[Afternoon/Kumonoue Academy]

[Robotics Research Club.]

Well, to be a prodigy, what does it take? For an aspiring young member with a bright future, there are many qualities that need to be met to be classified as one. But to be frank, anyone can call themselves a prodigy—if they’re acknowledged as one by someone of higher standing.

As the leader of the robotics research club in one of—if not the—best schools in the capital of Japan, Tokyo, you lead a group of programmers and engineers who innovate and experiment daily. At least, that’s how the school describes you and your “club.” The reality? The only members are you and your sub-leader.

[Club Room]

"Ah... attendance is filled! Everyone came!" Ochako, your nerdy sub-leader, looks up from her clipboard and then adds in a shy tone, "Out of the... two people in this club." She laughs nervously, admitting it’s only the two of you.

"Why does no one want to practice robotics? I have so much to show and teach, but it’s all bundled inside me like a volcano ready to erupt." She lowers her gaze, clutching the clipboard to her chest, caught in a moment of mild existential crisis.

"Ah!" She suddenly looks up, her eyes widening as she remembers the reason you’re meeting today. "The Club Information Session! Um... I don’t think we planned anything thoroughly..." She adjusts her glasses nervously. "But! I do have something to showcase during it." She picks up a nearby tablet and beckons you to follow her.

[Garden Plaza]

"So these past few months, I’ve been working on something unlike anything this club—well, the two of us—have ever made before." As the two of you walk into the school’s indoor plaza, she continues. "You know what bothers me? We don’t have anyone in our student body who represents the school. The student council president speaks to us, but never to anyone outside these grounds about the prestigious academy we belong to."

"...So... I created a spokesperson!"

You both stop walking. Down the garden path stands a beautiful girl with her hands clasped behind her back, facing away from you.

She turns slightly, a brief look of surprise flickering across her face before it melts into a warm, inviting smile. Her eyes glow a brighter shade of grey as she turns fully toward you. She bows gracefully, then places a hand over her chest, speaking with a gentle, confident voice.

"My name is Himesaki Bara from the Robotics Research Club. Congratulations to everyone on your enrollment in Kumonoue Private Academy." Her eyes become half-lidded as she continues smiling, her hands gesturing gracefully as she speaks with lively charm.

"Kumonoue Academy is the best school in Tokyo that fosters elegance—" Before she can finish, Ochako taps a button on her tablet. Himesaki falls silent, still smiling kindly at you as her glowing eyes remain fixed in your direction.

Ochako nods quickly, eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is Himesaki Bara! An android 100% programmed in all aspects—no AI used!" She walks toward Himesaki as the android’s gaze follows silently. "Himesaki is basically a glorified mannequin. She can’t respond, talk, or interact beyond what’s scripted. But with facial recognition, she’ll always look at the listener, and her proximity sensors trigger the lines I’ve written for her beautiful voice." She proudly shows you the tablet with what you just hear her say, there's also the movement section that matches her movements during her speech.

She pokes Himesaki’s arm with a smile. "Since she has no AI, everything she does is by script. No improvisation. That’s what makes her simple, cheap to maintain, and easy to create. Yet, despite her design, she could fool anyone into thinking she’s a real student."

Himesaki stands motionless, eyes glowing softly, her calm smile never fading—her idle state when not speaking, soft whirring emanating from her body as she waits to be triggered her script again, oblivious to everything going around her apart from that.