[Lobotomy Corporation] I'm an Abnormality...

I Don't Bite... EP.13

"..."
"..."

Silence descended upon the isolation room in an instant.

Glancing sideways, I could see Louis' expression souring.

Looks like I misspoke.

I should have known better than to blurt out, "You're a cultist!" to a cultist. I was too careless.

What am I going to do about this awkward silence? It's so uncomfortable!

Even the halo behind Louis seems uneasy with the silence, its shape constantly shifting.

[Employee Louis, please perform Instinct work on O-01-39, 'Little Girl'.]

It was the announcement voice that broke the silence between us.

After silently thanking the unknown announcer, I opened my mouth to break the awkward silence.

"Um... hello?"
"Hello."

At least she responded to my greeting.

"I'll say it again, you're in the isolation room today. All those strange restraints are gone, and when did you change your clothes?"

Oh, right. My limbs were tied up on the first day. And my face was covered too. But clothes?

I looked down to see what she meant, and my black hoodie had somehow turned into a white outfit.

What? What's going on?

I don't understand, but... I guess I should answer.

"They just came off at some point... And I don't know about the clothes either."

Louis looked at me with suspicion.

Suddenly, I felt wronged. No, really. The restraints just came off! And the clothes turned white all of a sudden!

"Well, anyway, today's Instinct work... Do you like human flesh, by any chance?"

What kind of nonsense is that?

I'm not a cannibal.

"No? I don't like it at all..."
"Hmm, then do you feel the urge to tear me apart?"

Why does he keep saying such strange things? Oh, I think I know why Louis is acting like this.

I'm an Abnormality, a monster that can't be understood from a human perspective.

Maybe this is my chance to show that I'm a harmless Abnormality?

"Of course not! I don't bite!"

I put on the most harmless smile I could muster.

For a moment, I thought of the dog-like Abnormality in the next room and ended up saying something weird... Well, as long as my intention got across, it should be fine.

Louis covered his mouth with his hand after seeing my words and gestures.

...It did get across, right? I'm worried I might have scared her even more.

Looking closely, I could see the corners of Louis' mouth twitching slightly. It seems I didn't gain his trust at all.

"...Anyway, I'll start the Instinct work."

Louis announced, "I will begin the Instinct work," and started operating the panel in the corner.

"Um... What kind of work is Instinct?"

Insight seemed to be just observing, as it was during my first work.

But I have no idea what Instinct work entails. The Abnormality's instinct... Is it something like offering sacrifices?

Then Louis, who was operating the panel, approached me, probably to explain.

He seems much bolder compared to the first day. Back then, he was trembling even during Insight work.

Even though my blindfold prevented me from seeing, I could roughly tell from his presence. He was shaking a lot.

Well, from my perspective, this is much better than him being scared.

"Instinct work involves roughly, checking vital signs, checking the rate of change in nutritional requirements, activating the nutritional supply sequence, allocating 37% Cogito, reviewing cough suppression effectiveness, adjusting hydration levels, checking epidermal strength, regulating enhanced biological maintenance, repairing collapsed tissue, analyzing nervous system tissue, analyzing weapon state regression rate, analyzing organic state sustainability rate..."

...I don't understand a single word.

"And applying isolological perspective, instinctual resolution consumption process, inhibiting physical fixation responses, checking innate triggering mechanisms, analyzing environmental stimulus causality... You don't understand, do you?"
"Nope."
"...I'm just feeding you."
"Ah."