“Which means…?”
“That there’s a good chance Fantasista is still on the bottom floor.”
“But I don’t see him down here…?!”
Shiver.
A cold sensation ran down my spine. In an instant, I ducked down.
SHINK!
Something flew over my head and lodged into a wooden crate behind me.
Is that…a card?
“Well, well. Quite the instincts you have there. I thought I managed to ambush you, but I suppose Phantom Thief Red is better than that.”
I leaped back immediately and took on a fighting stance.
In front of me, wearing a black tuxedo and silk hat, was—
“Fantasista!!”
I glared back at him.
“So we meet again, Phantom Thief Red.” He was grinning beneath his mask.
As he did so, he fanned out his deck of cards, then snapped it back—but somehow, it was in his left hand now, fanned out again.
“Wow! How’d he do that?!”
“Now’s no time to be impressed, Asuka.”
Oh right. Sorry. It’s just so flashy…
“You managed to solve my riddle, I see. It’s too late, though,” he said.
Then, he closed his card fan once more before flicking his wrist, revealing a glimpse of darkness—it was the Black Tear.
“We’re not too late! I’m not letting you get away with the Black Tear!”
“We’ll see about that…” Fantasista grinned roguishly.
What’s with this guy’s confidence? Sure, he managed to get the Black Tear, but it’s not like I’m just gonna let him walk out of here.
And yeah, maybe he got away last time, but I’m not gonna let that happen again!
“There’s no need to glare at me. From here on out, I will be putting on a private show, especially for you.”
“A show…?”
“That’s right. I’m calling it: Fantasista’s Great Escape.”
“Y-you know I won’t let that happen!”
I moved forward in an attempt to close the distance between the two of us, but as I did—
—a sudden announcement rang out over the speaker system.
“This is Kotone Hanasato. I have proof of your thievery. You will not be able to get away. The police are ready to arrest you back at the port. Give yourself up now… I repeat…”
Is that the intercom?! What is Kotone saying?
“Surprised?” said Fantasista in Kotone’s voice. “This is what she sounds like, right?’”
“Huh? What?! What the heck?! Why does Fantasista sound exactly like Kotone?!”
“I’ve read it’s possible to mimic anyone’s voice with enough practice…but the bigger problem is what he just said, Asuka.”
And that is?
Before Kei could answer me, Fantasista spoke up. “Now, my fair lady. Do you have the leisure to spend any more time with me?”
“What do you mean?!”
“Oh, you’ll realize soon enough…but I do find you a bit strange—a phantom thief like me, but you stop thievery,” Fantasista said with genuine curiosity.
“There’s nothing about us that’s alike! You’re a crook who steals people’s things for fun!”
“You think these big heists are just fun and games that surprise people, don’t you?! But I’m not gonna let you steal Kotone’s family treasure simply for that!”
“My mission is to provide entertainment for people as a phantom thief. People enjoy seeing the impossible made possible—it strikes awe in them and touches their hearts. I’m an entertainer, an artist. What’s wrong with that?”
“It’s totally wrong! You’re stealing people’s valuables to do it!”
“I only steal from the wealthy—they hardly feel the loss.”
“You’re wrong!” I looked straight at Fantasista. “It’s not about whether or not you have money. It’s about how that person feels about the thing! If you steal something that matters to someone, it’s going to hurt them!”
Fantasista shrugged back at me.
I had to ask. “Isn’t there…someone important to you? Or something, like a treasure?”
I mean, stealing from people just for entertainment is…just too cruel!
When I asked, though, something changed about Fantasista’s presence.
“An important person? A treasure?”
Though he was still smiling, he took on an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.
“Not at all.”
What’s going on…? Is he angry? But why?
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking behind his mask, but the change didn’t last long.
“Yes, indeed. If there is something I value, it’s my audience—their cheers of joy.”
He quickly reverted to his usual, unbothered self.
Aw, geez! This guy! I don’t have time for this!
“Fantasista! I’m Phantom Thief Red, and I’m going to take back the Black Tear and the clock from you! Get ready for a fight!”
I got down low in a fighting stance.
I’m not going to lose!
The instant I did, though, I heard Kei’s voice coming cracking in through my earpiece.
“—No, Asuka. We need to fall back.”
Uh…womp womp, I guess? C’mon, Kei!
His orders caused the mounting tension to fall so flat, I almost fell over, too.
“Something felt off, so I looked into what was going on in the ship, and we’ve got a problem. We’ll have to take care of Fantasista later.”
“Later? But…”
Fantasista looked on with his arms folded as I hesitated to step forward.
It’s almost as if he knows I can’t attack…?
Kei finally told me what was happening.
“Himuro and the others are in danger!”