Furina had to admit, she was growing increasingly impatient.
Where was the Phantom Thief?
It was almost her bedtime, and she'd been sitting here waiting almost all night.
Not only hadn't she seen Phantom Thief White Cat, she hadn't even spotted a single cat hair!
"Could she be deliberately ignoring me?"
Deliberately leaving her hanging while secretly watching from afar?
Furina shivered and quickly scanned her surroundings, dreading that possibility more than anything.
There was nothing more terrifying than being secretly watched.
She pursed her lips, finding no sign of her hidden watcher.
"Excellent!" Furina nodded.
No, wait! Furina's expression shifted abruptly as she shook her head. How could that elusive Phantom Thief possibly let me find her so easily?
"Hey, hey! Phantom Thief White Cat, are you there?"
Feeling a bit foolish, but with no other choice, Furina stood up straight and called out in a clear, resonant voice: "Stop hiding! Stop lurking! It's just you and me here now. I have no intention, nor need, to reveal your calling card to the world—to announce your impending arrival!"
There was no response.
Furina sighed. Could it be she hasn't arrived yet?
Just woke up?
Phantom Thief White Cat always strikes at night; she must be a night owl. Furina casually picked up the card from the table and reread the invitation.
She hadn't told anyone about the invitation, wanting to meet the Phantom Thief alone.
No guards, no traps—just a simple invitation.
And now, she was waiting in her bedroom.
Tonight, she would settle things with the Phantom Thief once and for all.
She would return the Phantom Thief's gift. She neither needed nor could accept this mask.
"...Inviting the Phantom Thief to my own room... I'm such an idiot," Furina muttered, shaking her head.
But Phantom Thief White Cat wouldn't harm her. That much was clear.
While she slept, the Phantom Thief had countless opportunities to hurt her. Yet all Furina had seen upon waking was that gentle, elegant smile.
Still, Furina wouldn't call her a proper lady.
After all, what kind of lady would kiss her cheek? Furina's face flushed crimson at the memory.
"...Still not here? Phantom Thief White Cat, just this once, I want to see you!"
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Eek!?
What's going on? Furina ducked her head, nervously glancing around.
Wait a minute! The lights going out is usually the Phantom Thief's cue! It's one of her signature moves...
Could she be here?
Remembering this, Furina forgot her anxiety and turned to scan the room.
"It's you, isn't it? Stop playing coy and show yourself at once! Tonight isn't your night to take center stage," Furina declared, puffing up her chest.
Please don't make a scene like last time! I beg you!
If the Hydro Archon were discovered secretly meeting with a phantom thief, her career as a God would be over! She'd be suspected, possibly even exposed! After all, this wasn't something an Archon should be doing.
This absolutely couldn't happen. Furina could only hope the Phantom Thief understood the gravity of the situation...
As long as she understood, and didn't try to uncover the truth behind it.
"If you wish to see me, why not come closer?" Luna's voice suddenly echoed through the room.
Where is she?
Click! The mirror abruptly lit up.
"Come closer," a voice murmured from behind the glass.
Furina pressed her lips together and slowly approached the mirror. The light softened, no longer blinding. It illuminated her reflection.
For a fleeting moment, Furina felt disoriented, as if her mirror image had come to life again.
"Furina," her reflection suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
Could it really be her? No, you shouldn't be here! Furina hastily reached out, trying to wipe away the figure in the mirror.
In the next instant, the reflection transformed back into that familiar white and gold form.
"Whoa?!" Furina startled.
Was this magic or some kind of illusion?
Luna in the mirror crooked a finger at her, smiling faintly. "You wanted to see me, didn't you? Then come closer. Don't stay so far away. Stand where I can touch you."
"...What if I don't want you to touch me?"
"Then I'll just have to go back tearfully, heartbroken."
Who would believe that?
Furina scoffed. "I'd actually like to see you cry."
"Then make me cry?"
"You... stop saying things like that!" Furina's face flushed crimson.
Luna in the mirror chuckled. "Come on, take another step forward."
Furina pressed her lips together, feeling completely outmaneuvered by this White Cat. But... without an audience, there was no need to engage in a grand showdown with the Phantom Thief.
Just maintain the act.
She took a step forward, her posture steady, unyielding, her back straight.
"Another step forward."
Furina stopped in front of the mirror.
"Now, extend your hand, close your eyes, and silently count to three. On the last second, pull me out."
Extend my hand? What is she planning?
Furina's heart raced, her nerves on edge. Yet she slowly extended her right hand and closed her eyes.
"Don't peek, okay?"
How did she know I was thinking of doing that? Furina wondered, surprised.
Her face flushed. "Of course not! What do you take me for?"
"Begin counting now."
Three.
Furina felt a presence drawing closer.
Two.
She felt fingertips brush against her palm, gently adjusting her hand to face upward.
It tickles.
One.
A warm hand clasped hers, slender fingers enveloping her palm. Even through the glove, she recognized that familiar warmth.
Pull her out on the last second... Furina tugged lightly. Click. The sound of a boot landing echoed.
Opening her eyes, Furina saw Luna.
Luna's hand rested on Furina's, like a lady invited to dance. The smile beneath her mask was just as Furina remembered.
"Now you've pulled me out of the mirror."
Luna lifted Furina's hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Even through the glove, Furina couldn't help but feel the soft press of Luna's lips. She involuntarily averted her gaze.
"Good evening, lovely Miss Furina."
Furina's eyes flickered, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks. "Good evening... By the way, was that really a mirror?"
Luna snapped her fingers lightly.
The mirror vanished.
"Your actual mirror is over there. That was just a specially prepared entrance I arranged for you." She gestured to a full-length mirror in the corner.
Did she create it with Elemental Power? Just like the ropes and lights that appeared out of nowhere on stage earlier...
Furina withdrew her hand and rubbed her palm. "Couldn't you have just appeared normally?"
"For a Phantom Thief, the extraordinary is the norm. Or would you prefer I sneak into your bed while you're asleep and whisper sweet nothings?"
"That would scare someone to death!" Furina blurted out. "I mean, it would make me furious!"
"Then perhaps this is better after all?"
Luna curled her fingers and gently pinched a strand of hair near Furina's cheek.
"Please forgive me, Miss Furina. This date with you has filled me with such delight that I wanted to surprise you with something a little different."
"This isn't a date," Furina retorted.
"But you wanted to see me, didn't you?"
That much was true.
Luna released her hand. With a gentle lift of her own, the lights flickered back on, restoring the room to its original brightness.
Is she some kind of Archon of light? Furina couldn't help but think sarcastically.
"To be honest, Miss Furina, you're not the first to try luring me with treasure. But I never expected you to come without even a single guard."
"And the lovely Miss Champion Duelist isn't here either."
Luna drew back the curtains, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned forward with a smile. "Aren't you afraid I might do something to you, Miss Furina?"
"Hmph, don't underestimate me. If you were going to do anything, you would have done it already."
Luna closed the distance between them, her breath carrying the delicate scent of orchids. "Perhaps I'm simply exercising restraint?"