Three days later, in full public view, the Maison Gardiennage arrested Usher.
The reason was obvious: his clothing was problematic.
An investigation by the Marechaussee Phantoms revealed that the materials used in Usher's Fleuve Cendre factory were not only substandard but also recycled wastewater.
Prolonged wear of his clothing inevitably led to various skin diseases.
This blatant violation of Fontaine's Law left him with only one fate: Judgment.
Chiori and Luna were naturally among the onlookers. Perhaps drawn by their striking presence, Usher quickly noticed them.
"...Why?" he asked, his head bowed.
"Why what? Speak plainly," Chiori retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Why can you chase that idiotic dream of 'sweeping Teyvat' like a fool, while I can't?"
Chiori sighed. "Luna."
You explain. That was her meaning, clearly too lazy to waste her breath.
"Because Chiori never gives up when faced with adversity. That's how we met."
"You constantly call others foolish and mock their dreams, yet you yourself are as lowly as a maggot, desperate to crawl out of the well but too afraid to dirty your hands or ruin your claws—that's why you'll never achieve it."
Luna clenched her hand into a loose fist, mimicking a claw.
"You can't leave claw marks in others' eyes if you've already clipped your own nails," she said calmly.
To leave your mark, you must inevitably wear down your own claws.
Chiori smiled faintly. "Well said. Exactly."
"I will leave my claw marks all over Teyvat's fashion world, making sure everyone knows I exist."
"Chiori's such a wildcat, scratching wherever she pleases."
Chiori raised an eyebrow, tugged Luna's ear, and whispered, "If you dare say that in private, let's see where my claws will scratch."
"How terrifying," Luna chuckled.
Usher opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated, finally shaking his head dejectedly as he followed the Maison Gardiennage away from the scene.
No need for sympathy.
The moment he resorted to underhanded tactics instead of legitimate competition, his fate was sealed. Once he bowed his head, he would never be able to straighten it again.
"Serves him right," Chiori remarked, her interest waning.
"He walked right into his own trap," Luna sighed.
"Let's go back," Chiori said, turning and pulling Luna away without a backward glance.
Back at Chioriya Boutique, it was time to work.
Luna served as both model and assistant, helping Chiori finish the remaining garments. Once they buried themselves in their work, they lost all track of time until hunger and thirst reminded them to take a break.
Chiori had already selected the other models: Furina, Navia, Lynette, and Lyney.
Why Lyney among them? She couldn't showcase only women's clothing, could she? Would men actually come to her boutique to buy women's clothes for themselves?
Originally, Chiori had wanted to include Arlecchino, Chevreuse, and Clorinde as well.
But Arlecchino was out of the question; her position alone made it impossible for her to participate in such a public event.
Chevreuse? She simply wasn't interested.
As for Clorinde... she claimed to be too busy.
It was a pity. Luna's proportions were perfect, but Clorinde's physique might have been more suited to current trends—the bigger, the better.
"You really had the nerve to invite 'Father.'"
"Her daughter's in my hands. Why wouldn't I?" Chiori replied casually.
"Am I being kidnapped?"
Chiori's expression remained blank. "Yes. From now on, I'm going to keep you locked in my basement and use you as my permanent dress-up doll. Happy?"
"That would just turn into an escape room challenge, you know. And even you, Chiori, wouldn't be able to catch me."
"I don't need to catch you."
Chiori tied a silk ribbon around Luna's waist, her smile softening. "You can't leave me anyway. No matter what happens, you'll always come back here."
"And even if you did leave, I'd hunt you down to the ends of the earth and kill you. You can count on it."
Was there an extra "kill" in that sentence?
"But that leaves us with only five models. The maximum is six. We're still missing one... Never mind. Even if I work myself to the bone, there's no way I can finish the last piece by tomorrow. I haven't even decided who the model should be."
Though she felt a tinge of regret, Chiori acknowledged that this was still a decent outcome.
Lost in thought, Chiori looked up to see Luna wearing a teasing smile.
It inexplicably infuriated her.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing~"
Chiori pinched Luna's stomach. "Spill it. Don't keep me in suspense."
"I'm not keeping anything from you. I'm just really looking forward to tomorrow's fashion show."
Just that?
Chiori didn't believe it for a second. But Luna wouldn't budge, and even if she pried her mouth open, she could only taste Luna's words, not read her thoughts.
Maybe Luna has another surprise planned for me.
If that was the case, Chiori replied, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow too."
And so, the following evening...
Backstage at the familiar Fashion Show venue.
This year's fashion show format was different from previous years. Instead of a simple runway walk, models would present in groups, with each group transitioning into the next.
Navia twirled, lifting her skirt. "Wow, this dress is even more stunning than I imagined!"
"Indeed," Furina agreed candidly.
Putting aside personal feelings, Chiori's designs truly deserved high praise.
"Your designs are truly stunning," Furina said, unstinting in her admiration.
"I didn't expect you to compliment me," Chiori replied, mildly surprised.
Furina huffed. "Do you think I'm so petty? Good things deserve praise, and bad things deserve criticism! I refuse to let personal feelings cloud my judgment."
Praise my magnanimity!
"Is that so? Thank you."
"You should be thanking me properly! Someone as generous as I am is a rare find!" Furina puffed out her chest.
But Luna will never belong to you!
Lyney chuckled wryly. "I never imagined I'd be chosen as a model."
Lynette glanced at him a few times.
"You wouldn't look out of place in women's clothing."
"Don't even think about it."
Lynette flicked her cat tail, instinctively searching for Luna.
"Speaking of which, where's Luna?" Lyney asked curiously.
"She said she needed to grab something and told me to come ahead," Furina replied, placing her hands on her hips.
"What kind of something?" Navia asked.
"...Top secret."
"Not even a hint?" Chiori pressed.
Furina raised her index finger and shushed them. "Nope! When it comes to keeping secrets, no one can beat me! Hmph hmph hmph... My lips are tougher than anything!"
Even if Teyvat exploded, her mouth would remain indestructible!
Wait, is that even a compliment? Furina wondered.
"Miss Chiori, your group is up next."
"Alright, let's go."
Chiori gestured for Navia and the others to head backstage to prepare for the runway.
Luna would never be late.
"Huh?"
A staff member scratched their head.
"What's wrong?"
"Miss Chiori, aren't you changing into your outfit?"
"Ah? Me? I'm not a model."
The staff member blinked, then opened a folder. "That's strange. According to the registration, you're definitely one of the models. There must be some mistake in the records."
Registration? Chiori distinctly remembered not writing her name down when she signed up.
Unless...
"Luna wouldn't have asked you to re-register, would she?"
"Ah, yes."
Just as I suspected.
What is this girl thinking?
Chiori crossed her arms, her brow furrowing in displeasure. This unexpected turn of events caught her completely off guard. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luna rushing toward her.
"Hey, Luna—"
Without a word, Luna grabbed Chiori's hand and dragged her into the changing room, immediately unbuttoning Chiori's dress.
"What are you doing...?" Chiori asked, bewildered.
"Look at this."
Chiori focused her gaze. Luna was wearing the gown Chiori had made, but in her hands, she held another outfit—one that looked familiar, yet Chiori had no memory of ever creating it.
"What is this?" Chiori asked, her eyes widening.
Luna unfolded the garment.
Regal, lavish, and elegant... its Fontaine-inspired design seamlessly incorporated elements from other nations, creating a harmonious whole. The design was ingenious, and the craftsmanship was absolutely exquisite.
Every detail radiated the maker's meticulous care.
Chiori couldn't help but reach out, gently caressing the fabric. "Did you... make this?"