Girl's Talk
Arlecchino spots the twins on the way back home. Hesitant, she tried to get their attention. Lumine noticed Arlecchino waving, indicating that she wanted to talk. Lumine grabs Aether to her to say hi.
"Hey~ How are you?" asked Lumine.
Arle shyly smiled away. With her mind full of thought of Furina, she almost couldn't keep eye contact with the twins. But she shook her head off and invited them over if they weren't busy. The two agreed as they have nothing to do anyway.
Back at the house of the hearth, Arle prepared some snacks for troubling the two.
"So, what's with the sudden invite?" asked Aether.
"Well," Arle started. "My children are suspecting me of something. I overheard them earlier about a feeling I could be feeling towards someone. I am not really sure what they meant by that. When I saw the two of you, I immediately thought that you could be of some help."
Lumine raised her eyebrows. "Feeling something towards someone?" Lumine gasped, making Arlecchino raise her eyebrow. "Ahahaha! Aether should definitely NOT be here, y'know? This is girl's talk." Lumine emphasized.
"What is there that I shouldn't hear?" asked Aether.
"Girl's. talk." said Lumine once again. Dominating her brother.
"Okay! Okay! I'll just — go...and find... someone else to... talk to...?" sighed Aether.
Aether leaves the house and decided he wanted to stroll around.
Lumine closes the door and cleared her throat and sat down across Alrecchino.
"Ehem. So, who is this someone that you speak of?" asked Lumine.
"Are you implying that you have the same thought as my children?" asked Arle back.
Lumine gave a cold gaze. "Okay, let's put it this way: who has been in your mind recently?" asked Lumine again.
Arlecchino replied with no hesitation at all. "Furina."
Lumine froze. Surprised, her mouth was wide open. Arlecchino looked at her confused. Then, Lumine wakes up from reality.
"Well— huh. That was unexpected..." Lumine comments.
"What's wrong?" asked Arlecchino.
"B-but isn't Furina— wait, have you two reconciled?"
Arlecchino nods. "Ohhh" is all that came out of Lumine's lips.
"Since when? How come I don't know about this?"
"Does it matter if you know or not? Anyway, we have been good friends for quite some time now. I have been visiting her this past few months for an afternoon tea or just stroll around the city. Lately, I've been distracted by the thought of her. I think I'm just being a good friend, worried about her condition and all. That's what friends are for, no?" explained Arle.
Lumine then realized. She smirks then chuckles.
"Oh, Arlecchino~ Don't you know what being in love is?" exclaimed Lumine.
"In love? What do you mean?" asked Arle.
Lumine groaned. "Seriously? You don't know? Lyney must've already come up with the same hypothesis as mine. When you think of Furina, what do you feel? What are you thinking about her?"
Arlecchino thinks for a second. She has been thinking about Furina way too much. Her looks, her personality, and her love for sweets. Her heart starts to pound just by hearing that name. A glance of her for the day is already enough to complete her whole afternoon. When she saw Furina with Neuvillette, her heart sank and brought her mood down. An unmotivating feeling she doesn't like. She thinks of how Furina would react to every pastry and tea that she brings over. Her smile is contagious that even the unfeeling Arlecchino would smile back unconsciously. She thinks of how Furina would thank her for taking care of her.
"Okay, okay, okay— Yep. You are indeed in love. No doubt."said Lumine.
"I want Furina to notice my actions towards her. She focuses too much on Neuvillette. I would like to travel with Furina as well. I like the taste of her pastries and her choice of tea. If I really am in love, as you say, what should I do for her to accept that feeling? And what should I do if she rejects me?"
"First off, you're jealous of Monsieur Neuvillette. That's how I can confirm that you are in love with Furina. Second, you must serenade her. Bring her maybe her favorite flower or favorite thing. Maybe bring her a cake that shows your feelings for her. And third, don't overthink the scenario where she rejects you. If you want her to accept you, dispose the negative thoughts. It won't do good. How about you invite her tomorrow for lunch and confess?" explained Lumine.
"Already? Isn't it too early for that?" asked Arle.
"Well, how long have you been feeling this way towards Furina?" asked Lumine.
"...Since the time she was trying to avoid my apology cakes. She was hard to get," replied Arle.
"...Tall about chemistry," Lumine thought.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Arlecchino stood up to see who it was. Lumine followed curiously. There at front was Freminet with his eyebrows almost narrow. "Freminet? Where's the two?" asked Arlecchino.
"They left without me. I came back to check on something," replied Freminet. Then he rushed to his room and a lot clanging and thuds were heard.
"Freminet, are you alright there?" asked Arlecchino from the living room.
"Yes, Father!" replied Freminet.
Then another knock was heard. Lumine opened it while Arlecchino walked over from Freminet's room. There stood Furina— wait, Furina?
Arlecchino unaware of the sudden visitor slurred her words. "H-hey. Furina. What—"
Lumine saw through Arlecchino. Her cheeks were turning pinkish red but not that vibrant. So she talked in Alrecchino's stead.
"Furina, what brings you here?" she started.
"Ah, well. Hello, Lumine. Hello to you too, Knave. Aether just passed me actually, if you're going to look for him." greeted Furina.
Finally getting her composure, Arlecchino returned to her calm mood. "What brings you here, Miss Furina?" asked Arlecchino.
Furina took out a familiar item, catching Arlecchino's attention.
"This is Pers, right? It's Freminet's? I saw it by the Café earlier and no one was taking it. I assumed it accidentally got forgotten by his owner—" stated Furina.
"Oh, why, thank you, Miss Furina. I'll tell Freminet right away." Arle takes Pers and seemed to be holding something back.
Lumine gave her a glare to which Arle responded to. "Miss Furina,"
Furina hummed in response.
"Are you free tomorrow for lunch?" asked Arlecchino.
Confused, Furina tilted her head to think. "Yes, I am. Why?"
"I would like to invite you for lunch. Tomorrow." invited Arle.
Furina's ahoge stood up. Her cheeks blushed for a second. "Sure! No problem!"
"I'll pick you up by your place at say 11:30 AM?" asked Arlecchino.
Furina nodded with a grin and said her farewell. Arlecchino's cheeks started to turn red, holding on to Pers.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to see this side of you but uh— that was a success I guess. Be sure to keep your composure tomorrow!" exclaimed Lumine.
"What should we talk about once we're at the restaurant?" groaned Arle. She went back to the living room and sat down then called Freminet.
"You left Pers at the café, Freminet. Be sure to thank miss Furina, alright?" said Arle.
"O-oh! Yes, of course. Thank you, Father!" exclaimed Freminet and hugged Pers tight.