Lynette still remembered the first time Luna kissed her cheek.
At that time, the nickname "Lulu" hadn't yet been coined, but they had already been members of the House of the Hearth for quite some time, fully integrated into this extraordinary family.
They were inseparable, doing almost everything together.
"Like real sisters," some of the children remarked.
But Luna never assumed the role of older sister, and Lynette never considered her a younger sibling.
Lynette simply loved being by Luna's side.
Even when they were silent, saying nothing, just being together in silence. If Lynette were to describe it now, it was the best "recharging time."
Until Luna disappeared without a word.
Every morning, Lynette woke to find the girl who should have been beside her still missing. She searched everywhere, but Luna was nowhere to be found.
In the vast House, all the scents mingled together, but Luna's scent was gradually fading... The moonlight couldn't guide her, but Luna could—yet Luna had vanished.
Vanished without a word.
The clearer this truth became, the deeper Lynette's anguish grew.
Like the stray cat in the courtyard, she gazed at the bright moon every day, waiting for Luna's return. Two or three years passed, but Luna never came back.
The daily routine of cheek kisses disappeared along with her.
-
"Lynette, what does a kiss feel like?"
"Huh?"
Luna pointed to her book. When she wasn't training, she was usually reading or tinkering with gadgets, and she also seemed interested in musical instruments.
Lynette was taken aback by the question, at a loss for words.
"I... I don't know. I've only seen it in plays, but since it's on the cheek, I imagine it feels as soft as bread or cream."
Luna closed her book and pondered for a moment.
Then, as if struck by a brilliant idea, her eyes lit up. "Why don't we try it?"
"Try it?" Lynette exclaimed, startled.
Though Luna felt a twinge of shyness, her curiosity remained strong. "Mm, even though no one in my family has ever done something like this, I've heard some families do. Since Lynette and I are family too, trying it wouldn't be a problem."
Her initial desire to kiss Lynette's cheek stemmed purely from curiosity.
Curiosity about what it would feel like.
And what emotions it might evoke.
In the plays Lynette had seen, cheek kisses were exchanged between lovers. But they weren't lovers, and their bodies hadn't fully matured; the lingering traces of childhood still clung to them.
"But in the plays I've seen, only lovers do that kind of thing," Lynette protested.
"Lovers..." Luna murmured, a hint of hesitation crossing her face.
"But..." Lynette couldn't help but continue. She was also curious about what it would feel like to be kissed by Luna.
"But... I think you might be right, Luna..."
"Hmm..." Luna remained hesitant.
I regret saying that extra line, Lynette thought. If I hadn't, Luna wouldn't be so uncertain now.
Fortunately, Luna's curiosity won out.
"Let's just try it once, then. It's just one time, after all."
Lynette exhaled in relief, twitching her cat ears. "Yeah, just once."
Luna stood up, and Lynette rose nervously to her feet as well. Kissing was a step beyond cheek kisses—something truly reserved for lovers.
Even though they weren't actually going to kiss, her heart pounded wildly.
It's just because we've never done this before, Lynette thought. We'll get used to it eventually.
Luna had said she'd only try it once... As Lynette's mind wandered, Luna leaned closer, grasping her shoulders, her sweet scent drifting through the air.
Lynette instinctively tensed, closing her eyes and pursing her lips.
What will it feel like?
The moment the thought surfaced, a warm, soft, and slightly damp sensation pressed against her cheek. It tickled a little, nothing remarkable, yet her heart suddenly began pounding like a drum.
"Ugh... it tickles a bit," Lynette murmured, her face flushed crimson.
"Really? I didn't feel anything," Luna replied.
"...Nothing at all?"
"No, except that Lynette's skin is very soft."
Lynette couldn't imagine what that sensation might be like.
Unless she tried doing the same to Luna.
"Can I try?"
"Lynette wants to try too?"
"Mm-hmm."
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded.
Lynette carefully gripped Luna's shoulders, rising slightly on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips firmly against Luna's cheek.
It was indeed nothing remarkable.
Yet it felt sweetly pleasant, like savoring a delicate pastry.
"Again?" Lynette whispered.
"Which side?"
"You choose."
Luna had an epiphany, then squirmed a bit. "It feels... surprisingly nice."
What does a real kiss feel like? The thought flashed through her mind but didn't linger. She hadn't yet developed any desire to kiss Lynette properly.
They were merely playing a game, lightly kissing each other's cheeks to gauge each other's reactions.
The next day...
"Luna, about yesterday... should we try that again?"
And just like that, it became a daily ritual—something they did once a day, never less, always more—a unique routine shared only between them.
-
Lynette crouched by the wall, cradling a sleek-furred cat in her arms.
"Even though we've made up, we haven't kissed on the cheek in so long," she murmured to herself, stroking the cat's fur.
"Meow."
Lynette smiled faintly. "You're asking if I want to? Of course I—"
I do.
Even though the past can never be recovered, and Luna has changed in appearance and personality, her essence remains the same. She's still the "moonlight" that guided Lynette that night.
"But what excuse can I use?"
Directly asking Luna to kiss her was out of the question. Lynette was too shy.
Everyone said she was like a doll, devoid of emotion, but that was just an illusion. If she truly lacked feelings, she wouldn't have resented Luna's sudden departure, nor would she have felt guilt and relief upon learning the truth.
"There are so many girls around her... Hmm? You have lots of girls chasing after you too? I see..."
"Lately, whenever Luna's name is mentioned, 'Father's' expression softens. Others can't see it, but I can, because I'm a cat."
"..."
Everyone is changing.
And so am I, Lynette thought.
"Lynette?"
Lynette perked up her cat ears, glanced back, and exclaimed in surprise, "Lulu?"
Luna approached her. "What are you doing?"
"Just a moment. Let me activate 'Chat Mode.'"
Chat Mode... Luna recalled Lyney mentioning that Lynette had developed this behavior a year after she left. He explained that adjusting her "mode" was a way for her to signal herself to switch states.
Whether it actually works is another matter.
"Switch to manual," Luna instructed.
"I am already in manual mode. How may I assist you?"
Luna smiled slyly. "I want to know what Little Lyn is up to."
"Little Lyn... Ha, what a peculiar name. As you can see, I'm playing with Bonnie—Bonnie is this cat."
As Lynette spoke, she noticed Bonnie saunter over to Luna's shoes and gently nuzzle against them.
"...Looks like you haven't changed at all. Still as popular with cats as ever."
"Perhaps it's because I am, in essence, a cat myself? Meow."
Luna picked up Bonnie and smiled.
"Genetically speaking, no."
But from another perspective, perhaps she was right after all.
Lynette recalled the times they had kissed each other's cheeks as children, and her gaze drifted to Luna's lips. They were even more beautiful than she remembered, as if a gentle press could release sweet fruit juice.
She casually averted her eyes.
"It's rare to see you without other women around," Lynette remarked.
"Not really surprising, is it?"
"Very surprising."
And a good opportunity.
Ever since the Clervie incident, they hadn't spoken much.
Although she had joined the Troupe as a consultant for stage mechanics design, Lyney was the one who usually discussed matters with her.
Luna stroked the cat and began, "Lynette—"
"Lulu—"
Their voices collided simultaneously.
"You go first," Lynette said immediately.
If she wasn't mistaken, Luna wanted to say the same thing she did. In that case, she wouldn't have to endure the embarrassment of saying it herself.
"Are you free today?"
"Yes."
Lynette's ears fluttered. "...Are you inviting me?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Oh..."
Lynette approached Luna and reached out to stroke Bonnie's head.
"I'm free," she murmured.
I always have been.