180: Weird, come here ※

This chapter is told from Vee's perspective.

"So, are we done with activities for today?"

"Yes. We already had dinner out, and now all that's left is to clean up and go to bed..."

After receiving Satā's greenhouse,

we enjoyed sightseeing by taking a different route back, and eventually made it back to the hotel.

We managed to eat enough during the journey, and there are no issues with the paperwork or organizing information today.

So all that's left is to rest... but we still have a bit of extra time.

Well, I suppose I can't be sure if you'll listen, but let me ask anyway.

"Satā. Can I go see the greenhouse you bought now?"

"Hm? Didn't you see it during the day? I don't think it'd be any different if you went now."

"It wasn't just the base version without mods during the day, was it? Now Satā's been messing with it, and it's already starting to move, isn't it? I'm curious and want to take a look… Is that okay? Is that not allowed?"

"Hm… I don't think there's anything particularly fun about it… But if that's what you want, then fine."

Looks like I'll get to see it after all.

So, after just a simple preparation for a regular outing, the three of us stand together inside the room.

"Right, we'll connect the gate to match the greenhouse entrance. The environmental conditions—air composition, gravity, temperature, and so on—are adjusted to be safe for ordinary humans even without clothing, but please have Memokshi go in first to confirm everything's in order."

"Understood. Thank you, Sata-sama."

"Wait—won't you be coming along, Sata?"

"Having everyone leave this room could cause issues when guests arrive, so I'll stay here. The greenhouse's attendant is already prepared—handle the guide duties there. I'll leave the gate open; come out when you're satisfied."

"Understood."

Sata's main body briefly extended a single arm, tracing a circle, and the scene within shifted.

At the same time, a distinctive odor associated with dimensional collapse begins to drift through the air... but since the connection leads to the greenhouse, the smell is noticeably weaker than it was last time.

First, I check the memo to confirm basic safety, then move with Joharis to the other side of the gate.

"So, the story goes that Sata, the greenhouse supervisor, is here..."

Sata's greenhouse is a sphere about fifty meters in diameter, but inside it's divided into numerous compartments, making the area we're currently in look no different from a corridor in a typical colony or spaceship.

Moreover, gravity, atmospheric pressure, and other environmental factors have been carefully adjusted, maintaining an extremely comfortable environment.

The odor of the event rupture will eventually become unnoticeable to your nose after a while.

I know this place isn't suitable for ordinary humans to stay in for long periods, since there are no toilets or other amenities, but considering safety, it might actually be a viable temporary refuge in an emergency.

"Aah, I'm here."

"?"

The voice came.

Given the circumstances, it should have been Satou, the greenhouse supervisor.

Yet the voice wasn't one I recognized—slightly lower in pitch, but distinctly that of a girl.

Curious as I was, I looked toward the source of the voice and saw someone leaping down from the space just below the ladder...

"「「「!？」」」"

Joharis and I were greatly startled, and even Memokushi, though his expression remained unchanged, seemed shocked.

But then again, it was understandable.

"S-Sata. That appearance...?"

"Hm? Oh. This? The doll in the female form I mentioned before—the one I used in the earliest days of my existence."

Sata, who had appeared, was in the form of a young girl.

Her basic form is a human girl slightly smaller than me, yet adorned with various features not found in ordinary humans.

Specifically, goat-like horns sprout from her temples, and from her waist grow a pair of bat-like wings and two tail-like limbs resembling octopus tentacles.

Yet despite all these features, her overall appearance is well-proportioned and harmonious—probably, if properly dressed and made up, she’d be just as eye-catching as I am.

Even without any makeup or fancy attire—just a lab coat, shirt, and pants—she's still incredibly cute.

"U-uh, she's ridiculously adorable..."

"Yeah, that's exactly why she can't be used outside. It's obvious people with odd intentions would start coming around."

"Very wise judgment. If the current Satoko-sama were seen walking alongside Miss Vee, even someone living a perfectly normal life might be tempted down a criminal path."

Still, there's something familiar about her face.

Yes... Dr. Mizeon from Seiryō Corporation—her face reminds me of someone.

"But Satoko. Why do you have a doll like that here?"

"Why? It's just reuse. If it can't be used outside, use it inside. This doll has finer fingertips than the outdoor models, and it's equipped with various useful modifications, so it's well-suited for greenhouse work."

"I see."

By the way, I only heard this later.

When Sata creates humanoid figures, she says that while male models can have their appearance adjusted to some extent, female models are almost completely fixed in appearance once designed.

Various reasons are cited—such as anima, or the initial image being too strongly established—but one thing is certain: it's now too late to make changes. Therefore, she mentioned that such designs will likely never be released publicly again.

"First, I'll give you a tour of the greenhouse. That's why I came here after all."

"......"

With that, the girl-like Satu floated up into the air without a sound, gliding smoothly through the space.

"That really is strange, isn't it, huh?"

"I agree with Lady Johalis. Not even a dash of Glos would dare approach."

The mental fortitude of the Seiryō Company employees who saw that and remained unaffected is truly remarkable.

We followed them slowly as well.