Chapter 77: Fontaine Lipsticks Are Meant to Be Shared Separately

Early the next morning, at the entrance of the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol.

Everyone stared in silence at the massive crate before them. Finally, someone couldn't help but ask:

"What is this?"

Turenna circled the crate once. "There's a 'Phantom Thief Express' label on it!"

"Could it be... a bomb planted by the Phantom Thief!?"

"Quick, call in the bomb squad—"

Chevreuse rubbed her forehead. "No need for that. Open it."

If her guess was right, inside should be…

The Special Security Force pried open the wooden crate with crowbars. As the planks fell to the ground, stirring up dust, the contents inside were revealed.

A harpsichord.

"Isn't this the one from the Alkien estate…?" Turenna immediately recognized it.

Chevreuse thought: Just as expected.

"The Phantom Thief returned the treasure? And there's also a red gemstone…"

"Why would they suddenly give it back? Could it be a change of heart? A thief's redemption?"

The answer was that their captain had been kissed by The Phantom Thief White Cat.

One kiss, one treasure.

Twice.

Though this red gemstone could be considered the Phantom Thief's spoils rather than a stolen treasure.

But there was no way in hell Chevreuse would let anyone know the truth. She casually brushed it off:

"Maybe they got bored."

Chevreuse unconsciously touched her own hand.

Even after scrubbing so hard, she still couldn't erase that lingering sensation.

She approached the harpsichord, searching for a card. That white cat couldn't possibly have left nothing behind—there had to be one hidden somewhere.

"...Found it."

Tucked under the keyboard cover.

She picked up the card and gave it a quick glance.

"You thought I'd write something, didn't you? Adorable. The towel is mine now, don't miss it too much."

Chevreuse took a deep breath and crushed the card into a ball.

The entire team stiffened. What could the Phantom Thief White Cat possibly have written to elicit such a strong reaction from their captain?

But no one dared to ask.

They valued their lives—meaning, they didn't want to be trained to death.

"…Call in the Tribunal." Chevreuse gave the order.

-

The morning sunlight was always the most blinding. It wasn't about intensity, but rather, as the start of a new day, it filled Furina with an overwhelming sense of existential dread.

"Ughhh, do I really have to get up…?"

She didn't want to.

If she got up, she'd have to wash up, get dressed, and once again become "Hydro Archon Focalors." Then she'd have to spend another day deceiving everyone.

But, if she was being honest, that wasn't even the worst part.

Compared to what was happening now.

Neuvillette had told her—someone had been turned into a gemstone.

No, not just turned—made into one.

The gemstone was clearly artificial, meticulously processed.

Whoever was behind this, it meant only one thing…

The prophecy was drawing near.

Fontaine's people would dissolve.

And what could she do?

Keep up the act. Stick to the plan her reflection in the mirror had spoken of. She had to fool everyone, just like always—otherwise, they would all die.

They would die because of me…

Furina grabbed a pillow, pressed it against her face, and mumbled:

"You can do this, Furina, you can do this, you can do this—haaah, okay!"

She immediately sat up.

What was so hard about pretending to be a god? She'd show them how it was done!

Growl~

Her determination wavered. "…I'm hungry."

But…

While she might be powerless against the prophecy, at the very least, she could do something about the case.

Not being a real god didn't mean she could just sit idly by and ignore the tragedies happening in Fontaine.

If she did, she wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

And not getting enough sleep was torture.

Callas Caspar… Sinthe… made into a gemstone… the third deceased party…

Hmm…

"Ah!"

Furina had an idea.

-

Meanwhile.

The midday sun was warm and comforting, especially for those who had just woken up from a long nap.

Luna rubbed her eyes groggily and sat at the dining table.

Packing up the pearlescent harpsichord last night had taken a lot of time, so she had no choice but to sleep through the morning.

The troupe?

Furina wouldn't be coming today, so there was no need to worry.

If she wanted, she could skip rehearsals the whole day.

After all, the script had already been revised, and she had even adjusted some scenes into duets based on Furina's suggestions.

With its current level of perfection, plus her and Furina's impeccable performance, who could possibly resist?

"…Maybe I should sleep a little more."

Just as Luna was about to crawl back into bed, a familiar voice called out from outside.

"Lulu—Lulu—!"

Looks like she had a visitor.

Suppressing a yawn, she opened the door.

As expected, Navia stood at her doorstep, smiling as radiantly as the noonday sun.

"Lulu, you… you just woke up?"

Luna glanced at her own attire.

Loose pajamas, sleep pants, and visible straps—not the most presentable look.

But she didn't care. It was just Navia, after all. What was there to be embarrassed about?

Luna smiled. "Yeah, come in."

"Ah, um…" Navia's gaze flickered, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"What's wrong?"

"Your strap…"

"What's wrong with my strap?"

"N-Nothing, nothing at all."

Wouldn't pointing it out make it even weirder?

With that concern in mind, Navia awkwardly brushed over the topic and quickly stepped into the living room.

Luna rubbed her eyes and closed the door, asking casually, "Want something to drink?"

"Drink what?"

She tore open a bag of bread, took a big bite, and mumbled through a full mouth, "Milk."

"No need, no need. You haven't had lunch? How about I cook something?"

Luna stuffed more bread into her mouth, chewing as she shook her head lightly. "Too much trouble. Might as well eat out. You didn't just come to hang out with me, did you?"

Navia scratched her cheek. "You figured that out already?"

"I was just guessing. Open your mouth—ahh—"

"Eh? Ahh—"

Navia instinctively opened her mouth, and Luna popped a piece of bread in.

Then, Luna simply warmed up some milk and lazily settled onto the couch.

"So, what's up?" she asked with a smile.

Navia wiped the crumbs off her lips and sat beside her.

Her gaze flickered, as if she was deep in thought or perhaps hesitating.

By the time Luna had finished her milk, Navia finally gave her thigh a light pat, leaned in, and murmured her thoughts.

Navia brought her face closer. "How should I put this…? I really did just want to hang out with you! Do you have time today? If you do, let's go out and wander around. My treat."

Luna blinked. She figured Navia was just waiting for the right moment to bring something up.

If there was something on her mind, it probably wasn't easy to say outright.

"Sure, I'll go get changed."

Luna stood up.

"Wait!"

Only to be pressed back down by Navia's hands on her shoulders.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Navia looked at Luna's slightly messy hair and took out a small comb.

"Let me help you brush your hair. It's a special product from Liyue! I've been wanting to try it out on someone else."

The comb indeed had an antique Liyue aesthetic.

"Haven't you tried it on yourself?"

"No."

"Hmm… well, go ahead then."

Not having to do it herself was nice.

Luna turned around.

"Wait a second!"

Only to be turned back around again by Navia.

"…Didn't you say you were going to brush my hair? Are you planning to do it from the front?" Luna was confused. Not only would that be strangely intimate, but also—would it even work?

Navia chuckled. "No, no, I just suddenly realized something."

"What?"

Navia blinked and leaned in once more.

Her gaze landed just below Luna's nose—on her lips.

"Do you want to put on some lip balm? Or lipstick? I think it would make you look even prettier, Lulu."