Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

The Phantom Thief before her stood with graceful poise, a smile on her face as warm as if she were greeting a dear friend.

Navia suddenly experienced a strange sensation.

It was like... like... she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it felt somewhat familiar.

But how could that be? Including this encounter, she had only met the Phantom Thief White Cat twice.

Yes, it's been a long time since we last met, but you don't seem to have any intention of turning over a new leaf, Navia thought. She was certain the Special Task Force must be nearby.

She needed to stall for time, increasing the chances of capturing the Phantom Thief.

"I actually think my current self is quite good. I have no plans to change significantly."

Behind a mask, relationships took on a different dynamic.

A friend by day, an enemy by night.

Human relationships truly are fascinating, Luna mused.

Out loud, Luna said, "Miss Navia seems particularly active these days."

"I've always been active, but lately, I've encountered some wonderful friends! If Lulu were here, you'd definitely be caught."

Luna couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Navia asked, sounding displeased. She couldn't accept others laughing at her friends.

"Just something happy popped into my head."

Luna began to pace, casually moving her fingers together. "I heard she's a star?"

Well, I'm a Phantom Thief now. Surely I can tease Navia any way I like, right?

Navia approached slowly. "That's true, but she's also an incredibly sharp detective."

"Her deductive skills aren't that great, though, are they?"

Navia's expression grew visibly darker.

"But she restores the dead's innocence and provides the living with the truth. To the victims' families, she's a hero—unlike you."

"Why... do you feel the need to steal people's treasures?" Navia asked.

There are plenty of good deeds you could be doing.

Luna didn't answer directly, instead continuing on a different tangent. "It sounds like you think highly of her."

Why is she constantly asking about this?

Wait, where is the Special Task Force?

If they don't arrive soon, we'll have to take care of things ourselves... Navia decided to try stalling for time, preparing for the worst.

When pressed on her earlier comment, Navia puffed out her chest and said with pride, "Of course! Lulu is my most esteemed partner, and I am her best assistant."

"I see."

Navia felt the Phantom Thief's gaze soften ever so slightly.

But this momentary insight was like an ephemeral mirage, fading as quickly as it had appeared.

Heh...

"What are you laughing at now?" Navia asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Just realizing that some questions really do require a different perspective," Luna replied. "Thank you for answering my question, Miss Navia." She adjusted her non-existent skirt and curtsied gracefully, embodying the demeanor of a refined lady.

Luna suddenly understood the truth behind the phantom thief's words: answers obtained from questions posed by a thief were invariably more genuine.

Of course, if she had approached Navia directly with these questions, she would have undoubtedly received the same responses. That much was self-evident.

"...No need to thank me; if anything, I should be the one expressing gratitude," Navia responded hesitantly.

"Why's that?" Luna asked, feigning ignorance.

Without a hint of hesitation, Navia replied earnestly, "Because you took down those Sinthe merchants and saved many lives. I think you handled that situation exceptionally well.

"But you don't believe me to be a hero, do you?"

"Of course not!" Navia's tone grew inexplicably fervent. "After all, haven't you resumed stealing treasures from others?"

"That force of yours, those abilities, could be directed towards a far nobler path! You could become a hero, admired and respected by all..."

As she spoke, her words were met only with Luna's gentle, enigmatic smile.

"And then?"

"Then..." Navia fell silent for a moment.

"Miss Navia, it seems you have certain expectations of me. Is it because I defeated those vile people last time? Well, I'm afraid I only wanted their treasures."

Luna drew the pistol at her waist, its cold steel gleaming under the moonlight.

Gazing into that icy light, Navia felt as if her heart were being pierced.

She couldn't deny it.

Perhaps, from the very beginning, she had harbored hidden hopes for the Phantom Thief White Cat.

She had imagined, deep down, that this thief possessed a kind and just nature, and that defeating the Sinthe gang had been an act of bravery driven by the justice still in her heart.

But now, she realized that wasn't true.

Picking her words carefully, Navia said, "...If you want it, I can give it to you."

"Hm?"

"Go turn yourself in. Then come back and join the Spina di Rosula. If you can do that, I'll do everything I can to get you any treasure you desire."

Navi recalled how Chevreuse had made a similar offer before.

Using treasures to buy information.

"Why, if you don't mind me asking?" Luna inquired, her interest piqued.

"Of course to help others, in the most powerful way possible! The Spina di Rosula's reason for being is exactly that. I want to bring justice to the world, even if it means taking some things by force—or even by a cat's paw."

"I want to restore the Spina di Rosula that my father left behind, to its original form."

Silver lifted his sunglasses and wiped away tears.

Melus's expression was complicated. "Miss Navia..."

Luna: "...."

Whether it was Navia or Chevreuse, at heart they were essentially the same kind of people.

And perhaps it was precisely because of this that she would always turn her gaze towards them.

Luna raised her pistol.

The meaning of this gesture no longer needed explanation.

"Why?" Navia asked softly.

"You want to hear the truth..."

"The truth. Tell me the truth and your thoughts, let me understand you. Only then can I make a choice, just like Lulu said, that I will absolutely never regret."

Luna's lips parted slightly.

But in the end, it only became a familiar smile.

"There's no reason."

A beam of light tore through the night sky and smashed towards Luna, who immediately jumped back to dodge.

Thud! A dull explosion sounded, sending fragments flying.

Navia tightly gripped the axe handle, pulling the blade embedded in the floor free, and deeply exhaled, revealing her eyes beneath her hat.

They were full of determination, strength... and a hint of regret.

"I understand now. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to send you to the Trial Court, Phantom Thief White Cat."

Luna drew her saber, raising it before her. The blade glinted with a cold light.

"That's better. If you can catch me, I'll let you do anything you want—I mean, anything you're actually capable of."