"Let me introduce myself. I'm Chiori."
"Chiori? From Inazuma?" Luna asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Chiori replied.
Despite Luna's evident curiosity, she refrained from pressing further.
Chiori, however, was burning to know more. Luna didn't look like she was from Fontaine; her features resembled those of someone from Liyue, yet she had golden hair.
A mixed-race child?
Looking at her up close...
"You're very beautiful," Chiori remarked.
Luna blinked, startled. "Me?"
"Mm-hmm."
"...Do all Inazumans flirt so casually?" Luna asked, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Flirt? I'm merely stating a fact. Since you've accepted my quest, we're temporarily in an employer-employee relationship. It's best you understand me." Chiori pressed a hand to her chest, speaking earnestly. "Let me be blunt—I prefer directness. If I offend you, you'd better make it clear. I can't read your mind, nor will I tolerate your silent resentment. It's better to speak your mind and argue with me."
Luna blinked. "I get the feeling Miss Chiori doesn't have many friends."
"..."
She's right.
Chiori didn't feel awkward. She quickly changed the subject. "Not yet, at least. Speaking of which, I heard you're looking for the same thing I am."
"That flower?"
"Exactly. I need it as an accessory for my Fashion Week collection. What about you? What do you need it for?"
Luna simply smiled enigmatically. "It's a secret."
"A secret, huh..."
No answer could have been more unsettling.
Depending on the situation, it might cost me even more money.
Chiori's brow furrowed slightly. Her current funds weren't abundant, but Fashion Week was paramount. Even if she had to scrimp and save to make it work, so be it.
Luna added, "Let's get out of here first. Our earlier fight with the bandits and Clockwork Mekas likely attracted monsters. More enemies might be drawn here soon."
"I have no objections."
Even with her Geo Vision, Chiori had no desire to waste time on unnecessary combat.
As they left, Chiori's gaze remained fixed on Luna's figure.
A beautiful face and a good figure.
If she could be a model... but hiring her would cost money. Tsk, it's impossible to get anywhere without money. All the funds my parents gave me have already been spent on fabrics and garment production.
"Your outfit is certainly unique," Chiori remarked.
It doesn't look like it was damaged in that fight.
"Fashionable?" Luna asked with a smile.
"It has a raw, primal beauty."
Luna chuckled. "Clothes are just clothes. As long as they're wearable, that's all that matters."
Chiori raised an eyebrow at this.
She didn't say anything. Many people shared that view, and she had no intention of changing their minds.
"But to me, clothes are more than just something you wear," Chiori replied coolly.
"I understand. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a profession as fashion designer. Do you have your own brand?"
Why does this woman always ask such tricky questions?
Chiori took a deep breath and reluctantly admitted, "I will."
"I see. You plan to make a name for yourself at Fashion Week."
"Yes."
Communicating with her was surprisingly straightforward.
"Getting back to the main point, have you found any leads on the 'Gem Flower'?" Chiori asked casually.
"The name 'Gem Flower' is quite fitting, but unfortunately, I haven't found it yet." Luna pulled a map from her bag, marked with several circled areas. "I matched the rumored descriptions to these regions and have been crisscrossing them for the past few days."
"There are still two areas I haven't explored yet. If you're rushing to prepare for Fashion Week, I'd recommend having a backup plan ready, just in case."
After all, there was no guarantee she'd find it, Luna thought.
Chiori thought she had a point. Since she had entrusted the task to Luna, all she needed to do was wait for news.
Still, it was best to have a contingency plan.
Doing everything possible was paramount.
"Will you be investigating those remaining areas next?" Chiori asked.
"Mm-hmm."
"Is that so..." Chiori scrutinized Luna openly.
Hmm, her figure is indeed perfect. Using Tamoto, the puppet, as the model would be no problem at all—I could simply replicate the design later. Still, having a real model would provide a more intuitive reference.
Might as well ask.
"Actually, I have another request. I wonder if you'd be willing to take it on?"
Luna looked puzzled and instinctively covered her chest. She could certainly sense Chiori's gaze, especially since the woman made no attempt to hide it.
"I don't do those kinds of requests, you know?"
"Which kind?"
"You know... the body kind."
Chiori, undeterred, asked, "What if I want you?"
Luna's expression grew even more enigmatic. "Saying something like that to someone you've just met? Inazumans truly are something else."
"Don't generalize about all Inazumans. I admit, asking someone to be a model so soon after meeting is indeed sudden and perplexing."
Model? Luna blinked. "What kind of model?"
"A fashion model."
"Ah~ I see now..." Luna's face cleared with understanding.
So that's what she meant? Chiori was taken aback. "You're acting like you misunderstood me. What did you think I meant?"
"I thought you were proposing... to offer myself to you."
Chiori: "Ha?"
Girls offering themselves to each other?
Snapping out of her surprise, Chiori chuckled. "What wild fantasies you have. I have no interest in romance. I simply admire your exceptional physique."
"I appreciate your directness, but could you perhaps... refine your wording?"
"Is there a problem?"
"...No, not really."
Seeing Chiori's straightforward and unreserved demeanor, Luna thought, If I hem and haw about this and keep misunderstanding, wouldn't that make it seem like I'm interested in that sort of thing?
At that time, Luna was absolutely certain she wasn't a lesbian.
Even though she had kissed Lynette's cheek and harbored affection for Arlecchino.
"I want you to be my model," Chiori said.
Luna understood. "What can you offer me in return?"
"Mora... I don't actually have much." Chiori's voice grew slightly hesitant.
Back then, she wasn't yet the renowned owner of Chioriya Boutique, famous throughout Fontaine's fashion scene. She was merely a designer who had recently arrived in Fontaine, with no connections and limited savings.
Her clothes sold well enough, but her profits weren't substantial.
Moreover, sourcing fabrics and materials was extremely expensive.
Without a solid foundation, her confidence naturally wavered.
"To be frank, my funds can probably only cover your expenses for sourcing materials. However, I can make you a free outfit after Fashion Week."
As she spoke, Chiori glanced at Luna's meager attire.
"...What do you say?"
Luna whispered, "I don't need you to make me new clothes. I can accept your quest."
"Really?" Chiori exclaimed, astonished.
"I have no reason to lie to you, do I? I don't need much money. In fact, I don't need anything at all."
Could such a fortunate thing really happen? Chiori couldn't help but wonder. Accepting to be a model without needing anything in return?
"Except for one thing."
As expected.
It's impossible for her to truly want nothing at all, Chiori thought to herself, nodding inwardly.
She pondered a few possibilities: perhaps Luna wanted to burden her with an unpayable debt of gratitude, or perhaps she wanted a share of the profits if participating in Fashion Week catapulted her to fame...
But Luna simply smiled.
"Give me more quests."
"...That's all?" Chiori asked, astonished.
"Mm."
Chiori grew even more perplexed, realizing Luna was even more enigmatic than she'd imagined.
"Why?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Because I don't want to stop. Once I stop, I'll start having wild thoughts, won't I? Whether it's hunting monsters or taking on quests, I just don't want to stop."
Chiori opened her mouth to reply, then gently said, "I see."
I feel like I can understand.
Whenever Chiori gazed upon the sea of Fontaine, memories of Inazuma, so far away, resurfaced in her mind.
Before leaving, she had vowed to make her name return to Inazuma even before she did. She couldn't, and wouldn't, stop, nor would she ever concede defeat.
"Then I'll trouble you with this. Of course, even if you don't need it, I'll compensate you later."
Luna smiled faintly. "Mm."
Several days later, Chiori brought Luna to her cottage.
"Strip," she said bluntly.