Chapter 142: Three is the Most Stable Number

The day's errands were finally complete!

Furina had never felt so light and nimble, as if the stagnant sludge that had weighed her down for so long had finally dissolved. She couldn't resist the urge to scoop up a stray white cat by the roadside and burst into song.

Furina knew exactly why she felt this way.

-

In her bedroom, Furina sat on the bed and pulled out a postcard.

"Phantom Thief White Cat..."

Though she had been abducted by Phantom Thief White Cat, Furina had to admit it was the first genuine respite she'd had in over five centuries.

There were no audiences, no stages demanding her presence, and no spotlights converging upon her. That day consisted solely of the sea, grilled fish, moonlight, and the phantom thief's gentle smile.

Furina: "..."

Even now, Furina occasionally wondered if it had all been a dream.

Yet the photographs she had taken and the solid weight of the phantom thief's mask in her hand assured her it had been real.

This is dangerous, Furina thought.

As the one who played the role of the Hydro Archon Focalors, she couldn't afford to grow close to anyone.

Such intimacy risked exposing her charade. If the five centuries of deception were to unravel, everything would collapse.

Similarly, she couldn't afford to develop excessive emotions for anyone, be they a phantom thief or someone else.

"As long as I remain 'Focalors'..." Furina sighed inwardly. She knew she owed Phantom Thief White Cat a debt of gratitude, but she couldn't allow herself to dwell on the thief for too long.

It was only natural for humans to look up to gods. But what would happen if a "god" turned their gaze upon a human?

Her role demanded unwavering detachment. Personal feelings couldn't taint her performance.

Furina slapped her cheeks lightly. "Right!"

She would find an opportunity to return everything to Phantom Thief White Cat. Keeping these things around would only complicate matters.

Would Phantom Thief White Cat be disappointed?

"I can't help it..." After all, she was destined to disappoint others.

Furina caressed the mask, muttering, "I wonder what she is doing right now..."

-

"Chiori."

"What?"

Luna cupped Chiori's face, leaning in for a closer look. "Without makeup, you look like a classic heroine."

"What do you mean by 'classic heroine'?"

"Gentle, natural..."

Chiori raised an eyebrow. "I see. So you're saying I'm the exact opposite in reality, right?"

"Not at all! It's just a first impression. I think you're beautiful no matter what. I could—"

Chiori clamped her hand over Luna's lower face. "No."

She knew exactly what Luna wanted—a kiss on the cheek.

But it wasn't going to happen.

Navia was here... and even if she weren't, Chiori wouldn't give in so easily.

"Mmmph! Mmmph!" Luna protested, her muffled voice rising in frustration.

"Beg me, and I'll let go," Chiori teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Then maybe you should move your hand first! Luna's glare seemed to say. If you keep this up, don't blame me for using my teeth.

Chiori felt the warmth of Luna's breath seeping through her palm, a prickling sensation spreading across her skin...

She braced herself for what might come next. Fortunately, the bathroom door swung open just then.

"Ah, a bath really does make you feel completely relaxed and refreshed!"

Chiori nonchalantly withdrew her hand.

"Chiori, you should thank Nana. Otherwise, I might have had to use my teeth," Luna said with a mischievous grin, tapping her lips.

Chiori scoffed. "Go ahead and try hurting my hand and see what happens."

Navia looked perplexed. "Huh? What are you two up to?"

After a moment, Luna set down the towel, having single-handedly dried both Chiori and Navia's long hair. She mentally gave herself a thumbs-up.

"Thank you, Lulu!"

"You're welcome," Luna replied, her eyes fixed on Navia's face.

Navia, now makeup-free and dressed in loose pajamas like Chiori, stood nearby.

"Perfect score."

Navia blinked. "Huh? Ah! I get it—you mean my skin, right? Well, I give Lulu a perfect score too. It feels so smooth!"

"Chiori gets a perfect score too."

"Sure, sure, thanks," Chiori replied dismissively.

Inspiration swirled in her mind. Ignoring Luna and Navia, she retrieved the outfit she had made for Furina and put it on a mannequin.

Chiori picked up her twin blades.

Two flashes of steel sliced through the air, neatly severing a portion of the garment with flawless precision.

"Wait, Chiori, why did you just cut up the dress you made?" Navia asked, bewildered.

Luna shrugged nonchalantly. "She wasn't satisfied with it, so she cut it."

Chiori nodded. "Exactly."

"I'll help," Luna offered.

Chiori glanced at her and tossed her a piece of fabric.

"The pattern?"

"Here."

Luna nodded, swiftly slashed the fabric, and began sewing embellishments.

In fashion, the smallest details often make the biggest difference. The presence or absence of a single accessory can drastically alter the overall impression.

Navia snapped out of her daze to find the two already working in perfect harmony. "I want to help too!" she exclaimed, feeling left out.

Fortunately, Navia's cooking skills translated well to sewing, and her needlework was surprisingly adept.

"Advanced amateur level," Chiori complimented.

Navia understood the compliment perfectly and accepted it with delight. After all, she wasn't a professional. Luna, on the other hand...

"When did your sewing skills get so good?" Chiori asked, astonished.

The stitches were flawless, perfectly even and precise. Achieving such perfection required not only technical skill but also patience and meticulous attention to detail—qualities Luna had previously possessed only in the latter two.

While Luna had always been somewhat skilled, her abilities were comparable to Navia's, placing her among the better amateurs. In the professional realm, they wouldn't stand a chance.

Luna chuckled playfully. "A stage girl evolves every day, you know. The past is no match for the present. Shower me with compliments!"

Chiori said generously, "Hmm, well done."

"Who are you?" Luna teased.

"Stop messing around," Chiori retorted. "I praise good work and scold bad work—that's always been my way."

Navia sighed. "You're so strict."

"Without strictness, there's no way to grow stronger."

"True enough!"

Chiori gently touched the accessory Luna had made. Her technique was astonishingly refined—had she been practicing?

Yet what truly impressed her was the meticulous care and patience. Chiori tenderly stroked the stitches with a softened expression.

You don't need words to know how much someone cares; their work speaks for itself.

Without a doubt, Luna had poured her heart into this creation.

"Thank you," Chiori murmured. "I'll leave the rest to you."

"Hmm."

She switched on the gramophone and put on a record.

Working without music was unthinkable. Luna hummed along to the tune as she continued sewing the accessories, with Navia assisting beside her.

Despite her professional-level tailoring skills, garment-making simply couldn't be rushed. Methodically following each step was already maximizing efficiency.

Fortunately, the final result was quite pleasing. Furina's outfit was nearly complete, requiring only a few final adjustments.

"Ah, it's so late!" Navia exclaimed in surprise.

A glance at the clock revealed it was already 11 p.m.

Indeed, it was very late.

Luna covered her mouth and yawned.

Seeing this, Chiori sighed softly and said with rare tenderness, "You've worked hard. It's time to rest."

"Aren't we having a midnight snack?"

"Fat Cat," Chiori said immediately.

"Hmph, I like it," Luna retorted.

Navia shook her head. "I'm not eating. It's too late."

"Me neither," Chiori agreed.

"Fine, then let's forget it."

Chiori began packing her things. A design sketch of a strikingly elaborate white costume flashed before Luna's eyes.

"What's that white dress?" Luna couldn't help but ask.

"A stage costume," Chiori replied.

"Mine?" Luna pressed.

Chiori zipped up her suitcase, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Who knows?"

She set the suitcase aside.

"Don't peek, understand?" Chiori instructed.

"Mm, I won't," Luna replied with a smile.

"If you do, you'll regret it."

Does she really not trust me at all? Luna thought, letting out a cold snort. She grabbed Chiori and Navia's hands, leading them toward her bedroom.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Chiori frowned.

Navia looked equally puzzled.

Luna blinked, genuinely confused. "Aren't we going to sleep?"

"So, why did you drag us to your room?"

"To sleep."

Does she mean... together? Navia felt her face flush.

Chiori inhaled sharply. "I wasn't planning on sharing a bed with you. I'll take the couch or sleep on the floor. Navia feels the same way, right?"

"...I want to sleep with Lulu!"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Chiori exclaimed in disbelief, "What?!"

"I know it's embarrassing, but—!" Navia's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

She beamed. "But there's nothing weird about close partners sleeping together, right? Okay, fine, I've just always wanted to do this, hehe."

We just weren't close enough last time. I was too shy.

Always?

So, she's wanted to do this ever since that earlier visit to Luna's house...? Chiori's expression turned complex.

"Looks like Navia's on my side. Then... Navia!"

"Yeah!"

Luna and Navia flanked Chiori, each taking an arm.

Chiori looked uncharacteristically flustered.

"Wait, what are you doing?"

"It's bedtime, Miss Chiori," Luna purred with a sly grin.

Navia nodded. "Think of it as camping out on the bed!"

"Camping out on the bed? I can't believe you'd say that," Chiori retorted, frowning.

"So, Chiori, you're just going to stand there and watch me sleep with Nana?"

Chiori didn't answer. Instead, she took a deep breath.

"You... you'll both pay for this," she hissed through gritted teeth.

"Acting like we're sending a cat to the vet," Luna teased.

Chiori glared at her.

If you keep pushing like this, you'll regret it later, she thought darkly.