I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before finally speaking. "My power is... Lie bees truth."

  Patchouli's eyes widened, and I could see her mind already pieg things together. "So that's why," she murmured, a look of realization dawning on her face. "That time when you said I was a healthy girl... You were lying, weren't you?"

  I nodded. "Yes. I lied, but I acted as if it were the truth. And because you didn't believe me, my ability took effect, g your anemia and asthma."

  Patchouli leaned back, her eyes fixated oh newfound curiosity. " I see it in a?" she asked, her voice calm yet eager.

  "Sure," I replied, reag over to the table and pig up her cup of coffee. I held it in my hand and looked at her seriously. "This is water."

  Both Patchouli and Koakuma stared at the cup, their faces bnk. For a moment, nothing happehe liquid in the cup didn't ge its appearaill dark and steaming with the familiar st of coffee. Patchouli hesitated, then took a small sip. Her expression remained ral.

  "It's still coffee," she said, her tone slightly disappointed.

  I chuckled. "Try it again."

  Patchouli gave me a skeptical look but took another sip. Her eyes widened in shock. "This... It tastes like water!"

  Koakuma's mouth fell open, and she took a step closer, staring at the cup ihat's incredible... It was coffee just a moment ago!"

  I smiled, watg their astonishment. Patchouli looked at the cup, then back at me. "So, it didn't ge physically... but the truth of it became water to me."

  "Exactly," I firmed. "It only works if someone doesn't believe my lie. As long as even one person doubts me, the lie bees reality... for them."

  Koakuma's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Wait, then... Wouldn't you bee a god if you just lied about it? Like, if you said, 'I am a god,' wouldn't you really bee one?"

  I shook my head. "I've tried that before. Nothing happens. There are limits to my power, and I 't break the fual rules of reality. But... ever since I came to Gensokyo, my ability feels strohan before. I was even able to transform into a vampire when I lied about it."

  Patchouli's gaze became thoughtful, her fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of her chair. "Gensokyo... A nd of illusions and fantasy. It makes sense. Here, where belief shapes reality, your power would resonate even more."

  She looked at me, a new respect gleaming in her eyes. "Your power isn't just about deception... It's about perception and belief. A power like that could be very dangerous... or very beautiful."

  I let out a small ugh. "I choose to use it to make people smile. That's all I've ever wanted."

  Patchouli smiled softly. "You're a fasating magi."

  Patchouli leaned ba her chair, her expression serious. "Since you've been ho with me about your ability, it's only fair that I tell you something iurn. But... after this, I'll have to apologize to Remilia."

  A chill ran down my spine. "Apologize? Why? What are you about to tell me?"

  She looked at me with a hint of guilt. "I didn't tell you everything about Remilia's power. It's not just her strength or speed... It's her ability to trol fate itself."

  My heart skipped a beat. "trol... fate? You mean like destiny?"

  Patchouli nodded, her fan. "Yes. Remilia see the fates of others, including yours. She also manipute the oute of events. Her on, the Gungnir, is especially dangerous because she use her fate manipution to make sure it always hits its target."

  I felt my blood run cold. "So... that means she already knows I'm going to lose?"

  "That's right," Patchouli firmed. "If she's serious about winning, then in her eyes, the battle's already decided."

  A heavy weight settled on my chest, my shoulders slumping as the reality of it all sank in. "Then... is there any way for me to win?"

  Patchouli looked away, her face clouded with a mixture ret and frustration. "Even I haven't been able to beat her. Her power to manipute fate is absolute... It's like fighting against destiny itself."

  I felt the hope drain out of me. How could I fight against someone who could trol fate? It felt unfair, hopeless... impossible.

  Patchouli watched me quietly before asking, "Don't you want to bee Remilia's servant? Is that why you're so desperate to win?"

  I paused, letting her question sink in. "No... it's not that I hate the idea of being her servant," I admitted. "Seeiaking care of her sister... Remilia doesn't seem cruel. And Fndre..." I smiled softly, remembering how she called me 'brother.' "She's like a little sister to me."

  Patchouli raised an eyebrow. "Then why are y so hard to avoid losing?"

  I looked down, my fingers unsciously g into fists. "I feel like... Remilia is expeg something." I hesitated before tinuing, "I feel it because of my magi's instinct."

  Patchouli tilted her head slightly. "Magi's instinct?"

  I nodded. "I don't know how to expin it, but when I perform, I sense what my audience wants to see—what will surprise them, what will make them smile. Remilia's not just fighting for the sake of winning... There's something she's waiting for me to show her. But I 't tell what it is."

  Patchouli studied me for a moment before sighing. "You really do think like a performer."

  I leaned forward. "Reimu was able to defeat Remilia, right? That means fate isn't absolute. Maybe I should ask her for help."

  Patchouli tapped her fingers against the armrest of her chair. "You try. Reimu is strong because she pletely overwhelms her oppo. Her power is so great that Remilia's fate manipution 't teract it."

  I let out a sigh. "So, brute force?"

  Patchouli smirked. "Basically. If you want to learn something from Reimu, go ahead. But she probably won't be the type to give you an easy answer."

  I nodded, already making a mental o visit Reimu.