The two continued to stroll through Fontaine until dusk approached. Leaning against a railing, Luna picked up a french fry from the box and popped it into her mouth.
"Having fun, Miss Captain?" Luna offered a french fry.
Chevreuse glanced at her, took the fry, and nibbled off small pieces. "I'm not here to play."
"Still saying that after all this? You're really stubborn, Miss Captain," Luna mumbled around the fry dangling from her lips.
"Swallow before you speak."
As Chevreuse finished speaking, she noticed Luna leaning closer, the fry bobbing between her lips.
"Let's play a game. If you can bite off the last piece, I'll tell you everything you want to know, including but not limited to:"
"Who am I?"
"What's my life story?"
"And what do I really think of Miss Chevreuse?"
"—Bite it off, and I'll tell you."
At first glance, it seemed like a tempting offer. But Chevreuse's gaze lingered on Luna's lips, and she understood her true intentions.
And this was something she could never accept.
"If you want to kiss someone, go find someone else."
She would never kiss the Phantom Thief White Cat.
Luna exclaimed in surprise, "Did I say anything like that? I'm not really... that kind of person. I just meant the last part I said was 'up to here.'"
She gestured, stopping her hand in front of her mouth.
But the next moment, she tilted her head back and let a french fry drop straight into her mouth.
"Miss Captain, don't you really want to try?" she asked, holding up a fresh fry.
This game only required a little attentiveness, a little patience, and a dash of shamelessness. Becoming the King of Shamelessness meant getting everything—what a bargain!
Unfortunately, Chevreuse didn't see it that way.
"No, thanks."
"What a shame," Luna said.
Not really, Chevreuse thought to herself.
She leaned against the railing as well, the evening breeze carrying a hint of coolness.
Chevreuse rested her arm on the railing and gazed into the distance.
"Miss Captain doesn't seem too happy. Didn't you learn a lot about me today?"
She had indeed learned quite a bit.
For example, Luna loved cats.
She wasn't picky about food, but she particularly enjoyed desserts and Liyue cuisine.
She raved about the clothes at Chioriya Boutique, admired Navia's attire as the President of Spina di Rosula, respected Clorinde's resolve, and held Lady Furina in high esteem...
But even with all this, Chevreuse couldn't quite grasp the true identity of the Phantom Thief White Cat.
In fact, the more she learned about her, the more elusive she seemed, as if she were being drawn into a murky abyss called "Phantom Thief White Cat."
This feeling intensified whenever their opinions aligned and they found themselves in complete agreement.
"I'm not unhappy, but I don't feel any joy either. I just..."
"Feel conflicted?" Chevreuse glanced at Luna. "...Right."
A melodious tune drifted from the nearby plaza, likely another street performance. Chevreuse glanced over and recognized the violinist—Sally, who had appeared in the newspapers.
"Looks like the violinist you impersonated has fully recovered," Chevreuse remarked.
Luna followed her gaze. "Now she can flip the bird at everyone."
"Just try not to cause any trouble," Chevreuse said, averting her eyes and lowering her gaze as if lost in thought.
Luna poked a french fry at the corner of her mouth. "Open up—ah~"
Chevreuse nonchalantly took the fry. "I don't need your help. I have hands."
"But not many people get to be fed by the Phantom Thief White Cat, you know," Luna teased.
"Not many?" Chevreuse repeated, surprised.
"Does that mean there's someone else involved?" Chevreuse asked.
Luna smiled faintly. "For example, there's Lady Furina."
"...So, when Lady Furina defeated you before, that was just an act too?"
"Of course. How could I possibly suffer such a crushing defeat?"
Acting and lies—her very being seemed steeped in deception.
Yet her actions followed a clear trajectory.
Looking back at Phantom Thief White Cat's activities, it was easy to see her hostility toward crime and her goodwill toward justice.
She dismantled the Sinthe Gang, uncovered the truth behind the Tears of a Maiden and sought to destroy them, and chose to stage a performance for the sake of justice and order in Fontaine.
Her goal was to convince the world that Phantom Thief White Cat's crimes were unforgivable, thereby restoring public faith in the Court of Justice.
"Who are you, really?" Chevreuse couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering for so long.
"Who am I?" Luna gently took Chevreuse's hand. "I am the white shadow beneath the moon, the star of the stage lights, the ever-dazzling Miss Phantom Thief."
"And the only criminal Miss Captain can catch."
That's not what I meant to ask, Chevreuse's eyes conveyed her unspoken frustration.
Luna understood perfectly well.
Chevreuse simply wanted to know her true identity.
"But as I've said before, if you wish to capture me, you'll have to tear off my mask yourself."
Luna lifted Chevreuse's hand and gently nipped her fingertip.
The faint sting and the warm, moist breath made Chevreuse avert her gaze.
"Mysteries are most captivating when they remain unsolved," Luna said. "Once my true identity is revealed and the answer becomes obvious, you'll lose interest in me."
"That's why I won't tell you."
"By the way," Luna added with a soft smile, "a bite doesn't count as a kiss, you know."
Chevreuse wasn't surprised. The Phantom Thief White Cat might not cheat outright, but she was certainly skilled at exploiting loopholes.
She tried to pull her hand away and wipe the lingering mark from her fingertip.
But Luna held firm, pinching Chevreuse's index finger and lifting it slightly.
Soft, raindrop-like touches fell repeatedly on her knuckle. Chevreuse pressed her lips together tightly.
"Enough," she said.
"Miss Captain promised me hands were allowed," Luna protested. "You can't go back on your word now."
"Do you have that much treasure?"
"I can put it on credit," Luna replied.
On credit? Even Chevreuse was momentarily speechless.
She immediately snatched her hand away. "Instead of offering credit, you should disappear altogether. Phantom Thief White Cat—you could abandon this identity and use your power for good."
"Oh my," Luna said, feigning surprise. "Is Miss Captain suggesting I go into hiding?"
"Confess, then after your release... find a better way to uphold justice."
Luna continued leaning against the railing.
"Miss Captain seems to mistakenly believe I'm as wholeheartedly devoted to justice as you are."
"At least there's a part of you... that leans toward justice."
Chevreuse ignored Luna's misleading words. Instead of listening to what she said, she focused on her past actions.
"Tell me, who tried to harm you?"
Chevreuse stepped in front of Luna, meeting her gaze directly.
If the Phantom Thief White Cat truly arose from the sins of others, Chevreuse knew exactly what she had to do.
First: apprehend the original culprit.
Second: apprehend the Phantom Thief White Cat afterward.
"After I tell you, Miss Chevreuse, what do you plan to do?"
"Make an arrest. And then arrest you. If your crimes stem from someone else's wrongdoing, I'll sever those ties first, then bring you to Judgment."
Luna gently brushed a strand of Chevreuse's hair aside, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"I've always admired your eyes, Miss Chevreuse," she murmured.
They shone with unwavering resilience and resolve, like an unbreakable sword, never abandoning the justice and convictions you hold dear.
"Truly, Miss Chevreuse is one of Fontaine's greatest treasures."
"Answer my question," Chevreuse said bluntly.
Chevreuse didn't care about Luna's feline mannerisms; she only wanted the truth.
"Of course I can tell you," Luna said, "but what are you willing to give in return?"
"...What do you want?" Chevreuse asked.
Luna pulled Chevreuse into her arms, gently pressing her head against her shoulder and whispering in her ear, "If Miss Chevreuse is willing to let me hold her like this, I'll tell you."
"...Fine," Chevreuse said, closing her eyes. If this is what it takes to learn the truth...
"Tell me, White Cat."
Luna's fragrant hair and warm embrace did nothing to distract Chevreuse's thoughts or focus.
"It was a noble. He was involved in all sorts of shady dealings, constantly 'adopting' girls who caught his eye and turning them into caged birds."
Chevreuse frowned deeply. "Were you one of them?"
"Of course. But don't worry, neither I nor my family suffered his cruelty. You don't need to clench your fists in anger and helplessness." Luna gently unfurled Chevreuse's unconsciously tightened fist.
She knew Chevreuse would always burn with fury at the wickedness of villains and ache with helplessness for the innocents she couldn't save.
"And then?" Chevreuse asked, turning her face slightly to meet Luna's gaze at a distance where they could clearly feel each other's breath. "Who was he? Give me his name."
"He's gone."
"You did it?"
"Maybe..."
Chevreuse fell silent.
Luna always spoke in maddeningly vague terms, making it impossible to discern her true meaning.
"Someone saved you. Who was it?"
Luna smiled gently. "Someone I respect, admire, and adore."
"You haven't answered my question at all."
"Because I'd rather you discover and understand it for yourself, through your own experiences, than hear it from my lips or feel it in my breath," Luna said, lightly stroking Chevreuse's cheek.
Chevreuse's eyes flickered, and her ears flushed slightly.
What's happening to me? she wondered, feeling disoriented for a moment. She quickly regained her composure.
"Did you... did you wish the Maison Gardiennage or the Special Task Force had come to rescue you back then?"
"No."
In truth, neither had arrived.
They hadn't even found a trace of the incident.
Luna smiled faintly. "But I know that if the Special Task Force were what it is now, children like us would certainly be saved."
"Because you're there, my beautiful Miss Captain."
Luna tilted Chevreuse's chin upward and lightly kissed the beauty mark near her mouth.
Chevreuse involuntarily held her breath and pursed her lips.
This woman is getting more audacious by the minute, she thought.
"No one expects anything of you, yet you expect so much of others. You're truly contradictory," Chevreuse said, averting her gaze and barely suppressing a sigh of frustration.
"Because I only expect it of the 'just Chevreuse,' not just anyone. And only the 'just Chevreuse' can truly capture my heart, isn't that right?" Luna leaned against Chevreuse's shoulder, her voice soft. "Please continue to shine so brightly, Miss Captain. Don't disappoint me."
"...I won't accept your expectations. I'll only act according to my own heart."
Luna released her grip and pulled out a french fry. "Then at least accept this fry."
What does this have to do with our conversation? Chevreuse sighed inwardly. Just this once... She bit into the fry.
Before she could swallow, Luna swiftly leaned in and bit off the other half, right in front of her face.
Luna covered her mouth and giggled. "Miss Chevreuse let her guard down."
"...I can't stand you," Chevreuse said, turning away.
"Maybe someday you'll get used to it?"
"That day will never come."
Luna finished the last of the fry and clasped her hands behind her back.
"Time's up. Let's end our date here," Luna said with a smile. "Don't forget everything you learned about me today, okay? Everyone wants the person they're with to remember their preferences."
"If it helps me catch you, I'll make sure to keep it in mind," Chevreuse replied.
"Whoa, a woman obsessed with arresting me? That's a heavy burden to bear."
Chevreuse raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"I mean, Miss Chevreuse is hopelessly infatuated with me."
"...After all, you're the only one who keeps slipping through my fingers."
Luna and Chevreuse locked eyes for a moment.
"See you next time, Chevreuse."
"...See you."
Luna nodded contentedly, then turned and skipped away with a spring in her step. Chevreuse watched her disappear into the crowd before leaning back against the railing.
The Phantom Thief White Cat had once been a victim.
"...Nobles trafficking young girls... Any leads on that?" Chevreuse murmured.
She touched the beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.
When Luna had kissed her earlier, Chevreuse had felt a fleeting warmth in her heart.
That must have been a trick of the heart, she thought.
"If only you weren't the Phantom Thief," Chevreuse whispered.
The Captain of the Special Task Force and the Phantom Thief were destined to be adversaries, like light and shadow.
As Chevreuse stood to return to headquarters, a card slipped from her pocket.
I've returned your towel—consider it the third treasure. Oh, and I borrowed another one. I'll return it once the scent fades.
Chevreuse took a deep breath. Does she find teasing me this amusing?
The next day...
"Miss Turenna, you and Captain Chevreuse were magnificent yesterday! Please accept this commendation!"
Turenna blinked repeatedly, pointing at herself. "Me?"
But I wasn't even with the Captain yesterday!
...Could it be I've awakened a new personality? Turenna sank into deep self-doubt.