Chapter 96: A Phantom Thief's Invitation

"Can you tell me your real name?"

Charlotte picked up her notebook and pen, asking seriously.

Luna sat with her legs crossed in front of her, smiling. "Of course, but the price you'll have to pay might be quite heavy."

"...What price?"

Luna leaned forward. "A kiss from Miss Charlotte?"

Charlotte's face turned bright red as she quickly waved her hand.

"No, no, no! Alright, I won't ask you such questions anymore!"

"A wise choice."

She wouldn't answer anyway.

"Age?"

"Nine years old."

Charlotte wore an expression that clearly said, "Are you joking?"

How could someone so grown-up be nine years old?

Luna smiled nonchalantly. "I remember I'm here for an interview, not a blind date with Miss Charlotte."

Charlotte scratched her hair with a pen. "Fair enough. My question was poorly phrased."

It seemed impossible to uncover all the secrets about the Phantom Thief White Cat.

Let's return to the main topic.

Charlotte asked earnestly, "Miss Phantom Thief, you entered that facility with the Special Task Force captain and her team, correct? What did you witness inside?"

"You should ask—what did I witness?"

"Huh? You mean..."

Luna smiled. "Whether it was breaking through the defenses or defeating the enemies, I did it all. The truth I uncovered is likely unknown to them, and I'll continue my investigation."

"Because... I know these shadowy criminals possess countless treasures. Not a single one will escape, and not a single treasure will remain hidden."

Really?

As a journalist pursuing the truth, Charlotte instinctively doubted everything Luna had said.

She tried to find signs of lying in Luna's behavior, but came up empty.

It was utterly flawless.

"If you don't believe me, you can always ask Captain Chevreuse."

Ask Chevreuse? That might be a good idea.

Miss Chevreuse would probably tell the truth, right?

The captain of the Special Task Force couldn't possibly be conspiring with the Phantom Thief to deceive her. What would they gain from that?

Having made up her mind, Charlotte continued probing: "You didn't accept my interview just for this, did you?"

What keen senses.

Too bad they can't match my acting skills.

"Of course not. I agreed to the interview mainly to have you include a specific phrase in your article."

"A phrase? What phrase?" Charlotte looked utterly confused.

Luna twirled a lock of hair around her finger and murmured: "Everything Miss Chevreuse said is true."

She stood up and moved closer to Charlotte, whose face now showed clear panic.

What was she doing?

Charlotte watched as Luna bent down and gently brushed her finger against the reporter's ear.

"So... don't draw my attention, dear journalist."

Charlotte instinctively closed her eyes and pressed the shutter button on her camera, hoping the flash would dispel the Phantom Thief before her.

When she opened her eyes again, Luna had vanished without a trace.

Cold sweat beaded on Charlotte's forehead as she gasped for breath.

She wasn't afraid of villains, but... dealing with overly "enthusiastic" characters like the Phantom Thief White Cat was simply beyond her capabilities.

But all this was for the truth and an exclusive scoop!

The camera spat out a photograph. She picked it up and examined it.

The image showed Luna smiling directly at the lens. Whether it was the timing of the shot or the close-up composition, everything made the Phantom Thief White Cat appear beautiful and captivating.

"This one... doesn't seem appropriate for the newspaper, does it?"

In any case, she put it away for now.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the Phantom Thief was deliberately guiding her toward the truth.

Should I ask Miss Chevreuse...?

Let's hope she doesn't give me that look of disdain.

Charlotte let out a bitter chuckle. What could she say? Journalists weren't exactly popular, were they?

-

So the next day...

Chevreuse took out her pocket watch. It was already 1 PM.

To be honest, she still had many matters to attend to and no time to deal with a reporter's interview.

Moreover, the truth hadn't fully come to light yet. Any reporter's story would surely alert the mastermind behind the scenes, making the situation chaotic and unpredictable.

But unfortunately, Charlotte always seemed to appear near the scene of the crime.

As if she had a nose naturally drawn to the scent of truth, wherever there was a case, there she would be. And yet, her presence couldn't be ignored.

"If you explain things properly, she might temporarily abandon the report."

This was the most endearing quality of Charlotte as a journalist.

Dressed in casual clothes, Charlotte confidently concealed her identity, trusting no one would recognize her.

Looking up, Charlotte had chosen a fast-food restaurant as the meeting place.

Upon entering, a lively... or rather, boisterous atmosphere greeted them.

Children's wails mingled with adults' loud business discussions. Chevreuse rubbed her temples; she disliked staying in such noisy places.

But it did make conversation easier.

Better than dealing with drunken people loudly playing finger-guessing games, at least.

"Over here!" Charlotte raised her hand.

They walked to a corner seat where Chevreuse sat down.

"It's been a while, Miss Charlotte. To be frank, you might be getting into some trouble, so please consider carefully whether publishing this report is necessary."

"Warning me right from the start?!"

Charlotte sighed and leaned forward on the table. "Don't worry. I picked this place precisely to ask if you're willing to be interviewed. If you agree, we can move to a quieter spot for detailed discussion."

"I'm not willing."

"Don't answer so quickly!"

Chevreuse nodded slightly, deliberately maintaining silence for a moment.

"..... Unwilling," came the firm reply.

Charlotte sighed helplessly. "Doesn't that make it the same?"

"Because it's the truth."

As they spoke, a waitress approached carrying a fast-food tray.

"Your fried fish and Fonta."

Charlotte perked up. "Thank you. What would you like, Miss Chevreuse? Consider this a thank-you for your previous interview. My treat."

Chevreuse glanced at her, fully aware of the reporter's intentions. The woman was clearly trying to pry out some trivial details during this casual encounter.

But Chevreuse didn't care. She wouldn't reveal anything.

When it came to maintaining silence and killing conversation, Chevreuse was confident she could take first place.

Perhaps her prolonged service in the Special Task Force had left her unable to converse with ordinary people.

With the Phantom Thief White Cat?

That was even more impossible.

Picking up the menu, Chevreuse ordered casually: "A portion of fried potatoes with ketchup, some crispy chicken tenders, a Crazy Burger with an extra patty, and one Circle Circle Round Round. For drinks, I'll have this sparkling water."

Such a greasy combination might seem excessive to most people.

But as the Special Task Force captain with high physical demands, Chevreuse burned through calories and sweat in equal measure every day.

Without sufficient energy intake, her body would weaken.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The server left.

Charlotte whispered, "Miss Chevreuse, I actually encountered the Phantom Thief White Cat last night."

"...What did she do to you?"

Why was that the first question? Though it was certainly appropriate to ask.

"Nothing. She agreed to let me interview her."

"Nothing else?"

"No, look." Charlotte handed over the photograph.

Chevreuse examined it closely.

That infuriating smile was unmistakably the Phantom Thief's. The shot was well-composed, but the subject's proximity to the lens felt uncomfortably intimate.

"So she did something to you after all."

Charlotte flushed. "No! I swear, nothing happened!"

Her cough was easily drowned out by the café's chatter.

"She claimed she defeated the enemy herself, saying you all failed to grasp the truth. It was like she was claiming all the credit for herself."

"Did she really say that?"

"Yes."

Chevreuse pondered this. The Phantom Thief White Cat was undoubtedly a showy individual who thrived on attention. But would she truly take all the credit for herself?

It was possible. While such behavior wouldn't be out of character, Chevreuse found it hard to believe there wasn't some deeper motive at play.

A whim? Perhaps.

A hidden agenda? Possibly.

No one could truly know what went through her mind.

If she could meet the person in question, she might be able to get to the bottom of things.

"Your order is here."

The female server placed a plate filled with fast food in front of Chevreuse.

"One order of French fries with ketchup."

"One order of crispy chicken tenders and a Crazy Burger."

"One order of Circle Circle Round Round and sparkling water."

The server leaned down close to Chevreuse's ear and whispered:

"And one order of Phantom Thief White Cat."

Chevreuse's body stiffened at the unexpected name appearing in an unlikely place.

"You look beautiful today too, Captain." The server's warm breath, carrying a hint of moisture, brushed against Chevreuse's ear, snapping her back to awareness.

"You..." Chevreuse narrowed her eyes, studying the server who had straightened up with a smile.

Though the woman's face had changed, Chevreuse was now certain.

The Phantom Thief White Cat was right before her.

"Enjoy your meal."

Luna turned and strode away.

Charlotte blinked. "Do you know that server?"

"Let's just say I recognize her."

"She's so pretty! Her hair is red like an apple too."

As expected, ordinary people couldn't see through her disguise.

No, wait. Chevreuse casually ate a fry.

Even she hadn't been able to recognize her just now.

And with the Phantom Thief appearing here, combined with what Charlotte had mentioned earlier about the Phantom Thief... Chevreuse already had her suspicions, needing only confirmation.

After some casual conversation, Chevreuse stood up.

"I need to use the restroom."

"Hm? Okay."

Chevreuse licked the food crumbs from her fingertips, walked toward the restroom, then seized the opportunity to slip outside the shop.

As expected, the person she sought was leaning against a wall.

"Enjoyed your meal, Captain?" Luna asked with a smile.