"Captain, look! Isn't that Miss Luna over there?" Turenna pointed.
Following her gaze, Chevreuse spotted Luna... and Navia.
They were walking down the street hand in hand. Though the distance was too great to make out their expressions clearly, Chevreuse could vaguely sense that Navia was in high spirits.
"Rumor has it that Miss Luna and Lady Furina are planning to start a theater troupe together. I wonder if it's true."
Chevreuse: "..."
"Captain? Why are you so quiet?"
Chevreuse watched their retreating figures, idly stroking her fingers. She still vividly recalled Luna's flushed face, their mingled breaths, and the lingering warmth of their intertwined bodies.
That girl... An indescribable feeling welled up within Chevreuse.
Jealousy? Absolutely not. Yet she couldn't find any other word to capture this emotion.
Tch.
Turenna muttered, "Wow, the Captain's mood suddenly soured for no reason..."
Does she think we're trying to slack off? That's unfair!
Meanwhile...
Luna couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them, but the gaze vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving no trace.
An illusion... or was it? It felt unmistakably like Chevreuse's gaze—after being pursued by her for so long, Luna knew her intimately.
"I never expected Nana to pounce on me like that," Luna remarked.
Navia, embarrassed, replied, "Ehe, don't tease me anymore! I know how mortifying it was."
"But..."
She still couldn't figure out how to initiate her attack.
Instead of overthinking, I should just confess everything. After all, it's just a matter of declaring my feelings.
No need to be shy!
Navia steeled her resolve, grasped Luna's hands, and intertwined their fingers. "I really wanted to see you, Lulu! I couldn't bear even a single second without you!"
"Wow..."
That's intense.
Not even a single second? But... it's so... flattering.
Luna smiled warmly. "Then what about now? Have you seen me now? Can you still not bear it?"
"This..."
Navia hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"Because I like Lulu," she said.
I want to kiss her, hold her close, whisper in her ear—because I love her, it's unbearable. So many thoughts surface, and only the touch of her skin, the sound of her voice, can ease this longing.
Navia took a deep breath.
"But I want to give Lulu something first."
"What is it?" Luna asked eagerly.
"You'll find out later! Let's go outside first."
There were simply too many people in the city.
Without waiting for Luna's reply, Navia pulled her toward the Clementine Line station. As they boarded the Aquabus, she pulled out her Kamera.
"Come on, let's take a picture! Miss Aeval, join us!"
The Melusine Aeval awkwardly raised her hand.
Click! A snapshot preserved the memory of that moment.
Stepping off the platform, Navia remained as energetic as ever.
Her drowsiness seemed to have melted away in the warmth of her enthusiasm. She set up the Kamera and continued taking pictures with Luna.
"Okay, the timer's set!"
After positioning the Kamera, Navia darted back to Luna's side.
She looped her arm through Luna's. "Smile!"
Click. The flash went off.
"Lulu, hold a photo too!"
"I can, but why are you taking so many photos of us?" Luna asked curiously.
"So you do care! Hehe... well, you see..." Navia stood on the grass with her hands behind her back. "This morning when I left the house, I remembered so many things we've been through together."
"'It really has been a long time,' don't you think so too, Lulu?"
Luna smiled gently. "It has been a long time."
She was no longer the same person she had been at the beginning of their journey.
"Exactly!" Navia grinned. "The Luna I first met wasn't very comfortable with physical contact. You even tried to pull your hand away when I held it!"
"That's because we weren't close back then," Luna explained. "Now I don't mind at all."
"Touch whenever you want."
Whether it's holding hands or hugging, Luna would accept it with open arms.
"Come to think of it, Lulu, you suddenly started calling me Nana one day. Did I do something? I remember you weren't too keen on calling me that back then."
The reason Luna started calling her Nana? She remembered it clearly.
"Of course! Lulu is my partner, someone I'm truly proud of, and I'm her best assistant."
—That's what Navia used to say with such pride.
A partner to be proud of, her best assistant.
"Because you said those words back then..."
After Luna repeated them, Navia's face lit up with realization.
"Lulu, you remember my words so clearly!" she exclaimed, beaming.
"Because I was so happy."
Sometimes, wearing a mask made it easier to see someone's true feelings.
Navia's decisive declaration of her feelings while facing the Phantom Thief White Cat had struck Luna deeply.
"You weren't lying," Luna murmured softly.
Navia genuinely considered her a partner.
Every smile shone brightly and brilliantly.
"I was drawn to Nana," Navia said with a gentle smile.
"Me too," Luna replied softly.
Always supporting me, always protecting me.
"So, this is for you!" Navia extended a letter with both hands.
A letter?
The envelope carried a faint, familiar fragrance. Luna took the letter, carefully opened it, and pulled out the card inside.
The card's design was similar to her own Announcement Letters, but it was clearly handmade by Navia. The floral borders and patterns were different, and a string of elegant words was inscribed on it:
To my dearest partner:
Since the day we first met, we've been through so much together. Whenever I felt anxious, sad, or in need of support, you always saw through my heart and lent me your shoulder.
Without realizing it, I found myself unable to tear my gaze from your face, wanting to look at you more closely, to feel you near me.
I'm not perfect, nor am I unbreakable. But when you're by my side, I feel full of confidence, capable of anything.
Partners are meant to complement each other's weaknesses, aren't they? So I hope I can become your strength too.
As your manager, I'll help you take the stage and prepare everything for your performances.
As your friend, I'll rush to your side whenever you need me.
And as your lover, I'll always be by your side and I want to create even more cherished memories with you.
I love you so much, Lulu!
Luna finished reading the letter, a warmth spreading through her chest. The pure and sincere affection between the lines warmed her heart.
But it wasn't enough.
"Nana," she called out.
She turned to see Navia looking slightly nervous.
"Hmm? Mmm—"
The warmth of their lips melded into her body as Navia slowly closed her eyes and embraced Luna.
"I love you too, Nana. Of course, I mean love in the romantic sense," Luna exhaled softly, her cheeks flushing.
Navia stroked Luna's face, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Mmm... This is wonderful. How strange—my eyes feel so hot, even though I'm so happy. I can't help but want to... Lulu—"
Navia couldn't resist kissing Luna again.
After a long moment, Luna finally pulled back, turning her head to gently taste the tears streaming down her cheek.
A little sweet, she thought. These are undoubtedly tears of pure joy.
"...Lulu, you haven't changed a bit," Navia said, her face flushed.
"Tears of joy taste delicious, you know?"
"Really?" Navia gently traced the corner of Luna's eye with her fingertip. "Then Lulu, can you cry for me just once? It always feels like I'm the only one shedding tears. I want to see you cry too—but only tears of joy, of course!"
"That might be a little difficult," Luna admitted.
"Wow, that's so unfair!" Navia pouted. "How am I ever going to make you cry even once?"
Luna smiled faintly. "Hmm, how indeed~"
She glanced back at the card and carefully tucked it back into the envelope.
[Treasure Information Discovered: Yellow Rose Letter]
[Yellow Rose Letter]
[Information: A symbol of Navia's affection and trust. This card encapsulates their shared moments and deep love. Just as the card will never fade, neither will her feelings. Pure affection is the most radiant treasure.]
[Treasure Rarity: S]
[Fixed Points: 1000]
Navia watched contentedly as Luna carefully stowed the letter away.
Now, they were officially lovers!
"Lulu..." Navia tugged on Luna's sleeve.
"Nana?"
Navia asked shyly, "You... want to come to my room?"