"What do you think, Lulu?" Navia asked, leaning against the railing as they left Franglet Mansion.
Luna tossed the question back: "And what are you planning to do, Nana? Will you accept or refuse?"
"Hmm..." Navia pondered. "I'll accept. After all, they're offering a substantial sum. Since it's a rare opportunity for a major job, there's no reason to turn it down."
Luna chuckled. "So pragmatic!"
"Exactly! The Spina di Rosula's finances are stable and growing, but you can never have too much Mora. There are countless ways to spend it."
"Besides," Navia added, gently clasping Luna's fingers, "I want to catch Phantom Thief White Cat. I won't let anyone who dares to harm you get away with it!"
No amount of good deeds could ever atone for such a transgression.
"But the person who hurt Lulu is right here, isn't she?"
Luna chuckled softly. "Hurt? I'm perfectly fine, not even a scratch."
"It's not about whether you got hurt or not," Navia insisted. "I just want Lulu to stay healthy forever and live to be a hundred with me! That means we'll be together for life."
Luna sighed good-naturedly. "Nana, that's a heavy thing to say."
"Is it? I don't think so..."
She had originally wanted to add that they would never be apart, always happy and blissful forever. But Luna's comment made her realize it might be a bit too much.
A blush crept across Navia's cheeks as she playfully shook Luna's hand. "It's fine! It just shows how deep our bond is, hehe."
"Right, right. Now it's my turn to answer your earlier question."
Luna shared her theory with Navia.
Navia gasped. "You're saying this was all staged for a show?!"
"Exactly, Miss Watson. And I suspect that's precisely what the masterminds behind it wanted."
Navia's eyes widened in understanding. If this was indeed a planned "show," it would require a massive amount of funding. It made sense that the sponsors had given the Franglet couple so much money.
Of course, the couple had undoubtedly inflated their expenses to pocket some of the profits.
"But... what's the point of all this?"
Luna continued, "The point is to turn Phantom Thief White Cat into a 'star.'" She tilted her chin toward the Phantom Thief Culture Enthusiasts Club in the distance.
"I think you've noticed, Navia, that the recent buzz and popularity surrounding the Phantom Thief White Cat have far surpassed anything we've seen before."
"She now has countless 'fans.'"
"Yet she remains an unrepentant criminal. If her reputation continues to improve under these circumstances..."
Navia paused, then exclaimed, "Then the authority of the Court of Justice will be questioned and undermined!"
Luna clapped her hands. "Exactly!"
"Ever since the Vacher Incident, the Court of Justice's reputation has been in a precarious position."
"It was only thanks to Lady Furina's miraculous display of power in defeating the Phantom Thief that public scrutiny was temporarily diverted."
If Furina, as the Archon, had failed to subdue the Phantom Thief, Fontaine's laws and justice would have suffered a devastating blow.
Because justice without the power to uphold and enforce it breeds only unease.
But Furina succeeded—at least, that's what everyone believed.
The knowledge that the Archon possesses the divine authority to punish criminals is a powerful reassurance.
But Furina's true nature is not synonymous with the Court of Justice itself.
If the Phantom Thief White Cat were thrust onto the stage of this spectacle, becoming a performer the audience delights in watching, the consequences would be terrifying.
"The Phantom Thief would become an idol, a star. Even if the Court of Justice tried to completely suppress her, she would leave an indelible impression on countless Fontainians through this 'performance.'"
"Even their suppression would be futile. She would continue stealing treasures, continuing her career as a Phantom Thief."
"And wherever she appeared, all eyes would be drawn to her." Luna produced a Mora, flipping it to show the reverse side.
"The Phantom Thief White Cat walks the edge of a blade."
With a flick of her finger, she sent the coin spinning. It landed in her palm, face up.
"But someone wants to tip the blade—to tilt the balance and paint her as a hero. The good deeds she has done will become a sword, piercing the heart of the Court of Justice."
"The Phantom Thief White Cat has accomplished what the Court of Justice could not."
"And what the Phantom Thief White Cat cannot achieve, the Court of Justice has even less hope of accomplishing."
"Someone is trying to use her to disrupt the order of Fontaine."
Luna already knew what was coming.
Navia's face darkened. "Who would want to do this... and who could even pull it off?"
If Fontaine's laws and order were shattered, countless crimes would erupt. People wouldn't immediately turn to the Maison Gardiennage. Instead, they'd plead for the "Phantom Thief of Justice" to come to their aid.
Would Furina and Neuvillette stand idly by?
The answer was no. They would undoubtedly intervene, but even minor disruptions could cause lasting damage. Regaining lost trust would come at a heavy price.
"The answer lies within you, Nana. You know who's capable of this," Luna said, placing her hand over Navia's chest.
Navia pondered for a moment, then her eyes widened. "Could it be—?"
"Exactly. It's the remnants of Vacher's Organization, the fish that slipped through the Court of Justice's net."
Only the Court of Justice could truly defeat the Court of Justice. By muddying the waters and creating chaos, they would seize the perfect opportunity to slip away.
Navia pursed her lips. "Truly relentless."
"That's the nature of sin. Now that you know everything, do you still want to participate in this 'show'?"
Luna's hand slid upward, gently caressing Navia's cheek.
Navia instinctively placed her hand over Luna's, pressing Luna's palm more firmly against her face. Her eyes flickered with hesitation.
"Lulu..."
Luna chuckled softly. "Of course."
In the next moment, Navia embraced her. Her arms wrapped tightly around Luna's waist, pressing her chest against Luna's body. Their smooth skin clung together, and Luna's warm, sweet breath brushed against Navia's ear.
"Lulu always knows what I'm thinking."
Luna stroked Navia's hair. "And Nana always wants to be spoiled by me."
Navia pulled back slightly, but her arms remained around Luna's waist. "It's because I love Lulu. And you never reject my attempts to be spoiled or my need for you. You indulge me too much, so I can't help myself, you know?"
Navia's smile bloomed with a delicate blush, its warmth causing Luna to narrow her eyes slightly.
Navia really is beautiful.
"You don't need to hold back at all. You can do anything you want to me," Luna murmured, gently pressing her fingertip against Navia's lips. "Want to bite?" she whispered.
Navia's blush deepened. "N-no, no! If I bite, I'll definitely remember the taste of blood."
"What if I wanted you to bite me?"
"E-eh? That... well..."
Navia glanced around. Even though no one was nearby, she still felt too embarrassed to do it in public. "Let's wait until later," she whispered.
"Alright. I'll wait."
"...Lulu, you really don't have any strange fetishes?"
Luna looked surprised. "I should be asking you that, Nana! You're always holding my hand and hugging me. Are you sure your affection for me doesn't mean anything more?"
Could she actually be...?
"N-no! No hidden meanings!"
Probably not.
But Navia couldn't shake the feeling that she'd been acting this way all along, which didn't make her denial particularly convincing.
But Navia truly meant nothing more by it—it was pure, simple affection.
She nestled into Luna's embrace again, resting her head on her shoulder. "I'll participate in this plan and operation, but not to let the mastermind succeed."
"I'll do everything I can to make the Phantom Thief fail."
Even if the Phantom Thief White Cat saw through everything, Navia wouldn't stop.
Not for any grand purpose, but simply because she wanted to claim the treasure.
"If we can make the Phantom Thief fail, the show will suffer a 'performance accident,' right? That would surely disappoint a large portion of the audience..."
That was all she could do.
"Then I'll find a way to capture the mastermind and end this farce!" Navia declared firmly.
"I knew Nana would decide that," Luna replied.
"And you...?"
Luna leaned close to Navia's ear and kissed it softly. "Of course I'll support you, Nana. Don't worry. Just follow your heart."
Navia's face flushed crimson, the lingering sensation on her ear making her heart race uncomfortably.
"Mmm..." Navia buried her face in Luna's shoulder, her breath warming Luna's skin.
"By the way..." Navia said with difficulty, changing the subject. "This might sound strange, but sometimes I think the Phantom Thief is more upright than a lot of people."
Upright, proud, noble, elegant... every time she appeared, the moonlight seemed to shine brighter.
Luna barely suppressed a laugh. "If you told her that, she'd probably be delighted."
"Nah, I'll pass. Being upright is one thing, but being upright while stealing treasure just feels... weird." Navia sighed deeply, her breath brushing against Luna's skin.
Just as she was about to let go, Luna tightened her embrace. "Nana can hug me for as long as she wants."
"Okay, then... I won't hold back."
I wish we could stay like this forever, Navia thought.
...Am I going to fall apart without Lulu? The thought drifted into her mind unbidden.
The events that followed unfolded exactly as Luna had anticipated.
The Franglet Family publicly declared their intention to challenge the Phantom Thief White Cat to a duel of revenge, instantly becoming the top news story in Fontaine for days on end. Numerous prominent figures weighed in with their opinions and thoughts.
"What do you make of this challenge?"
"The Phantom Thief White Cat will crush them all! I've even got her lines ready. When the time comes, she'll just say, 'Meow meow meow meow...' After all, she's a cat, right?"
"Hahaha!"
The Phantom Thief White Cat had transformed from a feared criminal into a beloved idol.
"Once the Phantom Thief appears again, we should make a movie about her! I've already got the title: I Am a Cat. We'll unravel her past and how she became the Phantom Thief..."
"It'll be a smash hit!"
Countless people eagerly awaited the Phantom Thief's next move.
"Where's the Phantom Thief's announcement letter?"
"When will it arrive?"
"Phantom Thief White Cat, we long to see you! We admire you!"
It was like a grand festival prepared just for the Phantom Thief.
Magnificent and spectacular, the cheers and excitement of countless spectators formed the very stage itself. And where there's a stage, there must be a protagonist and a performance.
"Since everyone's expecting me, why not make this show even more dazzling?"
Luna donned her mask.
It was showtime.