The harbor buzzed with morning activity as Arlecchino awaited her children.
"You've arrived," she greeted Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet as they approached.
The other children also wanted to come, but their large number would inevitably attract unnecessary attention.
"Where's Luna?"
Before the words had even left Arlecchino's mouth, Luna hurried over.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is a gift for you, Father, please accept it," Luna said, offering a gift box.
Inside were pastries she had made early that morning. The simple seasonings perfectly suited Arlecchino's palate.
Arlecchino always finished every dish Luna made, and this time would likely be no different. She never refused the children's kindness.
"Hmm, by the way, where's Lady Furina? Didn't she come with you?"
Luna guiltily averted her gaze.
"She's... a bit upset."
"Upset?" Arlecchino asked, surprised. "That's quite unexpected."
Lyney asked curiously, "What did you do?"
"Well, that's a secret."
After accompanying Arlecchino on a walk and seeing her off on a boat, Luna returned home.
"Furina?"
No response.
Is she asleep, or still sulking?
Luna hurried to the bedroom and found a "Dumpling" lying on the bed.
It was indeed Furina, completely wrapped in her blanket.
The reason was simple: she was still angry.
This had been her state ever since their kiss the previous night.
Luna hadn't even asked Furina's thoughts before kissing her—it had been more like a forceful kiss.
If I don't coax her, who knows how long she'll stay in Dumpling mode?
Luna sat on the edge of the bed and patted the blanket.
"Furina? I'm back."
"...Hmph."
A muffled grunt, full of resentment and hurt, came from inside the blanket.
"Aren't you hot all wrapped up like that?"
"I'm not hot. Besides, I'm afraid you'll attack me the moment I come out," Furina muttered.
Attack? That's a bit dramatic.
Luna leaned against the blanket, smiling faintly. "If you don't come out, I'll just burrow in and attack you myself."
"No! I'll come out, I'll come out..."
As she spoke, a head popped out of the "Dumpling."
Furina glared at her, her face flushed crimson, then lowered her gaze. "Seeing your face just makes me even angrier. Do you know I couldn't sleep a wink all night?"
Her mind had been replaying one thought over and over:
I kissed Luna?
I kissed Luna?!
No matter how exhausted her body was, she couldn't get even a moment's rest.
Meanwhile, Luna had slept soundly.
How could she stand it?!
This was a kiss! Furina puffed out her cheeks. "That was my first kiss..."
"I'm honored," Luna said, lying on her side facing Furina. She tapped her own lips. "It was my first kiss too."
"...Really?"
"Why would you ask such a question? Is it so strange that it was my first kiss?" Luna asked, surprised.
So it was Luna's first time too.
As Furina realized this, much of her resentment faded.
"Well, you're always teasing people. How was I supposed to know if you'd already...?" Furina muttered.
"Now you do."
Furina pursed her lips, avoiding Luna's gaze.
No, I can't look at her. It'll just remind me of last night.
Her breath so close, my words sealed by that sweet, soft touch... and yet, there was no resistance, no revulsion, only warmth.
Could I be... in love with Luna? Furina's heart pounded in her chest.
She whispered, "Why did you kiss me?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"Yes! It was my first kiss! And you promised we wouldn't do anything strange! Then you just... I need an explanation! Hurry, or else..."
"Or else what?"
Furina ducked back under the covers. "Or else I'll stay buried in here and leave you with no blanket tonight!"
Luna smiled.
"That sounds terrifying, but—"
She tapped the blanket, coaxing Furina to peek out again. Then she leaned closer, her fingertip lightly tracing the lips she had kissed last night.
Luna whispered, "I didn't think about it at all. There was no reason."
"I just wanted to kiss you, Furina."
No reason?
Furina immediately bit Luna's fingertip. "I don't believe you! There must be a reason. Why else would you do something like that to me?"
"So Furina wants a reason?"
"Yes!"
How else could I accept it?!
"Come out and I'll tell you," Luna said again.
She always did this, seizing any opportunity to slip in her demands.
But Furina reasoned that since she had also taken Luna's first kiss, there was no need to stay sulking.
Important things should be exchanged for equally important things! Though whether Luna considered her first kiss truly important remained a mystery.
Furina gently turned over, letting the blanket unravel from around her.
She sat up, tugging at her loose nightgown.
"Alright, tell me now."
Luna pulled Furina close, letting her rest her head against her chest.
"Because I like Furina, that's why I did it."
Really?! Furina ventured tentatively, "W-what kind of like?"
"—Or maybe it's because I wanted to repay Furina for protecting me, and I also think she's really cool, so I did it."
"Huh?" Furina blinked in surprise.
Luna continued, "Or perhaps I'd wanted to kiss you all along, but I just couldn't hold back last night..."
"Besides that, there are ten more answers: 1. I've always been naturally inclined to do this; 2. Because I wanted to leave my mark on you, and so on."
Luna gently stroked Furina's hair. Her chest rose and fell softly, making it impossible to discern the truth behind her words.
"Take your pick."
"Pick? I want the real reason..." Furina protested, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction.
Luna countered, "How do you know the real reason isn't among them?"
Too cunning.
Why wouldn't she give a straight answer, especially at a time like this? Or... could it be that she truly hadn't thought about it at all before kissing her? Furina's mind was in turmoil.
Right, let me rephrase.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, Furina murmured, "Then... how did it feel when you did it?"
"Very satisfying."
Satisfying? Does that mean happy?
Furina felt a wave of relief wash over her. If Luna had kissed her out of mere curiosity, she would never forgive her.
"But if you hate it, Furina, I won't do it again. After all, we're going to be living together. I can't just consider my own feelings," Luna said with a smile.
How despicable!
Phantom Thief White Cat? More like a fox! With that statement, how could she possibly say she hated it?
Furina's voice was barely a whisper: "I... I don't hate it."
"That's good then."
But what exactly is our relationship now? Furina couldn't help but wonder.
Kissing roommates?
Kissing friends?
Or... girlfriends?
Her face grew hotter with each thought. A single fleeting kiss had so easily changed so much.
Still leaning against Luna's chest, Furina hesitated for a few seconds before tilting her head back to look up at her.
"So... what kind of relationship do we have now?"
"What kind of relationship do you want us to have?"
Don't turn the question back on me! Furina frowned. "How would I know? I'm the one asking you."
"If you're asking me, then naturally it's—the relationship between a Phantom Thief bound by a priceless treasure and the priceless treasure claimed by the Phantom Thief."
"Isn't that exactly what we have now?" Furina said.
Luna wrapped her arms around Furina, whispering, "Or does Lady Furina wish for me to be her girlfriend or even her marriage partner?"
Furina's face flushed crimson. "I never said anything like that!"
No, if this conversation continues, it'll only get more twisted!
Now that I know Luna's first kiss was with me, it's fine... No, wait, on second thought, there is still a problem, but I'd better not dwell on it.
"N-never mind! What about breakfast? I'm hungry. I want to eat," Furina blurted out, scrambling to sit up.
"It's already ready," Luna said, sitting up as well.
Perfect!
Just as Furina turned to get up, Luna gently pulled her face closer.
Their lips met again.
!?!
Why are we doing this again?
Furina's body tensed for a moment before gradually relaxing into the overwhelmingly sweet and wonderful warmth. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on Luna's chest.
Their lips parted, and Furina shyly averted her gaze.
"A-again... why...?"
Luna cupped Furina's face, her breath warm against her skin. "Because I've already discovered how wonderful this feeling is. You can kiss me whenever you want, anywhere."
"I..."
Furina grew even more flustered. "I'm just going to pretend this never happened! Don't suddenly lean in like that again—it's bad for my heart!"
"Alright, alright. Let's go have breakfast together."
"..."
Furina suddenly fell silent.
Then she puffed out her cheeks at Luna.
"What's wrong?"
"Aren't you even a little embarrassed?"
Luna didn't answer. Instead, she tugged open her collar, took Furina's hand, and guided it inside.
Thump-thump, thump-thump... Luna's heartbeat was noticeably faster than before, and her skin seemed a touch warmer.
"Do you understand now? I'm not without feelings, you know? It's just... you have to look closely to find them," Luna said with a smile.
Furina, her face flushed, nodded silently.
So even Luna can feel something too...