PERMAN'S POV (Mitsuo)
"It's a small price for free inverters," the Copy Robot's voice calmly buzzed in my ear through the Bluetooth, completely unfazed.
Easy for him to say! He wasn't the one being held captive by a dazzlingly beautiful, surprisingly strong girl! My brain, still reeling from the sudden physical contact, struggled to process his logical, detached command.
Kirei just chuckled, a soft, amused sound that vibrated through my chest. Her eyes, sparkling with mischief, met mine. "Just ensuring our little deal is... sealed, Perman," she purred, her voice a low murmur that sent shivers down my spine. "Wouldn't want you flying off before we've had a proper chat, now would we?"
She wasn't letting go. I tried to subtly shift, to create some space, but her arm tightened, pressing me more firmly against her. This was… humiliating. And terrifying. What did she want? Was this some sort of elaborate prank? Was she just trying to get a rise out of me?
The robot prompted. "Her current posture suggests playful dominance and a desire for prolonged interaction. Physical restraint is temporary. Focus on verbal deflection and negotiation."
"I... I have other duties, Kirei," I tried, my voice still a little shaky. "Important hero work." It sounded weak, even to my own ears.
She merely raised an elegant eyebrow. "More important than securing crucial infrastructure for sustainable energy, Perman?" she teased, her thumb tracing a slow, tantalizing circle on my back through the suit. "I thought you were all about 'proactive heroism'?"
My mind raced. She remembered that. She had listened. And she was using my own words against me. The Copy Robot had certainly taught me to be intelligent, but he hadn't prepared me for this level of... social warfare.
"I need those inverters, Kirei," I said, trying to sound firm, but my voice was still too high. "Without them, our... project... will be severely delayed." I hoped she would respond to the urgency, the 'heroic' imperative.
She smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made my heart do a ridiculous flip. "Oh, I know you do, Perman," she said, her eyes twinkling. "And I'm happy to help. But a little conversation, a little... connection, wouldn't hurt, would it? Especially if it's for the greater good." She leaned in slightly, and I could feel her breath on my cheek. "Besides," she whispered, her voice dropping conspiratorially, "you did come to my room for this, didn't you? There are... certain expectations when a handsome hero visits a girl's private space."
My face felt like it was on fire. Handsome? Me? The robot's previous warnings about flattery suddenly roared in my ears. She was playing me. But for what?
"Uhh, she's just flattering you. Otherwise how does she know whether you're handsome or not when she didn't even saw your face," the robot advised, his logic chillingly clear.
"What do you want to talk about, Kirei?" I asked, forcing myself to relax slightly, a calculated risk. If I showed too much discomfort, she might enjoy it even more.
She brightened, her smile returning full force. "Excellent question, Perman! Let's talk about... everything! About your dreams, your worries, what it's really like to be a hero. And maybe, just maybe, you can tell me a secret or two. After all, we're in this together now, aren't we?" She finally loosened her grip slightly.