Luna exclaimed in surprise, "You've completely changed!"
"Because I've been restraining myself all this time. Can you understand? I don't know if you feel the same way I do, but you've always teased me with all sorts of tricks."
Chiori placed her hand on Luna's chest.
"It took every ounce of my willpower to resist all this," she said, a hint of resentment in her voice.
Luna took Chiori's hand, her fingertips gently massaging the knuckles as she pressed her lips lightly against the tips of Chiori's fingers.
"For example—like this?" she asked with a teasing smirk.
Chiori didn't answer with words. Instead, she acted. She lowered her head, as if determined to melt Luna's thoughts and expression, and began to claim her without restraint.
After a long moment, Luna exhaled softly. "I thought you were completely indifferent."
Chiori, still feeling the afterglow, replied, "Now you know better."
"You should have told me you liked me sooner," Luna teased with a smile.
"If I could have, I would have. But you acted so casually—whether it was touching me or being affectionate—I didn't want to misunderstand and make a fool of myself."
Nor did I want to strain our relationship.
Even genuine feelings could lead to unintended consequences.
Luna gently traced Chiori's lips, her fingertip coming away with a glistening sheen.
"Chiori, are you always this cautious in your relationships?"
"Only with you."
"There's really no need. I wouldn't ask someone I don't like to kiss me."
Chiori's lips curled into a half-smile. "I just couldn't be sure what kind of 'like' you meant, since you seemed to do this with other women too."
That was true.
It started with Lynette, and then... well, there had been quite a few others after that.
Luna smiled faintly. "Now that you've experienced my feelings firsthand, do you know what kind of 'like' I meant?"
Chiori recalled Luna's tender yet passionate response just moments ago. The answer was clear. A fleeting smile flashed across her face, vanishing almost as quickly as it appeared.
"Who knows? Maybe you just enjoy kissing," Chiori huffed lightly.
"I won't deny that."
"...Have you ever done anything like this with Furina?"
Chiori eyed Luna suspiciously, her fingertip pressing lightly against the nape of her neck.
She's a little too practiced at this, Chiori thought.
This feels a little dangerous, Luna thought. Chiori wouldn't hurt me, but she's definitely going to be angry.
Her grim expression made the outcome clear.
But Luna merely smiled. "If I did, how would you punish me?"
"A good question."
Chiori's fingers slid down, lifting Luna's necklace.
"If I were to sever this, what would you do?"
Not a trace of panic crossed Luna's face. "Nothing, because I know you wouldn't actually do it."
"Such empty threats won't work on me, you know. Why not try something more substantial, something more real?"
Chiori stared intently at Luna, her composure only fueling her irritation.
Yet if Luna had panicked and cried, "No!," that would have been even worse.
"I'm asking you if," Chiori repeated.
Who matters more—me or Furina?
"If... I still wouldn't do anything. It's not the object that matters, but the sentiment behind it."
Furina gifting her this necklace meant that no one could tear them apart.
Of course, if Furina ever found out the necklace had been destroyed, she'd likely unleash a Hydro Element burst, weeping uncontrollably.
Chiori grew increasingly irritated. "Are you showing off?"
Right now, she wanted to chop her into pieces.
"I'm saying—I only value sincerity. Pure souls, hearts poured out completely... Furina possesses these qualities, but you were the first person from whom I felt them, Chiori."
Luna tugged at her collar.
Right, it was the dress.
Chiori remained expressionless. "So?"
"I fell for you a long time ago, Chiori. But back then, I never considered that my attraction was... to women."
Luna confessed frankly.
"Do you think such an answer will satisfy me?" Chiori asked, though she set down the necklace as she spoke.
Of course, she wouldn't destroy this ornament brimming with sincere feelings.
—Even though she desperately wanted to.
Luna countered, "As if! I know you're very greedy, Chiori."
"You can't compete with me there."
"That can't be helped. There are just too many beautiful treasures in the world."
Chiori stood up, arms crossed. "Get up."
"Get up for what?"
"Don't worry about it."
Luna mused, "You're not planning to punish me by putting a collar on me and parading me through the streets, are you?"
Chiori's expression remained indifferent. "If I did that, Chioriya Boutique would be finished. So even if you have such... proclivities, I can't indulge them."
"Just joking. Even if you wanted to, I wouldn't agree."
With that, Luna sat up.
"Your hand."
Chiori extended her palm upward.
Luna's expression turned peculiar. "I'm starting to suspect your own... inclinations."
"Believe what you want."
"Fine, fine..."
Luna placed her hand in Chiori's palm.
"Meow?"
Chiori shifted her gaze. "I didn't ask you to do this. I just need to take some measurements."
Measurements?
Chiori picked up a measuring tool and carefully measured Luna's fingers, noting the data. Luna watched the scene with amused curiosity.
Once Chiori finished, Luna yanked her down, pulling her onto herself.
"A ring?"
"A secret."
Chiori said calmly, "Let's get back to the point. I do regret restraining myself for so long, but your problem is far greater. As for how to punish you, I already have an idea."
"For example?"
Instead of answering, Chiori pushed herself out of Luna's embrace.
After a moment, the shop assistant, Eloffe, returned.
"Eloffe, mind the shop. Remember to close up tonight."
Eloffe nodded. Chiori had always been fiercely independent; it wouldn't be strange for her to suddenly leave for days without explanation.
Then she saw Chiori pull Luna to her feet.
"Let's go."
"Where to?"
"My place."
Chiori didn't care if anyone was watching.
Oh... Eloffe instantly understood everything. Her face flushed red, and she hastily waved goodbye as the pair left.
Though Chiori maintained her usual impassive expression in public, her pace was anything but slow. Luna, delighted to be dragged along, followed behind with a radiant smile.
Back at Chiori's house, the moment the door closed, Luna was pinned against the wall, Chiori's hands pressing down on her shoulders.
A thought flickered through her mind, and the puppet "Tamoto" materialized.
It glanced at the two women, its large eyes seemingly betraying a hint of resignation. With a click, it locked the door and vanished.
"You know locks don't work on me," Luna said.
"I know," Chiori replied. "This is merely to express my resolve—I won't let you leave until I'm satisfied."
Earlier, Chiori had declared, "If I had to choose between being the one who devours or the one who is devoured, I'd choose to devour without hesitation."
Chiori's touch was gentle, yet her grip was firm as she sealed Luna's breath. An irrepressible restlessness threatened to erupt at any moment, and only Luna's presence could quell it. In the brief yet seemingly endless moments of bliss, droplets of sweetness seeped into her body and soul, yet they never seemed to fully satisfy her.
She settled Luna on the bed and leaned down, pressing close once more.
There was no resistance, no refusal—only the soft caress of fingertips stroking through Luna's hair. But just as Chiori was about to cross the final line, Luna whispered,
"Chiori."
"What is it?"
"I just remembered something."
"...Speak."
Luna chuckled. "Wouldn't Chiori's home also be considered Chioriya Boutique?"
Chiori smiled faintly. "Is that all you wanted to say? I thought you were going to back out. But now it's too late to regret it."
If Luna isn't a lesbian, then I'll make her one.
If Luna doesn't enjoy this kind of thing, then I'll do everything I can to make her accept and love it, even crave my scent and warmth.
Chiori had already resolved to hold nothing back.
"I won't back out," Luna said. "Because I want to do this with you, Chiori."
"Then—"
"But just doing that would be too monotonous, don't you think?"
Chiori raised an eyebrow. Luna was definitely planning something again.
"I don't find it monotonous."
She curled her fingers, hooking a strand of Luna's hair.
"Let's play a game."
"...Haah, what kind of game?"
Chiori sighed.
Originally, she wanted to refuse and just go straight to... that with Luna. But after a moment's thought, she decided to play along with Luna's whims.
After all, Luna seemed so excited.
Luna pulled out a Mora coin.
"Heads or tails?"
"Tails," Chiori said.
"Then I'll take heads. Whichever side lands face-up will be the dominant one, agreed?"
Chiori suddenly understood, then scoffed lightly. "Hmph. So all this boils down to you not wanting to be the one on the bottom, is that it?"
"Not exactly. Whether I'm doing or being done to, I don't mind either way. But for our first time, I'd rather see your expression, watch you blush crimson, and see you biting your lip." Luna chuckled.
"How convenient. I wanted to see your reaction too," Chiori whispered.
"Then... shall we flip for each round?"
"Sounds good."
Chiori took the Mora and pinched it between two fingers. "Best two out of three. If I win, I'll stay in charge next time. If you win, it's your turn to lead."
"No problem."
Chiori flicked the Mora into the air with a sharp tap. Ping! The coin spun in a shimmering arc before landing in Luna's palm.
Heads up.
"Tch."
"Don't click your tongue."
Luna reversed their positions, pinning Chiori beneath her. Their gazes locked, then their breaths mingled. Luna smiled tenderly.
Chiori turned her face away. "Don't get cocky too soon."
"I'm not getting cocky."
"I saw through your lies instantly. They won't work on me."
Luna smiled. "ChiChi."
"I told you not to call me that... What do you want?"
"Can you meow?"
"Huh?"
Chiori frowned. "Why would I do that?"
"Because I want to hear it. Don't worry, if you reject me, you can call me whatever you want."
"...As if I don't know your usual tricks."
First, make a small request, then offer a much greater reward. But whether she'll actually deliver on that reward remains a big question mark.
Still... it's not entirely out of the question.
"I'll say it, but you have to say something too."
"What do you want me to say?"
Chiori's smile widened. "'I love Chiori! I can't live without her!'—Say it like that, and let me hear it."
"I love Chiori! I can't live without her!—Like this?" Luna said, her smile widening.
Chiori murmured, "It doesn't sound very sincere."
"It is! It's just that it's the truth, so there's no need for hesitation," Luna said frankly.
"...I see."
Chiori closed her eyes, completely satisfied.
And then...
"Meow."
Their breaths mingled once more.
One Mora, three chances. The first flip landed heads up, the second tails up, and the third heads up again, declaring the outcome of their little game.
"Looks like I won this time," Luna said with a slightly breathless laugh.
Chiori, panting, retorted, "Don't get too cocky. You'll pay for this later."