Night slowly descended, and countless twinkling stars hung high in the sky.
The entire city of Fontaine also fell into slumber in the night.
At the edge of Palais Mermonia, a wisp of light blue ahoge peeked out from the window, followed by a dark blue top hat, jellyfish-like hair, and the girl's plump little face.
"No way, you, the dignified Hydro Archon, are actually climbing out of Palais Mermonia through a window?" Furina's voice of complaint rang out at the opportune moment.
"Oh, it's precisely because I'm the Hydro Archon that I can't be caught sneaking out at night to play," Furina disagreed with Furina's complaint, quickly refuting her.
The streets were almost empty, so Furina managed to sneak out of Fontaine Ting without a hitch… After several tens of minutes of running, Furina arrived at a beach on the outskirts of Fontaine.
The beach at night was silent, with only the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the sand.
The evening breeze caressed the girl's cheeks, gently tousling her hair.
Furina closed her eyes, feeling the sea breeze on her face.
She took off her shoes and socks, revealing her fair feet, and slowly walked on the beach, feeling the sand beneath her soles.
As time passed, Furina's pace gradually quickened, and she began to run, embracing the wind.
The girl spread her arms, her face beaming with joy, her eyes sparkling, and her cheers echoed on the beach for a long time.
Furina watched Furina's happy face from within her inner space; although her expression remained unchanged, the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her thoughts.
"How wonderful. Perhaps only at moments like these can she play like an ordinary girl."
Just then, an unexpected voice interrupted her thoughts.
"My other self, you come out and play too."
"Huh? No way, I'm not a child like you," Furina pouted, replying disdainfully.
"Come on, come on, my other self," Furina used her pouting offensive.
However, Furina remained unmoved.
"Alright…" Furina was a little disappointed, her running speed slowed, and her ahoge drooped slightly.
Just then, she felt a surge of Hydro power in her left hand. She turned her head to see Furina, in energy form, appearing to her left, holding her left hand.
"Why are you looking at me? I just wanted to get some fresh air." After saying that, Furina turned her head away haughtily, not wanting Furina to see her expression or her slightly reddened cheeks.
Furina immediately became excited, her previously drooping ahoge standing tall again. She "pulled" Furina's hand, admiring the seaside scenery on the beach. The two ran side by side, taking big strides, leaving behind the girls' joyful laughter and their footprints on the otherwise calm beach.
Though they weren't truly holding hands, it felt more intimate than actually doing so.
Furina had a wonderful time tonight, the happiest day since her birth, so much so that she didn't even notice her slightly flushed cheeks as they ran.
When she got tired of running, Furina sat down to rest, with Furina sitting beside her. While she appeared to be resting, her sharp gaze indicated that she was actually on alert for any monster ambushes.
Just then, a star-shaped object shimmered with light. Furina leaned closer to see that it was a small starfish.
The starfish was blue in the center, with its five points gradually fading to purple. Furina was instantly captivated by it, picked it up, and after stroking it multiple times, reluctantly put it back.
This starfish was called a Lumidust Star.
(Lumidust Stars should be starfish, right? If not, then consider it my headcanon.)
Furina watched Furina's actions, silently noting the things Furina liked in her heart… The next morning, at the Opera Epiclese.
"I heard Lady Furina will also be attending today's opera performance."
"Really? Lady Furina's taste must be impeccable, so it seems my ticket was worth it."
"Exactly, exactly. This newly premiered opera today is definitely not simple."
Furina sat in the Hydro Archon's exclusive chair, crossed her legs, and stared intently at the stage, anticipating the start of the performance.
Soon, the lights in the hall dimmed, and the entire venue fell silent instantly.
The play primarily depicted Carmen, a beautiful but stubborn gypsy girl and tobacco factory worker.
She made the soldier corporal Don José fall in love with her, causing him to abandon his gentle and kind rural lover, Micaëla. Don José was later imprisoned for letting her go after she fought with other factory workers, and after his release, he joined her smuggler's gang.
However, Carmen later fell in love with the bullfighter Escamillo. While people cheered for Escamillo's victory in the bullfight, she died by Don José's dagger.
(The beginning of French opera — "Carmen")
Furina had initially thought Furina's attendance at the opera was a fleeting whim, but she hadn't expected her to be genuinely interested in opera. At least this time, she watched the entire performance without blinking, her bright eyes indicating that she hadn't zoned out for a single moment.
This opera was indeed not simple.
During the long period of aristocratic rule in Fontaine, operas mostly featured high-ranking officials and nobles as protagonists. This play, however, featured a factory worker, a soldier from a peasant background, and ordinary people as its protagonists, which was truly innovative.
During this time, the ascension of the new Hydro Archon and the arrival of the Chief Justice severely weakened the rule of the nobles, ushering Fontaine into a new era.
The staging of this opera also seemed to signify that a new era had truly arrived.
With such a profound meaning, the Hydro Archon's presence and support, and its excellent quality, this play quickly became a sensation throughout Fontaine, with various theater troupes scrambling to request revivals… "My other self, teach me how to sing opera, please—" In her inner space, Furina held Furina's hand, shaking it repeatedly and pouting.
"Me teach you? Really? Go learn it yourself." Furina was a bit speechless. She could tell Furina genuinely liked opera, but she hadn't expected Furina to want to sing opera too.
Although she had possessed a lot of knowledge since her birth, and naturally knew a little about opera, she was simply lazy.
"But, to outsiders, a god doesn't need to study, right? If I actively learn opera, I'll be suspected."
As Furina said this, her tone lowered slightly, and she looked at Furina with wide eyes.
Upon hearing this, Furina thought it made sense. She also didn't want Fontaine to be destroyed; in fact, she, like Furina, wanted to work hard to save Fontaine. Plus, with Furina's pitiful, big eyes looking at her, she had no choice but to agree.
"Yay, my other self is the best!" Seeing Furina willing to teach her, Furina also became happy. This way, she wouldn't have to worry about anyone discovering her learning process.
It was a joke; how could anyone else see her inner space?
However, Furina miscalculated this time. If she had thought more thoroughly, she would have realized that after the previous experience, no one would doubt the authenticity of Furina's identity as the Hydro Archon. Furina's actions would only make the public believe that the Hydro Archon loved learning.
It was just that Furina always pouted at her, and then she mentioned the outcome she couldn't accept, which caused Furina's brain to short-circuit for a moment, and she immediately agreed to Furina's request.
However, did Furina truly miscalculate?
If she could increase her time spent with Furina, why wouldn't she?
Furina: You didn't expect this, did you? You thought I was on the first layer, but I'm actually on the third~
...There should be 1-2 more daily life chapters, barring any unforeseen circumstances.