In the bathroom.
Clorinde turned the knob, and hot water sprayed down, washing the sweat from her body. She let out a weary sigh.
"Tired?"
Luna slid the door open and stepped inside.
"Yeah."
First the duel, then the dancing, and then... the "duel."
Clorinde wasn't surprised by Luna's arrival. First, she had invited Luna to her home. Second, their relationship had reached a point of no return. They had done everything they should and shouldn't have. Though still a little embarrassed, Clorinde wouldn't resist.
And third...
"Clorinde, hand!" Luna said suddenly.
"Mm."
She was Luna's "pet" now.
Clorinde obediently placed her hand in Luna's palm. Her gaze caught sight of numerous teeth marks on Luna's skin, even some shallow bite wounds, and her expression grew even more strained.
During that "Duel," there had been no restraint, no pause. Both she and Luna had left countless marks of their own on each other.
"Doesn't it hurt?" Clorinde asked.
"Just a few flesh wounds. I'm used to it."
Clorinde nodded in understanding, assuming Luna had built up her tolerance through past training.
Of course, the real reason was that Navia, Furina, Chiori, Chevreuse... all of them enjoyed leaving their own marks on Luna's body.
Luna stroked Clorinde's loose, long hair, then gently traced the marks she herself had left.
"My Master once told me a story. I doubt you've heard it."
Clorinde brushed aside her damp bangs. If you weren't close enough, the sound of the water would have drowned out her voice.
"What story?" Luna asked, her interest piqued.
"Once, there was a Marechaussee Hunter so utterly consumed by hunting monsters that when all the rampaging beasts were finally wiped out, he fell into confusion. 'I've spent my entire life fighting to exterminate monsters,' he thought. 'Now that the enemy is gone, what meaning does my existence have?'"
Luna smiled faintly. "So the monster hunter ended up with an inhuman mindset himself."
"Mm." Clorinde gently twirled a strand of Luna's damp hair. "She wanted me to understand why I fight, so that the purpose of battle doesn't become battle itself."
"But what if that Marechaussee Hunter could only feel alive by continuing to live that way?" Luna pressed her hand against Clorinde's chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart.
"...That's a perspective I've never considered."
Luna smiled. "Your Master was right, but if it were me, I wouldn't feel lost or regretful. It was the choice I made. If my heart tells me to see it through to the end, then I will—even if it means dying without a grave."
"But I don't think that's what you really wanted to talk about, is it, Clorinde?"
Clorinde smiled faintly. "You know me so well. I only brought it up because it made me think of our relationship."
She wrapped her arms around Luna, her voice uncertain. "We are... dating, right?"
Luna returned the smile. "It depends on how you see it. I just think you're beautiful, Clorinde, and I want to take you, to make you mine... Calling it 'dating' or 'marriage' is fine by me."
"That couldn't be better."
The shower continued to pour hot water, filling the space with rising steam. Clorinde grasped Luna's hand, silently conveying the feelings in her heart.
Luna squeezed back, earning a soft whisper from Clorinde.
"I will—and I want to—cherish the time I spend with you."
"My Master once used sugar cubes and a coffee spoon as an analogy: when the spoon points to the sugar cube, you should focus on the sugar, not the spoon."
"A peaceful, beautiful life is the sugar cube I need to obtain. Battle is just the spoon I use to get it."
Clorinde brushed aside Luna's hair and kissed her gently.
"Luna, you're that sugar cube too," she murmured with a smile.
Luna's eyes flickered, and she smiled back, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Such a straightforward confession. But I've always preferred this kind of directness."
She could feel a faint, almost imperceptible heartbeat drumming against her chest—or perhaps it was just an illusion, her own heart pounding, because Clorinde's armor plating was just too thick.
Still, Luna could read Clorinde's thoughts in her eyes.
"You want to continue?" Luna asked.
"Yes. I want to feel everything about you, more deeply."
Luna wrapped her arms around Clorinde's neck and chuckled softly. "Then savor the taste of your sugar cube. I'll leave it to you this time—I'm a little tired of taking the lead for so long."
Clorinde didn't reply with words, but with action.
It's alright. There's still plenty of time.
Everything will be washed away by the water.
The shower continued to pour, its rushing sound carrying away Luna and Clorinde's voices.
-
Her hair now dry, Clorinde lay in bed, covering her mouth as she yawned.
After so many long "duels," her legs felt like jelly, and her body was utterly exhausted. All she wanted now was a good, long sleep.
Luna gently rubbed Clorinde's stomach, occasionally giving it a light pat. Her expression suggested she found this quite amusing. Clorinde, in turn, would let out a flat "meow" or "woof" to indulge Luna's playful mood.
"Is Clorin-rin sleepy?"
"Yes, my body is exhausted. I'll probably need to sleep for several hours to recover."
Clorinde looked at Luna, taking her hand. "Can you stay here?"
"To watch you sleep?"
"Do whatever you want."
Luna bit her fingertip, a blush rising on her cheeks as she narrowed her eyes. "Saying that, you really aren't afraid I'll keep you from sleeping at all, are you?"
"When you're completely exhausted, you sleep like the dead. If you can wear me out until I can't move and lose consciousness, that's still a form of rest in its own way."
Clorinde said.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Clorinde whispered, "I want to spend a little more time with you."
Luna's gaze softened. "No problem."
She brushed Clorinde's bangs aside and lightly kissed her forehead.
"But... I want to use your stomach as a pillow!"
"Okay."
Satisfied, Luna rested her head on Clorinde's abdomen. It wasn't the most comfortable pillow, but it was warm. She patted Clorinde's chest.
"There, you can rest easy now," she said.
Clorinde murmured a soft reply, unable to fight off her drowsiness any longer as she closed her eyes.
Her consciousness sank, and she vaguely found herself back on the familiar stage. She dreamed of the "nightmare" again, where her duel with Luna was still unfinished.
But in the blink of an eye, Luna disarmed her.
Then hugged her.
The nightmare vanished, replaced by a warm, comfortable dream. Except... for some reason, her stomach felt like it was being crushed by a rock.
"Breaking a rock on your stomach? Let me do it, watch this!"
Navia inexplicably appeared.
"Hey, no! Just let me have her all to myself!"
Furina was there too.
"Break the rock into smaller pieces. One for each of us, no taking extra."
Chiori scoffed.
"Burning it would be more practical."
Chevreuse shook her head.
"Don't worry, Clorinde. We'll take this rock away for you."
Focalors said with a grin.
"No, you won't."
Arlecchino appeared.
"Let her go!"
Lynette popped up as well.
Then, just as inexplicably, it all devolved into a chaotic, blurry brawl.
Clorinde slowly opened her eyes. "It was a dream..."
What a strange dream.
She looked down. Luna was still resting her head on her abdomen, seemingly asleep with her eyes closed. Recalling the dream, Clorinde couldn't help but place a hand on Luna's hair.
Although she was now Luna's "pet," Clorinde felt that Luna was the one who acted more like a small animal.
An animal's pet... she thought. I can't even imagine it.