After saying "Is that so," the witch fell silent, as though pondering something.
Zeroy waited nervously for Patchouli's response, inwardly berating herself for not noticing Patchouli pushing open the door. It wasn't that she hadn't locked it. In fact, these doors were like the ones commonly used in the human world—automatically locking.
Patchouli had only entered so easily because of magic. And Zeroy had failed to sense the small unlocking spell she had cast.
If not for Patchouli sitting before her now, Zeroy would probably already have buried herself under her covers, drowning in regret and frustration.
After all, this was her first love. She had wanted to confess properly, and even if rejected, at least it would have been clear. Instead, such a sudden mess had occurred. This confession was utterly disastrous. It was like blurting out "I used your photo to power my spell" as a confession—ridiculous.
"Drink this."
Patchouli drew from her storage space a vial of potion—pink, in a heart-shaped bottle. That was her answer.
One thing to note: for all Zeroy had said, she had only revealed her orientation and her fear that Patchouli might dislike her for it. As for what Patchouli truly cared about—her feelings for Zeroy, and Zeroy's feelings for her—Zeroy had not actually expressed them.
So Patchouli only knew Zeroy didn't reject women, not whether she was interested in her, nor what feelings she held.
"Uh… what is this?" Zeroy instinctively reached for it, yet hesitated when she saw the peculiar appearance. It looked… off.
"A potion that incites desire. I intend to drug you."
Patchouli's calm voice and expression carried shocking words.
"Eh… Eh??!! Wh-why?" Zeroy could not comprehend the logic, nor why she would suddenly be given such a drug. And how was this done openly, right in front of her? Wasn't drugging supposed to be sneaky? Why was she acting like she meant to force it down her throat?
"At this point, regardless of what you think, I must drug you."
The inherently wicked Sky Striker Ace had become too tempting a prey. Heavy measures were required!
"Don't make it sound like I forced you into this! How did the topic turn into this?"
"Why?"
If Zeroy had resisted yuri, Patchouli would never have chosen such a method. That would only have destroyed their bond. Yet if Zeroy did not resist… that was different.
If Zeroy, not resisting, did harbor such feelings for her, the potion would simply hasten what was natural. If Zeroy, not resisting, did not feel that way, then the potion would still push her into it. At this point, it would not break them apart—because even if Zeroy had no feelings, she would not reject it so harshly.
Though… the potion in her hand was only for show. She had never researched anything that could actually overwhelm Zeroy. Ultimately, it was Zeroy's fault. Who told her to say so many sweet words just now? Wasn't that tempting her to act?
"Drink!"
The witch thrust the vial at Zeroy. Zeroy was forced to take it, still bewildered as she held the pink potion.
"So, Patchi, you still haven't said why."
"..."
Patchouli fell silent again. It wasn't that she forgot why. It was that when the words of confession reached her lips, she found them terribly difficult to say.
"…Patchi?"
"..."
The witch pressed her lips together. Facing Zeroy's questioning gaze, for a moment she even thought of giving up—of taking the potion herself. It wouldn't work on Zeroy, but on her it certainly would.
Then, with its effects, she could force herself to say everything. Nevertheless, she rejected that almost instantly. Her first love should not be carried out with cowardice, shortcuts, or escapism.
"..."
Head bowed, Patchouli leaned closer. Under Zeroy's puzzled stare, she seized her collar and pushed her down onto the sofa.
"Patchi?"
"..."
Patchouli buried her face against Zeroy's chest, blocking her from seeing her expression. After a long moment, her muffled voice came—
"You… how do you see me? In terms of feelings… do you like me?"
"…Of course I like you." After a pause, Zeroy answered seriously. "And not just as a best friend. I like you as someone I want our relationship to go further, to become lovers."
To her, she had already said as much earlier when revealing her orientation. At least, that was what she thought. She hadn't realized she'd never clearly said she wanted to be Patchouli's lover. Since she believed she had, saying it now felt less tense and more earnest.
"I see…"
From her arms, Zeroy heard Patchouli exhale in relief.
"So do I…"
"Hm?"
"I said, me too… I want our relationship to move forward, to become lovers." Patchouli paused, then continued. "Before this, ever since I mentioned yuri, you've been deliberately avoiding me, haven't you?"
"Ah… that was…"
"I thought you had realized my feelings, yet hated such things… That you avoided me, perhaps even began to reject me…"
"How could that be? I'd never reject you, Patchi." Zeroy quickly denied it, even as a thought flashed in her mind. So they had both thought the other was rejecting them… how absurd…
"Before I came here, I was already prepared for only one answer—'No.'"
Buried against her, Patchouli's violet hair spilled like a waterfall, hiding her faintly trembling shoulders.
Her voice was soft, almost self-whispered. She paused, slender fingers unconsciously clutching her sleeve. "Yet I still felt I had to say it. I couldn't let vague feelings breed misunderstanding… Most of all, I had to speak the feelings I kept hidden."
"But this is… wonderful…"
At last, the witch raised her head. That face, usually calm as ice and distant as the moon, was now tinged pink at the eyes and nose. Yet it also bore a radiant smile, like violets blooming beneath the night sky.
"Wonderful…" Patchouli's voice trembled softly. "It didn't turn out that way after all."
...
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