In psychology, there was a phenomenon known as conformity.
It referred to the tendency of individuals to let the behavior of those around them influence their own perceptions, judgments, and understanding until their actions aligned with public opinion or the majority.
Suppose a cargo truck overturned in an accident and scattered its contents across the road.
After people gathered around, one person might give in to temptation, pick up one of the fallen items, and keep it instead of returning it.
If it were only that one person, the others might still restrain themselves. Their pride, concern for how others viewed them, and sense of morality would prevent them from joining in.
However, once a second and third person followed, the resolve of those who had previously resisted would gradually begin to crumble.
Eventually, they would join the theft as well.
After all, they were not the only ones doing something wrong. With so many others involved, there was no longer any reason to feel especially embarrassed or ashamed.
Of course, the opposite could also happen. If the first person began gathering the scattered cargo and returning it to the truck, and several others followed their example, even more bystanders would likely step forward to help.
That was conformity.
Asuna Yuuki's current situation was rather similar.
After watching 6O and 2B take turns participating in an increasingly embarrassing private game, Asuna finally found enough courage to consider joining them.
"6O, I have a question. This is your first time doing something like this too, right?"
They were switching places once every minute. Once Asuna's turn to watch ended and 2B stepped forward again, she directed the question toward 6O.
"Mm-hmm."
"Then where did you learn about any of this?"
Asuna wore a faintly mischievous smile. She intended to tease 6O for secretly looking through questionable information and call her a naughty girl.
It was her small act of revenge for the way 6O had tormented her earlier.
"I learned it from Commander White."
That answer left Asuna momentarily stunned.
From what she had seen of Commander White through A2's broadcast, the woman appeared to be an exceptionally beautiful yet cold and aloof person.
Someone like that possessed this sort of knowledge?
At that moment, 6O began giggling with obvious delight.
"But Commander White learned everything from someone else. Can you guess who?"
Asuna's eyes narrowed. She turned and looked at one particular man as though he were garbage.
Kain's expression became slightly unnatural.
"Commander White didn't understand any of it at first," 6O continued. "That person had to guide her through everything step by step."
The word guide made Asuna's gaze grow even more disdainful.
6O had said guided, not merely told.
That meant Commander White's knowledge had not come from a verbal explanation. It came from actual experience.
Hmm?
Kain's expression suddenly became strangely pleased, making the corner of Asuna's mouth twitch.
She had accidentally rewarded him.
Apparently, he enjoyed being looked at with disgust by a girl he liked.
"By the way, don't the three of you find this arrangement a little cramped?"
"And?"
Asuna gave him a dead-eyed stare.
Judging by his behavior, this shameless man was about to make another outrageous suggestion.
"Asuna, suppose you owned three adorable kittens. Whenever it was time to feed them, you only had one bowl, and all three kittens crowded around the same side. They'd get in one another's way and have trouble eating at the same time, wouldn't they? What would you do?"
The sudden question left Asuna blinking.
"That's easy, Commander. Give every kitten its own bowl," 6O answered before anyone else could.
However, Asuna was certain that was not the answer Kain wanted.
To understand his metaphor, she needed to consider their current situation. Presumably, adding more bowls was not an option.
In that case, the solution was obvious.
Separate the three kittens and have them surround the bowl. Then they could all eat at the same time without getting in one another's way.
Oh.
All right.
Asuna understood what he was implying.
"Asuna, it looks like you've figured it out."
"I haven't."
"You have. The three of you could arrange yourselves at equal intervals around the center. One of you could also pair with me to form a taiji."
Asuna understood the first half of his suggestion, but the second half left her genuinely confused.
Judging by Kain's expression, however, that final part was what he anticipated most.
His excitement was nearly equal to what he displayed whenever she looked at him with contempt.
"6O, what does he mean by taiji?"
It would be easier to ask 6O directly. Perhaps Commander White had shared information about it.
"Taiji? I haven't properly researched the history and culture of your world yet, but most parallel worlds appear relatively similar. In my world, records describe taiji as an important concept and philosophical category originating from an ancient Eastern civilization. It—"
"Stop! That isn't what I meant!"
Asuna quickly interrupted her. Kain definitely had not been referring to the philosophy.
"Then perhaps you mean its visual representation? It's a circle divided by a curved line. Here, I'll display an image."
6O projected a yin-yang diagram for her.
Apparently, Commander White had never explained the particular innuendo Kain associated with it.
"Asuna, you've already guessed what I mean, haven't you?"
Kain's quiet voice made her expression stiffen.
"What are you talking about? I don't know."
Despite denying it, Asuna found herself unable to meet his eyes.
In truth, she had formed a suspicion. Combined with what he had said and the situation around them, the riddle was not especially difficult to solve.
But how could a girl possibly say something like that aloud?
"Ms. Asuna, what does it mean?"
"I don't know."
"Commander, what does it mean?"
Unable to obtain an answer from Asuna, 6O turned toward Kain instead.
"Did Commander White ever try it?" 6O pressed.
"Yes."
"Huh? But Commander White never mentioned anything called taiji."
"6O, if you had to represent this symbol using two numbers, which numbers would you choose?"
That much was obvious.
However, before 6O could say the numbers aloud, she suddenly froze as though struck by lightning.
Oh.
Now she understood what the Commander meant.
Commander White had indeed told her about something similar. She simply had not called it taiji, instead describing it using two numbers—one representing the Commander and the other representing Kain.
Commander White had also mentioned that the combination was one of Kain's favorites.
"Ms. Asuna, you should go first."
"Huh? Wait, why do I have to be first?"
Asuna answered in a panic.
Unfortunately, that reaction exposed the fact that she understood exactly what they were discussing.
"Because 2B and I are androids, while you're human," 6O explained. "You have to go before either of us. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
Asuna did understand.
6O believed that, as androids, she and 2B should never take precedence over a human.
Had Asuna not been present, the two of them could have decided between themselves. But since a real human was there, she deserved the first opportunity.
In 6O's eyes, this was a matter of respect.
She regarded it as an important step with profound symbolic meaning—one that should first be shared by two humans.
Androids were ultimately artificial beings created as humanity's substitutes. If a real human was present, they should not presume to place themselves above her.
Honestly, Asuna could have accepted that logic if they were discussing the most meaningful step in a relationship. She might even have wanted to be first.
But why did 6O consider this strange taiji game equally important?
"How about the three of you settle it with rock-paper-scissors?" Kain suggested. "The loser goes first."
"If that's what the Commander wants, then rock-paper-scissors it is," 6O immediately agreed. "You're not allowed to refuse, Ms. Asuna. Otherwise, 2B and I will make you go first anyway."
"Fine. W-We'll play rock-paper-scissors."
Asuna raised her fist.
2B had already stopped after exceeding her allotted time while Asuna and 6O were talking. She also raised a hand, ready to join the contest.
"I'll count down from three," 6O announced. "Choose on one."
Three...
Two...
One!
All three revealed their hands simultaneously.
Of course, with their current android bodies' enhanced eyesight and reaction speed, 6O and 2B could easily determine what Asuna intended to choose and react accordingly.
"N-Nooo..."
The chestnut-haired girl let out a miserable whimper.
She had lost.
Whatever happened next would remain private.
(End of Chapter)
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