Monday May 11th 12:34pm – Lunch Time
“So lemme guess, you aren’t free after school.” (Kaho)
“Ding. Ding. Ding. Congratulations, you’ve guessed it right.” (Yuno)
I was eating lunch as Kaho began talking to me.
“What do you even do after school?” (Kaho)
“I plot the murder of hundreds of innocent children.” (Yuno)
“I’d appreciate it if you went maybe a day without sneaking in one of your famous one-liners. It’s not good for the heart.” (Akio)
“I’ll work on it.” (Yuno)
“I look forward to that. Anyway, did you hear? Apparently there was a theft threat sent to the museum that’s gonna be showcasing the Sh...Shuree...Shuu...whatever it’s called.” (Kaho)
“Really? I didn’t think that painting was that much of a big deal though…” (Yuno)
“My dad told me about that. He said it’s most likely just a prank though, so they’re only adding like two guards to the line-up.” (Akio)
A prank huh? Sadly it’s not and later today I’m gonna be stealing the painting. If only it was a prank… I’m starting to have second thoughts.
“So many art fanatics…” (Kaho)
“Are you sure you can’t hang out today? I’m gonna be really bored tonight. Pleaassee.” (Akio)
This annoying little… Well, it’s not like I’m gonna rob the museum at 4pm anyway. I mean, if I don’t wanna get caught I’d better not.
“Haah, fine. I could probably hang out after school, but only until 7.” (Yuno)
“That’s cool. We’re going to Hatoha-Ra Land, if that’s okay.” (Kaho)
“On a school day? That’s kind of weird.” (Akio)
“There’s a new ride Aki wants try. Get this. It’s called ‘Magical Usagi Heart-Racer’. Hilarious isn’t it?” (Kaho)
“What’s with that cute sounding name? Doesn’t that sound more like something you’d wanna try?” (Yuno)
“Funny, but no. It’s 100% Aki.” (Kaho)
Kaho and I stare at the person in question. I really didn’t expect this to come from someone like Aki.
“...” (Akio)
“So, what do you have to say for yourself?” (Kaho)
“No comment.” (Akio)
“That’s no fun.” (Yuno)
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May 11th: After School 5:02 pm
“I’ve got only one thing to say.” (Yuno)
“What’s that?” (Kaho)
“Good job Aki.” (Yuno)
The ride was more intense than any of us could have ever imagined. Well, all except for Aki. The name Magical Usagi Heart-Racer couldn’t be any more misleading.
“You see why I wanted to try it now?” (Akio)
“Totally. How did you find out about it though?” (Kaho)
“One of my net friends told me about it. She said I’d find it fun.” (Akio)
“Wait. She? I’ll tell your girlfriend that you’re cheating on her with Usagi-chan.” (Kaho)
“What’s even wrong with you?” (Akio)
“Not funny?” (Kaho)
“Nope.” (Akio)
“Beastiality is no good?” (Kaho)
“In what world would it be?” (Yuno)
“Well, you never know.” (Kaho)
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May 11th: After School- 6:46 pm
After trying out more surprising rides and eating actual mountains, we decided that we’d go to Hane-ko, since Kaho needed to pick up flowers for her mom’s birthday.
As soon as we walked into the store, we saw Hane-ko’s manager, Hatsuko Mari. His name is so feminine that he usually tries to act as masculine as possible, which usually just makes him look like an idiot. Everyone just calls him by his first name.
“What’s up Kacchi? Were you working today?” (Mari)
“Nah, it’s my mom’s birthday, I just thought I’d get her some flowers as a present.” (Kaho)
“I see… Come over here, I have just the thing. It’s our new birthday flowers. There’s little bags of candies attached to the flowers.” (Mari)
“You know I work here right? I probably know more about all the flower bundles than you do.” (Kaho)
“Why are you salty?” (Mari)
“I’m not, I’m just making a point.” (Kaho)
“So, how long is this gonna take? I gotta get going soon you know?” (Yuno)
“Sorry about that. It’ll be quick.” (Kaho)
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Kaho hands Mari some money and starts to head towards the door before she turns around.
“Tell the owner that we need someone to come check the locks. For some reason the doors don’t lock the first time. Or the second.” (Kaho)
“Really? I didn’t know about this…” (Mari)
“Well, maybe that’s because I always have to come back and lock the doors because you never remember to lock them when you leave.” (Kaho)
“You act more like the manager than Mari does.” (Akio)
“Aki, he’s the manager in name only.” (Kaho)
“Hey, I’m right here you know?” (Mari)
“Which is exactly why I said it. See you tomorrow.” (Kaho)
“Keh, see you.” (Mari)
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May 11th: After School 7:14 pm
Due to the fact that Kaho ended up taking a while and also the fact that I got lost again on the way Shiro’s house, I ended up being late for our meet-up time.
“Why are you always late?” (Shiro)
“Again, it’s because of your shitty map. It’s disappointingly bad. It’s actually almost impossible to be able to find your house with it. Well, good thing I’m a genius.” (Yuno)
“Well, you’ve been here before haven’t you? It shouldn’t have been that hard.” (Shiro)
“You’re forgetting I came here during the day. Everything looks different at night. Plus, I’ve only been here once. Though, of course I found it. After all, I am perfect.” (Yuno)
“Arrogant brat. You only do this annoy me, don’t you?” (Shiro)
“Of course. And I’ll just ignore that earlier comment.” (Yuno)
“Haah. Well, let’s get to what you came here for.” (Shiro)
“What did I come here for?” (Yuno)
“Geez, hold on, that’s what I’m gonna explain. We’re going to go over the plans one more time and then I’m gonna drive you to the museum.” (Shiro)
“Hmm. I get it.” (Yuno)
“Oh, and I wanted to ask you something.” (Shiro)
I wonder what it could be, since it seems like it could be important...
“Ask away.” (Yuno)
“Do you have any skills or talents that you think could help?” (Shiro)
“I don’t really think I do…” (Yuno)
“Are you sure? Anything that could help in any way is fine.” (Shiro)
“Well...I guess, it would be that, wouldn’t it…” (Yuno)
“Would be what?” (Shiro)
“It’s nothing.” (Yuno)
“Now I’m curious. Tell me. Pleaaase.” (Shiro)
“Haah. Fine. But you have to promise not to laugh.” (Yuno)
“I promise. I promise.” (Shiro)
“...” (Yuno)
“Hmm?” (Shiro)
“Check your pocket.” (Yuno)
“Huh? Why do yo- Wait. It feels...heavy.” (Shiro)
“Just check your damn pocket.” (Yuno)
Shiro reaches into his pocket and pulls out the thing I put or rather, slipped into his pocket.
“Your...phone? W-When did it get there?” (Shiro)
“I may or may have not slipped it in your pocket just now.” (Yuno)
“Just now?! I didn’t even notice!” (Shiro)
“You’re loud.” (Yuno)
A long time ago, I used to be obsessed with magicians on TV and would always practice sleight of hand, magic tricks and the like. Yuko used to complain about how much time I’d spend doing that because I never did my homework due to me always being near the TV. This obsession went on for years and only recently have I gotten over my ‘magic phase’.
Shiro starts to laugh and as soon as I glare at him, he stops.
“I told you not to laugh.” (Yuno)
“I-I’m *snicker* sorry. I was just thinking that there isn’t anyone more suited for this than you. It’s like you’re a natural born thief.” (Shiro)
“Why did I even tell you?” (Yuno)
“Well, it’s for sure gonna help. It just means stealing stuff will be easier. Well, before we go over the plans again, I think you should get into your costume.” (Shiro)
“That’s one thing I really don’t want to do.” (Yuno)
“That’s no good. The costume is basically what separates a phantom thief from a regular thief.” (Shiro)
“...” (Yuno)
“Fine.” (Yuno)
“Great.” (Shiro)
After I put on the costume I realised it wasn’t that bad. Actually, it was kind of cool.
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May 11th: After School - 7:59pm
“When you said ‘drive’ I assumed you meant by car. What the hell is this?” (Yuno)
We were currently in a helicopter heading to the roof of the Tokyo City Art Museum. This is just one more thing I need to ask about how Shiro and Ko paid for it.
“Well, I showed you the plans, which clearly said you’d have to come in from above. How would a car help with that?” (Shiro)
“You say that like it’s a piece of cake. Just how did you guys pay for all of this?” (Yuno)
“I told you that I’d explain later. Now’s not really the time.” (Shiro)
We land on the roof and both get off the helicopter. I look down to see that the museum is heavily lit on the inside, and many people can be seen coming out of the building, which indicates that the event is over for the day. Shiro takes out a heavy-looking black duffel bag.
“Here we have the tools you’ll need for this job.” (Shiro)
I look in the bag and spot some rope, the gun I picked two days before and other things that I have no idea how they’d help.
“One rope will help you get in, and the other, out. When you’re done everything inside, you can leave through the window. There’ll be a rope that’ll help you get down.” (Shiro)
“...Got it.” (Yuno)
Suddenly, Shiro got serious. It’s kind of weird.
“Once you’re out the window, I’ll help you get away. Just look for a red flashing light, it might be hard to spot, but if you look hard enough, you’ll see it. When you find it go towards it. It’ll be really close to the building, so you don’t have to worry about falling off.” (Shiro)
“That’s still kinda scary, but alright. The thrill might be nice anyway.” (Yuno)
“I thought you’d be more reluctant to do this.” (Shiro)
“Well, we’re already here, so there’d be no point in being reluctant now.” (Yuno)
“You’re just like Ko...” (Shiro)
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” (Yuno)
Shiro only smiles, then he turns to pick up the gun from the bag.
“Here. Only use it if you’re in a tight spot. Remember it’s not real, so the most you can do is make others scared and make them stop.” (Shiro)
“Alright.” (Yuno)
“Good luck.” (Shiro)
“Don’t need it.” (Yuno)
“You know, I don’t even care anymore.” (Shiro)
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May 11th: After School - 8:11pm
I slide down the rope, careful not to go too fast. I don’t want any rope burns tonight. Though two days ago I’d thought that I could just take the painting and leave without anyone knowing, it seems that’d be impossible seeing that there are tons of people leaving the building and there’re more guards than I expected.
“What was it again?” (Yuno)
Shiro had given me stuff to say, before and during the time I was stealing the painting. I dropped down into the rectangular area that was sectioned off by ropes and as well as being guarded.
“Hello? Sorry to intrude guys, but I’ll be taking this.” (Yuno)
“Y-You! How did you get there?!” (Guard)
“Calm down, jeez. Why are you freaking out?” (Yuno)
As one of the guards turns around, I turn the opposite way he does, making it hard for him to notice me bypass him.
“Idiot, I’m over here.” (Yuno)
“Why are you guys just standing there?! Follow protocol!” (???)
I look over to see it’s the person I’ve been dreading seeing the most, Mr. Akechi, or Akechi Souma...Aki’s dad. Luckily I doubt he’d be able to recognize me, seeing as I’m wearing a mask, but I think avoiding talking too much is the right path to take.
“Well, since I got what I need, I should probably leave.” (Yuno)
“Didn’t you guys hear me? I said follow protocol!” (Souma)
Suddenly, about two of the guards pull out guns while my back is turned towards the window. Some of the guards, funny enough, look startled.
“Hey, hey, hey. What the hell, why did you pull out those?” (Yuno)
“Now you have nowhere to run! Drop the painting, then put your hands up!” (Souma
“Fine, fine.” (Yuno)
I bend over, as if I’m putting the painting on the ground, while simultaneously pulling the gun strategically placed on my lower back, under my shirt. I point the gun at Souma, while mentally apologizing to Aki. I mean, it’s a pretty tough situation, I kinda have no choice...and the gun isn’t real anyway.
“Is that what you thought I’d say? If you guys don’t let me go, I’m gonna shoot your boss over there.” (Yuno)
The guards don’t let up, making me wonder if they need orders first. Souma looks so scared that he could probably piss his pants any second. Thankfully, Souma is pretty useless, so it’ll be easy to make him call of the guards.
“Hey, you. Do you want to die or something? Call of your guys won’t you?” (Yuno)
“Y-you idiots, do you need me to tell you to drop your guns or something?!” (Souma)
“Well, thanks yeah? Later.” (Yuno)
I step back and get on the window ledge, before turning around to say one last thing.
“Next time, check if the gun is real before shitting pants.” (Yuno)
“Y-you–” (Souma)
That’s all I hear before I leave through the window, grabbing a rope that was already attached to it. I use the rope as insurance as I scale the side of the museum building. After finally getting to a spot where I can’t be seen by anyone looking through a window, which is also where the red light is, Shiro comes in the helicopter. He lets down a rope ladder.
“Heey~ Jump on!” (Shiro)
“What do you mean ‘jump on’?” (Yuno)
“I mean jump on. What else?” (Shiro)
“I can’t just jump on! What if I die?!” (Yuno)
“Oh! You raised your voice!” (Shiro)
“That’s ‘cus the helicopter is loud as hell!” (Yuno)
“Look, do you want to get caught?!” (Shiro)
“Fine, fine!” (Yuno)
I jump off the edge of the building, extending my one free arm towards the ladder. Luckily, I grab on, but just barely. I somehow manage to climb up the ladder with one hand and get into the helicopter.
“So how was it? Fun?” (Shiro)
“Fun my ass. It was easier than I expected though.” (Yuno)
“Really? I wouldn’t think that all the jobs would be that easy though.” (Shiro)
“Of course I know that. I was just thinking that we didn’t really prepare a lot for tonight, but I was still able to do it.” (Yuno)
“Well, normally we’d prepare longer, but when I found you was too close to the start of the deadline.” (Shiro)
“And which incompetent idiot’s fault was that?” (Yuno)
“Your personality is still as terrible as ever, huh?” (Shiro)
“You know it.” (Yuno)