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

[The Death of Phantom Thief White Cat: An Unsolved Mystery]

Two days had passed since Palais Mermonia announced the "truth" behind Phantom Thief White's death. On the day of her demise, Phantom Thief White had issued an Announcement Letter to all of Fontaine, vowing to steal the nation's future and hope.

She then attempted to seize divine power, only to meet her end.

The cause of her death remained a subject of intense speculation.

"Perhaps humans were never meant to wield the power of a God?"

"Maybe she was erased by the world's rules? I've read plots like that in Inazuman light novels... or was it Liyue?"

"More likely, she fought so hard that she exhausted her very existence..."

After the extreme rise in sea levels, Lady Furina chose to relinquish her position as the Hydro Archon. According to Lord Neuvillette and Lady Focalors, the entity she created, the reason was simple:

"She was tired."

Lady Focalors elaborated, "Five hundred years ago, she created me, pouring all her divine power into managing the crisis."

"In other words, she endured five centuries as an ordinary human, clinging to survival by sheer force of will."

Neuvillette added, "It's time for her to rest. Please, let no one disturb Lady Furina. Even though she is no longer the Hydro Archon, Palais Mermonia remains her sanctuary."

As for a new Hydro Archon, Lady Focalors and Lord Neuvillette declared it unnecessary.

"However, I will continue to preside over Judgments, just as Furina did before," Lady Focalors affirmed.

"And I will remain Chief Justice," Lord Neuvillette added.

Returning to the vanished Phantom Thief White Cat, a lingering mystery slowly surfaced:

What exactly was she trying to accomplish?

Was it merely an insatiable thirst for ultimate power, or did she harbor ulterior motives? We may never know the answers.

-

At Special Task Force Headquarters, Turenna set down her newspaper, a sour expression on her face.

"Everyone's tearing into Phantom Thief White Cat," she said. "It's true she committed terrible crimes, but something about it just feels wrong."

The truth had long ceased to matter.

From celebrities to diners in street-corner restaurants, Phantom Thief White Cat dominated every conversation. Overwhelming speculation and suspicion filled magazine gossip columns and newspaper snippets.

Rumors even circulated about numerous film and theater projects planning to dramatize the battle against the phantom thief.

After all, she's dead. Could she really come back and expose them all?

Turenna leaned back in her chair and sighed. "If Phantom Thief White Cat were to resurrect, they'd all be scared out of their wits, wouldn't they?"

"What do you think, Captain?" she asked, turning to Chevreuse, who hadn't uttered a word since the conversation began.

Chevreuse remained hunched over, flipping through files and dossiers.

"Captain? White Cat is gone. Are you still trying to uncover her true identity?"

Chevreuse: "..."

Ever since the news of Phantom Thief White Cat's death had broken, Turenna had noticed their captain growing increasingly withdrawn and taciturn.

This wasn't surprising, considering the captain's complex and deeply personal feelings for White Cat. It was a bond that couldn't be explained in a few words.

"She's not dead," Chevreuse said, taking a deep breath and closing her notebook. "Phantom Thief White Cat isn't dead."

"Huh?" Turenna exclaimed.

A flicker of sympathy and sorrow crossed Turenna's eyes. People always struggle to accept the death of someone important to them. It seems the captain is no different.

"What's with that look?" Chevreuse asked.

Turenna sighed. "Captain, I know you care deeply about White Cat—"

"Care?"

"...Uh, you're worried about her! But didn't Mr. Neuvillette himself confirm her death?"

The news of Phantom Thief White Cat's demise had come directly from Neuvillette. Would the Chief Justice really shield a criminal? Of course not.

Chevreuse replied calmly, "I only trust what I've seen and deduced for myself."

"Maybe you should take a vacation, Captain?" Turenna suggested.

Chevreuse sighed deeply. She knew her team wouldn't believe her. But she also had no concrete evidence to prove Phantom Thief White Cat was still alive.

"I admit this is just a feeling, or perhaps a matter of trust... I refuse to believe she's dead—at least not so carelessly."

Chevreuse remained silent for a moment.

"Still, it's best if she's dead."

Turenna's eyes widened in confusion. "Captain, what exactly do you feel about the White Cat?" She found herself utterly unable to comprehend Chevreuse's attitude.

Chevreuse closed her eyes. "It's best if Phantom Thief White Cat is dead, never to reappear." Not only would it save her the trouble of chasing after this elusive cat in an endless game of cat and mouse, but the Phantom Thief beneath the mask could also live out her remaining days in peace.

Just stay dead, White Cat, Chevreuse thought. That way, I won't have to keep hunting you.

Yet she still longed to uncover Phantom Thief White Cat's past. No crime should be overlooked, especially the one that had created the Phantom Thief in the first place.

"Captain, an emergency case! The Maison Gardiennage needs backup!"

Turenna frowned. "How come things have gotten even more chaotic now that the White Cat's supposedly dead?"

Chevreuse adjusted her hat. She knew exactly why: people feared the unpredictable, ghostlike, and genuinely lethal White Cat far more than the Special Task Force's firearms.

"Enough wild thoughts. Focus on apprehending the current suspects."

"Understood, Captain!"

-

Furina crouched before the plush toy, her eyes sparkling.

"Luna, look! Doesn't this doll look just like me? So vibrant and adorable!" she exclaimed, pointing at it.

"You certainly know how to flatter yourself," Luna remarked dryly.

Furina scoffed. "Not at all! Everyone says so."

Even if half of those compliments are just flattery, surely the other half must be true? she thought.

Furina stood up. "I'll take this one!"

"Alright~"

Luna opened the bag, letting the doll fall inside. She glanced at the chaotic assortment of items already there—all impulse purchases fueled by Furina's whims.

There was an automatic telescopic cutlery set, rainbow-glittering tea bags, and a jet-black toy that shot out multicolored projectiles...

They had come to buy essential household items she was lacking, but instead, Furina had amassed a pile of seemingly useless trinkets.

"What's wrong, Luna? You look just like Neuvillette did when I used to share my brilliant insights with him."

"Nothing," Luna replied. "As long as you're happy."

Furina will realize how pointless these things are eventually.

Rather than spoil her fun by pointing out their impracticality, Luna decided to let her enjoy the moment.

After all, she had been stifled for five hundred years. What harm could a little indulgence do? As Furina herself might put it, having barely exercised her authority as the Hydro Archon before, it was about time she let loose.

Furina narrowed her eyes. "Your words actually make me feel less happy."

"Then what would Lady Furina like me to say?"

"Hmm..."

After a moment's thought, Furina declared, "'I'm so content to be with Lady Furina!'... Try saying that."

She chuckled. "Of course! You have to say it with genuine emotion!"

"But weren't you just saying you couldn't bring yourself to be happy?" Luna remarked casually.

Why do I always have to say it?

"Isn't that how it always goes in films? 'If you're happy, I'm happy too'—though it sounds so cheesy."

Cheesy? Luna's interest was piqued.

She lifted Furina's hand, gently nipped her fingertip, and exhaled. "Being with you, Furina, makes me truly content."

"W-wow!? You..."

Furina glanced around nervously, relieved to find they were alone. Her face flushed crimson, she whispered, "Why do you always suddenly... bite me?"

It's either kissing or biting... Not that I dislike it, but it's still embarrassing.

"Overcome by emotion?" Luna offered.

"That's no answer at all," Furina retorted.

She hastily withdrew her finger and sighed.

"Tired from walking?" Luna asked.

"My stamina isn't that bad," Furina replied.

"Hungry?"

"Do you think I'm constantly eating?" Furina asked in exasperation.

She leaned against the railing, lightly tapping her foot against the ground.

"How should I put it? Even now, it still feels so unreal... Am I still dreaming? That thought crosses my mind whenever I pause to catch my breath."

"I thought everyone would condemn me, but they didn't. I thought everyone would dissolve, but that didn't happen either. I even thought you were truly dead, but the opposite turned out to be true..."

Furina lowered her head. "The outcome is too wonderful... it feels like a dream."

Luna understood. Someone who had lived in constant anxiety would naturally feel this way when suddenly freed from it.

She leaned against the railing beside Furina. "I'm afraid this isn't a dream."

Luna took Furina's hand. "If you don't believe me, feel it for yourself."

"The sensations and temperatures in dreams are often vague, but reality is far sharper."

Furina gently squeezed Luna's hand, feeling the warmth of her skin. Her expression softened.

It was indeed as warm as fire, as clear as day.

It even made her want to spontaneously break into a dance. The thought occurred to Furina, and she spoke:

"Luna—"

Dance with me.

Before Furina could finish speaking, another voice cut through the air.

"Luna."

Furina trembled. That voice...

The two girls turned to see Arlecchino approaching at a leisurely pace.

The Knave! Furina immediately ducked behind Luna, knowing it wasn't proper to meet her guardian like this, but...

But I wasn't prepared for this!

Clutching Luna's dress, Furina stole glances at Arlecchino.

"And Lady Furina, good afternoon."

"...Good afternoon," Furina whispered.

"Good afternoon," Luna said softly.

"It seems I've interrupted you," Arlecchino said. "But don't worry, I'll keep it brief."

Arlecchino locked eyes with Luna, holding the silence for a moment.

"Luna, I've acquired the Gnosis."

"Mr. Neuvillette and I struck a bargain. He handed over the Gnosis, which serves no purpose for them, and in exchange, we agreed not to interfere in Fontaine unless absolutely necessary."

A perfectly reasonable request.

"But I suspect you didn't come here solely to inform me of this," Luna said.

"Correct."

Arlecchino glanced at Furina.

"Luna, your ear."

Luna nodded and leaned closer.

Arlecchino stepped in front of her and whispered something too quiet for Furina to hear:

"Come see me tomorrow."

"I've long known that one day you would make a decision against my will, but I feel no resentment."

"In fact, it could be argued that true growth lies in making one's own choices, even when fully aware of their parents' wishes."

"But every choice comes with a price."

Arlecchino turned away, glancing at Luna.

"Let me hear your answer tomorrow," she said.

An answer?

What had they just said? Furina looked back and forth between Luna and Arlecchino, unable to glean any clues from their expressions.

Yet she felt a creeping unease.

After Arlecchino left, Furina couldn't help but ask, "What did she just say? What answer? Does it have anything to do with me?"

Luna smiled reassuringly. "You're overthinking it."

"She simply invited me for a little 'father-daughter chat.'"

Is that really all?

Furina remained uneasy, sensing that Luna was hiding something.

Or perhaps Luna simply enjoys keeping secrets.

Whether it was her thoughts or her motives, Luna remained inscrutable, even after shedding her mask.

She was like the bright moon in the night sky—seemingly within reach, yet impossibly distant.

Furina gazed at Luna's face.

"I..."

I don't believe a word of it.

The next day.

Furina opened her eyes, groggily sat up, and finding herself alone, instinctively called out, "Luna?"

Then she noticed a note pressed beneath the lamp on the bedside table.

She pulled it out, glanced at it, and immediately snapped awake.

"I'll be back later."

If she remembered correctly, Luna was supposed to meet Arlecchino today! A sense of foreboding washed over her. Furina stood up.

I have to find her!

Meanwhile, ahead, Arlecchino stopped.

"We're here. This is the place."

She turned to face Luna.

"It's time to make your choice, Luna."