kscans

Chapter 461 - Self-Grading and Jealousy

"Trachiyo!"

"Nyaan!"

In the first-floor cafe of their base, Parfait and the black cat, Trachiyo, embraced like lovers reunited after years apart. They had done the same thing last night, but with the tests now over, the emotional impact was fifty percent greater.

Chris watched this moving scene, but she remained unimpressed, adjusting her glasses with her usual cool beauty expression.

"Sorry to interrupt your tearful reunion, but it's time to self-grade your tests."

"Chris-chan, can't we skip that? We're all here to celebrate the end of tests today, right?"

"I already have a good idea of my scores, so I don't need to do it, but I believe there's a reason you should, Parfait."

"Ugh."

The reason Parfait had to self-grade was Wilnel. During the study sessions, which were meant to tutor Parfait, it was Wilnel who had been the most fired up. She had been eager to make Parfait number one in their grade, but seemed to have realized midway through that it was impossible. She then shifted her goal to getting Parfait her best score ever.

Test results would be back in two or three days. Perhaps because Wilnel wanted to know the outcome immediately, she had suggested they self-grade at school.

As the one being taught, Parfait wanted to grant Wilnel's wish. Besides, she felt more confident about this test than ever before. It was just a pain.

"I did upload the answer key data into the game, though..."

"Let's see. I'll check it."

It was possible to upload data from the real world into the AFO world through the headgear. Chris operated the system menu, and a piece of parchment appeared in her hand.

Though the paper had a fantasy feel, it was rolled up like a scroll and tied with a string. Chris untied it and looked inside. After a quick scan, she nodded with an "un."

"From a quick look, it seems fine. I think you'll pass the score Wilnel set."

"I never thought I'd be given a score I had to beat that was higher than just not failing... Wait, hold on. Does this mean I might get my best score ever?"

Wilnel had told Parfait, "Let's aim for around this score," setting a target higher than simply passing. That was the Wilnel Line. The fact that this line was set at her all-time high score felt insane. Parfait didn't know what would happen if she fell short.

"You have a lot of careless mistakes, though. If you were more careful, I think your score would be even higher."

"It's not like I'm trying to get a good score on the test in the first place..."

"I don't know if you'll take over the cafe or start a new one, but I think it's better to be somewhat educated. For tax calculations and things like that."

"I plan on having Diite-oneechan manage all the money stuff."

"That's fine, but your family is probably the only one that has Diite-dono, who manages AFO and the colonies, handle their shop's finances. It's like using a supercomputer to do double-digit addition."

Parfait felt it was a bit of a waste, but her frank opinion was that there was no room for error that way.

As they were talking, Diite arrived at just the right time.

"Hello, Parfait-kun, Chris-kun. Thank you for inviting me to the test celebration party."

"Welcome, Diite-oneechan."

"You're early, Diite-dono."

"Well, when I'm invited to something like this, I come right away. I've already prepared the event perfectly, so I have plenty of time. Hmm?"

Diite, who had been smiling as she spoke, made eye contact with Trachiyo, who was being petted on Parfait's lap.

"Parfait-kun, I have a question for you..."

"Eh? What is it? I think I avoided a failing grade on the test."

"No, it's not that. It's about Trachiyo-kun..."

"Oh, do you want to pet him?"

"No, that's not it either. I'm an AI just like Trachiyo-kun, but why is there a difference in our treatment? You've never petted my head, and there was no hug even though it's been a while. Do I need cat ears, perhaps?"

"Diite-oneechan?"

Parfait didn't understand what Diite was talking about. It was true they were both AIs, but their capabilities were different, and their appearances were completely different. It wasn't about whether she had cat ears or not, it was a matter of being a cat or a human. Besides, even if their treatment was different, she would never pet Diite's head or hug her after a short reunion. After all, Diite was like an older sister she had been with since childhood.

Sensing that he was the topic of conversation, Trachiyo jumped down from Parfait's lap to the floor and stared at Diite. Then, with maximum cuteness, he tilted his head.

"Trachiyo-kun, that attack won't work on me. Too bad for you."

Trachiyo looked slightly surprised, then arched his back and began to hop up and down, a move known as the "Wanna Fight Step."

"Oh, you want to go? Very well, let's settle which of us is the AI more befitting Parfait-kun."

"Calm down. What's gotten into you both, Diite-oneechan and Trachiyo?"

"It seems Trachiyo-kun is asserting that he is the one protecting you, Parfait-kun, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to show him the power dynamics..."

"There's no power dynamic to speak of, you're the top of this world, Diite-oneechan."

Chris nodded as Parfait said this in an exasperated tone.

"As always, Diite-dono, you seem to become a klutz when it comes to Parfait or Hayato-san."

"Chris-kun, that's harsh. I pride myself on being the world's greatest AI."

"I meant a klutz on top of being the world's greatest AI."

Diite wore an expression that could only be described as hurt. And as if to say the matter was settled, Trachiyo returned to Parfait's lap.

Seeing this, Diite let out a small sigh.

"It seems you've been raised with plenty of love from Parfait-kun. Trachiyo-kun is growing, or rather, learning, in an interesting way."

"Eh? Learning?"

"Each pet AI learns independently. Various factors combine, and they evolve into a one-of-a-kind AI in the world. That evolution is something even I cannot predict."

Parfait and Chris, who didn't know about this system, let out impressed sounds of "Heh."

"Trachiyo-kun thinks of you as his master, Parfait-kun, and also as someone he must protect. It also seems he thinks your petting technique is skillful. Don't think you've won with this, Trachiyo-kun."

"Diite-oneechan, why are you competing with Trachiyo?"

Was it jealousy from being the same type of AI? For some reason, Diite saw Trachiyo as a rival. No matter how you looked at it, Diite, who managed AFO, should be the winner, but at this moment, she seemed to be losing. Parfait thought she might need to talk with Diite-oneechan more often.

As they were doing this, the other members started to log in one after another. Besides Parfait, Chris, and Diite, Natsu, Rick, Ginny, Wilnel, and even Abel arrived.

More sweets and drinks than they could finish were lined up on the table. First, a toast. Everyone held up their cups. Then, with a "Cheers!", they clinked their wooden cups together, making a pleasant sound.

Just as Parfait thought the fun was about to begin, Wilnel started checking the parchment with Parfait's answers, asking how her test went.

"Wilnel-chan, can't we do the self-grading tomorrow?"

"But I'm curious. And I never knew teaching someone could be so much fun. I need to improve my teaching methods for next time, so I need to know."

"You're so dedicated... Wait, next time?"

"Yes, I plan to hold a study session for the next test so you can get an even better score. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get the top score by graduation, Parfait-san."

"It was a long-term plan!"

Afterward, a discussion involving everyone ensued about Parfait and Wilnel's study policy, but they eventually settled on the goal of aiming for an above-average score.