Kaito Kid is Superhero

Selina opened the door, surprised to find Iselin on the other side. Ever since the last incident, the two old classmates hadn't seen each other.

"Come in," Selina said, stepping aside. "I heard you're living with your father now?"

"Yeah."

She handed Iselin a glass of water and said, "Didn't you say you never wanted to see me again?" Back when Selina's identity as Catwoman had been exposed, Iselin had said exactly that.

"I'm here today to apologize," Iselin said seriously. "I was immature back then. I'm sorry."

Selina raised an eyebrow. That was unexpected. Her old classmate had always been headstrong—hearing her apologize like this was rare. "That's not like you."

"I used to see things too one-sidedly. Sure, Catwoman's a thief, but you're a righteous thief—just like Kaitou Kid. Like Robin Hood. People remember Robin Hood for centuries because the world needs people like that. People need you."

"Don't lump me in with Kaitou Kid. I don't go barging into ladies' rooms uninvited," Selina shot back. "And I'm no Robin Hood either. I'm just a thief."

"But you've donated most of what you've stolen to people who really needed help. You've only kept a little for yourself."

"That still doesn't make me Robin Hood." Selina never thought of herself as some noble figure. She stole because she had to. If her parents had still been around, maybe she would've gone to college instead of becoming a thief.

Everyone has their own struggles. Only a transmigrator like Liu A'dou could run around carefree with nothing to tie him down, doing whatever he pleased.

Besides apologizing, Iselin had come to learn something useful—self-defense. Ever since she became a reporter, danger had become routine. She couldn't always rely on others to protect her. She had to be able to protect herself.

Selina was more than happy to oblige. "Alright, my star reporter. I'll teach you how to handle creeps and punks."

"Thank you so much!" Iselin was excited, wondering what kind of martial arts Catwoman might teach her.

But Selina pulled two items out of her wardrobe. "This is pepper spray. And this is a stun gun. Here, for you."

"…Aren't you going to teach me kung fu?" Iselin asked, mimicking some awkward karate chops with her hands.

"You're not ready. Your body's stiff and untrained. I've been doing gymnastics since I was a kid and only later switched to martial arts. I built a solid foundation. Your bones are already set. It would take you three times longer than a normal person to see results. Do you have that kind of time?"

The answer was no. Between work and chasing stories, she barely had time to sleep. So pepper spray and a stun gun were definitely more practical. Her old classmate wasn't brushing her off—this was a real gift.

"Alright then," Iselin said, accepting the items. "I really thought I was going to learn some kung fu."

"Ha, martial arts training is hell," Selina said. "Anyway, I was just about to head out for dinner. Want to come?"

"Of course."

They headed to one of Gotham City's most famous restaurants. With two beautiful women walking in together, heads naturally turned—but this was a classy place, so the men only stole glances out of the corners of their eyes while pretending to be refined.

"Why'd you pick this place?" Iselin asked. "Don't tell me you've suddenly come into money."

"Intel gathering," Selina said. "See that fat guy over there? That's our target. He owns this restaurant, but behind the scenes he's been smuggling and trafficking endangered animals."

"You want me to run interference?" Iselin's pulse quickened. This could make for a great story.

"I'll go over and greet him in a bit. You stay here and keep your eyes open," Selina instructed.

"No problem."

Selina was far better at using her beauty to her advantage than Iselin. Who knew how many men had fallen head over heels for her—only to walk away robbed clean.

That fat man had already noticed them. He surprisingly took the menu from the waiter and walked over. "Welcome, ladies, to my humble restaurant. May I take your order?"

Selina smiled behind her hand, playing the part of a demure young lady fresh to society.

Just then, the main entrance opened again, and in walked a girl dressed oddly—more like a little gothic lolita than a customer. She headed straight to the window seat facing the street, giving her a clear vantage point of everything happening outside.

"Best seat in the house."

Leopard Head, as she was called, ordered a dessert and ate it calmly, waiting for Bane to make his move.

Across the street stood the building for Gotham City Channel 3. In a few minutes, Bane would storm in and take over the broadcast to issue a public challenge to Kaitou Kid. If the thief didn't show, Bane would blow up the entire building.

"Kaitou Kid, come out and show me who you really are."

Bane charged into the TV station with his death squad in tow.

"Look outside!" The restaurant guests rushed to the windows.

"There's a whole group of armed men storming that building!"

"It's Bane! It really is Bane!"

No one expected Bane to show up again. Iselin, quick on her feet, pulled out her phone and started recording. She wasn't the only one—many other patrons did the same.

"Selina, call someone for backup," she said. This was Kaitou Kid's cue.

Liu A'dou got the message and rushed over immediately, joining up with Iselin. To his surprise, Catwoman was there too. For a moment, he almost suspected the two women were dating.

"Liu, Bane went in. No idea what he's planning," Iselin told him, pointing at the police securing the perimeter. No one dared to rush in with hostages involved.

"Commissioner Gordon is here too. There's no way Bane's getting away this time," she added, still optimistic about Gordon's capabilities.

Spectators started gathering around the scene, drawn by curiosity. Reporters arrived shortly after, but Iselin already had the scoop thanks to her early footage.

Surrounded by police, Bane finally made his statement. "Kaitou Kid, I challenge you. Tonight at eight o'clock, meet me on the rooftop of Channel 3. Don't show up, and I'll turn the building into rubble. Everyone inside dies."

That broadcast was sent out on the channel's live feed.

It was an obvious trap. Anyone could see that. Going there meant almost certain death for Kaitou Kid.

"Liu…" Iselin looked at Liu A'dou, clearly worried. She didn't want him to go.

"Don't worry," Liu A'dou muttered, already thinking hard. He'd really brought this on himself by showing off. Now Bane had it out for him and laid out a full-blown death trap just for him.

Go or not go? That was the question.

Just then, he received a text from Batman. The gist: let's work together again. A'dou would stall Bane while Batman handled the explosives and rescued the hostages.

So, Batman was watching the broadcast too. In the end, there was no avoiding this.

Liu A'dou texted back in agreement, then notified Ada Wong to join him for backup. Bane was dangerous, both in brains and brawn, and Liu A'dou wasn't about to underestimate him.

"Don't worry about me, Iselin. I'll be fine. You stay with Catwoman and just keep reporting as usual. I'll come back in one piece," he said, smiling.