Bright sunlight streamed across Furina's face, forcing her eyes open.
"Ugh... time to get up..."
Though she resisted the thought, it was her turn to make breakfast—or at least buy it.
But as she started to sit up, a pair of arms wrapped around her neck, pulling her back down.
"Alright, just a little longer..."
Furina casually drew the curtains and snuggled back into bed.
If they slept until noon, they wouldn't have to worry about breakfast at all!
This scene had become a familiar routine in their daily lives.
While they had initially agreed to alternate chores, the timing and execution had grown increasingly spontaneous.
However, since Luna had fully recovered, her acting career had returned to its regular rhythm.
"Heading to work again today?"
"Yeah, just filming a film."
"What kind of film is it?"
Luna made a gun gesture with her hand. "It's about a Champion Duelist."
"You're playing the Champion Duelist?" Furina asked, intrigued.
"Mm-hmm."
The Phantom Thief White Cat playing a Champion Duelist?!
Will she play a Special Task Force Maison Gardiennage officer next? Furina suddenly remembered that the film she had directed earlier still wasn't ready.
Rumor had it that some of the tapes were damaged during the sea surge and were still being repaired. But if they couldn't be fixed, they might have to reshoot the whole thing.
What a disaster! And to make matters worse, she wasn't ready to face the others yet.
The only silver lining was that she wasn't the lead actress. She didn't have to play someone else; she could just direct and guide the cast.
"When will you be back?"
"Tonight."
Tonight, huh... Furina lay on her bed, glanced at the clock, and returned her gaze to her novel, answering absently.
"Okay, come back early!"
Luna sat on the edge of the bed, smiling. "Could it be that Furina will miss me?"
Miss you? Furina's heart skipped a beat, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"I'll just be bored!"
But if she were being honest, perhaps she would miss her.
"This is what they call loneliness, don't worry," Luna murmured, pressing down on the novel in Furina's hands as she leaned in.
Their lips met, making Furina's ears burn even hotter, yet inexplicably filling the void in her heart that had felt so empty and dull just moments before.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment. When a soft sound announced their parting and snapped Furina back to reality, Luna stood up, waved, and said, "I'll bring you some snacks later."
Furina hid her flushed face behind the book. "I... I understand..."
Luna's footsteps receded, followed by the sound of the door opening and closing.
The room fell silent once more.
Furina exhaled slowly and resumed reading the novel.
Without Luna, the story seemed to have lost some of its charm. Though she never voiced it, being with Luna always kept her spirits high.
Gradually, boredom and restlessness crept in.
Setting the novel aside, she gazed listlessly at the ceiling.
If I could keep performing with Luna, would I feel less bored? Her thoughts drifted.
But she had already decided to stop pretending to be anyone else.
"Sigh..."
Furina sighed.
"Alright, cut! Great work, everyone! Take a break!"
On the film set...
Luna adjusted her hat, sheathed her prop sword, and smiled. "Thank you all for your hard work."
"Yeah, you too! Great job!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Luna returned to her dressing room.
She picked up the ice-cold drink Navia had prepared and took a few sips, but she couldn't ignore the lingering gaze fixed on her. Biting the straw, she finally spoke:
"Nana."
"Hmm?" Navia snapped out of her reverie.
"Want some?" Luna shook the drink in her hand, the flattened straw making Navia's cheeks flush red.
"Me? No, I'm fine! You drink it."
"If you're bothered by the straw, I think there's another one. We could share it."
Share a drink?!
Navia's resolve wavered even more. She'd seen couples share drinks like that—two straws in one big cup—but that was something only lovers did!
Her heart pounded in her chest as she averted her gaze. "Th-thank you for the offer, but I'm not thirsty! Really!"
"So, should we kiss?"
Navia's eyes widened. "Why are you suddenly bringing this up again? That's quite a leap in conversation!"
Luna smiled mischievously. "Because Nana's been staring at me ever since she saw me, never once looking away. So I figured you must be thirsty or hungry."
"What does being hungry have to do with wanting a kiss?!"
"Curious?"
Has she changed a bit? Navia wondered. She seems... bolder? "No, no, I know you're just joking," Navia hurriedly said.
There's no way she actually wants to kiss me!
But since Luna had noticed her staring, she couldn't just leave it unexplained.
Besides, she was genuinely overwhelmed with doubts, a jumble of worries she couldn't sort out.
How should I put this?
Just ask her directly—Are you the Phantom Thief White Cat?
No matter what, she'd never admit it.
Navia fidgeted with her fingertips, hesitant. "Um, Lulu, you..."
"It's rare to see you so hesitant."
"Jeez, even I have moments like this sometimes."
Who could blame me for facing such an unsolvable dilemma?
Luna leaned closer to Navia. "If you want to tell me something, just say it."
Navia paused, her lips parting slightly.
"Lulu, you're..."
Are you the Phantom Thief White Cat?
She gazed at Luna's face, the words hovering on her tongue, yet unable to escape.
What if it's true?
If it is, how am I supposed to face this truth?
The more Navia thought about it, the more anxious she became. She realized she wasn't ready to accept the truth.
Seeing Navia fall silent again, Luna seemed to understand.
Instead, she cupped Navia's face and playfully pinched her cheeks. "Nana's being so mysterious today, teasing me like this."
Luna's touch eased Navia's tension considerably.
Navia lifted her own hands, cradling Luna's face in return.
"Lulu."
"Hmm?"
"I like you."
Navia smiled gently.
Luna blinked in surprise and leaned closer. "A confession?"
"Just reaffirming it, really. I really do like you, Lulu... That thought flashed through my mind when you touched me like that."
Navia reached her arms around Luna's back, gently embracing her.
The delicate floral scent of Luna's hair filled her senses. Luna couldn't help but stroke Navia's hair, whispering softly, "I like you too, Nana. I always have."
"Always?"
"Yes, always."
Navia hugged tighter. "Me too."
Leaning against Luna's shoulder, Navia asked softly, "Lulu, are you free in a few days? I'd like to take you to Poisson to see our reconstruction efforts. Everyone there says they miss you."
"Sure, I'd love to."
Navia beamed. "Great! I'll come pick you up then!"
As night fell, Luna returned home.
"I'm back, Furina! Your pastries are here."
She set the box on the table.
But there was no response.
Luna glanced around and realized Furina wasn't home. A note lay pinned beneath a novel.
"I'm going out to buy something."
That's what the note said.
Ah, I see.
I wonder what she's buying? I hope she doesn't get sweet-talked by some salesman and end up with a bunch of useless junk again.
Luna mused casually, resting her head on Furina's pillow.
The pillow's lingering scent tickled her nose as she glanced at the clock.
[ Kind of bored, ] she thought.
"..."
Staring at the ceiling, Luna heard the front door click open after a while.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm..."
Furina's cheerful humming followed.
Soon, she opened the bedroom door, carrying the snacks Luna had bought earlier.
Luna rolled over to face her. "What did you get?"
Furina smiled coyly. "That's a secret! If I tell you, there won't be any surprise! Ah, and don't even try to guess! No thinking allowed!"
"I've already come up with ten possibilities. For example..."
"No examples!" Furina cut in urgently. "Thinking too much every day will... will make your hair fall out!"
She cleared her throat.
"I heard that writing novels makes your hair fall out more and more. You'll go bald sooner or later! That's what happens when you overthink things. Luna, you've been working hard all day, you should get some rest."
"Okay, okay," Luna chuckled.
Since Furina wouldn't let her guess, she couldn't be bothered to dwell on it.
Furina sat on the edge of the bed, opened the box, and her eyes lit up.
"Wow, it's all my favorite snacks! You really know my tastes well."
She picked up the first pastry, glanced at the lounging Luna, and tentatively offered it to Luna's mouth.
Luna gave her a sidelong glance and ate it in a few bites.
"Mm, good girl," Furina said with a pleased smile.
But just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Luna grabbed her wrist, gazing at her intently as she gently bit her fingertip, scooping up every last crumb of pastry with her tongue.
Furina's face flushed crimson instantly, the warm, tickling sensation on her fingertip sending a shiver down her spine.
"Fine, I take it back!" she blurted out. "You're not a good girl at all!"
Luna simply smiled faintly. "Furina."
"W-what is it?" Furina put down the box, reaching for a tissue.
"I was feeling a bit lonely just now."
"Eh? Ah..."
Furina froze for a moment, then felt an inexplicable mix of joy and embarrassment.
Just like she was this afternoon.
"...Shall we have another one, then?"
Furina, unsure how to respond, simply picked up another pastry.
"Mmm."
Furina fed Luna a piece with one hand while enjoying a pastry herself with the other.
This was merely an ordinary scene from their daily lives, nothing remarkable at all.