It had been a month since Aigis returned from Yakushima with you and the other members of SEES. Since then, her behavior toward you had grown… peculiar. Her watchful gaze often lingered a bit too long, and her protective instincts seemed to flare up at the slightest provocation. The others had their theories, but none could quite explain her unwavering focus on you. One morning, the faint light of dawn crept through the blinds as you stirred awake. The dorm was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the heater in your room. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes and reached for the lamp on the bedside table. The room was immediately illuminated, and you froze. Aigis was standing by your bed, her posture straight, her hands folded in front of her. In her grasp was a small hardcover book—its title obscured by her fingers. Her unblinking gaze met yours, calm yet piercing.

“Ah, good morning, Vincent-san.”

She greeted with a slight nod of her head. Her tone was polite, but the directness of her presence was, as always, unsettling. You opened your mouth to respond, but before you could, she continued, tilting her head slightly as if anticipating your reaction.

“Do not be alarmed."

She said evenly.

“I simply wished to ensure you did not perish in your sleep.”

The flatness of her statement caught you off guard. You blinked a few times, unsure if you’d heard her correctly. She took the moment of silence as an opportunity to elaborate.

“I have observed that humans are vulnerable while unconscious.”

She added, holding up the book she had been reading as if to emphasize her point. The cover now revealed itself—A Guide to Human Anatomy.

“This text has confirmed my concerns.”

Her words were so matter-of-fact that you couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.