(The "Masquerade Duet" quest can only be completed after finishing the Version 2.0 Main Story, so players in the real world are unaware of the full extent of Black Swan and Lumina's history.)
"Why does it feel like Lumina and Black Swan have something going on?" The special effects highlighting Black Swan's face made her every expression change vividly apparent to the players.
"Hmm... Saying they 'have something going on' might be a stretch, but Black Swan definitely seems... afraid of Lumina?"
Little Bear gripped his mouse with one hand and rested his chin on the other, analyzing Black Swan's earlier shift in expression.
Though the reason behind her reaction remained a mystery, there was no doubt the two women knew each other.
I'm really curious though, he thought. What exactly did Lumina do to make such an elegant figure like Black Swan react like that?
[Brothers, I just remembered a doujinshi plotline! Black Swan must have some kind of blackmail material in Lumina's hands! (smirking)]
[With my experience reading tens of thousands of doujinshi, Black Swan is definitely Lumina's plaything now!]
[Shocking! The elegant and noble diviner by day is engaging in such scandalous behavior at night! What does this reveal about human nature...?]
[Black Swan x Lumina: The Fall of the Noble Memokeeper...]
"Enough, you guys," Little Bear said, exasperatedly trying to rein in the comment section as it spiraled into madness.
"How can you conjure up an entire doujinshi plot just from a single glance between two people?"
Black Swan and Lumina might just be normal friends, but in the eyes of these perverts, it inexplicably transforms into doujinshi material.
They've even imagined Lumina holding compromising information about Black Swan—such wild fantasies! Why don't they go write novels instead?
This is a 12+ game, not some 18+ smut. How could anything like that possibly happen?
Little Bear shook his head, dismissing the absurdity. He focused his attention back on the screen, continuing through the story.
"Everyone, since Stelle is fine, I'll take my leave now."
"I still have some matters to attend to."
After deceiving Black Swan and leaving a lasting impression on her, Lumina didn't bother listening to the subsequent conversation between the Astral Express Crew and Black Swan. She simply made up an excuse and returned to her room.
Her primary goal here had been to reignite Acheron's sense of emptiness, with the secondary objective of reminding everyone of her presence.
Having accomplished both, Lumina saw no reason to linger.
"Hmm... everyone seems busy, and I'm the only one without any pressing matters..."
Settling into the chair in her room, Lumina tilted her head back and gazed at the ceiling, adopting the weary expression of an aging elder.
Go find Acheron? No, I need to keep her on the hook for a while longer.
Go find Sparkle? No, I need to let her flaunt her arrogance for a while first. Once she makes her move, I'll capture her and teach her a lesson...
Go find Black Swan? No, she needs a break. If I push her too hard, she might bite back.
Find March 7th? Stelle? Hmm, maybe that could work too? But going back so soon after leaving might undermine my image as the one in charge...
Firefly? Definitely not. I've already lured her away—who's going to set the seas ablaze now?
Robin? Dreamflux Reef is at the deepest part of Penacony... It's kinda hard to get there. Lumina's worried she might lose control of her power and accidentally sink the whole place.
Lumina slumped back in her chair, utterly bored.
Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~
Just as she was starting to believe in Nihility, her phone's Special Group notification suddenly chimed.
"Huh?"
The sound startled Lumina. Who could be messaging me at this hour?
Despite her curiosity, she immediately grabbed her phone to check the message.
"Hmm? Herta?"
Could this be about the Simulated Universe again?
Lumina muttered, her aura instantly growing more listless.
She opened the message and began reading...