After finishing the story of Zhongli's second act, let's return to Fontaine. The day after this book's release marked the opening of 'Fashion Week.'
This year's Fashion Week, with Furina's participation, far surpassed previous editions in popularity—perhaps half the attendees came solely for Furina.
After all, Furina had announced she would perform after the fashion showcase, and her recent appearances had been rare! How could anyone miss it?
The crowd was so large that the original venue proved insufficient, so the event was moved to the Opéra Épiclèse. Fortunately, no trials were scheduled for that day.
And then, they witnessed what it meant to be "otaku." Lucian's appearance turned Fontaine's Fashion Week into a cosplay convention.
Of course, the people of Fontaine didn't recognize the original characters being referenced—to them, this wasn't cosplay but genuine fashion.
In the end, just as Lucian had predicted, he wasn't the most eye-catching 'designer' at Fashion Week.
But that didn't matter—because Lucian hadn't even unleashed his ultimate move yet.
As the fashion showcase concluded, the audience murmured among themselves.
"Wasn't Lady Furina supposed to attend? Why haven't we seen her?" one person wondered.
"Yes, where is Lady Furina?" a noblewoman chimed in.
"Yeah, where is she?" Venti seamlessly blended into the crowd.
Just as curiosity peaked, the stage lights dimmed. A 'pool' appeared onstage, forming a 'water cube.'
Lucian clarified that this stage design was suggested by Lyney and Lynette, to whom he expressed special thanks.
The 'pool' was Mona's doing, while Lucian employed both elemental energy and adeptal arts, with Faruzan assisting via Anemo.
Furina, clad in divine attire, descended from above and plunged into the water, stunning the audience.
This water was conjured from Mona's elemental power, not actual seawater. Mona could control it flawlessly, allowing Furina to speak freely underwater.
At that moment, Guizhong produced her ingenious gadget and played a simple accompaniment—the percussive prelude of Xuannì (Suspended Drowning).
With each strike, Furina sank deeper, all the way to the 'ocean floor.'
Curled up at the 'bottom of the sea,' Furina closed her eyes as the prelude faded.
Then, a new melody began, and Furina started singing—Deep-Sea Girl by Hatsune Miku.
[Drowned in a sea of sorrow, I don't even want to open my eyes]
[Will I keep sinking, lost where no one can find me?]
A beam of light illuminated the stage, falling upon Furina as she slowly opened her heterochromatic, ocean-blue eyes.
[Suddenly, a ray of light shines through—I reach out, as if I could touch it]
Furina raised her hand, mimicking a 'grasp' toward the light above the 'surface,' just as she had often glimpsed 'hope' over the centuries.
Though her pose remained unchanged, Lucian's control made her rise slowly, as if drawn and redeemed by the light.
[What is it? So warm, so dazzling]
[A fleeting glow, unconscious and vague]
[Who is the one lying?]
Furina had truly immersed herself in the role. No longer curled up, she now swam actively toward the light, her outfit making her as agile as a mermaid.
The radiant light revealed everything—the 'deep sea' lost its mystery, and the darkness receded to expose her true self.
Who lied? Wasn't it me?
As this thought crossed her mind, the light vanished abruptly. Furina froze mid-motion, directionless again—just like the 'shattered hopes' she had known for centuries.
Darkness enveloped her, hiding the 'truth.'
Furina closed her ocean-like eyes. Tears at their corners dissolved into the water unnoticed, like slow-falling 'meteors' sinking into the abyss.
[Deep-sea girl, sinking deeper]
[Sealing herself in the darkness beyond]
Indeed, it had always been this way for centuries—sinking deeper, emotions crumbling, self-imprisoned.
Just as the lyrics described, in a place without day or night, every long night was unbearable.
The 'ocean floor' was truly the only place she felt 'safe'—her little room was her 'deep sea.'
Furina recalled her past self, sitting on the bed with her head bowed. What expression had she worn then?
She didn't know—because only then could she drop the mask of composure and let her shattered emotions show.
How I wished someone could see through the lies I told.
[Then, light descends once more]
[Our eyes meet as I gaze, entranced]
[At you, who noticed and turned to look my way]
[The liar that I am…]
The light returned. Furina opened her eyes but didn't chase it this time. Instead, she smiled peacefully, 'lying adrift' as she continued sinking.
[Deep-sea girl, surrendering to the depths]
This light will disappear again, just like before, won't it?
If so, then leave me be!
[Unspoken feelings overflow and dissolve]
I'll endure this unspeakable emotion swelling in my heart, only for it to fade until I feel nothing again, won't I?
[The next instant, you vanish without a trace]
See? Just like always—a light that appears suddenly but leaves just as fast.
[Girl at the edge, reaching out her hand]
This time, it wasn't just light—a hand extended toward Furina, as if to pull her up.
Furina stared at that hand, eyes full of longing, fingers twitching unconsciously. She wanted to grasp it but held back.
In the end, she chose to retreat into herself, too afraid to reach for the 'light.'
You won't chase after me? Fine. This time, I'll pull you up myself!
["Look! You, too, hide a beautiful hue!"]
With a snap of Lucian's fingers, he summoned his signature rainbow bubbles, their reflections transforming the dark 'abyss' into a kaleidoscope of colors.
[Deep-sea girl, wrist seized tight]
Onstage, Lumine grabbed Furina's arm and pulled her up.
[Escape this sea!]
Indeed, the one who pulled Furina up wasn't Lucian—though realistically, it should've been him. But since the lyrics specified 'girl,' Lumine took the role.
Paimon had been following Lucian lately precisely because Furina had monopolized Lumine for rehearsals.
The audience erupted in applause. Though they might not grasp the song's deeper meaning or Furina's emotions, the performance and her singing alone deserved praise.
Furina wiped the 'water' from her face. Despite Mona's control ensuring no actual water touched her, 'droplets' clung to her cheeks.
"Lucian, how was my singing?" Furina asked, her eyes curved into crescents.
Lucian smiled softly and waved his hand. A rainbow appeared before her, spelling out: You did wonderfully, Furina.
Just like their first proper meeting.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Traveler – About 'Deep-Sea Girl'
Traveler: "That was beautiful. I wonder if Lucian will write a song for me too?"
Paimon: "Huh? The Traveler doesn't need one, right?"
Traveler: "Why not?"
Paimon: "Because you have me!"
"I'll always pull you up! I won't let you sink into the 'deep sea'!"
"The ocean's dark and scary—I don't want you to experience that."
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Two new New stories are out