What is Furina doing? Is she just playing around?
"Woman, do you have any idea how late you are?"
"Late?" Luna smiled. "How long?"
They hadn't set a specific time for her return, so how could she possibly be late?
But it would be fun to play along. Since Furina wanted to play, Luna would naturally indulge her to the very end.
"One minute and thirty-four seconds! Do you know your crime for making me wait so long?" Furina huffed.
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"Eh? Ah, well... I... Let me think!"
In the novel Furina had just been reading, the heroine was as meek as could be. When questioned like that, she would become flustered, her gaze would wander, and she'd be completely at the mercy of others.
Who would be as bold and fearless as Luna?
But Furina couldn't lose the battle of wills!
She cleared her throat. "Sit down. I'll make you see the error of your ways, woman!"
"Must you keep calling me 'woman'? Don't you want to use my name anymore? If that's the case, I won't call you Furina or Fufu either." Luna feigned displeasure.
"No!—Er, wait!"
That cunning Luna is setting her traps again.
I absolutely cannot fall for it!
Could Luna have already seen through my intentions?
Is she starting to compete with me on the same stage?
It's highly likely, Furina thought. In that case, I can't afford to lose the upper hand.
"Sit down first. That's an order."
"Alright, alright." Luna casually agreed and sat down to the side.
Now's my chance! Furina flipped over, sat on Luna's lap, and slammed her hand against the sofa back above Luna's shoulder.
This was the legendary kabedon.
Then, she raised her lips into a smirk—three parts playful, three parts indifferent, and four parts intrigued.
"From this day forward, you are my servant... my maid!"
Luna smiled back. "And what if I refuse?"
"Refusal is not an option. You are forbidden to defy my orders."
"Even if I stop calling you Furina?"
No, not that!
Furina hesitated for a few seconds before gritting her teeth. "It doesn't matter if you don't. After all, you'll be calling me 'Master' instead of—"
Before she could finish, Luna took Furina's hand, cupped it, and pressed it against her own cheek. She gently bit Furina's wrist, a warm, moist sensation tracing the lines of her skin.
"Then, my dear Master, what are your orders?"
Furina's cheeks burned.
Why aren't you following the script?!
Aren't you supposed to keep refusing so I can cackle maniacally and make further demands?
Still... "Master"... That title does sound quite pleasant!
Furina's heart fluttered. "Let me use your lap as a pillow."
"Please do."
Resting her head on Luna's lap, Furina felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
"How does it feel, my dear Master?"
"Mmm, nice..."
I'm getting sleepy.
Luna lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and smiled. "If the light is too bright, I can provide some shade for you. If you'd like this service, that will be one hundred million Mora, please."
"Don't use this as an excuse to extort money! If it's too bright, just close the curtains! What kind of maid are you?!" Furina couldn't help but leap up and retort.
"The world's number one Phantom Thief Maid."
That does sound impressive...
No, no, I almost let Luna lead me astray again!
Furina quickly snapped back to her senses. This is dangerous. Luna can completely seize control of the conversation and its rhythm with just a few words.
Ahem!
Furina's expression turned serious again. "Woman, you've crossed the line. The only answers you're allowed to give me are 'Yes' and 'Very well.'"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Very well."
Furina: "..."
"Yes."
Furina couldn't hold back any longer. "Stop repeating yourself!"
"Very well."
"Stop it!"
"Yes."
"Ugh, I told you to stop!"
"Very well."
-
I can't take it anymore.
Furina braced herself with both hands on the floor, utterly exhausted.
No matter how she treated Luna, the maid always countered with an even more subtle attitude and clever retort.
She's simply unbeatable.
But giving up now would mean it was all over. She'd never regain the upper hand. She'd be forever pinned down by Luna... I have to show her who's boss.
Furina rallied her spirits!
My presence must not be imposing enough.
"Woman, look here."
Furina crossed her legs, striving for an air of authority. She lifted her toes, gesturing pointedly.
That's right. It's time for her to take off my shoes.
Luna looked thoughtful for a moment, then her eyes lit up with understanding.
"I see now."
Mhm, mhm.
As expected of us, we're perfectly in sync! Furina nodded to herself.
Luna knelt, cradled Furina's calf, and then—pressed down hard!
"WAAAH!?!?"
The shriek startled Luna. She had only pressed a pressure point—why was Furina screaming like that?
Could it be...
A smile touched Luna's lips as she pressed down again.
"Eek! Don't—don't press there! It hurts so much!"
Tears welled in the corners of Furina's eyes.
"It seems my Lady Master's circulation is a bit sluggish."
"What circulation... Stop pressing, stop pressing!"
Luna smiled sweetly. "The fact that it hurts means your circulation is stagnant here. If left untreated, you might fall ill. You must have overworked yourself after establishing the Troupe."
I'm pretty sure you're the one causing this! Furina thought.
But she lacked the strength even to voice the thought. The pain forced her to shut her eyes, rendering her speechless. Her other leg, which had instinctively kicked out at Luna, was caught.
Then, her foot felt suddenly light. Her shoe had been removed.
"Let's see the sole of your foot..."
A press.
Pain shot up from the sole of her foot, making Furina shudder violently as tears streamed down her face. "No, stop! I was wrong! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have been so arrogant!"
"Oh, I don't mind that. I'm more concerned about your health, Furina."
A soft touch pressed against the top of her foot.
"Why are you kissing it...?"
Furina momentarily forgot the pain, her face flushing bright red.
"It represents my wholehearted devotion to my adorable Lady Master. So please rest assured, I will make you perfectly healthy."
Then she pressed forcefully on the pressure point.
"SAVE ME—!!!"
Luna beamed, her expression a mix of genuine concern for Furina's health and undisguised delight at seeing her so pitifully flustered.
"And stop leaving bite marks on my leg!" Furina cried out again.
"Then..."
"Lipstick marks are off-limits too!"
Luna pouted. "How boring."
She had been hoping to leave her mark all over Furina's body.
Oh well. She supposed she'd have to settle for continuing the massage.
Furina, meanwhile, had given up resisting. After a while, she lay limp, hugging a sofa cushion with vacant eyes, staring silently at the ceiling.
"There, my Lady Master. Your legs should feel much lighter now. As repayment, please allow me to indulge just a little..."
"Stop being so obsessed with my feet!" Furina snapped back to her senses, her voice urgent.
No, I can't let this slide!
If Furina was being defiant, Luna was even more so. This called for a decisive strike.
She couldn't admit defeat. She had to punish Luna!