Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart! (Genshin Impact)

Night fell.

Charlotte adjusted her Kamera, glancing at the clock in her peripheral vision.

Tick-tock... The hour hand pointed to ten.

Haven't they arrived yet?

Neither Black Cat nor White Cat had appeared. What exactly was the time stated in Phantom Thief White Cat's announcement? She pondered the contents of the card.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Charlotte snapped to attention, noticing the Special Task Force members exchanging knowing nods.

They're here.

But... it was too quiet.

No sudden bursts of light, no theatrical dialogue, and no white-clad figure appeared on the balcony.

Where was Phantom Thief White Cat?

Wait, it might not be White Cat at all. It could be the copycat, Phantom Thief Black Cat.

Chevreuse glanced at the Laville Prize trophy on the table.

Suddenly, her ears perked up. She heard a faint rustling sound coming from... below! Chevreuse immediately grabbed her spear, jammed its tip into a crack in the floorboard, and pried upward.

Bang! The plank splintered, revealing a shadowy figure hiding beneath.

"There!"

"Freeze! Special Task Force!"

In an instant, every gun barrel and Kamera lens swiveled to focus on the figure.

Just as a spotlight was about to illuminate the intruder, they tossed something backhanded—a sphere.

A bomb?

The thought flashed through Charlotte's mind as a Special Task Force officer lunged forward and pinned the sphere to the ground with his body.

Without hesitation, without wavering.

The Special Task Force often faced incredibly dangerous criminals. While such situations were rare, they had occurred before, costing several officers their lives.

Pfft... Instead of exploding, the sphere released a hissing cloud of gas.

"Gas! Don't breathe it in! Put on your filter masks!" Chevreuse shouted, immediately securing her own mask.

By then, the figure had already turned and fled down the tunnel.

"When did my house get this underground passage?" Charlotte exclaimed, covering her mouth and nose with a towel, her face a mask of shock.

"Chase him!"

Phantom Thief White Cat? Never mind her.

She'll return the treasure later anyway. Right now, our priority is Black Cat.

Besides, Chevreuse had a feeling White Cat would inevitably show up ahead.

Leaping into the tunnel, Chevreuse leveled her rifle at the retreating figure.

"Stop!"

The person didn't falter.

Then I have no choice but to pull the trigger! Chevreuse and the other Special Task Force members opened fire, targeting the person's limbs.

Gunshots echoed in rapid succession.

"Ugh!?"

A hit. Judging by their stumble, it seemed the bullet had struck their calf, Chevreuse surmised.

Yet the figure staggered onward, crawling and tumbling around the bend.

"Looks like just an ordinary person. Keep pursuing!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

At the end of the tunnel, a ladder led to the surface, a trail of blood stretching up its rungs.

She won't get far now.

"I'll go first," Chevreuse declared, planting a foot on the ladder. With impossible speed, she propelled herself upward, a trail of firelight trailing behind her.

A sword slash whistled past, barely grazing the crimson glow of her Fire Element aura.

Twisting in mid-air, Chevreuse drew her pistol. The new model allowed for rapid-fire bursts.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The rapid gunfire erupted as Fire Element bullets tore into the ground, their crimson trails blazing like pillars descending from the sky, sealing off the Masked Woman's every escape route.

Trapped with nowhere to go, she found neither retreat nor advance possible.

Chevreuse landed, ejected several spent cartridges, and flicked her pistol to reload. The weapon's airtight mechanism sealed with a click, compressed gas venting with a hiss as the cylinder spun.

"Surrender! You're cornered!" Chevreuse raised her weapon.

The Masked Woman gritted her teeth and glanced around. The rest of the Special Task Force had arrived on the surface, their weapons trained on her back. A reporter frantically snapped photos.

It wasn't that Chevreuse was weak; the Phantom Thief was simply absurdly skilled. The Captain had only ever been outmaneuvered by the Phantom Thief herself, and other criminals trembled at her name. Charlotte now understood this perfectly.

The harsh spotlight glared at the Masked Woman, forcing her to squint.

"So she's not the Phantom Thief after all..."

"But her Cat Element seems stronger. Look at all the cat motifs on her outfit."

Chevreuse wanted to retort: "The Phantom Thief's feline nature isn't about appearances; it's ingrained in her very being."

"You've been shot," Chevreuse urged. "Surrender now and get treatment. It's the only way to save your life."

Blood continued to flow from the Masked Woman's calf.

"The Special Task Force..." she finally spoke, her eyes burning with loathing and hatred. "You're as useless as the rest of the Court of Justice."

Chevreuse frowned. "Say whatever you want about us, but you'll be facing the Judgment of the opera house next—"

The Masked Woman threw open her coat.

"Are you sure about that?" she gasped, sweat streaming down her face.

Beneath her coat, a shimmering explosive device was strapped to her inner shirt.

Charlotte's face paled. "She... she's turned herself into a walking bomb? What kind of Phantom Thief does this? You're just a dangerous fanatic!"

"This is what you forced me to do," the Masked Woman hissed, gritting her teeth against the pain. "Let me go. I lost this round, but I won't be taken alive. Please, just get out of my way."

Chevreuse stood motionless.

She could shoot the strap holding the explosives in place in an instant, then leap forward to subdue her. But she didn't.

Her purple eyes reflected the moonlit figure before her.

"Are you certain those explosives are still on you?"

"Of course. Isn't it obvious...?"

The Masked Woman glanced down.

Empty.

How could this be?! Her face was a mask of disbelief, while the members of the Special Task Force shared the same thought.

Could it be...?

They followed the Masked Woman's gaze upward, still met with the dazzling gold and pristine white.

The wind rustled Luna's cape, causing it to flutter audibly.

"The Phantom Thief..."

"White Cat," Charlotte murmured.

Luna smiled faintly, holding a brooch. She tossed it high into the air.

Bang! A bullet pierced the explosive device hidden within the brooch. A burst of flame erupted in the night sky, followed by a shower of luminous petals that cascaded down, bathing Luna's flawless figure in a floral rain.

Luna pressed a hand to her chest and bowed gracefully.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

Drawn by the explosion, residents peeked out of their windows.

"And good evening to you, my dear Miss Captain," Luna added with a smile.

The Captain always claims to dislike Phantom Thief White Cat, but it seems the Phantom Thief has quite a soft spot for the Captain... Turenna and the other officers thought in unison.

From the moment Luna appeared, she commanded everyone's attention.

Impossible to look away, impossible to resist the quickening of their pulses—every place she stood became an absolute stage.

She lightly lifted her foot and stepped into the void.

The steps of the Golden Theatre materialized beneath her, cradling each graceful, catlike stride.

"Long time no see, White Cat," Chevreuse said impassively.

"Indeed, it has been quite some time," Luna replied.

"I still can't forget the mark Miss Captain left on me. Your justice continues to fascinate me, but unfortunately, your bullet failed to pierce my heart."

"That's why I'm still standing here." Luna's gaze swept across the surroundings. Those caught in her line of sight retreated into their homes. No cheers or applause greeted her—only faint traces of fear and curiosity lingered. This was precisely what Luna desired. Luna shifted her stance and walked down. Steps of solidified Geo Element materialized, allowing her to walk downward.

Click-clack. Her boots struck the ground. Luna walked into the center of the Special Task Force's encirclement, surrounded by raised firearms. Not a trace of fear showed on her face; instead, an intrigued expression surfaced.

"So, you're the one who calls herself a Phantom Thief?" the Masked Woman murmured. "Phantom Thief White Cat..."

She exhaled.

"You came after all."

Luna smiled. "Because I didn't want Miss Captain's gaze to leave me. And you—I knew you wanted to see me. But did you know?"

Her smile remained, but her tone turned cold.

"Fontaine can only have one Phantom Thief, no?"

Though no such rule existed, Chevreuse agreed.

"One White Cat is enough. We don't need any more Phantom Thieves like Rainbow Cat, Blue Cat, or Purple Cat."

The Masked Woman broke into a cold sweat but persisted, "Please take me with you, White Cat..."

"What?"

Chevreuse narrowed her eyes. "None of you are going anywhere."

"Take me with you, White Cat! I have something I need to tell you!"

"Don't move, White Cat!" Chevreuse barked.

The situation had suddenly taken a sharp turn!

Charlotte blinked in confusion, as did the other members of the Special Task Force. But Captain Chevreuse's orders were absolute, so they kept their weapons trained.

"Regrettably, I don't take orders or requests from anyone. Not from you, nor from Miss Captain."

"And those who attempt to use me to achieve their own ends should be warned—"

A flash of swordlight.

The Masked Woman's mask split in two and fell to the ground, leaving her skin completely untouched—not even a strand of hair was disturbed.

Luna used the tip of her sword to lift the woman's chin.

"Perhaps by the time you awaken from this dream and open your eyes, my calling card will already be before you. And as promised, I will claim your treasure."

"That treasure isn't limited to gold and jewels, as I've said before—it could be someone's heart, another's joy, or even their future."

She tugged at the silken thread, retrieving the shattered fragments of the mask from the ground.

"I've claimed your mask. If Fontaine ever produces another who resembles, imitates, or tries to replace me, I will claim their mask and their future as well."

"Remember this: Fontaine has only one Phantom Thief—and that's me."

It was both a warning and a threat.

If anyone else in Fontaine dared to become a Phantom Thief, they would face more than just the Special Task Force. They would also have to face the true Phantom Thief—The White Cat.

Everyone knew Captain Chevreuse of the Special Task Force's methods. If she saw an opportunity to collaborate with Phantom Thief White Cat to eliminate a greater threat first, she would likely accept it. That would mean facing a combined assault from Phantom Thief White Cat and Chevreuse—no laughing matter.

Even if the two would inevitably turn on each other after their alliance, their cooperation would always hinge on one condition: Phantom Thief White Cat remained the greatest current threat.

Chevreuse gave Luna a long, penetrating look.

"Then, if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave first. Once you've dealt with the impostor, please return to the treasure's location. I'll meet you there."

In other words, she still intended to claim the trophy.

Luna snapped her fingers, and a curtain instantly concealed her form, vanishing her from everyone's sight. As elusive as ever.

Chevreuse glanced at the dazed Masked Woman and holstered her pistol.

"Don't try to control Phantom Thief White Cat," Chevreuse said, pulling out handcuffs.

Click. The handcuffs snapped shut on the woman's wrists.

"She knows exactly what she's doing and how to do it," Chevreuse said, waving over the Special Task Force medics.

"Captain," Turenna suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?"

"I feel strangely fond of Phantom Thief White Cat whenever I see her now. Am I losing my mind?" Turenna asked, visibly troubled.

Chevreuse crossed her arms. "Possibly."

"Then can I request leave?"

"No."

Afterward, the Special Task Force resumed guarding the Charlotte family residence, but Phantom Thief White Cat still managed to steal the treasure. As always.

Charlotte, however, didn't mind. After all, the thief had only taken the Lavelle Prize trophy.

Besides, she had acquired a wealth of excellent research material. Wasn't that far more valuable than that useless trophy?

Still, she had a hunch that Phantom Thief Black Cat was involved in something far larger and more sinister... it was her keen journalist's instinct!

-

"Charlotte, have you heard?"

At the Steam Bird newspaper office, a colleague from the next desk leaned over.

"What?" Charlotte asked, chewing on the end of her pen.

"You know that secretary from the Court of Justice who took his own life? The Marechaussee Phantom just cracked the case. Turns out he embezzled a whopping..."

Her colleague held up both hands, displaying nine fingers.

"What?!" Charlotte exclaimed in shock.

A hundred million?!

"I knew you'd be surprised. Apparently, the secretary confessed in his suicide note, saying he couldn't bear the guilt anymore, so he ended his life."

Charlotte propped her cheek on her hand, pen still in her mouth. "Do you believe that?"

"No way. Do you?"

"Me neither. What was his name? I'm going to look him up—this could be a huge scoop!"

"Rainer. Rainer Wilger."

Meanwhile, at Special Task Force headquarters, Chevreuse sat across from Phantom Thief Black Cat, her arms crossed.

"You have the right to remain silent, but if you're truly in trouble, silence won't help you."

The masked woman remained silent.

Her only request was to see Phantom Thief White Cat.

Chevreuse could easily grant this request—after all, that particular "cat" loved lounging on her bedroom bed.

But if we can solve this without relying on Phantom Thief White Cat, we should.

"Captain," Turenna said, opening the door and beckoning Chevreuse over.

Chevreuse followed her to the interrogation room.

"We've got her identity. Her name is Ester Wilger. Yes, she's the sister of the secretary involved in that recent embezzlement scandal that's been all over the news."

Chevreuse nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm... this lead couldn't have come at a better time." Perhaps it would help break the suspect.

She reentered the interrogation room, pressed her hands on the table, and leaned forward. "Your brother was Rainer Wilger, the embezzler who chose suicide to evade justice, correct?"

"...He was murdered," Ester finally said.

Just as I suspected.

Chevreuse nodded. "I thought so too."

"Really?"

"Of course. But what does that have to do with your criminal activities?" Chevreuse pressed.

Ester lowered her head again.

"...I want to see Phantom Thief White Cat."

This is going to be a headache, Chevreuse thought. Why does it have to be Phantom Thief White Cat?

"If she were here, would you tell us everything?"

"Yes."

It seemed there was no other choice.

The next day, Luna saw Chevreuse's name in the newspaper again. Though not explicitly stated, the message was clear: Come and see me.