All sorts of liking? Such a vague statement was utterly ambiguous.
Could Navia really be a lesbian?
Luna lightly touched her lips, savoring the memory of their recent kiss—warm, passionate, and on the verge of becoming something more.
This doesn't look like platonic friendship at all.
But then again, platonic friends wouldn't kiss each other. Luna knew that much.
Of course, common sense wouldn't restrain her.
Do what you want, that's Luna. If Chiori hadn't consistently rejected her advances, her first kiss wouldn't have been with Furina.
Seizing the opportunity, Luna pressed Navia down, lowering her head. "Shall we continue?"
"N-no, let's head back first. Everyone must be worried about us!" Navia's gaze darted away.
Ever since realizing her feelings for Luna, everything had changed.
Every glance, every touch, every shared breath, every lingering scent—every single thing now stirred her heart into a frenzy.
If they continued, she might lose control, unable to suppress this overwhelming surge of emotion, and do something irreversible.
She needed to calm down.
What was that saying? Slow and steady wins the race?
Above all, I mustn't act impulsively!
Besides, now isn't the right time anyway, Navia thought, pushing herself up.
"Let them wait a little longer. I don't think it'll matter."
Luna exhaled warmly.
"...Just for a moment then."
Just for a moment should be fine.
Navia closed her eyes, letting Luna's warm breath trace patterns on her lips.
If only time could stop in this moment, she thought, secretly opening her eyes to count Luna's eyelashes.
Now she was certain.
I love Lulu, Navia thought.
But what did Luna feel for her?
Is Luna's affection for me the same kind of love I feel for her? Navia couldn't help but wonder.
A pang tightened in Navia's chest. To quell this sudden unease, she hugged Luna tightly, clinging to the warmth pressed against her lips. Only this close contact could keep her from spiraling into wild thoughts.
Luna gently stroked Navia's back.
"If you want to take things further, that's okay too."
"Eh? W-what do you mean, 'take things further'?" Navia stammered, her face flushing crimson.
Luna stuck out her tongue playfully.
Navia's heart skipped a beat. She scrambled to her feet. "Alright, alright! Let's head back now!"
Otherwise, this could go on forever.
"Alright, my Young Miss," Luna teased.
"Why can't you just call me 'partner'?" Navia asked, smoothing her hair.
"I can call you whatever I want, right?"
"That's true," Navia said, fidgeting. "But... ahem, indulging my vanity wouldn't hurt, would it?"
"Now I really don't want to call you that."
"You're so mean!" Navia muttered.
She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, trying to suppress the burning flush on her cheeks.
Otherwise, what will everyone in Poisson think when they see me returning with Luna, both of us blushing?
"Alright!" Navia patted her cheeks.
That should do the trick.
"Let's go home!"
She smiled and took Luna's hand, just like usual.
But as her fingertips brushed against Luna's palm, Navia suddenly froze. The blush that had just faded returned to her cheeks.
Why does simply holding her hand make me feel so flustered? Navia couldn't figure it out, but she quickly let go and instead grasped Luna's sleeve.
"Let's... let's just go back like this for now."
Maybe I'll get used to it eventually.
"No, I suddenly want to do something."
Luna's smile was radiant.
Navia shuddered, a bad feeling creeping over her.
"What is it?"
"Remember that time you carried me away in front of everyone?"
Navia nodded. "Yeah, I remember! It's actually quite nostalgic now. Why bring that up?"
Wait a minute... realization dawned on her.
"You don't mean—"
Navia's expression changed instantly.
Before she could finish speaking, Navia felt herself being lifted into Luna's arms.
Navia was momentarily speechless.
"That's right, I want to take revenge on your past self."
"But... that was so long ago..." Navia murmured.
"Unfortunately for you, I hold grudges."
Navia grew increasingly flustered. "But... but what if everyone sees us?"
"They won't mind."
But— Before Navia could voice the word, Luna had already started walking. With each gentle sway, Navia found herself pressed tightly against Luna's chest.
This actually feels rather nice, Navia couldn't help but think.
As for what happens later... I'll worry about that later.
Navia abandoned all further thought.
Upon returning to Poisson, the welcoming crowd was, as expected, uniformly astonished.
Yet despite their surprise, they seemed hardly surprised at all.
Then they all nodded nonchalantly.
"Young Miss, Miss Luna, you've returned. Were either of you injured?"
Navia, whom Luna had just set down, coughed softly, her face flushed. "No, don't worry. A rabble like that couldn't even scratch us."
"That's wonderful," Melus said, exchanging a glance with Silver.
"Actually, we've been discussing it, and we think it's best for the Young Miss to know the 'truth' first."
Truth?
"...I've already had more than enough truth bombs for one day," Navia said wearily.
Especially that cat...
Luna smiled. "But they're all truths you can accept, aren't they?"
"That's the result of days of my meticulous planning, you know!"
Still, it was best to get things done sooner rather than later. She just wanted to return to her room and rest properly with Luna.
Wait, I can't be alone with Lulu!
In her current state, being alone with Luna wouldn't be restful at all. Her stamina would probably keep draining, and she'd end up with swollen lips.
"Anyway, lead the way," Navia murmured.
The two men led Navia and Luna to a secluded corner of the town.
The other residents of Poisson had also gathered here, and the most conspicuous large board stood before them, covered by a cloth.
"What's this?" Navia asked curiously.
"A gift... or rather, the design blueprint for a gift," Melus replied with a nod.
Silver immediately pulled back the cloth.
A blueprint with clean, crisp lines was revealed, reflecting in Navia's eyes.
The figures depicted were Callas, herself, and...
"Could this be...?" Navia gasped in astonishment.
"Yes, it's Ms. Clementine," Melus confirmed, gazing at the blueprint.
The usually stern-faced Callas wore a faint smile, while Clementine's eyes and lips curved into gentle arcs, her hand resting lightly on Navia's shoulder.
It was a family portrait.
Navia stood speechless, staring blankly at the image.
"We've had this design prepared for some time. We only mentioned proposing statues for Mr. Callas and Ms. Clementine to keep it a surprise for you, Young Miss."
"Actually, everyone in town initially wanted to create a statue of the Young Miss and her parents."
Luna admired, "Mr. Callas is quite handsome, and Ms. Clementine... Nana really does look just like her."
"Mm..." Navia nodded slightly, her eyes growing warm.
She closed her eyes, refusing to let herself embarrass herself at such a moment.
"Thank you all... I never dreamed I could stand beside my mother like this."
Even so, Navia's voice still trembled slightly and came out a bit hoarse.
Melus chuckled. "However, we might need to revise this design."
"Eh? Why?" Navia asked, surprised.
"After all, you and Miss Luna..."
"..."
A long silence hung in the air.
Then Navia's face flushed crimson. "I'm not, I'm not! This—it's not the right time yet, I mean... Don't let your imaginations run wild!"
Luna smiled gently. "I'm fine with it, though."
AHHH, Lulu, don't make things worse! Navia thought, panicking inwardly. Saying things like that will only make me misunderstand.
She still wasn't sure if Luna's affection for her was romantic. Even if it was, they'd have to date first...
Navia shook her head, pulling herself back to the present. "Then... could you at least turn this design into a painting? I'd like to hang it in my room."
"As you wish."
Silver nodded.
"Hmm."
Navia refocused on the blueprints, squinting.
She subtly hooked her pinky finger around Luna's and remarked, "Mother is indeed as gentle and elegant as everyone says, the very model of a lady."
Melus and Silver exchanged glances and shrugged in unison.
"Huh? What's with those expressions?" Navia asked, puzzled.
"Young Miss, you're unaware of the truth," Silver said.
"Once Ms. Clementine loses her temper, even Mr. Callas falls silent..." Melus added.
Silver nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking at grain.
"...Ah?" Navia looked back at the blueprints, muttering, "Then maybe I should just call her 'Mom'?"