Looking at the playfully smug Jiang Mo in front of her, Herta frowned. A flicker of confusion passed through her violet eyes.
She didn't understand why the tutor, who had been gentle until now, suddenly became assertive.
But soon after, her expression returned to its usual cold, doll-like stillness. She nodded lightly.
"Alright, I agree. So why is it?"
She didn't care about his sudden change in attitude. What she truly wanted to know was why the flavor of the two plates of rice differed so much.
Same ingredients, same methods and yet the taste couldn't have been more different.
If Jiang Mo's fried rice danced on her tongue like a graceful performance, then the robot's version lay limp and lifeless, like spoiled fish washed ashore. There was no comparison.
Seeing the confusion on her face, Jiang Mo gently shook his head and said:
"Let me rephrase the question more precisely. Why, with the same recipe, ingredients, and method, does the robot's version taste bad while mine tastes good?"
Upon hearing this more focused question, Herta lowered her head slightly, recalling their earlier conversation in the garden.
"Because… there's an extra variable?"
Jiang Mo nodded. "Exactly. Just like with the Stellaron calculation problem. The moment an irrational variable enters the equation, the result changes."
"And now, this situation is no different. The problem has gained the influence of an irrational variable."
He paused briefly before continuing. "The biggest difference between me and the butler is that I'm human, and he's a robot. I have emotions. He doesn't."
"Ever since the #76 genius of the Genius society, Mechanical Aristocrat Screwllum I, simply known as Screwllum, of Planet Screwllum, allied with the Interstellar Peace Corporation, a universal ban was placed on robot manufacturers. They are forbidden from creating inorganic lifeforms with emotions."
"The most basic form of emotion is shown through interaction and behavior. So when you spend enough time around humans, you'll notice how robotic behavior often feels unnatural."
"Cooking is one such example. I, as someone who can express emotion, am allowed what you might call 'error tolerance.' I can make small, subtle mistakes in otherwise precise execution. And it's those imperfections that set us apart from machines."
"For example, even if someone has their mother's exact recipe, they'll never be able to recreate her cooking perfectly while abroad. That little bit of human error, those subtle imbalances, make each dish unique."
Herta blinked and fell into thought. After a while, she spoke softly.
"That's nonsense. This is an unsolvable problem. You can't prove that 'emotion' changed the outcome, or that 'imperfection' improved the flavor."
"But didn't you throw an unsolvable problem at me the first time we met? This is no different."
"Of course, if you prefer, you can think I'm just messing with you. That works too."
Jiang Mo smiled casually and took a seat beside the quiet Herta.
"Some problems seem unsolvable only because of current limitations. What appears impossible now might not be so for you in the future."
"You're a genius. Maybe one day, you'll actually solve this so-called unsolvable problem."
He glanced at the still-idling butler robot and added offhandedly:
"The solution is simple. Turn the robot into an inorganic lifeform, have it cook again, and compare the results."
"So, are you satisfied with my 'problem,' Miss Herta?"
Jiang Mo smiled teasingly at her silent, contemplative face.
"It's acceptable," she replied. "Though I still don't agree with your answer, I want you to stick around until I fully solve it."
"Don't run off halfway like the last tutors."
As she spoke, she lifted her head, and for the first time, her deep violet eyes reflected the presence of a human being.
If she had only been mildly intrigued by Jiang Mo before, now she was genuinely curious.
To turn everyday trivialities into 'problems' and reframe them in academic terms, this was a first.
Still what she really wanted to see was his actual academic capability.
After all, she hired a tutor, not a glorified housekeeper.
Just as she was about to speak again, she noticed.
Jiang Mo was staring at her legs.
More precisely, at her stockings.
"You…"
"Take them off."
"?"
Herta's pupils dilated slightly in disbelief. She didn't expect that.
What's with this guy? Why does his personality flip like a page in a book?
"Was I not clear? Take them off. In return for solving your extra problem, you must do exactly as I say. No objections."
Jiang Mo deliberately stressed the last four words and waited.
Herta bit her lip gently, showing rare hesitation.
Then, slowly, she raised her leg and removed the black stocking from her calf, handing it to him.
"…Here."
Feeling the warmth of the fabric in his hand, Jiang Mo nodded in approval.
"I told you. Children shouldn't dress too mature. Isn't this much better?"
As he spoke, his gaze drifted, unapologetically over her now-bare leg.
It wasn't obvious, but Herta could feel it.
His eyes lingered far too long on her calves.
Even so, she said nothing. Since she had agreed, she turned without a word and walked barefoot back to her room.
"I'm looking forward to this afternoon's math analysis session. Bring me more problems."
By the time Jiang Mo returned to his senses, Herta had already left. He looked down at the still-warm stocking in his hand and sighed with a wry smile.
"Aha, you just can't stop stirring the pot, can you…"
Almost immediately, a red light screen popped up in front of him.
[Emergency Mission: Obtain Herta's Original Stockings]
[Mission Reward: "Random Purple Trait" x1, "Herta's Intimate Clothing" x1]
[Mission Penalty: For the next three hours, your body will be taken over by "Aha"]
["Hahahahaha! Go check if she's really become your obedient little puppet! Go on, go on! Aha wants to watch the fun!"]