Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

Luna swung her legs. "'Why am I doing this?' Even if you ask me like that, I don't know what you mean."

"Why are you attacking other criminals like them?" Chevreuse asked blandly.

"Do I need a reason?" Luna showed no sensitivity to Chevreuse's probing.

Even though she couldn't see Luna's face clearly, Chevreuse could almost feel her basking in an irritatingly pleased smile.

She leaped lightly from the tree, carrying a smile as expected. "Would you like to hear a story?"

"Sure, I'm listening."

Luna clasped her hands behind her back and paced, her words unfolding like a tapestry. "Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a little girl. Her parents were taken from her by a senseless shooting, but she survived, thanks to the fateful decision to buy an ice cream cone at that very moment."

"The culprit behind this heinous crime was a man consumed by an addiction to sinthe. Penniless and destitute, he had no choice but to sell his very soul to the devil."

"Justice, the little girl believed, would surely catch up with the sinner. But fate had other plans. As she grew into a woman, she learned that the killer had never been brought to justice. And on his arm, there appeared a star-shaped tattoo..."

A star? I've never heard of such a telltale sign on a criminal. But if it's an old case, the records should still be around.

A mysterious glint flashed through Chevreuse's eyes. While the Special Task Force represented the voice of justice, she had seen her fair share of people who, denied swift retribution, had turned to crime themselves.

"Can... you recall any other details?" she pressed.

Luna lifted her head. "Do you really expect me to remember something like that?"

She was right; at that time, Luna must have still been a child.

"Well, I did make up the story, after all."

Chevreuse remained silent for a moment before taking a deep breath to suppress her rising anger. She felt like an idiot for sympathizing with Luna just moments ago.

What a fool she'd been.

"Is it fun to lie?" Chevreuse's voice was low and menacing.

"It depends on the occasion, who I'm talking to, and my current position. You shouldn't trust a word from a Phantom Thief, young lady."

Luna touched the mask on her face.

"You might be hoping for some deep, bitter reason, but there isn't one. I wanted them dead, and the reason is simple: they had treasures I desired."

She flicked the blood-red gemstone, catching it lightly between her fingers. Setting it atop her index finger, the stone glistened under the moonlight, its shine somehow displeasing to Chevreuse.

"I wanted it, so I eliminated them all."

After a moment of silence, Chevreuse spoke again. "Are you saying you'll do whatever you want?"

"Indeed, whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Throughout their conversation, Luna maintained a serene demeanor without any noticeable changes.

This was the anomaly; typically, people exhibit subtle reactions when lying—unless...they've undergone specialized training.

Members of the Special Task Force received such counter-interrogation training.

Chevreuse lifted her gaze. "Who exactly are you?"

"The Phantom Thief."

"Your true identity."

"Of course, I'm the Phantom Thief."

"Nonsense," Chevreuse frowned deeply.

Luna smiled. "How is it nonsense? Without the mask, I could be anyone—perhaps someone from the security forces, or maybe just a girl out having fun on the streets..."

"But once I put on the mask, with a single glance, you'd know exactly who I am, wouldn't you?"

Luna blinked. "What could be more genuine than that?"

Skilled at wordplay, Chevreuse thought, determined not to fall for such blatant mental manipulation.

There's only ever one truth.

Luna yawned. "I think it's about time to get some sleep. Goodnight, Miss Chevreuse."

"Wait."

Luna wasn't surprised that Chevreuse wanted to talk to her. It certainly wasn't because she desired a friendly chat with a Phantom Thief or had developed any unnecessary emotions.

She turned around, her hand resting on her gun, ready to draw it at any moment.

"What is it? Are you here for a goodnight kiss, Miss Chevreuse?"

Chevreuse ignored Luna's comment and placed her hand on her hip. "I have a question for you."

"I know where you can find a certain someone. She's a Phantom Thief, female, and likes beautiful things. Single, no partner."

"How did you know this group's whereabouts? Even the Marechaussee Phantoms struggle to keep up with them."

So this is what she wanted to ask, Luna thought to herself.

Looking directly into Chevreuse's eyes, Luna said, "I've heard Miss Chevreuse has a unique approach to her work. I never expected you to ask a criminal for her thoughts."

The Special Task Force was a peculiar department within the Court of Justice, and its captain, Chevreuse, was equally unusual.

In the past, when people spoke of Chevreuse, some would call her "the daughter of a sinner."

Once, Chevreuse's father had been a member of the Maison Gardiennage, but he violated their laws and regulations, leaking important case information to the public. He stood as a defendant on the Opera House stage.

Afterwards, he was exiled to Meropide.

His daughter, Chevreuse, later became a member of the Special Task Force.

Chevreuse had a unique approach to solving cases. She even invited incarcerated criminals to serve as temporary "special advisors."

"You're asking me about this?" Luna emphasized her words. "Miss Captain?"

Chevreuse's expression remained unchanged. "If dignity and pride can keep Fontaine at peace, that would be ideal. If not, they serve no purpose."

"The most heinous insult to order and justice is the criminal who roams free outside the law."

"Right now, there is a sinner even more unforgivable than you, harming countless innocent people. Choosing the lesser of two evils, I'll address them first."

Chevreuse tightened her gloves. "Of course, I'll also send you to prison. It's just a matter of time."

Her every word and action was entirely authentic, so honest it was refreshing and devoid of any offense.

Luna touched her lips, lost in thought.

"Of course I can tell you, but I'm not some altruist who shares information freely without condition."

Chevreuse cut through the pretense. "You want to make a trade."

"Unwilling to do so?"

"State your terms."

I've been waiting for these words. Luna approached Chevreuse, ignoring the sharp glint in her eyes. She placed her hand on Chevreuse's shoulder, slowly moving it towards her neck.

Immediately, she felt the cold steel of a gun barrel press against her side.

Chevreuse was holding a pistol to her.

"Move another inch and I'll fire," she said, her voice steady.

"But you swore not to draw your weapon." Luna seemed unfazed.

Chevreuse looked down at the pistol now pressed to her side, no trace of panic on her face.

Instead of answering Luna's question, she demanded, "What are you trying to do?"

"A kiss on the cheek?"