Furina could no longer endure it.
She had to teach Luna a lesson for her increasingly brazen behavior! How could Luna just hold her close every day and start doing that?
Every day, Furina had to walk while clinging to walls. Luna might not feel weak, but Furina was practically drained.
After much contemplation, Furina concluded that the root of the problem lay in Luna's ignorance of her true power.
That has to be it!
Not that I dislike it or anything.
In fact, she rather enjoyed it.
If Luna suddenly stopped, Furina would worry that she had lost interest. Desire was part of love, after all!
But being constantly dominated by Luna was something Furina couldn't tolerate.
Don't let Luna's occasional act of being easily pushed over or blushing at a touch fool you—it was all a facade.
Once you fell for it, Luna would seize the opportunity, launching a counterattack the moment you were distracted.
But we agreed I'd be the one in charge!
When it came to disciplining Luna, Furina herself had no idea how to proceed. It seemed that no matter what she tried, Luna remained unfazed.
After much deliberation, Furina made up her mind.
She would consult Focalors!
"Ah, I see. You want to take the lead in your relationship, but why are you asking me about this? I've never been in love," Focalors said, shrugging.
"But you're the only one I can turn to," Furina retorted.
She couldn't exactly ask her rival for advice, could she? If she marched up to Chiori and the others and asked, "How do I get Luna to willingly let me dominate her?" that would be like slapping them in the face and asking for a beating!
I'm not that foolish! Furina huffed.
Focalors pondered thoughtfully. "You're a real handful. Let me think... How about trying some props?"
"Props?"
"For example, getting Luna drunk or slipping her a sleeping potion. When someone's exhausted, they lack the energy to resist."
Ah, so all I need to do is make Luna confused and groggy!
...As if that would ever work!
After a brief ten-second contemplation, Furina snapped back to reality. Luna was a child of the House of the Hearth; she'd be far too familiar with such shady tactics.
With just one glance, Focalors could see Furina's thoughts as clearly as day.
Even though Furina would undoubtedly drink it to appease her, doing so would feel like another victory for Luna.
"I'm amazed you even came up with something like this," Furina said, her expression complex.
"Oh? Are you unhappy about it?"
"I wanted to defeat her fair and square."
Focalors propped her chin on her hand. "Then why not just beat her?"
"Me? Beat Luna?"
I'd definitely lose!
"Sigh, this is such a pain. I never imagined Furina would become such a troublesome woman." Focalors shook her head and sighed repeatedly.
Furina couldn't argue.
If Luna was extremely assertive, Furina would want to make her passive. Conversely, if Luna was extremely passive, Furina would want her to take the initiative.
Thinking about it that way, it was indeed incredibly troublesome.
Furina blushed. "I-it's not that troublesome! These are just normal desires! Okay, okay, any other ideas?"
"Can't you think for yourself?"
"I can't! If I could, I wouldn't be asking you!"
Focalors had no choice but to continue brainstorming strategies for Furina.
She observed Furina carefully. Her appearance hadn't changed much, but her expression was relaxed and radiant, like a beauty whose sharp edges had been completely smoothed away.
"I see now. It's because you lack presence."
"Huh?"
Presence? Furina glanced down at herself.
"That's impossible! My popularity is still going strong! Everyone in the Troupe follows my commands. How could I lack presence? You just haven't noticed it yet!"
Focalors clarified, "I'm not talking about your professional demeanor. I mean the way you carry yourself around Luna."
Furina's eyes widened in realization.
"You mean...?"
"Simply put: you're too easy to bully."
Furina's eyebrows shot up in indignation. That's ridiculous! I'm not like that!
...Or am I?
Uncertainty crept in. After all, Luna acted with such unrestrained audacity. To her, Furina might as well be a cake sitting on the table—something to be enjoyed with a mere flick of the wrist, without a second thought.
"See? Even you're not confident about it."
Furina had no retort.
But why would I need presence around my lover?
"Then what should I do?" Furina pressed.
She would never do anything unreasonable.
Focalors smiled brightly and said, "The answer to this question is simple: just try demanding it from Luna with an air of authority."
"An air of authority..."
She could only imagine herself acting as the Hydro Archon, just as she had before.
But judging by Luna's behavior, even if she played the part of a God, it wouldn't make any difference to Luna. Besides, she had no desire to return to that role.
As she pondered this, another woman's face flashed through her mind.
Speaking of authority, Arlecchino might qualify—but that was even worse!
What if she played the part too well, and Luna started calling her "Mommy"?
"If you can't imagine it, you need some inspiration. How about this?" Focalors said, handing her a novel.
The title read: The Domineering CEO Falls for Me, a romance novel through and through.
"You actually read these kinds of books?"
"They're quite entertaining when you just want to switch off your brain," Focalors chuckled. "Though real people with power don't act as dramatically as they do in these stories, barking orders like 'Insolent woman!' or 'Obey me, woman!' all the time."
"But you could still give it a try," Focalors said, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Luna might actually fall for this."
Impossible, Furina thought. If I acted aggressively towards Luna, she'd probably get even more excited and try to pin me down harder.
...Though that doesn't sound so bad either?
No, no! Thinking like that is practically surrendering before the battle even begins. I shouldn't think like that.
Furina took the novel, thinking, Since I have no other ideas, I might as well give it a try.
First, I'll need to study this.
She opened the novel, and the title of the first chapter blazed across the page:
"Woman, You've Captured My Attention!"
Chapter 2:
"Woman, You're Incredibly Audacious!"
Chapter 3:
"Woman, You're Actually Like This? How Intriguing!"
Is this really going to work?
After a quick skim, Furina grasped the character's archetype. It was simple and easy to understand, perfect for her to embody.
"But I still feel like Luna would just laugh herself to death on the spot."
Focalors smiled warmly. "Building some deeper connection wouldn't hurt either, would it?"
"You're right about that."
Furina stood up, brushing off her clothes. "Thanks! Don't forget to eat the pastries I gave you—they cost me a fortune, you know!"
"Of course."
Just as Furina turned to leave, Focalors called out to her.
"Furina, you—"
"Hmm?"
Focalors hesitated, the guilt in her heart still lingering. But she couldn't keep apologizing over and over. She abruptly changed the subject. "You must live a happy life, okay?"
"Why are you saying that all of a sudden? How odd." Furina looked genuinely puzzled.
But as she gazed at Focalors, a smile bloomed on her face.
"You don't need to tell me—I will anyway. You too! After working so hard for so long, you deserve a break. This seat you're sitting in? It's not as easy as it looks—trust me, I know."
"...Thank you."
Furina skipped away, her steps light and carefree.
"Me too, huh..." Focalors murmured, slicing off a piece of pastry and popping it into her mouth.
-
Back home, Furina immediately began preparing. First, she cleared her throat, deepening her voice to sound more solemn and authoritative. Then, she adjusted her posture...
Everything was ready!
All that remained was to wait for Luna's return.
Furina sat on the sofa, waiting. After some time, the entrance door opened, and Luna appeared in the doorway, returning from grocery shopping.
"Furina, want some snacks?" she asked, shaking the bag in her hand.
But her eyes only caught sight of Furina's imposing silhouette.
"Furina?"
Luna set down her groceries and approached Furina, noticing her closed eyes and assuming she was asleep.
Just as Luna was about to pick her up and carry her to the bedroom, Furina slowly opened her eyes.
"Ahem... Woman, you've returned just in time."
The deep voice, detached gaze, and graceful yet aloof demeanor seemed utterly incongruous with Furina's usual self.
What is she doing? Luna wondered, quite intrigued. But before she could ask, she followed her usual habit and kissed Furina on the lips.
"I'm back."
Furina's face flushed crimson. "Mmm..."
Don't just kiss me so casually! You're going to ruin my act!
As she thought this, she tugged at Luna's sleeve.
"One more time."