"You might be thinking, 'It's just a towel,' but I'm sure you understand that if you can tolerate small things, you can tolerate big ones. If you can accept the first step, why not the next...?"
Luna gripped the towel, carefully wiping the water droplets from Chevreuse's hair.
"Perhaps Miss Chevreuse will eventually tolerate me doing something even more special."
Chevreuse turned her face away and reclaimed the towel. "Impossible. Save your daydreams for daylight hours. It's already night."
She raised her hand to continue drying her hair, but suddenly felt the towel slip from her grasp.
Luna waved the fabric. "I told you, let me help. It's free."
Chevreuse still couldn't figure out how Luna had stolen the towel.
It was as if the towel had flown into her hand by itself.
Or was this another of her special abilities? To alter the temporal flow of objects... This went beyond the realm of elemental power.
"...Who exactly are you?" she demanded.
With such extraordinary power, why choose to be a Phantom Thief?
Luna clung to Chevreuse's shoulders, trying to make her move. But Chevreuse didn't budge an inch, as immovable as a boulder.
"Miss Chevreuse, didn't you want to understand me? Then you should listen to me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes," Luna said. "After all, if I don't speak, even someone like you—who's arrested countless criminals—wouldn't be able to read my thoughts."
"Think back on our past encounters. You'll see whether there's truth in my words."
Though she didn't want to admit it, Luna was right.
Just by observing the Phantom Thief's actions, one couldn't discern her true motives. Despite knowing this thief always acted with purpose, it was impossible to predict her next move.
This wasn't the work of impulse or whim.
Whether it was earlier when she'd volunteered as bait to distract enemies, or Vacher's recent death—
Seeing Chevreuse's silence, Luna pressed closer. She positioned her left foot between Chevreuse's legs and wrapped the towel around the back of her neck, gently wiping.
But this wasn't mere cleaning. Luna occasionally twirled strands of hair around her fingers or gave them playful tugs, clearly treating the locks like a toy.
With her back pressed against the door, Chevreuse's thoughts weren't focused on the blurred distance around her.
"Why did you lead Vacher there?" she demanded, scrutinizing Luna's expression. "You knew he would die there."
Luna wiped Chevreuse's face with a damp towel. "To be precise, I knew he would be punished. The young girls he murdered chose the most cruel method to settle the score."
Chevreuse gripped Luna's collar, her brows furrowed. "No matter what you say, this is still..."
"Does Miss Chevreuse believe someone like him should remain in this world?" Luna countered.
Chevreuse hesitated.
Luna smiled. "See? Even you can't bear it."
"In twenty years, he slaughtered countless young girls with limitless potential—those who wanted to become actors, famous artists, or earn money to care for sick parents... He stripped them of everything."
Luna tossed the towel onto the nearby table, removed her gloves, and pressed her palm against Chevreuse's neck. She felt the surging blood and the steady heartbeat beneath her hand.
The heartbeat quickened.
This wasn't because she disapproved of what Chevreuse was doing.
"Look, your heartbeat's sped up. You're angry, deeply pained by these victims' fates. Why not admit it?"
"You want him gone from this world too," Luna murmured, her voice honeyed with sweetness, gentle and soothing.
Each word pierced Chevreuse's core, the more tender the delivery, the sharper the blade.
But Chevreuse only glared at her.
"...Stop these pointless games. Just as you won't act according to others' expectations, I won't satisfy yours."
She gripped Luna's collar, pulling their faces close.
"I won't deny my anger and hatred, but that doesn't mean I'll break the law to punish that bastard outside of trial."
"I won't let emotions dictate my actions."
"Besides, once he reaches the Fortress of Meropide, he won't meet a good end."
"As for you, you've already come dangerously close to crossing that line you shouldn't cross. I've told you before—if you kill someone, my attitude toward you will no longer be what it is now."
Sins come in degrees of severity.
Between a Phantom Thief who steals treasures and a murderer, the difference in their crimes is self-evident. Even if the victim was a villain, the law remains the same.
Luna's cheeks flushed crimson, her breath sweet as orchids. "Could it be that Miss Chevreuse is... concerned for me?"
"I'm warning you."
"Since I'm already a criminal, what's one more charge?"
Chevreuse's gaze locked onto Luna's eyes. She seized her wrist. "Don't kill."
Luna stared into Chevreuse's eyes, their willpower shining like priceless jewels. Indeed, she's an irreplaceable treasure.
"Does this mean Miss Chevreuse believes I didn't kill Vacher?"
"...The ones who killed him were the girls he harmed," Chevreuse murmured.
For a moment, neither spoke.
This was Chevreuse's declaration. She chose to turn a blind eye.
Only she could utter such words.
"This time only."
Yet she would never tolerate a second occurrence.
Luna whispered, "Chevreuse, you're truly naive. I've already said it—don't harbor any expectations of me."
"It's not about expectations."
"Then what is it?"
"An order. I want to capture the Phantom Thief White Cat, not the murderer White Cat." Chevreuse's voice carried steady resolve.
An order? Luna hadn't anticipated this response.
"I'm not your subordinate."
"Since you've shown interest in me, I naturally have the right to command you. If you refuse, remove your hand."
Luna let out a soft chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Chevreuse frowned.
"I just find it remarkable how much you've changed, Miss Chevreuse. I won't remove my hand, but neither will I accept your command. You have no authority over me."
Chevreuse took a breath. "Then remove your hand."
"I'm the Phantom Thief, Miss Captain."
Luna wrapped her arm around Chevreuse's neck and whispered, "Don't assume I'll obey every word you speak."
Can't you promise anything? Chevreuse's eyes seemed to ask.
Of course not.
Because she had already stained her hands with blood - even if it was the blood of the wicked.
"But I'm deeply grateful for your concern, Miss Chevreuse. As repayment, I'll gladly accept your... date proposal."
"I never said I wanted to go on a date with you," Chevreuse murmured.
"Did I mishear? I thought you wanted to take me out for a stroll."
Luna leaned close to Chevreuse's ear.
"Shall we go for a cat-walk?"