Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

The banquet was to be held two weeks hence, which meant Chiori averaged one formal outfit per week.

Of course, this posed no challenge for her now.

Speed? No problem.

Quality? Never an issue.

This was the prowess of Fontaine's renowned dressmaker, Chiori. What more could be said? Great was an understatement, needless to say.

And so, a week later, Chiori summoned Luna.

"I'm here. Now what?" Luna asked curiously.

"You can guess, I suppose."

"Treat me to food?"

Chiori's expression remained impassive. "Is your mind consumed by food and drink every day? Of course not. The banquet is in just a week, isn't it? What do you plan to wear?"

She didn't even need to ask; she could have guessed.

"I'll wear the outfit you gave me for the interview. It's fine."

It really is quite beautiful, Luna thought. Even though it's designed for men, a manly beauty can be appealing too.

At the end of the day, all that mattered was looking good! That's just the way it is in reality.

Chiori's gaze softened a bit.

It was a good thing Luna hadn't suggested wearing someone else's formal attire—if she had, there was no way Chiori would have taken her along.

"Dressing appropriately for different occasions is simply common sense. Of course you can wear that outfit, but I have something more suitable here. Why don't you try it on?"

She walked over to a mannequin, gesturing towards the dress it was wearing.

Upon closer inspection, the deep purple exuded elegance, with subtle, star-like adornments adding a touch of dreaminess and mystery, as if sprinkled across the night sky.

There was no doubt—it was a dress that would accentuate both maturity and beauty.

No need to worry about the fabric either, Luna thought. Chiori always handpicks the most luxurious materials—so comfortable and form-fitting.

"I don't remember asking you to help me, do I?" Luna reached out to smooth her formal dress.

"I don't recall giving you permission to wear unsuitable clothes either, do I?"

"How much confidence do you have in my sense of style, exactly?"

"About 1%," Chiori replied casually.

"Is that doubt?"

"No, it's confidence."

That was going too far.

Luna didn't think her sense of style was particularly poor. Wasn't her Phantom Thief outfit evidence enough? She simply found too much emphasis on appearance to be terribly troublesome.

Good enough was good enough.

After all... Luna pointed at her own face. "Look."

"What am I looking at?"

"My face should make up for all the outfit's flaws."

Chiori forced a smile, but even she could tell it lacked sincerity.

"Enough chitchat. Hurry up and try it on." She swiftly removed the dress from the mannequin and ushered Luna into the fitting room.

"Are you going to help me change?" Luna asked, blushing.

"If you're still insisting on being treated like a child, I suppose I could." The response was clearly a no.

Luna accepted the dress, and Chiori drew the curtain closed. The rustle of fabric filled the fitting room as Chiori deliberately stepped away, patiently waiting.

Whoosh. The curtain opened, and Luna emerged, now fully attired in the formal dress.

"Well?" Chiori prompted.

Chiori glanced at Luna several times, thinking she was indeed as beautiful as she had imagined.

This time, she genuinely smiled. "Your question is rather pointless. If I thought it was inappropriate, I wouldn't have made it in the first place."

"I figured as much," Luna replied softly as she twirled before the mirror. The lightweight fabric still felt unfamiliar on her body.

"But this seems a bit tight." She pointed to the ribbon at the back of her waist.

"Really? You didn't gain weight, did you?"

"Saying it once is fine, but repeating it loses its humor."

Chiori moved behind Luna, suspecting that Luna might have tied the ribbon incorrectly. She was confident in her measurements and choice of material, so it couldn't possibly be an error on her part.

Or maybe Luna is trying to tease me again.

Regardless, Chiori decided to take the issue seriously, as it might genuinely be a problem.

"Where exactly does it feel tight?"

"At this part."

Bending down, Chiori gently touched the ribbon with her fingertips. "Here?"

"Yes."

After carefully examining the area, an exasperated expression crossed Chiori's face.

This isn't my fault; Luna simply tied it too snugly.

"It's just tied too tightly. And the way you've tied it... Well, let me help you out." As she spoke, Chiori loosened the ribbon and began retying it for Luna.

Despite Chiori's caution, her fingertips occasionally brushed against the exposed skin on Luna's back.

"Your technique is a bit... odd."

Chiori paused. "Shh, be quiet."

"But it feels kinda itchy."

"Endure it."

After a moment of silence, Luna, sensing occasional prickles on her back, suddenly remembered something.

"Chiori."

"What now?" Chiori sighed.

"You said before that since we're both girls, you can't kiss my face."

"More precisely," Chiori replied casually, "you were just being too disgusting at that moment, so no. Of course, things are still the same now. But why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Luna chuckled softly. "But Navia lets me kiss her, and she even kisses my face too."

Chiori's hands froze momentarily.

With Navia?

Suppressing her reaction, she finished tying the bandages. Then, with hands on Luna's shoulders, she studied their reflection in the mirror.

"Turn around."

Luna complied, allowing Chiori to inspect their image.

Not bad. Chiori nodded in satisfaction.

"Hey, Chiori, are you listening?"

"Yes, but what's your point? Don't tell me those gossip rags about your elopement are true. Making two wedding dresses at once would be too much trouble for me."

Luna exclaimed, "It was just a cheek kiss! How did you leap to marriage? That doesn't make any sense."

"Is that so? Then are you trying to show off?" Chiori asked, arms crossed.

I had anticipated a more amusing reaction from Chiori upon hearing this.

Is that all she's going to say?

"That's a pretty cold reaction," Luna grumbled, clearly dissatisfied.

"If you hadn't been waiting for me to express exactly what you expected, I might have appeared more astonished. Besides, as you said yourself, it was just a cheek kiss. It's not a major event."

Luna pressed on, "So, can I kiss your cheek then?"

"No way."

"But you said it's not a big deal."

Chiori was growing weary of explaining, "I said no, and that's final."

"Stubborn! Well—"

People often aim for compromise. If a cheek kiss was off-limits, proposing something even bolder would allow her to eventually settle for a lesser request.

With keen interest, Luna asked, "Then how about a proper kiss?"

"Are you really into that sort of thing?"

"No, not at all."

"Then why do you keep asking about it?"

"Do I need a reason?"

Chiori drew a deep breath.

Hold back...? As if that's possible. Chiori was terrible at suppressing her feelings, especially when it came to matters close to her heart.

"If you say that again, I'll..."

"You'll what?"

Chiori flashed a dangerous smile. "Don't blame me for losing my temper."

"How about a hug instead?"

"You can go hug that."

Chiori pointed at the mannequin. The mannequin stared at Luna with its empty eyes.

If I really did that, I'd be nothing short of a freak.

"I prefer a little warmth."

"Then go hug the stove."

Chiori had no intention of continuing this banter with Luna and instead turned her towards the mirror.

"Wear this outfit to the banquet. Even if I don't say a word, we'll still get our message out there," she said, looking quite pleased.

Luna sounded resignated. "So that's why you want me to be your mobile billboard, huh?"

"Exactly! Everyone will notice your beauty right away. There's no better way to promote us."

She certainly stood out in the crowd.

Luna's cheeks flushed slightly. "Since you think women showing affection is unacceptable, maybe you should watch your own words."

"I can say whatever I want. You're the one who should be careful."

Me? Luna turned around, puzzled. "What did I do?"

Chiori turned her head back and brushed her fingers through her hair, as if ensuring her reflection was in its best state.

"Keep saying such things, and you might invite trouble."

How could that be?