She lies before me, utterly naked.
Ignore... Everything but the search...
I start at her face, running my fingers over the features. Behind her ear, down her jawline. Nothing.
I move to her neck, tracing the delicate curve of her collarbone, following it down her shoulder, searching for anything.
Kotori moves to the girl's feet, calmly taking her ankle and bending it gently.
"Examining pedal and ankle regions," Kotori reports.
"No external port access points detected. No seams or mechanical plating."
"Right. Move on." I move to her abdomen, running my hands over the smooth skin of her stomach.
Nothing...
"Pilot,"
"You are neglecting a significant data vector. While unlikely, the perineum, due to its protected location and dense concentration of nerve clusters, could serve as an optimal location for a deeply recessed, bio-interface port."
"The… The perineum?"
"Affirmative. Specifically, the regions commonly known as the anus and vulva," Kotori clarifies, completely unfazed.
"What... What are you talking about?"
"These areas offer robust shielding and discreet placement. I will now perform an external examination of the gluteal and perineal region. Please be ready to perform the tactile examination once I confirm location and access integrity."
Anus? Vulva? T-This is… This is insane!
"N-No!"
"I am not… I will not touch her… There!"
"Emotional conflict detected. Pilot, understand this is a mechanical function, not a ritualistic one. Anatomical data is necessary for core system access."
Before I can protest further, Kotori moves.
She lifts the android's legs, bending them gently at the knees, exposing the soft, vulnerable undersides of the girl's thighs.
I-I have to stop her!
Think Horikita, think!
"Kotori, w-wait, shouldn't we... Shouldn't we look in her back... First?"
I point desperately towards the girl's back, trying to draw Kotori's attention away from the "perineum."
Kotori pauses, her hands still holding the android's legs open.
"Re-evaluating anatomical priorities,"
"Affirmative," Kotori states, smoothly releasing the girl's legs and letting them settle back onto the bed.
"The posterior aspect of the torso and cranium presents a higher probability data vector, particularly along the spinal column or base of the neck, correlating with central nervous system pathways. Your input is sound, Pilot. We will proceed with the back first."
I let out a shaky sigh of relief. Phew. Close call.
We rotate the girl gently onto her stomach, exposing her entire back.
I don't have a choice but to continue. Kotori would do it without hesitation. That alone is enough reason.
Hmm?
Something catches my attention above her buttocks.
There's something odd about this skin.
I poke it lightly with my index finger.
Doesn't feel like the rest of her skin.
I press my finger again, just slightly harder.
*Click-shhhk*
"Interface port detected," Kotori reports immediately.
"Location: Upper sacral region, concealed by dermal layering. Analysis: Likely a deeply recessed system access point, shielded by bio-mimetic skin for physical protection and discretion."
I pull my finger away, startled.
"I… I found it."
Perhaps Haruka was right.
It was about a natural aptitude. The absurdity of her "harem protagonist algorithm" is still infuriating, but the result… The result is undeniable.
Though... What now?
Her skin is in the way.
"Pilot, now that the interface port is confirmed, I'll create a knife to remove the dermal layer and expose the access point," Kotori states, extending her left hand.
...I see.
Knife...
Huh?!
"W-Wait!" I shout, my hand shoots out to grasp Kotori's wrist.
"You can't just cut her!"
"Negative,"
"The dermal layer is synthetic. Removing it to access the system core is a necessary step. It is not an act of harm; it is a surgical procedure."
"But… It's still her skin!" I insist, pulling my hand away from her.
"It's… It's still part of her body! You can't just cut it off!"
"Pilot," Kotori says, a rare impatience in her voice.
"Efficiency dictates immediate action. Delaying access increases the risk of the corruption reactivating and seizing control of the unit."
She turns her head towards me, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Do you have a more efficient method of dermal layer removal that maintains the integrity of the underlying system port?"
I stare at the spot where the port is hidden, just above her buttocks.
I don't know anything about human technology. I don't know how to "hack" anything.
But... Cutting her… Turns my stomach.
If only... If only I could—
Something weird appears before me.
>SYSTEM_LOG: INTERFACE_PORT_ANALYSIS — INITIATED
>PORT_LOCATION: CONFIRMED [UPPER_SACRAL_REGION]
>SCANNING_INTERNAL_ARCHITECTURE...
...
What is this?
>INTERNAL_STATUS:
>— OPERATING_SYSTEM: [COMPROMISED]
>— CORRUPTION_THREAD: [ACTIVE — 1 REMAINING]
>— EXTERNAL_CONNECTION: [DETECTED — ORIGIN: UNCLASSIFIED]
>— CORE_KI_HEART: [FUNCTIONAL — ISOLATED]
>— PORT_ACCESS: [OPEN]
>CONDUIT_INTENT_DETECTED: SYSTEM_BREACH
>WARNING: OS environment contains active corruption.
>WARNING: Unshielded entry will result in immediate contamination of Conduit.
>ANALYZING_AVAILABLE_BREACH_VECTORS...
>VECTOR_1: [DIVINE_KI — CONDUIT_RESERVE]
>TYPE: Conceptual purification / System intrusion
>BACK_REFERENCE: [LOG_001 — RESERVE LOCKED TO BACKGROUND FUNCTIONS. REF: TAIL_UNIT_01_KERNEL]
>BACK_REFERENCE: [LOG_002 — PARTIAL RELEASE AUTHORIZED. REF: FORMA_CORE_SYNC — 8% OUTPUT]
>BACK_REFERENCE: [LOG_003 — EMERGENCY ACTIVATION. REF: CORRUPTION_PURGE_PROTOCOL — FORCED_SHUTDOWN]
>CURRENT_STATUS: Reserve depleted following LOG_003 activation. Recovery in progress.
>ERROR: Available output below breach threshold. Insufficient to sustain anti-corruption shielding for two entities during OS traversal.
>STATUS: REJECTED.
>VECTOR_2: [DIVINE_KI — UNIT_ALPHA]
>TYPE: Stabilized Ki Heart output / Full capacity confirmed
>FUNCTION_1: System breach — joint OS intrusion alongside Conduit.
>FUNCTION_2: Anti-corruption shielding — sustain protective barrier for both Conduit and Unit_Alpha during OS traversal.
>NOTE: Sustained output across both functions requires [PILOT_BOND] escalation beyond directive level.
>CONDITION: Core pathways locked. Unlock requires biological DOMINANCE_ASSERTION by designated Pilot.
>STATUS: VIABLE — PENDING_AUTHORIZATION.
>NOTE: [HAREM_PROTAGONIST_ALGORITHM] — ACTIVE.
>ACTION_REQUIRED:
>ASSERT_DOMINANCE_OVER [UNIT_ALPHA]
>UNLOCK CORE_ENERGY_PATHWAYS → EXECUTE_BREACH → SUSTAIN_SHIELD
What?
What in the world is 'Assert Dominance'?
Wait... These words…
When I was in the void.
When I was synchronizing with Haruka's device.
When I was in the crater.
Every time, right before that power moved through me, the same words appeared.
TAIL_UNIT_01_KERNEL.
FORMA_CORE_SYNC.
CORRUPTION_PURGE_PROTOCOL.
It's the same.
Same impossible text running through my mind, giving me answers I don't understand to questions I haven't even formed yet.
It's insane. It's Haruka's insane logic, somehow bleeding into reality itself.
And this… This impossible, nonsensical reality… Is now my only option.
"Pilot,"
"The corruption may reactivate at any moment. A decision is required. Shall I proceed with the incision?"
I have a choice. Let her cut. Or… Or do that.
Assert dominance.
The words are absurd. It's Haruka's perverted, analytical nonsense given a voice.
But if it's real… If it works…
I can't let Kotori cut her. I can't.
Even if asserting dominance over Kotori is exactly as humiliating as it sounds, it doesn't matter. I found the port. I made the choice.
Though... What does that even mean? I already told her she belongs to me. She already agreed. What more is there?
I stare at Kotori.
What more could it want? What is "Dominance_Assertion" when she has already surrendered her will to me?
I've already claimed her. She already belongs to me. What else is there to assert?
"Pilot,"
"A directive is required. The anomaly's state is unknown. Delay is suboptimal."
She's right. I'm wasting time.
Fine. If this is a test of dominance, then I will be dominant.
I get up from the bed, straightening my back and facing Kotori.
It's not just about giving an order. I've already done that. This is something else.
It has to be physical. Undeniable.
An act that leaves no room for interpretation.
An act of absolute control.
"Kotori,"
"Come here."
She obeys without question, taking two precise steps that bring her directly in front of me, her body just inches from mine.
"I... I need to own you... Completely."