After many days of preparation, the day of the official premiere of The Little Oceanid had finally arrived.
"Neuvillette? You're here too!" Focalors exclaimed, surprised to see him in the front row.
Neuvillette nodded. "After all, this is the musical Furina is directing... and her first return to the stage in quite some time."
Focalors had told him this.
"She doesn't plan to perform, though."
"I know."
Neuvillette said no more, quietly awaiting the curtain to rise.
Focalors nodded to Clorinde, and they took their seats together.
Although Furina had no intention of performing, Focalors had a feeling she would inevitably step onto the stage.
This wasn't just because of the lead actress's poor health, but also because Furina, like Luna, was born to be a leading lady under the spotlight.
"I'm so excited!" Focalors exclaimed with a smile.
Meanwhile, among the audience:
"Do you know this troupe?"
"Nope, never heard of them. How did they even get to perform at the Opera Epiclese?"
"Pulled some strings? Let's hope the quality isn't too terrible..."
The audience was puzzled by this unfamiliar troupe, but whether the performance turned out great or disastrous, they were sure to find it amusing.
Before long, the curtain rose, and the play officially began.
Backstage, Furina nodded repeatedly. "Excellent, excellent! The performances are all quite good."
"Though..."
She turned to look at Dulphy, who was sitting in a chair.
"How are you feeling, Luna?" Furina asked anxiously.
After checking Dulphy's condition, Luna shook her head. "This isn't something first aid can handle. We need to get her to the Hospital immediately."
"Just as I feared..." Furina sighed softly.
Since earlier, Dulphy's complexion had been poor, and she had felt weak all over.
It seemed the special medicine she had been using wasn't a treatment at all, but merely a palliative. The more she used it, the less effective it became.
By now, her resistance to the medication had reached its limit, rendering it useless against her mysterious illness.
Lauwick pressed his forehead. "Why didn't you tell us sooner...?"
Dulphy bit her lip. "I just wanted to make it through this performance. If I could just make it through, that's all I wanted..."
"You're completely disregarding your health!"
"I'm sorry, everyone..."
Lauwick sighed. "Ah, now's not the time for arguments. Miss Luna already has a role—she's the protagonist's friend and has to appear alongside them..."
It's not like she can play two roles at once, right?
Actually, she could.
Furina suddenly remembered Luna's abilities, but... if Luna actually did that, she'd likely arouse suspicion.
Even if the Masked Puppet could transform into others, it couldn't explain why such a deus ex machina character would suddenly appear to help them.
Just a passing actress? Who would believe that?
"Lady Furina, I have a request..." Dulphy said weakly.
"I know what you want to say."
It's just asking her to take the stage and perform in her place.
Performing on stage...
Furina mused absentmindedly. Surprisingly, she felt little resistance to the idea.
Perhaps it was because she had finally accepted her past self.
That imperfect, lackluster performance remained a part of her—and still shone brilliantly in someone's eyes, as dazzling as the stars.
There was no time for hesitation.
"I'll sing the final song," Furina declared.
Paimon exclaimed in surprise, "Eh? But didn't you say—"
"These are extraordinary times, aren't they? What choice do we have?" Furina replied without batting an eye.
Even if a boomerang struck her face, as long as she maintained her composure, the boomerang might as well not exist!
"I'm so sorry for making you compromise your principles," Dulphy said, her voice filled with remorse.
"I simply dislike regrets, that's all. You should go get some rest," Furina replied, leaving the rest to her, the grand star.
"Lady Furina... what do you think makes Clio so radiant?" Dulphy asked suddenly.
Furina opened her mouth to answer, then smiled faintly. "You'd be better off asking Luna. When it comes to finding the beauty and brilliance in others, she's Fontaine's unrivaled expert."
And the most unrestrained one.
Dulphy turned her gaze to Luna.
"Purity," Luna replied with a smile. "If a person is like a gem, only the purest of souls can refract such dazzling light when illuminated."
The actors from the previous scene had already returned backstage, and the lights had dimmed, awaiting the final performance.
Furina took a deep breath.
"Nervous?" Luna whispered.
"Of course! How could I not be nervous? Unlike you, I haven't performed in ages. If I mess up, don't laugh at me, okay?" Furina smiled faintly.
Luna replied, "That won't happen. The stage will respond to Furina's return."
Furina pressed a hand to her chest, her heart racing—whether from nerves or excitement, she couldn't tell.
"This time, I'm not playing other roles as 'Hydro Archon Focalors.' I'm playing... as 'Furina.'"
Even behind the stage mask, she would remain herself, never anyone else.
"Don't get complacent, Luna. I might just steal your spotlight." Furina's smile was radiant and confident.
"You can steal me too, if you like."
Furina's cheeks flushed slightly. "Really? Don't say things like that right before I go onstage..."
But the moment had come.
She took a deep breath and declared, "I want cake tonight. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
"Heh heh, it's settled then—I'll go first. Don't fall behind, okay?"
With that, Furina strode onto the stage.
The lights switched on, focusing their beams on her.
Ah, that familiar warmth, Furina thought. It's been so long since I felt the stage lights like this. Below the stage, the audience's gazes burned.
I'm standing on the stage now.
At that thought, all her anxiety, nervousness, and excitement dissolved into perfect stillness.
What remained was pure, burning passion—a fire of fervent enthusiasm.
Furina faced the audience's gaze with unwavering composure, then softly opened her mouth, letting her voice resonate through the entire space.
Lights, focus on me!
Let me present to everyone the performance of "Furina"!
The moment her voice rang out, the audience's spirits surged.
Such an emotionally charged voice, such flawless acting... After the initial shock, joy erupted. For not only was Furina on stage, but Luna's figure also stood there beneath the spotlight.
Beneath their dazzling radiance, the actors' passion erupted like a volcano!
Already brimming with fervor, they now yearned to follow this searing light, to burn themselves out entirely alongside it.
The music, the staging, the transcendent acting, and finally, Furina's heartrending song—they confessed, their minds and bodies trembled.
Tears streamed down their faces.
Yes, this is the kind of stage they longed to see!
Focalors narrowed her eyes, thinking, Truly dazzling.
Watching them perform from the audience was indeed a different experience. It made her itch to join in, wondering if she might participate in future theatrical productions.
For it was so radiant, so irresistible.
Neuvillette watched in silent admiration.
Outside the Opera House:
"Hm? Why is it getting dark again..."
"Another rainstorm?"
On stage, Furina stood at the cliffside set.
This was the final scene of [ The Little Oceanid ]. Despite enduring such profound suffering, the Little Oceanid harbored no regrets about her choices.
How could I possibly regret it?
Furina thought, glancing past the extras to catch a glimpse of Luna's figure.
Of course, I couldn't.
She turned back, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Backstage, Lumine signaled: Paimon, hurry up!
Paimon gave a thumbs-up, clutching the Vision prop, ready to fly above Furina.
According to the story, the Vision was supposed to appear before the Little Oceanid, but she would refuse to take it, letting it sink into the water.
However, a warm glow suddenly drew everyone's attention.
Neuvillette murmured, "That's..."
A Vision.
A real Vision materialized before Furina, descending slowly.
A flicker of surprise crossed Furina's face.
Visions typically manifest in response to humanity's most fervent desires.
Yet Furina harbored no such desire at that moment. This Vision seemed more like a reward for all she had sacrificed in the past.
Though she had already received the greatest reward imaginable.
Still, it could be used in the performance.
At this thought, Furina closed her eyes, her Vision resonating with her heart. She became ethereal, wispy, and vanished beneath the stage lights.
Following that light, all that remained visible was a single hat.
No narration, no dialogue—only this silent scene declared the play's conclusion.
The curtain rose, and thunderous applause erupted.
"Bravo!"
"Brava!"
Focalors stood up, clapping. "Magnificent!"
Clorinde kept her eyes closed, fearing that opening them would unleash tears she couldn't hold back.
When the curtain rose again, all the actors appeared together.
This final act, customary in every play, involved delivering final remarks and bowing.
"Clio's dear friend, played by Lady Luna!"
"Ooooooh!"
The applause erupted anew.
Luna curtsied gracefully, her dress sweeping low.
"The Little Oceanid, Clio, played by Lady Aurelie Fimot!"
"Ooooooh...?"
The applause faltered slightly.
Isn't that Furina? Why are they calling her Aurelie? Could it be just a lookalike?
Wait, isn't that clearly Furina?
Furina nodded slightly.
Yes, that's right. She hadn't originally intended to step onto the stage at all.
"Finally, a special thanks to Lady Focalors for providing the venue and to Lady Furina for her role as performance consultant!"
"Oooooooh!"
See! It was Furina!
Furina blinked, then snapped out of it. "Hey! You—you didn't even consult me about this! Why mention my name like that?!"
Furina was furious!
Yet in the end, she did nothing. She just remained angry.
-
The final performance of The Little Oceanid concluded triumphantly. Dulphy's condition stabilized, and though she couldn't complete the entire show, her brilliant performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
And the troupe unanimously decided... to disband.
After all, that had been the plan from the start.
"I see... Since this is your choice, I won't say any more."
Furina nodded. "The world on stage is dazzlingly brilliant, yet terribly confined; the world beyond the stage is chaotic and messy, yet infinitely vast. But whether on stage or off, I believe each of you will shine with your own unique brilliance."
Despite having just obtained a Vision, Furina remained remarkably composed.
"Thank you, Lady Furina. We also believe you and Lady Luna will..."
"Will?" Furina prompted.
"...Ahem, live happily ever after."
Furina's cheeks flushed crimson, rendering her speechless.
Luna, however, accepted the blessing with poise. "Of course we will."
Furina's blush deepened. She cleared her throat, feigning composure.
"Alright, we should be going now!"
Seizing Luna's hand, she hurried away.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Furina fell silent.
"Luna."
"Mm-hmm."
Furina's eyes sparkled as she held up her Vision.
"Look, look! I have a Vision too!"
"I knew I'd get one! Otherwise, the gods would have terrible taste... Ah, I'm not talking behind their backs, promise!"
Just as expected, her earlier composure had been a facade.
Luna wasn't surprised. Expecting Furina to maintain her composure was simply unrealistic.
"Say something, at least."
Furina puffed out her cheeks again.
This was a Vision!
While it couldn't compare to Luna's bizarre array of abilities, from now on, she'd have real combat power!
She could finally protect Luna for real.
"Even if you want me to say something..." Luna mused.
"At a time like this, shouldn't you..."
"Shouldn't I?" Furina whispered. "Shouldn't you be praising me?"
"I've been waiting for you to say that," Luna said with a teasing smile.
"...You're such a tease," Furina grumbled, her face flushed.
Don't test me! My Hydro Element might just explode!
If Neuvillette can shoot water cannons, I can at least shoot water pistols, right?
As she thought this, Furina suddenly felt a gentle pat on her head. She looked up at Luna and was met with a tender smile.
"Your performance earlier was flawless and dazzling. As expected of my star lady."
Furina beamed. "Of course it was!"
Wait... A realization struck her.
She had previously vowed to accept Luna's desires only after the final performance of The Little Oceanid.
Doesn't that mean... today?!