Can you hug me, Manager?

This morning, X was woken up by her Secretary. Her alarm clock hadn't worked properly, or perhaps it had sacrificed itself for duty while functioning.

It was a pile of scrap metal on the floor.

Maybe she had stayed up too late the previous night, or perhaps it was due to the excessive drinking, but X was sluggish. Her first reaction to the sound of the alarm was to pull the covers over her head and curl up. Then, she flung the alarm clock onto the floor.

But not even five minutes later, X was pulled out of bed by her loyal and exceptionally devoted AI Secretary.

"Uh… Let me sleep a little longer, Angela."

X was still sleepy, rubbing her eyes and yawning. She still wasn't fully awake, but the AI Secretary had already laid out the clothes X had to change into in front of her. She watched X awkwardly and sluggishly change clothes.

Though she was flawless in her management duties, decisive, swift, and responsive in her commands, X wasn't the type who was particularly good at taking care of herself, especially in the blurry time period of early mornings. This was even more obvious.

Her clumsiness was at a level that probably even the AI Secretary couldn't tolerate.

[Manager, do you need help getting dressed?]

X nodded drowsily, not realizing anything was wrong.

Logically speaking, the AI Secretary should have been waiting for her in the Manager's room, not here.

Moreover... Helping her get dressed wasn't a Secretary's job.

Personal life, daily routines... It shouldn't be Angela's responsibility.

The black uniform, the white long coat, the AI Secretary moved much faster than the sluggish X. She was swift and decisive, highly efficient.

She replaced the thin pajamas with the black work uniform, helped X put on the belt around her waist, fastened it, and completed everything within a minute.

She quickly put X into the appropriate range of Manager's attire standards.

Five minutes was all it took. Then, she picked up X, actually dragged her, into the Manager's room.

Only after the Secretary brewed the first cup of coffee did X escape from her drowsiness, and her consciousness finally cleared a bit.

X was enjoying the breakfast the AI Secretary had prepared for her. Her blood pressure had dropped, but she felt much better after eating a few bites. The coffee, mixed with milk, was slightly sweet and not bitter. It still released the rich aroma of coffee.

At this time, X would usually take advantage of this time to skim through documents, and look at the employees who were getting ready for work in the monitors.

The employees were earlier risers than the Manager. They would usually arrive at their respective Departments around eight o'clock, then wait in the lounge for the Deans' arrangements. Before officially starting work, there would usually be some training scheduled, or meetings, assignments, reports, etc.

The Manager wasn't responsible for these things. The Deans handled all of these detailed matters.

But that didn't prevent X from watching. Monitoring the employees' and Deans' work statuses was a way for X to show a bit of her authority as a Manager, as she sat in the Manager's room watching the monitors.

After all, during work hours, the Deans would absolutely obey X's commands. No matter what orders were given, they would be executed first. Following orders was the top priority.

Even if the correctness of the commands was questioned, that would have to wait until after the work was completed, or if any unforeseen situations arose.

If the Manager's commands caused a series of management accidents, they would be settled after the fact. As for the commands themselves during the process, even if they knew it meant "death," they would still have to follow.

The employees usually followed orders obediently…

After all, disobeying orders wouldn't simply result in just being dealt with. Their families might also be affected. But if they followed orders properly, even if it led to their death in the line of duty, at least their families would receive a considerable amount of compensation.

At least in this regard, Lobotomy Corp was pretty good. The "Benefits and Perks" were generous. They paid exceptional attention to employee welfare.

X stared at the little figures moving around on the screen, without any particular expression. She was very indifferent, thinking about something. Her jaw moved, as if she was repeating a piece of her sandwich in her mouth.

The AI Secretary seemed to have noticed something and suddenly spoke:

[Manager, as you can see, many employees are risking their lives for the Corporation. Among them, many are thinking more deeply about you. They often mention, "What kind of person is that new Manager?" in their discussions.]

[Some lively employees even want to chat with the Manager face to face...]

"Like the employee who stormed in last time?"

X thought back to the employee she had encountered on her first day in office, the one she had killed with her own hands... That probably wasn't a good impression.

[Well, even though there are no rules stating that you can't talk to employees, such behavior is naive and ridiculous. Knowing your personality won't be of any benefit to them.]

[I think, those who created the rules and regulations don't realize this. However… this is a very good opportunity to let everyone know that you're a good Manager who cares about your employees.]

Angela said to herself, a slight curve appeared at the corner of her lips. It was probably because something in what she said hit Angela's funny bone, like "a good Manager who cares about her employees."

[You know, rumors spread faster than you can imagine… So, if any employees want to visit you, I'm happy to open the door for them.]

[But, Manager, I must remind you. You don't have to fulfill any requests they might make. You just need to thank them for their sacrifices and efforts for the Corporation, and tell them that you hope they can continue to work well. That's enough.]

X listened, always feeling like Angela was implying something. Even though she was talking about employees, it didn't sound like she was talking about employees. There was a hidden meaning in her words.

But X didn't understand. She ate her second sandwich, a fish sandwich with shredded meat inside.

[You don't pay anything, but they've already received satisfaction. It's a win-win situation, isn't it?]

[Do you understand what I mean? Understanding employee needs is just to make them feel 'The Corporation cares about them', just that.]

"Uh… yes."

X nodded, took a sip of the milk-infused coffee, swallowed the last bite of the fish sandwich, then opened the third breakfast bag, took out the egg sandwich, and showed a perfunctory expression.

Angela frowned, and continued to say:

[If you give them a beer vending machine, then they'll greedily demand a bar next. I hope you can make the right decision.]

[Desire is endless… You should never feel like you can satisfy a greedy wolf.]

"I know, I know."

X always felt like the Secretary was referring to something else when talking about employees. Could it be Netzach…? It was unlikely. Netzach's recent performance had been good. She had completed her duties, and hadn't been seen taking drugs or drinking during work hours.

She could be said to be improving constantly, with a bright future.

Maybe Angela meant she should show a bit more concern for the employees? Care about the Deans a little? Put on a better facade?

X thought about it, and as if she had been convinced by her own thought, her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Angela, I want to sneak a look at the employees… uh, and check on the Deans! Surprise audit!"

She was already itching to try. She bent down and clung to her Secretary, pulling her sleeve, like a child asking an adult for a beloved toy.

Maybe it was because she had eaten three meals of breakfast prepared by her Secretary, so she was feeling a bit inflated…?

[Manager, you shouldn't come into contact with those dangerous things. I must ensure your safety.]

"But I'm not going to be in contact with Abnormalities. It's not officially work time now. I just want to take a look, learn a little bit."

"Something like… like, wear regular clothes, have a few interviews? See the employees' realest state."

X waved her hands, trying to convey her meaning to her AI Secretary with gestures and her eyes. But her AI Secretary was closing her eyes, indifferent.

[Those things I told you… did you really listen? You don't have to have any "Real Feelings" for them, or those arbitrary "Guilt Feelings."]

[You're watching them through the cameras. But now you want to be in contact with them. What kind of mentality is that? Observing monkeys? Then feeding the monkeys bananas? Are you playing Don't Feed the Monkey?]

"I'm not that heartless. That example is too inappropriate! Look, you said I should care about the employees. Let me take a look. There's nothing wrong with that. Just watching them through the screen is too arrogant, isn't it?"

"Just for a little while. I always look after work, and by then the employees are all heading back to the dorms to rest."

X pathetically pleaded with her Secretary, practically clinging to her.

The 1.78 meter tall X was leaning on her AI Secretary, who was only 1.7 meters tall. X placed her entire weight on the AI Secretary's back, leaning forward… She was more like a lioness engaging in hunting behavior.

[Fine… But you have to wear this. I need to ensure your safety.]

Being pestered by X, the AI Secretary finally agreed with a frown, but insisted that X wear this highly functional wristband she had designed.

"Yes, yes! I won't delay work. I'll be back before work starts."

X quickly put on the wristband. Even though she didn't know what kind of device it was, if her Secretary asked her to wear it, then she would. She was already eager to go.

The wristband was still very beautiful. Even as an accessory, it was quite nice.

[I mean you should be careful, Manager… You're too hasty.]

The AI Secretary sighed, but before she could finish her sentence, X had already run out of the Manager's room, disappearing without a trace. Then, she ran back, like a car that couldn't brake, crashing into her AI Secretary's chest.

"Angela, I forgot to change my clothes! Should I change?"

X tugged at her white coat. This outfit was really too conspicuous. And she only had these repetitive types of clothes in her closet. She wore them every day. She would be recognized by the employees immediately if she walked down the hall like this.

Even though most of the employees had never seen the Manager's face, they would recognize that iconic outfit.

X held a small mirror in front of herself, struggling. Disguising herself was a difficult task for her. Even though it made no sense, she wasn't playing a role-playing game.

[Would you like to wear a pair of fake glasses? That would only make you stand out more. Besides, your taste is really uncomplimentable. Let me handle this, Manager.]

The AI Secretary said this, then took off her crimson hair tie. Her originally tightly bound ponytail was instantly released, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, beautiful and flowing.

As she had introduced herself, her hair was like a transparent morning sun after a rain shower, blue, almost a deep blue... It was the vast, great emptiness.

With delicate, white hands, she held the red hair tie. Angela used her own hands to help X tie a ponytail. Even though X's hair wasn't quite long enough, she managed to tie it up with a bit of effort.

…Strange?

X looked at herself in the mirror. She felt an invisible strangeness and disharmony.

She tried to contort her facial muscles to make expressions, but it just looked weird no matter what. In the end, she could only look at her reflection in the mirror, even though that was also very unnatural.

"Angela, will this outfit really work?"

Because of the discomfort, X quickly looked away from the mirror, instead looking at her AI Secretary.

This was the first time her AI Secretary had let her hair down. Her messy hair had its own charm, her exquisite features were always impeccable… She could easily capture anyone's attention.

There was a kind of unfamiliar feeling of familiarity, not the kind of familiarity brought about by being together for days… but something else.

The AI Secretary's lips curled into a distinct curve. It felt like she was struck by something funny by X's outfit, and this was her bizarre joke.

[Of course. People often say that changing your hairstyle is like changing your mood, changing your attitude towards life. Don't you feel adorable now?]

[Like a different person… Try smiling, Manager, like you normally do.]

"Like normal? Okay, why does that sound like expression training?"

X was actually practicing expressions, but this was her first time doing it in front of her AI Secretary.

X was still a little unsure how to show a genuine smile.

It was simple. All she needed to do was recall those beautiful things or beautiful moments.

For example… Angela being doused with Coca-Cola in a comical way. Every time X thought of Angela's embarrassed expression as she had a Coca-Cola bottle hanging on her head, she couldn't help but laugh…

Or when she ate delicious food, she felt so happy that she would show a natural smile.

[Well… I knew you could do it. Now, can you hug me, Manager?]

"Of course."

X hugged the AI's slightly cold body.