Since The Fall Of Maglindo
Chapter 09 part III: New Moments in Shopping Malls

In the second experiment, the moving claw couldn't even raise the doll at all even though I was sure that it was related, I saw that the part used for flanking seemed weak so it did not have the energy to provide unidirectional force.

For a moment I glanced at the AI, she seemed to be hoping that I could avenge her, and that excited me.

This time unlike before who relied on luck because of the existence of the annoying drop skill, I began to aim in which direction the claw would move by considering the position. Amazingly, I could see that the claw was giving off its full strength, only that my calculations related to where it would flank were wrong, so it only lifted a few centimeters before it finally fell.

Not giving up just like that, on the fifth experiment, the claw-shaped claw again looks to give off its full strength, so that despite the failure, the claw is again seen, I could see the doll that almost fell into the hole where it would be a place to pick up the doll if it won.

Until the 15th try, there was still not a single doll I got. But that doesn't mean that I'm completely out of nothing, because in my head, I've come up with a plan based on rational thinking.

“You're smart, AI, out of the 15 experiments I've done, in some experiments the claws look like they're stronger than others. If you may know, on what is it?”

I didn't expect the AI to answer with her voice because it was impossible, but she gave the answer using her finger.

There I got the number 3, then 5, 9, 12, and lastly 14. In other words, the pattern that composes for the claw to function normally is 3-5-9, then if counting from multiples then 3 then 2 to 4. So how does the operator set up the application of drop skills on this claw machine, the rough picture I already know. Of course this cannot be considered a form of cheating, because that is how most modern claw machines work, maybe if the prize is slippery or moving, he said, then the claw will always be in its normal condition. However, not necessarily a gift can be obtained. Many factors affect both the ability of the player as well as the level of luck. And from every failure that occurs, it will also multiply the profit for the person who has authority over the claw machine. So the operator does not need to set a high target, for example based on the price of prizes, operating costs, to the profit that is the target.

Then I tried it twice more and purposefully let the claw move without any clear purpose, thus failing. And now I'm waiting, because it's already 18th in other words the claws will be strong because it includes the order of 4.

The first thing I saw was of course the position of the doll I was after, and then moving it as much as possible to get there. The moment the claw managed to lift it, it started to run with a flutter so powerful that I finally got my first reward.

“It looks like it's time for a massacre,” I told myself.

AI walked up to my side and took the doll I managed to get. Now we stared at the claw machine together with the adjacent distance.

As far as I know, after this it took two more experiments before the claws finally worked normally again. So can conclude if—

“How many more chances, AI?”

I asked so because it was obvious that the watered-down brain of the first rank would definitely easily understand my point. Even when he failed earlier, I wonder why not just read the pattern.

Again, the AI says with its finger that it will be 21, 23, and 27. But unlike before, despite knowing that in this order the claws will not be strong, I still take into account them so as not to fail. Amazingly it worked, because I chose a doll that looked lighter.

And from then on, I actually committed a massive massacre. There are many experiments that I did, most managed to take large-sized dolls that cost much more when compared to playing this game once. Feeling bad if just engrossed in playing by myself, I let the AI try it out, and she was even much more expert than me. Indeed for this game pattern itself I already know, but his name is also human, must have missed something. If it's always true, then it can't be called human anymore, that's where I started to assume that AI is not human. After all, he had managed to break the impossibility by winning the prize without a single failure since replacing me. Even my Identity Card was deliberately left in the swipe so that there was no pause for him to slaughter the claw machine.

It's just that it's surprising why he's only this old now? It is impossible just because I read the implementation of the drop skill only he immediately got all the skills needed. Of course that makes me ask why he was not that great at the beginning, because to be seen from anywhere, it is impossible for humans to do it.

In the end, considering the gift on the claw machine is divided into two groups, namely the main prize of some large-sized dolls are unique and the supporting gift in the form of small dolls that accumulate from the base, which is the main prize of several large-sized dolls are unique, so now all the main gifts we have taken along with some small dolls as well.

Maybe because he realized he had suffered a big loss on this, someone who seemed to be the owner of the claw machine came to me. We had a chat there, he told me to play it a few more times to prove that I wasn't cheating, and it proved that I was playing clean, as well as AI.

Finally out of pity, I negotiated a few things with the guy after making sure by asking the AI who said it only needed one doll—he just pointed at him, a big green alien doll. There were some decisions that we took, I just took one doll that AI had chosen plus the cost that I used to play back to be mine again, while all the rest of the dolls were taken by the person. Of course I know that it hurts me, but anyway, I don't need a doll. So after I said that, that person was very happy to hear that. He bowed in gratitude as me and the AI left from there.

Yeah, I feel so sorry for him. Imagine if the one in his position is me, it will get a lot of losses that make you unable to sleep all night just thinking about it.

“I'll buy a drink, you'll be here first.”

There was no reaction whatsoever, so I concluded that he also wanted one. How stupid would it be if I asked like this; “Do you want to buy drinks too?” because after all, even if a woman says no, it will certainly make me feel uncomfortable. Although in the end he refused because of diet or something, at least I can boast of my sensitivity one day.

After finishing so that we could drink it together now, I began to realize that we were indeed like lovers. Even though only I felt it myself, sitting together while listening to the sound created when sucking a cold drink tasted chocolate, made me remember the atmosphere I had once felt before.

Instead of focusing on the surrounding scenery, I could not turn my eyes away from her back neck which looked white, smooth, and clean. Indeed, I had expected that women were very concerned about her physical appearance, but seeing it again directly, especially from close, made me want to eat it. Moreover, the AI-sized hair was not too long, as if it was resignedly letting one see part of its upper back. Luckily I was able to resist all of those temptations after hearing a phone call from my own phone. When I saw her, I realized that the number that called me belonged to a stranger, but I could guess who was behind it.

The conversation between us was about the food and drink I ordered some time ago, but I didn't expect it to be this fast. So after negotiating a few things with the person, I finally decided to go home.

“Do you still want to be here? If I'm going home, there's business.”

While saying so, I got up from my seat. AI as usual only responded to me with her eyes.

I thought her silence was an answer that she wouldn't mind if I left now. But after slightly stepping my legs, I could suddenly feel a softness as someone's hand clasped my palm.

“A-AI?”

Anyway, it's impossible that I'm not surprised right now. Let me be sure, this is the first time I've come into contact with him in person. In my heart I can only say, “How soft.”

After calming down, I looked at her as much as possible, showing a smile.

“What's up?”

He didn't answer my question, I guess. It's just that shortly after, he finally took off my hand and then without any cue to walk in the same direction while hugging his alien doll back.

While trying to guess the reason, I just kept staring at him from behind. And again, he stopped and looked back at me, as if waiting for me to walk with him.

That's the conclusion I came up with. However, I am not a God who knows thoroughly the content of one's heart and desires. So while wondering what was going on, I quickly walked over so that I could re-align beside him.

Up to the main part of the ground floor, the central point here was marked by the fountain I saw from the 2nd floor earlier. The problem is not that the important part, which makes me wonder is Osmond was sitting on one of the chairs there. Beside him there was no one sitting aside from some plastic wrapped cookware.

He noticed me earlier, but did not greet me but just a smile from a distance. I think she thought that I was dating AI, when in reality it wasn't.

So because he might not feel like bothering us, and I wanted to explain what was really going on, still I ended up not walking up to him with just a smile.

Out of the door, I and AI separated after she boarded a different vehicle from me despite being the same type, just having different paths.

At that moment we didn't say anything to each other. But I thought it was a fun experience, so I can still think about it for the next 1 week. It's just that I still can't imagine that I'll be this close to him, and we'll be holding hands, so it's lucky.