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

Some time ago, Luna accepted Navia's invitation to visit Poisson by boat.

"Lulu."

Luna snapped out of her reverie. "Hmm?"

Navia crossed her arms, a concerned look on her face. "I caught you spacing out. What's wrong?"

"Daydreaming? Not exactly. I was just reminiscing about the past."

"It's been happening a lot lately. Memories just flood back without warning," Luna said, smoothing her hair.

Navia blinked. "Are you tired? I can clear your schedule for you. Why don't you get some rest?"

"Regrettably, I'm bursting with energy. Not a hint of fatigue," Luna replied.

She looped her arm through Navia's and leaned in with a mischievous smile. "But if Nana gave me a kiss, maybe I'd feel even more invigorated?"

A kiss? Navia swiftly glanced at Melus and Silver.

Melus gazed skyward. "What a lovely day..."

Silver adjusted his sunglasses. "Looks pretty gloomy to me."

Efficient subordinates always knew how to read the room.

Everyone within Spina di Rosula was well aware of their boss's relationship with the famous idol Luna, and most of Poisson had at least heard whispers of it.

So, by the time they reached Spina di Rosula headquarters, no one seemed surprised by their affectionate behavior.

Navia's cheeks flushed. "Not here! This isn't the time!" she mumbled.

Even if it was just a peck on the cheek or a squeeze of the hand, she wasn't comfortable with such public displays of affection.

"Ahem! Welcome to Spina di Rosula headquarters!" Navia said with a forced smile. "Though I believe this is the second time I've said it."

Luna had barely released Navia's hand when Navia pulled her away.

"But our destination isn't here! Come on, take a look at this!" Navia said, lacing her fingers together as she led Luna to a corner of Poisson.

Before them stood a mechanical device resembling an elevator.

"What's this?" Luna asked.

"A disaster prevention facility!" Navia replied with a cheerful smile. "Didn't you remind me about this recently, Lulu?"

Poisson's buildings were nestled into a sunken terrain, with a large pool in the center connecting to Fontaine's sea. During high tide, the town would transform into a "reservoir."

If the Primordial Sea were to contaminate the seawater, Poisson would be the second place to be hit, after the Fortress of Meropide. The resulting casualties would be catastrophic, and Navia herself, being Fontainian, could easily be swept away.

"When you mentioned Poisson might be affected, it echoed my own worries," Navia explained. "So I had these disaster prevention facilities built throughout the town and organized evacuation drills."

She sighed. "But who knows how effective they'll really be?"

She had considered urging everyone to evacuate preemptively, but many refused for various reasons. Ultimately, if the Day of Prophecy arrived and the sea rose completely, nowhere would be safe.

"The truth is, none of us truly understand the danger we're about to face," Navia murmured. "Even I'm still unsure what this so-called Prophecy really means."

"If we were born burdened by sin, does it truly require death to cleanse it?"

Navia turned to gaze at the panoramic view of Poisson. A shadow darkened her face. "I had a nightmare a few nights ago."

"A nightmare?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Everyone was dissolving into nothingness... including me."

Navia leaned against the railing, her voice barely audible. "I tried to break free, to escape, but the water slowly dissolved me bit by bit."

"Lulu, you reached out to me, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't grasp your hand. I simply vanished before your eyes."

Luna glanced back and noticed that Silver and Melus had disappeared unnoticed. Only then could Navia reveal this vulnerable side of herself.

As President of the Spina di Rosula, captaining this massive ship, she naturally had to conceal her doubts, worries, and sorrows deep within her heart. And as Navia the individual, she didn't want to burden others with her negative emotions.

"But it was just a nightmare!" Navia forced a smile.

Luna took Navia's hand. "Exactly. Just a nightmare."

Their palms pressed together, sharing warmth.

"See? You can hold my hand for as long as you want," Luna said.

With her other hand, Luna guided Navia's hand behind her back.

"If Nana still thinks this is all a dream, feel free to touch me as much as you like. Everything you feel will be the most powerful proof," Luna murmured softly.

Navia stared intently at Luna's face, so close she could touch it. She released Luna's hand and lifted her fingertips to Luna's cheek.

Pressing, kneading, scraping, sliding, caressing—she explored Luna's features with various motions, savoring every texture beneath her fingertips.

Gradually, Navia's expression softened.

"I'm not afraid of dying, of dissolving into the water," she whispered. "It's... it's the fear of never seeing Lulu again."

So that's it, Navia thought.

The words she'd blurted out reaffirmed a truth she'd long held.

"...Yeah, I really do love Lulu, more than anything," Navia confessed, her cheeks flushing as she smiled.

A faint blush rose on Luna's face. "You've said that countless times already."

"There's no such thing as too many times!"

Luna couldn't help but glance at Navia again. Though a shy blush lingered on her cheeks, Navia's smile was bright and genuine.

"What's with that look?" Navia asked, sensing Luna's suspicion that she might have some... special inclinations.

"When I was little, everyone was so kind to me," Navia continued. "But mostly, they pitied me because I only had my dad, and he was always too busy to spend time with me. They saw me all alone and felt sorry for me."

"I never thought of it that way," Luna replied. "Everyone was so nice to me, and I felt happy and content."

Navia twirled strands of Luna's hair around her fingers, occasionally giving them a gentle tug. "I just figured I wasn't good at expressing myself, causing misunderstandings. I never felt unhappy. So whenever people showed me genuine kindness, I would always say the same thing..."

Navia hugged Luna tightly. "Thank you for liking me! It makes me so happy!"

Luna gently stroked Navia's hair. "You don't say that anymore?"

"Ugh, it feels a little embarrassing now that I'm older... but it's okay with Lulu!"

Navia pressed a soft kiss to Luna's cheek, their eyes meeting. "Because we're the best partners!" she declared with a bright smile.

Sluuurp!

Huh? What was that sound?

Luna and Navia suddenly heard a strange noise and turned to look. Behind a tree trunk, two figures were peeking out. Silver's sunglasses had a faint glint as he failed to hide the slurp of the drink he was noisily sucking through a straw, the cup crinkling slightly in his hands. Melus, meanwhile, wore a wistful expression.

Navia froze for a moment, then quickly backed away from Luna.

"Wait, how long have you two been watching us?!" she demanded, her face flushed crimson.

"Not long," Melus replied, clearing his throat. "Just from when the Young Miss seemed reluctant to part with Miss Luna..."

That means they heard almost everything!

Navia crossed her arms, muttering unhappily, "Eavesdropping isn't right, Melus, Silver."

"Our apologies, Young Miss..."

The two men approached Navia and Luna.

"We intended to give you some space, Young Miss," Silver said, rubbing his nose. "But just after we returned to Poisson, we received a letter addressed to Miss Luna."

"And the atmosphere was... too awkward to interrupt," Melus added.

"What kind of atmosphere?" Navia grumbled.

"Well, you know... that sort of..."

"That sort of what?"

Silver struggled to articulate his thoughts.

Luna, however, smiled. "Like a couple?"

"Eek?!"

Why does Lulu always say things like that? Does she...?

Melus chimed in, "Like Mr. Callas and Miss Clementine."

"Ah..."

Navia fell silent for a moment, then asked curiously, "Is that how Father and Mother interacted?"

"No, Mr. Callas's expression didn't change much when he was with Miss Clementine either. But they trusted each other implicitly."

Different in form, but similar in spirit.

"I see..." Navia murmured softly.

Even after hearing Melus's explanation, she still couldn't quite grasp a clear image of her mother's true nature.

"Monsieur Melus, who do you think we resemble more—Mr. Callas or Miss Clementine?" Luna asked, her interest piqued.

Silver crossed his arms. "I think Miss Luna is more like Mr. Callas."

Melus pondered. "Perhaps the Young Miss resembles Mr. Callas more?"

"What? Isn't that backwards?"

"No, I was Mr. Callas's confidant..."

Navia sighed deeply.

"Enough of this!" she declared abruptly, cutting off the conversation.

She patted her chest. "I won't become like Father, nor will I become like Mother. If you think I resemble either of them, it's probably just because we share similar views on certain decisions."

But her actions would be drastically different.

Luna smiled faintly. "I thought Nana wanted to marry me."

"W-why are you bringing that up again so suddenly?" Navia stammered.

"After all, Nana loves me the most, right?" Luna teased.

Navia hemmed and hawed. "W-well, that's... um..."

This isn't working! Navia thought. The more I try to explain, the more it sounds like I'm making excuses! She hastily changed the subject.

"The letter? You said there was a letter for Lulu?"

"Oh, right! Here it is." Melus produced an envelope and handed it to Luna. He'd almost forgotten about it.

Luna opened it and read.

"Who sent it?" Navia asked.

"...The Chief Justice."

Navia gasped. "Neuvillette? What does he want with you?"

Luna passed her the letter. Navia glanced at it.

"Furina needs you to confront The Knave. She's scheduled to meet with The Knave again soon, but there's been trouble at the Fortress of Meropide, and I must handle it personally. In my assessment, you're the only one currently capable of assisting Furina. I hope you'll accept this request. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated."

"Something's wrong at the Fortress of Meropide?" Navia asked, her face etched with worry.

"The Fortress of Meropide... Clorinde said the 'Duke' hired her to help. Could it be..."

"Clorinde will be fine," Luna assured her.

"I know, she's incredibly strong. But you're from the House of the Hearth, aren't you?" Navia couldn't help but wonder if Luna siding with Furina against her "Father" would be considered betrayal.

Luna remained silent for a long moment.

"Maybe—"

Maybe I should go in her place? Navia thought, though she had no idea how to handle such a situation.

"No need," Luna said softly. "I'll go."

"Then... which side are you planning to take?" Navia couldn't help but ask. "Arlecchino or Furina?"