Bathing with Luna?
Chiori rejected the idea instantly. "You can bathe yourself. Don't expect me to wash your hair or scrub your back."
"Not even if you can touch me wherever you want?"
"Absolutely not."
"You stingy coward!" Luna huffed.
Chiori effortlessly brushed aside her playful attack.
"Say whatever you want. I don't care."
"You might regret this later, you know? Opportunities slip away in an instant," Luna teased, pinching Chiori's cheek before Chiori gently swatted her hand away.
"If I thought I'd regret it, I wouldn't have made this choice. Just hurry up and wash—I'm sweating a lot too..."
With that, she commandeered Luna's chair and desk, casually sketching design drafts.
Even though the garment was already half-finished, Chiori wouldn't hesitate to scrap it and start over if she wasn't satisfied. Luna had witnessed her cut up perfectly good finished pieces and rework them countless times.
This wasn't perfectionism—it was purely a matter of whether she liked how it looked or not.
"Can I at least sniff you?" Luna offered.
"You can try," Chiori replied with a beautiful yet dangerous smile.
"Stingy," Luna pouted, clearly displeased.
But it didn't matter. She could always invite her reliable partner. Luna sidled up to Navia, looped her arm through Navia's, batted her eyelashes repeatedly, and leaned in close.
"Nana, want to shower with me?"
Navia blushed. "U-um, showering together might not be a good idea..."
"What's wrong? We're both women. Or is it that Nana...?"
"No, no, that's not it!" Navia hurriedly denied, knowing what Luna was implying. She wasn't jealous, just embarrassed. Showing her skin to anyone felt awkward, especially to Luna—her best friend, partner, confidante, and someone she saw almost every day!
Luna wrapped her arms around Navia's neck and chuckled. "If that's not the case, then there's no need to be shy, right?"
Navia's blush deepened as she averted her gaze. But her eyes accidentally met Chiori's, who had been observing them. Navia quickly looked away, trying to act nonchalant.
"Oh, please, just let me be. I'm just embarrassed, okay?"
If it were just the two of us... would I have agreed? Navia couldn't answer. She had posed the question herself, yet she couldn't find an answer.
"After all, Nana does like me."
"Eep! D-don't just blurt that out!" Though it's true!
Seeing Navia's flustered reaction, Luna finally stepped into the bathroom with a satisfied smile. Moments later, the shower turned on, and the sound of water spraying filled the air.
Navia let out a deep breath, touching her burning cheeks. "Since when?"
"Hmm?"
Chiori twirled her pen and casually asked, "So, when did you two 'confess' to each other?"
Navia suddenly tensed up, unsure why she was so nervous.
But in situations like this, honesty was the best policy. Besides, there was no need to hide anything.
"It was when I took her to visit her family's grave..."
As Navia recounted the story, Chiori's expression remained unchanged.
But perhaps it was just her imagination—after hearing the truth about the "confession," Navia thought she saw the corners of Chiori's eyes and mouth relax slightly.
"Impressive," Chiori remarked bluntly.
Navia scratched her cheek. "Heh... I know what I said could easily be misinterpreted."
Still, she had to say it.
Straightening her back, Navia patted her chest. "But if you don't say what you need to, you might not get another chance. So even if it was embarrassing, I still wanted to say it."
Even though she had blurted it out without thinking at the time.
I liked her! So I just said it—that's how I felt back then, Navia thought.
So was this confession actually just hindsight?
"I'm sorry," Chiori murmured.
"What are you apologizing for? I'm not sad. Let the past stay in the past. If I keep dwelling on old wounds, I'll be letting down everyone who supports me." Navia smiled, her face completely free of shadows.
Chiori returned the smile. Navia always brought laughter and sunshine to those around her.
"But Chiori, have you told Lulu about... you know?" Navia asked cautiously.
"No," Chiori replied.
"Why not?"
"Do I need a reason?"
The way she said it sounded like something someone else might say.
Ignoring Navia's suddenly nuanced expression, Chiori continued, "We've known each other for quite a while now. Some things don't need to be said."
"...That's wonderful," Navia murmured wistfully. If only I had become friends with Luna sooner.
Chiori glanced at her. "Some things don't need to be said, and some things can't be said. Knowing someone for a long time isn't always a good thing. Sometimes, I even envy you."
"Envy me?" Navia exclaimed in surprise.
Chiori didn't answer.
Navia hesitated, unsure whether to press further. A silence fell between them.
Thankfully, Luna emerged from the bathroom shortly after.
"I'm done," she announced.
"That was fast!" Navia exclaimed in surprise.
"Did you even wash properly?" Chiori asked, unfazed.
"Want to check?" Luna offered.
"Nah, it's not my problem if you're not clean," Chiori retorted.
Luna sat down beside Navia and began drying her hair with a towel.
Navia took the towel from her. "Turn around, Lulu. Let me help you."
"Chiori, did you see that?" Luna teased.
"See what?" Chiori replied.
"Be nicer to me! Nana's always so kind."
Chiori sighed. "If I'm nice, you'll just take advantage. Navia, you need to be careful too. Don't let her get too spoiled. Owning a cat doesn't mean indulging every whim."
"Meow?" Luna responded innocently.
Navia couldn't help but laugh. "I think it depends on the cat. Some are affectionate and clingy, while others are aloof and independent."
"Chiori's definitely the latter," Luna said, closing her eyes and letting Navia vigorously rub her hair with the towel.
"Maybe you should reflect on your own behavior before judging me," Chiori retorted, casually flicking Luna's forehead with a thwack.
"Chiori!" Luna protested.
Before Luna could raise an eyebrow in retort, Chiori snatched her clothes and hurried into the bathroom.
Luna scoffed lightly. "Nana, you think I'm the latter type too, huh?"
"Maybe it's the exact opposite."
After drying Luna's hair and scalp, Navia gently pulled her back until she was leaning against her chest. Luna's slightly damp golden hair drifted, carrying a soft, sweet fragrance.
Navia spread out the towel and tenderly dabbed at Luna's bangs and the strands framing her face.
Luna clasped Navia's hand, gently kneading each finger before guiding both of Navia's hands to rest on her chest.
"Chiori said living with you would lead to regret," Navia murmured with a soft laugh, her arms wrapped around Luna.
"Everyone who gets close to me ends up regretting it."
"Still saying that?"
They'd had this conversation not long after they first met.
Navia buried her face in Luna's hair. "I won't regret it."
"Don't be so certain."
"This isn't a vow or a promise. I can say it as firmly as I want! If you don't believe me, Lulu, hold out your hands."
Curious, Luna extended her hands. Navia's fingertips traced her skin, gently threading between Luna's fingers. Even through the silk gloves, Luna could feel the warmth radiating from Navia's touch—a warmth like fire.
"Now, give them a little shake."
Shakes hands
"Doesn't that make you happy?"
Luna smiled. "You're acting like a little kid, Nana."
Navia retorted, "Hey! Isn't it said that you have to seize happiness with your own hands? Holding hands like this is the most joyful and blissful thing ever!"
"Your way of thinking is truly unique," Luna remarked, amused.
"Well, whatever. I'm just really happy holding Lulu's hand like this."
Pressed close together, their skin shared warmth as they felt each other's breath and heard the rhythm of their words.
"I believe this joy will never fade, no matter how much time passes. That's why I'm certain I'll never regret being with Lulu!"
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly. "There's a saying: 'Never say never.'"
"Hmph, I'll say it anyway. But..."
"But?"
Navia gently stroked Luna's palm and whispered, "I want you to call me Nana more often. It makes me so incredibly happy when you do."
"But I already call you that all the time."
"Twice as much! It's not enough, not nearly enough. Please satisfy this yearning of mine."
Luna sat up and tenderly caressed Navia's cheek.
"Then... Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana—"
"Stop, stop, stop!" Navia's face flushed crimson. "You're like a machine gun! It's so weird!"
"You're so demanding. Then..." Luna brushed a strand of hair from Navia's face and pressed her lips to her ear. "Nana."
Navia's heart skipped a beat, then began to pound faster and faster. The warm breath from Luna's whisper seemed to linger in her ear, and she gripped Luna's sleeve tightly.
"Do it again"
Luna continued to murmur softly, "Nana."
"Mmm..." Navia closed her eyes, her body melting under the gentle warmth of Luna's words, growing weightless.
Luna pressed down on her shoulders, gently urging her backward.
Before she knew it, Navia found herself lying on the sofa.
"Satisfied?" Luna asked with a bright smile.
Navia pursed her lips. "I still feel like you're being sneaky."
Fine!
Navia suddenly surged upward, flipping their positions and pinning Luna beneath her.
A flash of surprise crossed Luna's face, and Navia felt a surge of smug satisfaction.
"Hehe, Lulu actually makes that face! Don't underestimate me—I'm surprisingly strong, you know. You won't get away so easily."
Leaning down, Navia whispered into Luna's ear, just as Luna had done before. "Lulu."
"..."
"Lulu?"
"..."
Why wasn't she responding? Navia tilted her head slightly and noticed Luna gently sniffing something.
"Whoa!? What are you doing?"
"Smelling."
Navia sprang to her feet, clutching her chest. "Lulu, seriously! How could you—"
Before she could finish, the bathroom door swung open.
Chiori emerged, towel-drying her hair, and glanced at the two. "What are you up to?"
Navia's blush deepened, rendering her speechless.
Luna, however, waved her over. "It's hard to explain, but I could let you experience it yourself, Chiori. Want to try?"
"No way."