If Kars were to follow Hong Meiling's definition, he felt like he fit the description of a terrible person right now.
"Kars?" Hong Meiling looked at Kars, whose face had suddenly darkened. She wondered if her words had scared him, but she didn't think she had said anything too frightening. Perhaps he was reacting this way because he now saw his behavior as that of a terrible person? Thinking this, Hong Meiling found it quite possible. Children could be frightened by things that weren't actually serious, so his reaction was normal after what she said.
"It's okay, Kars. It was an accident, so you don't need to worry. Just talk to the Mistress properly, and she definitely won't blame you."
Kars simply nodded at Hong Meiling's words. He wasn't focused on that problem anymore. He wanted to ask Patchouli about the things Hong Meiling had just said.
"Well, Meiling, I have to go now."
"Oh, alright." Hong Meiling watched the visibly anxious Kars run off, feeling slightly concerned.
Kars ran into the Great Library and immediately entered Patchouli's room. Patchouli, who hadn't slept with Kars, was fully dressed as usual. Hearing the commotion at the door, she rose to check.
"Kars?" Patchouli was surprised to see Kars rush to her room so early in the morning.
"Patchouli, I have something I need to ask you. Am I a terrible person?"
"Huh? Why are you suddenly saying that?" Patchouli was confused, unable to understand what Kars was thinking when he asked such a question.
"A girl's chest isn't something you can just touch casually, right? That kind of behavior is wrong, isn't it?"
Patchouli: •﹏• Wh-why is he suddenly thinking this way? Did something happen that made Kars realize something?
"A person who touches a girl's chest randomly is a terrible person, and since I keep doing this, does that make me that kind of person?"
"Of course not! How could you be a terrible person, Kars! Who told you that?" Patchouli immediately refuted his statement and demanded to know who told him such a thing. She had relied on Kars's innocence about these matters to get this far, and if this situation caused Kars to start resisting, all her efforts would be wasted.
"Meiling told me. When I woke up today, I found I had bitten Little Auntie's chest. Then she told me that a girl's chest shouldn't be touched, or even bitten, so casually. And since I do this often, doesn't that make me the worst kind of person?"
Hong Meiling… she told Kars something like that? Fortunately, she hadn't said too much, or the impact would have been greater. However, this was also an opportunity.
"There's nothing fundamentally wrong with what she said, but Meiling didn't explain the full picture. It's true that a girl's chest shouldn't be touched casually, but, if it's touched by someone she likes, then there's no problem. After all, Kars, have you ever seen me get angry at you for doing that?"
"N-no. So, if it's someone you like, then it's okay?"
"Yes, exactly. Because I like you, Kars, I don't mind whatever you do. My answer is that I like you." Patchouli's reply made Kars feel a little shy, and he slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is that really how it is?"
"Yes. When someone likes you, they allow you to do many things that others can't. For example, what you mentioned—touching a girl's chest—and kissing. These are things reserved for people you like, as are other things I haven't even taught you yet." By framing it this way, many of their actions suddenly became acceptable, and the reason was simple: there was no problem because they liked each other.
"And sometimes, kissing is a way to express your feelings for someone." This actually gave Patchouli a more suitable justification than she had before. She hadn't thought of using this angle previously. If Kars readily accepted this reasoning, she wouldn't have to resort to sneaking around at night.
"After all, think about it: if you didn't like the person, would you do the same things with them that you do with us?"
"No." Kars shook his head, starting to accept this explanation.
"So, what we're doing is perfectly fine, and Kars, you are not a terrible person. There is absolutely no problem with our relationship."
"So, is it okay if I do those things to Little Auntie, too?"
"Hmm… it should be, but your relationship with Remilia isn't quite the same as ours. However, that doesn't mean it's completely acceptable. Kars, you know that yourself, don't you?" Patchouli couldn't guarantee this 100%, because if Kars were to do something to Remilia as a result, she might be discovered.
"Mhm." Kars definitely knew this. He still remembered the trouble caused by kissing Little Auntie Flandre, so was his Little Auntie a special case?
"Do you have any other questions?" Seeing that Kars seemed to accept her explanation, Patchouli felt satisfied and asked if he needed her to clarify anything else.
"Well, Patchouli, I feel like I need to figure out a way to solve my sleeping problem. Since I bit Little Auntie this time, I don't think I should let this continue."
"I'll think of something about that." Since she was responsible for the situation, and now that she had a better reason to continue their intimacy, whether Kars had that problem or not was irrelevant.
"That's great! I'm going to go eat breakfast then." Hearing Patchouli's promise, Kars felt overjoyed. His previous worries vanished, and he headed off for breakfast.
"Young Master Kars, did something good happen?" Sakuya noticed Kars smiling happily and asked curiously.
"Yes, I learned some things I didn't know before, and a problem that was bothering me got solved."
"Is that so? That's wonderful. Please enjoy your breakfast then." After Sakuya set the breakfast down, Kars suddenly remembered something and asked her.
"Hey! Sakuya, do you like me?"