Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart! (Genshin Impact)

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap that shook the night.

The rain intensified.

Dark clouds obscured the moon's glow. Though doors and windows were tightly shut, some residents cautiously peered out into the storm.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunshots echoed through the night.

But in such treacherous weather, hitting the agile white figure was impossible. Bullets shattered the falling raindrops, veering harmlessly into the darkness.

In the blink of an eye, Luna's figure vanished into the downpour.

"Stop," Chevreuse ordered abruptly.

"Captain? Aren't we going to pursue her?"

Chevreuse's face remained impassive, but a clear edge of anger tinged her voice. Despite this, her mind remained sharp and focused.

"There's no point in continuing the chase," she said. "With her speed, we have no chance of catching her if she doesn't want to be caught."

"We'll wait for her."

Chevreuse understood Luna's methods. The Phantom Thief White Cat wouldn't strike for the "treasure" until all the players were in place. She would wait until they were fully prepared before resuming her operation.

Turenna gasped, "Wait? Where do we wait?"

Before Chevreuse could answer, several members of the Maison Gardiennage rushed over.

"Captain Chevreuse, emergency!"

"Another urgent case?" Chevreuse frowned. If that were true, they would have to split their forces, further diminishing their chances of success. Failure to stop the Phantom Thief White Cat would make everything irreversible.

"Not exactly... well, kind of! Officer Ronat of the Court of Justice received a announcement from the Phantom Thief White Cat..." The messenger trailed off, noticing the sudden change in Chevreuse's expression.

"Does that mean we're supposed to protect him?"

"Is... is there a problem with that?" He scratched his head, looking genuinely bewildered.

Turenna couldn't help but protest, "But he's a completely rotten person! Why should we—"

Earlier, during their pursuit of Luna, Chevreuse had briefly explained the situation to the team. They now understood that Officer Ronat was the true culprit, and that he had likely driven Rainer Wilger to suicide.

How could the Special Task Force, dedicated to justice, be assigned to protect such a villain?

"...Alright, let's move out immediately."

"Wait, Captain, but he's..." Turenna's confusion was palpable.

Chevreuse lowered her voice. "Don't forget what the hat you're wearing represents, Turenna."

The Special Task Force served order, law, and justice.

"For now, the evidence is in White Cat's hands. We can't apprehend Ronat yet."

"Therefore, for the time being, he remains an officer of the Court of Justice and someone we are obligated to provide Forced Protection."

While the Special Task Force had discretion in handling cases, they could never violate the clearly defined "prohibited acts" enshrined in the Law.

"And the place where we'll lie in wait for White Cat is right outside his front door."

If they left her unchecked, Phantom Thief White Cat would undoubtedly take actions Chevreuse couldn't bear to witness.

This was the crux of the matter.

From every angle, their duty was clear: to fulfill their obligations by guarding the villain's doorstep and defeating the "righteous" Phantom Thief.

Turenna cradled her rifle, her gaze downcast. "...Though reluctant, we can't break the oath we swore when we joined the team, can we?"

"Exactly."

The rain had completely soaked through their skin and hair.

Yet Chevreuse felt no chill. Instead, her blood seemed to boil. The criminal must be brought to justice—that wasn't her primary concern now.

We have to stop White Cat!

That single conviction consumed her mind.

Ronat sat in his bedroom, his heart pounding as he stared at the threatening note on his desk.

Transgressive desires twist the soul, and the sins you've squeezed into silence shall soon bear their bitter fruit.I know what you've done.When the cries of the departed echo across the world, I shall come—not merely to expose you…But to take everything.

Prepare for your reckoning.

Signed: Phantom Thief White Cat.

Damn it! The Phantom Thief has finally set her sights on me!

Cold sweat trickled down his back as he swallowed hard.

That bastard swore he could fulfill my demands—package the Phantom Thief as an idol, turn her into a star, sow chaos...

All to give him the perfect opportunity to slip away from Fontaine unnoticed.

He'd even killed his loyal hound, stuffing the key to his most prized treasure inside its corpse!

But what was the result? Phantom Thief White Cat was completely unhinged, acting in direct opposition to their plans.

She didn't care about fame, about public opinion.

Whenever she pleased, she could utterly destroy any stage she chose.

It wouldn't be long before the Marechaussee Phantom traced everything back to him.

"I finally managed to make that idiot Rainer the scapegoat..."

"And now that damned Phantom Thief..."

She actually sent a warning letter!

Anyone who receives such a letter is immediately placed under the Forced Protection of the Special Task Force.

And Captain Chevreuse's keen senses and formidable abilities are legendary within the Court of Justice.

She'll undoubtedly discover the treasure hidden inside the Golden Dog.

"There's no time left..." Ronat muttered, his voice trembling with panic, his face contorted with fear.

Escape was impossible.

But he could surrender now.

Confessing would grant him the Court of Justice's protection and ensure his safe transport to the Fortress of Meropide.

What awaited him there was a problem for another day. Surviving even one more day was a victory!

Boom! A sudden thunderclap made Ronat flinch violently.

The lights in the room flickered and died.

This could only mean one thing:

She had arrived!

Luna strolled down the pitch-black corridor, guided by flashes of lightning that illuminated the night sky.

Of course, even without the lightning, she could see everything clearly in the darkness. Before leaving the House of the Hearth, she, like the other children, had grown accustomed to the shadows.

Only when they were with their families did the warm glow of the hearth's fire illuminate their faces.

It feels like we're back in the old days, she thought, a pang of nostalgia washing over her.

"Stop."

A familiar voice echoed from ahead.

A bolt of lightning streaked across the horizon, briefly illuminating Chevreuse's face. She still wore her eye patch, the other eye narrowed slightly.

Luna halted slowly, a smile gracing her lips.

The deafening thunder, the relentless rain battering against the windows, and the intermittent flashes of lightning failed to shatter the silence between them.

"Miss Captain," Luna finally spoke.

"..."

"Do you know what I admire most about you?"

Chevreuse remained silent, her gaze unwavering.

Luna continued softly, "It's that you act solely according to your own sense of justice, without bias. Those who break the Law are guilty, and guilt deserves Judgment and punishment."

"And do you know what I despise most about you?" Chevreuse countered.

"What is it?"

Chevreuse raised her long spear, its tip aimed at Luna.

With a synchronized swish, the Special Task Force members simultaneously raised their rifles, leveling them at Luna.

"You only act according to your own whims, without bias and disregarding everyone else's opinions," Chevreuse said.

"You understand the importance of Law and Order, and you respect these crucial foundations. But nothing, absolutely nothing, can sway your resolve."

Chevreuse fell silent for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes.

"I had hoped you would heed my words."

Luna smiled nonchalantly. "Isn't it rather odd to expect a Phantom Thief like me to take orders from Miss Captain?"

"Yes, but you've always been odd."

Chevreuse's gaze remained unwavering, as if trying to pierce through Luna's mask and into her very soul.

"Stop, White Cat," she said, her voice devoid of hope.

It wasn't an order, but a plea.

"Stop?"

Luna drew her sword, the purple glow of Electro illuminating her crimson eyes beneath the mask.

She grinned. "Why would I stop?"

"No one wants a play to end abruptly mid-scene. The show must go on, and it will."

Luna raised her one-handed sword vertically, its blade obscuring half her face.

Boom! Thunder roared across the sky.

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the sword's surface, reflecting Chevreuse's complex expression.

"It's time for the final act, my dear Miss Captain," Luna said softly. "If you wish to stop me, then crush me completely on this final stage."

"...You're truly beyond saving," Chevreuse murmured, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

When she opened them again, her face was set with the unwavering resolve and detachment of Captain Chevreuse of the Special Task Force.

"Captain Chevreuse of the Special Task Force, preparing for battle—I will capture you. Don't even think about escaping."

Luna smiled. "Phantom Thief White Cat has arrived as promised."

She swept an imaginary curtsy, gracefully lifting the hem of her non-existent skirt.

"Shall we dance, Miss Captain?"