"Speaking of which, Chevreuse, do you have someone you fancy?" Donatello asked during a father-daughter dinner many days ago. "It might be a bit early to bring this up, but having a compatible partner could be a great help to you."
Every single child gets asked this at some point, Chevreuse thought to herself as she casually replied, "No, I don't."
And probably never will.
The Special Task Force often needed to mobilize urgently, even during dates. No matter how understanding a partner might be about the importance of her work, resentment would inevitably fester.
Moreover, being the partner of the Captain of the Special Task Force carried significant risks. Criminals retaliating against the families of Maison Gardiennage officers wasn't uncommon—though not frequent, it had happened many times.
And the Special Task Force, which specialized in apprehending dangerous criminals, would undoubtedly face immense pressure.
"I see," Donatello said, nodding without pressing further. He knew his daughter struggled to connect with ordinary people.
If Chevreuse were to care about someone, it certainly wouldn't be an ordinary person.
"That Phantom Thief White Cat..."
"I could never be with her," Chevreuse immediately declared.
"I wasn't asking you that! Of course, if you were to say you like her, I... I wouldn't know what to say."
Realizing her misunderstanding, Chevreuse blushed with embarrassment.
But what she had said truly reflected her feelings.
At the very least, she would never kiss the Phantom Thief White Cat—that was something only lovers did.
-
The lingering sensation on her lips left Chevreuse utterly bewildered.
It was only when her racing heartbeat dragged her back to consciousness that Chevreuse finally realized what had happened.
She had kissed Phantom Thief White Cat.
Or rather, she had been suddenly ambushed.
Chevreuse's ears flushed crimson as she glared at Luna. "What did you just do?"
"A kiss. Just as I said I would."
"I didn't give you permission to do that!" Chevreuse snapped.
"But Miss Captain didn't refuse me either," Luna purred with satisfaction.
"You call an ambush where I couldn't react 'not refusing' me?" Chevreuse snapped.
She had expected her to simply repeat her previous actions—light kisses on her fingers and cheek.
Who would have thought she would steal her first kiss?!
Chevreuse had never considered marrying anyone, yet this still ignited a fiery rage within her, one she struggled to suppress.
She pinned Luna down, her expression dark with displeasure. "Now I have another reason to arrest you!"
A flash of silver light streaked past, only to be ensnared by Luna's Ice Threads. The handcuffs failed to snap around Luna's wrist.
Chevreuse drew her pistol, but Luna slapped it away in the next instant. The gun, unloaded, clattered harmlessly to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Luna flipped them over, pinning Chevreuse beneath her. Ice Threads wove around Chevreuse's hands, binding them securely.
"Phantom Thief White Cat..." Chevreuse's voice grew dangerously quiet, as if she were about to explode.
"What is it, my beautiful Miss Chevreuse?" Luna remained utterly composed, only fueling Chevreuse's simmering anger.
It was as if their earlier kiss had been nothing more than a joke.
"I thought you were just teasing women," Chevreuse said coldly. "I never imagined you had... this kind of fetish."
Luna looped the Ice Threads and tied them into a delicate butterfly bow.
Now, with her hands bound, Chevreuse looked like a gift offered on a platter—adorable and utterly captivating. Luna's heart pounded wildly.
"Because it's you, Miss Chevreuse, I can't help but want to kiss you."
Chevreuse pressed her lips into a tight line.
What is this? she thought. It's as if she's saying, 'Since Phantom Thief White Cat likes you, she wants to date you.'
"I have no feelings for you whatsoever," Chevreuse spat out, her breath trembling slightly. Whether from anger or something else, she couldn't tell.
"I do."
"Let me go."
Chevreuse strained against the Ice Threads binding her wrists, trying to break free with brute force. But she couldn't. They were tied too tightly.
"If I let you go, what would you do to me?" Luna whispered.
"I'd catch you."
"Catch me, and then what?"
"I'll take you to the Court of Judgement and list your sins in detail."
This answer came as no surprise. Luna replied with delight, "But you can't do anything right now, while I can do whatever I please to my beloved Miss Chevreuse."
Since Luna's threads were made of ice, using the Pyro Element would trigger the Melt elemental reaction, guaranteeing the Ice Threads wouldn't hold her.
"Miss Chevreuse."
"...What do you want?" Chevreuse's voice was icy. Luna raised her hands, then slipped into Chevreuse's arms, pressing herself against her chest.
"Since you've already paid the price for our bargain, I'll tell you more about myself," she said softly. Chevreuse remained silent, abandoning her plan to use Elemental Power.
Finding the White Cat's true identity was far more crucial.
"That's the orphanage."
"The orphanage?" Chevreuse murmured.
Why the orphanage?
"That's how it is. I've already told you quite a lot," Luna said.
Luna smiled, flicking her finger, and the Ice Threads instantly dissolved.
She remained sprawled across Chevreuse's chest.
Even after being freed, Chevreuse didn't immediately push her away.
"...Aren't you afraid that after learning your true identity, I'll arrest you?" Chevreuse asked.
Though it was a bit late to be asking this now.
Luna shifted closer, bringing her face close to Chevreuse's.
Feeling her breath, Chevreuse tensed slightly, covering her lips with her hand, leaving only her piercing gaze exposed.
Undeterred, Luna lowered her head.
A soft touch landed on the palm of Chevreuse's hand, her eyes behind the mask as gentle as water, meeting Chevreuse's sharp stare.
"If that's your choice, I'll accept it."
Chevreuse averted her gaze. "But you'll definitely resist, right?"
"Of course."
Chevreuse fell silent.
Luna gently brushed aside Chevreuse's hand and, under her watchful eyes, pressed her lips to the corner of Chevreuse's mouth.
"But you can also use me, exploit me."
"... "
Their breaths mingled as they stared into each other's eyes.
"Or perhaps Miss Chevreuse will give me an answer I could never have imagined? I'm quite looking forward to it..."
Luna swung her legs off the bed and moved with a light step toward the window.
Suddenly, she whirled around, flashing Chevreuse a mischievous smile.
"Let me see what choice the righteous Chevreuse will make regarding a sinner like me."
Luna lifted her skirt in a curtsy. "Until next time, Miss Chevreuse. No matter what choice you make—"
She raised a finger to her lips, a playful smile lighting her face.
"Just don't forget our secret kiss."
With a graceful leap, she vanished through the window into the bright moonlight night.
Chevreuse remained silent.
Her fingertip traced her lips, and to her own surprise, despite what the Phantom Thief White Cat had done, she felt no disgust or revulsion.
Yet the faint sweetness lingering on her lips left her feeling restless and unsettled.
Choice, huh...
Chevreuse murmured absentmindedly, "What choice should I make regarding her..."
Regardless, she needed to uncover more—the true identity of the Phantom Thief White Cat and her actions during the Judgment of the Gods.
Only then could she deliver her own judgment.
But there was no doubt that tonight's Phantom Thief White Cat...
"...deserves an even harsher sentence."
Chevreuse pursed her lips, unable to remain calm.