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

The following morning, Special Task Force headquarters welcomed a "Special Task Force member" no one recognized.

"One, two, three!"

The team was engaged in their daily morning training, transitioning from weighted jogging to close-quarters combat drills. Thrusting and retracting their spears... they relied solely on their skills and physical conditioning, lacking the formidable Elemental Power.

"Captain? You're back."

Turenna wiped sweat from her brow and noticed Chevreuse entering the front entrance, accompanied by a blonde girl in a Special Task Force uniform?

Chevreuse gave a slight nod. "Where's Ester Wilger?"

"She's already in the interrogation room, waiting for you, Captain."

"Good."

Without further explanation, Chevreuse grasped Luna's wrist, pulling her back from her curiosity, and walked nonchalantly into headquarters.

"Is that person even on our team?"

"Hey, just don't bother with the Captain's matters."

The members exchanged glances and shrugged. If their captain had brought Phantom Thief White Cat herself, they wouldn't have been surprised.

As they passed through the main gate, Chevreuse shook off Luna's arm. "Keep your eyes to yourself. The Special Task Force headquarters doesn't hold the treasures you're looking for. And Charlotte's trophy needs to be returned."

Luna looped her arm around Chevreuse's. "Isn't it possible that the greatest treasure here is right beside me?"

"I didn't bring you here to argue," Chevreuse scoffed, wrenching her arm free. I can't let anyone see this.

"Right, right," Luna replied, unfazed. She continued to survey the Special Task Force headquarters out of the corner of her eye.

She had already explored Chevreuse's bedroom during her first clandestine visit. But that had been a furtive infiltration; this time, she was here openly. The experience felt entirely different.

"I never expected Miss Captain to bring me straight to headquarters. Or perhaps you wanted me to address you more intimately again—" Luna leaned in close to Chevreuse's ear. "Cap-tain?~"

Chevreuse pushed Luna's face away. "There's no need for that. It can't hurt for you to familiarize yourself with the headquarters."

Can't hurt? Luna crossed her arms behind her back, scrutinizing Chevreuse's expression.

"As you know, some members of the Special Task Force are former criminals..." Chevreuse glanced at Luna but trailed off, her meaning clear. You can join the Special Task Force after you've atoned for your sins.

This was a choice.

As for whether she could catch Phantom Thief White Cat, that remained to be seen. If capture proved impossible, persuasion was another option, though Chevreuse knew it would likely be futile.

"I'm perfectly content with my current identity," Luna said with a faint smile.

Chevreuse averted her gaze. "...I've already explained why I sought you out."

The prisoner was desperate to see her; otherwise, she wouldn't have uttered another word. She might even have starved herself to make his point.

Luna chuckled softly. "I remember every detail. But Miss Chevreuse, don't you think your method of contacting me was rather... cumbersome?"

"I'd be more than happy to publicly scold you in the newspapers," Chevreuse retorted.

Luna stepped in front of Chevreuse, lifting the brim of her hat—apart of one of Chevreuse's spare uniforms. "I don't mind your unique way of expressing affection, Miss Chevreuse, but if we're to meet again, shouldn't we establish a proper means of communication?"

"How about installing a custom spotlight on Special Task Force headquarters that projects the image of a cat?"

Chevreuse brushed past Luna and continued walking.

"Of course, as long as you don't mind all of Fontaine knowing we're on a date."

Chevreuse sighed. Whatever works. She had no intention of maintaining contact with Phantom Thief White Cat anyway.

This was merely a last resort.

"We're here. Let's go in," Chevreuse said, opening the interrogation room door.

"You're acting like I'm the one being interrogated," Luna muttered.

"That's just your imagination."

The door clicked shut. Ester, seated at the far end of the interrogation room, looked up.

Captain Chevreuse, and... who was this?

A flicker of confusion crossed her face, but she remained silent. She refused to speak again until Phantom Thief White Cat appeared.

But would White Cat really show up? Ester wasn't sure. How could the Special Task Force, her sworn enemies, ever hope to track down such an elusive phantom thief?

Luna suddenly hopped onto the table. "Good morning, Miss Ester!"

Chevreuse frowned slightly. Does she have to climb onto every table she sees?

"You wanted White Cat, right? Don't you recognize her?" Chevreuse leaned against the wall, her tone nonchalant.

"Can't even recognize your own 'number one fan'? Not surprising, I suppose. Miss Chevreuse here is undoubtedly my most devoted admirer."

Chevreuse crossed her arms. "Then your 'number one fan' intends to send you to the opera house for Judgment."

"Isn't that just another form of affection?"

Chevreuse didn't bother arguing. If that's what you want to believe, fine.

Noticing Ester's continued bewilderment, Luna snapped her fingers. In an instant, she transformed, donning her unmistakable Phantom Thief attire.

"Do you recognize me now?"

Ester exclaimed in surprise, "It really is you! I thought..."

So, she actually found Phantom Thief White Cat? How did the Captain manage that? And they don't seem hostile towards each other. The atmosphere isn't even that tense...

"Shh," Luna silenced her with a raised finger, then pulled out her pocket watch. "Three minutes."

"Huh?"

"That's all the patience I have. Now, tell me your story. If it's interesting enough, I might grant you another three minutes," Luna said with a faint smile.

Ester wasn't bothered by Luna's attitude; she was too caught up in her own thoughts.

"My brother was murdered!" she burst out. "He never committed any of those crimes the news reported!"

"You mean the major corruption case involving hundreds of millions of Mora?"

"Yes!"

"Evidence?"

Ester's shoulders slumped. "I... I don't have any evidence, but I know he wasn't that kind of person. I was an orphan adopted by his parents, and they always treated me like family..."

"Ever since my brother died, my adoptive father and mother have been devastated, completely withdrawn and lost in their grief."

Luna nodded slightly, her expression unchanging.

"So? What does this have to do with you impersonating me?"

"I know who killed him," Ester said, her voice low and her fists clenched.

"Who?" Chevreuse couldn't help but ask.

"One of the high-ranking officials at the Court of Justice who made him his secretary... that old bastard, Ronat," Ester gritted her teeth.

Luna casually interjected, "Evidence?"

"...None. But isn't he the prime suspect?" Ester's grip loosened, her expression deflating.

"My brother was so good to me. I... I loved him. Even though we were siblings, it was only by adoption. Our parents supported me wholeheartedly. But before I could confess my feelings, he was gone..."

"Lately, reporters and other people have been harassing my parents too."

Luna glanced indifferently at her pocket watch. "Two minutes. You still haven't explained why you're imitating my crimes," she murmured.

Chevreuse knew Luna was putting on an act. If the Phantom Thief White Cat were truly the ruthless, cold-blooded person who enjoyed spouting cruel remarks...

Then she wouldn't have been entangled in this ill-fated connection with him.

Chevreuse shot Luna a sidelong glance and remained silent.

"Because I admire you," Ester continued. "Everyone says you're a notorious villain, but I know that's not true."

"Or perhaps... being a villain is exactly what's so wonderful!"

Ester slammed her hand on the table. "The Maison Gardiennage just brushes me off with empty platitudes. No matter how formidable the Special Task Force is, they're still just a branch of the Court of Justice—birds of a feather!"

Chevreuse remained unmoved.

Why bother clarifying? she thought. What others think of the Special Task Force has no bearing on our duty.

Luna's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Admiration?"

"Exactly!"

"Then tell me, what kind of treasure do I cherish most?"

"Huh?"

Luna leaned closer. "You claim to be my fan. Surely you know the answer to this simple question. It's elementary, almost trivial. Or is this just a pretense? Are you trying to convince yourself?"

Ester stammered, unable to answer.

"Gems?" she guessed hesitantly. After all, the Phantom Thief White Cat had stolen numerous gem-encrusted treasures.

Chevreuse casually dismissed the idea. "Beauty, not limited to objects. People count too. She prefers virtue over vice."

"Miss Captain gets a point," Luna chirped, grinning.

She produced a small knife and began flipping it idly between her fingers, the cold glint of the blade flashing between them.

"You don't just admire me; you want to become the person you imagine me to be."

"You long to wear my mask, to live without restraint, all to achieve your goal: assassinating Ronat, an official of the Court of Justice."

Luna's smile remained fixed, but the cold glint in her eyes sent a shiver of sweat down Ester's back. Her crimson eyes seemed to pierce through Ester's every thought.

"I can sense your hatred," Luna said. "You don't care about the treasures themselves; you only want the money to fund your plan and, as a side benefit, to practice your stealth skills."

"But you underestimated the strength of the Special Task Force."

"You sought me out as a backup plan. If you failed, you thought you could earn my pity and sympathy, gambling on the chance that I might help you."

Luna crossed her arms over her lap, tilting her head slightly, a silent contempt woven into her smile.

Ester struggled to breathe, forced to avert her gaze.

"Do you know what truly lies at the heart of a Phantom Thief?" Luna asked. "Is it the mask? No. The flamboyant theatrics? Not that either."

"It's aesthetics."

"I collect treasures to cherish them, seizing everything I desire with flamboyant flair. But you? You're just a betrayed thief, your mind clouded by anger."

Ester lowered her head, speechless.

Luna clapped lightly. "Still, I admire your design. Your Phantom Thief costume is quite adorable."

"...I like making clothes," Ester mumbled.

"A wonderful hobby. You don't need to become someone you're not."

Ester pursed her lips. "I can't swallow this bitterness! If justice didn't come to save my family, what use is it?"

Chevreuse lowered her gaze, having witnessed countless similar cases. "Nothing is flawless, Miss Ester."

Chevreuse raised her eyes to meet Luna's gaze.

Luna's tone remained calm, a faint smile playing on her lips as she maintained her elegant posture. "The justice you seek exists nowhere, nor can it be obtained simply by donning a mask."

"Then what should I do? What about the stain on my brother's name?"

"Obey the law and start anew."

It was almost unbelievable to hear such words from the mouth of a Phantom Thief.

"After all, you're all your parents have left, aren't you?" Luna said softly.

Ester covered her face and began to sob uncontrollably. "I hate this so much..."

"I understand," Luna replied. "But rest assured, the justice you seek will eventually come. Miss Chevreuse can guarantee that."

Chevreuse nodded gently. "Though I cannot conduct an official investigation openly, I've never liked being bound by rules that allow evil to run rampant. Progress may be slow, but I promise I will try to help you."

She offered no absolute assurances, for sometimes, hope itself can be a poison.

Ester didn't respond, her sobs continuing unabated. Her next destination was undoubtedly the Fortress of Meropide.

"Law enforcers must not be swayed by emotion, blinding themselves to justice; nor should the law itself tolerate personal feelings."

After leaving the interrogation room, Chevreuse suddenly spoke.

Luna, having reapplied her disguise, smiled faintly. "But Miss Captain seems rather powerless, doesn't she?"

"...Come this way." Chevreuse turned around. "There's something I want to show you."

"You're not planning to lock me in the basement while you have the chance, are you?" Luna chuckled as she followed.

"I have no interest in that."

"Too bad."

Too bad? Chevreuse scoffed softly.

"We're here."

She opened the door and stepped inside, Luna close behind.

Click. The light switch flipped, illuminating a room lined with hats arranged on shelves.

Each one was a standard-issue cap from the Special Task Force uniform, with name tags affixed to the shelves below.

"The Special Task Force has an unwritten rule, one that's been in place since its founding," Chevreuse said, resting a hand on her hip. "When a member falls in the line of duty, we preserve their hat. If their descendants later join the Task Force, we present it to them."

Luna clasped her hands behind her back, surveying the collection.

"There certainly are a lot of them."

"...That's just the nature of the Special Task Force."

Chevreuse remained composed. "Every major act of justice comes at the cost of sacrifices."

"To honor the departed, we will spare no effort in eradicating sin. And to honor them, we must never tolerate a wrongful judgment."

"In the eyes of the Law, black is black, and white is white. There is only guilt or innocence."

"If Ester's brother is innocent, I will strive to clear his name. If he is guilty, he must face trial and forfeit his rights."

Chevreuse exhaled softly and turned to Luna.

"But how I proceed is my decision alone. Phantom Thief White Cat, if you uncover anything relevant, come to me at once."

"A temporary alliance, then?"

"Yes, but that doesn't rule out future conflict."

Her stance was clear. Chevreuse could collaborate with Luna, but whether the Captain of the Special Task Force would do the same depended entirely on the circumstances.

Luna smiled. "Still, Miss Captain will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to catch me afterward, won't she?"

"Indeed."

Breaking the Law makes one a criminal. That fundamental truth would never change.

Luna nodded in satisfaction. "Exactly as it should be."

A Captain who doesn't want to catch a Phantom Thief isn't worthy of the title.

Chevreuse gave one last salute to the hats on the rack before leading Luna out of the room.

The moment the door closed, Luna moved closer.

A cool, damp sensation brushed against the beauty mark near Chevreuse's lips.

Luna gently twisted a strand of Chevreuse's hair around her finger and whispered, "Miss Captain wants to capture me, while I aim to capture Miss Captain's heart. Isn't that intriguing?"

"Not in the slightest. Because you won't succeed."

Chevreuse quickened her pace, leaving Luna behind. "...Goodbye, White Cat."

"Of course. Until next time, Miss Captain."

Luna lifted an imaginary skirt and performed a graceful curtsy.

Chevreuse opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated.

In the end, she said nothing, silently turning and walking away.

Touching her cheek, Chevreuse felt an inexplicable urge to quicken her pace and escape the scene.