To the older generation of children at the House of the Hearth, Luna was fearless.
She never showed fear in the face of danger.
And when faced with Arlecchino's silence, she always responded with a smile. While everyone else feared "Father," Luna would always approach her with playful affection.
To the new generation of children at the House of the Hearth, Luna was a legend.
She had survived a Duel against "Father."
That alone was enough to earn the respect of every child.
Not to mention, she might have even won.
To Arlecchino, Luna was also a special child—so special that Arlecchino would personally call her "Daughter" or "Little Luna," and even allowed Luna to call her "Mother"...
Of course, it was best to avoid the more formal "Mother."
"Good morning."
Luna leaped down from the windowsill and walked over to Arlecchino. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she offered a simple greeting—in the form of a light peck on the lips.
Arlecchino's lips moved slightly in response. "Good morning, my daughter."
Though they were foster mother and daughter, their interactions were as ambiguous as those between lovers.
"You remember everything I told you so clearly."
Luna beamed.
"'Call me 'Daughter' when I kiss you, 'Luna' when I touch you, and 'Little Luna' when I lean against you'—don't worry, I won't forget."
She probably couldn't forget even if she tried.
Luna pushed herself up and sat on the edge of the desk, meeting Arlecchino's gaze.
Her gaze was the same as ever—utterly devoid of fear. Instead, it held an undisguised sweetness, from which one could faintly glimpse her passion.
Though she was the same way with Furina and the others.
Of course, Arlecchino didn't mind.
Right now, she was Luna's possession—a fact settled in their last duel.
"Welcome back," Arlecchino said, leaning against her chair. "Did you come to discuss something, or just to say hello?"
"Can't it be that I just wanted to spend time with my Peppy?"
Occasionally, Luna would use that long-unheard nickname, "Peppy," for her.
Arlecchino didn't mind this either.
"Of course. If there's somewhere you'd like to go, just say the word. I'm relatively free today; nothing else will interrupt us."
Luna snapped her fingers, and a bag materialized in her hand.
"I don't have anywhere I want to go just yet, but I do have something I want to give you, Mother."
Arlecchino glanced at the brand logo on the bag. As far as she knew, it belonged to a clothing store.
Not Chioriya Boutique.
If Chiori knew Luna was buying clothes from her shop to give to another woman, her expression would surely darken, and she would scheme relentlessly to make Luna submit to her.
"Clothes?"
Arlecchino had a premonition.
Inside might be...
"Yes! Ta-da!"
Luna pulled a woman's outfit from the bag. The top was a style Arlecchino favored, but it was paired not with trousers, but a skirt.
Arlecchino murmured, "I recall saying I dislike skirts."
"But I want to see you wear one."
"..."
Luna's voice softened. "Please? Mother."
Arlecchino gazed into Luna's eyes. Ever since their showdown, her own feelings toward Luna seemed to have shifted.
They were still foster mother and daughter, not lovers.
Yet whenever Luna spoke with that pleading tone, she found herself unable to refuse.
Though she'd always been unable to refuse, there was a difference between being unable to refuse and having no desire to refuse. She now found herself in the latter category.
"Fine. Just this once."
Luna beamed. "Mm-hmm. Just for today."
Drawing the curtains, she led Arlecchino to the mirror and began helping her change. Catching sight of their reflections pressed close together, Luna leaned in to whisper by Arlecchino's ear.
"I've missed you so much."
"It hasn't been that long since we last met," Arlecchino replied, her raised hand gently stroking Luna's cheek.
Her nails were no longer sharp and pointed.
"Still, you've always been a child who hides her loneliness, so I'm not surprised. Now that I'm here, you can keep pouring your heart out. I'll listen intently."
Luna smiled. "Alright."
As she whispered in Arlecchino's ear, Luna helped her into the new outfit.
The skirt she'd chosen wasn't too long, and paired with the suit-style top, it looked quite elegant.
"Your taste is impeccable," Arlecchino praised.
"It's been honed over time."
Luna studied their reflections in the mirror, then reached up with her fingertips to unfasten the top button of Arlecchino's collar.
This adds a touch more mature allure.
"You truly look beautiful in anything."
"..."
Arlecchino felt a sense of unfamiliarity. She had never worn a skirt, disliked them, and didn't think they suited her.
But if Luna said it suited her, then so be it.
Making Luna happy was enough.
As this thought surfaced, Arlecchino fell deeper into silence. It wasn't the first time she'd had such thoughts—they often appeared when Luna was being affectionate.
But now, there seemed to be something more mixed in, an emotion she could easily savor.
A hint of sweetness, a touch of warmth... perfectly to her liking.
Click!
The sudden sound and flash of light snapped Arlecchino's attention back to the present. Her eyes met the lens of a Kamera just as Luna pressed the shutter again.
"Did you get the shot?"
"Mm-hmm," Luna replied with satisfaction.
Since she'll only wear this skirt once, I have to capture as many memories as possible.
Luna took Arlecchino's hand and whispered, "Can we go for a walk around town?"
"You don't need to ask. Just tell me what you want."
"I may have won, but that doesn't mean you have to obey my every command. In fact, I'd even welcome your refusal and counterattacks."
Arlecchino fell silent for a moment. "A walk sounds nice. As it happens, I know a good spot for a stroll—perfect for relaxing. We can go together."
Luna hugged her, burying her face in Arlecchino's neck. "Okay."
Though she agreed, she showed no sign of letting go. But they had plenty of time, so there was no need to rush. Arlecchino gently stroked Luna's head until she was content.
A short while later, Luna and Arlecchino left the office.
The children of the House stared in astonishment at Arlecchino's attire.
"Father" was wearing a skirt!
In all their memories, Arlecchino had never worn anything like it. But when they saw Luna beside her, everything clicked into place.
This must be Luna's doing.
Whether Arlecchino wore masculine or feminine attire, she couldn't conceal the powerful aura she exuded. So, for the children, it was the same as always—they didn't dare meet her gaze.
Only Luna would smile and cling to Arlecchino's side.
"Everyone seems quite surprised," Luna remarked with a small smile after they left the House.
"It must be a novel sight for them."
"It is for me, too. Let's go, Mother."
Luna linked her arm with Arlecchino's.
"I can't wait to see where you'll take me."
She then flashed Arlecchino a radiant smile.
So endearing.
The thought surfaced as Arlecchino's thumb gently brushed Luna's cheek. A faint smile touched her lips before she led Luna on a stroll through the city streets.
They left the city proper, leaving footprints on the sandy beach and occasionally pausing to take pictures with the Kamera. To any onlooker, they would have seemed like an ordinary mother and daughter.
"I have a gift for you," Arlecchino said after they returned to the House of the Hearth, retrieving a gift box from a drawer.
At first glance, it resembled a ring box, but when Luna took it, she found it heavier than expected.
"Open it," Arlecchino said.
Luna unwrapped the packaging and opened the box, only to find another box inside.
This wasn't a nesting doll; the "box" was the gift.
"A music box..."
Luna's eyes lit up.
"I originally intended to give you a gift for your coming-of-age ceremony," Arlecchino said, gently stroking Luna's face. "But you left home before the ceremony could be held. I respected your choice, but it's true that the gift you were meant to receive was delayed because of it."
"Luna, you've grown up. In every way."
Her will.
Her heart.
Her strength.
She has even surpassed me, the 'Father,' and made those qualities her own.
Now was the perfect time to give her this belated coming-of-age gift.
Luna smiled gently. "Yes. I can share the 'Father's' burdens now. You can entrust your heart to me, Mother."
Arlecchino's gaze softened. "Open it."
As Luna lifted the lid of the music box, an ornate melody flowed out.
"I still remember your form dancing under the lights. Now, this melody suits you even better."
"Even though you've surpassed me, I don't want you to stop here."
"As I've said before, you are like a streak of light across the night sky—never looking back, never altering its course, brilliant and dazzling. Continue to forge ahead."
Arlecchino whispered, "My daughter."
[Arlecchino's Music Box]
[Description: A music box specially commissioned by Arlecchino. The melody, carefully selected by her, is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship. The music itself is her blessing for her daughter—to shine forever, never fading.]
[Rarity: S]
This was her blessing as a foster mother.
She had never known what a "true home" was, but with Luna, she could set aside the heavy burdens on her shoulders and the weight of her thoughts. She could try to be a "Mother" and offer Luna her blessing.
A true "Father," a true "Mother," Arlecchino thought, would want their child to keep moving forward.
"I will, Mother. When the time comes, please watch me. I will shine brighter than anyone, more dazzling than anything..."
Luna put away the music box and pressed herself against Arlecchino.
With a gentle push, she forced Arlecchino back against the desk. Arlecchino didn't resist, her eyes filled only with warmth and affection as she gazed at Luna.
Does she realize how much her gaze makes me want to touch her right now? Luna wondered, continuing to press forward until Arlecchino was lying on the desk.
"...But I will never leave your side. I want to illuminate everything within your heart."
Arlecchino smiled faintly. "Even if it's bottomless?"
"The deeper the abyss," Luna replied, "the more precious the treasure hidden within, isn't it?"
They held each other's gaze for a moment before their lips touched.
"You already have," Arlecchino said.
She lifted a strand of Luna's hair, then let it fall.
"Play a piece for me."
"Of course. What would you like to hear?"
"Anything. We don't need to go to the old room. I've placed a new harpsichord in my bedroom. Come."
Upon entering Arlecchino's bedroom, Luna saw a brand-new harpsichord. It was a good thing the room was already spacious; otherwise, fitting such a heavy instrument would have been difficult.
As Arlecchino poured two glasses of wine, Luna opened the lid and tested the keys.
The tuning was perfect.
"Then please, enjoy the music I offer you," Luna said confidently, waiting until Arlecchino had settled beside her.
She pressed the keys.
Arlecchino listened, slowly closing her eyes as her thoughts drifted back to the past.
She had replayed Luna's younger face in her mind countless times, the tender figure never fading from her memory.
But even more vivid than those colors were the scent of Luna's hair and her presence right here, right now.
Before she knew it, the music had stopped, replaced by the warm touch of lips against hers.
Arlecchino gently opened her eyes. Reflected in them was her foster daughter, her daughter... Luna, cheeks flushed, pressed close, her fingers intertwining with Arlecchino's. Their racing heartbeats and quickened breaths became the new melody of the moment.
Luna's face, bathed in the soft light, was clear and beautiful.
Arlecchino couldn't help but reach out, feeling the delicate smoothness of Luna's skin. As a continuous warmth seeped into her heart, something inside her seemed to spark—a quiet flame igniting and burning steadily.
This feeling...
It's inexplicably... unsettling, Arlecchino thought.
This was a craving.
Am I craving Luna? Arlecchino wondered.
If that were truly the case... Arlecchino gazed into Luna's eyes and applied a slight pressure. The taste of blood bloomed between their lips. Luna's eyes trembled, but more with delight than fear.
They shared no bloodline, yet their blood now mingled in the water.
"So pitiably lovely."
Arlecchino whispered, reversing their positions and pinning Luna beneath her. She could no longer suppress the flame rising within her.
She craved more, wanted more. Otherwise, this restlessness would never cease.
In that instant, Arlecchino understood.
Whether it was the overwhelming urge to touch Luna, finding her unbearably precious, or the scorching passion of this moment—it all pointed to one truth.
Luna was both her daughter and her lover.
I never thought I'd feel this way one day... especially for my own adopted daughter...
Arlecchino murmured inwardly.
But Luna felt the same way about her—seeing her as "Father," "Mother," and "lover."
So it didn't matter.
Everything would dissolve in the water: their mutual heat, their craving, their overflowing desires. All would melt into the water, seeping into each other's skin and flesh, reaching deep into their hearts.
"Luna."
Luna exhaled softly. "Mm?"
"Sit still."
Arlecchino leaned close to Luna's ear, whispering, "I'll satisfy you."
Luna closed her eyes. "Alright, Mother..."
-
Time flowed on. After countless shifts in position and whispered calls, all that remained was a warmth echoing in their chests. Luna lay on Arlecchino's bed, resting with her eyes closed.
She couldn't speak.
Her words were stolen by Arlecchino. Arlecchino's desire seemed tireless; even though everything had ended and they were both panting, too exhausted to continue, she still sealed Luna's breath with her own.
But this was nice, too.
Luna held Arlecchino, gently stroking her hair as a mother would a child.
"I know you've never been treated like this before."
"Mother, it's okay to be needy with me sometimes."
Arlecchino remained silent, merely gazing at Luna. Then, she closed her eyes in contentment, savoring the warmth and ease of the afterglow.
"In a few days, I must return to Snezhnaya. You'll come with me. I'll explain everything to Lady Furina."
"And we'll watch the aurora together, side by side."
Just like the promise Luna had made with her as a child.
"Mm."
Luna nodded slightly, but she knew that more than the aurora, she wanted to see Arlecchino beneath it.