《Phantom!》


 Missing

    ¡°Heey! Yuno! Wake up!¡±


    I hear my older sister, Yuko, yell my name.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for school! You¡¯re going to be late!¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°I¡¯m up, I¡¯m up...Geez.¡± (Yuno)


    I get up, go to the bathroom to take a shower and then throw on my clothes, on my still slightly wet body.


    ¡°Are you having breakfast or no?¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Don¡¯t need it. Bye idiot.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You punk, say that again and I¡¯ll kick you out of the house!¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Sure, sure. Later.¡± (Yuno)


    Despite how I talk to her sometimes, my sister and I get along, and though our names our similar, we aren¡¯t twins or close in age. We¡¯re 4 years apart. Our parents weren¡¯t the most creative two people (hence our names), which means they were perfect for each other. The only person our parents were slightly creative with was our older brother, Kosuke, or Ko, who is a year older than my sister, who is 24 years old. By the way, he went missing two years ago.


    ¡°Heeey! Yuno! Wait for me!¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Tch. Hey.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Did I just hear you click your tongue? Surely my precious Yuno didn¡¯t reject me. Oh! Woe is me.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    Akechi Akio. My best friend since elementary school. Though he can be a little strange at times (and clingy), he¡¯s a great guy. Though I wish he¡¯d be less annoying sometimes.


    ¡°So did you get it?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Straight to the point aren¡¯t we? Yes, I do have it.¡± (Akio)


    Aki hands me a movie titled ¡®Triple Jeopardy 3¡¯, a movie that even though I¡¯ve already seen, I want to see again, for the 6th time. It¡¯s way better than the first two prequels. The franchise is doing quite well for itself, considering it has 7 movies out.


    ¡°Hah. You¡¯ve done well servant.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I have a feeling you¡¯re only friends with me for things like this.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Aki...I can¡¯t believe you got that on the first try. Good job.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Yo¨C¡± (Akio)


    ¡°GUYYS! *pant* *pant* GUUYS! GUYYS! GU¨C¡± (???)


    ¡°I CAN FUCKING HEAR YOU, YOU¡¯RE ONLY TWO FEET AWAY!¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ahahaha! Sorry about that.¡± (???)


    Probably the person who will one day give me a heart attack, which will lead to my death, Furuya Kaho. Aki and I met her in middle school and since then, she has gradually inserted herself into our lives.


    ¡°So do you guys wanna come to my house after school and watch Triple Jeopardy 3? It¡¯s really good.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Yuno, we¡¯ve watched it a thousand times, and so have you. Won¡¯t you ever get tired of it?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I¡¯ve been kind of wondering that as well¡­¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve only seen it six times. If I had seen it a thousand times, then I¡¯d be tired of it. Let¡¯s all work towards that time.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I¡¯d have to say no anyway. I have a date after school.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Me as well. Oh, I don¡¯t have a date or anything, but I¡¯m working later today.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°A date and work... Alright, fine. I¡¯ll just watch it by myself. Alone. In my room.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Sorry, maybe next time. Actually, next time I still won¡¯t want to watch it.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Fine. Next time. Next time. And I¡¯ll get the sequel too.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°You sure know what turns me on.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°...¡± (Akio)


    <hr>


    May 5th After school 3: 35


    ¡°Hey. Kimura.¡± (Shirasaki)


    Ah. Class President Shirasaki Mei. The one that always has a problem with me.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Greetings Prez. What can I do for you today?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You haven¡¯t turned in Monday¡¯s homework. In case you haven¡¯t noticed, it¡¯s already Wednesday.¡± (Shirasaki)


    ¡°Ah. Sorry about that, I forgot.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Can I have it? I don¡¯t have all day.¡± (Shirasaki)


    ¡°Oh. I mean I forgot to do it.¡± (Yuno)


    Of course, I¡¯m joking. I¡¯m only trying to be funny. Unfortunately, I actually care about my grades and would never do something like that. Oh, I mean fortunately.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you! Don¡¯t you care about your parents, who paid your tuition? Honestly, this is why I hate guys like you...¡± (Shirasaki)


    Some of the other kids have started to look our way...


    ¡°Um. I¡¯m only kidding. Here it is. Sorry.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ah. Oh. Y-you shouldn¡¯t have done that. Um. Sorry.¡± (Shirasaki)


    With her face red with embarrassment, she leaves, while I snicker quietly to myself. Yes, I am, in fact, an asshole. And the worst kind too.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t do that. She¡¯ll probably come back and make your life harder.¡± (Akio)


    Akio turns around and starts talking to me.


    ¡°Like she doesn¡¯t already do that. Yesterday she told me a teacher was asking for me in the faculty room, but guess what, no one was asking for me.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°What¡¯s with that clich¨¦ form of bullying. Is she an elementary schooler?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Honestly, if she was, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Hgaahh!¡± (Akio)


    ¡°When did you get here?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Just now. We can go home together, just up until Hane-ko.¡± (Kaho)


    Hane-ko is the flower store that Kaho works at. There¡¯re many stores, offices and restaurants in that area and people in Tokyo tend to go to that area often.


    ¡°That works out. I¡¯m meeting up with my girlfriend at a cake shop near there.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°You said date, I didn¡¯t expect it had gone that far¡­¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Are you jealous? Do you want me to be your boyfriend too?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna tell your girlfriend that you¡¯re cheating on her.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°H-hey, I was just kidding. And she¡¯s not my girlfriend. Not yet anyway.¡± (Akio)


    <hr>


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re at Hane-ko. This is where we part.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°See you guys later. I can¡¯t be late.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Later.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go be alone now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I said I¡¯d pay you back.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I know. Later.¡± (Yuno)


    After checking out some movie stores for about 3 hours, then grabbing something to eat, I start heading home.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± (???)


    I walk faster without turning my head. At 6:45pm, any person whose voice I don¡¯t recognize is a suspicious person.


    ¡°Hey! Excuse me!¡± (???)


    ...But then again, he (judging by his voice) might just be looking for directions or he might be an acquaintance who I forgot about.


    ¡°Excuse m-¡± (???)


    ¡°What?!¡± (Yuno)


    The man, who looks in his twenties, runs up to me, wheezing and begins to speak.


    ¡°Are you Yuno, Ko¡¯s younger brother?¡± (Man)


    ¡°....¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°And you are?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m Tamashiro Kei, Ko¡¯s best friend. Ko sent me to find you.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°...My brother?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°So, you say my brother sent you to find me, but are you aware that he¡¯s missing?¡± (Yuno)


    We were now sitting in cafe, and even though I¡¯d already eaten an hour before, I was eating cake.


    ¡°...I am. He told me to find you right before he went missing.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Which was two years ago. What the hell have you been doing?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Although he went missing two years ago, I¡¯ve known where he was and lived with him up until a month ago, when he went missing for real.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°He wanted you and your family, and I guess, everyone else to think he was missing but in truth, he was fine all this time. Well, that is, up until last month.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Why would he want us to think he was missing? It¡¯s not like he¡¯s doing something shady, is it?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°W-well... If you count thievery as something shady, then yes?¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Wait. Wait. Wait. My brother is a thief?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Not just any thief. A phantom thief.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Is there a difference?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Of course there¡¯s a difference! Phantom thieves... are way cooler?¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°So there isn¡¯t a real difference?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, phantom thieves make your heart flutter right? And the public usually sides with them.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°How would I know? Do I look like a thief, sorry, phantom thief to you?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°...¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°What?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Actually¡­¡± (Tamashiro)


    I don¡¯t like the look on his face. Something tells me I¡¯m not gonna like whatever he¡¯s about to say.


    ¡°Actually this brings me to what your brother wanted me to tell you, or rather ask you.¡± (Tamashiro)


    I have a bad feeling about this. I mean other than ¡°I want you to find your brother¡± there¡¯s one more thing he could ask, that I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d be okay with.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you follow in your brother¡¯s footsteps?¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Oh, you mean be a thief? I don¡¯t think so. Actually, I think it¡¯s about time I leave.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°W-wait! Hear me out. There¡¯s a reason your brother was doing this.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    I¡¯m slightly curious¡­ Maybe I should let him talk. I mean, I don¡¯t have to agree anyway.


    ¡°Fine. You have five minutes to talk. I need to get home soon. Start now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡° The one who caused your parents to go missing, their kidnapper is the one who made your brother do this.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°...What? Explain.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Seven years ago, your parents went missing. They were kidnapped by a man known as Ace.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°Who?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ace. He confronted your brother two years ago, wearing a mask and gave him a locket with a note inside of it.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°What does that have to do with anything?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°On the note was a clue leading to a necklace with a gem in it called Red Moon, which included another clue which led to another item.¡± (Tamashiro)


    I already am not enjoying this.


    ¡° This went on for years and your brother told me that all those clues lead to where your parents are.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°...And he had to steal each item, as they were important artifacts.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°I thought my parents were dead. That¡¯s what Ko and Yuko told me...Wait, does my sister know about all this?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I don¡¯t think Ko told her, and at the time, they both thought your parents were dead.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°This is all¡­ crazy.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I know it is. I don¡¯t expect you to say answer my question earlier right away.¡± (Tamashiro)


    Do I really have a choice? I mean if I have a chance to get back my family, shouldn¡¯t I take that chance?


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°D-do you understand what you¡¯re saying? It¡¯s totally dangerous you know?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Shiro...Can I call you Shiro? Well, I¡¯ll do it anyway. I need to find my brother and my parents. I can¡¯t just leave them there, and even if I tell the police, it¡¯s not like they¡¯ll believe me anyway. After all, neither you, nor I witnessed them being kidnapped.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Do you really get what this means? You could get kidnapped like your brother, or¡­ die.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°I¡¯m not an idiot. Of course I know that. I have to do it though. For Yuko. The night Ko was declared missing, she cried herself to sleep. They were like best friends, honestly.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°....Also, if you came here asking for this, just for me to say no¡­ wouldn¡¯t that be troublesome? You can¡¯t expect me to believe you¡¯d take no for an answer. Though your behaviour is contradictory.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I-I see¡­ If you want to, I guess it¡¯s fine and you¡¯re right, I probably won¡¯t have left if you had said no, I was just a little startled when you said yes right away.¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°...But calling me whatever you want is a little¡­ I¡¯m older than you, y¡¯know?¡± (Tamashiro)


    ¡°I don¡¯t like the way Tamashiro sounds though, and I don¡¯t like honorifics either. That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to keep calling you Shiro.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Saying you don¡¯t like the way my name sounds... It seems you¡¯re going to be a handful.¡± (Shiro)

 Clue

    Before I left the cafe yesterday, Shiro and I exchanged numbers, so we can call each other. We ended up talking about other stuff for a while before I finally went home.


    I left my room and went downstairs, as it¡¯s almost time for school.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re out late, but at least call or text and tell me that you¡¯re going to be late. I hope you¡¯re not running around causing trouble.¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°I¡¯m not, and I¡¯ll tell you next time.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Alright then. Breakfast is on the table. You¡¯d better eat today.¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll eat.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°So, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, what were you doing after school?¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°I loitered around a few movie stores and then I saw someone from school, so we hung out for a bit and bullied a few kids.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I assume you¡¯re joking about the last part. Please tell me you¡¯re joking.¡± (Yuko)


    I only smile at her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have work. I know you had a day off yesterday, but I think it¡¯s about time for you to be leaving.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh shit, you¡¯re totally right. I need to head out now. Make sure you get to school, okay?¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Sure. See you later.¡± (Yuno)


    <hr>


    I decided to walk to school on my own today, so I took a route Aki and Kaho don¡¯t know about.


    *Ding* *Ding* *Ding*


    A message from Shiro came in saying to meet at the cafe from yesterday. I text him back and tell him I¡¯d be there before 4pm.


    Aki and Kaho were already in the classroom when I arrived at school.


    ¡°So where were you?¡± (Akio)This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Nowhere special.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°...¡± (Akio)


    Luckily Aki didn¡¯t press on further. I¡¯d really hate for him to know about my secret route, he¡¯d be more annoying if he did.


    ¡°So how did your date go?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°She¡¯s totally into me. She said that we should go on another date next week.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Nice going.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Yeah, totally. The only ones left are me and Yuno.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re not expecting us to get together, Kaho.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Hell no. You¡¯re not my type.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°So handsome, smart and funny isn¡¯t your type?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s exactly it.¡± (Kaho)


    The teacher, Takahashi-sensei, seems slightly annoyed by us, given we¡¯re kind of lessening his class time.


    ¡°Hey, you three idiots, class is starting.¡± (Takahashi-sensei)


    ¡°Sure. Sure.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°This kid...¡± (Takahashi-sensei)


    <hr>


    May 6th After School 3:27


    ¡°Do you guys wanna go get something to eat? I¡¯m starving.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I¡¯m always in the mood for food. And also girls.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna tell your girlfriend that you¡¯re dating 10 different girls at once.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°When did I say that?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°You guys are gonna have to go without me. I have plans.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®plans¡¯? It¡¯s not like you have friends other than us.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Why do I have to tell you? See you guys tomorrow.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°O-okay. See you.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Bye?¡± (Kaho)


    <hr>


    After School 3:56


    When I got to the cafe, I saw Shiro sitting in a booth by the window. He had already ordered something and staring at his phone.


    ¡°Yo.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh! Hey, hey. Have a seat!¡± (Shiro)


    For some reason, he seems really excited. I wonder if something good happened.


    ¡°So, why did you want to meet? I hope you¡¯re not gonna ask me out or anything because you¡¯re not my type.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re quite the character, aren¡¯t you?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. So why did you ask to meet?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I wanted to give you this, the last clue your brother found before he went missing.¡± (Shiro)


    Shiro hands me a note, and I assume the item it was attached to was returned. The note states:


    Cloaked in blood, burning in crimson, a maiden stares with a cold gaze


    Watch where one gains knowledge.


    5/11 - 5/17


    ¡°What the hell is this supposed to mean?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I have no idea...but, that¡¯s what you¡¯re here for. This is the clue to the what the next item is.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°5/11 and 5/17 are obviously dates of some sort, probably a time period or something.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I thought so as well. May eleventh to May twenty-seventh? Maybe a deadline?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°It could be. Maybe I should just take this home and think on it. I gotta go, I have a bunch of homework to do.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Wait! Actually, before you leave, I wanted to give you something.¡± (Shiro)


    Immediately he says that, I notice a grey bag, which is has the top tied in a knot, beside him. He hands it to me.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°It¡¯s a...actually, only look inside when you decipher the note.¡± (Shiro)


    Even though it¡¯s slightly suspicious, I just nod.


    ¡°O...kay? Well, bye. I¡¯ll text you if I find anything.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Bye.¡± (Shiro)

 Shuiro

    May 8th During School: Lunch


    It¡¯s been two days since I met with Shiro and got the note from him. No luck. I¡¯ve looked in libraries, bookstores, at school and everywhere else I could think of regarding ¡®gaining knowledge¡¯.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m talking. Stop spacing out.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Oh sorry.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°What exactly are you thinking about?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Nothing that concerns you.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°...rude.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°...sorry, it¡¯s just...sorry.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re acting strange today. You¡¯ve apologized way too many times.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I swear it¡¯s nothing.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Alright, you don¡¯t have to tell me.¡± (Akio)


    People are getting worried about me, I need to be more careful about how I act. If I get found out when I start working, it¡¯ll be bad. I¡¯d get arrested on the spot.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m gonna take off now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Where to?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Nowhere special.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Secretive bastard.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Woah. Language young lady.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Keh, whatever. See you in class.¡± (Kaho)


    After School: 3:22


    ¡°Do you wanna hang out today, or do you have ¡®plans¡¯?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°None whatsoever. What are we gonna do?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Arcade?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Arcade.¡± (Yuno and Kaho)


    After School 4:31


    After playing games at the arcade for an hour or so, we went to get some food. We ate at Cosmic Burger, which has been gaining popularity this year.


    ¡°The three of us haven¡¯t hung out after school all week.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Well, all of us were busy, so that¡¯s expected.¡± (Yuno)This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°I still have no idea what you could have been doing yesterday.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°To tell you the truth, my sister got me Triple Jeopardy 6. Did you hear? It just came out. I ended up watching it yesterday.¡± (Yuno)


    I mean, I¡¯m not lying. My sister really did get me the movie and I really did watch it yesterday. Though that was after I met up with Shiro.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t get why you¡¯re obsessed with those movies. They¡¯re not even good you know? Actually, they¡¯re just straight up terrible.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. All the movies are great. Save for the first two. Also, someone who watches yakuza movies shouldn¡¯t talk.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°H-how did you find out?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I think the Boiling Point notebook gave it away.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°That or the Ryuji pen.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°O-oh. Ahahaha. You caught me.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Let¡¯s not forget about how she watches Kira Kira Sparkle-land. A show for 8-year olds.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t k-know what you¡¯re talking about?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Phone case.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Were you even trying to hide it?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Sometimes you¡¯re a delinquent and other times you¡¯re just an airhead.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Try not to bully her too much.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°That¡¯ll be tough.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Heeey, can you both stop?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I¡¯ve stopped for a while now.¡± (Akio)


    As I go back to eating my burger, I notice the TV, and start watching it. The news channel seems to be playing right now. The woman¡¯s name is Sakurai and the man¡¯s name is Bando.


    ¡®...Bando-san, you said you saw Shuiro in person last year, right? How was it?¡¯ (Sakurai)


    ¡°Yes, I saw it in Tokyo. It¡¯s as beautiful as they say. It was mesmerizing. I couldn¡¯t believe an actual human creating that could be possible. The colour scheme made the painting look like it was actuall- I shouldn¡¯t spoil it. You would have to see it yourself to be able to understand how marvelous it is.¡± (Bando)


    ¡°There have been so many art fanatics lately.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°That¡¯s to be expected, seeing as how there¡¯re so many artists in Tokyo.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Is that so¡­¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re very passionate about the painting, aren¡¯t you, Bando-san? Well, you¡¯ve heard it here, next week, on May 11th, Shuiro, painted by the renowned artist, Horie Etsuko, will be showcased at Tokyo City Art Museum. A meet and greet with the artist will also take place outside the building. This will be happening for a week.¡± (Sakurai)


    I nearly choke before I stop eating and then I pull out the note from my pocket.


    Cloaked in blood, burning in crimson, a maiden stares with a cold gaze


    Watch where one gains knowledge.


    5/11 - 5/17


    5/11 The date that the painting is being displayed, and 5/17 the day that the event will end. I take out my phone and look up ¡®Shuiro¡¯ in the search engine. A painting shows up perfectly matching the clue, so much that it¡¯s kind of creepy.


    This is it. I¡¯ve figured it out. After thinking about it for a bit, it seems obvious that ¡®watch where one gains knowledge¡¯ would mean the news. It makes me feel slightly like an idiot. But only slightly.


    I immediately text Shiro about what I found out and almost seconds later, he calls my phone. Was he just waiting, staring at his phone since yesterday? I¡¯d like to think he wasn¡¯t, but I don¡¯t know him well enough to say it¡¯s not possible.


    ¡°Sorry guys, I need to take this. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Again with the apologizing. Well, hurry back.¡± (Akio)


    I walk (rather quickly) to the bathroom, feeling slightly excited (and proud). But only a little.


    ¡°You¡¯re a genius! How did you figure it out? ¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you just stupid? And I only figured it out by coincidence. Pure coincidence.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re quite rude, you know? Anyway, we can finally start getting ready for your first job. I¡¯ll text you my address.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°See you soon.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Yeah. Later.¡± (Yuno)


    <hr>


    I came back to our table, with Aki and Kaho both staring at their phones.


    ¡°Took you long enough.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I was gone for 5 minutes.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, 1000 people in the world have died in those 5 minutes.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°And 2000 people were born. Are we just gonna keep throwing facts at each other?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well played.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°So, who were you talking with on the phone?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Some of my gang buddies.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re joking.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Obviously. There are many things I¡¯ll do, but that doesn¡¯t include messing around with gangs or delinquents.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Smart choice. Who was it then?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°My sister. She said she¡¯d be late tonight.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure why you¡¯re are always interrogating me though.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Haha, sorry. Maybe it¡¯s the detective blood in me.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Your dad¡¯s a detective right? That¡¯s gotta be it.¡± (Kaho)


    That¡¯s right. My best friend¡¯s dad is a detective. And now I¡¯m basically (but not yet) a thief. Sorry, phantom thief.

 Airhead Mode

    <hr>


    Saturday May 9th 6:47 am


    Yesterday night, when I got home, a message from Shiro came in. It read:


    Good work! We¡¯re going to be meeting at 12pm on saturday.


    Herbe Aoi #703 Higashi-ku


    *remember to bring the note and the bag I gave you*


    ---Bye!------


    ¨B(???)¨B


    The thing at the end made me question exactly who it is that sent that text. It¡¯s exactly how Kaho texts when she¡¯s in airhead mode, which worries me. A poorly drawn map also came in along with the message, hinting that finding the place would take skill and determination.


    I walk downstairs to see my sister sleeping on the couch, still in her work clothes. Funny enough, she actually ended up staying late at work. I take the blanket that fell from her body and put it back on her.


    The reason I got up so early was because I went to bed really early yesterday. On Fridays I usually fall asleep immediately I get home, because of all the stress accumulated over the course of the week. Well, I didn¡¯t get up early just because of that, I was also thirsty.


    ¡°Water, water.¡± (Yuno)


    After getting myself something to drink, I got back to my room and started the homework I got yesterday.


    <hr>


    Saturday 11:10 am


    I start heading out a bit early, since I haven¡¯t been to the area Shiro lives in before.


    ¡°Going somewhere today?¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Yeah. Did you get enough sleep? You got home pretty late last night.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Yeah, I did. Well, go on now. Don¡¯t let me stop you.¡± (Yuko)


    ¡°Thanks. Bye.¡± (Yuno)


    Luckily for me, Yuko doesn¡¯t ask many questions. As long as I¡¯m not causing trouble, and my grades are fine, I can leave the house as I please, given I¡¯m not getting home at 12 every night.


    <hr>


    Saturday 12:17pm


    It took a little while to find the place because I got lost twice. Shiro¡¯s house was in an apartment building, and it didn¡¯t look cheap. I knock and immediately hear the door open.


    ¡°I was beginning to wonder when you¡¯d arrive. Come in.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Sorry, I got lost twice, due to your shitty map.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°W-well, I did it while I was half asleep you know? If I was fully awake, it would have been a hundred, no, a million times better.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°So you drew an important map, something that basically determines my fate, as I could have died if I had stumbled into a shady place, half asleep? Alright, I¡¯ll pretend that I believe you.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re mean to me for no reason.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°And whose fault is that? Anyway, what are we gonna do?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked. We¡¯re, or rather, you¡¯re gonna pick out some much needed tools.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°What? Tools?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Follow me.¡± (Shiro)


    I walk inside and follow Shiro up the stairs, which lead to a bedroom, that I assume is his room. He walks to his bed and touches the pillow. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re not trying to say something like ¡®come in bed with me¡¯ right now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Like hell I am. Just follow me, you¡¯ll see.¡± (Shiro)


    That sounds slightly suspicious. But then again, I am curious.


    ¡°Alright.¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro removes both the pillows and the covers to reveal a lever. He pulls on it and immediately I hear a low rumbling.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Surprised? Well of course you¡¯d be.¡± (Shiro)


    The bed opens and stairs leading downwards are visible. I walk down the stairs, making sure to walk carefully behind Shiro. If I were to fall, I¡¯d have him as a soft landing.


    ¡°Wha...What¡¯s all this?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Ko¡¯s secret base. It¡¯s where all the cool stuff is kept. Gadgets in one corner! Attire in another! And let¡¯s not forget, in the very back, your very own trusted fridge, where all the high-calorie foods are kept!¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You should try to become an announcer. You¡¯d make a killing. I have to admit though, this is pretty cool. How on earth did you build all this? Or even find the money to pay for it all?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Straight to the point, aren¡¯t we? We don¡¯t need to get into that today, it¡¯s a little difficult to explain anyway. Follow me.¡± (Shiro)


    I walk with Shiro towards an area with weapons like guns and other things I don¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s with the weapons?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re not real, they¡¯re just to scare people and they¡¯re only used in emergencies.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Is this thievery or terrorism? I really can¡¯t tell.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Like I said, most of them aren¡¯t real.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You just said most didn¡¯t you?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Did I? Well anyway, choose one for this job. It¡¯s kind of an easy job to do, so you don¡¯t need something crazy. These ones over here are fake.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°...alright.¡± (Yuno)


    I pick the plainest, most average (for guns) and normal looking gun I could possibly pick. I don¡¯t want any of that exotic shit.


    ¡°Really, all these great choices, and you choose that one?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like I want to shoot, sorry, scare people with style. I don¡¯t think I need to.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Suit yourself. I guess you can pick something more interesting next time.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Why do I get the feeling you just want to be entertained?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Wherever did you get that idea from?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°As I¡¯ve talked to you today, my opinion of you has changed. Not for the better.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Speak for yourself. Your personality is pretty terrible, if I was to be honest.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°I do that on purpose, idiot.¡± (Yuno)


    I realize Shiro has been looking for something for a while now. I have no idea what it is, but he seems intent on finding it.


    ¡°Ah! There it is!¡± (Shiro)


    He turns to me holding a large sheet of light blue, rolled up paper.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°The plans for how you¡¯re gonna get in and out without anyone noticing.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You¡¯ve caught my interest.¡± (Yuno)


    We look at the plans and Shiro explains what I¡¯m gonna do for about an hour or so.


    ¡°So...did you bring the bag I gave you?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s in it?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Wait, so you haven¡¯t looked?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You told me not to look.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I only said that so you¡¯d look in the bag. Normally you¡¯d get really curious and not be able to think of anything else, right? Right?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°What the hell were you trying to do to me?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Tch. What do you mean?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You just clicked your tongue, didn¡¯t you?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I did? Well, open it.¡± (Shiro)


    I open the bag and see clothes in the bag. When I take it out, I see the flashiest, most heavily embroidered piece of clothing I could have ever imagined. Shiro starts to talk, ignoring the shock on my face.


    ¡°It¡¯s your costume. You¡¯re wearing this on your first job.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Costume?! You never mentioned this!¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I? Phantom thieves usually wear costumes don¡¯t they?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°How the hell was I supposed to know?! Do I look like I¡¯m well informed about these things?!¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve heard you raise your voice, it¡¯s quite the experience.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°And who¡¯s fault do you think that is?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh. You¡¯re back.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Haah. How am I supposed to do this?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Having second thoughts?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°...No, I¡¯ll still do it.¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro smiles.


    ¡°Great. You¡¯re gonna do this in two days. I¡¯ve already sent out a calling card.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Calling...card? Wait, I saw something about this in Triple Jeopardy 4.¡± (Yuno)


    (Author note: Makes you wonder what triple jeopardy is about, doesn¡¯t it?)


    ¡°Oh? So I don¡¯t need to explain. Well, this just leaves one thing.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You¡¯d better not say ¡°a kiss¡± or something.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Where do you get these ideas? I meant you need to pick a name.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°I keep getting more and more embarrassed. All this is embarrassing you know?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Really? Ko never had a problem with it.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s pretty eccentric. What did he call himself?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°He called himself King.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°That¡¯s really embarrassing. I hope you don¡¯t expect me to call myself something like ¡°Prince¡± do you?¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro pauses for a while, and I don¡¯t like it.


    ¡°...Why not?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding me right?¡± (Yuno)


    Why did I even say that. He wouldn¡¯t have gotten the idea if it wasn¡¯t for me.


    ¡°Like hell I will¡­¡± (Yuno)


    After arguing about it for a while, Shiro eventually convinces me to keep the name, knowing that we wouldn¡¯t be able to think of anything better.


    ¡°Wait. Normally you¡¯d pick the name then the costume right? I mean, so the name corresponds with the costume. You planned all of this out, didn¡¯t you? Even the costume looks like something a prince would wear.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± (Shiro)


    This guy¡­

 What Was It Again?

    Monday May 11th 12:34pm ¨C Lunch Time


    ¡°So lemme guess, you aren¡¯t free after school.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Ding. Ding. Ding. Congratulations, you¡¯ve guessed it right.¡± (Yuno)


    I was eating lunch as Kaho began talking to me.


    ¡°What do you even do after school?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I plot the murder of hundreds of innocent children.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you went maybe a day without sneaking in one of your famous one-liners. It¡¯s not good for the heart.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°I¡¯ll work on it.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I look forward to that. Anyway, did you hear? Apparently there was a theft threat sent to the museum that¡¯s gonna be showcasing the Sh...Shuree...Shuu...whatever it¡¯s called.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t think that painting was that much of a big deal though¡­¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°My dad told me about that. He said it¡¯s most likely just a prank though, so they¡¯re only adding like two guards to the line-up.¡± (Akio)


    A prank huh? Sadly it¡¯s not and later today I¡¯m gonna be stealing the painting. If only it was a prank¡­ I¡¯m starting to have second thoughts.


    ¡°So many art fanatics¡­¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Are you sure you can¡¯t hang out today? I¡¯m gonna be really bored tonight. Pleaassee.¡± (Akio)


    This annoying little¡­ Well, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m gonna rob the museum at 4pm anyway. I mean, if I don¡¯t wanna get caught I¡¯d better not.


    ¡°Haah, fine. I could probably hang out after school, but only until 7.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°That¡¯s cool. We¡¯re going to Hatoha-Ra Land, if that¡¯s okay.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°On a school day? That¡¯s kind of weird.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°There¡¯s a new ride Aki wants try. Get this. It¡¯s called ¡®Magical Usagi Heart-Racer¡¯. Hilarious isn¡¯t it?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°What¡¯s with that cute sounding name? Doesn¡¯t that sound more like something you¡¯d wanna try?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Funny, but no. It¡¯s 100% Aki.¡± (Kaho)


    Kaho and I stare at the person in question. I really didn¡¯t expect this to come from someone like Aki.


    ¡°...¡± (Akio)


    ¡°So, what do you have to say for yourself?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°No comment.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°That¡¯s no fun.¡± (Yuno)


    <hr>


    May 11th: After School 5:02 pm


    ¡°I¡¯ve got only one thing to say.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Good job Aki.¡± (Yuno)


    The ride was more intense than any of us could have ever imagined. Well, all except for Aki. The name Magical Usagi Heart-Racer couldn¡¯t be any more misleading.


    ¡°You see why I wanted to try it now?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Totally. How did you find out about it though?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°One of my net friends told me about it. She said I¡¯d find it fun.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Wait. She? I¡¯ll tell your girlfriend that you¡¯re cheating on her with Usagi-chan.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°What¡¯s even wrong with you?¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Not funny?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Nope.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Beastiality is no good?¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°In what world would it be?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, you never know.¡± (Kaho)


    <hr>


    May 11th: After School- 6:46 pm


    After trying out more surprising rides and eating actual mountains, we decided that we¡¯d go to Hane-ko, since Kaho needed to pick up flowers for her mom¡¯s birthday.


    As soon as we walked into the store, we saw Hane-ko¡¯s manager, Hatsuko Mari. His name is so feminine that he usually tries to act as masculine as possible, which usually just makes him look like an idiot. Everyone just calls him by his first name.


    ¡°What¡¯s up Kacchi? Were you working today?¡± (Mari)


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s my mom¡¯s birthday, I just thought I¡¯d get her some flowers as a present.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°I see¡­ Come over here, I have just the thing. It¡¯s our new birthday flowers. There¡¯s little bags of candies attached to the flowers.¡± (Mari)


    ¡°You know I work here right? I probably know more about all the flower bundles than you do.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Why are you salty?¡± (Mari)


    ¡°I¡¯m not, I¡¯m just making a point.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°So, how long is this gonna take? I gotta get going soon you know?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Sorry about that. It¡¯ll be quick.¡± (Kaho)The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Kaho hands Mari some money and starts to head towards the door before she turns around.


    ¡°Tell the owner that we need someone to come check the locks. For some reason the doors don¡¯t lock the first time. Or the second.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t know about this¡­¡± (Mari)


    ¡°Well, maybe that¡¯s because I always have to come back and lock the doors because you never remember to lock them when you leave.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°You act more like the manager than Mari does.¡± (Akio)


    ¡°Aki, he¡¯s the manager in name only.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m right here you know?¡± (Mari)


    ¡°Which is exactly why I said it. See you tomorrow.¡± (Kaho)


    ¡°Keh, see you.¡± (Mari)


    <hr>


    May 11th: After School 7:14 pm


    Due to the fact that Kaho ended up taking a while and also the fact that I got lost again on the way Shiro¡¯s house, I ended up being late for our meet-up time.


    ¡°Why are you always late?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Again, it¡¯s because of your shitty map. It¡¯s disappointingly bad. It¡¯s actually almost impossible to be able to find your house with it. Well, good thing I¡¯m a genius.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve been here before haven¡¯t you? It shouldn¡¯t have been that hard.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You¡¯re forgetting I came here during the day. Everything looks different at night. Plus, I¡¯ve only been here once. Though, of course I found it. After all, I am perfect.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Arrogant brat. You only do this annoy me, don¡¯t you?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Of course. And I¡¯ll just ignore that earlier comment.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Haah. Well, let¡¯s get to what you came here for.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°What did I come here for?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Geez, hold on, that¡¯s what I¡¯m gonna explain. We¡¯re going to go over the plans one more time and then I¡¯m gonna drive you to the museum.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Hmm. I get it.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh, and I wanted to ask you something.¡± (Shiro)


    I wonder what it could be, since it seems like it could be important...


    ¡°Ask away.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Do you have any skills or talents that you think could help?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°I don¡¯t really think I do¡­¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Are you sure? Anything that could help in any way is fine.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Well...I guess, it would be that, wouldn¡¯t it¡­¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Would be what?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Now I¡¯m curious. Tell me. Pleaaase.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Haah. Fine. But you have to promise not to laugh.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I promise. I promise.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Hmm?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Check your pocket.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Huh? Why do yo- Wait. It feels...heavy.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Just check your damn pocket.¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro reaches into his pocket and pulls out the thing I put or rather, slipped into his pocket.


    ¡°Your...phone? W-When did it get there?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°I may or may have not slipped it in your pocket just now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Just now?! I didn¡¯t even notice!¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You¡¯re loud.¡± (Yuno)


    A long time ago, I used to be obsessed with magicians on TV and would always practice sleight of hand, magic tricks and the like. Yuko used to complain about how much time I¡¯d spend doing that because I never did my homework due to me always being near the TV. This obsession went on for years and only recently have I gotten over my ¡®magic phase¡¯.


    Shiro starts to laugh and as soon as I glare at him, he stops.


    ¡°I told you not to laugh.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I-I¡¯m *snicker* sorry. I was just thinking that there isn¡¯t anyone more suited for this than you. It¡¯s like you¡¯re a natural born thief.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Why did I even tell you?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s for sure gonna help. It just means stealing stuff will be easier. Well, before we go over the plans again, I think you should get into your costume.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°That¡¯s one thing I really don¡¯t want to do.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°That¡¯s no good. The costume is basically what separates a phantom thief from a regular thief.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°...¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Fine.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Great.¡± (Shiro)


    After I put on the costume I realised it wasn¡¯t that bad. Actually, it was kind of cool.


    <hr>


    May 11th: After School - 7:59pm


    ¡°When you said ¡®drive¡¯ I assumed you meant by car. What the hell is this?¡± (Yuno)


    We were currently in a helicopter heading to the roof of the Tokyo City Art Museum. This is just one more thing I need to ask about how Shiro and Ko paid for it.


    ¡°Well, I showed you the plans, which clearly said you¡¯d have to come in from above. How would a car help with that?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a piece of cake. Just how did you guys pay for all of this?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I told you that I¡¯d explain later. Now¡¯s not really the time.¡± (Shiro)


    We land on the roof and both get off the helicopter. I look down to see that the museum is heavily lit on the inside, and many people can be seen coming out of the building, which indicates that the event is over for the day. Shiro takes out a heavy-looking black duffel bag.


    ¡°Here we have the tools you¡¯ll need for this job.¡± (Shiro)


    I look in the bag and spot some rope, the gun I picked two days before and other things that I have no idea how they¡¯d help.


    ¡°One rope will help you get in, and the other, out. When you¡¯re done everything inside, you can leave through the window. There¡¯ll be a rope that¡¯ll help you get down.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°...Got it.¡± (Yuno)


    Suddenly, Shiro got serious. It¡¯s kind of weird.


    ¡°Once you¡¯re out the window, I¡¯ll help you get away. Just look for a red flashing light, it might be hard to spot, but if you look hard enough, you¡¯ll see it. When you find it go towards it. It¡¯ll be really close to the building, so you don¡¯t have to worry about falling off.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°That¡¯s still kinda scary, but alright. The thrill might be nice anyway.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d be more reluctant to do this.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re already here, so there¡¯d be no point in being reluctant now.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You¡¯re just like Ko...¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Is that a compliment or an insult?¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro only smiles, then he turns to pick up the gun from the bag.


    ¡°Here. Only use it if you¡¯re in a tight spot. Remember it¡¯s not real, so the most you can do is make others scared and make them stop.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Alright.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Good luck.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Don¡¯t need it.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°You know, I don¡¯t even care anymore.¡± (Shiro)


    <hr>


    May 11th: After School - 8:11pm


    I slide down the rope, careful not to go too fast. I don¡¯t want any rope burns tonight. Though two days ago I¡¯d thought that I could just take the painting and leave without anyone knowing, it seems that¡¯d be impossible seeing that there are tons of people leaving the building and there¡¯re more guards than I expected.


    ¡°What was it again?¡± (Yuno)


    Shiro had given me stuff to say, before and during the time I was stealing the painting. I dropped down into the rectangular area that was sectioned off by ropes and as well as being guarded.


    ¡°Hello? Sorry to intrude guys, but I¡¯ll be taking this.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Y-You! How did you get there?!¡± (Guard)


    ¡°Calm down, jeez. Why are you freaking out?¡± (Yuno)


    As one of the guards turns around, I turn the opposite way he does, making it hard for him to notice me bypass him.


    ¡°Idiot, I¡¯m over here.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Why are you guys just standing there?! Follow protocol!¡± (???)


    I look over to see it¡¯s the person I¡¯ve been dreading seeing the most, Mr. Akechi, or Akechi Souma...Aki¡¯s dad. Luckily I doubt he¡¯d be able to recognize me, seeing as I¡¯m wearing a mask, but I think avoiding talking too much is the right path to take.


    ¡°Well, since I got what I need, I should probably leave.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys hear me? I said follow protocol!¡± (Souma)


    Suddenly, about two of the guards pull out guns while my back is turned towards the window. Some of the guards, funny enough, look startled.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey. What the hell, why did you pull out those?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Now you have nowhere to run! Drop the painting, then put your hands up!¡± (Souma


    ¡°Fine, fine.¡± (Yuno)


    I bend over, as if I¡¯m putting the painting on the ground, while simultaneously pulling the gun strategically placed on my lower back, under my shirt. I point the gun at Souma, while mentally apologizing to Aki. I mean, it¡¯s a pretty tough situation, I kinda have no choice...and the gun isn¡¯t real anyway.


    ¡°Is that what you thought I¡¯d say? If you guys don¡¯t let me go, I¡¯m gonna shoot your boss over there.¡± (Yuno)


    The guards don¡¯t let up, making me wonder if they need orders first. Souma looks so scared that he could probably piss his pants any second. Thankfully, Souma is pretty useless, so it¡¯ll be easy to make him call of the guards.


    ¡°Hey, you. Do you want to die or something? Call of your guys won¡¯t you?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Y-you idiots, do you need me to tell you to drop your guns or something?!¡± (Souma)


    ¡°Well, thanks yeah? Later.¡± (Yuno)


    I step back and get on the window ledge, before turning around to say one last thing.


    ¡°Next time, check if the gun is real before shitting pants.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Y-you¨C¡± (Souma)


    That¡¯s all I hear before I leave through the window, grabbing a rope that was already attached to it. I use the rope as insurance as I scale the side of the museum building. After finally getting to a spot where I can¡¯t be seen by anyone looking through a window, which is also where the red light is, Shiro comes in the helicopter. He lets down a rope ladder.


    ¡°Heey~ Jump on!¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®jump on¡¯?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°I mean jump on. What else?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°I can¡¯t just jump on! What if I die?!¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Oh! You raised your voice!¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡®cus the helicopter is loud as hell!¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Look, do you want to get caught?!¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Fine, fine!¡± (Yuno)


    I jump off the edge of the building, extending my one free arm towards the ladder. Luckily, I grab on, but just barely. I somehow manage to climb up the ladder with one hand and get into the helicopter.


    ¡°So how was it? Fun?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Fun my ass. It was easier than I expected though.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Really? I wouldn¡¯t think that all the jobs would be that easy though.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°Of course I know that. I was just thinking that we didn¡¯t really prepare a lot for tonight, but I was still able to do it.¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Well, normally we¡¯d prepare longer, but when I found you was too close to the start of the deadline.¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°And which incompetent idiot¡¯s fault was that?¡± (Yuno)


    ¡°Your personality is still as terrible as ever, huh?¡± (Shiro)


    ¡°You know it.¡± (Yuno)