"Hmm hmm hmm..."
Luna hummed a little tune as she rummaged through Chiori's wardrobe, looking somewhat tired, but only slightly.
As for Chiori...
She drank several glasses of water and will lie down for a while to recover.
"Hmm? Look what I found! Isn't this the dress we made together for my first Fashion Show, Chiori?" Luna pulled out the old garment with amusement.
Chiori got out of bed and glanced at the sheets.
Too much to bear.
Better not look.
Despite her still shaky legs, Chiori walked over to Luna, hugged her, and scanned the red marks and bite marks on her body before closing her eyes contentedly.
"We made this together, but after all this time, you probably can't fit into it anymore, right?"
"Don't make it sound like it's been ten years! It hasn't been that long. And I can still wear it."
Luna slipped into the dress and snapped her fingers. "How does it look?"
A perfect fit.
...But in a way, that was also a kind of sorrow.
Especially the chest area—didn't that mean she hadn't grown at all in the past two years?
Still, it was better than nothing.
"It's not quite right," Chiori said.
"What's wrong?" Luna asked.
"The design."
Chiori tousled her loosened hair. "Looking at it now, the outfit has many flaws. The flaws don't overshadow its beauty, but they're still there."
"But its beauty is also undeniable. I truly love this outfit you made, Chiori."
"Perhaps by today's standards, it's not perfect."
"But that very imperfection is a precious memory for me."
If Arlecchino had been the moonlight that saved her, and Lynette the spark that ignited her will to live, then Chiori was the skilled artisan who mended her wounded heart afterward.
"You could say that without this outfit, there would be no Phantom Thief White Cat," Luna said.
Chiori chuckled softly. "Don't make it sound like I'm the root of all evil. Without you, this outfit wouldn't have shone so brilliantly on that stage."
She would treasure this dress for the rest of her life.
"Put it back. I want to take a bath. Why don't you join me?"
Luna's expression was enigmatic.
"...What's wrong?" Chiori couldn't help but ask.
"Suddenly, Chiori feels so unfamiliar," Luna said.
Chiori's cheeks flushed slightly, but she nonchalantly replied, "Well, there's no need to restrain myself anymore."
Now that they had confessed their feelings and done everything they wanted to do, there was no need to hide or suppress their emotions or thoughts.
Luna changed out of her clothes and stretched her arms wide. "Carry me?"
"...It takes all my strength just to stand. Walk yourself," Chiori retorted irritably.
If Luna hadn't pinned her down two out of every three times, she wouldn't be so flustered.
Since standing was already so difficult, then... Luna swept Chiori into her arms.
"Hey!" Chiori protested.
"My name isn't 'Hey,'" Luna retorted.
"I wasn't calling you by name. Put me down," Chiori whispered.
"I don't want to."
Luna's arm around Chiori's back tightened slightly, pulling her closer until her cheek pressed against Luna's.
Luna nuzzled her cheek against Chiori's, murmuring, "If Chiori wants, I could hold you like this forever."
Chiori sighed softly. "Your stamina is truly remarkable... Then carry me to the bathroom."
Just as Chiori was familiar with Luna's home, Luna was equally familiar with Chiori's.
This wasn't the cramped room where they first met.
As soon as Chiori had earned enough money, she immediately opened her own shop. With her business flourishing, she moved to a larger, more comfortable house.
The bathroom was equally spacious.
Soon.
Luna scooped water and let it cascade into the tub.
Steam filled the room as Chiori, sitting opposite her with her knees drawn up, wore an expression of relaxed contentment.
"So Inazumans really do love soaking in baths, huh?" Luna remarked.
"You could say that," Chiori replied. "But the hot springs in Inazuma... I remember visiting one once and finding fox fur floating on the surface."
Fox fur?
"A fox must have gotten in," Luna suggested.
"Perhaps."
Chiori rested her head on her arm at the edge of the tub, gazing at Luna with a faint smile but saying nothing.
"You don't mind if I write to my parents and tell them I have a girlfriend, do you?"
"Would they even mind?" Luna asked with a smile.
"Even if they did, it wouldn't matter. They don't get to decide who I choose as my partner."
Though my parents are pretty open-minded, they'll probably accept it, right? Probably.
Chiori glanced at Luna, tempted to ask if she'd done that with Furina too.
But asking would only fuel her resentment and anger, making her want to push Luna down again—and her stamina wasn't up to indulging such impulses.
Besides, she knew Luna would always stand by her side, remain within her reach. No matter how many rivals appeared, none could ever usurp her place.
"Chiori."
Chiori lazily responded, "Spit it out."
"Have you ever considered being a model yourself?"
"No. Designing and walking the runway myself? I don't have the energy for that. And with you around, there's no need for me to consider it."
Chiori yawned again and asked, "Why are you asking? Are you thinking of giving up modeling?"
"No way! I know I belong to Chiori."
"Exactly. You're my exclusive model. I'm never letting you go."
But if that's the case, why did she ask that question?
Just a casual inquiry?
Perhaps. Chiori mused absently, or maybe she has some strange idea...
Splash... Ripples spread across the water as Luna moved in front of her. With a contented sigh, she settled down, leaning back directly against Chiori.
Chiori pursed her lips. Recalling their earlier intimate moment, she yearned to cross that line with Luna again, whether she was the active or passive partner.
Of course, being in control would be ideal.
But she quickly dismissed the thought—she genuinely lacked the energy. Another round, and she'd have to crawl back to the bedroom using the walls for support.
And that would be far from amusing.
"Chiori."
"Hmm—"
Luna turned slightly, cupping Chiori's face.
"Interested in showcasing your skills on stage?"
"I have no interest in acting."
"Not even with me?"
If it were with Luna... Chiori replied casually, "We'll see. I'm not focused on that right now. I'd rather design the dazzling worlds you shine in from behind the scenes than stand on stage myself."
"What a shame."
Chiori gently embraced Luna, closing her eyes as she leaned in. "You only think it's a shame."
Pressing her hand against Luna's skin, Chiori felt her heartbeat. "Seeing you sing and dance with abandon in the clothes I made, right before everyone's eyes... the satisfaction I feel, you can understand, but you'll never truly share it with me. After all, this happiness is uniquely mine."
Is that so? Luna thought. That's debatable.
Luna didn't reply, only smiled softly as she and Chiori enjoyed the quiet bath together.
After the bath, Chiori wrote a letter and handed it to Luna.
"Give this to your Furina."
"To her? Can I see what's inside?"
"No."
After spending some time with Chiori in the house, Luna bid farewell and returned home.
Chiori showed no signs of reluctance, merely smiled and said, "See you tomorrow."
"And..."
"Next time, be properly prepared. I'll make sure you can't get out of bed."
Luna winked playfully. "Then I'll certainly look forward to it."
Back home, Furina approached her.
"You're back... Wait a second."
She leaned closer and sniffed. Her brow furrowed. Why did Luna smell so strongly of another woman?
"Luna."
"Hmm?"
"Go take a shower."
Luna's eyes widened. "Now?" She'd just showered not long ago!
"Yes, now. And who were you with earlier?"
"Chiori."
Chiori... That Inazuman woman again? Furina puffed out her cheeks.
Luna is my girlfriend, so why does she keep visiting other women?
I know they're good friends, but I can't help feeling jealous!
"Anyway, hurry up and shower, or I won't sleep with you tonight!"
"Alright, alright."
Luna pecked Furina on the cheek and casually handed her Chiori's letter.
"Chiori said to give this to you. I have no idea what it says."
"She gave this to me?"
Luna headed straight for the bathroom, while Furina tore open the envelope.
To Miss Rival:
Luna is mine too.
Only these two lines were written on the large sheet of white paper.
A rival? Luna had said Chiori was going to give this to her. Could this be...?
"A rival... So Chiori likes Luna too, just like me..." Furina murmured.
There was no mistake.
This was a declaration of war!
But what did this "too" mean?