I'll start witht his because I forgot last time and that it's polite.

I do NOT own Zero No Tsukaiama, that's the intellectual property of Noboru Yamaguchi

We now finally return to the present time where Louise finally gave Kirche her clothes, not without a lot of whining along the way. She was also terribly annoyed at how much time it took her to put them on, if she didn't know any better, she would think that she was doing some sort of reverse strip tease. Which in all honesty, she was a bit surprised it wasn't. Anyway, she turned her back on her letting her finish what she had to do, Louise was not looking forward to anything at all. If possible, she would very much like just locking herself in her room and never coming out, ever. Because there was just no way she could show herself to anyone, the shame would just be too much, but of course, that was just a pipedream.

After a while of preparing herself mentally for the humiliation, Kirche came behind her with a smirk and pet her on the head.

'' Are you ready to go to class... pet? '' She says with her usual shit-eating smirk that Louise hated so much. And the fact she called her that didn't exactly help the situation either, she of course turns around and get mad at her.

'' Don't call me your pet, you filthy monkey ! I am a human being, not some dog you picked up from the side of the road ! '' She screamed, feeling her face get red in anger. The only reaction it gave Kirche was a good laugh. God she loved when Louise got mad, she found her just absolutely adorable when she did.

'' I know, but what do you want me to call you ? I can't call you Zero either, I mean I would, but now that you're my familiar, there would be no point in making myself look more bad than necessary by insulting you more. ''

'' What about you just call me by my name then Zerbst ? '' Louise answered angrily, sending every single bit of nasty she could muster while saying the family's name of her rival. Which only prompted her to raise an eyebrow.

'' One, you're my familiar, I will call you how I see fit, and two, if you're gonna dishonour my family name by using it as an insult, I really have no reason to grant you your request, you'll have to earn your name by playing nice pet '' Louise growled in anger before hearing a few knocks on the door, Kirche seemed to know who it was because she happily went to the door and opened the door. It revealed Tabitha, who seemed surprised for a second to see Louise there, before remembering yesterday's events and recovering her composure.

'' Interrupting ? '' The blue haired mage asked unsure. Kirche smiled before hugging her friend tight.

'' Of course not darling Tabby ! Me and my familiar were just getting acquainted with each other ~ '' She says with a smile, which grants her to receive menacing glare from Louise unsurprisingly. If this is what she called getting acquainted with each other, Louise was very scared what she considered to be more negative interactions.

Tabitha looked at Louise, it looked like she wanted to say something but she shut her mouth pretty quickly, now probably was not the time and place for discussion, she would have the occasion at another point surely. She just shakes her head looking at her friend.

'' Time for class. '' She simply said, which reminded Kirche who almost forgot why she woke up in the first place after that interesting morning to say the least. She took her stuff her held her new familiar by the arm, same for Tabitha

'' Oh yeah, let's go then ! We wouldn't want to miss class do we ? '' She asks teasingly at Louise who just pouts and doesn't answer, there was no point to it anyway, she just wanted to get this hell over with.

Walking through the halls felt like being a prisonner walking the death row. Louise could feel every pair of eyes on her even more than usual, even if she wasn't in leash, there might as well be one, for everyone, she had just basically become Kirche's slave. Which probably attracted some jealousy from really weird people and the mockery of most female students they encountered. She just wanted to become invisible at that moment.

Kirche her, was mostly try to keep her appearance intact, that wasn't something Louise couldn't see, but Kirche had definitely lost some power by summoning her, it wasn't much, but she could hear some jokes from a bit of whispering. That's why she was walking with confidence and no fear, to keep her appearance intact. That meant of course showing off as much as she could, which angered Louise, but not in the way she herself expected it. It wasn't as much angry that Kirche was showing off basically mocking her... well correction, there certainly was that, but there was some hint of jealousy in her anger, that others could lay eyes on her body. She catch that thought pretty quickly and buries it deep within, she sooo didn't need that right now.

Eventually, for the greatest relief of the pink mage, they did make their way to the classroom, not that the situation here was so much better, she could feel the mockery in the other students eyes all the same but at least there were less of them and she could focus on the actual lesson to distract herself from that, although it was difficult to focus since being her familiar, she was sat right next to Kirche. Usually before this whole thing happened, she would make sure to sit faaaaar away from the fire user. At least like that she could avoid her for the most part, but now that was impossible, she was basically stuck to her sides 24/7. But now that she mentionned that, there was something she noticed that she hadn't before. Kirche was actually kinda warm, not in a hot summer day warm, but it reminded her during cold winters when she would sit around the fireplace with her sister Cattleya, it was actually a really comforting kind of warmth. Which again, is something Louise would NEVER admit outloud. But right now, she would just enjoy it to calm herself and focus on the class. At least she found one perk to that girl's existence.

As for Kirche, the same vibe was still always there from earlier, she contiues to try and ply it cool, like this was a regular day at the Academy, but there was such a big elephant in the room and it was hard not to just stand up and adress it, but now probably wasn't the time and place for that. One of the big reasons was, if she acknowledged it, she knew that it gave them power. Which is obviously something that wasn't really in her interests especially. She sighs, she gives sidelooks at Louise during her class. As terrible this situation was, the Zerbst could always console herself she wasn't alone in the misery, even if the problem itself is being associated with her rival, just the fact knowing she's probably going through the same thing helps. She can't really tell if this is better for Louise or worse. On one hand, she wasn't especially popular beforehand because she was the Zero, but on the other hand, going from mage to familiar was probably not the best either. All and all, this was terrible for both of them overall. That much she could figure.

During the class although, she was a bit surprised at how relaxed and calm her familiar seemed to be, to be fair with her, when she wasn't talking, Louise really wasn't THAT bad. When she did, it was another story, but otherwise she wasn't bad company. This class was going better than she expected and that was for the best, but still, she still was very confused and honestly kinda afraid about this whole thing. She couldn't talk about it with Louise that was for sure, she would probably call her names and the usual routine. So Tabitha was probably the best option, she was her best friend after all, she would listen to her hopefully. Kirche usually wasn't one to be very sentimental, she was passionnate for sure, but not really good when it came to complex feelings like fear and nervosity. Perhaps her friend could help her with that.

Although, Louise will still be a problem, unless she gives her what to do, she might follow here, just purely by default, or because she is drop-dead gorgeous, but that's pretty unlikely. Although that last one is simply a fact, but she doubt Louise would do that, almost unfortunately, it'd make things a lot easier. As the class bell ring, she walks to her friend Tabitha and whispered in her ear.

'' Hey, can we meet in the library, I... kinda need to talk about this... whole thing ''

Tabitha who was reading, nodded. She understood perfectly, if her friend needed to talk, she would be here for her, actually, it was a bit of a relief that Kirche was coming to her for this, it did show that the fire mage had some trust in her as a friend, which was always a great thing. Even if they were a odd pair, they did genuinely care for each other. Louise though was a bit suspicious.

'' Hey, what are you two whispering about ?! Are you slandering me again you cow tits ?! ''

Kirche turned back towards Louise, okay, how to handle this situation. Plan A, let's handle this like she handle most situation. By being a flirt. Should work out great. She laid on a desk towards her, showing plenty of cleavage.

'' Nooo absolutely not at all my pet, me and Tabitha are just having a conversation that all ''

Louise blushed hard as she knew perfectly what Kirche was doing, but couldn't help herself but stare anyway. Curse that enchanting witch. She shakes her head, looking away pouting

'' Don't you use your weapons of mass seduction on me ! You're the worst ! '' She said sounding angry, and frustrated.

Okay, so that plan totally didn't work as intended, Kirche sighed, now was time for plan B. Keeping Louise busy with something.

'' Soooo... me and Tabby here kinda want some time together and I wouldn't want my sweet pet to get bored ! So I have a few clothes that I would want you to wash in my room, thank you ~ ''

Louise sighed, of course that was the kind of job she would be ended up stuck doing, to be fair to Kirche for one second, that was also the kind of stuff she was planning to make her familiar do, if she had one. Just the fact that she ended up in the situation where she was the one that would have to wash some other person's clothes was really annoying and kinda disgusting.

'' Yeah...sure...fine, not like I have much of a choice don't I ? '' She declares raising an eyebrow

'' Nope ~ '' Kirche answers winking and chuckling. Louise then grumbled

'' Alright, guess I'll see you later... Zerbst '' She said before leaving the room, Kirche sighed at that, making her call her by her name would be a bit more difficult than she anticipated. Tabitha arrived at her side, having watched this whole conversation, she could probably see where these two stand. Kirche nodded at her and they went to the library, at least when she was with Tabby and not with the Zero, people were not as judgemental, boys looked at her like usual and seemed to be talking a lot less about the fiasco. They enter the library and find an empty spot to talk. Tabitha looked straight into Kirche's eyes and asked

'' What did you want to start talking about first ? ''

'' I don't know... the fact I have no idea what I'm doing ? And that it's very scary ? '' She said looking at her friend who waits a bit.

'' Go on... '' Tabitha invited her to go on more about that

'' Like, yesterday, I was the queen of the school ,every guy and even some girls wanted to bed me. Most of them still do, but now... I see other things in their eyes, I'm a failure Tabby. I failed at the most essential thing of all. Not only that, Louise of all people. That made that whole thing a double failure ! I never failed in my whole life, what am I supposed to do now ? '' She said sounding discouraged, Tabitha simply tilted her head a bit confused

'' A failure ? Are you sure ? '' Which surprised Kirche a bit

'' Why the question, of course it is ! I invoked a fellow student Tabby ! That's not what's supposed to happen ! I'm suppose to have a cool familiar that I can show off and make my family proud, that is success, what I did is the total opposite of that ! ''

'' You still invoked something right ? You remember how that works right ? If you failed, simply nothing would have showed up.''

'' Then what exactly do you mean Tabby ? '' Kirche asked, even more confused than she was at the start of that conversation.

'' The summoning ritual summons the being that is the most fitting for you, it never sets anyone for failure. It is simple Destiny at works. ''

'' Oh yeah, because I'm sure Destiny will be great with someone that only's strength is blowing stuff up ! '' Kirche said frustrated, before Tabitha leaned in, looking serious. Having her lean in made Kirche lean back a bit taken aback.

'' Perhaps, this is where your Destiny lies, there is many possible reasons why it decided that you two would be the best pairing possible for each other. ''

'' Oh and what could that be ? ''

'' Kirche, you are talented...but lack displine. Louise lacks guidance, but determined. '' Tabitha simply says, Kirche was starting to get the idea, but still it felt like a bit of a stretch.

'' Wait, do you mean like, it wants me to help her ? How would I even do that, I called her Zero for a reason ! She never succeeded at a single spell, and we've been here an entire year ! What even is the point of me even trying ? ''

'' Potential '' Tabitha answers, short and straight to the point, that did sound a lot more like the Tabitha Kirche knew and loved (not in that way though).

Kirche rubbed her temples, even if she went with the idea that Louise had even the smallest glince of potential, how in the world would she able to make that work ? She would probably have an easier time trying to dodge rain during a storm. But her friend did have a point, the ritual always have some sort of reasoning for the pairs that occurs, so was there really a mistake ? Or was there actually a reasoning for why Louise is now her partner ? Either way, it really doesn't sound like it's gonna be an easy time. She thinks about that for several minutes before sighing, she decides to switch subject to talk some lighter subjects with her friend like romance (which Tabitha gave litteraly no contribution in) and some of the new spells they would learn in class until they would go their separate ways hours later.

Louise had an encounter of her own during that same period of time, let's go back to when she left the classroom. She obviously wasn't in a great mood, one because of what she had to do. Two, because without Kirche by her side, the other students were a lot more ruthless and open about throwing insults at her, she guessed that earlier that those jackasses didn't want to ruin their chances with Kirche by openly insulting her familiar in her presence. As much as she dislikes that tits bag, that was another perk she found today, minimalizing the bullying.

She arrived back in the room, she was finally be able to take an actual good look at it, it was a lot less decadent than she thought it'd be. It look a lot more fancy she expected, although not in her own tastes for sure, it had a very Germanian feel to it. Which makes sense, she probably wanted to make something that felt like home to her, but it felt so foreign to Louise, she then just shrugged, she would most likely get used to it in time, she looks around for a while for the clothing she was talking about until she finally found a basket that was found of laundry, it was probably the clothes she was talking about. She took it and went out of the room, then she realized her first problem. She had no idea how to do that. At home, she had servants to do it, that's also the reason why she was planning for her familiar to do it. This was a problem.

She looks around panicked for a bit, until she found a maid walking around, most likely either going to her job or coming out of it she came out of it, she rushes to her looking panicked

'' Help me wash those now commoner ! '' She said in a tone that was halfway authorative and desperate. The maid just look utherly confused about that whole situation.

'' Wait, what ? W-who are you ? '' She asked taking a step back

'' I'm Louise de la Vallière, now pleeeease help me wash those ! '' Louise said now in a voice who was a lot more begging than anything.

'' Louise de la... oh you're the girl that- '' She stopped herself right there, it wouldn't be polite of her as a maid to comment on that, she hadn't seen it for herself, but she had heard the rumour going around that a noble had summoned another noble as a familiar, amongst the working staff, that was a fantastic joke. It felt like the ultimate middle finger the universe could give those privileged kids, but the maid felt horrible for whoever that happened too, which seemed to be her.

'' Follow me then '' She says with a polite smile, she led her to a trough, that she filled with water. '' This is the place where I do laundry for others usually, because it's not as busy as other places '' She says to Louise with a kind smile '' Now just watch me do it ''

Louise looked at her for a few minutes as she looked how the maid cleaned some clothes, then tried to do it herself. Thankfully, picking up on how to clean clothes was a lot easier and a lot less explosive than doing spells so she was able to pick up on that pretty quickly, although she was reaaaallly questionning what she was cleaning half the time, a good third of it was sexy lingerie, which honestly wasn't surprising, but was really awkward. It didn't seem to affect the maid though, she probably had enough mental discipline and experience to not care. Although this wasn't the case for Louise who keeps having images of Kirche wearing those risque outfits which she would have to admit, would probably look amazing on her. She shakes those thoughts off. The maid look up at her.

'' Are you okay ? '' She asked concerned

'' Sorry... just... a way too long day that's all '' She answers sighing.

'' Does it have to do with the thing people have been talking about ? ''

She looked at the maid with a panicked face, what had the people been talking about ?! Did scandaleous rumours already started spreading ?

'' Whoever they're telling, it's a lie ! I'd rather kiss a frog with herpes rather than Zerbst ! '' She says getting a bit angry, which surprises the maid who stops for a minute trying to understand what in the world she was talking about.

'' I...was refering to the familiar thing. I...You two's business in the chambers do not concern a maid like me '' She says, which makes Louise flush from embarrasement then cough

'' Oh ! Uh sorry... yeah, it's just been... a whiplash of emotion. I don't even stand her and suddenly I'm her familiar ? I'm a noble by Founder's sake ! I never felt more ashamed and humiliated in my life and I'm sure she's loving every minute of it '' Louise says clenching her teeth.

'' That bad uh ? ''

'' Of course it's that bad, she hates me and I hate her ! I cannot fathom the horrible things she will do to me until they figure out how to solve this mess. ''

'' Why do you two hate each other ? '' The maid asked as she continued to wash clothes

'' For several reasons, one, she's a Zerbst and I am a Vallière, we are natural enemies. Two, she was always the biggest bully I had since I got here, always making me feel miserable ever since I got here, it's been better lately, but I cannot forgive her for that.''

'' Maybe don't you think it's time to.. uh... bury that hatchet then ?''

Louise stared very angrily at the maid, who looked down shyly

'' Choose your next words very carefully ''

'' I...I mean... everyone knows about you two and... it's not always good stuff being said s-so...m-maybe it'd be easier for you two... if you got along ? ''

Louise laughed hard at that, her and Zerbst ever getting along, that girl might as well have asked if she could make a unicorn appear, because that has as much chances of occuring, she can't even imagine a universe where the two got ever along better than slight dislike, let alone getting along.

'' Oh yeah, how do you want me to do that ? She's the biggest meanie around ! If I try to be kind, I'm sure she'll be just twice as mean to bring my hopes down again like she has done for this entire year. ''

The maid sighed, looking at Louise, she put a comforting hand on her shoulder with a smile. Usually, Louise would never let a commoner touch her or do anything of that sort, but right now, she didn't care, she needed something like that.

'' You don't know that, look, you are her familiar right ? I don't know much about this stuff but... doesn't that mean you will be with that person a lot ? I think it's really in your best interest to at least try. If this doesn't work out, you can always come to me to vent okay ? I'm usually always here at his hour '' She says with a chuckle

'' Maybe it's worth a try '' Louise mutter, even if the thought of trying to be friendly with a Zerbst was litteraly made her want to vomit, it seemed like the reasonable option, she might as well try to make things easier for herself until they find a solution to that problem, well, anyway, they don't need to be best friend. Just enough so she doesn't hate her.

After that they continued to wash the clothes until it was finally done, the maid stood up to go on her way until Louise realised she never got her name.

'' Oh by the way I don't think I got your name ? '' She asked in a hurry before she left, the maid jumped a little realizing that she had indeed forgot to present herself

'' Oh my bad, I'm so sorry, my name is Siesta ! ''

Louise smiled, even if that day hadn't gone so great, at least it seemed that she had made a friend, which, now that she was thinking about it had never happened before in her whole time at this school. This brought the grade of this overall day by a lot. She gave a polite bow at the maid

'' Good evening then Siesta ! Thanks a lot for the help ! '' It was as much about the cleaning than about the advices really, it was maybe not that much, but it did help her get a good idea of how she wanted to approach things from now on.

'' You're welcome Lady Louise '' Siesta smiles before leaving, leaving Louise in the court looking at the clothes, she just takes one of the bra and raises an eyebrow

'' Are they really that big ? ''

Kirche launches herself on the bed, exhausted by the day she had, looking around the room, it seems that Louise still wasn't back, she wondered where she might have been ? She hoped she didn't run away or something like that, but most likely it took more time than expected. She takes off her clothes, putting them on the ground as she rests, thinking back about this first day with this new situation.

'' It wasn't that bad all things considered, just wish things were different still. For the both of us '' She sighs with a sigh.

Eventually, her familiar did come back carrying the laundry, Kirche decided to tease her a bit, posing seductively, trying a different technique, showing off more her rear than her bust this time, as usual it did caught the pink mage's eyes, who sighed. It was a pretty nice sight to come back to, if she hadn't already been teased several times today and she wasn't tired as shit from an exhausting day

'' Came for your reward ~ '' Kirche said with a teasing smirk, more playful than anything serious

'' Not tonight Zerbst... '' Louise says sighing as she puts the clothes on a table and sits on her side of the bed, her slip up did amuse Kirche quite a lot who decided to play a little bit more

'' Not tonight ? You mean tomorrow it would be okay? '' She says with a wink

'' For Bilmir's sake, you know what I meant you boob demon ! '' She says sounding annoyed, but mostly embarrassed from her slip up.

Kirche laughed hard as she moved back and went back to laying on her side of the bed, teasing her was defintively the best part of this whole deal. She doesn't necessarily mean all of it, but it was fun and she had the best reactions of anyone she ever flirted with.

'' You know, I know one day you'll say yes, and you better be ready for when you do because I'll be ferocious '' She makes a predatory growl before laughing at Louise's embarrasement

'' Oh god pleassee stoooop '' She whines, she then lays down also '' Can we please... just sleep now ? ''

'' That sounds fine with me, anyway, I feel we'll be needing as much rest as we possibly can have, good night Louise '' She says smiling, which cause Louise to freeze for a bit. Kirche had called her by her actual name, what the heck ? What did that mean ? Not Zero ? No Pet name, what exactly did happen between the time where they both left each other. What should she even answer to that ? It would be terribly mean of her to not say anything, she wants to say a normal Zerbst, but she recalls Siesta's words, she needs to make efforts on her end so they can survive each other, at least tolerate each other. She didn't want to call her by her name, because calling her Kirche would mean she acknowledged her and she didn't know if she wanted to give her that satisfaction, but at the same time... what the heck.

'' Good night Kirche... '' She says sleepily before falling asleep. What she didn't see was the smile that appeared on the fire user's face as she heard her say her name.

Ok, I have NO idea how this ended up being so long. Sooo yeah 2 chapters in 2 days, might be a new record for me. But that was my attempt at a early Christmas present for you all. The fact I received good feedbacks on my first chapter was a great motivator also ! I'm glad people like it and like the idea of it, this ship deserves indeed more attention and in the end, I'm just writing a story I wished there was already.

By the way, took a good time to think while writing this and Saito would be too much of a headache to put into this story for the very little he would give to this story, so he is officialy out of this. Good, gives more space for the Yuri.

This chapter was all about taking those first couple of steps. Including actually saying the person's name. If you guys have anymore feedback on the story, like last time, don't hesitate to let them in the reviews and I hope you enjoyed this special long chapter !

Xenofan1