Another ten days or so passed.
Chiori's original target, the "Gem Flower," remained elusive. Lately, however, she found herself thinking it didn't really matter if she never found it.
Because she had obtained something even better.
Luna, however, didn't seem to share this sentiment.
"Chiori, didn't you say that if you had that, you could create the perfect accessory?"
"That's true, but Fashion Week is only days away now. I already have something better—something that showcases my designs even more effectively. I don't need it anymore."
Luna asked, puzzled, "Better as in...?"
"You."
"...Me?" Luna pointed to herself in shock.
"Exactly. You."
Chiori pressed her finger down.
"You want me to walk the runway at the exhibition?"
"Exactly."
Luna's expression was nuanced. "I hadn't heard anything about this. I thought I was just your dress form."
Chiori looked even more surprised. "I assumed you understood. I designed these clothes using your measurements as a template, so naturally, only you can wear them."
"Can't they be altered?"
"They could be altered, but there's no need."
"Why not?"
"Because you're the only one who truly fits them."
Chiori stated bluntly, "Of course, I won't force you if you're unwilling. But I hope you'll stay with me until the end—no matter what the final outcome is."
Luna was about to reply when she suddenly coughed.
Chiori initially thought it was just a minor cold and reached for some cold medicine. But upon closer inspection, she noticed an unnatural flush on Luna's face.
"Do you have a fever?"
"Maybe," Luna replied casually.
Chiori paused for a moment. "Is it because you've been staying up late with me these past few nights?"
For the past few days, Luna had been keeping her company as she worked on the clothes until late at night.
As a result, Luna had picked up a little bit of tailoring and design skills—though only a little.
"No..."
Luna sat down, panting, and pressed her hand to her chest.
"Just a minor ailment."
She stopped there, leaving her words hanging.
Even a fool could see she was hiding something.
Chiori raised an eyebrow. She disliked this sense of concealment, but she also knew that not everything could be questioned directly.
"A minor ailment?"
"Yeah, just a cold. I'm not lying."
"Doesn't sound very convincing. Just rest for now."
As she spoke, Chiori placed her hand on Luna's forehead.
It was a little warm, as were her cheeks.
Not being a doctor, Chiori couldn't make a proper diagnosis. She simply said, "I'll go brew some medicine," and headed toward the kitchen.
Her luggage contained medicinal herbs from Inazuma. Though perhaps not as potent as those from Liyue, they had always been effective when she was sick as a child.
"You don't need to. I just need to go back and rest."
"Huh? Wait—"
Chiori turned to look, but Luna had already vanished from the bed.
A voice drifted from the doorway: "As for the fashion show, I accept. Don't worry about it."
The door clicked shut.
Should I chase after her? The thought flashed through Chiori's mind.
But she reasoned, Luna can take care of herself, no matter what.
After a moment of conflicted contemplation, Chiori sighed softly.
"...Never mind."
Or maybe I should go after her after all.
This was a perfect opportunity to learn more about Luna's life. As a friend, it was only natural to care for her when she was sick.
Getting infected? As if that's so easy.
Grabbing her herbal medicine pouch, Chiori left her home. Since Luna hadn't mentioned where she lived, Chiori decided to ask the Adventurer's Guild.
Katheryne pondered for a moment. "You're looking for Miss Luna? She seemed to be heading out of Fontaine just now—at least, she was going in that direction."
"Outside?"
Could her home be in the wilderness? Or does she wander without a fixed abode? If that's the case, she truly is like a stray cat.
Chiori felt a surge of irritation, unable to decipher Luna's true thoughts.
She understands me, but I don't understand her, Chiori thought. This feeling is infuriating.
Or perhaps...
Another possibility surfaced in Chiori's mind.
Following the mental map etched in her memory, she arrived at the final area where the Gem Flower might be found. Standing on a high vantage point, she scanned the landscape for a while.
"Found it."
Bang! A gunshot answered her soliloquy.
By the time Chiori arrived, Luna was pulling her sword free from the wreckage of a Clockwork Meka.
She had clearly exerted considerable force to free the blade. Her reaction to Chiori's presence was delayed by a beat before she abruptly turned, her sharp gaze piercing through the air.
"Who's there?"
"It's me." Chiori lifted her chin.
"Chiori? What are you doing here?" Luna asked, surprised.
Chiori's smile was ambiguous. "I originally came to look after you, but now it seems you have so much energy you don't know what to do with it."
Luna wore a rare, awkward expression, momentarily at a loss for words.
Seeing this, Chiori's lingering annoyance dissipated.
She had assumed Luna could take care of herself, but the reality was far from what she'd imagined.
Who in their right mind would venture out in poor health to search for a flower and hunt monsters?
"I'm just getting some exercise," Luna said casually.
"You call this exercise?" Chiori asked, amused.
Luna chuckled. "I guess you could say that? Killing them isn't much effort anyway."
A raindrop landed on Chiori's nose.
The damp sensation made her glance skyward. Dark clouds were gathering overhead, and it looked like rain was imminent.
Getting the patient wet wasn't ideal.
Chiori strode purposefully toward Luna, closing the distance in quick strides.
"Come back with me."
She grabbed Luna's wrist and tugged her along.
"I don't want to."
Why is this woman even more troublesome than when we first met?
"Why not?"
"..."
Chiori frowned, her voice dropping. "You like keeping your thoughts hidden, don't you? Fine, but if you don't explain yourself, I won't let go."
To emphasize her resolve, Chiori tightened her grip on Luna's wrist.
"Ouch! Don't squeeze so hard," Luna protested, wincing.
"Hurting you is one of my rights."
"Since when did you get that right?"
After her retort, Luna fell silent for a few seconds.
If I don't explain myself, Chiori won't let go. Yet she also found something oddly satisfying in Chiori's tight grip on her wrist, despite the slight pain.
Another raindrop landed on her skin.
Then came a cascade of drops, followed by a torrential downpour.
Chiori had to shout over the rain: "Even if you don't want to go back, at least let's take shelter from the rain!"
She squeezed Luna's wrist painfully again.
"You don't have a choice!"
"...Mm."
Luna replied softly, her head bowed.
The sound of the rain drowned out her voice, and Chiori didn't catch what she said. But judging by the way Luna's lips parted and closed, she guessed it was an affirmative response.
That's more like it.
Chiori's expression softened slightly. Using Geo Element, she conjured a shield above her head to serve as an umbrella, then pulled Luna forward, striding briskly through the downpour.
Mud splashed onto her feet and shoes, but she paid no mind, glancing back occasionally to ensure Luna was still following behind her—even though she still held her wrist in a tight grip.
"Let's take shelter here. This looks like it can keep us dry."
An abandoned wooden shed.
Probably left behind by hunters or adventurers, it hadn't been used in ages.
Fortunately, it was built on a long, flat rock, so there was no need to worry about finding a place to sit.
Chiori pulled Luna into the shed and sat down.
"Regrettably, I don't have a Pyro Vision to make a fire... I'll just wipe you dry with my handkerchief."
Pulling a handkerchief from her chest, Chiori grabbed Luna's face and began wiping her vigorously.
"Are you being a bit rough?"
"No," Chiori replied expressionlessly.
"Are you angry?"
She didn't answer.
That means she's angry, Luna's expression seemed to say.
"Lower your head."
"Mm-hmm."
Luna lowered her head. Chiori's movements softened slightly as she carefully wiped away the water droplets with the handkerchief. But because she was still applying force, it felt more like she was pressing Luna's head down, making her lower it even further.
Luna had to support herself with both hands. "Chiori..."
"What is it?"
"...I want to make Chiori's clothes perfect."