Three days later, the Blubberbeast Troupe had finished recruiting its members and officially entered the preparation phase. As usual, however, Luna didn't need to participate in many rehearsals.
If anyone asked, the answer was simple: her skills were already maxed out. Greatness needs no further explanation.
Another three days passed, and Luna received a letter.
The message was brief: "Luna, the time has come. Come if you're interested."
The handwriting was Arlecchino's. "The time has come" likely meant it was time to deal with the "nonexistent child." All the children of the House of the Hearth were in Poisson.
"Furina, I'm heading out for a bit."
Furina, still drowsy, murmured, "Hm? Where are you going?"
"That family matter I told you about before."
"Oh... Come back soon."
Furina sleepily took Luna's hand, kissed her fingertips, then pulled the blanket up and went back to sleep.
She no longer worried about Luna doing anything dangerous.
After all, they had made a promise.
The necklace lying on the nightstand was the strongest proof.
Luna gently stroked Furina's head a few times, earning a muffled "Mmm-hmm..." and a slight, unconscious smile.
Even in her dreams, she savored Luna's touch.
Luna withdrew her hand, put on the necklace, and quickly got ready before heading to Poisson.
Not long after arriving, she noticed several children from the House of the Hearth out at sea with the fishermen, seemingly helping with their work.
At the shore, Arlecchino stood gazing into the distance.
The direction she was looking...
Luna followed her gaze. "Arlecchino, are you thinking about our trip?"
"Yes. That was a good time. Perhaps I should organize a trip for the children to see foreign lands. Some of them have never left Fontaine and know nothing of the outside world's splendor and cruelty."
Arlecchino turned around.
"You've arrived just in time. The other children have been here for a few days, and the truth is beginning to surface. That includes what you wanted to know."
Arlecchino's past.
Luna hadn't gotten the answer before, but she hadn't wanted to hear it directly from Arlecchino anyway.
Just as Arlecchino had taken her on a journey to see and hear her parents' stories and past with her own eyes and ears, Luna wanted to uncover this truth herself.
But before that...
Luna walked up to Arlecchino and wrapped her in a hug. "Good morning."
"Mm. Good morning."
Their eyes met. Luna's lips parted slightly as she recalled the feeling of her previous light kiss on Arlecchino. Unable to resist, she slowly leaned closer.
"Shh."
But Arlecchino pressed a finger to her lips.
"Patience, Luna."
Last time was an exception.
"Don't forget what you said before: 'I will offer the other half of the kiss after I've won your heart'—you haven't done that yet."
So Arlecchino was awake back then, just indulging my whim.
Realizing this, Luna settled for gently biting Arlecchino's fingertip instead.
The slight sting didn't change Arlecchino's expression. She simply raised her hand and lightly scratched Luna's neck.
"You should go ahead. I need to stay here and think about some things."
"I understand."
But Arlecchino still felt something soft and fragrant press against her cheek.
Luna had kissed her cheek. Then, with a bright smile, she waved goodbye and walked toward Poisson.
"..."
Arlecchino watched her go, falling back into silence.
As Luna walked through Poisson, the residents greeted her warmly. Members of the Spina di Rosula even bowed respectfully, as if she were already the organization's second President.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Luna noticed a furtive figure.
"Freminet?"
He was clutching dry rations and a water bottle, hurrying off in a specific direction.
Luna had seen this before. The children of the House of the Hearth acted this way when they wanted to secretly raise something.
But if he were just raising a small animal, why would Freminet be so secretive? He could just tell Lynette and Lyney.
Lost in thought, Luna decided to follow him and see what was going on.
Freminet kept glancing back, but he never spotted Luna, completely unaware that she was tailing him.
Finally, Freminet arrived at an open clearing.
Beneath a simple makeshift shelter sat a petite figure: a white dress, an unfamiliar face, hair color and style she didn't recognize... She didn't look like a child from the House of the Hearth at all.
"Welcome back, Freminet. Where did you go?"
"I went to get some food... I thought you might be hungry."
"Wow, thank you!"
Freminet placed the rations and water on the table.
The girl in the white dress walked to the table and stood there for a long moment.
"I'm full now. Thank you."
"...Mm."
Freminet's expression was complicated.
She hadn't eaten a thing, yet she said, "I'm full now."
Judging by her satisfied expression, she wasn't lying. She genuinely believed she had eaten.
Yet the food on the table remained untouched...
So that's it. This must be the "non-existent child" Arlecchino was searching for—the phantom wandering the House of the Hearth.
And Freminet had hidden her here, shielding her from Arlecchino's search.
But it was pointless.
Arlecchino must have already known. Freminet's methods were too clumsy and straightforward; he wasn't skilled at this kind of subterfuge.
"You're quite bold, Freminet."
"!"
Freminet jumped, startled, and quickly looked up.
Luna was perched high above, smiling down at him.
"Luna..."
He let out a sigh of relief.
"Sighing in relief to see me in this situation? That girl is the one 'Father' is looking for, isn't she? Are you sure it's a good idea to hide her here?"
Freminet whispered, "I trust you not to tell..."
"I won't."
There was no need to.
Perhaps Arlecchino was testing the children, or perhaps she was waiting for the right moment... Regardless, Arlecchino had no intention of acting just yet.
Luna leaped down and walked toward them.
"Is she a ghost?"
"I don't know..."
The girl looked at Luna and smiled. "Has another new friend arrived? Oh, let me introduce myself. My name is Clervie. What's yours?"
Clervie? I have no memory of that name.
Luna smiled back. "I'm Luna, one of the children of the House of the Hearth."
"What a coincidence! I'm a child of the House of the Hearth too," Clervie said with pure innocence.
It felt like seeing a real ghost.
"Freminet—"
Lyney's voice called out from nearby.
Freminet panicked. "Lyney... Luna, please, hide her well. If 'Father' finds out, she'll definitely be 'dealt with'."
"Do you think Lyney would snitch?"
Luna simply replied with silence.
"..."
As Freminet hesitated, Lyney and Lynette had already ascended the slope and stood before them.
"Finally found you! What are you doing here? Luna, you're here too—"
Lyney's gaze then fell upon Clervie, his brow furrowing deeply.
Lynette was equally startled. "Clervie?"