Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

"If you'll excuse me, Lyney, it's late. Time for me to retire."

"Mm-hmm."

Leaving Lyney behind, Lynette returned to her own bedroom. Knowing she'd need ample rest to prepare for battle, Lynette closed her eyes. Yet despite the familiarity of hearing that name again after so long, sleep evaded her entirely.

The clock ticked away as Lynette sat up and moved toward the window. The moon hung high in the sky, its light soft and cold, just as it had been that night.

"Your name is?"

"Lyn... Lynette...."

"My name is Luna. Let's escape together! With the moonlight guiding us, we're sure to make it out!"

At that time, young Luna's small hands, chubby with baby fat, were impossibly soft and warm.

Yet, they instilled an infinite sense of security in those who held them.

"...."

Lynette gazed at her own hands, now grown larger since her childhood.

The hands she once held so tightly had slipped from her grasp.

With a soft sigh, she knew she shouldn't dwell on memories of her traitorous friend Luna. Yet, when alone, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to her.

Better not to think about it.

Rubbing her face, Lynette crawled back into bed.

The next day.

"The Phantom Thief White Cat has issued a notice," Lyney reported, his expression serious.

"When?"

"It seems not too long ago. She'll strike at 8 PM tonight. I'm afraid the Special Task Force has already begun protecting Alkien."

The Phantom Thief White Cat—a sudden apparition on the scene.

Endowed with incomprehensible powers and formidable strength, she had yet to be bested by any authority...

Come to think of it, "Father" never actually told us to investigate her, did he?

Is he not concerned, or does "Father" already know something?

Lynette picked up her teacup, deep in thought.

"Lynette, do you understand the plan?"

"I've got it. Don't underestimate the cat, though."

Lyney forced a smile. "I'm not underestimating you, but this time we have to be on our toes. That thief's behavior pattern is really unpredictable; we have no idea what she'll do next."

Just who is this Phantom Thief White Cat?

All three of them fell into contemplation.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the special task force:

"Attention! At ease!"

Chevreuse, clutching her rifle, announced, "Just now, the Phantom Thief White Cat released a challenge letter. According to the Court of Justice's newly enacted 'Forced Protection' measure, our next mission is to protect the intended victim, Alkien."

Forced Protection—a measure implemented by the Court of Justice's higher-ups in response to the increasingly rampant activities of the Phantom Thief.

Anyone who received a challenge letter from the Phantom Thief was to be forcibly protected by the combined forces of the Special Task Force and the Maison Gardiennage.

This was to prevent any more fools from challenging the Phantom Thief and ending up broke.

Of course, Chevreuse had no way of knowing how effective this measure would be; determined individuals could still find loopholes. But if the Court of Justice didn't take targeted action soon, public opinion would turn against them.

"Alkien?" Turenna queried curiously. "Isn't that the noble who was suspected of the crime but had no evidence against him?"

"That's right."

"We're going to protect someone who is a suspect?"

"Yes."

"But..." Turenna's expression grew complicated.

Chevreuse's face remained composed. "He's 'possibly' a suspect. Without evidence, naturally, he cannot be put on trial." She paused before adding, "But conversely, if we find any evidence that he violated the law, then no matter who he is, he cannot escape judgment."

"What do you mean?"

Chevreuse smiled faintly. "I mean, if we 'accidentally' discover something, there's nothing anyone can do."

"Indeed, there would be nothing!"

"Exactly! Then let's mobilize the Special Task Force!"

-

Inside Alkien's residence:

"Is this really necessary? Must you all make such a commotion?" Alkien pushed up his glasses, looking somewhat confused.

The moment he opened the door, several squads of the Special Task Force and Maison Gardiennage were standing there—a truly frightening sight.

Chevreuse quickly scanned the area, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This is an extraordinary situation. Please understand."

"You can find all the details in the Court of Justice's recent announcements. They outline every rule and regulation regarding 'forced protection' measures."

She beckoned, and the members of the Special Task Force and Maison Gardiennage filed in, one after another.

"My most profound apologies."

"We're sorry to disturb you."

"I hope your day goes well."

What could Alkien possibly say? He couldn't very well hurl insults at them. Instead, he could only nod, forcing an ambiguous smile.

Click!

The sound of a camera suddenly cut through the air.

"What the devil was that?!"

He looked down, meeting the gaze—or rather, the lens—of a clockwork Meka... one that resembled a dog.

After all, its head was a specialized camera.

Chevreuse spoke as if it were nothing. "We need it to investigate the Phantom Thief. Please excuse us."

Although the Special Task Force didn't often use clockwork machinery, they occasionally required such lightweight reconnaissance devices to assist.

"Hahaha, no problem, no problem..." he muttered.

He glanced to the left, where a security team was examining windows and vents. Then he looked to the right, where the Special Task Force, guns at the ready, was patrolling.

If he were an ordinary person with nothing to hide, he would naturally feel an overwhelming sense of security. With so much protective force, who could possibly resist or defeat them? Even if the Phantom Thief White Cat herself were to show up, she'd leave behind at least a few tufts of her fur!

But he was not such a person.

"I must quickly move my notebooks..." Alkien murmured, swiftly making his way to the study.

"Please slow down," Alkien said, masking his panic and unease. He asked nonchalantly, "Does Officer Chevreuse need anything else?"

"Could you show me the phantom thief's announcement letter?"

"Hm? Oh, of course."

He took out the announcement letter and handed it to Chevreuse before swiftly making his way to the study.

Chevreuse signaled to the other Special Task Force members, who nodded and began tailing Alkien.

The letter was as always, exuding a sense of arrogance.

I've heard that the pearlescent harpsichord is a miraculous creation, and I must say I'm quite fond of it. Thus, I've decided to make this treasure mine at 8 PM this very night—The Phantom Thief White Cat.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

As Chevreuse prepared to put away the letter, her fingertips felt a slight crease at the corner of the card.

If not for the odd texture, it could have been easily overlooked.

"Hm?"

Gently peeling back the edge, she revealed a short string of text written in a corner:

Is this helping you, my adorable Captain?

Chevreuse: "....."

She silently tucked away the card and took a deep breath.

Was it really worth making fun of me all the time?

Time ticked away, minute by minute, second by second. At last, night descended upon the world.

Eight o'clock.

"...Where's the phantom thief?" Turenna glanced nervously around. She and Chevreuse were stationed outside the mansion, while the rest of the team lay in ambush within.

"Maybe she's still on her way." Chevreuse munched on a biscuit, licking the corner of her mouth.

This was her dinner for the night.

Of course, it wasn't enough in terms of calories; she'd have to eat a late-night snack later.

"Captain, you're always so calm," Turenna marveled.

"Any kind of tremor affects your shooting accuracy... Besides, there's no need to worry that much."

"Is it because the phantom thief always tosses treasures around?"

Chevreuse was momentarily speechless, then nonchalantly replied, "I mean, no matter what, the phantom thief's only target is treasure."

But try to stop her, and you'll definitely get knocked out.

"Ah, that's true!" Turenna relaxed a bit.

She feared trouble less than pain.

"Looked at it that way, the Phantom Thief White Cat has some boundaries, doesn't she?"

"Don't harbor any fondness for her. At the end of the day, she's just a criminal," Chevreuse murmured softly.

"S-sorry..."

Turenna gazed at the mansion; the Pearl Harpsichord remained unmoved, still placed in the large hall on the second floor. The hall was indeed open and accessible from all sides, but it also made it easy to set traps and ambushes.

As soon as the Phantom Thief arrives, she'll be attacked by both the special task force and the security team.

Hopefully, this time they can finally restore some of their lost dignity?

"...It feels so quiet," Turenna murmured.

Chevreuse frowned; it was indeed too quiet.

Something's not right.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the sound of music suddenly reached her ears.

"Music? Who is it...?"

"It's the Phantom Thief! Everyone, come with me!"

How could she slip inside without any sound? Have all our traps and ambushes failed?

Chevreuse led her team rushing into the mansion, climbing the stairs.

As they approached, the sound of the music grew clearer.

The melody was graceful and flowing, like a spring brook on a warm day or dewdrops falling under the night sky, bringing a sense of tranquility.

The hurried footsteps came to an abrupt stop, and a command halted the music.

"Stay where you are, Special Task Force!"

While raising her gun, Chevreuse's gaze quickly swept across the room. Security and special task force members lay unconscious, steam-driven constructs with their compact energy modules precision-removed... Clearly, the ambush had failed.

And Alkien sat in the corner, afraid to make a sound or move a muscle.

Luna sat before the piano, her fingers gliding over the keys. She then slowly pressed down on the lid, covering the black-and-white buttons.

"What a fine instrument. Ladies, what do you think of my performance?"

Turenna, taken aback, replied haltingly, "It was... quite pleasant..."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Luna rose to her feet, facing the numerous jet-black gun muzzles head-on. She tossed them a flirtatious wink.

"'Long time no see,' Miss Chevreuse. Did you miss me?"