Chapter Text
Nighttime was for many a cloak, obscuring all that passed underneath its radar. The moon, the mother that watches over her children as they frolic beneath the shimmering sea of ink, watching with a placid smile.
For many, they used the nighttime for fun. Festivities, held only within the shine of the moonlight, across the bright neon signs and between hidden shadows.
For some, a disguise, becoming one with the night itself. Blink, and you’ll miss it.
Kokichi Ouma stares out into the night, binoculars in hand and legs ready to run at a moment’s notice. Across him, a mansion, limousines pulling up to the front, spotlights that illuminated a pathway into the sparkling building. A party, and home to a beautiful tanzanite stone, on display upon a magnificent pedestal.
Rumours say that stone will be the next target for the famous Phantom Thief, a person who has given their life to become the night itself, taking rare and mundane items alike with not a hint of where it could have gone, disappearing into the grasp of the shadows like a shell washed into the sea.
Yes, this was his mission, catching the thief before they can strike again. Why Kokichi was nowhere near the building was easy. Up here, he can track any movements that he would never be able to find up close, a person sneaking in through the side. Of course, Kokichi could not see to the back, where the thief very well may have entered, but three out of four chances was good for now.
Besides, the Phantom Thief would not be so easy. Being so quick to steal, so early into the night, that was no fun, and Kokichi despised the mundane and boring. That’s why he trailed after the elusive thief so closely, never fully expecting when the thief would come out of the dark and kiss the moonlight for the briefest of seconds.
The last limousine pulls away, with no expectations to any more coming even a little late, and Kokichi sets his binoculars down with a pout. “ Boo, I didn’t see him sneak in… Time for Plan B~” He gets up, and he throws himself over the railing, tucking his legs as he lands on the grass below. Luckily he wore his good suit today, Kokichi dusting himself off before waltzing over with a smile. There were guards at the door, but one flash of his shiny badge lets him pass without a question, Kokichi walking in through the ornate doors into the main room.
The decoration was to be expected, crystal chandeliers and silk tablecloths, most of the space left to allow people to mingle and dance when they pleased. A stage sat at the very back, an orchestra playing soft classical music as a few swayed to the sound. Kokichi could recognize the pianist, an old friend of his, although her name escapes him.
The theme was a masquerade, typical and far too easy to hide oneself. Kokichi didn’t forget his own mask, of course, white with an array of feathers to the upper left, red paint delicately lined and smeared around the eye holes, a faded checkerboard pattern on the lower right. Simple, but truly him.
Kokichi passes by a butler giving out flutes of champagne, taking one as he walks by, looking around for the tanzanite. It doesn’t take long, the stone sitting upon a pure white pillow on its pedestal, the blue and purple shine clear even from where he stood. People would walk by it, admire it some, but ultimately not make any movements that would grant suspicion.
Kokichi takes a sip of champagne, nose wrinkling at the taste. He’d much rather have some grape Panta in here. Kokichi looks out among the crowd of masked people within the shining room, faces obscured but on their own business. The orchestra changes song, and people come together into a ballroom dance, swaying and stepping in a pleasant beat.
Kokichi merely stays back, watching. He knew how to dance, of course, even if he preferred a faster pace, but it wasn’t a solo dance. He would need a partner.
“ Care for a dance?” As if his internal thoughts were heard, a voice calls out from behind him, and Kokichi turns around to quite a sight. Standing there was a man, face obscured by a mask as black as the night, silver glitter on the upper right and three glittering white gemstones on the bottom left, a small circle of blue at the corner of one eye. Pale yellow eyes peer out from behind the mask’s holes, timid. Hair the colour of a starless sky was tied back, and his suit similar in colour, with white gloves accompanying the look. Even though Kokichi could not see all of him, he’s seen enough.
Kokichi smiles, clasping his own hands behind him. “ Oh? Why do you ask~?”
The man scratches at his cheek, nervous. How cute of him. “ Well- Ah- You looked lonely, and you were looking at the others, so I thought-“
“ How kind of you, good sir~ Why yes, let’s dance!” Kokichi does not hesitate to grab the man, whisking him off his feet and away from the side, setting his flute on a nearby table. Kokichi puts one hand on the man’s shoulder, the other holding his hand, the man clearly flustered. Kokichi smiles wider, eyes narrowed in amusement, a gloved hand settling against his waist. The music sways them, Kokichi letting the mysterious man guide him. He could tell his dance partner wasn’t confident in his moves, not flowing quite as easily as he could have been. Kokichi doesn’t mind, just smiling all the while as the music falls and rises.
“ So, what’s a pretty boy like you doing here?” He asks, the man squeezing his hand harder against his own for a second, skin going ever so slightly red.
“ Well- I’m here for the party. My friend, Kaede? She’s playing the piano right now. She invited me here.”
Kaede. That was her name. Kokichi nods, his smile remaining. “ Yeah? I know her too.”
“ You do?”
“ Mmhmm!” They briefly spin, Kokichi catching sight of the pedestal again, untouched. “ Went to school with her! Although I don’t recognize you…”
“ Hehe, must just be odd coincidence then? We’re childhood friends, but I don’t think I know who you are either.” He says, Kokichi slowly nodding. “ You sound familiar though.”
“ Do I?”
The man nods, head tilting to the left a few degrees, the light catching the glitter on the mask. There was glitter in his hair too, now that Kokichi is looking, although not much. His mask must have rubbed off on his hair somehow. The man is silent, although twirls Kokichi randomly, Kokichi softly giggling at the motion.
“ Yeah, you do. Don’t know where though.” He mutters when he takes Kokichi close again. “ But you look nice tonight, whoever you are.”
“ Aww, you flatter me! I think you’re pretty cute too~” It was true, Kokichi couldn’t help but be a sucker. The light blush he gets in return is all he needs in response, Kokichi grinning as they continue to dance to the orchestral tune.
The music soon slows to a stop, and the cute man bids him a farewell, letting go and disappearing into the crowd. Kokichi watches him go for a second or two, the music beginning a new piece and guests switching dance partners. Kokichi takes the time to let loose a little, taking on a new partner and swaying around with them.
The others aren’t nearly as enchanting as the first, so Kokichi remains vigilant for even the slightest of changes in his environment. During a lull and cake break, he walks back to the tanzanite display, eyes scanning it over. The stone was still resting upon its pillow throne, Kokichi nodding to himself as he steps to the side, eating his cake and observing the area within the stone’s proximity. It’s far too open here to not be seen fiddling with it, too many people. Some stairs to the upper floor laid down the hall to Kokichi’s left, and any ceiling vent was too far away to reach for the display comfortably. There were a few windows, but again the sheer amount of people made it difficult to get away through them. His best guess, if the thief really did decide tonight to steal the gemstone, was escaping upstairs, quite possibly to the balcony that Kokichi knows is two floors above here. Heading back out the way they came was also a no go, unless the thief was that good to pass by the guards when the alarm sounded.
Kokichi decided not to move from his spot, keeping watch. If there was a plan, and he knows there will be, then he will be the closest and quickest to react. All the guests remained blissfully unaware, enjoying themselves.
Then, the mansion lights came to a halt, throwing everyone into darkness. There is a chatter of confusion and noises, the only light being the glow of the moon outside. The orchestra drifts off as well, and all Kokichi could see was vague silhouettes of people.
Vague silhouettes, and the faint shine of a glass case being moved.
The moon may hide her people from prying eyes, but Kokichi was never one to close his from crime. A grin rises upon his cheeks, and the loud blare of an alarm pounds him into action, Kokichi locking his eyes onto a bare flicker that rushes to the left of him.
Bingo.
Kokichi runs after, not wasting any time as the Phantom Thief rushes up the stairs, any sound blocked by the loud blaring echoing throughout the entire mansion. Kokichi can hear his heartbeat pounding against his chest, adrenaline rushing through his veins, keeping right on the tail of the elusive Phantom Thief. He was so close.
It lead him not to the balcony, as he had thought. Instead, Kokichi was forced to climb yet another flight, to a second balcony that sat right at the back of the mansion, overlooking vast fields of sleeping flowers.
Curse that one in four chance.
“ I’ve got you now…!” Kokichi shouts as he throws upon the glass doors, a figure standing on the white stone railings, the moon illuminating him.
“ Ah. So that’s where I heard your voice from. The famous Detective Ouma, renowned for solving even the most strangest of cases.” The Phantom Thief says, not yet turning around, stopping Kokichi in his tracks as the familiar soft tone speaks. He remembers that voice.
“ It’s-“
“ Sorry, I should have realized earlier.” The figure turns on his heel, the Phantom Thief staring down at him with a smile, the moon catching the glitter of his mask and the tanzanite stone resting in his palm. “ Otherwise I wouldn’t have been so careless.”
Kokichi takes a step forward, hand reaching for his handcuffs. “ Don’t you dare move. You’re trapped up here!”
The Phantom Thief stares at him curiously, tilting his head like an innocent puppy. “ Hm?”
“ Don’t ‘hm’ me! You’re under arrest, you know. After years of chasing you down, you’ve finally been caught red-handed.”
“ Well, blue-handed. Or purple, depending on which way you hold it.” The Phantom Thief holds the stone up between his fingers, the Tanzanite shining brilliantly. “ But it’s the same nonetheless.” He looks to Kokichi again, holding it up to his eye. “ You kind of match it. I’m sure you would look even more radiant if you wore this. Much better than having it just laying around, don’t you think?”
Kokichi has nothing to say to that, just staring at the thief. He couldn’t rush him now, on the off chance he could avoid him, or worse fall down. His heart was pounding in his chest, Kokichi thinking of the best way to get to the Phantom Thief. He could, of course, stall time until the police came, but whether it work was unknown, a variable Kokichi couldn’t put any faith into.
So, he waits, and watches. He needed to see what the Phantom Thief would do next, any sign of a plan. The Phantom Thief doesn’t move, weirdly enough, despite being in full view of the man who will capture him. Instead the tanzanite disappears into his palm, the thief casually smiling at him.
“ What are you waiting for, detective? I’m right here. Aren’t you going to capture me?” As if teasing him, the Phantom Thief actually jumps off the railing, landing on the balcony floor. Kokichi doesn’t see him move again until he was right in front of him, pulling his hand up and gently grabbing his waist as he leans in, whispering into Kokichi’s ear. “ Aren’t the stars beautiful tonight? It’s a shame they made us dance in that bright but stuffy room. No offense to Kaede though, her skills are still as brilliant as ever.”
This was his chance, Kokichi knew it. No criminal is stupid enough to do this.
Yet, despite years of training that would lead up to this moment, Kokichi looks up at the stars dancing above him, the moon silent and graceful, lighting them as if they were the only two in the world. The mansion gave off no light, so everything was vivid, Kokichi’s thoughts stilling to a halt.
The Phantom Thief starts humming, his voice soft but steady, and they start dancing. They dance underneath the watch of the night, Kokichi silently realizing that he was dancing with the enemy — the target that he came all the way out here to catch — and yet enjoying it. He looks at the Phantom Thief, who was still humming a tune Kokichi was vaguely familiar with, and he lets him guide him around the balcony, swaying him and twirling him as if he were nothing more than a flower in the breeze.
Kokichi hears the sound of the police sirens as the dance draws to a close, the Phantom Thief ending it with a bow and a delicate kiss to the back of Kokichi’s hand.
“ I think this is goodbye. I’ll see you soon, my dearest detective.” The Phantom Thief whispers, and Kokichi stands dumbfounded as the Thief backs up, sitting on the railing with a cheshire smile…
Before leaning backwards and out of sight. Kokichi rushes forwards, looking down over the railing to nothing.
He’s disappeared, back into the night from whence he came.
Kokichi stares down for several more seconds, at the flowers gently swaying in the wind, then up at the night sky twinkling above, an amused smile pulling at his lips.
“ Oh, I’ll get you back for that one, Mr. Phantom Thief. I promise on my heart, until I’m satisfied, I'll come for yours.”