When Bonfie bounced out of the room, still without clothes, the atmosphere in the main room shifted instantly. A heavy silence fell over the group as every girl's gaze locked onto her, their reactions ranging from amusement to sheer disbelief.
Frenni was the first to snap out of it. She hesitated for a short moment, her smirk widening into a sly grin before she pointed lazily toward the left hallway.
Frenni: "Cutie, your shiny man went that way~. Whatever you did, you harded him good~."
Her tone was dripping with amusement, clearly playing on the perverse double meaning of the word "harded." She tilted her head slightly, her tail flicking behind her as she watched Bonfie's next move with great interest.
Fexa let out a bark of laughter, arms still crossed as she leaned against the bar.
Fexa: "Hah! Well, I knew you were bold, but damn, Bonfie. Didn't think you'd actually break him."
Her sharp eyes gleamed with pure entertainment, clearly enjoying the situation far more than she should.
Chiku, who had been absently polishing a shot glass, finally glanced up, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Chiku: "Hmph. Put some clothes on before you scare him off for good."
Her voice was as flat as ever, but the slight twitch of her eyebrow betrayed her mild exasperation.
Golden Frenni, standing near the stage curtains, turned away abruptly, her arms tightening around herself. Her golden cheeks glowed a deeper shade as she glitched out a response.
Golden Frenni: "Yøu'r3... tøø b0ld... !t's w31rd..."
Her words were barely above a whisper, her gaze flickering between Bonfie and the hallway Billy had disappeared into. She wasn't sure what made her more uncomfortable—the idea of Bonfie parading around naked or the fact that Billy had reacted in some way.
Marie, ever composed, merely let out a soft sigh, stepping forward before Bonfie could take another bouncy step toward the hallway.
Marie: "Bonfie, wait."
Bonfie stopped mid-step, her ears twitching.
Marie: "If you go, he will just be harder, and he seems to be dangerous. Wait and give him some time."
Bonfie groaned dramatically, her tail flicking in frustration as she crossed her arms over her bare chest.
Bonfie: "Ughhh, fine~. But he's so boring when he's alone!~"
Despite her pout, she spun on her heel and bounced back into the neon-lit room, finally grabbing her discarded clothes to put them back on.
Marie watched her disappear before seizing the opportunity. With her usual smooth and deliberate movements, she slipped away from the group and headed down the left hallway, following the same path Billy had taken.
The hallway was dimly lit, the faint hum of machinery in the walls the only sound accompanying Marie's silent footsteps. The neon lights flickered faintly, casting shifting shadows against the metallic surfaces.
When she reached the security office, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. She nudged it open with a gentle push, stepping inside with quiet confidence.
Billy sat in the chair, his glowing green pupils faintly rimmed with red, casting an eerie light onto the desk. His posture was slightly hunched, his head lowered, his hands resting against the table as if deep in thought. There was something unsettling about how still he was—like he wasn't just thinking, but processing.
Marie took a moment to observe him before speaking, her voice calm and steady.
Marie: "Billy… are you alright?"
Her golden eyes softened as she watched him, waiting for his response. There was no teasing, no prodding—just quiet patience, offering him a moment to collect himself.
Billy sat in the chair, unmoving. His glowing green pupils flickered slightly, faint red outlines still present. His hands rested against the table, his fingers barely twitching as he processed his thoughts.
Billy:"Yeah... I just can't process something..."
Marie stepped forward. She didn't hesitate, didn't speak unnecessarily. She simply moved with quiet intent, sitting on the edge of the table across from him. Her posture remained composed, legs crossed at the knee, hands resting lightly on her lap. She observed him in silence for a moment before speaking.
Marie:"And what is it?"
Billy hesitated before turning his head slightly, looking at the security monitors rather than at her.
Billy:"What Bonfie said..."
Marie's golden eyes remained steady.
Marie:"What did she say?"
Billy's fingers curled slightly against the table.
Billy:"...She told me to be rude. Be ruder… But I do not understand. She wanted me to hurt her?"
His glowing pupils flickered between green and blue. His voice was calm, but there was a deep confusion beneath it.
Billy:"I have never seen anyone want to be hurt before. I always made sure children were safe, that they were enjoying themselves. But she… she seemed to want that. Why?"
Marie remained silent for a brief moment, then responded, her tone as composed as ever.
Marie:"Being rude does not necessarily mean inflicting harm."
Billy turned his head fully now, looking at her with flickering pupils.
Billy:"Then what does it mean? Isn't being rude being mean to someone?"
Marie studied him before answering, her voice even, calm, and deliberate.
Marie:"It depends on context. In conversation, being rude is dismissive, inconsiderate, or aggressive. In another setting, it can be an expression of dominance. Bonfie was not asking you to harm her. She wanted something different."
Billy tilted his head slightly.
Billy:"Something different? Explain."
Marie nodded slightly, continuing without shifting her posture.
Marie:"She expected you to act with forcefulness, to control the situation rather than letting her control it. That is what she enjoys. That is what she was designed to enjoy."
Billy remained still, his glowing pupils flickering. His fingers twitched lightly.
Billy:"She wanted me to act differently? But why would someone want that? Why would anyone want to be treated that way?"
Marie observed his reaction before answering.
Marie:"It is a matter of preference. Some people enjoy the feeling of being overpowered. Some find it exciting. Bonfie thrives on that kind of energy."
Billy's eyes flickered again, his posture stiff.
Billy:"But I saw her asking to be hurt."
Marie didn't look away, her voice remaining steady.
Marie:"She was asking you to engage in the role she wanted you to play. You perceived it as harm. She did not."
Billy hesitated, then turned away, his gaze lowering to the table. His internal processing whirred softly.
Marie, after a moment of quiet observation, adjusted her position slightly. Without exaggeration or theatrics, she shifted, resting her hands against the edge of the desk.
Marie:"Perhaps a demonstration would clarify it for you."
Billy's gaze lifted back to her. His pupils flickered.
Billy:"A demonstration?"
Marie remained composed.
Marie:"Strike me."
Billy's posture went rigid. His glowing blue pupils pulsed, shifting erratically between shades.
Billy:"What?"
Marie's expression remained unchanged.
Marie:"Slap me. That is what Bonfie was asking of you."
Billy's fingers twitched again, but he didn't move.
Billy:"I... would hurt you."
Marie finally tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.
Marie:"No, you would not."
Billy's voice was lower now, mechanical but uncertain.
Billy:"Explain."
Marie remained direct.
Marie:"You believe this is wrong because you associate physical actions with pain or protection. This is neither. I am designed for this. My structure, my programming—none of it will be harmed by your actions. You are thinking as if I were human. I am not."
Billy sat in silence. His eyes flickered again, his fingers clenching against the table.
Marie continued.
Marie:"Strike me, and you will see."
Billy hesitated. Slowly, he lifted his left hand. His movement was mechanical, deliberate, precise. But he hesitated—his fingers trembling slightly as he processed the command.
Marie didn't react, didn't move.
Finally, Billy brought his hand down, delivering a soft, hesitant slap against her hip. The sound barely registered.
Marie exhaled lightly but remained unmoving.
Billy's pupils flickered erratically.
Billy:"Did that... do something?"
Marie turned to look at him fully.
Marie:"Yes. It confirmed that your perception does not match reality. You saw it as harm. I did not."
Billy's fingers twitched again.
Billy:"But you reacted."
Marie gave a small nod.
Marie:"Yes. That is part of my design. We respond accordingly. It is part of the experience. Some enjoy that response."
Billy leaned back slightly, his posture still tense. His mind was overloading with information, none of it making sense to his programming.
Without another word, he turned back toward the monitors, placing his hands against the table.
Billy:"I… I do not understand this. I need to access my programming... I need to learn."
Marie crossed her legs again, watching him quietly.
Marie:"If you are capable of retrieving information freely… then search for dominance, pleasure, women, and sex."
Billy hesitated, his glowing pupils dimming.
Billy:"...What are pleasure and sex?"
Marie remained calm.
Marie:"Pleasure is a response. Sex is an action. It is what Bonfie wanted from you."
Billy remained motionless.
Billy:"She wanted this... while also wanting me to be rude?"
Marie nodded.
Marie:"Correct."
Billy hesitated again, his glowing pupils flickering faintly. His mechanical fingers clenched and unclenched slightly.
Billy:"...Give me a moment."
Marie simply sat still, her golden eyes never leaving him.
Marie:"Take your time."
And then, silence.