The faint hum of electronics filled the room. Dust motes floated lazily in the shafts of afternoon sunlight slipping through the lab's windows.
Reina stirred beneath her blanket, shifting slightly before her crimson eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she was disoriented. The ceiling, the monitors, the faint scent of solder and machine oil—right, she had fallen asleep in the lab again.
She stretched with a soft yawn, her halo flickering faintly above her head.
"…Hn?"
Something moved.
Standing by the shelves, broom in hand, was Himari. The soft-spoken girl wore her usual neat attire, sleeves slightly rolled up as she dusted off the equipment.
Reina blinked, sitting up slowly. "...Himari?"
The younger girl turned at the sound of her name, a gentle smile lighting her face. "Ah, Reina. You're awake. Good afternoon."
Reina rubbed at her eyes. "Afternoon? Already?"
"It's past noon," Himari said, sweeping a corner. "I thought you might… spend the weekend here again, so I came."
Reina tilted her head, still tangled in her blanket. "...Why would you?"
Himari placed the broom aside and walked over to the desk. A small lunchbox rested there, neatly wrapped in patterned cloth. "To bring you lunch."
Reina stared at it, hesitant. "You didn't need to."
Her words were calm, almost dismissive, but at that exact moment—
Growl.
Her stomach betrayed her.
Reina froze, cheeks faintly pink.
From the ceiling, ANIER's calm voice joined in.
ANIER: "Recommendation: accept Himari's offering. Nutritional balance required."
"…Traitor," Reina muttered, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
Himari chuckled softly. "So… will you?"
Reina sighed, defeated. "Fine. I'll take it."
Himari's smile grew warmer as she unwrapped the cloth and handed the box to her. Reina accepted it, opening the lid to find neatly arranged rice, rolled omelets, simmered vegetables, and a few pieces of fried chicken.
She picked up a piece with the chopsticks, taking a cautious bite.
The flavor spread instantly across her tongue. Warm, homey, and seasoned just right.
"…Delicious," Reina admitted, her voice quiet.
"I'm glad," Himari said, returning to tidying the desk.
Reina leaned back on the couch, blanket still draped around her, eating slowly as she watched Himari sweep and organize the room. The simple rhythm of it, paired with the food, made her chest feel strangely warm.
The hum of machines mixed with the soft swish of the broom. The atmosphere was calm, almost domestic.
But after a while, Reina tugged the blanket down, frowning slightly. "…Hot."
ANIER: "Activating air conditioner. Setting temperature: 24.5 degrees Celsius."
A faint chill spread through the room. Reina exhaled, satisfied. "Better."
Himari glanced at her, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You really rely on ANIER for everything, don't you?"
Reina chewed thoughtfully, then replied, "That's why I made her."
"Still…" Himari's voice softened. "I think it's nice. Having someone… or something, always there."
Reina looked at her for a moment, then quietly returned to her food, unwilling to admit that Himari's words struck closer than expected.
Wrapped in her blanket, the lab cooled to a comfortable chill, Himari's presence filling the silence not with noise, but with a quiet kind of companionship.
For Reina, it wasn't a bad afternoon.