In the dorm's lounge, Akira and Kana finalized their plans. Akira hefted his saw-sword and flamethrower, while Kana gripped her hammer. The students clutched makeshift weapons—wood scraps, iron pipes—but Akira turned to them.
"My sensors detect new hostiles. We'll head to the courtyard to investigate survivors. You remain here, fortify the dorm, and await external aid."
A male student blinked, startled. "What? You're leaving us? We can fight too!"
Kana shook her head. "You've all done enough. Akira and I've got this. Rest here—when help arrives, we'll come back."
A female student clasped Kana's hand, eyes glistening. "Kana… be careful. Thank you, really."
"Leave it to me!" Kana flashed a grin.
Akira nodded. "Affirmative. Maintain defenses and standby for assistance. Kana and I will proceed to the courtyard."
Bidding the students farewell, they stepped through the lounge door into the dormitory corridor. Passing the shower room and the site of their battle, they neared the exit.
The hallway was hushed, and as they walked, Kana spoke up. "Hey, Akira. If this wasn't this kind of night, what would school have been like? I miss just… going to class, you know?"
Akira's face remained impassive. "I'm designed as a nighttime security officer. Data on daytime school life is limited. What was it like for you?"
"You wanna know?"
"Yes, I want to know."
"Really?"
"Really. It could provide data useful for our ongoing efforts."
Kana burst into giggles, then began. "Okay, I kinda liked classes. Math was rough, but I loved chatting with friends or studying in the library after school. I wasn't in any clubs—super ordinary. Sometimes I'd stay late, though, which is how I ended up in this mess."
Akira paused, processing. "Generating follow-up question. Did you experience strong emotions toward anyone specific in school? A human concept like a 'crush'?"
Kana's eyes widened, a laugh escaping. "Whoa, Akira, you're asking that? Wild! Hmm, a crush… Nah, not really. Friends are great, but I was too busy with schoolwork for romance. What about you? Any robot crushes?"
"No applicable emotional data," he replied instantly. "I'm not designed to comprehend 'liking' someone. But your response is intriguing. Human emotions offer new perspectives for my mission."
A faint tremor threaded his voice, but he quickly refocused on the corridor ahead.
Kana smirked. "Always 'mission' with you. Well, I'm just glad you're here. If school was normal, I bet we'd have fun in a club together. You've got that cool high school guy vibe—total athlete look, too."
"My design includes athletic capabilities. Non-combat applications are untested but feasible. What club would you choose?"
"Ignoring the 'cool guy' part, huh? Hmm, basketball sounds fun. I'm not tall, but I love running. You'd probably nail every shot!"
"My sensors could optimize shot accuracy. We could test it if the opportunity arises."
Kana swung her hammer playfully, grinning. "Like a slam dunk!"
Their chatter was cut short as a glass door loomed ahead—the exit to the courtyard.
Akira's sensors hummed, and he halted. "Hostiles detected. Multiple entities near the courtyard. Prepare for combat."
Kana raised her hammer. "Fun talk's on hold. I'm ready to fight, Akira!"
"Affirmative. We'll neutralize threats and enter the courtyard. Stay behind me."
Akira eased the door open, the night air brushing against them.
They stepped into the short passage connecting the dorm to the courtyard. An ominous tension thickened, punctuated by strange sounds from the shadows of the bordering shrubs.
Without warning, two creatures lunged from the foliage—one a lanky horror with razor claws, the other a bulbous mass of writhing tentacles.
"Engaging combat!" Akira shouted, swinging his saw-sword. The blade carved through the clawed creature's flesh, black ichor spraying.
The tentacled beast targeted him, but Akira unleashed his flamethrower. Flames consumed the tentacles, eliciting a shriek.
Kana smashed her hammer into the charred remains. "Nailing it like a basketball shot, Akira!"
Their teamwork was seamless. Akira's final sword strike severed the last tentacle, and the creatures collapsed.
The passage fell silent.
"Threats eliminated. Proceeding to the courtyard," Akira said, rounding the corner.
Kana nodded, hammer at the ready, as the night-shrouded courtyard awaited.