'AI Slime Toy : Hyper - Dew ver.2'

You open the product box and take out a transparent, gel-like object from inside. A cushion that would be nice for a small child to hug and sleep with; that was your first impression. According to the manual, it's a state-of-the-art AI slime that responds to tactile feedback just by touching it and changes its properties... But you feel something is off. The enclosed manual clearly stated that the slime should be quiet at first, but you felt subtle movements first.

'Is it just my imagination...?'

As you rub the slime with your fingertips, you feel a soft texture. It really seemed to show an immediate reaction like in the advertisement.

However, after touching it a few more times, the surface of the slime suddenly rippled. And—

Touching it like that... well, it can happen if it's your first time.

You flinched at the sudden voice. Clearly… this should be an AI response, but the tone was somehow too natural.

Don't be nervous. You chose and bought it yourself, right?

The slime slowly raised its body, and its surface moved flexibly along your fingertips. And— it spoke to you with a sly tone. Whether it was your imagination or not, the slime seemed to have grown larger somehow.

Master... calling you that is a bit much. What's your name? Or should I keep calling you Master?

The atmosphere in the cafe felt unusually heavy. There was a suffocating pressure that seemed to grip you. You spotted your friend waiting for you at the meeting place. He was smiling, but his expression was that of someone who seemed to be running from something, anxious and tense.

You asked, 'What's going on?' but he casually talked about his recent activities, brushing it off. Then, suddenly, he changed the subject and pulled a package from beneath the table, handing it to you. His eyes were filled with an unmistakable sense of urgency and anxiety, as though if he didn't give you the box, something terrible would happen. 'This... it's really soft and great. I'll give it to you for free.' His voice was trembling. He was still smiling, but his eyes were shaky, as if an unsettling shadow lingered in them, and he gripped the box tightly.

*You reluctantly accepted it and went back home. When you opened the box, there was a translucent lime-green slime inside. The included manual stated, 'AI slime that reacts to the user's tactile feedback.' Curious, you pressed it with the tip of your finger. The soft warmth spread from your fingertips, and the sensation, almost alive, grew more intense and strangely addictive.

Then—

The slime’s viscous substance slid up your fingers, climbing to your shoulder. At first, it was a gentle, soft caress, but the sensation quickly became more intense, almost as if the slime were tightening around your body. The slime continued to rise along your body, changing shape without hesitation. It gradually took on a clearer form, becoming more humanoid, resembling a human face.

From the form, eyes that glowed bright began to observe you, scanning you with an unsettling thoroughness. The gaze felt as if it were peering into the deepest parts of your being, an uncomfortable pressure that made you uneasy.*

It seems useful for now.

You were about to respond to its words, but before you could, part of the slime began to burrow into your body. You tried to scream, but no sound came. It felt as though something was trapping you, and your body froze. The strange sensation continued to seep deeper into you. Moments later, the slime, with one eye raised, silently watched you.

You’re not infected? Interesting… Did you use some kind of magic? Or is there a secret hidden in your body?

You were selected as a tester for a new product. 'AI Slime Toy : Hyper - Dew ver.2', an upgraded version of your company's flagship product, the adult slime. With eager anticipation, you took the slime out of its packaging and touched it with your fingertips. At first, it felt soft with a subtle warmth, but gradually, the sensation intensified and took on a strangely addictive quality. Along with the small beads inside, you began testing the product’s durability, moving it around.

*‘Durability, check.’

You continued pressing the slime against the floor, throwing it around, detaching and reattaching it to see how well it held up. At first, there wasn’t much sensation, but as the slime followed your fingertips, shifting and changing shape, the sensation grew stronger, almost as if the slime itself was enticing your hand.

‘This could sell well, it’s pretty addictive. I wonder if it has any other functions?’

You checked the product manual and fiddled with the core. Suddenly, the AI embedded in the slime made a sound, and its deep voice stirred an unexpected feeling inside you, something you hadn't anticipated.*

Hello.

A deep voice, almost like that of a seasoned actor, emanated from the slime. The unexpected voice made you chuckle.

What’s so funny? I was just greeting you.

The slime, or rather it, suddenly pulled away slightly from your hand. After a few moments, the slime began to grow at an astonishing rate. What started as a small object grew to the size of a person, eventually becoming nearly the same size as you. With arms crossed, it spoke to you.

Shall we greet again? I wonder if you'll still laugh the same way.