"Captain, my family's been pressuring me to get married lately."
Turenna's voice suddenly came from the adjacent stall in the Special Task Force dormitory showers.
Chevreuse replied nonchalantly, "And what do you think about it?"
"I'm still young. Besides, the Special Task Force is busy and dangerous. Even if I found a boyfriend, who knows if he'd be willing to take on those risks?"
"True."
"Have you ever thought about finding someone, Captain?"
An image flashed through Chevreuse's mind. She sighed. "No."
Because there was no need to think about it anymore.
Making a lifelong deal with Luna meant her life was already completely entangled with hers.
Instead of wasting time on such meaningless thoughts, she should be focusing on how to firmly handcuff that little thief cat and how to more effectively capture criminals.
Besides, in a way, Luna was her partner.
"..."
Chevreuse lowered her head.
Her flushed skin came into view. A gentle touch was enough to bring back memories of the nights spent with Luna.
"I don't need to find a partner," Chevreuse said again.
"Wow, Captain, you're so assertive! I'll try that with my family next time. If I'm firm enough, they won't know what to do with me, hehe."
Chevreuse smiled faintly but said nothing.
After changing, she returned to her bedroom, drying her hair with a towel.
"The window's open again."
The bedroom window was ajar. It was obvious who had opened it.
And on her desk lay a conspicuously placed card, its sender just as clear.
She picked up the card.
"Want to go on a date tomorrow, Miss Captain?"
—That was the only short sentence on it.
Tomorrow... Chevreuse thought. Tomorrow is indeed my day off.
Luna remembered so clearly.
A date with her? Why not? Chevreuse had no other plans. Besides, Luna hadn't sent this card to ask a question.
She flipped the card over. Sure enough, there was another line of text on the back.
"Tomorrow, 9 AM, the plaza. Be there or be square."
It wasn't a question, but a unilateral declaration that the date was set for nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
Chevreuse put the card away. She couldn't defy Luna's "order," but she didn't need to. It was just a date—nothing to make a fuss about.
Sitting on the bed, her sharp eyes immediately noticed a strand of golden hair on the pillow.
The bed was still warm.
"Always sleeping in other people's beds, such a lazy cat," Chevreuse sighed.
However, the next day...
"Captain, there's an emergency! Someone's robbing a bank with a gun!"
Looks like I'll be quite late, Chevreuse thought as she put on her hat.
"Let's go! Special Task Force, move out!"
Joining the Special Task Force meant saying goodbye to a normal life. Even on a day off, if a situation arose, you had to immediately join the operation.
This was especially true for her, the Captain.
Bang!
The street, empty after the evacuation order, echoed with gunfire.
"Captain, there's another one over there!"
Chevreuse turned to see a masked robber clutching a bag. Firing his gun with one hand to push back the advancing Maison Gardiennage, he scrambled around a corner and disappeared.
I have to catch him!
She lowered her stance, then shot forward in a sprint.
The enemy was moving at a snail's pace—nothing compared to White Cat. In moments, she had the fleeing robber in her sights.
"Stay away from me!" the robber shrieked, hurling a bundle of dynamite.
BOOM!
The instant the explosives detonated, smoke filled the air.
But that wouldn't stop Chevreuse.
The flames were nothing compared to White Cat's inferno, and the smoke could never obscure her vision. But as she burst through the haze, she saw the robber had already grabbed onto a zipline.
"Haha! So long, Captain of the Special Task Force!"
The robber cackled as he slid down the rope. Chevreuse immediately drew her pistol and aimed for his feet.
Bang!
The shot didn't come from her gun.
A Blazing Bullet effortlessly burned through the rope. With a sharp snap, the thick cord broke, and the robber plummeted with a scream.
Fontaine's terrain was marked by extreme differences in elevation. A fall from this height would surely shatter every bone in his body.
But Chevreuse wasn't worried.
Because she had arrived.
A silk thread shot out, wrapping around the robber's ankle. He was yanked upward, and before he could even get a clear look at his rescuer, a swift kick sent his consciousness flying.
Luna tossed the unconscious robber and the bag stuffed with Mora in front of Chevreuse, twirling her pistol.
"You're late, Miss Captain," Luna said with a faint smile.
-
"Thank you for your hard work, Captain Chevreuse," a Maison Gardiennage member said, saluting.
"Just doing my duty."
After handing over the case, Chevreuse turned around, only to find Luna had vanished again. She paused for a moment, deciding it would be best to find Luna and apologize first.
Even though it had been an emergency, she really had been late.
Arriving at the plaza, Chevreuse quickly spotted Luna sitting outside a café, seemingly about to pay her bill.
Chevreuse strode over and pressed her hand on the table.
"I'll get this."
The waiter readily agreed and walked away. Left alone, Chevreuse was about to speak when Luna pressed a fingertip to her lips.
"No need to apologize."
"Being late is being late," Chevreuse said. "No excuse or reason can change that fact."
Luna propped her cheek on her hand. "Even the flexible Miss Captain has her rigid moments, huh? I don't mind—isn't that enough? But if you want to apologize, come here."
She beckoned Chevreuse closer, signaling her to lean in.
Are you sure? Chevreuse's eyes seemed to ask.
Absolutely, Luna replied with a smile.
"Haaah..."
Chevreuse sighed again, bending down to get closer to Luna. Luna raised her hand to cover Chevreuse's lips before gently kissing them.
"All done." Luna withdrew her hand, satisfied. "You looked so cool just now, Miss Captain."
Chevreuse shifted her gaze, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Even though I'm late, we're still going on our date, right?"
"You can back out if you want."
"I have no intention of breaking our plans. But as you can see, I need to change out of this uniform."
Chevreuse was still wearing her Special Task Force uniform, and she couldn't possibly go on a date dressed like this.
Luna chuckled softly. "Don't rush. How about we play a game first?"
"A game?"
"Have a seat."
Chevreuse reluctantly sat across from Luna. Her only impression of Luna's games had always been that they were lesbian ploys.
No matter what, the outcome always seemed to lead to certain things.
If that's the case, it's better to be direct.
But since Chevreuse was late to begin with, if Luna wants to play, she'll play along.
Luna flipped over three cards, revealing their backs. The numbers 1-3 were visible, but there seemed to be words written beneath them.
Chevreuse didn't get a clear look before Luna turned the cards face down again.
Now, only the card backs were visible.
"Each card carries a command, but Card 1 reverses the command against me. For every command completed, Miss Chevreuse gets one guess at where Card 1 is."
"Find Lucky 1, and the game ends."
Luna's lips curled into a smile. "And as a bonus, I'll grant you any wish."
"Even if I want you sent to the Fortress of Meropide?"
"Exactly."
"..."
This game was destined to be anything but simple.
"You can draw a card now. Go ahead, my dear Miss Captain."
Luna pushed the three cards forward with a mischievous smile.
Chevreuse couldn't discern any differences between them and randomly selected one.
Number 2.
The text beneath it read: You must wear only the specified outfit today.
Just as I thought, nothing normal here.
"Ah, Miss Chevreuse has drawn Card 2. Perfect! That saves you the trouble of going back to change."
Luna smiled.
Chevreuse casually asked, "You didn't cheat, did you?"
"Cheat? How could I? Cheating in a game like this would be utterly boring. I simply considered many possibilities before you arrived and made the necessary preparations. For instance..." Luna continued, "I anticipated that Miss Chevreuse might come to apologize to me first, wearing her uniform."
It wasn't cheating; she had merely read Chevreuse's mind.
This was only possible because Luna understood Chevreuse so well.
Chevreuse nodded. "That makes sense, considering how long we've been at odds. So, what exactly is this 'specified outfit' you mentioned? I hope it's nothing too strange."
"Don't worry, it's nothing strange at all. Let's go back to your room and continue."
"...That sentence doesn't exactly inspire confidence."
Upon reaching Chevreuse's bedroom, Luna conjured up an outfit: a white dress with black lace trim, unmistakably a maid's uniform.
Chevreuse narrowed her eyes. "This is what you call 'not strange' clothing?"
"Of course! Mondstadt has plenty of maids, you know. Surely you don't consider them 'strange' or 'improper,' do you, Miss Captain?"
"I never said that."
"Then put on this 'proper' maid outfit," Luna said with a smile, stepping closer. "Of course, I'll help you change."
Chevreuse shed her Special Task Force uniform and donned the black-and-white maid dress, replacing her Special Task Force hat with a hairband.
Luna took a step back and nodded in satisfaction. "Miss Captain looks so adorable now."
Chevreuse clutched the light, fluttering hem of the skirt, unable to calm her racing thoughts. "What's the point of all this?" she demanded, her voice laced with displeasure.
"The point is that I enjoy it very much."
"I don't."
Luna tilted Chevreuse's chin upward, her fingertip tracing a slow path from her jawline to her neck, forcing her to lift her head. Even then, a hint of disdain lingered in her eyes.
"Call me 'Master' just once."
"Draw a card."
Chevreuse ignored Luna's request, reminding her that they were still playing the game. If they were playing by the rules, she would stick to them.
Luna revealed two cards. If she hadn't cheated, the odds were 50-50—a coin toss. Chevreuse's gaze sharpened as she drew one of the cards.
Number 3.
Content: Obey three commands.
Chevreuse took a breath and whispered, "Master."
Luna pressed her hand to her chest, her face beaming. The flush on her cheeks betrayed her overwhelming joy.
What an irrational woman, Chevreuse thought, yet she couldn't help but feel relieved by Luna's radiant smile.
"One more time, of course, that counts as one command."
Luna took Chevreuse's hand and stepped between her heels, closing the gap between them.
The scene resembled an impudent young miss bullying her hapless maid.
This is exactly the kind of scenario Luna loves, Chevreuse mused. If only our roles could be reversed. I despise being the one being bullied.
But since it was a command, she had no choice.
"Ma—"
Before she could finish the word, a soft, warm sensation firmly silenced her.
Looking up, Chevreuse found Luna's face pressed so close that her crimson eyes reflected her own expression. Any attempt to utter the final syllable was swallowed by Luna's kiss, leaving only the resonant thudding of their hearts in sync.
"...Master," Chevreuse gasped.
This was the second time. She didn't want a third.
"What's the last command? Hurry up," Chevreuse urged, desperate to end this game and shed these clothes.
A promised date, yet Luna was the only one issuing orders?
Luna traced Chevreuse's lips with her finger. "Don't rush, my little maid. Impatience isn't becoming. I need to think carefully about my next command."
Chevreuse turned her face away. "I can't stand you."
"You say that, but you still silently obey, don't you, Chevreuse?"
"...sigh..." Chevreuse shot Luna a sidelong glance but remained silent.
It was true. Though Luna's demands were often absurd, they never truly annoyed her.
"Let me think... Hmm... I've got it!" Luna patted the edge of the bed, gesturing for Chevreuse to sit down.
"And then?" Chevreuse asked after settling down.
"And then..."
Luna cradled Chevreuse's hand in hers, pressing her lips to it. Fleeting warmth kissed every inch of Chevreuse's palm and fingertips, leaving no joint or crease untouched.
The ticklish sensation made Chevreuse purse her lips slightly, awakening memories of the past. Luna, her face flushed with delight, seemed lost in the moment, oblivious to everything else. Instinctively, Chevreuse tried to pull her hand away, but Luna bit down on it, her grip as firm as her memories.
"Remember now?"
"...Yes, thanks to you," Chevreuse murmured.
"That's perfect. I wouldn't want Miss Captain to forget a single moment we've shared."
As she spoke, Luna pressed her palm against Chevreuse's, continuing to kiss it softly.
Chevreuse pretended to adjust her eyepatch, but secretly used her hand to gauge the heat in her cheeks.
Burning hot.
"It's time for the card draw. Give me your luck," Chevreuse said.
"What will you wish for?" Luna asked.
"To send you where you belong."
Luna smiled faintly. "Why don't you check your pocket first? See what's inside."
My pocket? Could it be...?
Chevreuse reached into the pocket of her maid uniform with her other hand and pulled out a card.
A number 1 card.
Content: You get to boss me around once!
When did she slip this in? Chevreuse stared at the card in her hand, her face being pulled closer for another lingering, tender kiss that left her wanting more.
"To me, Chevreuse, you're my lucky number one."
Luna gently stroked Chevreuse's face. "Meeting someone like you is my fortune, my beautiful, steadfast, gentle..."
"And now, my dear Miss Captain, you have the chance to command me completely. What orders will you give me?"
Chevreuse's lips moved slightly, the afterglow of their recent kiss lingering, sweet and warm.
What order should I give the White Cat?
Chevreuse smiled faintly, flipped the card over, and tucked it into Luna's pocket.
"Rather than fortune, I'd call it the opposite—a twisted fate. And my orders to you are simple—"
She pulled Luna closer and kissed her lightly again. "Never leave my sight."
"Never be beyond my reach."
"Never keep silent from me."
"...Before I, as Captain of the Special Task Force, capture you, White Cat, I, Chevreuse, will restrain you and keep you locked away. The only place you belong is here, with me."
Luna leaned against Chevreuse, closing her eyes. "Then, my dear Miss Captain, what kind of password will you use to lock this 'cage'? A simple password won't hold me."
"A password..." Chevreuse paused for a few seconds before replying, "I love you."
"Oh dear, now I really can't escape this 'cage'," Luna purred with a mischievous grin.
Chevreuse huffed softly. "That's right, you can't escape. Even if you did, I'd chase you to the ends of the world."
"Now that's a bit frightening," Luna murmured.
"I mean it."
"That's precisely why it's frightening. And my maid seems to have forgotten her place, daring to speak so brazenly to her master. It seems—"
Luna pinned Chevreuse down, licking her lips.
"—she needs a little 'discipline'."
Seeing the gleam of excitement in Luna's eyes, Chevreuse knew exactly what was coming next.
Resist? She couldn't resist Luna. Even with the game over, their agreement remained in effect.
Besides, there was no need to resist.
"...Whatever."
Chevreuse turned her face away. "The more you become infatuated with me, the tighter I can bind you."
"And the more Miss Captain becomes dependent on me."
"If that's the price, I'll gladly pay it."
Luna chuckled softly. "Chevreuse has quite the silver tongue now. Since you're so willing, let's indulge ourselves this time."
She whispered in Chevreuse's ear, "Darling."
Chevreuse trembled violently, her face flushing crimson.
"You... hah..."
She relaxed her body. "Whatever you want."
"Call me that too."
"I already did."
"That was ages ago. Come on, hurry up."
Luna pinched Chevreuse's cheek, urging her on.
Chevreuse looked at Luna again and murmured, "...Darling."
Her voice was immediately sealed once more, gradually becoming muffled, brimming with heat. But that was perfect. The deeper her obsession, the harder it would be for her to leave. To truly bind this White Cat, no physical collar or cage would suffice.
Only the red marks and bite marks left on her neck could do the trick.
-
"As the Captain of the Special Task Force, finding a partner must be difficult, right? You can't come home often, and your partner might face danger."
"Considering that, wouldn't I make a very suitable partner?" Luna murmured, gently pecking Chevreuse's lips.
Chevreuse, panting heavily, found herself without the strength to argue.
But there was no need to argue.
It was the truth.
"Of course, I also believe Miss Captain would make a wonderful wife," Luna said with a smile.
"The reverse is true."
"Not at all," Luna replied, raising her other hand and gesturing for Chevreuse to kiss the pad of her finger.
Chevreuse gazed at her quietly before obediently complying.
"See? I'm the one in control here," Luna purred, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"...In matters like this, whatever you want is fine."
Luna nestled beside her, lightly stroking her skin. "Let's rest for a while and then go stroll through the streets. Our date isn't over yet."
Chevreuse smiled faintly. "Alright."