In the early morning, Chevreuse slowly opened her eyes.
She reached out to the spot beside her, feeling only a lingering warmth. The pillow still held a faint, sweet scent, but the person herself was nowhere to be found.
She pulled the blanket up, covering her snow-white skin.
Although they hadn't done anything intimate last night, Chevreuse had given in to Luna's repeated requests. She had changed out of her clothes and spent the night simply holding Luna in her arms.
She touched the bandages on her side; the medicine had been changed at some point without her noticing.
Chevreuse scanned the room.
"Luna?"
No response.
Her presence wasn't here either. Did she go back?
Luna couldn't stay here forever. That little thief cat had stolen more than just her heart.
Silently, Chevreuse put on her eyepatch, then her undergarments and clothes, and pulled open the curtains.
The cool morning breeze brushed against her face as she exhaled. It was time for her morning training, but with her abdominal injury, she could only manage some basic exercises.
Still, I have to drill the squad...
"Captain."
A knock sounded at the door.
"What is it?"
"There's an urgent incident!"
Chevreuse frowned. "What kind of case?"
Kidnapping? Smuggling? Or an assault?
Outside the door, Turenna stammered, "Uh, how should I put this... It's better if you just come and see for yourself!"
Chevreuse put on her uniform, donned her hat, and led her squad to the scene.
The Maison Gardiennage had already cordoned off the area. Beyond the perimeter lay a scene of utter ruin.
Several people, already unconscious, were hanging from lampposts.
"Last night, an unknown assailant broke into this place, burned it to the ground, and strung these men up on the lampposts. We also found dozens more buried in the earth with only their heads exposed..." a bald Maison Gardiennage officer reported, rubbing his head.
"There was also a large chest filled with gold, silver, and other treasures, along with evidence of their crimes. They're the suspected criminal organization the Marechaussee Phantoms have been investigating."
Chevreuse's expression grew thoughtful. "I see... Did the assailant leave anything behind?"
"Nothing. It's like they were a phantom."
Hearing that, Chevreuse had a good idea who was responsible.
Arlecchino wouldn't have left them alive. It must have been her "daughter."
-
At noon, Chevreuse prepared her lunch while reading the latest newspaper.
[Phantom Thief White Cat Attacks the Court of Judgement—An Incomprehensible Being]
[Yesterday, the Phantom Thief White Cat attacked the Court of Judgement and injured the Captain of the Special Task Force.]
[The public trial held yesterday concerned the "suspicion of collusion between the Captain of the Special Task Force and the Phantom Thief White Cat." The accusation was brought by the 79-year-old Hawk. Captain Chevreuse, the accused, had invited Miss Luna to serve as her stand-in defense attorney...]
[According to the post-incident investigation, Hawk was likely coerced into leveling these baseless accusations against Captain Chevreuse, risking charges of false accusation himself. The objective was to sow seeds of doubt...]
[Through a joint operation by the Marechaussee Phantoms and the Court of Justice, the organization behind Hawk has been identified. Over a dozen suspects have been arrested and are awaiting further interrogation and trial.]
["Captain Chevreuse is our most outstanding Captain of the Special Task Force. With her on the case, even the Phantom Thief White Cat is no cause for concern. Evil can never triumph over justice."]
[The Court of Justice issued a statement.]
["The safety of Fontaine depends on the unwavering dedication of every individual. Captain Chevreuse's efforts are plain for all to see."]
[The Marechaussee Phantoms also declared.]
[Why did the Phantom Thief White Cat attack the Court of Judgement?]
[Was it out of dissatisfaction? Or is it simply her nature to revel in malicious acts?]
[Even the 5-star criminal expert, Mr. Mike, commented:]
["Incomprehensible. I simply cannot fathom what she's trying to achieve."]
["But that's precisely what makes her so terrifying."]
["What are her thoughts and attitudes toward the masses? Perhaps she's like a cat—offering a reward when pleased, and clawing at the furniture when bored..."]
-
This way, no one would suspect her relationship with Luna anymore. The newly appointed officials of the Court of Justice would also learn that she was someone not to be trifled with.
But her arrangement with Luna was always just a transaction, not a partnership, Chevreuse thought. I haven't given up on catching her; I'll just draw a clear line, as I said before.
She wouldn't arrest Luna when she wasn't wearing The Mask.
Thinking about it, Chevreuse found their relationship truly awkward.
They were rivals, yet they had kissed and done those things. They understood each other's feelings and were willing to go to great lengths to maintain this connection.
What should such a relationship even be called?
"Captain, you have a visitor," Turenna suddenly said with a cheerful smile.
"A visitor?"
"Yes, right at the main gate."
Chevreuse had a feeling. There was probably only one person who would do something like this...
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the cafeteria, she saw the blonde girl standing at the main gate in the distance. She held a large bento box in one hand and a pocket watch in the other.
Chevreuse sighed. Why be so brazen?
"Isn't that Miss Luna over there?"
"Wow! It really is! What's she here for?"
"Looks like she's here to see the Captain..."
Under the amused gazes of her subordinates, Chevreuse reluctantly walked up to Luna.
Outsiders weren't allowed inside the Special Task Force Headquarters and had to wait at the main gate.
"What do you want?" Chevreuse asked, but her eyes conveyed a different question: Where did you go?
"Miss Chevreuse, I heard you were injured. As a friend, it's only right that I come to check on you," Luna said with a bright smile that only irritated Chevreuse further. "I made you breakfast. You have a healthy appetite, so I'm sure you can finish it all."
As Chevreuse took the bento box, she lowered her voice. "What did you do last night?"
"Just made some trivial preparations for Miss Captain's day off."
"Those ruins... they were your masterpiece."
Luna smiled openly. "Beautiful, weren't they? The feeling of burning all that filth to ash... Perhaps I have a Pyro Vision precisely because of my fondness for setting fires."
She did indeed love "setting fires."
But she never liked "putting them out." Her personality was truly wicked.
"...Thank you," Chevreuse murmured, lifting the bento slightly.
Her gratitude was twofold: for the breakfast, and for Luna's eradication of the criminal organization. This act of "killing a chicken to scare the monkeys" ensured that no major cases would arise while she recovered.
"It's no trouble, really. Remember to take it back to your room and enjoy it slowly," Luna said, slipping on her sunglasses before waving goodbye and walking away.
Enjoy it in my room... Chevreuse understood perfectly.
Sure enough, when she returned to her bedroom, Luna had sprouted on her bed. She was lounging lazily on her side, reminding Chevreuse of an illustration she'd recently seen in a picture book—a Cheshire Cat perched on a tree branch.
Though Luna would never grin that widely.
"Welcome back, Miss Captain. Did you miss me after not seeing me all morning?" Luna smiled.
"You went back?"
"Mm-hm. I couldn't very well cook for you in the Special Task Force's cafeteria, could I? I heard your food there is terrible, and that simply won't do. The injured must eat well."
Chevreuse placed the bento box on the table and opened it. The meal was indeed lavish and nutritious.
Luna hopped off the bed, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned in close. "Want me to feed you?" she asked with a sly grin.
"I can eat by myself."
"Oh my, I didn't realize Miss Captain was the type to turn cold after just one night. In that case, let me rephrase: I am going to feed you."
Chevreuse sighed. She couldn't refuse Luna's demands.
It was part of their deal.
"Open up. Ahhh," Luna said, scooping up a spoonful of rice.
"...Ahhh."
Chevreuse opened her mouth.
"Stick out your tongue."
"...Tsk."
Despite the click of her tongue, Chevreuse obediently complied, extending her pink tongue while shooting Luna a glare.
Luna stroked Chevreuse's head, cooing, "Good girl, Miss Captain," as she placed the spoonful of rice in her mouth.
If she could go back in time, Chevreuse would definitely revise the terms of their deal. At the very least, she wouldn't have to do whatever Luna said.
"There's soup, too. Want some?"
"...Yes."
Chevreuse braced herself, fully expecting Luna to feed her the soup mouth-to-mouth. But all she received was a small bowl.
"Here, drink up."
Luna's gaze was gentle.
"...Aren't you going to do anything?"
"Do you want me to?"
Chevreuse didn't answer.
"Even if you did, I wouldn't," Luna said, settling onto Chevreuse's lap and scooping up another spoonful of rice. "I just want to see Miss Captain regain her strength. I have no such worldly desires."
No desires? Chevreuse didn't believe a word of it. Yet, a flicker of disappointment welled up inside her, followed by a belated wave of annoyance.
My mind and body have become like this without me even realizing it.
If Luna truly had no desires, Chevreuse would worry she'd lost interest.
...This "adaptation" is truly terrifying, Chevreuse thought as she opened her mouth and closed it around the spoon.
"Oh, by the way," Luna said, "our troupe is putting on a play soon."
"I'll be sure to watch."
Luna wagged a finger. "No, no, no. I want you to be in it."
"You want me to act? I'm afraid I know nothing about it," Chevreuse refused.
"I want you to act."
"..."
Chevreuse took a deep breath.
This woman... She let out another long sigh.
"At least give me a reason."
"I want to make memories with you, Chevreuse. Isn't that reason enough? Don't worry—if you agree, I'll do anything you ask."
Chevreuse raised her eyes. "Even turn yourself in?"
"Not that."
"Then it's not 'anything,' is it?"
Luna lifted Chevreuse's chin, her voice softening. "Come on stage with me just once, won't you? Please?"
Now she's wheedling. Chevreuse slowly averted her gaze.
"...Fine. I'll see if I have time later."
"I'll make sure you have time."
Luna smirked.
If I steal the Special Task Force's work, won't Chevreuse finally have some free time?
There's nothing a Phantom Thief can't steal!