Why is Arlecchino here!?
Furina's expression shifted dramatically. "You... you're not here to—"
To join the Troupe?
It seems impossible for someone of Arlecchino's status, but what if? What if she's actually interested? Of course, if it's just acting together, that wouldn't be so bad...
"That's right," Arlecchino said with a faint smile.
She gently patted Luna's head.
"I'm here to bring Lynette, Lyney, and Freminet. I also wanted to discuss some matters with Miss Navia. May I have a word with you in private?"
"Me?" Navia asked, surprised. "I suppose so..."
But what kind of "matters" could she mean?
As long as it doesn't have much to do with the Spina di Rosula, it should be fine.
Luna thought to herself: It's probably about the "ghost" she mentioned before. The House of the Hearth has a child who doesn't officially exist. Arlecchino wants to send the children to Poisson and use the opportunity to investigate and resolve the issue.
Since they're going to Poisson, they must inform the Spina di Rosula to avoid causing trouble.
But Lynette and the others came too?
The moment Arlecchino and Navia left the audition room, three familiar figures appeared at the door.
"Luna! Everyone! Hello! We heard you started a new troupe, and Lynette wanted to come audition."
Lynette averted her gaze. "We're here to audition for the role of stage mechanism consultants."
Chiori nodded. "With the help of such famous magicians, we won't have to worry about the stage mechanism designs."
Furina breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Arlecchino isn't the one joining, it's fine.
Luna leaned closer to Lynette. "Don't you want to perform with me, Lynette?"
"...It's not that I don't want to. I can take a supporting role if needed. But not the lead—that would be too draining. The worst part would be getting cornered by reporters after the show."
Lyney shrugged. His sister was much more open with Luna now, but there was still a slight distance between them.
It couldn't be helped. After all, Luna was completely different from how she used to be.
"That works too," Luna said with another smile.
Now that she's on board, whether she takes a supporting role or not isn't entirely up to her.
If necessary, Luna could always use a few little tricks.
As childhood friends, Luna naturally knew exactly where Lynette's weaknesses lay.
Freminet said nervously, "If the troupe needs any equipment maintained, I can be the repairman... Ah, you don't have to pay me, I—"
"Absolutely not," Luna stated bluntly.
"Indeed not!" Furina added seriously.
Chiori remarked casually, "It's only right and proper to be compensated for your labor. Besides—if those unscrupulous media outlets found out, they'd surely twist the facts."
Headlines like "Blubberbeast Troupe Exploits Members, Refuses to Pay Salaries!" or "Black-Hearted Troupe Masterminded by Furina and Luna!" would be inevitable.
They just needed to pay standard wages.
Freminet scratched his cheek. "Sorry, I didn't think that through..."
Furina then asked a few questions.
For example: "Why do you want to join our troupe?"
Lynette replied, "I want to help Lulu."
Lyney answered, "Of course I have to support my family's venture!"
Freminet stammered, "M-Me too."
So they're all here because of Luna's connections!
-
Soon after, Navia and Arlecchino returned.
"Finished talking?" Luna asked.
"Yes, we're done," Navia replied. "The House of the Hearth needs a place to stay, right? No problem at all. The Spina di Rosula will provide the lodging, and I guarantee they'll be comfortable!"
Arlecchino smiled faintly. "Thank you, Miss Navia. Let's go, children."
"Yes, ma'am."
The interviews had already concluded. After all, Lynette and her siblings' abilities were trustworthy and required no further assessment. The remaining candidates were standard industry professionals.
Some were even from Luna's original troupe, looking to jump ship.
After a thorough screening, the four of them—Luna, Furina, Chiori, and Navia—had made their decisions. Focalors had only come along for the fun and didn't participate in the interviews.
"Everyone on this list is hired. The rest can be dismissed," Luna said, nodding.
Furina agreed. "Indeed, quality over quantity! Let's have them report to the troupe in three days to officially start work. Luna and I will handle the script."
And then would come the moment for the Blubberbeast Troupe's debut on the stage of the Opera Epiclese!
Casting was even simpler.
Since this was their grand debut, they had to leave a lasting impression on everyone!
Therefore, the lead roles would naturally go to the highly renowned Luna and Furina. And since Focalors had joined them, she would be pulled onto the stage as well.
The fact that Furina and Focalors looked identical could also be used in the scriptwriting.
Twin sisters... a body double... an illusory inner demon...
The more she thought about it, the more excited she became.
It's decided! Furina adjusted her hat. "Luna, you're not sleeping tonight!"
"Huh?" Navia blinked.
Chiori raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning to do all night?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're writing the script, of course!"
Navia looked embarrassed. "Oh—! The script. I thought you meant something else."
"Nana, want to pull an all-nighter with us?" Luna asked with a grin. "ChiChi and Focalors are welcome too. I don't mind if you all come over to my place."
But I mind! Furina screamed internally.
With so many people gathered, it would definitely get noisy. How could they possibly write a script? They'd probably end up eating cake, drinking beverages, and chatting until 9 AM.
Besides, it would ruin her private time with Luna. Absolutely not.
Furina cleared her throat. "We can have a party another time. For example, after our debut is a perfect success..."
Chiori smiled. "I'm coming."
Navia patted her chest. "You two focus on writing. I'll take care of preparing a lavish dinner and drinks to replenish your energy and brainpower!"
Focalors beamed. "You'll need to use acting to gauge expressiveness while writing the script, won't you? I can help with that. Besides, I won't have any work to deal with tonight anyway."
Navia's eyes lit up. "Right! I'll go invite Clorinde! It'll be even livelier!"
Furina: "..."
Ah, forget it!
Let them come! Who's afraid of whom?
Still, she tugged on Luna's sleeve and whispered, "You'd better make it up to me later."
"Cake?"
"...You know exactly what I mean."
Luna leaned close to Furina's ear and murmured, "You mean... me on the cake?"
Furina's face turned beet red as an indescribable image flashed through her mind: cake and Luna, cake and a white cat, fluffy cream on Luna's body... She shook her head frantically.
"I-I don't have that kind of fetish!"
"Wouldn't it be nice to try? I'm sure Furina wouldn't waste food."
If that doesn't work, I'll just switch roles and let her have a proper taste of "Blueberry Cake."
That night, Luna's house was packed with familiar faces.
"An illusion? No, I am what you wish to become—"
"Get away! This is not what I wanted!"
Focalors and Clorinde rehearsed while Furina directed from the side. Luna modified the script based on their performance, while Chiori and Navia watched, occasionally being pulled in to play supporting roles.
It was certainly lively, but thankfully not disruptive.
And after a night had passed...
The morning sun failed to rouse Furina. She was slumped back on the sofa, head tilted up, fast asleep. The others were scattered around in similar states of exhaustion. Only Luna remained relatively awake.
"Your Honor, I... I object!" Navia muttered in her sleep.
A rustling sound broke the silence.
Luna turned to see Clorinde stirring.
"You're awake?"
"Mm."
"Heading to work?"
"Yes."
"I'll make some breakfast. It won't take long."
Clorinde nodded. "Good thing my toiletries are still here from the last time I stayed over."
She couldn't help but wonder why all her things had been pushed to one side, leaving the vast space with only two designated spots—one for Luna and one for Furina.
Luna yawned as she finished cooking. By the time she was done, Clorinde had also finished getting ready. After a quick bite, Clorinde stood up, preparing to head to the Palais Mermonia.
"Wait."
Luna casually wiped a crumb from the corner of Clorinde's mouth.
"Thanks. By the way—" Clorinde suddenly fell into thought. "Lady Focalors is still asleep. What am I supposed to do for work? There won't be any duel proxy requests this early in the morning."
"Who knows?"
"...I guess I'll just sit here a little longer, then."
Clorinde sat back down.
After all, spending time with Luna wasn't so bad.