Shae and Sa-Ya sat side by side, both enjoying their lollipops with their masks pulled down, right after swallowing the potion that had such an incredibly bitter and nauseating taste.
"Master," Sa-Ya spoke first, her tone oddly flat. "I can still taste the candy… it's strawberry, but… why does it feel like I can't enjoy it at all?"
"Yeah, Master, me too," Shae added, licking the candy absently.
Al smiled faintly, a small curve tugging at the corner of his lips.
"It's been quite a while since the last time I drank that potion," he said calmly. "I've already forgotten most of its effects—except for how disgustingly bitter it was."
He leaned back slightly, observing the two girls. "If that's what you're feeling, it means the potion's still working properly. Your physical senses aren't supposed to lose the ability to taste. What it affects is your psychological state—your emotional perception of pleasure gets neutralized. So you can taste it, but you can't enjoy it."
