Chapter 78: Lulu-senpai, suki!

Lip balm? Lipstick?

Luna had never paid attention to such things, not even back when she was still at the House of the Hearth, while the other girls her age were already learning to dress up, growing into graceful young ladies.

"I think I'm already pretty enough." Luna smiled.

"You are! In fact, you're one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen! But since we're going out, don't you want to try a mature style, Lulu?"

A mature style?

Luna didn't think her physique or features suited a mature look.

"I don't think it fits me."

"That's not true." Navia grinned.

She took out a makeup case and pulled out a tube of lip balm and a tube of lipstick.

The brand was unfamiliar, the design was new to her, but Navia's smile was the same as always.

"This one's the lip balm—vibrant in color, giving that soft and dewy look. And this one's lipstick—my favorite shade. I'm sure it'll suit you too."

"But the choice is yours. Which one will it be?"

Can I choose neither?

But seeing that familiar, eager smile on Navia's face, Luna wouldn't say that out loud.

"Lip balm, then."

Lipstick seemed more fitting for a mature woman like her "father."

She was fine sitting at the kids' table.

Navia nodded. "Alright, don't move."

"Don't move… Wait, you're not planning to put it on me yourself, are you?" Luna's face reddened slightly.

"Of course! Is that a problem?"

Not really. But what caught Luna's attention more was the lip balm in Navia's hand—it didn't look brand new.

"You've used it?"

Navia nodded again. "Yeah! Don't worry, I've only used a little. There's still plenty left!"

That wasn't exactly the issue.

But after thinking about it, it didn't really matter.

Luna accepted it and remained still, gazing at Navia.

"Alright, don't move…" Navia held the lip balm, eyes focused on Luna's lips.

She carefully applied it, a faint fragrance drifting in the air.

Luna wasn't used to the slightly sticky sensation on her lips, but seeing how focused Navia was, she sat still.

"Seeing you up close like this, Lulu, you're really beautiful. No wonder Chiori always wants you to wear the clothes she makes—otherwise, it'd be such a waste."

"Mmhmm."

"But Chiori's makeup is really nice too, especially her eyeshadow. She never asked you to wear any?"

Luna shook her finger—no.

Chiori once said: "Getting a cat to wear clothes is already hard enough. But you don't need any special makeup anyway."

Some people were just born to be models.

Navia's breath tickled slightly, and she suddenly seemed to realize something.

"Ah…"

Wait a second, using the same lip balm as Lulu means… isn't this basically indirect…

Navia's face turned visibly redder.

But it's fine since we're both girls! She reassured herself.

Besides, they were close partners—sharing a little lip balm was no big deal.

Even so, Navia pursed her lips, feeling even more flustered.

Thankfully, applying lip balm didn't take too long.

"All done! Lulu's lips—ah, I mean face! Face looks even prettier now. People will definitely fall for you at first sight."

Luna chuckled. "Nana too?"

"Of course! Now, let's do your hair. Turn around."

She didn't want Luna staring at her flustered face for too long.

"Alright." Luna answered lazily, shifting her position to face away from Navia.

"Don't turn around."

That sounded oddly suspicious.

—

Time passed.

Since Navia was taking extra care, getting ready took longer than ever. By the time they left the house, it was already afternoon.

"Hungry?" Navia tilted her head slightly.

"Hungry."

Without hesitation, Navia grabbed Luna's hand. "Then let's go eat something good! My treat today."

"Eating sounds nice."

"Clothes—ah, Chiori's going to be mad if you wear someone else's designs… W-Well, anything except clothes."

"Resting sounds nice too."

"Anyway, just leave everything to me today! When it comes to knowing Fontaine, even Detective Lulu can't compare to us Spina di Rosula."

Navia's smile was dazzling, completely free of gloom—not the scorching heat of the midday sun, but still full of warmth.

Even after learning so many truths, she remained ever-optimistic.

So Luna asked: "Had your fill of fun?"

—

Twilight, at the Pneumousia Station.

Hearing Luna's lighthearted question, Navia clasped her hands behind her back and smiled sheepishly.

"When did you notice?"

"From the start."

"Uwah, that early? Was I that bad at hiding it?" Navia looked surprised, but her expression carried more amusement than embarrassment.

"You never planned to hide it in the first place." Luna stated.

Navia rocked on her heels. "Hehe, guess so. I'm no good at pretending, especially in front of the people I care about."

She paused for a moment.

"Let's take the boat first!" she then suggested.

"Sure."

Luna glanced at the station sign—Clementine Line.

Clementine, Navia, Callas. Fontaine's three Pneumousia ship routes were all named after the Caspar family.

After all, Spina di Rosula had contributed significantly to the development of the city's waterway transit system.

Callas himself had even been granted the title of Count by Palais Mermonia—an honor he ultimately refused.

A glimpse into his true character.

Soon, the Clementine Line inspection boat slowly approached along the waterway.

"Come on, it seems nobody wants to take the boat."

Indeed, even after boarding the inspection boat, no new passengers came aboard.

Seeing the time had come, their tour guide, Melusine Aeval, smiled and said, "Dear two passengers, please sit tight; we're about to set sail!"

"Thank you for your trouble," Navia replied with a grin.

The inspection boat started moving and began to follow the seemingly endless waterway.

Navia sat straight next to Luna, her gaze fixed on the scenery flowing by.

"Um, Lulu."

She turned hesitantly toward Luna, her words catching in her throat.

"Mm."

"...Ha ha, I spent so much time preparing what to say before getting on the boat, but now I don't know how to start."

Navia took a deep breath. "But this feeling is clear in my mind—I want to express it."

She gently took Luna's hands, softly pinching the pads of her fingers as if trying to ease her own heart.

Aeval glanced between Navia and Luna before quietly turning away.

A Melusine must know when to be discreet.

"I..."

Seeing how difficult it was for Navia to speak, Luna gently pressed a finger to her lips.

"I know what you want to say."