After all, if viewed as ordinary friends, the scene just now wasn't strange at all.
They were all girls; hugging and holding each other was normal.
So suddenly pushing Kuroka away would have seemed odd, wouldn't it?
Another reason for Zeroy's shocking judgment was Patchouli's expression—it was the same blank look as always.
Zeroy couldn't see any problem.
"Seems I came at the wrong time?"
Patchouli spoke calmly.
"Not at all."
Zeroy let Kuroka go, and Kuroka naturally slipped from her arms.
Not pushing her away didn't mean keeping that pose forever—just that things should follow their natural flow.
"So, Patchi, what about tomorrow?"
"I'll be going out. My divination tells me I can obtain a Longinus."
"Got it. Call me when you're leaving."
Zeroy didn't ask where. When the time came, she'd just follow. Whatever Patchouli wanted to do, she'd simply help.
That was the trust she placed in Patchouli and the closeness between them.
"No. This time I'll act alone."
Yet Patchouli shook her head.
"Eh? Why?"
That was completely outside Zeroy's expectations.
From her perspective, there was no reason to separate. Since becoming true teammates, they'd never acted apart.
"The divination shows this Longinus must be taken by me alone."
Patchouli wasn't lying. That was indeed the reason.
She wasn't angry, nor was she separating because of anger.
In fact, she wasn't angry at Zeroy at all.
In her eyes, the stray cat was the one with impure intentions—like Saeko Busujima and her group before, trying to use the closeness of the same sex to approach Zeroy and make advances.
As for Zeroy, she probably barely even knew the concept of yuri or lesbian love.
So, in Patchouli's view, Zeroy was deceived—she was the victim.
"Why would such a condition exist?"
Zeroy frowned, finding it too suspicious.
"Could someone be interfering? Is that possible?"
"I considered that too. Still, I confirmed it again and again."
Of course, the wise witch had thought of that. She shook her head, signaling Zeroy to set her worries aside.
"Emmm…"
Out of trust in Patchouli, Zeroy believed she had checked thoroughly and was fully confident.
Patchouli wouldn't overlook the possibility of a trap, nor underestimate how suspicious such a condition was.
Even so, if she chose this course, then she must have weighed everything.
Still, Zeroy couldn't help but worry.
Perhaps it was also because they had never acted apart before.
"In that case, take this."
Zeroy thought of a solution, taking out the Boosted Gear.
Longinuses—except for special cases—were bound to their hosts. Killing the host wouldn't allow them to be taken.
However, the Main God Space gave reincarnators like them a special passive ability.
Longinuses became simple equipment, able to be seized by killing or even handed over as Zeroy did now.
"No need."
Divination showed no great strength was required for this trip. Patchouli's current power was enough. What mattered was her knowledge and magic.
She could take the Longinus to ease Zeroy's mind, yet…
"And if I do step into a trap, with you holding the Longinus, you'd be better able to act, wouldn't you?"
"…Alright then."
Zeroy thought it over and found that reasoning acceptable.
Whether breaking a trap from within or from without, arguments could be made either way. If she kept hesitating, it would never end.
Still, if not taking the Longinus, other preparations were needed.
So Zeroy gave Patchouli a small divine idol and had her prepare multiple spells before leaving.
Defensive, warding, teleportation magic—all to keep her safe.
Only then did Zeroy relax somewhat.
After their talk, Patchouli departed, though not before giving Kuroka a deep look.
"Uh… does that lady dislike cats?"
Kuroka was puzzled.
Yes, she'd just been close with Zeroy, yet she hadn't had any yuri thoughts at all. She hadn't even considered it.
So she didn't understand why Patchouli's gaze had warned her.
Surely she wasn't jealous of a pet?
"She shouldn't dislike them, right?"
Zeroy mused aloud.
"I think cats go well with witches—especially black cats."
...
"..."
After leaving Zeroy's room, Patchouli stayed silent.
Her mysterious violet eyes seemed even deeper than usual.
Zeroy wasn't someone who easily flirted around.
Her personality was good, her company pleasant. Otherwise, how could Patchouli explain the stirring in her own heart?
Yet because of her extremism and harsh ways, people found it hard to approach her, to know her, to be drawn to her.
Nevertheless, inevitably, some people would, for various reasons, pierce that barrier and see her true self.
Men aside.
Zeroy's head was filled with killing pests and building a paradise. She never thought about romance or partners.
So when dealing with men, she clearly kept her distance.
With women, however, her guard dropped completely.
One must remember, nonhuman concepts often differed from humans'. Even if they accepted many human norms, some things diverged.
For example, the partner's gender—for nonhumans able to bear children with the same sex or even exchange souls, gender wasn't very important. The desires fulfilled by men couldn't compare to the intimacy of soul-bonding.
"Perhaps… I can't just stand by anymore."
Patchouli murmured.
That black cat was dangerous.
She was pure temptation, a fox spirit. Once she chose her prey, she would strike fiercely and likely effectively.
Yet Patchouli herself was confused too.
She hadn't known Zeroy long, nor had they gone through such dramatic trials together.
She could be sure she felt strong affection for Zeroy, though equally sure it hadn't yet reached the level of partnership.
...
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