Chapter 99: Terms & Conditions
Tera didn’t respond immediately.
Something had been nagging at her about this system for a while, and it wasn’t just the tasks.
She thought back to what the system had said when Xavi reached full favourability. How it had proudly announced that no Host had ever achieved that milestone this early. As if it was a grand accomplishment.
But the way it had framed it had left Tera with uncomfortable questions.
If she was the first Host to do this, what about the other Hosts that had come before her?
Either the system was new to this job, or it had a very poor track record of botching its responsibilities. Neither option was comforting, and Tera didn’t want to fuck around and find out.
She thought about the way it withheld information until she pried it out, the way it dropped tasks at the worst possible moments, and the way it sometimes seemed more interested in entertaining itself than actually helping.
This system could be incompetent or just a pure sadist.
It did act like a sadist many times.
But Tera wondered if the thing might not even genuinely know how to do its job. And while she wasn’t going to pry about management—that would get her nowhere—she needed to fix this behaviour going forward.
’I’m not going to ask about management. I already know that’s off limits.’
[( ╹ -╹)?]
’But I need us to work together. I am sure you have some sort of quotas you need to meet, or whatever it is you’re supposed to do. But you keep things from me a lot. Important things. Then you act surprised when I’m blindsided by things you literally hid from me. Maybe they may not have seemed necessary to you at the time, but does that not make your job difficult too? Especially if I don’t complete tasks?’
Regardless of her penalty, the system was bound to have a problem too if she didn’t complete tasks.
And the constant mention of management meant the system wasn’t just here to selflessly guide Tera through her life in this world.
[...]
Tera did not like the silence.
’You aren’t prohibited from giving me everything at your disposal to help me through each task, are you?’
[( •̯́ ^ •̯̀)]
[Not... entirely]
Tera wanted to scream at it not to act cute with her.
’Not entirely, or yes or no?’
[No]
’You see?! OMG! The fuck was that cryptic response for earlier?!’
[(𓁹 𓁹)]
’Why not just lay everything on the table to help me? As long as it isn’t prohibited, I should know about it.’
’You tease me plenty enough either way, using other means if that’s what you’re after.’
[This system... did not consider that some withheld information would cause Host genuine harm]
[(◞‸◟)]
’Hey! It’s not about harm!’
[Certain details were deemed unnecessary at the time of—]
’It’s not up to you to decide what’s unnecessary for me. Especially if it’s something that could help with whatever task I need to do.’
’Well, including things outside each task too.’
[꒰՞ °ᗝ°՞꒱.ᐟ.ᐟ]
[But this system isn’t your slave to make your whole life easier!]
[And I do try my best—]
’And I am grateful for that, but things outside tasks do affect circumstances and relationships. They’re important too, right?’
Tera could not believe she was schooling something that was likely even older than her, but she tried not to dwell on it.
[This system understands]
[(ᵕ ó ᴗ ò)]
[Host is correct]
[Going forward, this system will provide all available information that is not restricted by management protocols]
[This system... apologises]
The screen dimmed slightly, and the emoji it displayed looked genuinely chastened, like a child who had been scolded and was only now realising why.
[( ˶ó‸ò )]
Tera found this very shocking but tried not to let it show.
That went smoother than she had expected.
’Thank you. I mean it. I want us to work together properly. Not this thing where you spring surprises on me and I scream at you, and we repeat the cycle every few weeks.’
[This system does not enjoy being screamed at]
[(っ◞‸◟ c)]
’Then stop giving me reasons to scream.’
[...]
[(｡ᵕ °ㅁ° ).ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ]
[Hold on!]
[This system should be the one in control, not Host!]
Tera laughed lightly.
This system was so silly.
Though still very much a sadist!
She eyed the screen. Even though they had come to an agreement, she also wasn’t naive enough to assume that meant everything was now peachy.
Double-checking the system would always be a must!
Tera sighed, the rest of the tension leaving her body. She thought of the pacifiers and the bonus nipples notification.
That goddamn currency.
’...Thank you for the gifts.’
[( ˊᵕˋ )!]
[Host is very welcome!]
[This system knew Host would appreciate them!]
’Don’t push it.’
[(◕‿◕✿)]
Tera was stuck with this thing. Might as well make it work.
"Tera?"
She nearly jumped out of her skin and looked up. The room had emptied while she had been deep in conversation with the system, and only Ermin remained.
’Omg, I must have looked crazy staring into space like that.’
And even with the worry plastered on Ermin’s face, she could clearly see a hint of that confusion.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly. "You looked... somewhere else."
She laughed nervously. "Just thinking."
Ermin’s brow furrowed. "You were staring at nothing for a long time."
"I do that sometimes. It helps me think."
[Host is terrible at lying]
[(눈‿눈)]
’Not now.’
Ermin didn’t press. He simply shifted closer, his body warm against her side.
"Where did Xavi go?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.
"To bring water and food for you. He will be back soon." Ermin shifted closer, and to Tera’s surprise, his attention wasn’t on the cubs. It was entirely on her.
His eyes traced her face with a softness that made her chest flutter.
"I am so proud of you," he said quietly. "And so happy... and so sorry that you had to go through this."
Tera was surprised. Why feel sorry?
"You don’t have to be sorry. It’s not your fault."
’Well, technically...’
"You were in so much pain during the—"
Tera forced a smile, which she made obvious enough for him to clearly see.
She did NOT want to remember that moment again.
Ermin sealed his lips shut and looked at the cubs.
Tera did the same, and the slight aches in her body vanished at the sight of them.
To be fair, she didn’t regret this.
They looked so precious.
[Ermin is experiencing an intense mixture of worry, relief, and deep emotional attachment to Host]
[(◡‿◡✿)]
[He deeply cares for Host]
[This system appreciates that he is finally catching up]
Tera stifled a laugh.
Ermin leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. His lips were warm and lingered for a moment longer than necessary, and the spot where they touched tingled.
Then he leaned down to the twins and kissed them.
The bear cub squirmed, her tiny face scrunching, and Ermin froze as if he had broken something. When she settled again, he moved to the panther cub.
He kissed his daughter’s forehead, and the tiny pink ears twitched at the contact. His face broke into a smile so wide and unguarded that Tera’s heart nearly stopped.
Ermin looked adorable as always.
"Do you want me to take them?" he asked softly, returning his attention to Tera. "Your arms must be aching."
They were.
The dull throb had been building since she first held them, and her muscles were screaming. But letting go felt so wrong.
Now why would he remind her of her arms?
Though if they broke now, she could never carry her babies again.
She nodded, and Xavi took them, settling the cubs carefully against his chest.
His tail swayed gently behind him, and Tera noticed how it kept reaching toward her even while his arms were full.
[Ermin’s Favourability: 99% → 100%]
Tera’s eyes went wide.
[ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ]
[AT LONG LAST!]