"Want a goodnight kiss before we turn off the lights?"
"N-no need! I'll turn them off now."
Click. The switch flicked, plunging the bedroom into darkness. At first, it seemed pitch black, but as their eyes adjusted, they could make out the shapes around them.
Luna nestled between Chiori and Navia. Chiori lay pressed against the wall, while Navia occupied the outer edge of the bed.
It was a little cramped, to say the least.
Luna's bed wasn't particularly large. It was comfortable for one or two people, but three would have to squeeze in a bit.
Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as being completely sandwiched between Chiori and Navia. At most, their hands might brush against each other occasionally.
Navia raised her hands.
"What are you doing?" Luna asked curiously.
"I was wondering if this would make it less cramped."
"I don't know about that, but your hands will definitely go numb until you can't feel anything."
"Haha, you're right."
Navia lowered her hands with a rustling sound and turned onto her side. Even in the pitch-black room, her vivid blue eyes seemed to glow.
Luna glanced at her. When their gazes met, Navia gave an enigmatic smile.
"Good night, Lulu, Chiori."
"Good night."
Luna closed her eyes, but sleep didn't come as easily as she'd expected.
She occasionally heard someone shifting beside her, but mostly she heard the soft, steady breathing of her companions. This wasn't keeping her awake; on the contrary, listening to Chiori and Navia's breathing filled her with a sense of tranquility.
"Can't sleep?" Navia whispered suddenly.
"You too?" Luna replied.
"Hmm... Maybe my mind hasn't completely cleared yet. I usually fall asleep in three seconds! Clorinde even praised me for my baby-like slumber."
Luna asked curiously, "You used to sleep with Clorinde?"
"When we were little."
When we were little... Images of Lynette and Arlecchino flashed through Luna's mind.
Luna turned to face Navia, who had inexplicably burst into laughter again.
Laughing again?
She couldn't resist poking Navia's cheek. "Why do you always laugh when you see me? I don't think I look particularly funny."
"It's not like that! I just get happy whenever I see Lulu. It's normal to laugh when you're happy, right?" Navia scooted closer.
She fidgeted with her restless hands before placing one on the back of Luna's hand.
"You didn't used to be like this," Luna said.
"...Maybe I'm just extra happy today?"
Navia was about to say more when her gaze inadvertently drifted past Luna's ear and landed on Chiori behind her. The words she'd been about to speak caught in her throat.
With Chiori present, there were always things she couldn't say, or found difficult to say.
Not that Chiori was to blame, of course!
Having the three of them together wasn't so bad, actually. Navia hadn't quite had her fill of shopping that afternoon, while Chiori and Luna were the first to raise the white flag.
Chiori wasn't the problem, exactly, but...
It would be easier to talk if it were just the two of us, Navia thought.
"So noisy," Chiori sighed. "If you're not going to sleep at this hour, at least don't whisper in my ear."
"But you're awake now," Luna replied.
"...More like I never fell asleep in the first place, just like you two," Chiori retorted coolly, a hint of irritation in her tone.
The reason was simple: she was annoyed.
Luna sat up and patted Chiori's chest. "Getting angry all the time will make you age faster, you know?"
Chiori grabbed Luna's hand. "And who do you think made me angry? Anyone would be grumpy if they were forced into bed between you two, crammed together with our feet tangled."
Luna lay back down and rested her foot on Chiori's calf.
"Don't put your foot there."
Chiori gently kicked it away.
"You kicked me? Then I'll..."
Luna wiggled her leg, her soft, warm foot wrapping around Chiori's. She gently moved her toes, pressing her toenails with slight pressure against Chiori's skin.
It wasn't itchy, but it made Chiori deeply uncomfortable. Her hand was also being squeezed by Luna's foot.
Luna pressed close to Chiori, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "How does that feel?"
She leaned in further, whispering slowly, deliberately, so only Chiori could hear:
"Mis-s Chi-o-ri?"
Thanks to the darkness, the blush creeping up Chiori's ears remained hidden. She wordlessly turned away and withdrew her hand, still feeling the lingering warmth of Luna's touch on her palm.
"Don't call me that," she murmured.
"Embarrassed?" Luna teased.
"No. It's suffocatingly hot. Move away."
Luna untangled her limbs and glanced at Navia, who was sitting nearby. "Nana, want to try?"
Navia's face flushed as well—though, of course, no one could see it. She shook her head slightly. "I'll pass."
The whole situation felt increasingly awkward.
"If we can't sleep, how about we just chat?" Luna suggested.
"About what?" Chiori asked.
"Actually, there's something I've been wanting to ask Lulu, but I'm not sure if I should..."
Luna rolled onto her stomach, propped herself up on her elbows, and gently swung her legs in the air. "Generally speaking, it's best not to voice uncertain thoughts."
"I know, but I want to see if you're willing to answer."
"Alright, ask away."
As long as she doesn't ask if I'm the Phantom Thief...
Navia's eyes lit up, and she leaned in eagerly. "Actually, it's the same question I asked you before. What exactly is your relationship with Lynette?"
"And why does she call you Lulu?"
"Are you partners?"
"Or... is there something more?"
Luna could feel Chiori's gaze fixed on her as well, clearly just as curious.
"...Is it a secret?" Navia asked, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
"Rub my back, and I'll tell you," Luna teased.
"Huh? Oh, right!"
Navia gently stroked Luna's back, her technique far from polished but her touch delicate and thoughtful. Luna couldn't help but straighten up and exhale deeply.
Then Luna turned over, smiling softly. "Just ask. It's not something I need to hide."
Navia would find out sooner or later anyway.
Chiori probably already suspected the truth but simply hadn't bothered to confirm it.
"Lynette used to be my family," Luna explained.
"Family?!" Navia exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "But Lynette is—"
"From the House of the Hearth," Chiori interjected coolly.
"Right, the House of the Hearth! The Fatui's Fourth Harbinger, 'The Knave'... If she's your family, then that means..."
Luna nodded. "My 'Father' is Arlecchino."
"And I'm also a child of the House of the Hearth—or at least I used to be. Lynette and I lived together for a long time, and Lulu was her nickname for me."
No wonder Luna's father's name, Arle, sounds so feminine, Navia thought.
So it really was a woman!
Arlecchino. Lulu is her child...
"Was?" Chiori pressed.
"I used to be. I don't know if I'm still considered a member of the House of the Hearth, but since she hasn't executed me, I haven't been branded a traitor yet."
At least, not yet.
Luna gazed at Navia's face. "Disappointed? Your dear partner turns out to be the child of an Harbringer."
Navia snapped out of her reverie. She met Luna's eyes and gently shook her head.
"I'm not disappointed. I'm grateful you shared this with us, Lulu. I've heard that the children of the House of the Hearth are all... special kids who've faced hardships."
All orphans who have lost their parents and families.
Navia lay back down, twirling a strand of Luna's golden hair between her fingers.
"No one chooses their birth, and children have no control over their fate."
"I won't hold your background against you or shy away. Everything you've done shows me the kind of person Luna truly is."
Navia smiled. "I'm so happy to have met Lulu!"
Luna's mouth fell slightly open in surprise. Then, she narrowed her eyes, thinking, Navia really is one of Fontaine's treasures. Her radiance is so dazzling and warm, like the sun itself.
"Chiori, do you have anything to say?" Luna asked, tugging on Chiori's hand.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"I'm not interested in your identity. I know exactly what kind of person has been clinging to my side all this time... But there's one thing I need to know—aren't you planning to go back? Do you still consider Lynette and the others your family?"
Luna and Navia were startled by the intensity in Chiori's voice. It wasn't so much a question as an interrogation, almost an accusation.
"..."
Chiori sat up, bracing her hands on either side of Luna's head. "Answer me," she whispered, her breath mingling with the strands of hair that fell around Luna's face.
"Chiori..." Navia murmured.
Why is Chiori so invested in this? Her tone has turned so harsh. She's not even from the House of the Hearth.
"It would be nice if we could still be a family," Luna said, averting her gaze.
"Is that all?"
"Mm."
Chiori stared intently at Luna's face before finally letting out a long sigh. "I see," she murmured, lying back down.
Navia glanced back and forth between Luna and Chiori, wondering if she shouldn't have asked that question. Why has Chiori suddenly become like this?
"Nana, Chiori."
"Hmm?" Navia responded.
Chiori remained silent for a moment before murmuring, "...Speak."
"Thank you."
"Huh? You're welcome," Navia replied, slightly puzzled but nodding nonetheless.
"Mm," Chiori murmured indifferently.
"Do you have any other questions? I'll answer anything."
Navia clutched the hem of her dress.
She had lived with Lynette for so long, and "Lulu" had originally been Lynette's pet name for her. No wonder Lynette used to call her Lulu back then.
So I wasn't the first.
Her mouth opened involuntarily.
"Do you prefer me calling you Lulu?"
"Or would you rather Lynette did?"
...The words lingered unspoken, trapped in her throat.
Navia pressed a hand to her chest, feeling a dull ache.
"...Lulu." The name slipped out before she could stop herself.
Luna turned to look at her.
"Do you think I should call you something else? After all, 'Lulu' is what Lynette calls you, and I—"
"I like it when you call me Lulu."
"Ah..."
The stuffiness in her chest vanished instantly.
Navia buried her flushed yet joyfully unrestrained face in the pillow, muffling her words. "Mmm... mmm. I like calling you Lulu too, so let's keep it that way."
"Can Chiori call me that too?"
Navia immediately sat up straight. "Eep?!"
What a strange sound.
Chiori sighed. "No, Luna is fine."
"Alright, ChiChi."
"Tch."
"Even your little tsk is cute, ChiChi."
Chiori stared silently at Luna before pinching her thigh.
"Ow! That hurt!" Luna protested. "Resorting to violence at the slightest provocation just makes you look weak, you know?"
"I'll hurt you whenever I want. No reason needed."
"I wish you'd dote on me more."
"You wish."
Navia couldn't help but ask, "Is this how you two always talk to each other?"
"Yep."
"Exactly."
Luna and Chiori chimed in unison, "What's wrong?" "Is there a problem?"
"...I want in on this too!"
"Huh?"
Navia's enthusiasm surged. "I'm not tired at all! Let's keep chatting—hehe, I could even stay up all night!"
All night? Chiori rolled her eyes. Give me a break. I have work tomorrow.
"Alright, Chiori's not allowed to sleep tonight! We won't let you!"
"...I want to sleep."
Chiori buried her face in her pillow.
But Luna mercilessly yanked it away the next moment.
"I won't let you sleep, Chi-Chi-Chiori," Luna purred, wrapping her arms around Chiori from behind and squeezing her tight.
"I told you not to call me that."
This girl...
If only I'd worn her out more during the day, Chiori thought ruefully.
Fortunately, they only chatted for a little while longer before drowsiness swept over them.
The three of them fell asleep one after another: Navia first, Luna second, and Chiori last. The reason Chiori was last was simple.
"Father..." Luna murmured unconsciously, uttering the name that held such profound meaning for her.
Her body leaned against Chiori, as if seeking the familiar warmth she felt in her dream.
But I'm not your "Father," Chiori thought.
Nor am I your family.
"I won't become anyone," Chiori whispered softly.
Yet she still pulled Luna closer and held her in her arms.
Now, all was silent, every living thing immersed in slumber. No one could hear her, no one could see her.
So in the darkness, she allowed herself to murmur:
"...So dream other dreams."
"Like one where only I exist. If you do, the me in that dream will make you happy."
She had absolute confidence in that.
But what about in reality?
In reality, it all depended on Luna's behavior. After all, she wasn't some golden retriever wagging its tail for Luna.