What is a cult?

This was the question I asked myself. Of course, thanks to the Internet, I could just look it up. Modern cults are... groups that venerate a living leader, they make it difficult to leave or object, the leader makes decisions about the followers' lives... So far, these criteria seem to be spot on. But there are two more things. First is monitoring for disobedience and the other is controlling the believers.

Those are weird criteria for me. Because sure, I do control them through the book, that's been proven, but what they mean is direct control, forcing people to do things. Punishing them for disobedience. But however this control works, there simply is no disobedience, I don't even need to monitor it. So am I leading a cult right now?

These complex thoughts took over my mind and I decided to step out for a bit to clear my head. I originally wanted to see how Francesca would react to me avoiding her all day and, as a result, having to send me a nude, which she would find humiliating and disgusting. But my growling stomach made a convincing case that getting back and having the girls cook lunch for me is way more appealing. So I went back, first to the bathroom.

After exiting, I was disappointed not to smell anything delicious from the living room. I hid myself behind a corner, as I saw Cathy in her dress, standing in the living room, while Rebecca and Francesca were seated and seemed to be listening with great focus.

"... and so the Bringer of Light saw me in despair and offered to help. He explained with great detail how to calculate momentum. But if He did only this, we would not call him our Supreme Master. Our Supreme Master is not perfect, for perfection is impossible to achieve and the pursuit of it draws us into the darkness." She paused for dramatic effect and to make the message stick. "The Bringer of Light told me who else could help me with my problems for the upcoming physics exam. By doing so, He showed me that none of us are alone when tasked with challenges that appear to be overwhelming. With the help of others, we can overcome any challenge. As the stories I shared today showed, sometimes this involves teamwork, sometimes you can learn from others and face your challenges alone." Cathy took a deep breath. "With that, our time here in service of the Bringer of Light's teachings comes to a close. Don't forget to honor and worship Him every day."

The other two girls bowed in thanks before Cathy, before all three went in the kitchen. That story... Cathy always struggled with Physics class, it was perplexing. She's good at maths, but she kept mixing up which formulas to use when. What bothered me the most is how Cathy framed everything. Of course I didn't send her to someone else to give her hope, I just wanted to help because we were friends and I wanted her to succeed. Did this mean that much to her back then? Or is the existence of this cult warping her mind, changing how she views us in the past?

Standing in my corner, I wanted to retreat to my room, when I notice Francesca didn't, in fact, go to the kitchen. She got dressed, and simply left. Was this all an act? No, that wouldn't make any sense. Rebecca might be an actor, but she couldn't have guessed my extra rules. And I'm sure that even if they set it up as a party idea, they would have realized pretty quickly that both of them had sex with me. Cathy didn't date any guys because she often learned that they were taken already. So I doubt she'd be all too happy. So what's left for Francesca to do? Running errands?

Cathy and Rebecca started talking in the kitchen, while peeling vegetables and waiting for the pasta water to start boiling.

Cathy: "When you came out of his room with his semen there... I was so jealous until you told us you didn't have sex."

Rebecca: "Sorry... I couldn't help but want that feeling, so I tried going for the closest I could. I'm so jealous of your contact with His Benevolence. I wish I had spent more time with him before yesterday."

Cathy sighed. "It was great being treated by him with such care and affection. Without him, I don't know if I'd have the confidence to keep studying and pursuing my dreams. But... don't think that I worshipped him all that time. I was... a truly foolish woman. When I was away for a year, I noticed how much I relied on him, how much he helped me with my life. Yet I treated him with such disrespect... I frequently developed feelings for other guys and asked for his advice, when I should have worshipped him instead. The fact that it took me until today to come to my senses is embarrassing. How could I have been that stupid...?"

Rebecca: "Don't feel bad about yourself, sister. You can make things right every single day you live. Our Supreme Master has forgiven you, right? At least it seems like he doesn't take issue with any of your past."

Cathy: "I know, but I'm still very much ashamed. I know I bothered you a lot with my problems when I was away. I had the foolish thought that I could do everything by myself, that I would need to live independently from him one day. In the end, my hopeless ass kept texting you instead, solving nothing. I... I want to, no I need to apologize to His Clairvoyance."

Rebecca hugged Cathy and dried her tears.

Cathy: "I... When it was time to buy the return tickets, when I packed my things... That's when I realized the mistakes I made. I had basically stopped caring about him the entire year. I had always taken him for granted, and after I pushed him away, I noticed how much I needed him. But instead of working on my own shortcomings, or simply owning up to my mistake, what did I do? I told myself that I could do everything by myself, while simply looking for people to fill the Master-shaped hole in my life." Cathy paused, hesitating. "Do you... Do you think I deserve his affection? Even this morning, I didn't wait for him to wake up, I just did it. I wanted to feel like he likes me again. But again I never considered his feelings... I'm terrible, aren't I?"

I decided to intervene. "Cathy, don't blame yourself." I came in to hug her. "Living alone abroad must be scary, it makes sense to get the feeling that you have to do everything alone. And even if you never took me seriously, you were still always a great friend. Don't blame yourself for past mistakes. You clearly realized what you did wrong. So now, focus on working on yourself instead, on becoming a better person. We all want to see you smile again."

Cathy burst into tears, soaking my t-shirt's shoulder. "Thank you so much, O Benevolent One. I was... so nervous yesterday. And so relieved when you welcomed me back as if I had never hurt you in the first place. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for giving me another chance. I swear I will dedicate myself to you, forever."

I kept hugging her for a couple more minutes, until the two needed to focus on the cooking. I left the kitchen to get changed. Outside of Cathy's emotions, two things were also clear now. For one, I had no idea what Francesca was up to. I forgot when the girls started cooking, so she can't be buying anything important for the meal. Much more importantly however, both of them saw sex with penetration as desirable. I hadn't asked about pregnancy, but with the way things were going at this rate, it wouldn't surprise me if they acclaim impregnation by me as the highest honor.