The next morning.
The shrill ring of an alarm clock jolted Clorinde awake. She blinked her drowsy eyes, sat up, and casually pulled up the spaghetti strap that had slipped down her arm.
Washing up, showering—the start of another day.
Hot water cascaded down, soaking her loose hair. Clorinde closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly.
"Meow... Hmm... That doesn't sound right."
Since yesterday, a new question had been troubling her.
What are pets like?
More precisely, what would a human be like as a pet?
It sounded like something out of a novel or a film—an evil external force descending to enslave humanity... But in reality, this question had only arisen because of the pact she'd made with Luna yesterday.
Whoever lost the duel would become the other's pet.
If it was purely a contest of swordsmanship, Clorinde was confident she wouldn't lose.
I will win.
Still, she had to prepare for the possibility of losing. That was the only way to treat this duel with the seriousness it deserved.
The reason for the duel was simple: Clorinde wanted to break free from her nightmare. She already knew what caused it, yet the dreams persisted. Since her dream self was dueling Luna, she might as well have a real match.
"Woof... That still doesn't feel right."
Clorinde stood under the hot shower, lost in thought for a long time.
After finishing her work at the Palais Mermonia, she left with Focalors and headed to the Troupe's headquarters.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Good afternoon!"
After exchanging pleasantries with the Troupe members, Clorinde found Luna.
"...Luna," she greeted softly.
"Hmm? What's up, Clorin-rin?"
Chiori, who rarely appeared here, sighed. "What's 'Clorin-rin' now?"
"A term of endearment."
Navia mused, "Then should I be called 'Navia-via'?"
Luna chuckled. "That name makes Nana sound even cuter."
"Huh? Are you saying I wasn't cute before?"
Navia hugged Luna from behind and tickled her.
"You forgot the word 'more'."
"That's more like it. I'd be very happy if you'd indulge my vanity a little more," Navia said with a beaming smile.
Seeing how close she and Luna were, Chiori looked displeased.
Clorinde also felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest.
Is my clothing too tight?
Chiori crossed her arms, then thrust them apart, separating Luna and Navia. "I'll admit you're very cute, Navia."
Luna pointed to herself. "What about me, ChiChi?"
"Hmph."
"What's that 'hmph' supposed to mean?"
Chiori's lips curled into a pleased smile. "Who knows? As for me..."
I still prefer Luna in bed.
"Does this mean I can be a permanent model for Chioriya Boutique?" Navia asked with a laugh.
"Mm."
"What about me?" Luna asked again.
"You already are. Why are you even asking?"
Clorinde stared intently at Luna, her mind on the duel in two days. Navia and Chiori chatted casually, but their eyes were fixed on Clorinde's face.
Why does it feel like Clorinde is always staring at Luna lately?
"Clorinde, come here for a moment," Luna beckoned.
"What is it?"
When Clorinde drew near, Luna whispered in her ear, "Meow."
Clorinde's eyes widened slightly, the tips of her ears turning red. "You..."
"—If you defeat me, you can make me do that for you every day. So prepare well, okay?"
"I'm not dueling you for that."
Luna smiled. "I know, but there's no harm in showing you the prize. Of course, if you lose, you'll be the one meowing like this, Clorinde."
"...I'm aware."
Watching them, Navia muttered, "What are they talking about?"
Chiori averted her gaze. "Who knows..."
Regardless, I need to teach this flirtatious cat a proper lesson.
-
Two days later, the time for the duel arrived.
The location chosen was a wilderness area—or more accurately, the duel arena of the former House of the Hearth. Since no one used it anymore, it might as well serve as their stage.
Clorinde surveyed the surrounding ruins, easily imagining the immense force that must have ravaged this place not long ago.
Yet, she felt no trace of nervousness.
Win or lose. That was all there was to it.
"I may have chosen the venue, but after all this destruction, it seems a bit shabby. If Clorinde would prefer—"
"I would."
"—...we can find another place. At least let me finish my sentence."
Clorinde's expression remained impassive. "My apologies."
She could already guess what Luna was about to do.
Sure enough, with a snap of Luna's fingers, a golden stage materialized, covering the entire duel arena and transforming it into a magnificent opera house.
Luna drew her sword, plunged it into the ground, and rested one hand on the hilt.
"So, Clorinde, why did you challenge me to a duel? Do you want to fight the 'White Cat,' or 'Luna'?"
"Either is fine."
Clorinde drew her sword, holding it upright.
The blade reflected her image, her gaze lowered. "I told you before that I had a nightmare."
"In the dream, you and I were dueling."
Luna's interest was piqued. "Over what?"
"I don't know. In the dream, my blade cut into your flesh."
"You, wearing the mask, and you, without it... both times, you collapsed in a pool of blood, the light fading from your eyes."
Luna's lips curved into a smile. "Oh? So confident? I see. So that's why you've been watching me so closely lately."
Indeed, killing a friend in a dream would weigh heavily on anyone's mind, even knowing it was just a dream.
Clorinde nodded, swinging her sword lightly.
"I never understood why I had such a dream... until you told me everything about yourself, allowing me to understand you completely."
Clorinde closed her eyes. "I'm afraid of once again striking down a righteous person, of killing someone I care about and plunging others into grief."
"Like in the Callas case?"
"...Yes."
Even though it had been Callas's request, and Navia had since forgiven her and they had reconciled...
Still.
"I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling."
Clorinde looked down at her sword.
"Even before this, my subconscious had already linked you to the Phantom Thief White Cat. I just didn't pursue the suspicion further, nor did I have any proof that my suspicions were correct."
"Deep down, I also believed you were different from the wolves in sheep's clothing—those sinners who proclaim themselves righteous. That's why I was terrified that if you, too, died by my sword..."
Of course, that was impossible.
Luna couldn't die.
But fear of a possibility doesn't require it to be plausible.
Luna spoke softly, "Clorinde, you still haven't moved on from that day, have you?"
"..."
"I suspect no amount of words will ever allow you to forgive yourself."
That's right. Clorinde opened her eyes and exhaled slowly.
Luna drew her sword, her expression serious. "Clorinde, are you hoping to use everything you feel in this duel—to sear it into your very being—and break the nightmare's hold?"
"Exactly."
As long as she clearly understood—either that she lost and couldn't win, or that she won but held back from dealing a killing blow.
Then the version of herself in the dream would never succeed in striking Luna down.
Luna's gaze softened, and she raised her sword with a smile.
"Then come. I'll steal your nightmare away."
The duel began.