The next day, Furina gazed thoughtfully at Luna.
"Luna."
"Mm-hmm?"
"Are you free?"
"I am. What's up? A date?"
Furina beamed, "Sounds great—uh, wait!"
Her expression suddenly shifted, seriousness tinged with hesitation.
Luna's curiosity piqued. Furina rarely showed such an expression.
What could it be?
"Ahem. You'll be coming out with me and Focalors for some shopping."
"Just that?" Luna asked, surprised.
"What do you mean, 'just that'? Don't underestimate this shopping trip. I can't tell you the specifics, but you need to stay fully vigilant. If you don't behave properly, I'll be very angry!"
So mysterious...
Behave? What exactly does she mean? Did Furina visit Focalors yesterday? What did they discuss? Luna couldn't figure it out. Smiling, she asked, "What happens if you get angry?"
"I'll... teach you a lesson?"
Why is that a question?
"We could do it right now, you know," Luna said casually.
Furina blushed deeply. "I-I didn't mean that kind of thing!"
"So, you don't want to?"
"...It's not that I don't want to—stop, stop, stop! Don't twist my words! I'm being serious here!" Furina huffed.
Luna pondered. "So, Furina wants me to showcase my virtues as a girlfriend on this 'three-person date'?"
"Hey! Who said anything about a three-person date?" Furina snapped, displeased.
She had already clarified it was just shopping together.
But Luna's follow-up point was spot-on. Furina did need her to showcase the qualities of a "good companion to Furina."
If she behaves well, I might even give her an award, Furina thought.
What kind of award?
The Furina Award?
Anyway, that was the situation. The root of it all stemmed from their conversation the previous day.
-
Yesterday, at the Palais Mermonia, in the reception room:
Focalors smiled warmly. "I never expected you to come to me for advice! How unusual!"
"I feel the same way, but we're friends, aren't we?"
"Of course! Rest assured, I'm on your side. So—" She narrowed her eyes playfully, intrigued. "What's the matter? Spill the beans!"
This feels so strange, Furina mused. I used to be the one receiving guests here, and now I'm the guest myself.
"Let me warn you first, don't be too shocked," Furina said.
"Mm-hmm," Focalors nodded.
Furina's voice brimmed with pride and happiness as she declared, "Luna is my girlfriend!"
"So?"
"What do you mean 'so'? Aren't you shocked?" Furina exclaimed, more astonished by Focalors' lack of reaction than anything else.
Focalors waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, I saw that coming ages ago."
"Eh? You knew all along?"
Was it that obvious?
Furina blushed, fidgeting slightly. "I-is that so...? Then this makes things much easier!"
"Still, I'm curious how you two ended up living together," Focalors added.
"Hmm? If anything, I was the one who made her yield—"
Furina recounted everything that had happened after the final Judgment with a radiant smile, her voice brimming with nostalgia and satisfaction.
Luna always called her a treasure, but to Furina, Luna was no less precious.
Yet into this perfect relationship, a third party had suddenly intruded!
Furina produced Chiori's "challenge letter" and slapped it onto the table.
"Lately, I've realized I seem to have quite a few romantic rivals and potential rivals!" Furina declared sternly.
"Romantic rivals, huh..."
So she came to discuss matters of the heart?
Focalors raised an eyebrow. Is it really appropriate to come to me for advice on this? I'm still a 'new human,' barely a year since becoming one.
She picked up the letter and glanced at it.
"Hmm, it certainly is a challenge letter."
"Right? Luna and Chiori have known each other longer than I have, but I was the one who became her girlfriend first! And she was the one who initiated it!" Furina proclaimed proudly.
Focalors nodded with a smile. "Then what's there to worry about?"
How envious...
Furina could speak about her beloved with such sparkling eyes.
What exactly is love like? Focalors mused absently. Judging from every opera performed at the Opera House, love comes in many forms.
The effort to save Fontaine, undertaken by her and Furina, could be considered one type.
Furina's feelings for Luna were another.
"You know, that Luna... she really loves teasing women," Furina complained, her tone laced with irritation.
"Ah, that's true," Focalors acknowledged.
"That's why I worry she might shift her attention away from me."
Impossible.
Focalors could say this with absolute certainty. Anyone who saw Furina's necklace would reach the same conclusion.
Moreover, Furina was the key figure in the entire Prophecy crisis and the death of the Phantom Thief White Cat.
Yet Focalors couldn't deny that Luna's interpersonal relationships—more specifically, her relationships with other women—seemed rather chaotic. It was understandable that Furina would be concerned.
But in truth, there was no need for worry.
For someone like Luna, once you've managed to reach her heart and gain her acceptance, her passion and devotion will burn eternally.
"Hmm? That's a rather peculiar way to put it."
Focalors suddenly noticed something.
"What is it?"
"Are you worried she'll fall in love with someone else?"
"Fall in love with someone else? No way! No one could ever tear us apart. Not even that woman—yes, that dreadful woman!—could do it!" Furina insisted.
That dreadful woman... is she referring to Arlecchino?
Looks like their mother-in-law relationship isn't going so well.
"So, what do you mean by—"
"I just want Luna to always see me as her number one. You know, like if we're on stage together, she should look at me first, applaud for me first, and cheer for me first!" Furina grinned. "Basically, I want all her 'firsts'!"
Her possessiveness is strong, but not overwhelmingly so.
Focalors looked puzzled. "I thought you were afraid she'd abandon you."
"I used to worry about that because she always rushes into dangerous situations without consulting anyone."
Is that what she's worried about? Though it's a valid concern.
"But we made a promise," Furina said. "As long as I want her to live, she'll live for me. She won't make me worry or cry anymore. And I'll protect her as best I can, with my own strength."
So... there's really no problem at all?
Focalors felt like she'd been force-fed a massive serving of lovey-dovey romance. She hadn't eaten anything, yet she felt completely full.
She even began to suspect that Furina had come simply to show off.
After all, Furina was perfectly capable of such theatrics.
"I'm a little confused," Focalors admitted.
Furina shook her head. "It's not that complicated! I just don't want any other woman stealing my spotlight or my role."
Furina continued, "If our story with Luna were to be written as a book, it's obvious I should be on the cover, my name should be the title, and I should be the true female lead!"
"Aren't you already?" Focalors asked, exasperated.
"I am, but I'm afraid the cover and title might change," Furina said.
"For example, Chiori, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart! or Miss Navia Wants Me to Confess—something like that."
Focalors shrugged. "Alright, alright, if that's the case... why don't we try something?"
"Try what?"
"Let's see if we can get her to take her eyes off you."
Focalors rested her chin on her folded hands, smiling mischievously. "Just let me play your romantic rival."