Chapter 100: She Finally Panicked

Seeing Luna still sleeping soundly, Navia's first thought was:

"Did I come too early?"

Not the right time? She backed out of the room, glancing at the clock in the living room.

No, it was already noon.

Naptime? But that didn't seem likely... Navia returned to Luna's bedroom and walked over to the bed.

"Lulu, wake up! It's already noon!" Navia gently shook Luna's shoulders.

All she got in response was a mumbled:

"Ten more minutes."

"Fine."

Just ten minutes. Navia thought it wasn't a big deal. The fact that Luna would come with her was already good enough.

Besides, being an actress must be exhausting. The performance season was coming to an end anyway.

Navia gazed at Luna's sleeping face.

She remembered how she had fallen asleep on Luna's lap before.

Now that I think about it, she probably saw my sleeping face just as clearly. With this thought, Navia absentmindedly twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

Since that was the case, Navia focused her gaze back on Luna's face.

If someone looks at you, you should look back!

Only then can it be considered proper reciprocation.

Staring, gazing. Navia couldn't resist reaching out to touch Luna's face, feeling its smooth, delicate texture. She gently pressed down, her finger sinking into the soft, springy sensation beneath.

...

To allow me to enter her home at any time;

Now letting me touch her without hesitation;

Could this be considered trust?

Navia mused absently, her finger tracing the long eyelashes before instinctively moving toward the corners of the eyes, searching for any trace of moisture.

No tears.

Yet Navia felt no disappointment.

Even if Luna had cried in her sleep, she wouldn't follow suit by tasting the tears. No matter how close they were as partners and friends, such an act would be...

The blush on Navia's face deepened slightly as she shook her head.

She certainly hadn't forgotten that day in its entirety.

But some things weren't meant to be constantly remembered.

"Speaking of which, Lulu's eyelashes are really long."

They'd be perfect for applying eye makeup.

"The color of your lips is so beautiful and full..."

What about the nose? Navia carefully slid her fingertip along Luna's nose bridge.

Only when warm, sweet breath brushed against her cheek did she realize she'd bent down without noticing. One hand rested on Luna's pillow, the other pressed against her face.

Golden strands brushing Luna's cheek blurred the distance between them.

Navia stiffened. She'd unconsciously closed the gap so completely—this wouldn't do.

As she moved to straighten up, a pair of hands suddenly rose.

"Huh?"

They caught her head and pulled it into a hug.

"Mmph?!"

Luna opened her eyes, smiling. "What was Nana trying to do? Wake up the sleeping beauty?"

"No, it's not like that!" Navia mumbled.

Soft and warm. Wrapped in this unique sensation, her face burned with heat. Yet an inappropriate thought flashed through her mind:

So Lulu's chest is this warm.

"What were you doing? You were almost touching faces."

"I... was observing!"

"Observing?"

Navia nodded vigorously.

"Didn't you see me sleeping earlier? Now that you've seen me, I should get to see you too! That's not too unreasonable, is it?" Navia chuckled, her warm breath brushing through the nightgown fabric to reach Luna's skin.

Luna responded absently.

"Nana."

"Hm?"

"I'm not wearing anything. So don't touch me."

"...Huh?"

For a long moment, Navia's mind went blank before comprehension dawned.

"Underneath?"

"Yes."

Navia propped herself up, face flushing. "Why aren't you wearing anything?!"

"Sleeping in clothes isn't comfortable. Want to check?" Luna hooked her fingers around the nightgown's neckline, but Navia's hand stopped her before she could pull it open.

"No need to confirm!"

"Help me change then?"

"Why did we suddenly jump to this topic?"

The more Navia grew close to Luna, the more she felt the girl was... extraordinary. In every sense of the word.

"Absolutely not! Changing clothes is fine, but underwear is out of the question—even between girls," Navia said firmly.

Wait, she suddenly thought of something.

Navia quickly pressed herself against the bed, her knees resting by Luna's legs. "D-did you make Chiori do this?"

Luna sighed. "I asked her, and she proceeded to curse me out. It's truly unfair."

Good job, Chiori!

"...You're joking, right?" Navia asked belatedly.

Luna gently pulled open her collar.

"Look."

There were straps... Navia gasped, then complained, "You're teasing me again! Just now too - you were awake when I opened the door, weren't you?"

Luna smiled. "What else would you expect after groping me like that?"

"I only touched your face!"

Though she supposed it was indeed improper to touch a sleeping person's face.

Remembering this, Navia lowered her head. "Sorry, I'm already reflecting on it."

"It's time for reflection, but I won't let you do it alone."

Luna pulled Navia's head closer again, pressing it against her chest.

"Today, Nana, you'll be my pillow for the day. That's how I'll forgive you." She stroked Navia's hair while smiling.

"You're taking advantage now!"

-

After a simple lunch, Luna and Navia arrived at Palais Mermonia.

"Let's review one more time. Your intelligence states that the primordial water from that sea can only dissolve Fontaine people, and Vacher might be the true mastermind behind this, correct?" Luna asked casually.

"Mm-hmm."

Navia sighed. "To think we owe it all to the Phantom Thief White Cat. Without her, we would've faced far greater dangers."

"Have you changed your opinion of her?"

"No. She's still a sinner. But... I still don't understand her." Navia shook her head.

After discovering this crucial clue, Navia barely rested, investigating every possible lead about this "Vacher."

But the result was clear—everything had been erased.

They didn't know who he was, where he came from, or how old he was. It was as if this person had never existed in the world.

But that was impossible.

"Yesterday, Chiori volunteered to drink the water from the Primordial Womb Sea," Navia said. "She wanted to verify the authenticity of the clue."

"Huh?"

Luna's face showed rare shock, her words quickening. "I've never heard of this!"

"She told us to keep it secret, but... I think you should know."

"Chiori said she's from Inazuma, so drinking it should be safe. She drank at the fountain Mungoth mentioned. Then she said her consciousness became hazy, and she heard a voice."

"How is she?" Luna focused on this point.

"She said she felt fine, no problems..." Navia murmured softly.

I'll go find Chiori later, Luna thought, refocusing on the main topic.

"Voice?"

Navia nodded. "Yes, a voice. The speaker kept shouting 'Vacher' and said not to go looking for her again. It was a woman's voice, perhaps one of the girls who were dissolved."

"From that account, Vacher seems quite innocent. But Chiori also mentioned..."

"'Though my Hydro element perception is weak, I couldn't hear clearly, but I could sense many consciousnesses erupting with intense killing intent when they heard the name 'Vacher'."

Navia paused. "So, I believe Vacher is indeed the mastermind behind this."

Perhaps there were unknown circumstances involved, but this could never justify his crimes - the murder of so many people.

"We must capture him," Navia said earnestly.

This was also the main reason they had come to Palais Mermonia.

Neuvillette, the Chief Judge, should have all the records and archives from the past.

This could be a good starting point.

But the problem lay with Navia.

"Are you sure about this?" Luna asked, seeking confirmation.

The former Navia had learned of Callas and Clorinde's duel. She'd risked breaking through the guards' blockade to plead with Neuvillette, but he refused to intervene, allowing the duel to proceed.

Crossing her arms, Navia fell silent for a moment.

"To say I'm fine... would be a lie," she admitted. "I know the Chief Judge isn't truly heartless. But if he revealed what happened with my father, I couldn't contain myself."

Whether it was Neuvillette or Clorinde.

"I can't claim to be unaffected," Navia murmured.

"Then must we wait outside?"

"No... That would be avoidance. Thanks to Lulu, I now understand everything my father did. He's innocent, and I must face everyone with dignity to honor this truth—I'm not wrong, and neither is my father."

"The fault lies with that wicked enemy."

Navia straightened her posture, gathering her resolve.

"Does that mean everything's fine then?" Luna asked with a smile.

"...Not exactly. I've already explained it clearly enough!"

Navia took Luna's hand.

"When you see that Judge, squeeze my arm! If I start getting angry, you hold on tight and remind me not to act rashly."

"Like this?" Luna pinched Navia's arm.

Navia jumped in surprise, then winced in pain.

"Ow! Not so hard! You'll leave a mark!"

Luna smiled and rubbed the spot she'd pinched. "Leave it to me. Stopping you from acting rashly is part of my job too."

Navia's smile was radiant. "Exactly. That's what partners are for."

She patted her chest.

"...Hmm, now I feel completely confident. Lulu's like my brake system..."

She suddenly fell silent, her face flushing red.

Luna looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"You... you forgot?"

"Forget? Forgot what?" Luna grew even more puzzled.

Navia sighed in relief and smiled awkwardly. "It's nothing! Ha ha, just some things I mentioned before. No need to remember it all—let's just say it's for the best!"

Otherwise, there would definitely be misunderstandings.

Things she mentioned before? Luna pondered. "Could it be what happened on the track inspection boat...?"

"Ah~! We should hurry up. Come on, let's go!" Navia suddenly exclaimed, then moved behind Luna and gently pushed her forward.

"Wait, don't push me like that..."

"Then shall I carry you?"

"No."

Doing that would definitely make the headlines.

[Spina di Rosula President and Famous Actress Run Away Together Again!]

No need to imagine—the title would be exactly that.