us are a bottle of shampoo, a pouch of deodorant, and a pouch of toothpaste.
This is an interview... sort of.
I mean, this is the only idea I have for now.
Honestly, there's a reason why I'm not letting go of the toiletries section despite also taking the counter: because no one explains this stuff like I do, and I'm not bragging about it.
It's a fact.
Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly just parrot my words about toiletries, and I doubt they would have an answer if a customer pushes them back with a tough question. So, if Pinna wants to take over that section, she has to prove that she knows all her stuff. And since she already impresses me with her understanding of sanitizer, I figure it's time for a full trial run.
First, I slide the shampoo bottle.
"This is shampoo. It's used to clean hair. Can you tell me why it's better than just using herb water?"
Without hesitation, Pinna lifts the bottle, uncaps it, and pours a single drop onto her palm as her eyes flicker.
"Scanning... complete. Analysis: this formulation effectively dissolves sebaceous secretions, particulate buildup, and residual sweat, which are primary causes of greasy and flattened hair texture. Contains emollients and keratin-protective agents that reinforce hair shaft integrity, enhance luster, and reduce strand breakage. Herb-based rinses lack sufficient surfactant and restorative agents. Conclusion: inferior."
"Alright, next."
Next, I push the deodorant pouch.
"This one's deodorant, and it's for body odor. You apply it under your arms. Do you know how it works?"
She scans again, voice perfectly flat.
"Analysis: deodorant reduces apocrine sweat secretion via glandular inhibition. Additionally, antibacterial agents target odor-causing microbiota that decompose sweat into volatile sulfuric compounds. Application zone: axillary region. Function: suppress odor at origin. Effectiveness: confirmed."
"Okay, last one."
Finally, I slide the toothpaste pouch.
"This is for cleaning teeth. Used with a twig. Twice a day, before bed and after waking up. Why's that important?"
She picks it up, scanning and replying.
"Confirmed. Toothpaste removes food residue and biofilm, also known as dental plaque. Contains agents to neutralize halitosis-causing bacteria, prevent carious lesions, and inhibit periodontal disease progression. Pre-sleep brushing mitigates microbial proliferation during circadian saliva suppression. Post-wake brushing removes nocturnal buildup. Repetition: mandatory. Frequency: twice daily."
And just like that, I have absolutely nothing to say anymore.
I can hear Yomogi whisper.
"Amazing..."
Then Chantal follows with a murmur.
"She shut Motegi-kun up..."
And Kimberly's confusion.
"I… didn't… understand… any… of that..."
Honestly, what am I even doing right now?
A basic science guy like me interviews a literal genius like her?
But somehow... I'm glad.
Because for the first time, I have someone I can actually trust with the products that have been with me since day one in this world. If her desire to learn is to expand her lifespan, then maybe I can show her more. Share more things from Japan.
Maybe with her analytical brain and gadget skills, I can guide her into building something more advanced. Like a laundry machine, or a vacuum cleaner, or even a microwave. And she might even upgrade my freezing box into a real-looking refrigerator.
"Pinna, you're hired. Starting tomorrow, you're in charge of the toiletries section. You're welcome to stay at the house too, if you want."
She stands and bows.
"Acknowledged, Master. Acceptance of assignment confirmed. Residency offer: appreciated. Emotional data: stable. Appreciation... expressed."
She still looks completely emotionless. But her eyes flicker just for a second.
That has to be happiness, right?
Just like that, Yomogi hugs Pinna warmly.
"Welcome to the family, Pinna!"
Chantal gives Pinna a friendly slap on the back.
"Heh, let's get along quickly, okay?"
And Kimberly smiles.
"Happy... to.. have… a new… person… in the house..."
And just like that, our house grows a little bigger.