The morning air was filled with birdsong.
Furina, still holding Luna in her arms, drowsily opened her eyes.
So sleepy... just a bit longer...
"Furina, I need to go out for a bit."
"Mmm~"
"So... can you let go first?"
"Ugh... mhm... Why get up so early? Just stay and sleep with me..."
Her words, airy and indistinct, revealed Furina's still-muddled consciousness.
Though reluctant to wake her, Luna couldn't get up while being so tightly entangled.
So Luna brushed aside Furina's hair and aimed for her neck.
Then she bit.
"Waaah?!"
Furina jolted awake as if spring-loaded.
A while later.
"I'm heading out now."
"Okay..."
Furina sat sulkily in a chair.
She touched her neck. What kind of way is that to wake someone up? Is Luna a cat or something?!
Actually... she kind of is.
But you can't just bite people whenever you feel like it!
Luna glanced at her, stepped closer, and bent down.
"What do you want to eat?"
Luna tilted Furina's face up and kissed her lightly.
"Anything's fine..." Furina said, her cheeks flushing.
"Alright then."
Luna put on her necklace, waved goodbye, and left the room.
She said she was going with Navia to handle the paperwork at the Troupe, intending to resign from the old one and then start preparing to establish a new Troupe.
Just as she had discussed with Furina earlier.
She really acts on her decisions immediately.
Furina absentmindedly thought, Should I go with them?
But that would undoubtedly lead to headlines like: Lady Furina! The Real Reason Star Luna Quit the Troupe!
Going with Navia... nothing will go wrong, right?
Or should I secretly follow them?
Furina sighed. That would be stalking, wouldn't it?
Not a good look. Best to focus on studying the Vision for now.
And after that, I'll settle the score with that local legend!
Just passing by, and he charged at me shouting, 'Hey, passerby, time for a beating!' He made me lose face!
She hadn't forgotten that grudge!
Furina eagerly began studying the Vision.
Can I also shoot water cannons or something? Let's test it out!
Vision, activate!
Boom! A tidal wave of Hydro Element surged forth, flooding the entire living room!
"Ah..."
Oh no.
-
Unaware of the "flood" engulfing her home, Luna was currently at the Troupe.
"What?! Miss Luna, you're leaving?"
"But we promised to stay together forever!"
"Without you, we—"
When did I ever promise to stay forever? Luna thought, her expression tinged with exasperation.
Romi, the Troupe leader, slid across the floor on his knees from the far end of the room, pleading:
"Is there something you're unhappy with? Just tell me! I'll do anything to make you stay! I'll do anything!"
With or without Luna, the Troupe's fortunes would be worlds apart.
Even though their overall quality had improved dramatically, where else could they find an actress as perfect as her?
Navia crossed her arms. "Lulu, are you really leaving?"
"Yes."
"Alright then. Lulu has the breach of contract fee prepared. Monsieur le Directeur, please sign this contract..."
Navia clapped her hands, signaling Silver and Melus to bring forward the money and the contract.
"I refuse to sign!"
"That won't do. Refusing to sign would be a violation of the Law, you know," Navia said with a smile.
Luna smiled back. "Don't forget, I still hold secrets you'd rather keep buried..."
"I'll sign!"
What a sudden change in attitude! Navia thought, her face registering surprise.
After completing the formalities, Luna declined the troupe members' invitation to a farewell dinner and left abruptly.
"You're not going?" Navia asked, concerned.
"I'm not particularly attached to them," Luna replied. "And I can already imagine what they'd say at the dinner. Honestly, I'm not interested in hearing it."
"...That's remarkably decisive."
Cutting ties with familiar people without hesitation...
Luna chuckled. "I'll have gifts sent to them later, don't worry. I just don't want to be forced into that kind of atmosphere."
If she attended the dinner, they would undoubtedly try everything to persuade her to stay, creating a coercive atmosphere. Not that she'd care, of course.
But rather than waste time, she preferred to sever ties directly.
"There aren't many people I truly acknowledge, and Nana is one of them."
Navia grinned brightly. "So, I'm special then?"
Meaning she wouldn't be easily cut off by Luna.
"After all, Nana said she liked me, in all sorts of ways."
"Y-yes, that's right! But don't say things like that here..."
Navia pulled her hat lower, trying to hide her blushing face.
Silver and Melus discreetly walked away, sensing the mood.
Seeing this, Luna took Navia's hand and said, "I like you too, Nana."
"—!"
Navia held her breath for a moment, her heart pounding and cheeks burning. "M-hm... I'm so happy! Though I'm a little embarrassed too, heh heh."
If we were alone, I could listen to her say it a million times.
"By the way, your necklace is so pretty!"
Navia had noticed Luna's necklace right away.
"Did you buy it yourself? Where did you get it?" she asked curiously.
"Furina gave it to me."
"Ah..."
So it was a gift.
Navia unconsciously pursed her lips. "I see! I thought you bought it yourself. I didn't realize Furina gave it to you."
Giving a necklace... that has a different meaning, doesn't it?
Do girls even give each other necklaces? I'm not sure. At least Clorinde and I don't.
Giving a necklace just felt... strange.
Bracelets or cosmetics would have been perfectly understandable.
But a necklace...?
Navia's chest tightened. Could Lulu have gotten closer to Furina behind my back? she wondered.
I like Lulu so much...
Not just as a friend—I want to be with her forever, to kiss her.
I have to do something! Navia thought, her intuition screaming that inaction would lead to regret.
But what exactly should I do? she needed to think carefully.
Careful planning, decisive action—that's how you win.
"Does Nana want a gift too?"
"Eh? You're giving me one?"
Luna smiled. "Of course. Nana has my life in her hands, after all."
"That sounds so... heavy..."
But it still made her happy.
It was the word "too" that bothered Navia.
Who else is included in this "too"?
Furina, definitely. Chiori, probably. Who else? Arlecchino?
"Yes, I want the gift Lulu gave me! Of course, I'll give you one too," Navia said frankly.
Luna hugged Navia and whispered, "Then look forward to it."
"Okay..." Navia replied, returning the embrace.
Afterward, Luna and Navia discussed the details of forming their theater troupe. The registration process was tedious but straightforward, requiring only time to complete. Moreover, the Spina di Rosula had connections that would streamline the process.
Location selection, registration, and potential renovations—they agreed to discuss these matters further after deciding on the core details.
"Then, see you later, Lulu," Navia said reluctantly, hugging Luna tightly.
"Such a tight hug!" Luna chuckled.
"Because I'm absorbing your Lulu energy," Navia teased.
"You could do that another way, you know?"
Another way? A deeper blush spread across Navia's cheeks as she considered the possibilities.
"You always do this..."
After bidding a reluctant farewell to Navia, Luna watched the trio depart. On her way home, she bought a snack and returned to her doorstep.
Hmm?
Luna's nose twitched slightly.
Why does it smell damp inside? She frowned in confusion.
Could it be...? A possibility flashed through her mind.
Opening the door, she was met with a rush of water that splashed over her feet.
And there, drenched to the bone and clutching her Vision, Furina sat on the floor with an embarrassed expression.
Besides Furina, three Hydro Element creatures were idly drifting nearby.
Clearly, this was Furina's doing.
"Y-you're back~" Furina stammered guiltily.
Luna, her face expressionless, gazed at the waterlogged living room and took a deep breath.
"Fur-i-na?"
"I'm sorry! I'll do anything to make up for it! Please forgive me!"
Luna remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh.
She pulled Furina to her feet and gently wiped the water from her face with a handkerchief.
"Are you hurt?"
"Ah, um..." Furina ducked her head, looking small and vulnerable.
"Good. Go take a bath now, or you'll catch a cold. We'll clean up together after you're done."
Furina lifted her head and asked softly, "You're not angry?"
"I'd only be angry if you hurt yourself." Luna pinched Furina's cheek, the icy coldness seeping into her palm.
"I'm sorry," Furina whispered again.
"I forgive you. Now go."
Furina hesitated, having braced herself for a scolding, only to find Luna showing no anger at all. This made her feel even worse.
After a moment's thought, Furina pulled Luna's face close and pressed her icy lips firmly against hers. The rush of warmth dispelled the chill on her skin.
"I'm really sorry! I'll be quick with my bath and help you clean up right away!"
Flushing crimson, she dashed toward the bathroom.
Seconds later, she cautiously poked her head back out.
"Oh, and... welcome back."