Otto's mind was on the verge of collapse. It suddenly occurred to him that he could have just taken a bite or two from each plate and then praised Mei for her gradual improvement.
But after eating that first plate, the indescribable substance had somehow gone to his head.
I've already eaten one whole plate of this... this stuff that tastes like sewage sludge. If I don't use this to max out Mei's affection, it'll be a total loss.
In for a penny, in for a pound. He'd already eaten one plate; he might as well eat them all.
So, he braced himself and finished everything.
And as it turned out, the effect was excellent.
Although it was a bit deliberate, and Mei probably knew Otto was putting on a show for her, he would use any tactic, even a cliché one, as long as it worked.
It was just like the sweet nothings he whispered to Kiana. As long as a single one got through to her, it was a massive win for Otto.
Looking at Mei's tear-streaked face, Otto revealed a smile, forcing back the nausea in his mouth as he used his right hand to wipe away her tears.
"There's nothing to cry about. I'm looking forward to your next attempt."
"But don't be distracted. Perfect one dish before you move on to the next."
"Just like when you look at me, don't think of anyone else."
Otto chuckled. He could tell that the black masses were all different dishes. It was obvious Mei had tried to make everything at once, and as a result, had perfected nothing.
"Okay."
Mei nodded, letting Otto's hand wipe away her tears.
She didn't understand why she was crying. She was supposed to be a very strong person, but... in that moment, she just couldn't stop the tears.
"I'm very happy that you have such a sentiment, but you also need to pay attention to your rest."
Otto gently wiped away Mei's tears. The faint dark circles under her eyes were a testament to her effort. As his fingers brushed across her cheek, they suddenly paused.
A bold and immature idea suddenly popped into his head.
He took a step forward.
"Mr. Otto...?"
Her back was against the wall. Mei stared blankly at the man before her as his handsome face drew closer and closer.
Suddenly, Mei understood.
He wants to kiss me.
Mei was at a complete loss. She didn't know where to put her hands and could only press them against Otto's chest, but she found she had no strength to push him away.
It was as if all her energy had been drained away by him.
The heart in her chest hammered violently, a deafening drumbeat in her ears.
She felt like she was about to go limp in his arms.
"Mei, close your eyes," Otto said softly. He wrapped an arm tightly around her waist. It trembled slightly under his touch, delicate and smooth, making Otto want to hold the lovely girl even closer.
He felt that now was the perfect time.
Otto knew that the relationship between him and Mei was currently "more than friends, less than lovers."
Affection wasn't the same as love. A budding emotion needed more catalysts to blossom into true love.
But sometimes, taking one proactive step forward was all it took to advance a relationship.
And Otto just so happened to be that kind of assertive man.
They could feel each other's breath. Mei looked at Otto timidly; her maidenly modesty made her want to refuse.
But... it was as if she was also anticipating something.
Otto looked at Mei's soft pink lips and lowered his head slightly.
He kissed her directly.
It was a little cool, but incredibly soft.
And...
Electric.
Otto silently lifted his head and then stuck out a small part of his tongue.
He couldn't help it; his tongue was completely numb from the electricity.
Good grief, am I kissing a Pikachu?
(Mei.jpg)
"Miss Herrscher, do you want to be kissed by me that badly?"
Otto looked at the Herrscher in his arms. Her scarlet eyes flickered with faint arcs of electricity. Her previous delicate appearance was swept away, replaced by the imperious Thunder Queen who looked down upon the world.
The moment Otto had kissed her, Miss Herrscher had taken control of the body.
This body had lost its first kiss, but Mei's first kiss was still hers.
"Human, get lost."
Miss Herrscher, her cheeks flushed, spoke in a cold voice. Although her tone was icy, her struggles were feeble.
Without sufficient Honkai energy and without the Seven Thunders of Retribution, she could only rely on Mei's physical body. She was no match for Otto.
There was only one reason she had appeared.
To bear everything for that silly girl.
Because she, who was always watching Mei, knew with absolute clarity:
If this man truly kissed her, that simple-minded silly girl would completely fall for him, without even the chance to struggle in the mire.
Honestly.
Purple arcs of electricity danced across her body. Otto felt a tingling numbness spread through him, but he continued to hold Miss Herrscher. Her hands were pressed against his chest, trying to push him away, but no matter how much she struggled, it was futile.
Just as he would never let Mei go, Otto would never let Miss Herrscher go either.
"You're much fiercer today than you were a few days ago," Otto said with a smile. He noticed that the electricity from Miss Herrscher was stronger than before. Did Pikachu evolve into Raichu? Or did Keqing evolve into Razor?
"Let go of me."
But the wild and untamable Herrscher did not answer his question.
Her arrogant voice was laced with a chilling coldness, exuding a haughty and domineering aura from within.
However, the only response she received was another of Otto's kisses.
"If you don't accept this, then you can switch back to Mei."
"Whether it's you or Mei, I will refuse neither."
"Because in the end, I want you both."
Otto kissed Miss Herrscher, and she could only accept it. Beyond that, there was nothing she could do.
She couldn't switch back. The doting Miss Herrscher would never let Mei experience this. That silly girl was already wrapped around Otto's finger; an intimate act like this would be the final straw that broke her.
Therefore, Miss Herrscher could only endure it all herself.
Mei would remain completely oblivious.
The numbing sweetness in his mouth intoxicated Otto, sweeping away the previous unpleasantness. If every day could be like this, he wouldn't mind eating any amount of dark cuisine.
"Miss Herrscher, would you like to join my Schicksal?" Otto asked during a moment when they broke for air, only to receive a single word in response: "Scram."
Such a wild mare.
But that was precisely what made her worth taming.
"You really aren't willing?"
"I will treat Mei well. I won't make her do anything she doesn't want to do."
"I think she's very suited to stay by my side and make me lunch and dinner."
He placed his hands on either side of Miss Herrscher's head, cupping her face. It was a pity this was an incomplete awakening, so she hadn't grown horns. It left Otto without a proper handle.
"Then... what about breakfast?" Miss Herrscher asked, a little breathless.
Otto released her lips and whispered in her ear, his voice filled with domineering intent.
"You and Mei are breakfast."
Although, you two might have quite a few workplace competitors.
(Tough job market.jpg)
Otto smiled faintly, about to lean in for another kiss.
He was just getting started; he could kiss her hundreds of times and never grow tired. And until he grew tired, Miss Herrscher would not allow Mei's personality to surface.
However, the terminal in his pocket suddenly rang.
Otto frowned slightly.
It wasn't just because he was interrupted, but because very few people could contact him.
And when they did, it usually meant something unexpected had happened.