Early the next morning, Navia began preparing for her outing.
"Ugh... damn it, I was too excited last night and barely slept a wink," she mumbled, rubbing her drowsy eyes in frustration.
But Luna would be arriving soon, and there was no time for sleeping in! She needed to be fully prepared.
First, her outfit... she probably didn't need to change. Luna had said she loved this ensemble, and Navia herself adored it too. It just took a while to put on.
"Come to think of it, so much has happened since then," Navia mused, standing before the vanity mirror. Her reflection looked vibrant, though the dark circles under her eyes would need to be concealed with makeup later.
Her first encounter with Luna was during her investigation of the Masked Troupe...
No, wait.
"Our first meeting was that night at Vacher's art exhibition."
The image of Luna crashing through the window remained vividly etched in Navia's memory to this day.
Compared to the current Phantom Thief White Cat, Luna had been quite clumsy back then. Her techniques were still rough, and her greatest strengths lay in her speed and agility.
"And then, she was investigating the Troupe, and I was investigating the missing persons case. That's how we met."
"What a coincidence! We're also here to uncover the truth! What's your name?"
"Lulu."
Lulu... What a lovely name.
"It's frustrating that I wasn't the first to use that name, but I'm determined to be the one who uses it the most."
Navia couldn't help but smile.
After wiping her face clean, Navia exhaled deeply.
Much better.
Next came makeup time! Navia sat at her vanity, opened her makeup box, and inadvertently recalled what had happened since then.
"Detective Lulu and her assistant Nana..." Navia murmured nostalgically.
Even though Luna was still a detective—albeit an unlicensed one—Navia missed those days.
Come to think of it...
"No, my father is from Liyue, and my mother is from Mondstadt... That's what my 'father' told me."
"Wow, you're a half-blood! You're so beautiful, your parents must be stunning too!"
"...Thank you."
Back then, I knew nothing.
What exactly was Lulu feeling at that time?
Navia pursed her lips slightly. If she could go back, she would definitely hug Luna tightly, even if it meant being seen as overly familiar or a lesbian.
Then came the first Judgment she and Lulu attended together.
Navia truly didn't want to recall that case; it would have been better if that depraved murderer had never existed in the world.
But after the Judgment...
"Alright, let me, the Boss of the Spina di Rosula, satisfy you! Come over here."
"Pre-show prep! Ready? Come on, do as I say: inhale—"
"And run!"
Reporters and the sound of camera shutters chased after them, flashes of light bursting around them. In her arms, Luna could only hug Navia's neck with a resigned expression, listening to her hearty, unrestrained laughter.
Back then, Lulu wasn't nearly as fond of teasing others.
When exactly did she start?
Could it have started after the attack on the Sinthe Gang? Or did Chevreuse pique her interest? Navia pondered these questions endlessly, but couldn't find an answer.
The only certainty was that this was Luna's true nature—a side of her she had concealed until now.
And the reason for this revelation?
"Hmm... I was wondering if I could kiss Navia."
"I only want to do this to Navia. It has nothing to do with those meaningless formalities."
After bringing Navia to the Spina di Rosula's stronghold in Fleuve Cendre, Luna suddenly confessed this. She even added that everyone who had expectations of her would eventually be disappointed.
Navia murmured, "This isn't a prophecy, it's the truth."
Even so.
She clenched her hand, and that same hand still gripped Luna's palm.
Had she known the truth then—that Luna was the Phantom Thief White Cat—she likely wouldn't have done so. Back then, no one understood Luna, and Navia was no exception.
Yet Navia was grateful for her decision to pursue Luna.
The desire to become Luna's partner consumed her entirely! Navia had no regrets about that choice.
After that came the Phantom Thief White Cat being openly challenged by the couple...
But for Navia, the most vivid memory remained that twilight.
"...Can I lean on your shoulder for a moment?"
"No."
"No?!"
"Here, lie down."
"L-Lulu? Why are you having me rest my head on your lap...?"
"It's okay. It's okay."
The gentle tone, the warm fingertips, the comforting warmth of her lap, the gentle breeze... From that day onward, the existence known as "Luna" began to burrow deeper and deeper into Navia's heart, becoming irremovable.
"You're so cunning," Navia murmured, lost in recollection.
Hiding her true identity, yet treating her with such genuine tenderness.
There was no hint of falsehood in her kindness and care.
It was as if she didn't care about Navia's hidden identity at all—incomprehensible, yet Navia always felt she could grasp Luna's intentions.
"I'll decide what to do."
Luna would definitely say something like that.
Whether comforting her or caring for her, it was simply because Luna wanted to.
Navia raised her hand.
"She even put her finger in my mouth and let me bite it to vent my anger."
She mumbled, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Those weren't exactly pleasant memories. The taste of blood isn't exactly delicious.
But if she had the chance to do it again, Navia knew she would accept without hesitation.
Only, she would bite more gently, more tenderly, savoring not the taste of blood but the warmth and feel of Luna's skin.
Because I just wanted to leave my mark on her.
Then there was their joint Judgment of Vacher, their victory over him... visiting the grave together, staying over... so many memories.
The more Navia reminisced, the more restless she felt.
A burning sensation in her chest made her fidgety. The more she thought of Luna, the more she wanted to rush out and see her. Chiori had once compared her to a "big golden retriever."
Maybe she's right, Navia thought.
This, ultimately, was the core reason behind her decision after discovering Luna's true identity.
I love Lulu.
I want to see her so badly.
Hasn't she come yet?
Should I go find her myself?
Navia slumped over the table, listless. If Luna didn't arrive in another minute, she would go find her!
"Young Miss."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Hmm?"
"Miss Luna has arrived."
Navia immediately snapped her head up, perked her ears, and her eyes sparkled.
She's here! Navia grabbed the letter from the table, stuffed it into her small bag, and bolted out of the room.
"Lulu!"
The moment she saw Luna sitting on the sofa, Navia couldn't contain herself and pounced on her.
Luna startled, barely managing a greeting before a large, yellow blur hurtled toward her, slamming into her and knocking both of them and the sofa backwards to the floor. Her lips were sealed by a soft, sweet-smelling kiss.
"Nana, wait—" Luna gasped for breath.
Navia snapped out of her daze, her face flushed as she grinned. "Lulu, I missed you so much!"
Has it really only been one night since we last saw each other?
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly as she wordlessly gestured around the room.
Only then did Navia notice something.
The Spina di Rosula members: "..."
Navia: "...Ah."
Everyone was watching them.
They had just witnessed their President tackle the celebrity Luna and forcibly kiss her... but they decided to pretend nothing had happened.
After all, everyone in the Spina di Rosula knew—President Navia's fiancée was none other than Miss Luna.
Navia's face flushed crimson as she covered her mouth. "I... I..."
No matter how I try to explain, it's hopeless!
"Nana's expression is so amusing~"
"It's not amusing at all!"
Without another word, Navia scooped Luna into her arms, her face burning.
"Wait—!" Luna gasped, startled.
"Let's talk outside!"
"Isn't carrying me like this just going to make things even more confusing?"
"...It doesn't matter anymore!" Navia retorted, throwing caution to the wind.
Why does this scene feel so familiar? Luna wondered absently as Navia carried her outside.
Meanwhile, the remaining Spina di Rosula members exchanged bewildered glances.
"Are they planning a wedding banquet?"
"Who knows..."
Silver's sunglasses fell silently to the ground.
Tears had burst from his eyes.
"The Young Miss has finally found her backbone!" Melus sighed. "But this will probably spread like wildfire through Fleuve Cendre."
"The President of Spina di Rosula Publicly Kidnaps Fontaine's Renowned Star?"
"Maybe."