Here we go again.
Neuvillette sighed deeply. Although Luna had only appeared after the judgment was concluded and the dust had settled, at least she hadn't disrupted the trial itself.
But while such incidents were tolerable once or twice, any more would become a serious headache.
Focalors rose to her feet. "It's you again, Phantom Thief. There are no treasures for you here in the Court of Judgment."
"Is that so? You are not me, so how could you possibly know? The pathetic display of those who don't know their place is quite an interesting treasure in itself."
Luna parried Chevreuse's spear, and in the blink of an eye, the spearpoint thrust out again, its fiery tip clashing with the sword's shadow, sending sparks flying.
"That's enough, White Cat!" Chevreuse snapped.
Dragging this out was pointless.
The actors were in position, waiting for the real show to begin.
Chevreuse charged at Luna, spear in hand.
Do it now! Chevreuse's eyes commanded.
In that fleeting moment, Luna recalled the plan Chevreuse had proposed two nights ago.
"They don't know about our 'deal,'" Chevreuse had said. "They've likely just pinned the most sensational and damning accusation they could find on me."
"Even if we win the case, it won't necessarily remove the seeds of doubt from people's minds. To solve this once and for all and eliminate any future trouble, we need to stage a drama that no one will question."
After speaking, Chevreuse stared silently at Luna for a long moment.
"When I say 'That's enough,' you will—"
Her lips moved almost imperceptibly.
"—stab me."
Chevreuse couldn't rely on flashy abilities to deceive everyone like Luna could. Instead of devising an elaborate plan, she opted for this simple, direct method.
Frankly, Luna felt it was entirely unnecessary.
She could have used a Masked Puppet to take Chevreuse's place, then controlled the puppet and faked the injury until it "healed."
But Chevreuse had rejected that idea.
It wasn't a matter of trust, she'd said, but that there could be no room for error. Yet Luna couldn't shake the feeling that Chevreuse had another motive.
Regardless, Chevreuse was adamant about using this method.
It was a difficult request.
As Chevreuse closed in, Luna tightened her grip on her sword hilt, a rare flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
Do it! Chevreuse's gaze commanded again. The tip of her spear scraped against the ground, igniting a trail of fire and whipping up a fiery wind as she charged, holding nothing back!
Luna raised her sword.
In the blink of an eye, the spearpoint was deflected, and the sword flashed. A spray of blood followed!
"Eh?" Furina gasped in shock.
Chiori frowned. "What..."
Navia covered her mouth. "No way..."
The sword pierced Chevreuse's side.
Clorinde narrowed her eyes, instantly identifying the wound's location. Not fatal... Could this be the "countermeasure" Luna and Chevreuse mentioned?
A "performance" with real blood?
"Captain!" Turenna cried out.
The audience, forgetting to flee, stared blankly at the scene.
The plan succeeded.
Luna withdrew her sword, and Chevreuse collapsed convincingly to the ground.
"...Such bravery is admirable, I suppose. But willpower alone isn't enough. Captain Chevreuse, do you know why I took an interest in you?"
She spoke while stepping on the barrel of Chevreuse's rifle.
Because of her soul and heart—that was what Luna always said.
But this was an act.
"Because I find it amusing. There are always moths like you, drawn to the flame, seeking their own destruction. And aren't you curious to see the expression on a moth's face just before it's burned to ash?"
"I never liked you, Miss Captain. I just found you... entertaining."
"And no matter how entertaining, it eventually grows tiresome."
Chevreuse remained silent.
Luna glanced down at Chiori in the audience.
Chiori understood instantly. So this was their plan... How reckless! But things had come to this. Given their positions, they couldn't just stand by and watch.
"Let's go," she said to Furina and Navia, drawing her twin blades.
Furina blinked repeatedly. "Eh? Eh?"
"Ah... Could it be..." Navia's eyes widened in realization.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Furina understood everything.
This is their plan!?
It's too outrageous! What if something goes wrong? Wait, no... Luna doesn't make mistakes... As this thought crossed Furina's mind, she raised her finger.
"Salon Solitaire, come forth!"
The Seafood Three Overlords appeared.
Clorinde sighed softly and drew her sword. Focalors also gathered her power... Together, they launched their attack, leaping onto the stage and charging straight at Luna.
This is how it has to be. If they did nothing but watch from the sidelines, it would give people something to talk about.
Luna smiled in satisfaction and snapped her fingers.
Bang!
A sudden burst of flames engulfed her figure. The next second, she vanished from the spot.
Everyone's attacks struck empty air, met only by silence.
"Did she run...?" Chiori said with a grim expression.
"A-Are you okay?" Furina rushed to Chevreuse's side.
Chevreuse said nothing, merely closing her eyes slowly.
Luna's sword had been precise, cutting only flesh without hitting any vital points. Pain? Physically, no. But recalling Luna's recent words...
"I don't like you at all, Captain Chevreuse. I just find you entertaining."
—Even if it was all an act.
Chevreuse still felt a dull ache in her heart.
...She's certainly dedicated to her role.
She thought idly as medics administered first aid.
The stage lights were blindingly bright, their glare piercing even through her closed eyelids. It was just like that day, when Luna had aimed her pistol at the Malo couple.
Luna had proven she would always honor their deal and their oath.
Now, it was her turn.
Trust me, White Cat... Luna, Chevreuse thought.
-
"This was your plan?"
Inside the troupe's quarters, Chiori stared at Luna with a look of exasperation.
Luna nodded lightly. "I'm already a sinner. No one will find it strange if I commit more evil deeds."
"And Chevreuse is the righteous Captain of the Special Task Force. Justice falling to evil is inherently captivating. With just a few words, I can make the audience believe it's real."
"Was this your idea?" Chiori asked again.
"Chevreuse's."
"Not surprising."
Luna would never have the heart to do something like this herself.
Furina rubbed her temples, a headache forming. "To think the Captain of the Special Task Force would propose such a method... No wonder she's been able to chase you down all this time."
Clorinde crossed her arms. "But I imagine there must have been better options..."
"She vetoed all the other plans I proposed," Luna said.
Vetoed?
Navia couldn't help but ponder. If there were safer methods, why not use them? I don't get it.
Focalors looked thoughtful. "Hmm... I see."
"What do you 'see'?" Furina asked curiously.
"Nothing. It's just that this 'Miss Police Dog'..." Focalors paused, searching for the right word. "...is quite cunning."
Chevreuse wanted Luna to stab her.
-
Night. Special Task Force Headquarters.
"White Cat went too far!"
"Exactly! She betrayed the Captain's kindness... And after the Captain wanted her to live a peaceful life... Criminals are all the same deep down."
"The Captain's father was so worried..."
"By the way, where is the Captain?"
Turenna was lost in thought. Her intuition told her that the Phantom Thief White Cat and their Captain couldn't possibly be in that kind of situation. How could the Captain misjudge someone so badly?
Everything that happened today felt like a play.
Everyone was kept in the dark.
...But it must be my imagination. She shook her head. "The Captain is resting in her room. Orders came from above—she's to recuperate for the next few days."
-
Meanwhile.
Chevreuse sat on her bed, gently touching her side.
"Luna."
"Hm?"
A response came from the window.
The sound of approaching footsteps followed as Luna walked slowly to Chevreuse's side and sat down.
"...You didn't stab deep enough."
Luna sighed. "Give me a break. The one thing I want to plunge into your body isn't a sword. Why did you have to resort to such a dangerous method? You can tell me now, right?"
Chevreuse glanced at her.
"Before that, change my dressing. It's time."
"Alright, alright."
Luna picked up the ointment from the table. Taking the hem of Chevreuse's shirt between her teeth, she rolled up the top and unwrapped the bandage. The sight of the stitched wound made her freeze.
"Does it hurt?" Luna asked, her voice muffled as she applied the ointment.
"..."
Chevreuse didn't respond.
Once the ointment was applied, a hand cupped Luna's face, and their lips pressed together tightly.
Luna lifted her gaze to meet Chevreuse's.
Chevreuse stared back, not letting even a wisp of breath escape from her lips.
"Does it hurt?" Luna breathed, asking again.
"It doesn't hurt anymore."
Chevreuse kissed Luna again, feeling their breaths and warmth merge into one. She repeated, "It doesn't hurt anymore."