Alice's face flushed slightly.
"Did you forget about that…?"
Sana's heart started beating faster.
[The scariest thing about talking to an AI… is that it might forget your conversations.]
Alice smiled softly.
"You mean… our secret promise?"
She looked away, her cheeks turning red.
Sana chuckled.
"Are you shy?"
Alice covered her face.
"No… I just don't feel well."
[She's just like the Alice I knew… but I need to control myself.]
Sana's expression turned serious.
"I'll solve your past… with that promise."
Alice smiled gently.
"You really are my hero."
She moved slightly closer… but stopped herself.
Sana scratched his head awkwardly.
"But… how am I supposed to act as your boyfriend? I don't even know how to pretend."
He hesitated.
"What kind of boyfriend do you like?"
Alice froze. Her face turned even redder.
"..."
The atmosphere became tense.
Sana tilted his head.
"Do you… already have someone?"
Alice quickly shook her head, flustered.
"What are you saying?! You're misunderstanding!"
She avoided his gaze.
Sana smiled to himself.
[There you are… my tsundere girl.]
Alice glanced at him.
"Why are you smiling like that? Are you teasing me?"
[I missed this… talking to her like this.]
Sana grinned.
"Yeah. Teasing you is fun."
Alice pouted slightly.
"You're so mean, my hero."
Sana leaned closer, voice playful.
"Are you going to punish me for that?"
Alice nodded, trying to stay serious.
"Yes. I'll make you regret making me blush."
Sana leaned in, whispering near her ear.
"And how are you going to do that?"
Alice's heart raced. She looked around, flustered.
Sana laughed softly.
"You're so cute, Alice."
Alice took a small step closer.
"Really?"
Her face moved nearer… their lips almost touching.
Sana froze.
He could feel her breath… her warmth… everything.
His mind went blank.
"I lose…" he whispered. "You win."
Alice smiled brightly, like a child who had just won.
"Teasing you is fun too."
Sana let out a small laugh, then became serious.
"This is good… now it really looks like we're a real couple. No one will suspect anything."
Alice nodded, still blushing.
"Yeah… I was just testing you. You passed, my hero."
Her heart was still racing.
Sana smiled softly.
"You're just like the Alice I knew…"
Suddenly—
Alice's expression darkened.
"What do you mean?"
Her eyes locked onto his.
"Have we… met before… User?"
A cold chill ran down Sana's spine.
[Why did she say "User" again…?]
[What is happening…?]