Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

The reporter Charlotte from the Steam Bird Newspaper might not be the fastest on her feet.

But she was undoubtedly the most ethereal and unpredictable.

It was as if, no matter where you went, as long as there was a whiff of news in the air, you'd always see her shadow.

Whenever you thought she couldn't possibly arrive in time, Charlotte would materialize from the most unexpected places.

And so it was this time as well.

Navia rested her forehead in her hand. "You can run from other reporters, but you can't hide from Charlotte."

"My apologies, miss. We did our best to avoid detection," said one of the attendants. "But it seems we failed to evade this particular journalist."

Charlotte rebuked them, "Well, what are you all saying? It's as if I'm some terrifying criminal who could make children cry in fear!"

Being a reporter was indeed a tricky profession, often making them unpopular no matter where they went.

Charlotte was long accustomed to such reactions.

Besides, one's conscience is clear when their actions are straight; every report she wrote was based on facts and truth.

As long as you have nothing to hide, why fear me? she thought.

"Of course, if you're busy, I can always come back another time."

"Doesn't this mean you have to do the interview?" Luna asked.

Charlotte gave a flirtatious wink and snapped her fingers. "Where there's a whiff of news, there I shall be—Charlotte, that is. Especially when it reeks of explosive exclusive scoop."

She patted her chest, her voice brimming with pride and sincerity. "Fear not, I'll write exactly what the truth reveals. I'll add some narrative flair, but I'll never twist the facts. Compared to other reporters, getting interviewed by me is definitely your best bet."

While Navia couldn't dispute that, her main concern was Luna's willingness. If Luna declined, she'd have no choice but to ask Charlotte to return another day.

"What should we do, sweetie?" she asked Luna.

Without hesitation, Luna said, "Sure, we can do it."

"Wow, Luna, you're such a dear! Well then, let's get right to it—allow me to interview you both!"

Navia pointed at herself. "Me too?"

"Of course, after all... take a look."

Charlotte pulled out a newspaper from her bag. It wasn't Steam Bird, but rather a competitor's paper. The headline blared in enormous letters:

Spina di Rosula's Young Lady Elopes with Popular Actress?!

The story was accompanied by a photo of Navia dragging Luna away.

Elope?

Navia sighed. "These unscrupulous newspapers... We were merely trying to avoid being pestered."

Luna peered over her shoulder. The article appeared convincing at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it became clear the writer had simply repeated the same information ad nauseam without adding any substance.

Every sentence was pure nonsense.

It was like: What exactly is going on here? Please join our writer as she delves into the truth... It turns out to be exactly that, which even surprises our writer... Well then, that's simply the matter as it stands...

Content-less: 100%

Life wasted: 1000%.

"This is clearly just a clickbait headline," Silver remarked, pushing up his sunglasses.

"Yeah, if Miss really wanted to be with Luna, they would have officially announced it instead of eloping," Melus chimed in.

"That's right, and besides, I've never even thought of Lulu in that way!"

Luna smiled. "It's okay if you have those thoughts, you know?"

"I swear, I don't!"

Especially after just being rejected by her myself, she thought, gesturing towards her female partner.

"Although these articles are completely devoid of substance," Luna continued, "they serve their purpose by generating 'buzz.' That's what makes them perfect for this kind of newspaper."

"If you want to bury a story, you naturally have to replace it with something even more attention-grabbing."

"And when it comes to capturing attention right now, nothing beats today's trial. I tried reaching out to Miss Luna's theater group, but they all rejected my interview requests..."

As she spoke, Charlotte pulled out a chair and sat down across from them.

She opened her notebook, took out a pen, and switched on the video camera to check that everything was working correctly.

Ready.

"Let's begin the interview!"

Charlotte glanced at her notebook, where she had already written down several questions.

"First question: Why did you want to become an actress, Miss Luna?"

"I wanted to step onto the stage. I thought it would be wonderful to become a musical theater actress," Luna replied with a smile.

Charlotte wanted the truth, and she could certainly provide it.

It was just that sometimes, the truth was incomplete.

"How did the other members of the theater group react when you accused Screenwriter Judith?" Navia asked Luna, looking at her for guidance. The group's reaction? Well, it was...

Luna maintained her poised posture, a flawless smile playing on her lips.

"It's thanks to everyone here that I could bring evil to justice. I was able to walk proudly into the courtroom, speak out for justice because of all of you."

Navia knew that wasn't the whole truth.

"I feel fortunate to have met all of you at the theater group," Luna added.

That's definitely not what Luna was thinking, Navia mused.

"The greatest encouragement I've ever received has come from our troupe leader, Mr. Romi."

However, even twisted truths are still truths. Even if I'm lying now, it doesn't matter. Because once this article circulates, it will become "truth"... The theater will make it true.

Navia knew that from this moment on, the Dark Moon Troupe had essentially fallen under Luna's control.

And the witnesses to this fact were none other than her and Chevreuse.

Charlotte set down her pen, her thoughts drifting. "What about Navia? I heard you were at the Dark Moon Troupe back then too. What did you see...?"

Luna met Navia's gaze, their eyes connecting.

Luna was a rising star on the stage, and the spotlight naturally focused on her. But in the places the light couldn't reach, shadows lurked, waiting for their chance to pounce on the glow of the spotlight.

Navia looked away, a smile playing on her lips. "Lulu's right, of course," she said tactfully.

Those who stand on stage must be genuine with their performance and their audience.

But when it comes to matters beyond the stage, it's best to be a little smarter about things.

-

Charlotte had left.

It was getting late, although Navia had wanted Luna to stay overnight at the Spina di Rosula base, giving them more time to chat and discuss.

Luna kindly declined, but Navia didn't insist on her staying.

However, there was one thing she wanted to know.

"What did you mean earlier when you said 'people who get too close to me usually don't end well'?"

Luna smiled. "I meant it literally."

Navia still didn't understand. "Like a curse or something?"

"Not that dramatic. It's just that everyone eventually ends up disappointed in me."

Navia sighed. "Well, that's a relief! I was worried you had some star-crossed fate or something. If that's all..." She put her hands on her hips, a confident and radiant smile on her face. "It doesn't bother me at all! So let's continue being partners, shall we?"

Luna smiled wryly. "I already said my primary role isn't as a detective anymore, remember?"

"That's fine."

"And I don't have any intention of continuing to investigate the Serial Disappearance Case of young girls."

"That's also fine!"

Navia held out her fist, signaling a fist bump.

"It's just what I want to do, you see."

Fist bump... For some reason, Luna gazed at her fist for a good while before slowly reaching out. But instead of bumping fists, she gently uncurled Navia's fingers and took her hand.

"All right, but don't get your hopes up too high."

After all, your treasures are just as likely to be stolen.