Back home, Luna and Furina took turns showering.
Though Luna still asked if she wanted to bathe together, that was absolutely out of the question!
Even completely undressed, Luna would undoubtedly keep touching her, and that would be dangerous—in more ways than one.
"Ah, that feels so good~"
Furina emerged from the bathroom, a towel draped over her head.
A long, tiring day often required the perfect soak to unwind.
"Luna, my hair."
Furina gestured for Luna to help dry her hair, but Luna remained seated on the bed, playing with her necklace.
A surge of joy washed over Furina, and she chuckled, "Do you like the gift I gave you that much? Just don't wear it to bed!"
"Mm, I really like it."
"Of course, I wouldn't wear it while sleeping," Luna said frankly. "I'm not some child who needs to clutch a toy every night."
Furina glanced at the growing pile of plushies on the bed. None of them were Luna's; they were all Furina's. Does this make me look childish? she wondered.
"—Except for Furina, of course," Luna quickly added. "She's a 500-year-old lady, not a child."
Luna's tone shifted, though her physique might not quite match that of a modern child.
"That doesn't make me feel any better," Furina replied with a complicated expression.
Luna patted her lap, gesturing for Furina to sit.
"Open it," Furina insisted instead.
How could she dry her hair properly while sitting on Luna's lap? Furina preferred to sit facing Luna rather than on her lap, so she settled into her arms instead.
Luna casually began drying Furina's hair.
"Mmm..." Furina closed her eyes, leaning back against Luna in blissful contentment.
Beneath the damp strands, Furina's skin glowed with a rosy hue, crystalline and translucent. Luna found herself involuntarily wondering what it would feel like to bite into that tender flesh.
For some reason, ever since they'd returned home, Luna couldn't tear her gaze away from Furina.
Whenever the necklace emitted a faint sound, the feeling intensified.
"Furina."
"Hmm? Oh..."
Furina glanced down and noticed Luna had fastened the necklace around her neck.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she turned back. "I was just about to get ready for bed after my bath, you know? Why are you putting this on me now..."
"No particular reason," Luna said with a smile.
Furina sighed. "You can't just use that line for every situation, you know? Honestly... Give it here."
She beckoned for the necklace.
Since Luna had put the necklace on her, Furina was naturally going to put one on Luna too!
Taking the offered necklace, Furina turned to face Luna and fastened it around her neck.
...I think I understand what Luna was thinking now.
Furina gazed at Luna wearing the necklace.
My necklace, my roommate, my friend, the person I like—All these factors converged, filling Furina's heart with an overwhelming sense of contentment.
"It suits you perfectly," Furina murmured with a soft laugh.
Luna truly suited accessories in shades of red.
"Yours looks great too, Furina."
"Of course! After all, I'm so beautiful—"
Furina's voice trailed off, growing softer with each word. The moment their eyes met, words seemed to lose all meaning. Her gaze flickered, her lips moving slightly.
After a wordless moment of mutual contemplation, Luna sealed Furina's breath between her lips.
Sweetness, warmth... familiar sensations flowed endlessly into Furina's body and soul. She closed her eyes instinctively, gently returning Luna's affections. Yet this warmth only left her feeling wanting more.
It seemed this familiar warmth alone could no longer fill the void within her.
Luna felt the same.
I want more warmth and sweetness, her heart whispered. Gently tugging on Furina's necklace, Luna sought permission.
Furina tightened her grip on the necklace, tacitly granting her request. But this might have been a mistake, for Luna's aura and tenderness quickly filled Furina's heart, leaving no room for any other thoughts. Time seemed to blur.
When she regained her senses, she found herself staring at the ceiling.
A faint stinging sensation prickled her neck. For a moment, Furina wondered: Could Luna not be a cat, er, not a human, but a vampire monster from the films?
But there was no blood, no wound—only a mark. Like a brand.
"Wait, Luna..."
The stinging sensation returned. Furina frowned and instinctively tugged on Luna's necklace, but this only intensified the pain.
"Does it hurt?" Luna asked.
"Isn't that obvious...?" Furina's face flushed crimson.
Luna clasped Furina's hand, their fingers interlacing. "If you feel like you can't handle it, just pull on my necklace."
"...Okay," Furina mumbled, unsure why she had agreed.
She felt like everything was hurtling uncontrollably down a predetermined path. She didn't resist or feel repulsed, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this moment wasn't right.
Not now.
She wasn't ready yet. The marks and red imprints were acceptable.
But the final step? Not yet.
"No..."
Just as Luna was about to unfasten the last button, Furina yanked hard on Luna's necklace.
Panting heavily, her eyes misty, she whispered softly, "Not yet..."
Luna snapped back to reality.
Her heart still pounded wildly, and heat lingered on every inch of her skin, refusing to dissipate. But her mind cleared slightly, and she realized what she had almost done.
She had been about to... take Furina completely, devour her whole.
"Okay..." Luna murmured softly.
Furina released the necklace, letting it hang freely.
After a moment of locked gazes, Furina shyly averted her eyes, about to say something, when Luna stole her breath with another kiss.
"Is this okay?" Luna whispered.
"It's... okay," Furina murmured.
If it's just kissing, it's okay.
But Furina could never forget what had just happened—that melting sensation, the complete lack of resistance or aversion to everything Luna had done. It made her question herself.
Could it be that my feelings for Luna are... romantic love?
How else could I have almost been consumed without a shred of repulsion?
And Luna's expression just now... could it mean...?
"Furina."
"Hm?"
Luna touched her lips thoughtfully. "I think I might like girls."
"Eh? In... in what way?" Furina's heart skipped a beat.
"In the 'I want to devour them' kind of way."
That's just a lesbian!
Luna's cheeks flushed as she savored the memory.
She had never imagined she would have such carnal desires for girls, or even want to be consumed herself. But the searing heat, the intoxicating haze, the overwhelming urge to claim every part of Furina—all these had revealed a truth to her.
So I've liked girls all along...?
I'm the lesbian here.
Well, it doesn't really matter, I suppose.