Behind Lady Caltheris' back, Kurai and Gengyo snuck out of the house the exact moment the golden rays of the sun lit up the blue sky as they covered their mouths to muffle their chortles.
"She won't know what hit her," Kurai declared with pride.
The world had to prepare for what would become of them and in the process, they'd slander Kurai's name and call her out for her evil deeds.
But the irony lies within us all.
The same people who shattered her heart into a million pieces will tremble, trying to gather the pieces for her, kissing her hand and begging her to spare their lives.
Funny how our morals change once the silenced ones no longer wish to be silent.
Justice is just revenge disguised as love.
And if they had something in common, was Kurai having justice or revenge served?
Now, the mall of Kurai and Gengyo's destination was nowhere near walking distance and Lady Caltheris' brutal training always left them exhausted.
So Gengyo, with his sticky fingers, stole ¥20,000 from Lady Caltheris' purse when she wasn't looking.
That would be more than enough to catch the train, which costed ¥2,000 per person.
Kurai tugged Gengyo's sweaty jacket tighter.
"Ugh, don't you ever wash your jacket?" Kurai whispered.
"What'd you expect? I hardly wear it," Gengyo replied.
They continued grumbling with one another like two little troublemakers on their own mission until the train station came into view.
"Finally," Gengyo whispered, "Time to make this fun."
Kurai's fingers brushed the stolen yen in her pocket, a thrill of excitement spiraling down her spine.
The rumble of the approaching train grew louder, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet.
Kurai glanced at Gengyo, a sly grin tugging at her lips, and together they slipped through the crowd.
The doors hissed open, and they darted inside.
Fortunately for Kurai, she found a corner near the back, pulling her hood lower, while Gengyo scanned for any nosy passengers.
Each time the train got faster, her fingers would twitch with anticipation, soon, she had to pay the price of being evil, and it was simply too hard to resist.
She leaned closer to Gengyo, whispering their plan as softly as possible so no one could listen in on their conversation.
"Once we get off we go straight to the mall and go to a very expensive store; we can't afford to mess up," she murmured.
"We? I'm just here to guide you with all this, but that doesn't mean I'm actually helping you. Why else would I lend you one of my jackets?" Gengyo said, confused.
Kurai flinched.
Anyone who got caught shoplifting in expensive stores usually are publicly humiliated and news reporters from all about would be addressing the situation.
So why would Kurai still risk her already tarnished reputation?
I think by now you already know why.
Her antipathy for Lady Caltheris was growing stronger by this very second and she wasn't going to let her fear of the consequences cease what she strived to achieve.
Kurai lay her head on Gengyo's shoulder, trying her best to keep her mind afloat from the chaos she was yet to cause and Gengyo tried hard not to even breathe in her air space.
"You've been doing these evil stuff longer than me, why won't you help me some more?"
"C-Cuz you're the one who wants to be more evil than mother—"
"She isn't even our real mother..."
Gengyo didn't reply.
For the rest of the train ride, Gengyo's eyes were focused on the floor as though he was in some sort of daze but Kurai didn't dare ask what the matter was.
To avoid the awkward silence, Kurai randomly jabbed Gengyo in his stomach.
"What was that for?!"
"I don't know, just bored, I don't like when you're quiet."
"Ugh whatever."
The train rattled through the tunnels, lights flickering over the restless passengers as Kurai pressed her hand against the cool window.
That was when a soft mechanical voice announced the next stop:
"Next stop, Ikebukuro Station."
Kurai's eyes widened.
Time surely does fly fast; it seemed like just a few minutes ago Gengyo and I entered this train
But the urge to run out the train and look around the famous mall was enough to lure her in.
"No, Kurai get ahead of yourself, just steal stuff villainesses need and get the heck out of there!" Kurai thought, shaking her head in embarrassment.
Gengyo poked Kurai on her shoulder.
"Looks like this is it," he smiled.
All the passengers chatted quietly while some scrolled through their phones, oblivious to their malicious intentions.
The train slowed down as the platform of Ikebukuro came into view.
With a hiss, the train doors slid open, and Kurai stepped on the bright platform.
Signs overhead pointed to the East Exit...straight toward the Velmoura Plaza mall.
She followed Gengyo past the ticket gates, tapping her card against the reader.
The mall loomed before them, as though it was expecting them.
--
Inside the mall, Kurai and Gengyo were immediately hit by the cool breeze of the air conditioners.
Her eyes inspected the stores to the walkway to the escalators, and people going about their business.
Everything she could ever ask for to make her dreams of being a villainess come through were right in this very mall.
Gengyo slowed his pace, stopping beside the railing overlooking the open atrium.
"Crowded," he muttered, scanning the floor below.
Kurai followed his gaze.
Hundreds of faces both happy and serious to be there.
"Good," she said softly, "I'll give them something to pay attention to."
Her reflection flashed across the glass...hooded eyes, a frown plastered onto her face, she didn't recognize the sad girl staring back at her.
She looked toward the center fountain, where lights rippled across the water's surface.
Gengyo chuckled darkly, but Kurai didn't flinch.
A sinful smile curved her lips.
"Looks like the fun's starting early," she whispered.
Though the mall was noisy, it seemed distant to Kurai.
The things she once loved begging her parents to buy were right there in all the stores, but she wasn't here to waste time.
There was only one thing that mattered the most right now, and that was their respect.
"Which store would you want to go to first?" Gengyo asked.
"Is that even a question? The most expensive one here, like Maison Noire or De Vaux, anything to earn their respect!" Kurai scoffed.
"Alright, I'll distract, you take the extra precautions," Gengyo said.
"Don't mind if I do."
They blended in with the crowd perfectly; the innocent look in their eyes was enough to fool anyone.
Kurai and Gengyo checked out the other stores and spent some time together, but that was nothing compared to their actual goal.
Kurai, with a swift mind of hers, had planned this out from the very beginning, pretending to be a regular customer and buying some items to avoid any suspicions, then snoop around and steal.
It was simply too easy for one to deny.
The automatic doors slid open as Kurai and Gengyo entered De Vaux, a luxurious lifestyle boutique for people with taste, money, and most importantly, style.
And a villainess without style wasn't the definition of a villainess.
De Vaux had fewer customers than usual, not like Kurai had an issue with it.
The less people, the less attraction.
A hint of lavender blossoms and soft cedarwood drifted through the store.
"You've got sixty seconds. Don't get greedy."
Kurai smirked.
"I'm not greedy. I'm sneaky."
Gengyo clicked his tongue but kept walking, heading straight to the counter.
The storeowner, a thin man in round glasses, looked up from his ledger as Gengyo leaned lazily against the display case.
"You got anything rarer than what's out here? Something actually worth buying?"
The man frowned, setting down his ledger.
"That depends on your budget."
Gengyo knocked over a small box on purpose.
"Sorry. I'm clumsy today."
The man grumbled, stepping out to fix it.
Meanwhile, Kurai slipped down the next aisle. Her eyes scanned the glass cases...rings, charms, and a small necklace shimmering like they were waiting to be stolen.
That one.
With a graceful movement, she flicked the latch open using a pin hidden in her sleeve.
The necklace slid into her palm, cold and light.
Across the store, Gengyo continued his loud and animated voice that took up half the room.
"You call this real gold? My grandmother's anklet is shinier than that!"
The storeowner's temper was being tested, and he began to flare up.
"I'll have you know—"
Kurai lifted the pendant, admiring it before tucking it flawlessly into her pocket.
She then carefully closed the glass case in a way that her fingerprints wouldn't be left behind.
"Sir, no need to get worked up. You know how women are with their jewelry."
"Ooh, this perfume smells so good," Kurai thought, spraying a bottle of amber perfume on her arm and smelling it deeply, "Into my bag you go!"
Kurai looked around the store frantically.
Gloves, silk scarves, decorative daggers, masks
"I'm going to look so badass!" Kurai squealed, quickly shutting up and looking away, embarrassed as a girl her age looked her up and down with disgust.
One by one, Kurai cautiously placed a pair of gloves, silk scarves, and decorative daggers into her shopping bag.
Kurai then hopped back over to Gengyo and tapped his shoulder.
"Maybe we should come back another time."
"Forget it," Gengyo said, turning away with a nonchalant shrug.
"Nothing here's worth anything."
The old man fumed as Kurai and Gengyo walked out and the automatic door opened and closed to signal their exit.
Outside, Kurai exhaled shakily, still in utter disbelief that she had stolen such a valuable item for the first time.
Gengyo gave her a sidelong look.
"You almost froze."
"I didn't," she said softly.
He chuckled.
"You blinked twice."
Kurai's jaw tightened, but the corner of her lips twitched.
"Then maybe next time," she whispered, "You should blink for me."
Meanwhile with the old man in De Vaux, his frown deepened.
Something itched at the back of his mind that made him feel like something was off.
"The golden pendant, I have to check on it."
When he walked over to the display case, his breath caught.
The golden pendant was gone.
His stomach dropped.
He glanced toward the door where the two teens had left.
"Thieves," he hissed.
He darted around the counter, running out the door.
"Hey! You!"
Kurai and Gengyo froze for a split second before their instincts kicked in.
"Run."
They bolted.
The mall was crowded so it was impossible to not draw attention.
People turned, confused, as the echo of the angry old man's shouts still chased them, so they slowed down their pace until they were walking to not draw any more attention to themselves.
"Keep walking," Gengyo hissed under his breath. "Don't run...you'll draw eyes."
Kurai adjusted her pace, forcing herself to slow down even though her heart was pounding loudly in her chest as though it was about to drop out any moment.
The pendant felt like it weighed a ton in her pocket.
Behind them, two mall security guards were already scanning the area.
The storeowner pointed wildly in their direction.
"Those two! The girl in black—she took it!"
Kurai's stomach dropped. The only thing protecting her now was the hood she was using to cover her face from all the prying eyes.
Gengyo caught her wrist.
"Come on."
They veered left into a side corridor, narrow, dimly lit, leading toward the escalators.
A kiosk blocked half the path; Gengyo grabbed a pair of sunglasses off the rack and shoved them onto Kurai's face.
"Seriously?"
"Disguise," he muttered, "You look like a moron robbing a store for fun."
"Maybe I do."
They reached the escalators just as a guard shouted from behind.
"Stop right there!"
Kurai didn't hesitate...she vaulted over the side railing and landed on the escalator going down.
Gengyo cursed softly and followed, jumping after her.
People gasped, clutching their shopping bags as they brushed past.
"Smooth," Gengyo said, panicking slightly.
"I improvise."
They hit the lower floor running.
Kurai spotted the restroom signs and darted toward the women's section, disappearing inside.
Gengyo leaned against the wall outside, pretending to check his phone.
Inside, Kurai splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection.
Her pulse refused to calm.
You can't mess up now.
The door creaked, a woman walked in, barely giving her a glance.
Kurai used the chance to slip into one of the stalls.
From her pocket, she pulled the pendant again.
"Now she'll see me for who I really am," she thought, putting the pendant away.
Outside, she heard Gengyo' voice.
"Security's sweeping this floor. Time is ticking. "
Kurai opened the stall door.
"Then we leave through the service exit."
"Risky."
"So is everything I do."
They moved fast, going through the back hallway that led behind the food court.
As they reached the emergency exit, Kurai turned to him.
"Once we're out, split up. Meet at the station entrance."
Gengyo frowned.
"And if they catch one of us?"
"They won't," she said firmly. "They can't."
The door creaked open, letting in the sting of cold air from outside.
The heavy mall door slammed behind them, tuning out the noise of shoppers and security radios.
They were in the service corridor now, lined with pipes and staff-only doors.
"Keep moving," Gengyo said, glancing back. "They'll check here next."
They slipped through another door into the delivery area behind the mall.
A line of delivery trucks sat idling and workers shouting orders, stacking boxes on trolleys.
Nobody paid attention to the two teens moving fast.
Gengyo slowed just enough to pull off his hoodie and hand it to her.
"Put this on. It'd be better if you wear this color over black, or you'll be noticeable."
Kurai threw it on, tugging the hood up.
Her fingers still trembled as she stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"I hate this," she muttered.
"You hate getting caught," he said.
She didn't answer.
They cut through a side passage that led toward the power parking garage. A pair of guards passed on the far side, walkie-talkies crackling.
"Level two is clear. Check the loading bay next."
Kurai froze.
Gengyo grabbed her shoulder, pulling her behind a pillar. They waited, barely breathing as the footsteps got closer, then faded.
When the sound finally disappeared, Kurai whispered.
"How do you always stay calm?"
"I don't," he replied quietly. "I just don't show it."
They slipped through the stairwell door, heading down to the lowest level of the garage.
The air smelled of oil and concrete.
Somewhere above, a radio barked out orders again.
When they reached the far corner, Genguo nodded toward a small, half-rusted gate that led outside.
"There. That's our way out."
Kurai gave one last look over her shoulder.
For a second, she saw a reflection of flashing lights on the walls...security still searching.
Then she pushed the gate open, and they stepped into the night.
Cold air hit her face, and her legs felt weak...not from running but from everything that almost went wrong.
They walked until the mall lights faded behind them.
Only did Gengyo finally speak.
"Next time," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets, "We plan better."
Kurai let out a small, tired laugh.
"Next time, there wouldn't be one."
But they both knew she didn't mean it.
By the time they reached the train station, the night had settled heavily over the city.
The crowd here was different...quieter, tired commuters and late-night workers clutching coffee cups and plastic bags.
Kurai and Gengyo sank onto a bench near the far end of the platform.
A train screeched somewhere in the distance.
Neither spoke for a long moment.
The adrenline had faded, replaced by the kind of silence that presses down on your chest.
Kurai kept her hood up, eyes on the tile floor.
Gengyo broke the silence first.
"You could've gotten caught back there."
She didn't look up. "But I didn't."
"That's not the point. One slip up and they would've dragged you out in front of everyone. Cameras everywhere, Kurai. You'd be done for."
She clenched her fist.
"You think I don't know that?"
"Then why?" He asked. "Is proving that you're a villainess to your mother that much of a big deal?"
"That lady isn't even our mother, and we aren't even brother and sister! Get that through your thick skull."
Gengyo exhaled slowly, watching the fog of his breath fade into the air.
The train lights flickered across the platform, bright and harsh.
"She may not be our mother, but she feels like one to me."
Kurai studied him, her eyebrows already raised, "Not sure how she could ever feel like a mother. She's a nuisance."
"I have a mother," he said finally,"A real mother but to think my family doesn't like her and went to the extent of trying to kill her was to much to bear."
His voice cracked.
"And I'm not sure if I'm safe anymore."
Kurai didn't say anything. Just leaned back, arms crossed, watching him with the same quiet look she always had...the kind that wasn't pity, just understanding.
The train arrived with a hiss, doors sliding open.
"Let's go before someone recognizes us."
Gengyo followed, but before stepping on, he said softly," You mean the world to me Kurai. So please don't jeopardize our relationship with our mother."
Kurai rolled her eyes. The doors closed, and the train rumbled forward, carrying them to back to Ginza, Tokyo.