Though Furina no longer needed to worry about other women stealing Luna away, another concern crept into her mind.
How can I better control Luna?
Not that she wanted to restrict every aspect of Luna's life—she simply wished Luna wouldn't worry her by recklessly diving into danger without a word...
And, of course, refrain from philandering.
Anything else was beyond her concern, beyond her jurisdiction.
How can I achieve this? Furina sat in the bathtub, gently nudging a small yellow rubber duck across the water's surface.
"Surintendante Chevalmarin, Mademoiselle Crabaletta, what do you think?" she called out to two members of her Salon.
Surintendante Chevalmarin blew bubbles, while Mademoiselle Crabaletta spun in circles on the floor. Furina sighed.
"Even you two don't know?"
She scooped up a handful of hot water.
If Luna were this hot water, she would inevitably slip through the cracks and flow away.
Perhaps restraint was futile. Even if Furina put a collar around Luna's neck, engraved with her name, Luna's feline nature would remain largely unchanged—at best, she'd simply remember there was someone waiting for her at home.
"'Better to guide than suppress'? Hmm, that makes some sense..."
Does it, though?
If Furina left Luna to her own devices, she might just attract even more rivals.
"'Guide, but not this way'? Then which way?"
Furina continued questioning her Salon members.
Then, a flash of inspiration struck her.
"What if I just made Luna like me even more? Would that work?"
Yes! Why hadn't she thought of that before?
If she made Luna fall head over heels for her, so completely obsessed that she couldn't even tolerate other women, problem solved!
Genius!
Furina chuckled smugly. "With my charm? I could do this in my sleep!"
It wasn't a matter of could she do it, but whether she wanted to!
Until now, Luna had always taken the lead. Furina had simply accepted and indulged her. In other words, she hadn't even used her full potential.
As they'd say in Inazuma: she just needed to mold Luna into her own shape.
With that delightful decision made, Furina stood up.
But a new problem arose immediately:
How?
"...I can't think of anything."
Furina sat back down.
She couldn't come up with an answer even after soaking until she felt dizzy. Returning to the bedroom, she sat beside Luna.
"Hair~"
"Alright," Luna said gently.
Furina closed her eyes, bracing herself forward with her hands. She let out a long, comfortable sigh, and in her drowsy state blurted out, "Luna, is there anything you've been wanting lately?"
What a sudden question.
Luna smiled. "No, I'm perfectly content with everything I have right now."
"Including me?"
"Of course."
Furina's lips curled into a pleased smile. "Hearing you say that makes me so happy! But if that's the case, how can I make you like me even more... Ah..."
The words had barely left her lips when she realized her slip-up.
No, no, it's okay. Maybe Luna didn't hear me.
Luna blinked in surprise. "Like you... even more?"
Crap, she heard me!
With no way out, Furina forced herself to meet Luna's gaze, sneaking a furtive glance.
She whispered, "Yes. Ah, I didn't mean you're lacking anything right now! I just wanted..."
"Wanted?"
Furina, ignoring her still-damp hair, collapsed onto the bed and buried her face in the quilt.
"...to claim you entirely as my own."
How embarrassing! Furina wiggled her toes, but this was her honest truth. How could she convey her true feelings without speaking her heart?
Luna's eyes widened in realization, and she smiled softly. "You want to make me completely yours?"
"Yes."
"Then you shouldn't have phrased it as a question."
Furina turned her head slightly, a crimson blush spreading across her cheeks and earlobes. A mix of confusion and anticipation shimmered in her watery eyes.
If you're not objecting to this, then you'd better be prepared! she thought to herself.
"Get up first. Your hair isn't properly dried yet."
"Oh."
Furina obediently sat up, leaning against Luna as she continued to be groomed.
Perhaps it was because she had just bathed, but Luna's touch made every inch of Furina's skin feel even warmer. When Luna gently scratched her with her fingertips, Furina would tremble slightly and then playfully bite Luna's shoulder.
"Stop that, it's so ticklish," Furina whispered.
Luna set the towel aside, her breath as fragrant as orchids. "If you want to claim me as your own, you don't need to go to such lengths."
No need for roundabout tactics.
Gifts are nice, but they're not essential. All I need is Furina and the others.
Furina, inhaling the sweet scent from Luna's hair, asked curiously, "Then... how should I do it?"
"It's simple," Luna murmured, pressing a kiss to Furina's lips. "Kiss me."
She took Furina's hand and guided it around her waist. "Hold me," she whispered.
Seeing the blush on Furina's face deepen until it seemed like it could drip blood, Luna leaned back on the bed, hooking her bent legs around Furina's ankles.
"And then... love me."
Luna stroked Furina's cheek, her gaze gentle. "It's simple, isn't it?"
"This... this is just..." Furina stammered, her eyes darting around in confusion.
"Desire arises from affection. The stronger the affection, the greater the desire—though the reverse isn't necessarily true."
Furina stared into Luna's eyes, her breathing growing ragged.
She longed to meld her warmth with Luna's, but could this alone truly claim Luna entirely?
Perhaps she was being too greedy. She yearned to delve even deeper into Luna's heart. Even knowing all of Luna's past and understanding her inner self, Furina still craved something more.
Luna seemed to see through her thoughts, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Shall we start with our bodies first?"
"Eh?"
"The body is also part of the heart. Perhaps by claiming my body as your own, you'll be one step closer to possessing all of me."
That was true, at least the first part.
The body is indeed part of the heart, and the mind and body influence each other. Marks etched onto the flesh can also leave their imprint on the soul.
But Furina suspected this was merely Luna's way of enticing her.
"...Then... then let me take the lead this time, okay?"
Furina said this, but she leaned in as if she wouldn't allow Luna to refuse.
Just as their breaths were about to mingle, Luna raised a hand to stop her.
The strange sensation on her lips made Furina open her eyes, immediately protesting, "What are you doing?"
"Just thinking... wouldn't it be more interesting to try something else?"
"Interesting?"
"Exactly," Luna replied with a smile.
She summoned strands of Ice Threads and bound... her own hands!
Furina couldn't understand. "Why are you tying up your own hands?"
"To show I won't resist, or suddenly push you down and turn the tables—at least for the next five minutes."
Eh? Why are we even timing this?
I finally get to take the lead, and she suddenly wants to play this game!
"Can I refuse?" Furina asked subtly.
"Nope."
"...What will happen after five minutes?"
"Something might happen, or nothing at all. It depends entirely on your performance, Lady Furina."
Luna leaned close to Furina's ear, whispering with delight, "If you can make me lose my strength even once within five minutes, I'll add another five minutes. But if you fail..."
She nipped lightly.
"...then it's my turn."
How underhanded! To pull a trick like this!
Furina desperately wanted to refuse, but this was the first time she was in charge. Backing down now would be too pathetic. It's just five minutes! I can handle that.
Furina huffed, "Don't regret this. I've already figured out your weakness!"
"Oh? Where exactly?"
"...Ahem, why would I tell you?"
Furina averted her gaze, her bravado faltering.
Just empty threats, then.
Luna chuckled softly. "I see. I thought you'd discovered my weakness was my tongue."
"Eh?"
Really?
So that's why she loves kissing so much? Furina's eyes lit up. In that case, victory is assured!
Tonight, I'll make sure Luna can't even get out of bed!
Furina cupped Luna's face in her hands.
"...I like you," she suddenly declared.
Luna was startled for a moment, then smiled back, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Why are you saying that out of the blue?"
"I thought this might make you understand better just how precious the treasure you've received truly is, and how much it deserves your care and affection," Furina murmured. "Do you understand a little better now?" she asked.
Of course.
But Luna didn't admit it outright, instead chuckling vaguely. "Hmm~ I'm not sure... Maybe not with just this."
"You... Never mind. I'll make you understand. Don't even think about getting out of bed tonight!" Furina declared with unwavering conviction.
Some time later...
Furina lay utterly exhausted!
Luna licked her fingertips. "What a pity, my dear Lady Furina doesn't seem quite strong enough yet."
Furina pouted, refusing to comment.
"But I'm very happy," Luna whispered, pulling Furina into a hug.
"...Then that's all that matters."
Next time! Next time I'll definitely make Luna cry!
With this determination, Furina burrowed deeper into Luna's embrace. Feeling Luna's hand stroking her hair, she couldn't help but smile.
"I'll make you even happier," Furina murmured.
She paused, then tilted her head up.
"...So you have to do the same for me, okay?"