"Little Klee is such a good girl," Akio praised her warmly.
"Brother Akio is the best! Klee loves Brother Akio the most!" Klee giggled happily, hugging Akio's neck tightly and planting a cheerful kiss on his cheek as she wiggled with delight.
"Let's go, Himeko. It's time to head back." Akio held Klee gently with one arm, extending his free hand towards Himeko.
"Alright." Himeko nodded, smiling softly as she intertwined her fingers with Akio's, and the three of them stepped into the Imaginary Space together.
...
Meanwhile, in Tenshukaku, within the room where Furina and Clorinde were staying—
Wearing a comfortable nightgown, Furina was leisurely sprawled out on the bed, flipping through a manga and happily munching on desserts Clorinde had bought for her.
Clorinde stood nearby, hesitating and unsure how to start the conversation. Her expression was complicated as she watched Furina's carefree demeanor.
"Hm? What's wrong, Clorinde? Did you want to say something?" Furina noticed her friend's hesitation, setting aside her manga and sitting up cross-legged, staring curiously at Clorinde.
"Furina, considering the time we've spent away from Fontaine, perhaps we should start preparing for our return..." Clorinde finally spoke up after a brief pause.
Ever since the two of them had become Akio's women, Furina had insisted Clorinde drop the formalities. They now interacted more like sisters rather than goddess and guard.
"The Divine Coronation Ceremony concluded some time ago, and we've been absent from Fontaine for quite a while now. Chief Justice Neuvillette is managing everything alone—it must be difficult for him," Clorinde explained gently.
"Is that so?" Furina murmured quietly, her expression turning slightly bitter. "Even if I weren't around, the people of Fontaine probably wouldn't notice or care at all, would they?"
"Furina..." Clorinde started to speak, but Furina interrupted softly.
"Clorinde, I'm fully aware of what I represent to the people of Fontaine. I'm not Egeria. To them, I'm nothing more than a mascot—a cheerful little figure who entertains them in the courtroom, right?" Furina laughed bitterly, her eyes filled with self-deprecation.
"Isn't that true? In your hearts, I've never truly been the Goddess of Justice."
"That's not true, Furina," Clorinde shook her head firmly. "Since my birth, I've never met the previous Hydro Archon. You've always been the current Hydro Archon in my eyes. Why belittle yourself this way?"
"Belittle myself..." Furina took a deep breath, looking Clorinde straight in the eyes. "Since we're now sisters who share such intimacy, let me tell you something I've never revealed before..."
Seeing Furina suddenly become serious, Clorinde opened her mouth slightly, then closed it again, deciding to listen quietly.
"I've always been trying my hardest to play her role—the role of the true Hydro Archon, 'Focalors,'" Furina whispered softly. "On stage, I receive the cheers and admiration of the audience, but I also bear their endless expectations and scrutiny."
Furina's eyes were distant as she spoke, "I know perfectly well that it's not me they're truly looking forward to—it's the 'her' I portray."
"For a long time, I despised performing and everything associated with it," Furina admitted quietly. "Even now, that's still the case."
"Clorinde... Here in Inazuma, by Akio's side, I can finally just be myself. Here, I'm Furina—not Focalors," Furina explained earnestly. "Since the moment I was born, I've carried the weight of Fontaine itself, as well as the heavy prophecy placed upon me. I've never truly lived as myself, only as the embodiment of someone else's burdens."
"Here, with Akio, I've finally tasted freedom—a life without acting, without pretending. It's such a wonderful feeling," Furina stretched her arms out as if embracing the air. "This sensation, this freedom—it's so beautiful..."
"'Focalors' will eventually leave the stage, and when she does, I'll perform one last song for Fontaine," Furina said quietly. "After that, you and Neuvillette must let me go."
"Lady Furina..." Clorinde's heart churned with complicated emotions upon hearing Furina's heartfelt confession. Such secrets—how could a mere mortal like herself have known before?
"Clorinde, please don't call me 'Lady Furina' here anymore," Furina pleaded softly. "Right now, I'm just Furina—your sister, Akio's wife. I'm not the Hydro Archon."
"When we return to Fontaine, we can go back to our usual roles," Furina continued earnestly. "I'll stand beside you and Neuvillette to perform the Hydro Archon's final curtain call, until 'Focalors' formally exits the stage."
"I understand, Furina," Clorinde finally nodded after a thoughtful silence, forcing a gentle smile. She decided to go along with Furina's wish for now.
"Hehe," Furina's serious expression vanished, replaced by a mischievous grin as she placed her hands on her hips. "Then~ Clorinde, how about calling me 'big sister Furina' just once?"
"..." Clorinde's lips twitched slightly, and she responded solemnly, "I respectfully decline, Furina. If we're just 'Furina,' you clearly look younger than me."
"So perhaps you should call me 'big sister' instead?" Clorinde joked lightly, surprising even herself with her rare playfulness.
"No way!" Furina huffed indignantly, pouting adorably. "You wicked Clorinde! Wanting to be my big sister? Dream on!"
"Hmph! When our husband returns, I'll tell him to bully you until you call me big sister!" Furina declared smugly, tilting her chin upward proudly.
"If that's Akio's wish, then of course I'll gladly obey," Clorinde replied smoothly, with a teasing smile.
"You—you—you... waaah!" Furina dramatically buried her face in her hands, completely defeated by Clorinde's quick retort.
"...Forget it," Furina sulked for a moment, then turned pleading eyes to Clorinde. "Clorinde, I still want more cake. Hurry and buy some for me."
"Alright~" Clorinde smiled warmly, nodding gently. She knew when to stop teasing and fulfill her duties—after all, Furina was still the Hydro Archon.
After Clorinde left the room, Furina sighed softly, eyes filled with a quiet sadness. "That prophecy... What should I do...? Focalors, you..."
"Neuvillette, I've willingly stepped into this role... all for your sake, my dear Hydro Dragon," Furina murmured sadly. "If my final act allows you to reclaim your true authority and save Fontaine... that would be for the best, wouldn't it?"
"Neuvillette, please don't disappoint me. This is my chance to finally be free—and Fontaine's last hope..."
Outside the door, Clorinde stood silently, her fists clenched tightly as she overheard Furina's quiet whispers. She had learned far too much today—things she couldn't have imagined before, things whose consequences she couldn't bear to consider.
The "final curtain" Furina spoke of... Did it mean...?
Clorinde's eyes welled up with
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