It was for this reason that Patchouli had begun to feel something odd about Zeroy's behavior.
However, just as she knew her own feelings, she also knew how unpleasant it had felt to see what had just happened.
If she didn't want to keep feeling that way, she had to do something.
She had to change her own position—otherwise she had no right to interfere in Zeroy's feelings.
As for indirectly influencing Zeroy's emotions from the sidelines under the guise of friendship—that she would never do.
She had read thousands of texts and oceans of books for centuries, not to use her knowledge on such petty things.
More importantly, it was too ugly.
To crave something without voicing one's heart, without paying a price, without changing one's role or relationship, yet still desire what isn't yours, even stooping to manipulative tricks—
It was like longing for a king's power but fearing and refusing the king's responsibility and burden.
Longing to be loved yet unwilling to love, wanting to be cared for, to have someone spend time and energy, yet completely unwilling to care in return.
Too unsightly, too self-centered, too willful and selfish.
Treating outsiders that way might be one thing, yet that should never be the attitude toward a friend, much less someone important.
Rather than caring so much you rack your brains to interfere, it was more like not caring at all—showing no respect.
So she had to do something to change her current state.
Yet just having the resolve to act wasn't enough.
Feeling alone meant nothing if Zeroy felt nothing.
And Zeroy was probably straight.
She might not even have the concept of yuri at all. Judging from Zeroy's conduct and her sense of good and evil, she had likely grown up in human society, in a well-ordered environment.
From Patchouli's observation, in such an environment, it was hard for ordinary people to be exposed to information about same-sex love.
And among women, it was even rarer and more hidden than among men.
Even someone as exceptional as Zeroy might have never encountered such knowledge.
Otherwise, how could she fail to notice people's feelings for her? Surely not from dullness?
Surely not because of her single-mindedness (her mind filled only with killing pests and building paradise)?
So she had to find a way to bend Zeroy.
She'd first test her attitude toward women partners.
If Zeroy reacted negatively…
"…"
Patchouli thought briefly, then quickly reached a decision.
Alright then, just drug her. The kind where she's drooling all night.
...
The next day—
Because Zeroy and Patchouli both had many ways to replenish their strength, when alone, they hardly ate at all.
Their frequency was low—about once every two or three days.
Yet today was an exception.
When they awoke, the clever little stray cat Kuroka had already made breakfast.
With breakfast prepared, Zeroy had no reason to refuse, and so for once she sat down like a normal person for a morning meal.
"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I sat down to a leisurely breakfast like this."
Zeroy couldn't help recalling the past.
She actually liked food, saw tasting various delicacies as one of life's joys.
Since coming to the Main God Space, however, she'd been either killing pests or on her way to kill pests.
Too many things to do, and with her body no longer needing frequent meals to replenish energy, she rarely felt hunger, so it was easy to forget.
And she wasn't much of a cook.
"…"
Patchouli reflected as she listened. She felt much the same.
Back at the Scarlet Devil Mansion, with Sakuya as head maid, even though Patchouli didn't need to eat much, Sakuya still prepared three meals a day, even afternoon tea.
After coming to the Main God Space, Patchouli kept up Sakuya's habit, using magic to make food.
Until she met Zeroy and fell into her rhythm.
Result—practically starving for three days to eat nine meals.
"So you plan to adopt this stray cat?"
Patchouli looked at Kuroka, now in a maid outfit.
Kuroka noticed the gaze and returned a polite smile.
Maid temptation… interesting.
"Pretty much. Patchi, you don't like cats?"
"…They're fine."
Patchouli shook her head, unwilling to talk further on it.
"That's good~"
"What's your view on a pair of partners both being women?"
Abruptly, without lead-in or warning, Patchouli asked the question.
"Uh… women?"
Zeroy blinked, yet didn't think much, treating it as casual chat, just confirming.
"Yes."
"I think it's great. Cute girls with cute girls—just looking is pleasing to the eye, isn't it? Beauty times two, why not?"
Zeroy's tone was light; her good mood showed in her unspoken attitude.
"I see."
Patchouli nodded.
Looks like maybe she didn't need to drug her after all.
However, the plan to drug her stayed in mind. She was still thinking about how to tailor something for Zeroy.
After all, even if Zeroy could accept women, if she wouldn't accept her, that still wouldn't work.
Then she'd still need the drug.
"Patchi, why ask that all of a sudden?"
"No reason. We'll talk after this mission."
"Uh… okay."
Zeroy assumed Patchouli was just making idle talk.
Apparently not. She was curious, yet if Patchouli didn't want to say yet, she wouldn't pry.
"After breakfast, let me see your Longinus."
"Sure."
After agreeing, it was mealtime. Zeroy looked at Kuroka, still standing.
"Don't stand. Sit down and eat with us. You made so much this morning; thank you."
"This… no need, meow."
Kuroka was surprised by Zeroy's friendly, gentle tone.
She froze a moment, then resumed her sly, smiling bad-cat look.
"I'll pass, meow. I'm a pet, meow."
"Pet or maid, as long as you don't betray me or do things I dislike, you're one of us. No need for all that formality and hierarchy."
...
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