Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

In response to Chiori's blunt question, Luna flashed a refreshing smile.

"I missed you, so I came to see you."

Chiori rubbed her arm. "I'm getting goosebumps. Spill the truth?"

"My place is under siege."

A group of reporters had been camped outside her home since the crack of dawn. There was no way she could stay there peacefully.

Sneaking out seemed like a better plan, allowing her to hide in Chiori's shop until the storm passed.

After all, everyone in Fontaine knew the rules of Chioriya Boutique—troublemakers were thrown out the window.

As Chiori herself put it, even if a god came and caused a scene in her shop, they'd still get kicked out.

Chiori sighed. "So that's why you came to my place. But what if those reporters catch on and start blocking my entrance?"

"You'll figure it out."

"You always dump trouble on me."

Despite her grumbling, Chiori had no intention of throwing Luna out.

"Shall we dine out tonight as a celebration?" Chiori invited.

Luna smiled. "Sounds good. You're treating me?"

"Of course you're treating me. It's not like I'm the one about to skyrocket to fame."

"Such a tightwad."

"You just don't have a generous enough spirit."

As Chiori spoke, she picked up her pen and immersed herself back in her designs.

"How does it feel to be on stage?" she asked casually.

"It's alright."

Chiori glanced at her, slightly surprised. "'Alright'... it seems you're not very passionate about acting. Did the novelty wear off already?"

"It's just that I don't feel much at all, really."

Initially, the desire to become a musical theater actor stemmed from her understanding that increased popularity would facilitate her entry into high society circles, allowing her to uncover more information about treasures.

In other words—acting was work, while being a Phantom Thief was life.

Since it was work, she would approach it diligently and strive for perfection, nothing more.

Of course, she must admit that she did enjoy being the center of attention. In the past, she never imagined herself having such a desire.

Perhaps when she became a Phantom Thief, some hidden qualities awakened within her. It's too bad her personality mask didn't manifest.

Chiori shifted her gaze and replied mildly, "I see."

"What's the troupe like?" she continued.

"Just average."

"Does the troupe not hold a celebratory dinner? You're their hero who turned the tide, after all."

"Oh, there was one... but it ended in a terrible quarrel."

On the night of the performance, the entire troupe had gone to a famous restaurant for a banquet, celebrating their success.

At first, the atmosphere was quite lively, but ever since the playwright, Miss Judith, had said:

"Have we all just forgotten about Mary?"

The mood had turned icy.

Luna had no intention of easing the tension. She couldn't be bothered to care about the troupe's internal struggles. In the end, the gathering broke up in discord. Only Luna, contentedly full from the food, made her way home in good spirits.

Hearing this, Chiori nodded lightly.

"Eating well is indeed the most important thing."

"Right? Though I can understand where that girl was coming from too," Luna yawned.

The Serial Disappearance Case.

This was a crime that had been ongoing until now. The killer was unknown, the motive was unknown, the method was unknown, and the fate of the victims was unknown. But these girls had all disappeared long ago; it was likely they had all perished.

If the former lead actress, Mary Bestina, was also among them...

Luna pondered aloud, "Chiori, what do you think is the truth behind the consecutive disappearances of young girls?"

"Are you tired of being an actress and now want to be a detective? If you're asking me, all I can say is I don't know."

The best answer: I don't know.

"Just asking for your guess."

Chiori muttered, "Guess?" Then she rested her chin in her hand and pondered for a moment.

"Human experimentation."

"Kidney harvesting?" Luna asked.

"Incidentally, kidnappings often involve these kinds of associations, don't you know?" Chiori replied carelessly.

"Or maybe they just want to listen to her sing."

"That's still a disgusting pervert, though."

Chiori pulled open a drawer and handed Luna a piece of paper.

Luna leaned forward, took it, and saw that it had the address of a particular household written on it.

"What's this?"

Without turning her head, Chiori said mildly, "I thought you'd want to be a detective for a day, so I took the liberty of noting down the former lead actress's address for you."

"Do I look that invested in this?" Luna asked, feeling her face.

"Average. It's just that ever since I've known you, you've always been this curious... Hey, why don't you quit your job and join the security guards? You'd probably shine there."

A Phantom Thief becoming a security guard?

Isn't that like a weirdo becoming a magical girl or Serial Killer actually being a cop?

...Wait. That sounds pretty intriguing, doesn't it?

(TL Note: Bay Harbor Butcher be like)

Luna hesitated but ultimately dismissed the idea. Joining the security detachment could mean running into the captain of the Special Task Force, and spending too much time with Chevreuse might expose her true identity.

"Oh no, I don't think I'm right for that job," Luna said, smiling as she tucked the note back into her pocket. "But thank you for thinking of me for such opportunities."

Chiori's expression remained neutral, her tone as indifferent as ever. "If I catch wind of anything else like this, I'll let you design outfits for our next performance. Honestly, they're unbearable to watch right now."

She paused before adding with a confident smile, "However, if you entrust it to me, I'll make your performances truly captivating and gorgeous."

"...Well, well. But what about the cost of customizing these uniforms?"

"You can work on credit."

Luna pointed to her cheek. "Could I substitute with a hot and famous actress's kiss instead of payment?"

Chiori's pen froze mid-air as she stared expressionlessly at Luna.

"What do you think?"

"I think that would be fine."

"If you dare try that, I'll toss you right in front of the Steam Bird offices."

Hmm, not losing anything there? – But if she said that, Chiori would definitely throw her out, so Luna wisely kept silent and turned back to the address on the paper slip.

"Is there anything unremarkable you'd recommend?"

Chiori let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, you won't find clothes like that at my shop. If you want to disguise yourself, use this instead."

-

Soon, in front of Mary Bestina's house.

Luna took out a hand mirror and gazed at her reflection.

A beret, trench coat—she looked every inch the classic detective straight out of a story.

Luna sighed. Can't believe I have to dress like a detective, she thought. She perched sunglasses on her nose and mumbled, "Still, it's true this makes it hard to recognize me."

And so, her investigation began.

The girl's disappearance... Luna repeated the case in her mind. She peered around. No one in sight—perfect. Luna pulled out a lock-picking tool and skillfully worked on the door lock. She twisted the handle, ready to push open the door.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

Just then, a slightly familiar voice spoke up.

Luna turned around and was taken aback to find Navia standing there—the girl she'd met once before.

Why was she here?