#They didn't want to become a thief but ultimately they stole and now they felt like they had no other choice but to continue

[wayfinderships]

Every once in a while I think about my old L.upin III s/i and the whole situation they had going on with him and man...

[alvacchi]

Phantom Thief Hanako-kun AU Story: Chapter 6 - Back in the Early Heist Days

Flashback time!

Let's take a pause from what happened in the previous chapter and backtrack to the past~!

We'll be mainly sticking with Kou for this.

This happened before the first chapter!

Enjoy!

---

-Phantom Thief Hanako released a heist notice to steal yet another jewel

-The detectives and police force were working together to strengthen security

-This thief was astonishingly outwitting them all if he never failed a heist

-Minamoto Kou, younger brother of Teru who is one of the top policemen, was just starting out his career as a new police officer

-His first mission was to join some police officers to capture Hanako

-Teru couldn't join the team during the heist since he was busy taking care of other more serious offenses

-So he was cheering Kou on for the time being, congratulating him on officially becoming part of the police force

-While Kou aimed to be like his brother, he admired a certain radish girl Yashiro Nene

-They didn't really know each other right now

-Before, Kou just came to visit the police station and departments to give lunch to Teru and make sure he's eating properly

-And it was a coincidence that Kou saw Yashiro with Detective Tsuchigomori as they came by at the same time

-Seeing Yashiro working hard on cases became part of his motivation to also work to fight crime along with Teru

-and so she was a Senpai to him in the field and a current acquaintance

-Kou was hoping he could get closer to Yashiro

-Preparing a small bouquet of pink flowers, he wanted to present them to her to make a good impression since they would be working together from now on

-On the day of the heist, he went to look for her with the flowers in hand

-When he found her with Tsuchigomori, he immediately went to hide behind a wall

-Kou peeked over and noticed that they were talking about the heist

-Would right now be a good time to give them?

-He stopped peeking to gather himself together before deciding to head over, feeling nervous

-Only to realize that the moment he let them out of his sight, they were already gone

-Darn, he missed his chance

-Well, it will be okay. He could see them again at the heist itself

-He tucked the flowers in his pockets

-The location of the heist was at a hotel owned by Akane

-Kou heard from Teru that Hanako would go steal from Akane from time to time

-He couldn't help but wonder how the gem collector was dealing with the situation

-Night time arrived and a small crowd gathered

-Not too many people knew of Hanako yet but already there were a few reporters at the scene and word had spread

-Kou was looking around when he accidentally bumped into someone

-"Hey! Watch the camera, Lame-ass Traffic safety Earring!"

-Kou: "Oh sorry--wait what?"

-Kou looked to see a pink haired boy with a scarf and camera on. He seemed to be around Kou's age

-Kou: "Do you know who you're talking to?"

-Mitsuba: "No. Should I?"

-Wow, this guy was testing his patience

-Kou: "Geez. Look at my uniform. I'm a police officer."

-Mitsuba: "Okay, police officer. Now could you let me go? I gotta take photos for the papers."

-Kou's eyes widened as he looked down at Mitsuba's camera he's holding

-Kou: "Oh! Are you a photographer?"

-Mitsuba: "Well I'm a journalist but I guess--"

-Kou: "THAT'S SO COOL! Sorry for bumping into your camera! What's your name?"

-Mitsuba was surprised at Kou's outburst. He felt a little embarassed all of a sudden.

-Mitsuba: "....Mitsuba Sousuke."

-Kou: "I'm Minamoto Kou! Nice to meet you! I can't wait to see all of your work!"

-Mitsuba: "I've done a few already but I'm still new at my job so my writing isn't that great."

-Kou: "That's okay! My reading isn't that great either!"

-Kou gave a thumbs up at that.

-Mitsuba: "Reading and writing are two different things. Also, I don't think you should be proud of that pff"

-Kou: "Hm? Is that so?"

-Mitsuba: "Anyways, I'll be going to the hotel rooftop to take pictures of the cityscape from there. Would you like to come along? There should still be time before the heist"

-Kou: "Sure! Let's go!"

-And so they are both at the rooftop chattering away as Mitsuba took photos with his camera

-Kou: "Huh so you like taking pictures of animals and landscape stuff. How about photos of people?"

-Mitsuba: "I do take them as well. The papers get way more media attention that way anyways."

-Kou: "How about taking one of me? I'll be the ultimate subject! Just call it 'Police Officer Minamoto Kou Makes His Debut'!"

-Mitsuba: "Hm....No thank you."

-Kou: "Aw come on! I want to be in the papers!"

-Kou tried to grab the camera from Mitsuba

-Mitsuba: "Hey wait a minute!"

-Kou: "Just a bit!"

-"Two gentlemen fighting on the rooftop? That's quite dangerous."

-Kou and Mitsuba looked over to find the the phantom thief Hanako standing near the edge of the roof

-When did he get there?

-Oh wait, did the heist start already?!

-They lost track of time!

-Kou: "Hanako!"

-Hanako: "I will be taking the treasure~"

-Hanako showed them the jewel in his hand.

-Kou: "Oh no you don't!"

-Kou rushed towards him and Hanako just dodged Kou's attacks, keeping the jewel out of reach

-As they got closer to the edge of the building, a sudden strong gust of wind burst forth

-Knocking the jewel out of Hanako's hand

-and the pink flowers from Kou's pocket

-Ah. The flowers. Kou completely forgot about them

-Both items were being blown away far apart from each other and off the roof

-Kou: "Oh no the flowers!!"

-That was Kou's immediate response

-Hanako ran and jumped to grab the flowers, dismissing the jewel

-He just jumped off the roof without a thought

-That madlad

-Kou's body moved and he managed to reach and grab onto Hanako's legs to prevent his fall from the roof

-Hanako was a bit heavy so Kou was having trouble lifting him up and they were right at the edge

-Mitsuba grabbed onto Kou and they both were able to lift Hanako up to safety

-Kou was shocked at Hanako's sudden move

-Kou: "Why did you just risk your life for a bunch of flowers?!"

-He couldn't understand

-Hanako also let that jewel drop!

-Hanako: "These are important to you, no?"

-Kou was rendered speechless at Hanako's words

-What kind of thief was that considerate?

-Hanako: "I'm sure you wanted to give these to someone. Also, I got my equipment on me so I wouldn't have fell to my death but thank you anyways"

-Hanako handed the flowers back to Kou and took a bow

-A racket of footsteps and shouts came from the door leading to the rooftop

-Hanako: "Welp, time's up, my fellow gentlemen. Perhaps we'll meet again~"

-Hanako escaped using his smoke bomb as a smoke screen

-Kou and Mitsuba coughed through it and once the smoke cleared, Hanako was gone

-The door slammed open to reveal a frantic Akane, panicked Yashiro, and a curious Aoi

-Akane: "AAAAAA NOOOOO we're too late!"

-Kou: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

-Yashiro: "Hanako made off with the jewel!"

-Kou: "Wait but I saw the jewel drop down the building. I apologize about--"

-Akane: "That must have been a fake! I prepared fake copies but he saw through my plan and still stole them anyways. He already stole the real one when I wasn't looking, since it was in a different location. That bastard thief!"

-Kou:

-Kou: "HAAAH?! Wait, why didn't I know about this??"

-Mitsuba: "Ahhh drama between the police and the gem collector once again. Why do you guys think he managed to get away?"

-Aoi: "So the rumors about Hanako were true! He's a clever mastermind!"

-Akane: "Ao-chan praising that thief....oh no no no no no that charmer did not just--"

-(Inside Akane's head of delusional fantasies):

-Aoi: "Hanako-sama! Please take me with you!"

-Hanako: "My dear sweet lady, I shall come for you as my next prize~"

[They fly and get farther away as Akane runs after them]

-Akane: [reaches out] "AO-CHAN! NO WAIT I LOVE YOU!"

-Aoi: "Hm 1 point~. Farewell Akane-kun! Please forget about me. I'm eloping with him now ♡"

[End of delusion]

-Akane: 'AAAAAAAA NO THAT CANNOT HAPPEN! IT ALL BACKFIRED!! I should not have brought Ao-chan here...Now I gotta watch out for not just that Teru bastard but also him aaaargh!'

-They were all staring at Akane leaning against the wall, agonizing

-Akane: [mumbling] " 'If we met under different circumstances, we could have been friends' my ass you thief, not when you're flirting with Ao-chan you son of a-"

-Kou: "Uh...is he okay? He's been leaning against that wall, mumbling weird stuff"

-Aoi: "He'll be okay ♡. Akane-kun's a big boy"

-Mitsuba nudged Kou

-Mitsuba: "Minamoto-kun, there's something you want to do, right?"

Kou: "Huh? Oh! Right!"

-Kou approached Yashiro who was zoning out, looking a bit troubled

-Yashiro: [mumbling to herself] "Aah~ I can't believe I got lost again...it's a good thing I found Akane-kun and Aoi along the way"

-Kou: "Um! Senpai!"

-Yashiro snapped out of her thoughts

-Yashiro: "Me?"

-Kou: "My name is Minamoto Kou. I'm a new police officer in the workforce so I'll be in your care! These are for you!"

-Kou handed the pink flowers over to Yashiro

-Yashiro: [smiles brightly as she received them] "Thank you! They're so pretty! I think I've seen you around. I'm Yashiro Nene. It will be a pleasure working with you!"

-Kou flustered as steam came out of his head and his heart felt like an arrow shot through it

-He may have developed a slight crush

-Kou: "Y-you're welcome! And I-I look forward to it too!"

-Kou turned around to see Mitsuba, trying to distract himself

-Kou: "Mitsuba! Did you get any good pictures?"

-Mitsuba, taking a look at his camera, smiled to himself

-He had taken a few photos of Kou without him realizing

-Mistuba: "Mhm. I sure did~"

---

-As Hanako walked casually through an alleyway, he heard footsteps coming closer and he stopped

-He didn't have to look back to know who it is

-This happened often enough after all

-Hanako smiled

-Hanako: "Of all the people who could actually capture me if serious, you sure don't really take me seriously."

-He turned anyways to face the person responsible for the noises

-Hanako: "Great detective Tsuchigomori."

-Tsuchigomori stood in the alleyway as Hanako figured, looking at him nonchalantly

-Hanako: "What is this, a game of catch and release?"

-Tsuchigomori: "Hmph so you really did go this way. There wouldn't be many people here after all. It's a good escape route."

-Hanako: "Why didn't you tell the police?"

-Tsuchigomori: "They need to learn for themselves. Seriously incompetent if they can't capture a single person. Besides, I realized there's more to your stealing. I haven't figured out why exactly though."

-Hanako: "Oho I see. So that's what you care about. Curious?"

-Tsuchigomori: "I'm too busy for that now. I have an apprentice to look after....who apparently got lost since she's supposed to be with me..."

-Hanako: "Oh? You have an apprentice?"

-Tsuchigomori: "I'm showing her the ropes for now. And then, she'll be taking over my place to capture you."

-Hanako: "What, great detective? Aw, I'll miss you! Things won't be the same"

-Tsuchigomori: "Oh don't worry. You'll find her to be quite a persistent one."

-Hanako: "Heh~ Interesting!"

-Hanako vanished from sight using his fancy garment and smoke bomb for the second time, saying one last thing.

-Hanako: "I'll keep that in mind."