The auditions continued.
Focalors naturally took a seat among them, looking just like one of the interviewers.
"I think we should start with a 'Which one is Furina?' test to gauge the applicants' observation skills," Chiori suggested casually.
"Can you really tell just by looking?" Navia couldn't help but ask.
Furina declared proudly, "Luna saw through it at a single glance!" As expected of my wife! she thought, hands on her hips.
"When did you test her...?" Chiori frowned. Why does it feel like everyone's getting a head start?
Navia simply thought, Living together must mean they know each other completely. She still felt a pang of envy.
She looked from Furina on her left to Focalors on her right. Aside from their different outfits and hairstyles, it was truly difficult to spot any distinction. It seemed impossible to tell them apart by sight alone.
So how did Lulu distinguish between them?
Scent?
While Navia was lost in thought, Luna opened the audition room door and called out, "Next applicant, please."
After returning to their seats, the next applicant arrived.
Purple hair, a generous "heart", straining buttons, and beneath the tight-fitting outfit, lustrous black-stockinged legs... Yes, it was one of their friends.
"Clorinde!?" Navia exclaimed in surprise.
Clorinde gave a slight nod. "Hello."
She paused for a moment upon seeing Focalors among the interviewers. She had seen Focalors coming to the audition earlier but hadn't expected her to be sitting there.
Chiori pressed her forehead. "Are only acquaintances going to show up for our auditions?"
"Of course not!" Furina retorted.
She paused for a few seconds.
"—Probably not!"
Maybe!
Look at Luna and me—we're Fontaine's biggest stars! Still, encountering one acquaintance after another in the audition room felt... strange.
Luna rested her chin on her clasped hands and asked with a smile, "Auditioning or on duty?"
"I'm a Champion Duelist, not part of the Special Task Force. I'm here for the audition, of course."
"Then please, have a seat."
Clorinde sat in the chair, her expression impassive.
Navia couldn't help but ask, "Why are you here for the audition? And without telling me!"
"Surprised?"
Chiori sighed. "More like shocked."
"I don't believe I've done anything to warrant such a strong reaction," Clorinde stated matter-of-factly.
"...I have no words," Chiori muttered, averting her gaze.
Furina cleared her throat. "Alright, alright, let's get down to business. Your file—I see you don't have one either, but we've worked together on films before. Clorinde's potential is trustworthy."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Luna smiled. "But Clorinde, don't you still have your duties as a Champion Duelist? Won't it be exhausting to take on a part-time job with the troupe after your shifts?"
Working another job right after clocking out... The mere thought was enough to drive most people to despair.
Of course, Luna was no exception.
Clorinde replied calmly, "Working seriously on something with friends is a form of relaxation for me. Don't worry. If I didn't want to be here, I would have taken leave."
"You're certainly frank," Navia sighed.
"Thank you for the praise."
So Clorinde just sees the troupe work as a kind of activity, Luna thought. Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Clorinde has always been meticulous in her work; there's no need to doubt her commitment.
Luna continued her questions. "So, Clorinde, are you only here because we're here?"
Furina chuckled. "I never knew you were so lonely, Clorinde!"
"...It's also because filming with Luna before felt... good," Clorinde added.
The moment she said it, someone couldn't stay still.
Navia blurted out, "'Felt good'? What—what does that mean? Did you mean the experience of filming felt good, or—"
Chiori raised an eyebrow as well.
Furina's gaze darted between Luna and Clorinde. She pinched Luna's stomach and whispered, "Did you two do something behind my back?"
What an unfair accusation! Luna shook her head frantically.
Was she the type of woman who fell for every person she met?
...Though she had to admit, spending time with Clorinde was indeed quite pleasant.
Focalors, enjoying the drama, chimed in, "—Or did you mean your impression of Luna herself was good?"
"Both."
Both?! Furina's eyes widened.
"But the main reason," Clorinde continued, "was her influence. The feeling of completely immersing myself in the story, as if I had become the character myself, allowing me to experience all sorts of emotions unrelated to my own life... It was wonderful. I want to try it again."
That scared the life out of me.
Furina and Navia both breathed a sigh of relief.
Chiori's brow unfurrowed.
Luna understood completely and nodded. "To be able to feel that way means you have a real talent for this, Clorinde."
"Thank you."
Furina agreed enthusiastically. "Luna is absolutely right! Acting isn't just about following a character's script. Only by truly experiencing and understanding the character's emotions can you achieve a perfect performance."
"I have high hopes for you, Clorinde."
"You pass!"
Clorinde bowed her head slightly. "Thank you very much."
She looked at Luna.
"We can film together again," Clorinde said.
"Yes, but... we're a troupe now, you know."
"...The meaning is the same."
Furina's gaze darted back and forth between Luna and Clorinde again, a flicker of regret crossing her face. Did casting Clorinde as the lead accidentally bring them closer?
After Clorinde took her leave, Chiori remarked with a sigh, "I never thought even a Champion Duelist would moonlight with us."
"It feels like we've gathered a bunch of oddballs, doesn't it?" Luna said.
"You're one to talk," Furina said, her expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Aren't you the strangest one here?"
Luna cupped her face with both hands, beaming. "Nope! Lulu is the best-behaved person here. And for just one million Mora, you can touch my chin. Ehe~"
"Don't tell me you caught that 'ehe' habit from that wandering bard in Mondstadt," Furina asked.
"Of course not," Luna retorted. "I'm not a drunkard."
Chiori sighed in exasperation. "Is your chin made of diamonds or something?"
"Of course not. Diamonds aren't nearly as valuable as I am. So, touching my chin is like earning a million Mora!"
"Let me touch it!" Navia laughed.
She gently stroked Luna's chin—or rather, the area just below it, near her neck. The soft touch made Luna squint her eyes in enjoyment.
Furina abruptly pulled Luna into her arms.
"We're supposed to be working!"
"Aww, but it's break time!"
Held by Furina, Luna peeked over her shoulder at Chiori. Chiori simply smiled, then flicked Luna's forehead with a sharp thwack.
"Ow! That was mean," Luna grumbled.
"You brought it on yourself."
After a few more moments of playful bickering, Luna returned to her post and opened the door for the next interviewee.
The figure who entered silenced the room, every face frozen in shock.
"Good morning. It's been a while, Luna, Lady Furina, Miss Navia, Miss Chiori, and... Miss Focalors."
Arlecchino offered a polite smile.