One day, Konan invited Mei Terumi to her home for lunch and asked whether there had been any progress between her and His Majesty lately.
The question immediately brought a troubled look to Mei Terumi's face.
"What's wrong?" Konan asked with a laugh.
"Nothing. It's still the same as before," Mei Terumi said.
"Then... what about Pakura?" Konan asked again.
"Her? Same as before," Mei Terumi said after a brief pause.
Konan still did not know that the two of them had joined forces. That day, they had discussed how to gain His Majesty's notice and favor, and had mentioned bringing Konan into their camp.
But Mei Terumi was deeply opposed to such a thing. In her eyes, Konan was a very good friend, and Konan herself was not without someone she liked. Mei Terumi was unwilling to forcibly break them apart.
Yet Mei Terumi truly longed to get close to His Majesty. That was why she felt so troubled.
Konan was rather surprised. "You two haven't done anything?"
"Done what?"
"..."
Konan still clearly remembered what the two had said while drinking that day. They had talked about seeing who would gain His Majesty's favor first.
"That was just drunken nonsense," Mei Terumi said with a faint smile.
"Do you really expect me to find His Majesty and tell him I like him?"
Konan looked at Mei Terumi and suddenly said, "Why not? If you like someone, why can't you tell them how you feel?"
Mei Terumi's expression froze. Konan was absolutely right, but he was the Emperor, not an ordinary person.
Besides, His Majesty already knew how she felt.
After a moment of silence, she put on an indifferent smile. "Why are you suddenly so concerned about this? I remember you wanted to set me up with Nagato.