"Hm~ hmm hmm hmm~~~"
Humming a cheerful, unknown tune, Mash Shieldheart walked through the library of the Hero Alliance headquarters with light, bouncy steps.
Clearly—
She was in a very good mood.
"…Hm?"
As she passed a bookshelf, Mash suddenly stopped.
Her humming ceased.
Because in the otherwise quiet and empty library—
Someone else was here.
Normally, only a few people ever came to read:
Child EmperorTony StarkMash
But Child Emperor had already been transferred to the African Branch, and Tony was locked away developing a new suit.
Mash had assumed she'd be alone.
"…What are you doing here, Zero?"
"Mash."
Zero turned her angelic face toward her, gently brushing aside her long hair.
Though she wasn't officially part of the Hero Alliance, her close relationship with Aiden Cross had already become a hot topic of gossip.
Walking closer, Mash noticed what Zero was hiding.
A book.
…No.
A dictionary.
Zero's talent was terrifying.
In just one month, she had nearly mastered every language on Earth.
Only a few rare nuances still confused her.
Mash sat beside her, smoothing her skirt.
"Something you don't understand? If you trust me, I can help."
She puffed out her chest confidently.
After more than a month together, any suspicion had long vanished. Zero was simply too straightforward—and too adorable—to doubt.
"Really? That would help… a lot."
Zero frowned slightly, clearly troubled.
"Language is… very complex."
"I try to understand it. But depending on the situation, and the emotions attached, meanings change."
"I thought I understood before… but now I'm not sure if I truly did…"
Mash blinked.
…Her brain stopped working.
She scratched her short purple hair.
Even she had to admit—
Zero was on another level entirely.
After all, this was someone who had mastered all of the Ancient One's magic in a single month.
"…So, what exactly did Aiden say to you?"
Mash narrowed her eyes slightly.
If Aiden Cross had dared to take advantage of Zero's lack of understanding—say something inappropriate or misleading—
She would personally introduce his face to her shield.
Zero quietly pointed at the open dictionary.
One word was written clearly:
Date
"Aiden told me… that tomorrow, he will go on a date with Stella Nightfall."
"…Eh?!"
Mash's eyes widened.
That fast?!
She had only just coached Stella —
And she already succeeded?!
Stella … you aggressive attacker…
"So," Zero continued seriously, "what does 'date' mean?"
"D-Date, huh…"
Mash awkwardly scratched her cheek.
"Well… you're not wrong. Basically, it means Aiden wants to go out with Stella ."
Zero tilted her head.
"But I go out with Aiden and Stella all the time. He shows us around the city."
"…That's… different."
Mash struggled.
"It's about your relationship. Stella wants to move forward—not just friendship, but… romance."
Mash felt pressure.
A lot of pressure.
She had zero experience herself—
Yet here she was, explaining love to a genius who analyzed everything to the core.
After listening, Zero seemed thoughtful.
"…So?"
Mash asked.
"Do you understand now?"
Zero nodded slowly.
"…Does that mean Stella wants to reproduce with Aiden?"
"PFF—!!"
Mash nearly choked.
That was—
Technically not wrong.
But also extremely wrong.
"That escalated way too fast?!"
Mash waved her hands frantically.
"No, no! That's… the final stage! A date is what comes before that!"
Zero blinked.
"…I misunderstood?"
"Y-Yes… kind of. A date is when someone expresses their feelings. Stella likes Aiden and wants to get closer to him."
Mash sighed.
Explaining this was exhausting.
Absolutely exhausting.
"…I see."
Zero nodded again, this time more certain.
Mash leaned back.
I need to study romance books… urgently…
Otherwise—
There was no way she could survive Zero's questions.
Thus—
Mash Shieldheart,
Self-proclaimed Love Expert (Provisional),
Quietly realized—
She was completely out of her depth.
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx