Remembering what she had done in that world, Rita felt too ashamed to face anyone.
Lord Ye Feng's terrified expression and helpless retreat had become sharp swords piercing Rita's heart and knees.
The maid knelt down and collapsed, her body bent forward in despair.
ORZ.....
Right now, Rita's mind was filled with the image of a steaming hot sausage.
Why had she become like that?
Recalling the scene, she remembered feeling at the time that her actions were completely natural and logical.
It was as if her consciousness had been tampered with... Hmm?
Rita's pupils suddenly contracted.
Perhaps that was really it. Was it because of that pure white space?
Rita "Even Match" Rossweisse's greatest strength wasn't combat, but analysis.
She quickly found the root of the problem.
Her abnormality had to be related to her "cognition" or "psyche."
"Normalizing irrational behavior as common sense"—she had seen similar concepts in certain manga before.
"Mobius..."
Was it her?
"...I can't let this go on."
She thought she was safe after escaping the pure white space, but she hadn't expected the influence to linger.
She had to take the initiative and counter-attack to completely rid herself of Mobius's influence.
This time, Rita didn't go looking for Kiana.
This wasn't exactly a matter of pride.
She stayed alone in her dorm room, quietly waiting for night to fall.
She didn't even go to greet Theresa and the others when they returned from the island.
To be honest, the current Rita was avoiding being seen by others.
After all, she had knelt down and started gulping right there in a public area of St. Freya High School.
Rita needed time to compose herself.
---o---
Meanwhile, Kiana also seemed listless, probably because she had slept with the air conditioner on and her stomach exposed last night.
Right now, whether she was being watched by Lady Theresa or Lady Durandal, Rita would feel a sense of shame.
Kiana also seemed a bit down today. Although Mei could tell she was unhappy, she found it difficult to ask what was wrong as naturally as she used to.
Ever since Kiana had started entering Ye Feng's world, Mei always felt like she was being "rejected" by her.
Whenever she tried to probe a little deeper, Kiana would become evasive and stammer.
Although Mr. Ye Feng said Kiana was working hard for her sake... Mei had no idea what she was working hard on.
If they were truly best friends who shared everything, why couldn't they open up to each other?
With all sorts of thoughts swirling in their minds, the day passed by quickly.
When Mei opened her eyes again, the sky outside was painted with the colors of dusk.
The gentleness of twilight intertwined with the coming night, bringing a deep sense of peace and tranquility.
A young man was on a bench in the slanting sunlight, the light and shadows dappling the stone path. Mei's heart instantly felt as calm as a lotus flower.
"Mr. Ye Feng."
Mei whispered his name and joyfully ran downstairs.
Before Mei could even say hello, her eyes widened in shock, her brain short-circuiting.
"...Ri-Rita, why are you...?"
Mei stared in disbelief at the gracefully approaching maid.
Today, Miss Maid wasn't wearing her uniform. Instead, she was only wearing black silk stockings and high heels.
Her wonderfully moving curves were on full display in the open air.
And they were sheer stockings! The glossy black silk revealed the snow-white skin beneath, and the patent leather of her elegant high heels reflected the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Hmm?"
Rita stood elegantly, her hands folded over her smooth, snow-white abdomen, her lips curved into the same charming smile as always.
"Lady Mei, good evening. You're looking at me like that... is there something on my face?"
Before Mei could answer, Ye Feng stood up first and said with a smile:
"Mei, Rita, good evening."
Rita's calm and composed demeanor, along with Ye Feng's placid response, left Mei utterly bewildered.
Am I overreacting?
But she's only wearing black stockings and high heels!
Mei felt like the world had been turned upside down. She stood frozen in place, even forgetting to be shy.
"Ri-Rita, walking around outside like this..."
"Like this? What is 'like this'?"
"Huh? I mean, your current attire. Um, Mr. Ye Feng is still here..."
"I am here precisely to discuss a matter with Lord Ye Feng. To be more accurate, to make a request."
"?"
Rita was also completely bewildered.
"Isn't it common sense to 'only wear stockings and heels' when discussing problems?"
"Huh?"
Mei was dumbfounded.
Seeing their expressions, Ye Feng was inwardly amused but maintained a calm facade. He said, "Discussing something? What did you want to discuss, Rita?"
"Yes."
Rita turned to Ye Feng, her beautiful curves swaying twice like a droplet of water in the wind. "Lord Ye Feng, it's about Mobius..."
"Oh my, oh my~~ Mobius?"
A voice, as cloyingly sweet as poisoned wine and as stealthy as a snake, suddenly interjected.
A verdant green figure suddenly appeared in their midst.
Mobius stared at Rita, the corners of her mouth curling into a bewitching arc.
"What do you want to do to Mobius?"
"You are...?"
Rita had heard the name "Mobius" from Kiana, who in turn had heard it from Ye Feng.
In reality, neither Rita nor Kiana had ever met Mobius.
Mobius smiled. Her hands wrapped around Ye Feng's arm like vines, her small, soft body pressing against him.
"You can just call me~~ Ye Mei."
"Ye?"
"Of course. I am Father's daughter. Is it strange for my surname to be Ye?"
"Eh? D-Daughter?"
Mei exclaimed in shock.
One shock after another. Mei's brain was about to overheat.
"Heehee, what's wrong, little one? Don't we look like father and daughter?"
This revelation seemed to have a greater impact on Mei than Rita wearing only "stockings + high heels." The young woman's gaze darted back and forth between Ye Feng and Mobius.
"Alright, we're not actually related by blood. It's just this guy's strange hobby. Isn't that right, Father?"
Mobius purred in a sickeningly sweet voice, hugging Ye Feng's arm.
"That's about the gist of it."
Ye Feng just smiled.
Mei's mind was still reeling, while Rita felt a sense of discord.
Mobius chuckled. "Alright, Miss Rita, you want to deal with Mobius too? She's the Ouroboros that devours worlds, you know."
"Too? Lady Ye Mei, you know of Mobius?"
"Of course. No one knows Mobius better than I do."
A flicker of joy appeared in Rita's heart.
It seemed this person was not on good terms with Mobius.
"Let's go somewhere else to talk. Regarding Mobius, you can ask me anything you want to know, Rita."
"Okay, then I shall be in your care, Lady Ye Mei."
Mei watched their departing figures, unsure if she should follow.
Her mind was a complete mess right now.
"Mei, want to come with?"
Ye Feng's voice came from ahead.
"Ah, o-okay."
Mei started walking and followed them.
She also wanted to know what was wrong with Miss Rita, and about this Mobius person.
---o---
On the rooftop.
Kiana was sullenly admiring the infinitely beautiful sunset when her gaze fell upon a corner of the garden.
"Eh?"
Ye Feng, Mei, Rita—who was only wearing stockings and high heels—and someone she didn't recognize.
Kiana instantly leaped up like a cat with its fur on end.
Wait, where are they going? And what are they planning to do!?