"But before you make good on your thanks, go get some proper sleep and recover first."
Hundreds of high-speed simulations, in the later stages, even running several at once, meant she had effectively carried out hundreds upon hundreds of rapid simulations.
This took a heavy toll on Zeroy.
The physical drain was easier to recover from, yet the mental strain was not so simple.
There were medicines to restore mental fatigue, although they were far more expensive than healing potions and not nearly as effective.
Barring special circumstances, the wisest choice was simply to sleep.
"Alright."
Zeroy agreed.
When she returned to her room to rest, Patchouli followed her inside.
Facing Zeroy's confusion, she made a suggestion.
She intended to help Zeroy rest—specifically, a lap pillow combined with magic.
In the past, Zeroy would have immediately accepted.
There was no reason to refuse. Their relationship was already close; it would help restore her mind, and their good relationship had always made Zeroy willing to be close to Patchouli.
Yet this time, having awakened something inside her, she hesitated.
Patchouli noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"...N-nothing. Sorry to trouble you, Patchi..."
Zeroy forced a smile and agreed.
It was only a lap pillow, and she was exhausted, her mind filled entirely with simulations. She had no energy to think about anything else; she just wanted to rest.
So it should be fine—not taking advantage.
Zeroy was not good at lying, at least not to her own people, especially without preparation.
Thus, Patchouli still saw the abnormality in Zeroy's smile.
She didn't say anything, only kept the hesitation in mind.
Then came the lap pillow. As Zeroy rested, Patchouli's palm glowed faintly with magic.
A spell for sleep. Combined with Zeroy's lack of distracting thoughts, steady breaths soon followed.
Patchouli cast her spell with one hand while the other gently caressed Zeroy's head.
Then her hand slid slowly to Zeroy's cheek, and finally down to her slightly parted, moist lips.
The glow of magic subtly shifted, from pale blue to pink.
...
Clap—
The crack of a book spine striking wood echoed in the empty library.
A blonde girl braced her elbow against the bookshelf, trapping the witch between her arm and the wall of books. The scent of paper filled the space between them, loose pages rustling at their feet.
Her lips curved in a provocative smile, locking onto those calm violet eyes.
"Patchi, you're always so composed. Even now... still the same."
Zeroy's voice, laced with heated breath, brushed past Patchouli's ear, as if deliberately probing her limits.
Her thigh pressed forward slightly, brushing between Patchouli's legs—bold, yet tinged with teasing restraint.
"..." Patchouli's gaze flicked coldly toward Zeroy's thigh, her expression as calm as a still lake, without a ripple.
Moments later—
She finally turned her head slightly and spoke softly, her tone carrying a warning.
"You'd better calm down, Zeroy. Stop now while you still can. Magic activates faster than you think."
"Yet you haven't used it. Are you afraid of hurting me?"
Zeroy's smile grew sweeter, while her eyes gleamed with cunning.
"Patchi, that look on your face doesn't seem like rejection at all. If anything... it makes me want to keep going."
"..."
Patchouli didn't respond, only narrowed her eyes, as though gauging her intentions.
Zeroy's fingertips gathered an invisible sword aura. With a delicate stroke, Patchouli's conservative robe split open, revealing a glimpse of pale skin.
Her hand slipped inside, light and unhurried, leaving time to react.
"..."
Patchouli's brow furrowed slightly.
One of her hands was pinned high against the bookshelf by Zeroy, while the other, still free, shot out and clamped firmly onto Zeroy's wrist.
"That won't do, Patchi."
Zeroy chuckled, teasing. "If you really wanted to resist, you'd at least use magic. This soft resistance just makes me think you're playing hard to get."
With a twist of her wrist, she slipped free of Patchouli's grip.
And just as Zeroy's palm brushed that soft skin, Patchouli's eyes finally flickered. A trace of panic, subtle but real, broke through her usual calm. Even her breath skipped.
Her lashes trembled as her gaze dropped, like wind rippling across a lake.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks, delicate as a rose blooming under moonlight.
"If you don't resist now, it'll be too late."
"..."
Patchouli made no response. It was as if she were silently acquiescing—or perhaps too shaken by the suddenness to react at all.
"Then I'll just..."
Zeroy released her grip on the witch's hand and tilted her chin upward.
"..."
"..."
"—!?"
Zeroy jolted awake in bed, instinctively clutching her wildly pounding heart.
W-why would I dream of something like that?!
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm the deafening rhythm in her ears.
Yet once closed, her mind only replayed the dream.
The witch's calm face replaced with flushed cheeks, her violet eyes hazy and misted.
Zeroy bit her tongue, forcing herself back to composure with sheer will. Only then did her heartbeat begin to settle.
She opened her eyes and scanned the room, searching.
Her gaze soon landed on Patchouli, asleep beside her.
It seemed she'd stayed after lulling Zeroy to sleep, choosing to rest as well.
In the past, this would've been nothing. Two close girls sleeping together was normal.
Now—absolutely not!
Zeroy scrambled back, putting distance between them.
She had never dreamed something like this before—not since her reincarnation.
And in the dream, she had been... so forward. In special relationships, she leaned toward taking the lead, yes, although not like that. Their first time should have been far more harmonious.
Damn it! Has it really been that long since I've had release?!
No, it shouldn't be. I haven't even felt repressed lately.
"Mm..."
Patchouli stirred awake.
At the sound, Zeroy instinctively pulled even farther away.
"..."
Patchouli caught this reaction again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly—this was not quite the reaction she'd expected, nor the one she'd hoped for.
...
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