บท 169: Tense Study

Arix, intrigued by the waist-high robot, crouched down to inspect it closely. 'A talking, moving robot!' She felt the urge to take it apart.

"Master, damaging public property will get your punished," PO said, his big eyes blinking innocently on its screen-like face, as if reading Arix's mind.

"It's okay, I have money," Arix said, her fingers itching to dismantle it. But before she could proceed, PO's cute voice chimed in again.

"Besides compensation, you may also fail to pass personal assessment," PO warned kindly.

Arix paused. 'Great, now I'm being threatened by a robot.'

Arix took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "I was just joking. You're so adorable, how could I be so cruel to take you apart?"

"Master, I have a lie detection function and has detected that you are lying," PO responded honestly, without any sense of tact.

Arix: ... 'Is this robot really here to help me?'