"Does Patchouli think my current approach is bad? If so, I'll try a different method." Kars said immediately after hearing Patchouli's comment, ready to change his style of combat.
"It's fine, you don't need to worry about my opinion. Just use the method you think is best. You don't need to change anything just because of me." Patchouli shook her head. She wasn't so stubborn as to force Kars down a path she preferred. She would be happy if he followed her lead, but it wasn't a necessity.
"Then I just want to change it myself." Kars quickly rephrased his intention. Patchouli couldn't help but smile at this, pulling Kars into a hug. She was touched and pleased by what he said.
"You've become quite good at being charming lately. Have you been putting a lot of thought into this?"
"No, but I have learned a lot recently from being with Koakuma."
With Koakuma, huh? Patchouli started to wonder what else might have happened during that time. Remembering what Koakuma was doing in her room earlier, she hesitated, debating whether to pay more attention to the situation or stop it altogether. What if Koakuma did something inappropriate without her knowing?
As she thought about it, Patchouli's mind involuntarily started to wander, conjuring up an image of Koakuma and a clueless Kars doing something unspeakable in a corner of the Great Library.
"Patchouli, why is your face so red too? Why have both you and Koakuma been blushing lately?"
"Ah? Nothing, it's just a little warm." Patchouli replied calmly, though she noted Kars's comment. Koakuma has also been blushing frequently recently? It seemed that Koakuma had definitely been entertaining improper thoughts. It was absolutely necessary to stop this.
"Kars, why did you ask Koakuma for help with this?"
"Because after analyzing everyone, I felt only Koakuma was suitable. My little aunts weren't a good fit, Sakuya didn't have the time, and while I thought you'd be great, I didn't want to bother you. So I had to choose between Koakuma and Meiling."
"And you chose Koakuma in the end." Patchouli listened to Kars's reasoning and nodded slightly. It made sense logically. However, now that she was aware of the situation, things would change.
"I can actually help too. That way, I can teach you more about magic at the same time. But the main reason is that I don't feel comfortable leaving you with Koakuma. If she tries something again, I won't always be around to stop it. So, it might be best if I handle this."
Kars was surprised by Patchouli's willingness to help, but he mostly didn't understand her reasoning.
"Not comfortable leaving me? I don't see why you'd worry about me. And what's wrong with what Koakuma did?"
"Of course, there's a problem! She's having inappropriate thoughts about you! Like when she was undressing in front of you earlier in the room—do you know what she was thinking?"
Kars shook his head. How could he know what Koakuma was thinking?
"I don't know. But Koakuma just asked if I wanted to look. Is there a problem with that?"
"Yes, there is a huge problem! That was her trying to seduce you! Kars, you must remain calm and cautious when something like that happens, understood?" While cautioning Kars, Patchouli became even more convinced that Koakuma harbored pedophilic intentions. Why else would she say something like that?
"She was trying to seduce me? I didn't feel that at all. If I wanted to look, I'd rather look at you, Patchouli, because yours are bigger and softer. It's very comfortable to lie on them."
Patchouli: (´,,•ω•,,｀)
For a moment, Patchouli was speechless. Kars was saying this so seriously, without a hint of embarrassment, as if stating the most ordinary fact. It made her incredibly shy.
"Don't ever say things like that in front of anyone else, understood? I wouldn't be able to show my face in public."
"Oh, I understand." Kars agreed immediately. He had never failed to follow through on promises of this nature, so Patchouli wasn't worried that he would say something like that in front of others.
"But I already agreed with Koakuma to let her help me with this. And I actually think it's going very well. I've learned a lot, I know how to treat someone I like, and I genuinely feel happy when I'm with Koakuma."
"Wh-what are you saying now? You're making things embarrassing!" Koakuma, who had just finished changing and came out, heard Kars's words and instantly turned crimson. This guy was truly thoughtless, broadcasting everything.
"I'm not! I'm just saying what I think. I truly like Koakuma."
Stop! Please stop! I can't handle this!
Patchouli watched the two of them, specifically looking at Koakuma, who was currently blushing like an apple. Although Kars's words made her look like she wanted to disappear, the involuntary smile playing on her lips revealed her true inner turmoil.
If this continued, Koakuma would surely do something regrettable. Thinking of that possibility, Patchouli spoke up.
"Koakuma, I will take over Kars's training from now on."
"Eh? Lady Patchouli, what are you saying? You'll take over Kars?" Koakuma's expression went from confusion to nervousness.
"Yes. I feel it's necessary for me to do this. That way, I can also better teach Kars about magic." Facing Patchouli's intense gaze, Koakuma grew even more nervous. She understood the situation was a direct result of what happened in her room earlier.
Does Lady Patchouli think I'll do something inappropriate, and that's why she's stopping me from continuing this?
The thought made Koakuma feel terrible. This meant no more of the "benefits" she had been enjoying!
Koakuma: ヾ(༎ຶД༎ຶ)ﾉ"