The day of their next performance was fast approaching.
Luna and Furina were certain this would be their masterpiece, a performance that would make every member of the audience cheer, thrill, and applaud.
But a week before the show, a letter appeared in their mailbox.
"Luna, take a look at this."
Furina walked over and handed the letter to Luna, who was reading on the sofa.
"A love letter?"
"No way! How could it be... Well, I suppose it's not impossible. But if I were to send one, I'd never use such a plain, ordinary method!"
Furina cleared her throat pointedly.
Luna took the letter with a smile and tore it open.
"This is an... invitation."
"An invitation?"
Furina circled behind Luna, rested her chin on her head, and peered over her hair at the letter, muttering, "'We cordially invite Lady Luna and Lady Furina to attend our product launch event—the Compact Filming Device'... So it's an invitation to a Confrerie product launch."
She lowered her face, burying it in Luna's hair, and her hands naturally moved to gently squish Luna's cheeks.
"Want to go check it out?"
"Sure, why not? We don't have much else to do."
The troupe's preparations were complete; all that remained were repeated rehearsals to ensure a perfect performance. She and Furina could easily spare the time.
A Compact Filming Device... It must be different from the standard Kamera, Luna thought.
Furina beamed. "Great! We'll go together tomorrow!"
-
The next day.
After showing the letter to the guards for a quick glance, Luna and Furina successfully entered the launch event venue.
"Oh? What's this...?" Furina said with keen interest.
The machine on the stage looked almost identical to a Kamera, but its design had a more fantastical flair.
"This Compact Filming Device," the presenter announced, "unlike the cumbersome equipment currently used in Fontaine, is smaller, more refined, and significantly cheaper. It will empower countless film enthusiasts to create their own 'personal films,' injecting new vitality into Fontaine's cinema industry..."
Clearly, this device was aimed at the general public.
The equipment currently used in Fontaine's film industry was incredibly bulky. Not only was it difficult to transport, but repositioning the camera required a monumental effort—unless tracks were laid in advance.
Even Furina had often wished for lighter equipment to shoot films.
"What do you think?" Furina asked.
"You want one?"
"It's such a novel invention, and it can shoot 'personal films'! Who wouldn't want one?" Furina spread her hands. "Making a film requires so much complicated equipment and personnel. And if investors start meddling, it becomes an even bigger headache."
"But with personal films, you don't have to deal with all that!" Furina was practically vibrating with excitement. "The most important thing is the actors! No endless bickering, no constant arguments. If you have an idea, you can just shoot your own film... Ah, the more I talk about it, the more I want one! I have so many ideas I want to bring to life."
Seeing her so thrilled, Luna said, "Then let's go get one."
"Get one? You don't mean..."
Are we going to steal a treasure again?
Luna winked playfully. "Wait here a moment."
She walked briskly toward the Confrerie members. A moment later, a lavishly dressed woman hurried over and engaged Luna in an enthusiastic conversation for some time.
The woman clapped her hands, and a Confrerie member respectfully presented a box.
"Please, you must try it! If you and Lady Furina wish to release your personal film, we would be honored to arrange it for you."
"Thank you very much."
Luna returned with the box, much to Furina's dawning realization.
There was no need to steal it at all. She just had to show her face.
Countless people were clamoring for them to use their products. Why worry about not getting one?
Luna smiled. "Fame is quite useful, isn't it?"
"Well, they're practically begging you to use it. I guess I was stuck in a mental rut... Maybe I should go ask for one too? I could say it's for 'work' versus 'personal use.'"
Furina stroked her chin, pondering for a moment before shaking her head.
"Never mind. Let's try this one first!"
Back home, Furina eagerly tore open the box. Inside was the Compact Filming Device, along with its various accessories.
Flipping open the instruction manual, Furina immediately began tinkering with it.
"Press here to turn it on... Oh, I see! And this accessory is the stand..."
Seeing her act like an excited child, her eyes sparkling, Luna couldn't help but smile.
Furina blushed. "Stop laughing and come help me!"
"Alright, alright."
Once the device was set up, Furina hoisted the Compact Filming Device onto her shoulder and started recording.
She aimed the lens at Luna.
The clarity is excellent! Furina nodded in satisfaction. She took a step forward, and Luna's face filled the frame. A few steps back, and Luna's upper body was perfectly captured.
"Are you focusing manually?" Luna asked with a smile.
"Yeah, it's pretty fun."
Furina lowered the Compact Filming Device, thoroughly pleased.
"Excellent, excellent! This thing is definitely going to start a new trend! My instincts are always spot-on, so..."
Furina placed her hands on her hips and chuckled.
"It's time for us to lead this trend!"
Luna, tidying up the box, asked, "Are you planning to make a personal film?"
"That's right! The stars will naturally be you and me. Two people are more than enough, especially since you can transform into other forms."
"For the music, I can compose the pieces, and you can play them. Aren't you skilled with the harpsichord?"
"As for the script, I'll handle it. I promise it'll be a lot of fun."
Luna dusted off her hands and stood up.
"You're asking me to be the star?"
"That's right. Why?" Furina asked, puzzled.
"What about my acting fee?"
Furina gasped. "Why would you need an acting fee?!"
Luna's voice was filled with amusement. "Well, since the great Director Furina herself is inviting me, how could I possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to demand a fee?"
Furina crossed her arms, thinking, Luna's definitely teasing me again.
Hmph, does she really think I'm as naive as I used to be? Brimming with confidence, Furina pulled Luna's hand, rose slightly on her tiptoes, and gave her a light kiss.
"Is this 'acting fee' acceptable?" Furina asked with a faint blush, a triumphant smile on her face.
See? This is the new me, the Furina of today!
Handling someone like Luna is child's play.
However, Luna simply smiled enchantingly, tightened her grip on Furina's hand, and intertwined their fingers. Then, she leaned in and pressed her lips against Furina's.
"Mmph—"
Furina's thoughts melted away. She closed her eyes as her mind slowly went blank.
After a long moment, Luna finally pulled back, breathing out, "Now that's acceptable."
Leaning limply against her, Furina could only puff out her cheeks in a pout.
"...Good then... Hmph."
It seemed that without Focalors' help, Furina was simply unable to defeat Luna in a direct confrontation.