After the Fashion Show concluded, everyone gathered outside Chioriya Boutique.
"Done?" Luna asked, tapping Chioriya Boutique's newly installed sign.
"Done," Chiori replied with a nod, leaping down.
Chiori had commissioned the new sign before the Fashion Show. With its resounding success, she naturally wanted to seize the momentum and have it installed right away.
Furina stroked her chin. "Quite tasteful."
"Naturally," Chiori said. "After all, it is me."
"I just realized our Blubberbeast Troupe still doesn't have a proper sign," Furina added.
Chiori sighed. "Do you really want to name it that?"
Luna nodded. "What, do you look down on Blubberbeasts?"
"Exactly! Blubberbeasts are so adorable!" Furina insisted.
Just as adorable as me! she thought. Though, of course, she wasn't quite as... round.
"I don't mind," Chiori said indifferently. "I won't be the one giving the interviews anyway."
Navia stretched languidly. "Phew~ I thought it would be much harder. All we had to do was strike a few poses and stand there."
"Say that out loud, and people will point and stare," Luna warned. "There's more to modeling than meets the eye."
"Like what?"
"You can't be fat."
Navia casually poked Luna's side. "Lulu's tummy is nice and soft... and quite slender."
Furina quickly pulled Luna aside.
"Ahem, it's getting late. We should head back now!" she said quickly.
If we stay any longer, these Three Belles of Fontaine—wait, one of them is from Inazuma. Either way, if they keep surrounding Luna, they'll definitely start groping her right in front of me!
Absolutely not!
Navia seemed slightly disappointed. "Breaking up already? How about some late-night snacks? My treat!"
"I'll have to pass," Lyney said. "I have matters to attend to at home."
"Me too," Lynette added with a slight nod.
"Aww..." Navia sighed.
Chiori chuckled softly. "Next time then. A ladies' tea party would be lovely."
More like a battle royale tea party, Luna thought.
"Should Chevreuse join us too?" Luna asked casually.
Chevreuse, who had been approaching them, paused mid-stride but quickly resumed her approach, acting as if nothing had happened.
"If the opportunity arises. I saw the Fashion Show earlier—it was stunning," Chevreuse said.
"As if I needed your approval," Chiori replied confidently.
Chevreuse turned to Luna. "Luna, come over here for a moment."
Looks like it's serious.
Luna nodded and followed Chevreuse to a secluded corner.
"I've been investigating your background," Chevreuse said, cutting straight to the point.
"And?"
Chevreuse hesitated visibly.
Seeing this, Luna murmured, "My 'Father' knows everything. I simply wish to follow in my biological parents' footsteps with my own eyes."
"I've already shared my suspicions about their fate. You needn't worry."
Chevreuse fell silent for a moment.
"According to the Adventurer's Guild records, a married couple was murdered. The woman was from Mondstadt, the man from Liyue, and they wed in Fontaine."
"The forensic autopsy report confirms the woman had given birth. The Marechaussee Phantoms speculate the child may have had golden hair—"
Luna: "..."
Chevreuse: "..."
She couldn't discern Luna's emotions. Luna's face showed no grief, no sorrow, no anger.
In such moments, Chevreuse often chose silence.
"White Cat."
"Hm?"
Chevreuse turned around. "The Court of Justice has apprehended the prime suspect, who confessed to murdering the couple. The case is considered closed."
"But I can smell something suspicious."
"My intuition tells me the true killer may still be at large."
Luna smiled gently. "As expected of my Miss Captain, your senses are as sharp as ever."
Chevreuse ignored her teasing and said earnestly, "I'll continue investigating. If my suspicions prove true, I'll bring your enemies before the opera house."
"For me?"
"For the Law and justice."
Just as I thought.
Luna's smile softened. "That's precisely why I adore you, Miss Captain."
"...And for you as well."
Luna looked genuinely surprised.
Chevreuse gazed deeply at Luna, hesitating before speaking.
Perhaps this is cruel, perhaps it's heartless, she thought after a moment's hesitation, but I must say it.
"Don't forget our agreement."
"..."
Chevreuse strode away, disappearing from view. Luna leaned against the wall, bathed in the pale moonlight, and murmured to herself.
"You're so unfair, Miss Captain."
Telling her this, saying those words, and reminding her of their "agreement"...
A few moments later, she rejoined Chiori and the others.
Navia asked anxiously, "Lulu, are you alright? You two seemed awfully serious just now."
"Navia, Chiori, Lynette."
"Hmm?"
"I'm leaving the country in a few days. Want to come along?"
Furina exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? More people are joining?!"
She had originally thought it would be a trip for just the two of them, but then Arlecchino had barged in, and now they were adding three more?
Is she going to drag Chevreuse along too?
But Furina's worries were unfounded.
If Chevreuse wanted to join, she would have to request a long leave of absence. Given the Special Task Force's unique nature and her unwavering sense of justice, she would never allow herself to take too much time off.
Besides, she still needed to continue investigating Luna's biological parents in Fontaine.
Chiori glanced at Luna a few times.
"I'll come."
Navia nodded. "Alright, but I need to settle things with the gang first!"
Lynette twitched her cat ears, understanding Luna's desire to uncover her origins, and nodded in agreement.
That's exactly what I was thinking too.
"Brother, just stay home and watch the place."
"Ha ha, I know. Don't worry. Father hasn't assigned us any missions lately anyway, so watching the house is no problem at all."
Luna took Furina's hand and gave it a gentle shake. "Is that alright, Lady Furina?"
"Still calling me 'Lady'..." Furina huffed. "You've already made up your mind. Why even ask me?"
Furina puffed out her cheeks.
"Let's go on another solo trip together next time," Luna whispered in her ear.
Hearing this, Furina's anger dissipated. "You promise?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Agh... I can't deal with you! Fine, you can join! I, Furina, hereby permit your participation!"
Navia curtsied, lifting her skirt in a graceful bow. "Thank you, Lady Furina."
Chiori also curtsied. "Thank you, former Hydro Archon."
"You don't have to do that..." Furina's expression was awkward; this is so embarrassing!
After bidding farewell to the others, Luna and Furina began their walk home.
"What did Chevreuse say to you just now?" Luna calmly recounted to Furina the information Chevreuse had shared earlier.
Furina suddenly regretted bringing up such a heavy topic. She knew better than anyone how deeply Luna cared about her origins and birth.
"Ahem, maybe it was someone else, not your real parents! You... you shouldn't overthink it!" Furina stammered, trying to comfort her clumsily.
"My hand."
"Huh? Oh... right."
Furina understood and took Luna's hand.
"Do you want me to hold you while you sleep tonight?" she added.
"Haven't you always been the one holding me to sleep?"
Furina's face flushed as she murmured, "No, it's different now!"
Luna smiled gently. "Alright, I'll leave it to you tonight. And don't worry about me—as long as Furina keeps holding my hand."
"That's easy."
Furina swung their clasped hands, her smile widening. "After all, I have no intention of letting go."