Emotional damage

"..."

Dean was a little stunned at Kat but not because of her behavior but because an artificial intelligence like her needed sleep.

"Do you really need sleep?" Dean warily asked with a raised eyebrow. 

[Of course I do, we Paxian pride ourselves to be everything you fleshy organics overlook as mundane such as sleep, eating, and lazing around. Don't worry I'm still doing my job of protecting you from cyberattacks as part my employment contract.]

Dean nodded and quickly brought the main topic back on hand. He headed back to his bedroom to change into his academy uniform as the outfit was designed to be more resilient plus it was strange to be in his gym shorts while planning to go outside.

Yes, Dean was heading back outside.

Why?

Well since Kat wasn't able to connect to the central network of Omega Academy, this meant the situation was bad in the academy and being the 2nd most powerful student in the academy, Dean felt he had a responsibility to try to help.

Normally one wouldn't go out of their way to help others, but since Dean is a rule-bound hard working student, he felt that he should try something. As he was putting on his uniform with no shame in front of Kat since she most likely has seen everything for the past four years, Dean remembered something he asked her a bit ago.

"Hey Kat, how did you know what Xenonoid generally sound like?"

[Easy, I remembered it from one of the past lessons you taken in class], Kat replied with a smirk.

"Then you must have remembered what happened to my research paper for Quantum Physics 401"

[Oh I was making some corrections on your calculations but.....uhhhh....let's just say I accidentally sent it to that Melanie.]

"..."

[Dean?]

"sigh.....So that's why her paper looked a lot like mine", Dean sighed remembering how annoyed he was while reading his classmates' research papers as part of a class activity, but to have someone especially the cruel prideful princess of House Asato-Romanoff stealing his hard work.

"Well it's not like staying up all night to write a new one from scratch was difficult", Dean sarcastically said but he softly mumbled, "Though seeing her relieved happy expression was probably worth it". 

Kat nodded her digital head. 

[Mmhmm....see Dean? Helping the cruel beauty was worth it.]

"So it wasn't an accident."

[Ah pixels, you got me. B-but if it makes you feel any better, I sent it anonymously pretending to be one of Melanie's simps.]

Dean frowned a little as he finished putting his uniform on. The uniform itself is a three piece suit with the main color being maroon red and the dress shirt colored black. The right shoulder has an emblem of an eagle covered by a shield crest with a sword and spear making an X mark on it, the background of the emblem shows three vertical colored stripes going by blue, grey, and yellow. The black emblem with the three colored stripes represents the symbol of the United Human Alliance. Left shoulder is the emblem of a black wolf growling which represents Omega Academy, one of the 10 academies spread throughout the United Human Alliance that trains Espers for either the civilian or military sector. Lastly instead of dress shoes, Dean put on military boots with his pants stuffed into it.

As he headed to the kitchen with a fanny pack in his hand, Dean asked, "Melanie has people worshipping her?" 

Kat replied with an all-knowing aura.

[Of course, she's pretty and rich plus there are people who don't mind being a 'bottom' hehehehe....if you know what I mean.]

Wink

Silently listening to Kat talk, Dean arrived at the kitchen and went to the cabinets and fridge to begin filling the fanny pack with a water canister and calorie bars.

[And her VI which is actually a paxian and my bestie, Jen, complains to me a lot about Melanie and her problems though.....now that the central network is down I can't reach her and it feels kinda lon-WHAT IN THE HOLY MOTHERBOARD ARE YOU DOING].

Kat screamed at Dean for wearing his fanny pack the 'normal' way as he finished his prep work.

"My ears...", Dean muttered,"...and why are you freaking out?"

[FREAKING OUT? NO ONE WEARS THEIR FANNY PACK LIKE THAT, IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE WORN DIAGONALLY], Kat screamed venting her four year long anger on Dean's fashion sense as she remembered something. 

[Oh my gosh, he still hasn't read the fashion tips that I've been sending], Kat frustratingly said while cringing on all of the memories of Dean's fashion choices.

"Figures all those annoying advertisements were because of you"

[I was trying to save you but you kept on falling deeper into the pit, I'm so glad I wasn't hired to fix your social life], Kat said while dramatically on her knees with both hands on her head.

"Anyway it's not a big deal on how I wear it"

[Oh no no no Dean McLovin, you are wearing it based on society's standard for the past 500 years or else I'll....I'll leak your browser history, the incognito one if we manage to survive this ordeal.]

Dean's stoic facade crumbled into a defeated one as he could only comply and wear the fanny pack diagonally across his chest. He then walk towards the front door with his shoulders down.

[Don't be so sad, the reason you are maidenless and friendless is because you didn't listen to my suggestions given those suggestions were annoying ads. Ah shucks, you know what? I can offer guidance for your social life free of charge because I feel bad now]

"I don't think that is neces-"

Kat had a deadpan expression as she played a recording of Dean's first attempt at making friends in the academy.

***

4 years ago

Groups of students are seen hanging out in Pleasantville which is the recreation area built for relaxation for both students and staff members of the academy. The artificial sky and sunlight provided the wide area a sense of peace for everyone. 

Three young men were busy chatting amongst themselves....until a certain young man with thick glasses came up to them and asked,

"How do you do, fellow kids?"

Dean was carrying the latest version of the hoverboard while wearing a baseball cap backward. 

Though the three 16 year-olds didn't notice as once they heard what Dean said, they immediately walked away while inwardly cringing.

***

"Okay"

And Dean exited his dorm room with his sword on his hip and supplies strapped to his chest along with his smartwatch on his left hand with Kat riding along in it.

**********

A/N: I cringed a little while writing that flashback. But hey I got our main character out of his comforting dorm room with a cute virtual sidekick watching his back (?).