Mash wore a troubled expression, carefully choosing her words as she tried to explain Aiden Cross's intentions.
Meanwhile—
In Zero's star-like eyes, something shifted.
A faint blush spread across her face.
"Zero?"
"…Language is truly fascinating."
"I understand the meaning of the word. But when I apply something as simple as that… to Aiden…"
"…My heart feels strange."
Mash blinked.
"No—wait. Zero, that's not just 'strange.' That's a very specific kind of strange."
Zero placed a hand over her chest, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Aiden having feelings for Stella —that is natural."
"But… I feel uncomfortable. I don't understand why."
Mash sighed.
"Honestly… that's called jealousy."
"Jealousy? That sounds sour. I don't like sour things."
"…Not that kind of sour!"
Mash nearly melted on the spot.
Zero was too adorable.
But this—
This was now a romantic crisis.
Help Stella ?
Or help Zero?
Mash froze.
Internal conflict.
Ten seconds of intense mental debate—
And then—
She made a heroic decision.
Help both.
"Anyway," Mash said, regaining composure,
"Zero, do you also want your relationship with Aiden to go further?"
"…Yes."
Zero covered her slightly flushed cheeks and nodded softly.
"Alright!"
Mash slapped her hands together.
"Then we prepare!"
"Prepare?"
"Exactly! From what I know, Aiden has been a lifelong single—zero dating experience."
"So his first date must absolutely not be given away to Stella !"
"…Eh?"
"Boys always remember their first."
Mash pushed up imaginary glasses, fully entering Love Master Mode.
"If we're helping both sides, we can't let you lose at the starting line."
Zero nodded seriously, absorbing this "advanced human knowledge."
"First step—invite Aiden on a date before Stella does."
"Mm."
"Second step—get new clothes!"
"Clothes?"
Zero tilted her head.
"My current clothes are sufficient. If needed, I can simply create more."
As she spoke, her fingertips moved slightly—
A terrifying level of spirit energy quietly flowed within her.
Mash froze.
Right.
Zero could literally copy any outfit perfectly.
In fact—
What she was wearing right now was copied from Mash.
Mash immediately crossed her arms in an X.
"That's NOT the point!"
"This is about aura!"
"You don't go into battle wearing borrowed armor!"
"If anything, I've been thinking this for a while—Zero should wear cute clothes!"
Mash declared passionately.
Zero blinked.
"…Cute?"
Mash paused.
Her brain… stopped.
She had absolutely no idea what counted as fashionable.
After a moment of silence—
Mash sighed.
"…Alright. This isn't my specialty."
"We need backup."
She walked to the corner of the library, pulled out her phone, and made a call.
"Hello, this is Mash. I'm in the library—I need help with choosing outfits…"
Click.
The call was cut.
Seven minutes later—
Rapid footsteps echoed through the quiet library.
A pink twin-tailed girl burst in—
Wearing a light pink dress, with a massive weapon strapped to her back.
Crimson Sniper.
"I heard everything!"
She rushed over excitedly and grabbed Mash's hands.
"Finally decided to dress up, huh?! With your looks, wearing the same outfit every day is a crime!"
"So—what style? Do we have time? Let's go shopping right now—"
"…It's not for me."
"Eh?"
Crimson Sniper blinked.
Mash pointed.
Crimson Sniper turned.
Saw Zero.
And froze.
"…What is THIS divine-level beauty?!"
She stared.
Five full seconds.
Then jolted back to reality.
"…That's the girl who's always beside the President, right?!"
Crimson Sniper took a deep breath.
"…Okay. I understand now."
"We're dressing her up so the President completely loses his mind, right?"
Mash nodded seriously.
"Exactly."
Zero sat quietly, watching the two girls plan her transformation like she was some kind of project.
She didn't fully understand.
But—
They seemed confident.
Very confident.
So she entrusted everything to them.
After all…
Compared to her—
They were probably…
Maybe…
Possibly…
More reliable.
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx