The clash of swords sent sparks flying, reflecting in Clorinde's eyes.
Her body was beyond her control, and she couldn't change the angle of her sword as it sliced straight through the flesh of the young woman before her.
With a mournful cry, the woman collapsed, her life's last glimmer fading in a pool of blood... Her brilliant golden hair and red eyes were stained crimson.
Then, the sound of an alarm clock woke Clorinde.
"...That dream again."
A considerable amount of time had passed since the Serial Disappearance Case, but she still had similar nightmares.
She knew the reason why.
Clorinde raised an arm to cover her eyes. "Is it because of Mr. Callas...?"
Her relationship with Navia was no longer as strained as before, and Navia hadn't brought up the matter again, but Clorinde knew she still hadn't found peace.
No, it was more that she couldn't find peace.
When Navia was still young, Clorinde often played at her house. This was mainly because Clorinde's master and Navia's father were close friends.
Yet, in the end, she had been the one to strike Callas down in the Duel Arena.
Those sent to the Duel Arena usually already had evidence of their guilt; the duel was merely a chance for them to prove their innocence.
Callas was an exception. He had been framed.
Clorinde looked at her own hands. As a Champion Duelist serving law and justice, she had killed a just man... even if it had been Callas's own wish.
But why was she dreaming of Luna?
This was the most incomprehensible part for her lately. The subject of her nightmares was always Luna.
Sometimes, Luna even wore a gaudy mask, just like... the Phantom Thief White Cat.
The dreams were always simple—a duel, which Luna would invariably lose, dying by her sword.
"They say dreams are manifestations of the subconscious... But what does it mean that I repeatedly dream of dueling Luna? She's no criminal; I have no reason to draw my sword against her."
In any case, Clorinde got out of bed and silenced the ringing alarm clock.
She touched her chest, feeling her chemise had grown tight again. Looks like I'll have to buy a new one soon.
Having a large bust was such a hassle.
Lately, her shoulders had been aching and feeling tired. Clorinde found herself envying Furina and Focalors. Their chests were perfectly suited for action.
Though she knew saying that aloud would earn her some sharp glares from them.
Luna's is nice too.
Not too big, not too small... just right. Clorinde shook her head.
What am I even thinking?
Focusing on Luna's body like this would make her seem like... well... a woman who likes women.
She did enjoy spending time with Luna; it was relaxing.
But that was just friendship.
"There's still time before work..."
She decided to take a shower first.
Twisting the shower mechanism, she let the hot water cascade over her smooth skin. Clorinde swept her hair back, tilted her head up, and exhaled.
Why am I dreaming about Luna?
The question resurfaced in her mind.
If she'd dreamt of shopping or having fun with Luna, that would be easy to understand—they were friends, after all.
But why that kind of nightmare?
"Why..."
Clorinde's murmur was lost in the rushing water. She couldn't find a clear answer, but one thing was becoming painfully obvious.
—Lately, Luna had been on her mind a lot.
"Speaking of that film..."
Navia had dragged her and Luna to the Film Theater to see it.
There was a scene where the female lead started developing feelings for the male lead after dreaming of kissing him—a classic teen romance plot.
It wasn't Navia's or Luna's usual type; they both preferred action-packed films with lots of fighting.
But Navia had mentioned that Silver cried his eyes out after watching it, which had left a strong impression on Clorinde—she'd been genuinely surprised at the time.
Silver also liked Magical Girl films. That had been even more shocking.
Recalling this, Clorinde thought again: If I had dreamt of kissing Luna...
Though she couldn't imagine it.
...then it wouldn't be hard to understand.
"...Stop thinking about it for now."
Work was more important.
After work, she still had to go to the Troupe. Luna and Furina hadn't assigned her any heavy tasks, so it wouldn't matter if she skipped it, but since everyone else was there, she might as well hang out with them.
-
In the afternoon.
After finishing work, Clorinde brought Focalors to the Troupe. They were both members, and it was on their way.
Furina was busy directing the actors.
Navia sat in a chair, idly flipping through something out of boredom. Chiori? She usually didn't hang around the Troupe, and she clearly wasn't here now.
"Luna will come find me anyway."
—That's what Chiori had said.
Her tone had been calm, but her words clearly held a hint of confidence.
Focalors walked over to Furina, while Clorinde approached Navia.
"Where's Luna?"
"She's writing a new script."
"What's this?" Clorinde glanced at the notebook open in front of Navia.
Navia grinned. "Details for some quests for Lulu and me!"
"Detective quests?"
"Yep! And we're planning to get certified soon. We can't be unlicensed detectives forever, you know. Though 'Unlicensed Detective' does sound pretty cool, hehe."
An actress, a scriptwriter, and now a detective... Luna really is busy.
After a moment's thought, Clorinde knocked on the office door. Luna usually stayed in there when she was writing scripts.
"It's me," Clorinde said.
"Come in~"
Opening the door, Clorinde saw Luna standing before the desk, holding a script.
"Trying out some acting?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Finished writing it?"
"Just the beginning."
Even with max-level Skills, you still need inspiration, you know.
Luna approached Clorinde, her fingertips gently lifting the other woman's chin. She exhaled softly. "'Clorinde, my life's flame, my desire's fire...'"
Clorinde stared at her, unblinking.
"The main character is also named Clorinde?"
"I haven't decided yet. I just picked a name at random."
Luna's fingers traced lightly along Clorinde's neck.
Though slightly bewildered, Clorinde didn't resist the touch. In fact, she seemed more preoccupied with something else entirely.
Her gaze remained fixed on Luna's eyes.
"What's wrong? You keep staring at me. Did you dream about me or something?" Luna smiled.
"Yes."
"You really did?" Luna's surprise quickly turned to intrigue.
Now this was interesting.
"What kind of dream?" Luna asked, her curiosity piqued.
I killed you with my own hands...
Clorinde hesitated. She couldn't bring herself to say something so dramatic, so she settled for a vague, simple reply:
"A nightmare."
Luna pondered aloud, "A nightmare about me? Could it be... that you dreamed of losing me?"
If that were true, it would be a bit much, Clorinde thought. Surely she isn't one of those overly intense types, is she?
"Something like that," Clorinde mumbled, still evasive.
"Then... do you want to touch me and see for yourself?"
Clorinde snapped back to attention. "Huh?"
Luna tapped her own cheek. "Since you had a nightmare about me, and you seem quite bothered by it, why not touch the person from your dream with your own hands?"
She leaned closer. "Why not feel for yourself that I'm right here, within arm's reach, tangible and real?"
Clorinde fell silent for a moment. The image of Luna from her nightmare—her eyes devoid of light—flashed through her mind. She gazed into Luna's eyes now, vibrant vermilion orbs brimming with life, as brilliant as gems.
She reached out and gently caressed Luna's face, trying to feel... but she felt nothing at all.
"I can't feel anything... Am I still dreaming?"
Luna shot her a glance.
"You're wearing gloves."
"...Fair point."
Removing her gloves, Clorinde touched Luna's face again. The warmth radiating from her soft skin was incredibly comforting, and Clorinde's gaze softened.
"It really was just a nightmare."
But why did I have a dream like that?