The faint floral aroma wafting towards her made Furina take a step back.
Restraint? She even calls kissing my cheek "restraint"?
Furina's expression shifted abruptly. "Then keep restraining yourself!" she blurted out urgently. "D-don't succumb to the demon within!"
Otherwise, I'll be in serious trouble!
"Very well," Luna purred. "After all, I'm a very obedient little kitty."
"Ugh, you're so shameless," Furina muttered.
If she thinks she's being obedient, then 99% of the world's population must be model children.
Furina took a deep breath. "Let's get straight to the point, Phantom Thief. I came to see you about this."
She produced the mask.
"You want to become a Phantom Thief too?"
"...How could I possibly?"
Luna teased, "Oh my, what a delicate silence."
She removed her own mask and placed it on Furina's face.
"It suits you perfectly, Miss Furina. Are you sure you wouldn't reconsider becoming a Phantom Thief? Unbound by anyone's expectations, acting solely for the treasures you desire..."
Utterly pure.
The lingering warmth of the mask made Furina uncomfortable, and she quickly removed it.
"No way! I'm the God of Justice!"
She pointed at Luna. "And you're the notorious criminal Phantom Thief. You've already committed countless crimes by stealing so many treasures. Now you're trying to corrupt others? That's doubling your sins!"
Though perhaps my own transgressions outweigh yours.
Furina thought bitterly. If we're talking about sinners, what about me? Impersonating an Archon and deceiving the Fontainians for five hundred years—wasn't that a monumental crime in itself?
Even after this charade ends, can I truly return to being "Furina"?
Lost in thought, Furina snapped back to reality under Luna's gaze.
"...And how much longer are you planning to wear Luna's face?"
Luna smiled faintly. "I rather like this face, so I might just keep it for a while. Unless Miss Furina would prefer me to change it?"
With a flick of her hand across her face, Luna transformed into an unfamiliar visage.
No matter how many times Furina witnessed it, she still found the spectacle utterly absurd.
Nothing was more frustrating than trying to catch a Phantom Thief who could change her appearance at will.
"Don't use her face," Furina muttered.
"Why? Because you're friends?"
"We're not friends."
Luna chuckled softly. "She might be hurt to hear you say that."
"She's not someone easily swayed by others... She shines so brightly."
And undeniably, the White Cat shared that same radiance.
Could they be the same person?
But during the previous capture plan, Luna and the Phantom Thief White Cat had appeared simultaneously... Remembering this, Furina dismissed the thought.
"Put on your mask, and I'll return this to you."
Luna lowered her gaze to the mask in Furina's hand.
"You said it was a gift, but I don't need it—"
Furina paused, then steeled her resolve.
Having resolved to maintain distance from everyone, she might as well be blunt.
Even the Phantom Thief White Cat would surely retreat in the face of such adversity!
"I, Focalors, the God of Justice, declare that I will never reconcile with you, you sinner! Do not approach me again!" Furina's voice was icy. "Justice and sin cannot coexist. Until your crimes are atoned for, I will tell you countless times—I despise you."
That should suffice.
Of course, she would never forget that beach, that moonlight. But until the Finality arrived, until the final Judgment, she would forever remain the Hydro Archon Focalors.
All that mattered was her performance on the stage!
The Phantom Thief White Cat could only watch from the audience.
The same went for Luna.
"Miss Furina, your words only pique my interest further," Luna said, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
"Huh?"
Luna smiled. "The more you despise me, the more satisfaction I find in teasing you."
What a terrible personality!
The more she hated her, the more she enjoyed it?
This... this was outrageous, utterly invincible! Furina was stunned, yet couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
How wonderful it must be to face oneself with such honesty.
No, I can't let myself be led by the nose.
Today, Furina had to draw an uncrossable line before the Phantom Thief, allowing no one to approach.
"Miss Furina, you seem to have forgotten something," Luna said with a gentle smile.
Her words startled Furina.
"My only target is treasure."
"And you, my dear Miss Furina, as I've said, you are Fontaine's greatest treasure."
Luna lifted Furina's chin, her fingers tracing down her jade-like neck with a soft, tender touch that left Furina flustered.
"Your voice."
Her fingertip lightly brushed Furina's eyelashes, making them flutter slightly.
"Your eyes."
Her hand slowly glided down Furina's cheek to her lips.
"Your lips."
Finally, her hand settled on Furina's chest.
"And your heart."
Furina's eyes widened slightly before she averted her gaze, but Luna cupped her face, forcing her to meet her eyes.
"Every move you make, Miss Furina, radiates such brilliance that I cannot tear my eyes away, cannot ignore your voice, cannot help but admire your form."
That's just the persona I have to maintain as Focalors, Furina thought.
"Miss Furina, you should know that even what you see with your own eyes isn't always trustworthy."
"Even the things we touch with our own hands may not be real," Luna said softly. "But I believe in the beauty I perceive in Miss Furina, and I am utterly captivated by it."
Beauty? Me? A flicker of confusion and embarrassment crossed Furina's eyes.
Luna smiled gently. "I want to possess it, to claim it for myself."
Claim... claim her for herself?
Furina watched as Luna leaned closer, whispering, "I simply wish to acquire the treasure known as 'Furina.'"
So close, too close! Is she going to kiss my cheek again? No, no, no, no!
"Therefore, no matter what Miss Furina thinks, it won't deter me from doing what I must."
Furina froze again.
Was this the truth? Or just another lie?
"Whether you like me or loathe me, the Phantom Thief White Cat will continue to exist in this world, relentlessly stealing all its treasures."
She would not be swayed by anyone's will.
She would forever stand beneath the spotlight, bathed in countless gazes, but her performance was for herself alone.
"Therefore, Miss Furina, there's no need to worry."
"No need for reservations."
"Whether you wish it or not, I will come to your side."
Luna blinked. "Who knows? Maybe Miss Furina will be the one wanting to see me every day in the future."
"Impossible," Furina stated flatly.
Even if she tried to draw a line between them, Luna would step right over it without hesitation.
Furina realized once again that all her efforts were futile.
After all, the Phantom Thief White Cat wouldn't listen to her. You couldn't expect a cat fond of stealing to heed human words.
What should I do? Furina felt lost.
No, what Luna wants to do is her own affair. All I need to do is maintain my act and keep my distance from others.
If Luna tried to get close, Furina would simply retreat. It was that simple.
"Whatever you're planning, Focalors will never let you have your way."
Whether she liked it or not, the being called Furina would always remain out of her reach.