The Gentlemanly Thief

The days of the first school tests were closing in. Most of them had been announced to be just theoretical, multiple-choice tests. This, Kaden was confident he could do. While he wasn’t the most studious, he believed that he could at least pass, and even just trust in his luck if it came to it.

No, what Kaden was really worried about were the Gym and Thievery tests.

For the Gym test they simply had to spar against one of their classmates. Easier said than done, since Kaden, in all his time at school, had still yet to recreate his Negative Shield, much less a Negative Bubble that actually did what he wanted it to.

“Don’t worry,” Haido told them, “the only way you’ll die is if you harm my darling baby brother!”

She cackled hysterically, but Kaden had a feeling this was not a joke.

“In all seriousness, you all will be fine. You don’t have to win to pass.” She added quickly, after noticing that none of the others were laughing with her.

“I’m not worried!” Satoku told her. “I’ve got a secret new move up my sleeve.”

He made finger guns towards Haido, and gave a big smile of confidence.

“You’re rarely worried about anything.” Amene said, absent-mindedly, upon which everyone giggled.

It seems the only ones that were worried were Kaito and Kaden, as per usual. Still, Kaito seemed more worried than he usually was, if that was even possible.

What exactly the Thievery test entailed was still unknown. Even Haido, who usually knew more than the others of team Not-So-Bad, on account of her being their senior, had said that last year’s test had been theoretical as well. Why they changed it was unknown.

Nevertheless, in today’s class it would be revealed exactly what they needed to do. Whatever it was going to be, Kaden did not have a good feeling about it.

When they entered the classroom, they were greeted by not only their elderly Thievery teacher, professor Cleptoshi, but also a tall, elegant man, in a masquerade mask.

After everyone had sat themselves down, the masked man introduced himself.
“Greetings everyone,” he said, taking a long deep bow, “my name is Phantleman, the gentlemanly villain.”

He lifted his head, waiting for applause, but Charles was the only one that gave him what he was looking for.

Charles seemed more excited than he usually was in Thievery class, and he usually was a fair amount. Thinking back on his villain costume, it bore a striking resemblance to Phantleman’s, which suggested to Kaden that Charles was a big fan of his.

The rest of the class was far from unresponsive, however. Most of them seemed mesmerised by Phantleman’s suaveness. The only ones that weren’t were Shisu, Anoyo and Amene. Even Kaden couldn’t help, but gawk at the elegant movements of the gentleman thief.

“Mr Phantleman has come here today to tell you about your Thievery test.” Professor Cleptoshi explained monotonously.

“Yes, thank you, Professor!” Phantleman replied in a slightly offended tone, as if he was hurt by the fact his applause was just interrupted.

His voice, in stark contrast to Professor Cleptoshi, was energetic and upbeat, yet elegant and graceful.

“I am sure all of you know who I am very well, but allow me to explain.” He continued. “I am the number one gentleman thief, having successfully executed heist after heist across the globe.”

Kaden had indeed heard the name “Phantleman” before, but there was very little information about him. As to be expected from a phantom thief, he supposed. The only thing he had seen from him was his calling card, which had been shown on the news one day. It had the pattern of his masquerade mask, under which were his twinkling diamond blue eyes.

Phantleman started pacing around in front of the class, making gracious gestures as he was talking.

“As for your tests,” he stopped to take a look around the class, “I have scouted out four places, fit for a glorious heist.”

There was muttering in the classroom, until Phantleman raised his hand and everyone fell quiet again.

“You will split up in groups of four.” He continued.

Everyone looked around to scout out their partners. Kaden caught Satoku’s eyes, who gave him an excited thumbs up.

“If you do the maths right, that would leave one student.” Phantleman pointed out.

“That one lucky student will join me in my next heist.”

He stuck a piece of paper on the board behind him, containing a picture of a big, expensive-looking mansion.

“The void diamond.”

He smiled, looking once again around the class, presumably picking out whom he’d take along.

“The other groups will pick from these three locations.”

He stuck three more pictures on the board.

“The bank, simple and classic.”

He pointed at the first picture.

“A warehouse, containing an ancient artefact.”

The second picture.

“And the King’s Sapphire, recently moved to our local museum.”

The third picture.

“The Sapphire will be the most well guarded, and thus will be granted the highest points.” He explained, while looking around the class for a reaction.

“You will be rewarded points based on your stealth, performance and of course attaining your treasure.”

“It is first come, first served, so decide on your team swiftly.” Phantleman added as he bowed out of the way, gesturing to the pictures on the wall.

Unsurprisingly, Charles Kemuri was the first to stand up. He excitedly ran to the front of the class, and looked like he nearly fainted when he got closer to Phantleman, and he smiled at him.

“May I be your partner in crime, oh great sir?” He muttered while trying to bow gracefully before Phantleman, who let out a distinguished laugh.

“Why of course,” he said suavely, lifting Charles’ head with his gloved finger, “I can see great potential in you. A true gentleman. Truthfully, I had intended to pick you out myself.”

And there Charles went. Gracefully, he fainted into Phantelman’s arms, who effortlessly caught him.

Kaden looked around the class, and caught a glimpse of Shisu, who was eyeing the King’s Sapphire.

Normally, Kaden wouldn’t even want to go for the biggest score. Just passing would’ve been enough for him. But, it would feel so good to wipe that condescending smug off Shisu’s face, if he and his team returned with the Sapphire. Alone, he would never have the confidence to do it, but with them…

Kaden looked around at his teammates. Amene seemed to be in a faraway land of her dreams. They’d most likely have to explain the assignment to her again a few times, after class. Kaito was shivering in his seat. It seemed like the coming tests really took a toll on him, because he looked slightly pale now. Meanwhile, Satoku turned around to also look at Kaden. It appeared as though they had the same thought. Satoku nodded, and Kaden nodded back.

That settled it then, they were going for the Sapphire.

As Kaden stood up, so did Shisu. They quickly stopped to look at each other, knowing what would happen next. A sly, challenging smirk formed on Shisu’s face.

Both of them pushed and pulled on each other as they made a dash forward. Kaden almost tripped over Gin, who had stuck out his leg purposefully, but Shisu stumbled a bit when Amene flipped her hair upwards into his face, and splashed some water on it.

They both reached the board and slammed their hands simultaneously on the picture of the King’s Sapphire.

“What do you think you’re pulling here, Panda?” Shisu muttered in a foxy, yet clearly angry voice.

“I could ask you the same.” Kaden responded, thinking hard on an insulting name for Shisu.
Everyone in the class was staring at them, but they were too focussed on each other to notice. Then Phantleman stepped in between them and placed his own hand on the picture.

“It seems we have quite the predicament here.” He said calmly.

“Well, I do love a good rivalry…” He pondered, putting his other hand to his chin.

“Very well then, you will both go to the museum to steal the King’s Sapphire.”

“WHAT?!” Kaden and Shisu exclaimed in unison.

“This is absurd, clearly I–” Shisu tried to explain, before being cut off by Kaden.

“How could we even do that?” Kaden asked pleadingly, not wanting to spend more time in the vicinity of Shisu than he had to.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, now, now.” Phantleman spoke calmly, trying to quiet them both down. “It is simple, the first to get the Sapphire passes. Only the first.” He smiled at them both.

“I’ll crush you before you can even set foot in the museum,” Shisu said, “you and your little band of buffoons.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Kaden said, sounding more confident than he felt.

Clearly this was not the response Phantleman had hoped for, because his face looked slightly shocked. He cleared his throat and straightened his tie.

“Right then, will the last group come forward?” He said, ushering Kaden and Shisu away.

They walked back to their seats, still glaring at each other.

A girl with blood-red hair, Natashi Endo, walked forward and put her hand on the warehouse picture. After everyone had chosen their target and told him their groups, Phantleman handed out a detailed map and schedule to everyone, before bidding his farewell for now.

“I expect great things from you all.” He said, peering into everyone’s eyes.

“You are the next generation’s gentlemen and women.”

He took another deep, elegant bow, and with a flash, he was gone without a trace.

There was the applause he had been hoping for at the beginning of class.

After classes, team Not-So-Bad met up in the Square Cavity.

“So, what's our battle plan?” Kaden mumbled while looking over the map of the museum.

“It’s easy, we can just set a route I can run and–” Satoku suggested, but stopped after seeing Kaden shake his head.

“There's Shisu and his group to think about, now.” He explained disappointedly.

Satoku pulled the map and guard schedule closer and mulled them over.

Normally Kaden wouldn’t have minded one of Satoku’s brute force plans. The only reason he got through the entrance exam was because of one of them, after all. However, with Shisu’s group, who's fourth member was still a mystery, added to the equation, Kaden feared their plan would require a bit more finesse. That, and the glint in Shisu’s eye from back then, which Kaden was still worried about.

“Should we not also focus on our other tests?” Amene asked hazily, finally joining them back in the land of the wake.

“Yeah…” Satoku muttered, yet continued to go over the plans.

Kaden turned his gaze towards Kaito, who softly tapped him on his arm. He looked worse than before, sweating more than the usual and shivering in place. Looking at him would make you think there was a small earthquake happening, solely under Kaito.

“What’s wrong?” Asked Kaden, worriedly.

“I-I have an idea.” He said so softly that Kaden had to lean closer to really hear what he said.

“What is it?”

“Well, my power…” Kaito hesitated.

“Absolutely not!” Haido shouted at Kaito.

Though being overbearing was not new for her, the tone in her voice was different this time. Like she was genuinely afraid for Kaito’s well-being, rather than simply being overprotective.

“Ah, Haido, if Kaito has a plan then–” Kaden started.

Haido pulled out a large needle and held it towards Kaden.

“I said no.”

Treats from Haido were usual, though this time it did not seem like a treat. The anger in her eyes was real.

“I can do it.” Kaito interrupted quietly, looking deep into Haido's eyes.

The words he said weren’t confident, to say the least, but Kaden could see determination in his eyes.

“I don't want you to do it.” She said firmly. “It’s my duty to protect my baby brother, and I say no.”

“You're not my mother.” Kaito responded annoyed.

Kaden looked at him, surprised. He would've never expected Kaito, of all people, to talk back. Haido looked like she was about to say something in retaliation. Instead, she just stood up and left.

In all his time here, Kaden had never seen either of them behave like this. Satoku, Kaden, and even Amene, watched as Haido exited the cafeteria wordlessly. After an awkward silence, that felt like an hour, Kaito too stood up and left.