In a single-patient hospital room, "Luna" lay on the bed, her sleeping form serene.
If not for the gentle rise and fall of her chest, one might think she'd already passed away.
The curtain suddenly billowed as a white shadow leaped into the room with graceful ease.
"This puppet really is my exact replica..." Luna murmured, removing her mask.
It could mimic facial expressions, breathe like a living being, maintain body temperature, and even produce medical scan results identical to her own.
The only difference was its inability to move.
Yet this immobility proved advantageous in certain situations.
If Chiori discovered... that wouldn't do. Chiori's modeling subject was supposed to be Luna from the start - a pact they'd made at the beginning.
So, the puppet had to go!
"Time for me to take over."
This would ensure their plan's flawless execution.
After making the Masked Puppet vanish, Luna produced a card, instantly transforming her appearance. She then burrowed under the blankets, closed her eyes, and feigned deep sleep.
Moments later, the ward door opened.
Judging by the footsteps... it was Navia and Chiori. The faint floral scent that reached her nostrils confirmed her guess.
"Lulu still hasn't woken up," Navia said, her voice thick with disappointment as she lowered her gaze.
Chiori glanced at her.
"Do you know what you look like right now?"
"What do I look like?"
"A big dog with its ears drooping in self-pity."
Navia's cheeks flushed with a faint blush as she fidgeted. "I-I was just worried about her! It's all my fault. If I could have anticipated the Phantom Thief would target her, perhaps I could have prevented this."
"She's fine. You're overthinking things," Chiori replied, her demeanor as calm as ever in contrast to Navia's anxious self-reproach.
This response puzzled Navia. "You and Lulu are such good friends," she blurted out. "Aren't you worried about her?"
"Not at all."
"Really? Not even a little?"
"Absolutely not."
To someone unfamiliar with Chiori, this might make her seem cold-hearted. But Navia felt differently.
"...Chiori, you really trust her completely, don't you?"
Chiori sighed softly. "If you could read her mind, you'd understand why there's no need to worry. Don't let her peaceful appearance fool you—"
She pinched Luna's side.
"aah!" Luna's eyes snapped open as pain shot through her ribs.
Chiori snorted. "—She's an expert at pretending to sleep. Just waiting to mess with your hair or grope you when you turn your back."
But her detailed explanation of "Luna's Habits" went completely unnoticed by Navia.
"Lulu!" The moment Luna opened her eyes, Navia's face lit up. She threw herself forward in a tight hug.
Chiori: "..."
Feeling Chiori's slightly piercing gaze, Luna blinked as Navia pushed her onto the bed. She smiled and said, "Nana is truly so enthusiastic."
"Not like some cold-hearted fashion designer."
The corner of Chiori's mouth twitched. "Want to argue?"
"No."
"Then understand this—I can't feel my hands. Get it?"
This was the result of Luna having knocked away her weapon earlier.
But Luna didn't believe it for a moment. With Chiori's tough skin, how could her hands still be numb?
"Understood. I'll massage them later." Luna had no choice but to respond this way.
"That's more like it." Chiori finally nodded in satisfaction.
The earlier incident could be considered settled.
Though of course, she'd need to massage until Chiori was satisfied. Otherwise, there was no deal.
She sat on the edge of the bed, using both hands to separate Luna and Navia.
"Alright, don't crowd someone who's just woken up."
Navia smiled awkwardly, her crimson face radiating only embarrassment. She carefully touched Luna's face.
Rubbing shoulders, poking the belly, kneading thighs... as if confirming something.
"Mm, this texture is definitely Lulu's."
"...Must you confirm it this way?" Chiori asked.
Navia chuckled. "I'm scared! What if the one lying here is the Phantom Thief?"
"Then you should be afraid that your attendants Melus and Silver are both the Phantom Thief White Cat."
"That's terrifying!"
It was practically a horror story!
Navia rubbed her arms, which had broken out in goosebumps, and gazed into Luna's gentle eyes. Unable to resist, she rested her head against Luna's belly.
"...Lulu, you might not remember, but when you appeared before me unconscious, I felt my heart was about to stop. I was so scared."
Just unconscious? Why such an extreme reaction?
Luna placed her hand on Navia's head, gently stroking her hair. "You were scared...?"
Navia drew in a shaky breath.
"I... I was afraid of the person most important to me leaving my side. I told you before, I like Lulu."
Chiori's eyes widened.
"...No one could witness the person they like collapsing before them and remain unaffected. Isn't that true for you too, Chiori?"
Chiori gave Navia a deep look, then raised her eyebrows at Luna.
What's going on? she asked silently.
Luna's smile carried a hint of smugness, but it quickly vanished as Chiori's hands grabbed tightly at her face.
"Chiori?" Navia called out.
Luna looked at Chiori, equally curious about how she would respond.
Why did the conversation have to land on me? Chiori sighed softly, an indescribable irritation lingering in her heart—especially when she saw Luna's face.
She murmured, "It's only natural. I'm no exception."
"Exactly! Lulu is my best partner, my friend... I don't want to see you hurt at all! Even if you're not injured, I can't bear to see you unconscious!"
Navia suddenly lifted her head and crawled to Luna's front.
Her hands rested on either side of Luna's head, golden hair cascading down like her flickering gaze.
"Lulu, are you really okay? Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?"
Luna shook her head slightly. "No, I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Or should I hug you again to check? The tighter the hug, the better I can tell if you're injured."
She spread her arms in jest.
Chiori expected Navia to refuse—after all, she was still present, and Navia should have some reservations.
But Navia embraced Luna without hesitation.
The hug was so tight it made Luna struggle to breathe, their skin pressed together radiating warmth.
"Wait, Nana, you're hugging too tight."
As if not hearing, Navia's breath puffed against Luna's ear.
"Too tight, Nana!" Luna patted her back.
"...Ah!"
Navia snapped out of it and hastily released her grip, finally allowing Luna to breathe.
Her face flushed crimson. "I... I'm sorry about that... um..."
She couldn't explain why she couldn't hold back.
She just wanted to hug even tighter. But such words couldn't be voiced, so she stood up.
"I'll go handle the discharge procedures!"
Then, while touching her burning face, she fled the room like escaping a disaster.
Leaving only Chiori and Luna behind.
Their gazes naturally met, locking in a moment of silent understanding. Luna sat up and took Chiori's hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Massage."
Chiori replied mildly. "I see."
The fingers kneaded her wrist, sending waves of warmth through her. Chiori's lips twitched slightly, then suddenly tightened her grip on Luna's hand.
The force was astonishingly strong.
No wonder her hands are so steady... Luna thought absently as Chiori's face leaned closer.
"I think you have something to tell me. Hurry up and say it."
You think I have something to say?
There was indeed something. Luna pondered for a moment before asking, "Which phrase would you like to hear?"
"Whatever."
"...Then, 'I'm sorry'?"
"Will you stop pestering me if I say it?"
"Probably not."
Chiori snorted. "Then what's the point? This phrase is meaningless. What else? Tell me something else."
What exactly was she trying to hear?
Luna kissed Chiori's fingertips gently. "I like Chiori?"
"...That's kind of gross."
"What do you want from me?"
After leaving the hospital, Navia mentioned that the Spina di Rosula would also need to participate in the search for Furina, then bid farewell. Chiori returned to her palace—Chioriya Boutique.
It seemed many people would join the search for Furina.
But they wouldn't find her anytime soon.
In a remote area where no one could find or discover her—that was where Furina was.
Donning a mask, Luna transformed into the Phantom Thief and pushed open the door.
In this abandoned little house, Furina still wearing her performance costume was sleeping quietly on the bed.
Just like Sleeping Beauty in a fairy tale.