"What does 'date' mean?" Acheron asked Lumina, recalling Sparkle's earlier words.
Date... The word felt familiar, yet Acheron couldn't quite place it.
"It's when two girls go shopping together, hang out, and have fun," Lumina replied earnestly, ever eager to help. Her serious expression made it seem as if "date" truly only meant girls shopping and having fun together.
Well... in a sense, Lumina wasn't lying. The word "date" wasn't exclusively for romantic couples; it had multiple meanings.
A date, strictly defined, is an agreed-upon time and place for a meeting. This naturally includes meetings between friends or colleagues, not just couples.
So, Lumina wasn't tricking Acheron or taking advantage of her. The word could genuinely be used in this context.
"I see," Acheron nodded, accepting Lumina's explanation without question, her trust unwavering.
"Then we really are on a date."
Black Swan: ...
Should I just leave?
Unlike Acheron, Black Swan knew perfectly well what a date meant.
Though the term had multiple interpretations, Black Swan couldn't shake the feeling that...
Watching Lumina and Acheron's interaction, Black Swan decided it was best to make a hasty exit.
Otherwise, lingering and delving deeper into Lumina's manipulation of the aloof beauty into unspeakable acts might end with her silencing Black Swan permanently...
"Hehehe, you two are so sweet! I won't intrude any further," Black Swan chuckled nervously, preparing to slip away.
Based on Lumina's behavior since the dance, Black Swan had already classified her as an evil Witch.
What did Witch mean? Capricious, unpredictable, willing to do...
Therefore, Black Swan wanted to stay as far away from Lumina as possible, preferably thousands of kilometers apart.
"You can't leave!"
Just as Black Swan was about to slip away, Lumina's cold voice stopped her in her tracks.
Hearing Lumina's icy words, Black Swan froze.
"Heh... ha ha... Miss Lumina, is there something else you require?" Black Swan's head turned stiffly, like a robot's, to face Lumina, whose expression remained blank. Even her usually elegant voice carried a slight tremor.
Black Swan suspected Lumina was about to kill her to silence her...
Killing her to silence her wouldn't be too bad; Black Swan wasn't particularly afraid of death.
What terrified Black Swan most was Lumina releasing all the Image Stones.
Under Lumina's "clickbait editing," both Black Swan herself and the Garden of Recollection behind her would likely face a massive public backlash.
A Cosmos-wide media storm would give even the Garden of Recollection a headache for quite some time...
Though Black Swan betrayed no outward emotion, Lumina, with her keen perception, could roughly discern her thoughts. A sudden smile bloomed across her flawlessly beautiful, expressionless face as she said:
"Miss Black Swan, aren't we friends?"
"As a friend, now that you're leaving, shouldn't you at least say goodbye?"
Black Swan: ???
Upon hearing this, Black Swan froze, several large question marks popping up above her head.
Because you hold some leverage over me, we're suddenly best friends, right?
Black Swan couldn't help but feel a little exasperated, though the logic was undeniable.
I have dirt on you, you have dirt on me—that makes us certified friends throughout the Cosmos.
But the problem was... Lumina had compromising information on Black Swan, while Black Swan had nothing on Lumina!
So much for being friends... It's just a power play, isn't it?
She stopped dwelling on it. Now that things had come to this, further contemplation was futile. A graceful, confident, and composed smile returned to Black Swan's face as she raised her hand in a graceful wave, bidding Lumina farewell:
"Miss Lumina, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you this time. I look forward to our next meeting!"
Black Swan winked at Lumina before launching into a straight-faced torrent of nonsense.
I am happy, yes, but only because Lumina is the one who's happy, not me...
"Of course," Lumina replied, returning the wink with equal measure. "Dear Miss Black Swan, it's been a pleasure meeting you."
"Indeed. I'm delighted to have met you in such a... unique way."
Lumina idly toyed with a few Image Stones in her hand, offering Black Swan a smile that radiated holy, immaculate purity.
Black Swan: ...
"Heh heh ha... My pleasure," Black Swan managed a strained smile in response.
"Then... I'll take my leave now?"
"As you wish."
After this less-than-pleasant farewell with Lumina, Black Swan vanished in a flash, as if fearing Lumina would conjure up more reasons to torment her from some hidden corner.
"Honestly, I wouldn't have eaten you. Why run away so fast?"
Watching Black Swan disappear in an instant, Lumina sighed in exasperation.
She then turned her gaze to Acheron beside her, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Extending her hand, she asked with a gentle smile, "My beautiful lady, would you do me the honor of joining me on a date during this golden hour?"
Lumina's eyes shone with sincerity, like a knight inviting the princess he protects.
"Mm, it would be my utmost pleasure," Acheron replied without hesitation, slowly placing her hand in Lumina's.
A date... a date...
That's just two girls agreeing to meet up and hang out, right?
Acheron had little interest in such things, but since Lumina had invited her, she agreed.
-
"Acheron, do you want some ice cream?"
As they strolled through the Golden Hour streets, Lumina glanced at the silent and disinterested Acheron, her mind racing for a way to break the tension.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted an ice cream shop nearby. The sweet scent wafting through the air made her green eyes light up.
Lumina didn't actually crave ice cream herself; she simply wanted to use it to break the awkward silence between them.
"Ice cream... what's that?" Having lost many memories, Acheron had no idea what ice cream was.
"Ice cream is a frozen treat—a kind of sweet," Lumina explained with a smile. "You stay here and don't move. I'll go get us some."
With those words, she turned and headed toward the ice cream shop.
Left alone, Acheron remained rooted to the spot, puzzling over something off about Lumina's words. But under the influence of Nihility, she couldn't pinpoint the problem after much thought. Eventually, she obediently followed Lumina's instructions, staying put and waiting for her return with the ice cream.
"Miss, routine check. Please present your identification."
Just as Acheron stood obediently waiting, a group of security guards in black suits approached, surrounding her and preparing to conduct a thorough inspection.