Chapter 90: Uh oh, it's Inazuma's yandere!

"You're saying you're hungry while breathing in someone's hair. Do you want to eat me?" Chiori demanded bluntly.

"Mm-hmm. You look delicious, Chiori."

Chiori whirled around, grabbing Luna's face. "Who do you think will be eating whom?" She pulled Luna's face, molding it to her will.

"Obviously I'll eat Chiori—"

Chiori's grip shifted from pulling to pinching, her hands squeezing Luna's reddened cheeks. "Say that again?"

"Don't resort to violence just because you're frustrated," Luna protested.

Chiori smiled. "What was that? I didn't hear. Say it louder."

"I want to kiss your face."

The smile vanished. Chiori shook Luna's face back and forth. "Seems like you're not thinking clearly today. Let me help you mix those thoughts properly."

Only when Luna's head swam did Chiori finally stop.

Can't let her get away with this. Chiori rose from the table, picking up her hairpin again.

"Fine, go eat if you're hungry. No matter what trouble you're in, having a meal first never hurts."

She was right.

Luna nodded and pinched Chiori's waist.

Though the thickness of the kimono prevented her from properly grasping the flesh, Chiori still shuddered.

"What are you doing?" she glared.

"If you said having a meal first never hurts, then I'm curious if you've gained weight."

Chiori forcefully grabbed Luna's waist. "I'm perfectly fine! Don't keep touching me without reason."

"Then why did you touch me first?" Luna protested, wincing in pain.

"I can do it, you can't."

"Wow, how shameless!"

The accused Chiori merely smiled. "Say what you want."

"Your face is thicker than a city wall."

"I've heard that many times. I just don't care."

Isn't that exactly what a thick face is? Luna thought, wisely keeping it to herself.

"So, are we going? If not, we'll just snack here. I've got some treats, though don't eat on the sofa."

As Chiori spoke, she reached for her hairpin to redo her hairstyle.

But Luna stopped her hand mid-air, then pressed down on her shoulders, forcing Chiori back into the chair. She followed by straddling Chiori's lap.

Chiori showed no surprise. She simply looked up and asked, "Aren't you hungry?"

"Not hungry."

"Then don't say such things."

"Well, I want to continue."

Continue what? The thought flashed through Chiori's mind.

"Suit yourself," she sighed. "But if you don't mind being seen by customers and having rumors spread—'Popular celebrity and Chioriya Boutique owner doing XXXX'—"

"XXXX?"

Luna's finger traced Chiori's eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "What should I fill in that blank?"

Chiori caught her finger. "Who knows? I don't want to think about this kind of thing."

"I don't mind. Do you?"

Chiori casually released her grip and began inspecting Luna's clothes.

No damage. Good.

"Chiori?"

"Yes?"

"Do you mind?"

She had to answer now.

Chiori snorted softly. "If I minded, I'd have thrown you out the moment you sat down. You'd be sitting on the floor right now."

"How cruel. But since you said you don't care, don't go back on your word now."

With that, Luna straightened up and buried her face in Chiori's hair once more.

No wonder she didn't let me wear the hairpin.

Chiori thought absently, Luna's warm breaths cascading through her hair, each exhalation seeming to tangle her strands.

Whether this would ruin her hairstyle, Chiori could only hope Luna would be gentle—keeping her actions limited to sniffing and smelling.

"So."

"Hm?"

Chiori gripped Luna's sleeve, her head dipping slightly. "You should tell me what's going on by now, shouldn't you?"

Luna turned her face, pressing it against Chiori's hair. "Is it that obvious?" She hooked a finger around the small butterfly bow tied at Chiori's neck.

"Yes. Though you never really tried to hide it, did you? What surprises me is that you came to me instead of Miss Watson."

Luna smiled. "I'll visit her later."

Chiori crossed her arms. "I see. Visiting one after another."

"You don't need to do that. Tell me everything, and you'll find some relief." Her tone remained calm, just as it had when they first met.

"We agreed to this," Chiori added.

"It's true, but it's not a big deal."

"Whether it's big or not isn't for you to decide."

Luna thought, What's this? My own affairs aren't even decided by me?

"I saw my family the day before yesterday."

"Is that all?"

"That's all."

Chiori understood everything. "I see. You're lonely."

"You're quite the detective. Have you considered expanding your business? Turning Chioriya Boutique into Chioriya Agency?" Luna ruffled Chiori's hair, laughing.

"Don't mess up my hair."

Chiori swatted away her hand, smoothing her disheveled hair before grabbing Luna by the back of her shirt.

"Get down."

"Give me a reason."

"No reason needed. Just get down."

Luna snorted. "Grouch."

She slid off Chiori's lap and turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Chiori grabbed her wrist.

"Weren't you the one complaining I was bothering you?"

Chiori raised an eyebrow. "Huh? When did I say that? Don't put words in my mouth. Come here."

She dragged Luna to the changing room.

"Go in."

Then she pushed Luna into the dressing room.

"Wait here."

The footsteps faded. Luna leaned against the wall, waiting for a moment. Chiori returned, holding a black formal suit.

"Take it off."

Luna's expression turned peculiar, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Did you push me into the dressing room just to do this?"

"What else? Alright, stop wasting time—no, I'll just do it myself. You'd probably say 'Chiori, help me change,' anyway. I'm sick of hearing that."

Chiori casually pulled the curtain shut, then gripped Luna's clothing hem.

"Don't forget to take responsibility," Luna said with a smile.

"Responsibility?"

Chiori paused, then understood her meaning.

She drew a breath and tugged upward. "You should be the one taking responsibility for disrupting my designs."

"Wait! Your hand scratched my chest!"

"I won't take responsibility."

So unreasonable... Or rather, a woman too lazy to bother with reason.

Soon, Luna looked at herself in the dressing room mirror.

"What's this outfit?"

Chiori observed. "I made it while creating your performance costumes. It's based on the Hydro Archon's attire, perfect for formal occasions since you'll be performing alongside her."

"Though I didn't want to give it to you early, I couldn't bear watching you in that state anymore. How does it look?"

"You're changing my clothes just because you can't stand watching me?" Luna asked, feeling frustrated.

Chiori smiled. "Exactly."

"How many outfits do you plan to make for me before you're done?"

"It depends on my mood."

"That's a pretty sneaky answer."

"I don't care."

Chiori grabbed Luna's shoulders and turned her around. The reflection in the mirror showed Luna looking so beautiful that Chiori nodded in satisfaction.

"Do you remember what I said before?"

Luna smiled. "I could never forget."

Clothes don't just make you look beautiful; they can also make your heart shine.

That's what Chiori had told her once.

"How do you feel now?"

"Very good."

Luna looked into Chiori's eyes, then her gaze shifted slightly to the makeup.

Just as Navia had said, Chiori's makeup was beautiful and elegant, adding a touch of softness and charm to her usually cold face that rarely smiled.

"Clothes don't just make you look beautiful; they can also make your heart shine."

"Let me mend your clothes, and in exchange... lend me your beauty."

Luna remembered and whispered softly.

Chiori's gaze softened noticeably. "Yes... This is our agreement."

"After spending so much time with you, I can't claim to fully understand you, but at least I know what I can do for you, and you know what you can do for me."

It sounded like a transaction, and in essence, it wasn't far from the truth.

Only the currency wasn't money or any other tangible thing.

"Chiori."

Chiori was about to respond casually when Luna suddenly leaned in close. Something warm and soft pressed against her cheek, and she could feel the breath against her skin along with a faint dampness.

A kiss.

Luna had kissed her cheek. Realizing this, Chiori froze completely.

Luna exhaled softly and murmured, "Since I know you'd refuse if I asked, I won't ask."

"...Luna."

"Hm?"

Chiori's expression darkened. "Do you want to land face-down or bottom-down?"

Luna averted her gaze guiltily. "I'd like to sit in Chiori's lap?"

".......Haa."

Chiori sighed in exasperation.

She'd almost forgotten—this girl would never obediently follow rules.

If told "no," she'd simply take matters into her own hands.

Patience? None.

Shame? Nonexistent.

Self-reflection? Absolutely absent.

Even if scolded, not a single word would sink in. With this realization, Chiori abandoned her plans to punish Luna, though her expression remained stern.

"You could kiss me too, you know."

"No need."

Chiori turned away, pulling the curtain shut behind her.

"Wait."

"What?" she asked without looking back.

Luna produced a ticket from her discarded clothes' pocket and scratched Chiori's neck with it. "For Furina's performance. Consider it a gift."

"...Thanks. Saves me some money."

Chiori nonchalantly accepted the ticket before striding away.

When Luna emerged from the dressing room, she spotted Chiori entering the restroom.

"Mad?" Luna leaned against the doorframe, murmuring.

"No. Getting angry at you would be pointless."

"Then you are mad."

"I'm not."

Chiori touched her face and sighed again. "I'm not angry, but if you keep saying that, I really will be."

"Okay, okay."

The footsteps receded.

Chiori removed her gloves, caught the clear water flowing from the pipe in her hands, and splashed it on her face to cool down.

"Chiori." Luna's voice came from the doorway again.

"...What do you want?"

"Want to get something to eat?"

Chiori looked at her reflection, touched her cheeks, and pressed her lips together. For some reason, she was now brimming with anger, with nowhere to vent it.

"Haa..." Chiori exhaled deeply.

No, I can't take it anymore.

She wiped her hands, put on her gloves, and flung the door open.

"Don't just barge in like that!" Luna protested.

She'd dodged just in time; otherwise, the door would've knocked her down.

But Chiori ignored her words and walked straight toward her.

"I wasn't angry before, but now I don't know why I'm so furious."

Luna suggested, "Why don't you drink some cold tea?"

The anger flared even more.

"Enough."

Chiori grabbed Luna's face.

"If there's a next time, I won't go easy on you."

Then she pressed her lips to Luna's cheek. A faint breath escaped as the contact ended.

"Alright, let's go."

Without looking back, she grabbed her bag and walked out of Chioriya Boutique.

Luna hurried after her. "Why did you suddenly—"

"Is it that surprising?"

"I didn't say it was impossible. I just thought you'd say..."

"Disgusting?"

"Exactly."

Chiori turned around. "That's why I'm upset. I'm not the type to endure things quietly, especially when it makes me seethe."

She turned back, frowning. "Have something to say?"

Luna smiled. "Yes."

"Speak."

"Let's do it again."

"In your dreams."

"Then let's do it multiple times. Let me live only your dreams." Luna's fingertip hooked a strand of Chiori's hair.

Chiori shuddered. "I'm getting goosebumps."

"Can I touch them?"

"...Just walk ahead of me."

"No."