In the Training Department Dean's office, she stares blankly at the clock, seemingly observing yet unseeing—a haze clouding her blue eyes.
Time ticks by; it's been at least an hour past quitting time, but the Training Department Dean hasn't seen the person she's waiting for. This is the second time they've stood her up.
Each time someone enters, she rises abruptly, her pupils widening. Upon realizing it's just an employee, the forced smile and choked words are swallowed. Only after the employee leaves, does the smile fade.
This repeats several times; the Dean's composure falters. She unconsciously scratches the desk or tears up tissues, shredding them into countless pieces.
Soon, she acts differently, rummaging through a drawer and retrieving a vial of Enkephalin, a medication sometimes dispensed to employees; she controls its distribution.
Her movements are clumsy and hesitant, yet she quickly decides to consume the Enkephalin, taking small sips. Then, possibly due to her AI nature and insufficient dosage, she opens another vial.
After the first vial, her actions become unrestrained. She sheds her civilized facade like a wild beast, not only outwardly but also internally, succumbing to her desires.
People should be rational, controlled, suppressing desires, curbing actions, polite, and gentle towards others.
Discarding restraint, she's no longer a gentle, obedient rabbit…but a vicious, rebellious beast brimming with desire.
What is it like to consume Enkephalin? Addictive substances may manifest differently, but they share a common effect: inducing euphoria, creating a hazy, intoxicating state.
Enkephalin, as a medication, relieves stress and elevates mood, but misuse severely impairs judgment, causing clouded consciousness, even more profoundly than alcohol.
It leads to a self-destructive, immersive state, causing delirium and hallucinations, such as these—
"Manager…Manager, did Hod do wrong?"
——You did. Everything you did was wrong.
"But I tried…I tried to save them, to atone for my sins."
——You are a traitor; you have committed crimes you can never atone for.
——You are unworthy.
"Waaah, this is why you don't want to see me…right? I…I really tried to improve! Look…look, I did my job well! Give me another chance, Manager, Manager, please!"
——Be quiet. I never want to see you again.
"Work…my work…the employees…I saved their lives."
The Training Department Dean mutters to herself, yet it's not simply mumbling; it's like a conversation. Her pupils are dilated, unfocused, obscured by a fog.
Her tone shifts from weak to agitated, her emotions becoming increasingly extreme and erratic.
Soon, she consumes the third and fourth vials of Enkephalin… completely immersed in her fantasies…or perhaps experiencing a form of self-judgment akin to dissociative identity disorder.
She continues to mutter, as if someone else is in the room.
"Tiffany…is what Angela said true? Did you only use me to get Enkephalin?"
——But you're lying…
"Lie? What lie? I've never lied to you."
——You almost destroyed us…You've been deceiving us all along.
——No one needs your comfort…You can't help us.
——You're just using us to make yourself feel better…You've been lying all along!
——You're a Sephirah! You know exactly what will happen to everyone here…
"Enough!"
The Training Department Dean claps her hands over her ears, a futile gesture. The hallucinatory effects of the Enkephalin will last for a long time, especially after such an overdose.
These are, of course, hallucinations, but under the drug's influence, how can they be distinguished? Or perhaps, illusions stem from one's own subconscious thoughts.
Every thought has its root, a basis in reality; dreams reflect one's nocturnal musings.
——Self-satisfaction will turn you into the savior of your imagination?
——Give up that incurable delusion.
The mocking voices continue; perhaps it's not mockery, but the tearing away of a veil to reveal a bloody reality. No one understands the self-deception of the Training Department Dean better than herself.
She simply refuses to believe, refuses to accept, preferring to numb herself with praise.
"No…"
——Everyone will die here, haha, hahaha!
"But I…but I want to be a good person; I just want to be good."
——Why…? Is that…pathetic kindness, or vanity?
Artificial intelligences shouldn't sweat, yet the Training Department Dean begins wiping her brow. After the extreme emotional outburst and the taunting accusations, her tone softens, becoming weak and fragile, like shattered glass.
Her wounds are exposed, torn open, and sprinkled with salt.
Documents are scattered across the desk, knocking over empty Enkephalin vials. Fortunately, there are no fragile items that could break.
As the Training Department Dean vents her frustration, the office door suddenly opens. Normally, there would be no interruptions, as the employees have left for the day.
There's no night shift; when containment is maximized, all Abnormalities are inactive, and the AIs monitor their respective departments' Abnormalities; AI doesn't require sleep.
"Sorry, Hod, I was delayed today. I brought some Gin…though I don't usually drink it."
"Ugh…was the office vandalized? Was there an employee incident?"
X sees scattered documents and the Training Department Dean picking them up, cleaning the mess. X raises her glass to help, but the Dean stops her.
"No need, Manager. I can handle it."
Hod cleans quickly, neatly arranging the documents on the desk. She ignores the "employee incident" question.
The very silence tells X that the Dean was mistreated.
"Did an employee cause trouble after work? Don't keep your grievances to yourself, Hod. Management had some issues today, but it's not your fault."
X's expression is serious. She cares deeply about her Deans. Her own grievances are insignificant; if a Dean is wronged or bullied, she, as the Manager, must intervene.
Though employee harassment of a Dean is virtually impossible…
The Corporation's hierarchy is clear; the Deans are competent. If Hod weren't so gentle and trusting, X wouldn't be so worried—
Normally, problematic employees are dealt with before they cause trouble. Dealing with an incident is simply a matter of resolving the issue, at most, wasting some ammunition.
However, some personalities are simply more susceptible to influence. Among the Deans, Hod is the easiest for employees to affect; she's incredibly naive and inexperienced, like a young person just entering the workforce.
She also appears the youngest, recently matured…though judging age based on appearance is inaccurate and superficial for an AI.
But humans are visual creatures; X instinctively favors the younger Dean, unwilling to pressure her. Who would target a gentle, vulnerable Dean? That requires considerable cruelty.
"Manager…"
Hod sits beside X, very close. She keeps her head down, preventing X from fully seeing her expression. X assumes Hod is shy or nervous.
Among the Deans, the Training Department Dean is the most easily frightened, like a delicate rabbit, easily startled. Even when facing X, she stutters nervously.
Therefore, X has always held the upper hand.
"It's alright, Hod. Let's have a drink. It will feel better after work…"
X brought Gin, a spirit she recently acquired. She's developing a taste for alcohol, perhaps drawn to the numbing effect of alcohol and experimenting with stronger liquors.
Gin, also known as genever, is often used in cocktails, but enjoyable on its own.
Gin possesses an alluring aroma, colorless and clear, with a refreshing taste. It's not an ostentatious spirit; its fragrance is subtle and fleeting.
The most intense experience is at the very beginning, the "prelude"—a juniper-driven bitterness intertwined with subtle botanicals, a coolness underlying a sharpness, providing a gentle cleansing sensation.
The "middle" is experiencing the evolving taste—a shift from bitter to sweet, clearly defined.
The "coda," the aftertaste, is a lingering fragrance, a sweetness that persists, like dropping a stone into a calm lake, creating gentle ripples—sweet yet not cloying, refreshing yet clear.
Yet, the juniper's bitterness remains constant, its unique character persistent throughout.
This is a very strong liquor, and X doesn't have a high tolerance.
Her blush spreads to her ears, intensifying, a richer red than a sunset—like ripe apples ready for picking.
Though it's a shared drink, Hod doesn't consume much. She continually pours X more gin, one glass after another, her head bowed, like a predatory beast lurking in the shadows.
X, however, notices nothing, even after the last drop is poured and savored, unaware of the AI's growing anxiety.
She simply senses Hod's poor mood and unwillingness to talk. Today's management issues—the loss of two employees—affected the Training Department Dean, who deeply cares for her employees and always strives to save them.
X doesn't know how to comfort her; alcohol might offer some numbness.
X leans back on the sofa, her body limp and relaxed. Hod burrows into her embrace, seeking a comfortable position. X doesn't resist, tacitly allowing it.
This is commonplace; the Dean simply needs comfort, seeking security in this closeness. X understands and empathizes.
"Manager…"
Hod whispers, her breath against X's temple. She nuzzles X's earlobe, gently licking it.
"Hmm? I'm listening."
Though the alcohol impairs X's judgment, she's still lucid. While her tolerance is low, she's developed a degree of resistance; she won't pass out—
Her brain is simply slower, her judgment less precise, and her body more sensitive.
"Can you…kiss me, Manager?"
The delicate rabbit makes her request, greedily inhaling X's scent, rubbing her cheek against X's pale, flushed skin. Her soft tone seems to conceal, restrain, suppress something…
Something about to erupt…
"Of course, Hod. You deserve it."
X responds instantly, treating this transgression as a reward; she's become too accustomed to this pattern. She adjusts her posture and leans in for a kiss.
X is gentle, her kiss as soft as water, a contrast to her usually aloof demeanor.
But…this gentleness is like a match igniting a powder keg, a sweet lure awakening a dormant beast.
"Mmm—!"
Hod relinquishes her restraint, giving in to her desires. The key to her rational imprisonment is unlocked.
Emerging from her dazed state, she responds with passionate fervor, a heat that overwhelms X.