Her head felt a little foggy — the aftereffects of staying up all night were catching up to her.
Yesterday morning, she had spent hours pouring energy into studying the script. Then in the afternoon, she went out and explored Fontaine freely for an entire day. And by evening, she and Liu Yuan had… done something far too exciting for her heart to handle.
At first, fueled by that rush of emotion, Furina didn't feel tired. But she was still human — and after all that, her body was reaching its limit. The exhaustion finally began to creep in.
Forcing herself to wake up, Furina quickly washed up and looked into the mirror… only to find that her fatigue was written all over her face.
She patted her cheeks a few times, then, relying on her superb acting skills, forced herself to appear even a little more energetic.
When she opened the door, the familiar figure was already waiting by the entrance — standing there like the most loyal knight at her post.
"L–Liu Yuan…"
Furina's voice trembled slightly, shyness creeping in as she recalled what had happened last night.
"What's wrong?"
"N– Nothing!"
Furina blurted out, her face burning. She grabbed the clothes Liu Yuan had carefully picked out for her and darted into the dressing room like a startled cat.
Liu Yuan remained where she was, watching the closed door. A soft and inexplicable sense of pleasure rose in her chest.
If it were the old Liu Yuan, she might've assumed Furina was angry — because her logic back then would've been simple: You're avoiding me, therefore I made you angry.
But now?
Now Liu Yuan didn't think like that. Perhaps because her perception of emotions had grown sharper, she could sense that Furina wasn't angry at all — rather, she was experiencing something else entirely.
Something that the books called… shyness.
Liu Yuan wasn't sure what that meant in its entirety, but she did know one thing: every time she interacted with Furina, she felt that strange comfort again — that quiet, addictive warmth she couldn't explain.
And Furina's flustered expression just now had made that feeling bloom even stronger.
This feeling… it really is addictive.
---
Inside the changing room, Furina didn't immediately put on her clothes.
Instead, she hugged them tightly against her chest, sat before the dressing table, and stared at her own reflection.
Every time she saw Liu Yuan, that scene from last night would replay vividly in her head — the warmth of her embrace, the scent that lingered close to her skin, and the soft, fleeting touch of her lips after she told her to close her eyes—
Ugh! There it is again!
Furina's cheeks flared red once more. She buried her face in her hands. She truly had no idea how to face Liu Yuan now.
And there was another question twisting in her mind:
What exactly was their relationship now?
Friends? Absolutely not! That much was clear.
How could they still be "just friends" after what happened? She had kissed her! Her first kiss, at that!
Friends? No way — lovers sounded far more accurate!
In that moment, the stubborn yet hopelessly innocent Furina had already recognized Liu Yuan in her heart. There was no going back now.
Recalling that kiss — and the mortifying words she said afterward — Furina felt like her entire face was on fire.
She watched her reflection redden even more until she couldn't bear it anymore, burying her face in the table with a groan.
So embarrassing…!
But—
Liu Yuan liked her too, right?
That thought surfaced suddenly.
When she remembered Liu Yuan's arms around her and that steady, heartfelt voice saying, "I want to be with you forever," Furina was certain — one hundred percent certain — that Liu Yuan had feelings for her.
Liu Yuan's embrace had felt so warm… so safe. And her scent, soft and comforting, made Furina's heart melt every time she thought about it.
Still lying on the dressing table, Furina curled up slightly. Just recalling the feeling of being held by her brought back that same security, that same gentle warmth.
And right at that moment, fatigue pounced.
Having stayed up the entire night, Furina's body finally gave out. Her eyelids grew heavy, her breathing evened out, and before she knew it, she slipped into a deep, dream-laced sleep.
---
Outside the door, Liu Yuan leaned quietly against the wall, her head lowered.
There was no book in her hands today. She wasn't in the mood to read — not when her mind was this unsettled.
After a long while, she blinked, her gaze drifting toward the clock nearby.
Almost ten o'clock.
And Furina still hadn't come out.
Liu Yuan hesitated. Should she check on her?
If she went in, Furina might get upset… and the last thing she wanted was to make her angry.
But if she didn't…
Her deep blue eyes flicked toward the door again. The minute hand inched closer to ten.
Finally, after one last pause, Liu Yuan decided.
She pushed off the wall and reached for the doorknob.
Click.
The door opened easily.
At first, when Furina was still wary of her, she used to lock the door and even carry the key — afraid Liu Yuan might harbor bad intentions.
But over time, as she got used to her presence, that habit faded. The door had stayed unlocked ever since.
It was a small act of trust — but one that Liu Yuan didn't take lightly.
When she stepped into the room, her eyes immediately landed on Furina — slumped over the dressing table, sound asleep.
Liu Yuan's brows knitted slightly. She blinked once, and in the next moment, she was already by Furina's side, lowering herself quietly beside her.
She reached out, brushing her fingertips lightly against Furina's arm.
Her brow smoothed, the tension in her shoulders easing as she exhaled in relief.
Her hand moved to Furina's forehead. After a moment's examination, Liu Yuan muttered softly to herself,
"Excessive fatigue. The body entered automatic rest mode to recover strength."
She pulled her hand back and stood still for a long second.
Was it because they'd done too much yesterday? Or maybe… because she hadn't slept a wink last night either?
That must be it.
But then another thought crept in — one that made her chest tighten unexpectedly.
Why did she feel so nervous seeing Furina lying motionless like this?
Why did her heart race like this? Why did she feel so unsteady — when she could've easily used mental probing to confirm she was fine?
Liu Yuan placed her hand over her chest, feeling her heart pounding far faster than normal.
Her voice lowered, quiet and uncertain.
"...Do emotions affect my rationality?"
Her fingers curled slightly.
"Is this… also one of the symptoms of my illness?"
.
.
.
_