Trying to understand someone's feelings is never easy. Yet Luna managed to decipher Chiori's intent through her unwavering gaze.
"If you disapprove of my decision, I'd prefer you tell me directly," Luna murmured.
Chiori responded nonchalantly, "Can't deduce it?"
"There's no need for deduction. Isn't blunt honesty your usual style?" Luna pointed out. "No need to beat around the bush."
Chiori countered, "I want you to understand. While I often say whatever comes to mind, not everything is best spoken aloud."
"Speaking without restraint and being genuinely honest with oneself are two different things. Even a child understands that distinction."
Chiori's gaze never wavered from Luna's eyes. They locked in silent understanding, each trying to read the other's thoughts.
After a moment, Luna averted her gaze.
It must be because of my relationship with my family, she thought. For some reason, Chiori is always so concerned about my connection to the House of the Hearth, even though she's not even a member herself.
But she couldn't possibly say, "It's none of your business." This concern was uniquely Chiori's.
Though Luna didn't fully understand it, she responded honestly, "I know. It's what I said earlier, isn't it? I didn't mean to upset you by saying I wasn't going after Lynette and the others, but I don't understand why it bothered you."
Luna wrapped her arms around Chiori's waist, pulling her closer.
They were so close that their chests and faces were only a slight movement away from touching. For a fleeting moment, Chiori's breath hitched, but she quickly regained her composure.
Chiori remarked casually, "I thought so. You don't seem to think you did anything wrong at all."
"Chiori isn't part of the House of the Hearth, right?"
"No."
"Are you close to Lynette and the others?"
Chiori replied, "They're just guests to me, friends of a friend. I suppose you could say they're acquaintances, nothing more."
Though for some reason, Lynette seems to trust her implicitly.
Perhaps Chiori was simply born with a natural affinity for cats; the fat cat before her certainly seemed to agree.
But in truth, her relationship with Lynette and the others was nothing special—just ordinary friends.
"Yet you're deeply concerned about what's happening between me and them," Luna said.
Chiori's expression remained unchanged. "Because you're my friend. Isn't it normal for friends to care about each other? I don't see anything wrong with it."
She had answered her own question.
Logically, it made sense. Chiori was indeed that kind of person. She might seem unapproachable, but she was fiercely loyal to those she cared about—as long as they didn't cross her.
Still, Luna had caught that fleeting glint in Chiori's eyes.
"You're lying," Luna whispered.
"Then tell me, what lie have I told?"
Luna shifted, pinning Chiori to the sofa. Maintaining her seated position atop Chiori, she leaned down until her face was inches from Chiori's.
Chiori's expression remained impassive, betraying no trace of panic. She simply waited for Luna to expose her lie.
For wasn't exposing a lie itself a form of understanding, a testament to their bond? And Chiori was waiting for that very proof.
"Your relationship with them is normal, but you'd get angry about it? That doesn't sound like you."
"You make me sound heartless," Luna chuckled softly. "Chiori has always been so 'cold' to me. I don't dislike it, but it would be nice if she warmed up a little."
"Look who's talking," Chiori scoffed.
"That's rather harsh," Luna murmured, pressing her fingertip against Chiori's lips. "A little bite? Bite me, and I'll expose you." Of course, Luna could read Chiori's thoughts like an open book.
Chiori wasn't so much honest as simply too lazy to lie. If they didn't get along, they didn't get along. She couldn't care less, and any pretense of warmth would feel forced and unnatural.
"Tch." Chiori clicked her tongue but still bit down on Luna's fingertip.
It tasted of nothing, naturally. If she could actually taste something delicious, she'd need to get her head checked.
Friends? Not tasty.
Luna felt the warmth of Chiori's bite spreading through her fingertip. "Chiori," she whispered.
"What?"
"Can I touch your teeth?"
"Do you think that's appropriate?" Chiori snapped.
"You can touch mine too."
"I don't need to."
Luna always had a knack for saying the strangest things.
Chiori had grown accustomed to it, but the signs had been there even before they met. It had only gotten worse recently.
Who raised her like this? Chiori wondered. Couldn't Arlecchino keep her own daughter in check?
Opening her mouth, Chiori turned her head away. "It's your turn now. Tell me, what exactly am I lying about?"
"You don't really care about my connection to the House of the Hearth, do you?"
"...That's right."
Chiori confirmed in a light tone.
"Your background, the conflicts between you and your family—none of it matters to me. It might sound heartless, but that's truly how I feel."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have continued treating Luna the same way after learning about her background.
"All I know for sure is the kind of person you are. But there's one thing I can't quite grasp—I can't see through you."
"What's that?"
Chiori pursed her lips and let out a soft sigh.
"Get off me first."
"No way. Lying on you is surprisingly comfortable."
"You're too heavy. Get down."
"I'm not heavy! Don't slander me," Luna retorted irritably.
Seeing that Luna remained stubbornly seated on her, showing no intention of getting off, Chiori had no choice but to pinch Luna's waist sharply.
"Ouch!" Luna yelped in pain.
Now's my chance!
Seizing the opportunity, Chiori immediately mustered her strength and pushed herself up, flipping Luna onto her back.
The world spun, and Luna found herself pinned beneath Chiori, who wore a triumphant smirk.
She had no intention of being the one trapped beneath Luna.
But Chiori's smile quickly faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Are you going to keep treating your family this way? I know you and Lynette have been avoiding each other for ages."
Luna didn't reply, continuing to idly play with Chiori's fingers.
"If you can't even treat your own family properly, how can I be sure you won't treat me the same way someday?"
"This is the only thing I can't see clearly about you, the only thing I'm uncertain of," Chiori said.
Luna's eyes widened in surprise.
If she could be so evasive with the family she'd known for so long, how would she treat Chiori?
"I'm not even your family," Chiori added.
Perhaps that was precisely why she felt so deeply concerned.
"Do you still consider Lynette and the others your family?"
And finally, Luna let out a long sigh.
She had received an affirmative answer, which only led to this further question:
"...Chiori doesn't want to leave me, does she?" Luna murmured, gently kissing Chiori's fingertips.
"If I said yes, could you promise me?" Chiori challenged, wanting assurance that Luna wouldn't leave her.
"Finding a new exclusive model would be such a hassle," Chiori added. "Besides, no one else can compare to you."
Suddenly, a sharp sting made her frown. Luna was gently biting her fingertip, murmuring, "I can't promise that."
"Why not?"
"If I promised, you'd start expecting things, wouldn't you? And I'm best at disappointing people. No expectations, no disappointment."
Chiori desperately wanted to press her thumb against Luna's tongue to silence her. But that would be crossing a line.
"What I choose to expect is my own business. If that's the only reason you can't promise—" Chiori trailed off, pausing mid-sentence.
"...Never mind."
Has she given up? Luna studied her expression.
"Come to think of it, whether you promise or not doesn't change what I'm going to do."
"What if I wanted to leave you?" Luna whispered.
Chiori gazed steadily at Luna, leaning closer and tilting her head slightly.
"You promised to lend me your beauty. And I have no intention of letting go. The duration of this agreement isn't up to you."
"So, if you try to leave on your own, I wouldn't hesitate to take matters into my own hands..."
Chiori exhaled softly. "...and spread the Chioriya Boutique brand across Teyvat, accelerating our expansion plans—opening branches beyond Fontaine earlier than scheduled."
After all, I can research fashion and create clothing anywhere.
Luna blushed. "You want me to come with you?"
"What else?"
"...Chiori, you're so heavy."
"Huh?"
Luna chuckled. "I meant emotionally."
"Tch, I'm not that heavy. But if following your heart counts as being 'heavy,' then I have nothing to say."
"I can always expand my business later. I have the ability." Chiori's face radiated confidence.
"But lost connections can never be recovered," she added, her smile fading.
"So, Chiori's life can't be complete without me?" Luna's gaze softened.
"It's always unsettling when something's missing. No one likes it when friends drift apart, and I'm no exception," Chiori replied calmly.
As she finished speaking, a sharp pain shot through the base of her finger.
When Luna released her, tooth marks encircled Chiori's finger, forcing her to avert her gaze.
"Chiori, are you really thinking of proposing to me?"
"You're imagining things."
Luna chuckled again, then fixed Chiori with a steady look before wrapping her arms around her neck.
"Chiori."
"What?"
"Want to kiss?" Luna murmured, pressing her forehead against Chiori's.
Chiori froze, a blush creeping up her ears. Only Luna could elicit such a reaction from her.
Still, she unwound Luna's arms.
"No."
"Why not?"
Chiori glanced at her sideways. "I should be asking you—why would you even ask such a question?"
"Does it need a reason?"
"Yes."
Chiori stood up, turning her back to Luna. "Don't say such frivolous things again."
"So, if it wasn't frivolous, you'd accept?"
Chiori opened her mouth, but no words came.
Chiori returned to her worktable and resumed altering the costumes. Luna approached her, removed her hairpin, and buried her face in Chiori's hair once more.
"I'm having dinner with 'Father' and the others later. Would you like to join us?"
Chiori's expression softened noticeably. "I think I'll pass. They probably wouldn't want to be disturbed by a guest."
"I don't think 'Father' would mind," Luna replied.
But that cat lady would, Chiori thought to herself.