Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart! (Genshin Impact)

"Come on in, and here are the keys."

Luna slapped the keys into Furina's hand and strode into the living room.

Furina ducked her head slightly, feeling a little awkward.

Luna had mentioned that she lived alone, which at least meant Furina wouldn't have to meet her parents. Still, they were essentially moving in together.

This should be fine, Furina thought.

Shouldn't it...?

As she glanced around, she followed Luna into the living room.

The space was clean and tidy, decorated in a warm, cozy style with pleasant natural lighting.

Furina's eyes widened. "I never imagined a Phantom Thief's home would look like this!" she exclaimed.

"What did you expect?" Luna opened a cabinet and took out drinks.

Furina pondered for a moment. "Shouldn't there be a secret basement hidden behind a bookshelf or painting? Filled with all the Phantom Thief's gear?"

"That's a classic trope, but it's unnecessary for me."

That made sense.

Furina realized that Luna could simply snap her fingers to open an extradimensional Storage Space. Why bother with a basement that might even risk exposure?

"Don't be so reserved. Make yourself at home. From now on, this is your place too," Luna said, handing her a glass.

Furina settled onto the sofa, cradling her cup in both hands as her expression softened.

"Wait a minute... my place?" she murmured, a nagging feeling that something about the phrase felt off.

"Well, we're living together now, aren't we?" Luna replied matter-of-factly.

"But you bought the place, not me," Furina protested. "You're not thinking of adding my name to the property deed, are you?"

"That's not entirely out of the question."

Luna moved behind Furina, gently tilted her chin upward, and leaned down.

A feather-light touch brushed against the tip of Furina's nose.

Her cheeks flushed crimson. First her eyes, then her cheek, and now her nose—every inch of her face seemed to be fair game for Luna's kisses.

Does living with Luna mean there will be more and more skin contact?

Hmm?

Noticing the sewing machine in her peripheral vision, she asked curiously, "You know how to sew?"

"Of course. I made my own Phantom Thief outfit."

"Oh..."

Furina steered the conversation back on track. "Actually, I think I should give you some money."

"For what?"

"Cohabitation fee?"

Luna sighed. "I've heard of roommates splitting rent, but never 'cohabitation fee.'"

"It doesn't feel right just moving into your place like this," Furina said, her eyes darting nervously.

She would feel much more comfortable accepting if she could offer something in return.

Luna leaned back on the sofa, humming thoughtfully.

Furina remained stiff and reserved.

This was understandable, given that they weren't truly close yet. Moreover, Furina had only recently shed her immense burden and ended her long-running performance as the Archon.

She felt lost and disoriented in the world beyond the stage, and equally uncertain about herself.

And there was another reason...

"Furina, haven't you made any friends in the past five hundred years?"

Furina flinched, her eyes widening in disbelief. "That's incredibly rude!"

"Really?"

Luna lowered her head again.

"Well... aren't I right here?"

Furina glanced sideways at Luna.

Luna couldn't help but smile. "Besides me, though?"

Furina fell silent. She felt she should make up a name on the spot, but her mind drew a complete blank.

Neither Clorinde nor Neuvillette qualified as true friends; they were merely professional acquaintances.

One was her subordinate, the other her colleague.

"That doesn't count," Furina muttered.

"No," she whispered, her cheeks puffing out in discontent. "Playing the role of a God is even more dangerous than walking a tightrope. How could I ever have made friends? And what's so wrong with not having any?"

Luna shook her head. "It's not about right or wrong. It's just that the old Furina had to keep everyone at arm's length. That's why you're so hesitant to get close to me."

"Ah..."

It seemed she had a point. Furina knew she wasn't good at maintaining close relationships.

If we lived together, would Luna find me annoying? Or even hate me?

"So, how about we work on closing that distance?"

"Huh?"

Furina's head snapped up. Luna had somehow climbed onto the sofa and was slowly inching closer.

Furina shrank into the corner, her face flushed. "W-what do you think you're doing?"

"To be honest, I don't need the money."

Even if Furina tried to pay this so-called "cohabitation fee," Luna wouldn't bother accepting it.

More than Mora, Luna wanted Furina to do something for her.

"I just want you to do one thing for me, Furina," Luna murmured, gently pressing her hands on Furina's shoulders.

"Like what? I'm not doing anything weird!"

What exactly does she mean by 'weird' anyway?

Luna shrugged it off. "It's not a strange request. Of course, if you think it's weird, there's nothing I can do about that."

"Then... tell me."

"Can you give me a hug?"

Furina froze, taken aback. A hug?

She blinked. "An actual embrace?"

"Exactly."

"That's it?"

"That's it. A simple request, isn't it? It's the price for staying at my place. Unless..."

Luna shifted her knee against the sofa, nudging it forward.

"...you'd prefer to pay in some other way?"

Furina shook her head vigorously. "A hug is fine! And you really need to curb your teasing habit. We're going to be living together, you know."

"Yes, yes. Go ahead then."

Is she even listening?

Seeing Luna ready, Furina pursed her lips and cautiously reached out her arms.

Is this the first time I've initiated a hug with her?

The previous "check-up" hardly counted... The thought flashed through Furina's mind, and she glanced at Luna again.

Why did Luna suddenly make this request?

Despite all they had been through together, Furina felt like she still didn't truly understand Luna.

No need to rush, Furina told herself. We'll be living together soon. I'll figure her out eventually.

She wrapped her arms around Luna's waist, her hands sliding around to her back.

"Like this?"

"Yes," Luna murmured, relaxing into the embrace.

Furina found the position awkward. She was crouched and curled up in the corner of the sofa, while Luna leaned in with her knees pressed against the backrest. It couldn't be comfortable for either of them.

After a moment's hesitation, Furina slid down, letting Luna settle on top of her.

"Luna, are you really giving up on being a Phantom Thief?"

"I told you, it's my break time. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't be one right now."

Trying to be a Phantom Thief in this state would surely get Luna caught by Chevreuse.

Luna's warm, sweet breath brushed through Furina's hair and against her ear.

Furina lowered her gaze, her fingertips gently stroking Luna's back, sending pleasant shivers across her skin.

"I think it's nice not being one," she whispered.

"Is it really so bad to stay with me backstage?" Furina asked.

"I refuse to believe you never ran into trouble or had difficult experiences as a Phantom Thief, especially with a 'father' like yours."

Luna chuckled. "What if you need to meet her sometime? After all, we're living together."

Ah... Furina's expression shifted.

Arlecchino was Luna's "father," which meant... she might have to deal with Arlecchino again?!

"T-there will be a way," Furina stammered, her gaze darting nervously around the room.

Come to think of it, Furina suddenly realized, would Arlecchino really be okay with Luna concealing her true identity? After all, Arlecchino's previous attack on me was likely an attempt to uncover that truth.

"You... you and Arlecchino don't have any issues between you, do you?"

"What kind of issues?"

"You know, conflicts or grudges."

Furina turned to look at Luna, whom she was still holding. "Do we?" she asked.

"Not yet," Luna replied.

"That's good," Furina sighed in relief.

After a moment of silence, she tentatively asked, "But... if—just hypothetically! If something happened to me, and helping me would put you at odds with your 'father,' then what?"

"I would help Furina," Luna answered without hesitation.

She meant every word.

Furina's eyes lit up with radiant joy.

"You really do care about me, don't you?" she said, grinning brightly.

"But if I can avoid it, I will," Luna mumbled, burying her face in Furina's hair.

"Wait, don't bury yourself in my hair!" Furina exclaimed in surprise.

"Didn't you wash it?"

"Of course I washed it! That's not the point..."

Despite her protests, Furina did nothing to stop Luna. After all, they were about to live together; wouldn't it be better to get used to each other? Trying to curb Luna's behavior seemed unrealistic.

As Furina pondered this, Luna spoke again. "Everything comes at a price. No matter what we do, there's always a cost. I'm prepared to pay it, so you don't need to worry, Furina."

She would help Furina and bear the consequences of defying Arlecchino's will. The two weren't mutually exclusive.

Luna sat up and gazed into Furina's eyes. Furina returned her gaze steadily, nodding slightly. Luna gently stroked Furina's cheek and smiled. "Come on, let's put your luggage away."

Furina's belongings were minimal, mostly essential clothing and daily necessities. Except for one particular box.

"Why is this entire box filled with pasta?" Luna asked, surprised.

Furina replied matter-of-factly, "It's convenient! Just boil it, add some sauce, and you can enjoy endless flavor combinations. Where else can you find such a perfect food?"

Too lazy.

"Won't you get tired of it?" Luna asked.

"...We'll worry about that when it happens."

Furina cleared her throat. "Besides, since we're living together, I'll definitely pull my weight with the chores. Don't worry! I can learn to cook anything I set my mind to."

After all, who can compete with my brilliance?

"Hmm."

"You clearly don't believe me."

Anyway, they stored all the pasta in the cupboard.

Luna clapped her hands. "It's almost noon. I'll cook today. What do you want to eat?"

"...Grilled fish."

Luna was slightly surprised but smiled. "You really like it that much?"

"I just wanted to eat it again," Furina murmured.

"Then I'll make it again. Oh, I prefer rice with my main meals. Is that okay with you?"

Furina shrugged. "Whatever. I'm not a picky child. As long as you don't make any 'creative cuisine,' I'll eat anything."

She hesitated for a moment, then cleared her throat again.

"Of course, I'd be even more pleased if you could make the dishes a bit more distinctive!"

Am I being too demanding of Luna?

"Uh, no, that's fine too... I'm not picky," Furina quickly corrected herself, stealing a glance at Luna.

"If Furina's cooking also has a special flair, I'll naturally do my best to satisfy you," Luna replied with a casual smile.

Furina breathed a sigh of relief.

She patted her chest. "You're talking to Fo—"

"Fo?"

Furina instinctively wanted to say "Focalors," but she caught herself.

The act was long over.

...Yet I can't seem to return to my former self, she thought, pressing her lips together.

"Ahem, I meant Furina," she said aloud.

It's best not to worry Luna. Maybe I just haven't adjusted to my new environment and identity yet.

Luna smiled warmly. "Yes, yes, my dear superstar."

"Just so you know."