Funinna, please let me steal your heart!

Page 179

She moved her hand, which had nowhere to go, and placed it on the back of Luna's hand.

You weren't like this before.

"...Perhaps it's because I'm exceptionally happy today?"

Navia was about to say something more when her gaze inadvertently drifted past Luna's ear and landed on Chiori behind her, causing her to swallow back the words she was about to say.

When Chiori is around, there are always many things I can't say, things I find hard to say.

Of course, this is not to say that Chiori is bad!

It's nice that the three of them are together. She hadn't really had enough of shopping in the afternoon, but Chiori and Luna were the first to surrender.

There's nothing wrong with Chiori, it's just...

It would be easier to talk if there were only two of them, hmm! Navia thought to herself.

"It's so noisy. If you're not sleeping at night, don't talk in my ear," Chiori sighed.

"You're awake now."

"...In fact, I didn't sleep at all, just like you guys." Her tone was indifferent, and there was even a hint of displeasure in it.

The reason is quite straightforward—because they're unhappy.

Luna sat up and patted her chest.

"Getting angry all the time will make you age faster, you know?"

Chiori grabbed her hand: "Who do you think made me angry? Anyone would be angry if you two dragged them to bed and forced to sleep together with their feet hooked together."

Luna lay back down and put her feet on her calves.

"Don't put it over there."

Chiori gently kicked it back.

"You actually kicked me? Then I'll..."

Luna moved her legs and feet, and the soft warmth enveloped Chiori. She gently moved her toes, and Chiori felt a slight pressure from her toenails.

There was no itching sensation, yet it made Chiori feel extremely uncomfortable. Her hands were also being squeezed by this softness.

Luna smiled and leaned close to her, asking, "How are you feeling?"

He leaned closer and spoke slowly and deliberately, in a whisper that only Chiori could hear:

"Miss Chiori?"

Thanks to the darkness, the blush on Chiori's ears went unnoticed by anyone. She simply turned her face away silently and withdrew her hand.

"Don't call me that," she whispered, feeling the unfamiliar warmth of the hand on her palm.

"Shy?"

"No. It's so hot, stay away."

Luna loosened her legs and looked at Navia beside her.

"Nana, would you like to give it a try?"

Navia blushed too... though it wasn't visible, of course. She shook her head slightly: "I'll pass!"

This feels really strange.

“If you can’t sleep, how about we have a chat?” she suggested.

"What are you going to talk about?" Chiori asked.

"Actually, I have a question for Lulu, but I'm not sure if I should say it..."

Luna rolled over, lay face down on the bed, and gently wiggled her legs: "Under normal circumstances, it's best not to ask if you have such uncertain thoughts."

"I know, but I want to see if you're willing to answer, Lulu."

"Okay, go ahead and tell me."

As long as you don't ask her if she's a phantom thief, it's fine.

Navia's eyes lit up, and she leaned closer: "Actually, it's the question I asked you before, what's your relationship with Lynette?"

Why does she call you Lulu?

Are they partners?

Or is it some other kind of relationship?

Luna could feel Chiori's gaze also falling on her face, clearly indicating that Chiori cared about the same issue.

"...Is it a relationship that can't be talked about?" Navia asked, her tone complicated.

"Touch my back and I'll tell you."

"Hmm? Ah, yeah!"

Navia gently stroked Luna's back. Her technique wasn't particularly skillful, but her movements were so gentle and delicate that Luna couldn't help but straighten up and take a deep breath.

Then Luna turned over and smiled, "If you ask me, I'll tell you. This isn't something I need to hide."

Navia will find out sooner or later anyway.

Chiori probably already noticed, but was too lazy to confirm.

“Linette used to be my family.”

"family!?"

Navia jumped up: "Corinnet seems to be—"

“It’s from the House of Hearths,” Chiori said calmly.

“Yes, yes, the House of Hearths, that 'servant' of the fourth executive officer of the Fools… You said she’s your family, so that means…”

Luna nodded: "My 'father' is Arecino."

“And I am also a child of the Hearth House, or at least I used to be. I lived with Lynette for a long time, and Lulu was what she called me.”

She said it was no wonder that Luna's father's name, "Are," sounded like something a woman would have.

It really was a woman!

Arecino. Lulu is her child....

"Was it before?" Chiori pressed.

"I used to be, and I don't know if I'm still considered a member of the House of Hearths now, but as far as she's concerned, she hasn't executed me, so I haven't been treated as a traitor yet."

At least for now.

Luna looked at Navia's face: "Disappointed? Your good partner is actually the Executor's child."

Navia snapped out of her daze.

She gazed into Luna's eyes and gently shook her head.

“I’m not disappointed. I’m glad Lulu was willing to tell us this. I heard that the children at Hearth House are… special children who have encountered some difficulties.”

They were all orphans who had lost their parents and families.

Navia lay back down, pinching Luna's blonde hair in her hand.

"No one can decide their own birth, and people have no control over their destiny when they are young."

“I don’t feel bad about your identity, Lulu, and I don’t want to back away. Everything you’ve done has made it clear to me what kind of person the one called ‘Luna’ is.”

Navia smiled and said, "I'm so happy to have met Lulu!"

Luna opened her mouth slightly, somewhat surprised.

Then he squinted and thought that Navia was indeed one of the treasures of Fontaine, and the radiance she shone was so dazzling and warm, just like the sun.

"Chiori, is there anything you want to say?" Luna tugged at Chiori's hand.

"Have."

"what?"

“I’m not interested in your identity. I only know what kind of guy is always hanging around me… But I’m concerned about one thing—aren’t you planning to go back? Do you still consider Lynette and the others as family?”

To Luna and Navia's surprise, Chiori's tone was particularly strong.

It's less of a question and more of an interrogation or even a questioning.

"......................"

Chiori sat up and placed her hands on either side of Luna's head.

"Answer me," she whispered, her breath falling with her hair.

“Chiki…” Navia murmured.

Why is Chiori so concerned about this issue?

Her tone became sharper. She clearly wasn't from the Hearth House.

"It would be great if we could still be family." Luna looked away.

"That's it?"

"Ah."

Chiori stared at Luna's face and finally let out a long sigh.