Phantom

Sigh...

Today's the library's big clean-up day.

Nooo...

So the day has finally come.

What if I'm cleaning the library one day...

and I can't quite reach a book on the top shelf... so I stretch up on my tiptoes...

and then I sense someone standing behind me...! His hand covers mine...! Hehehe...

I'll take care of the front desk like always.

Hehe... I'll start with the deepest corners...

I'll begin with the workroom.

Then I'll leave the rest in your capable hands.

Whew... Even if I'm the only one who uses this room, it seems I've neglected to tidy it for quite some time.

My phantom thief materials and library files are all mixed together.

I suppose I can sort these documents out later...

Hm?

Oh, this box...

Good heavens...

To think I left something so precious neglected for so long...

I am truly sorry.

You were there when my journey as a phantom thief began...

My—

...

...?!?!

N-no, that can't be...!

This...

On my honor as a phantom thief, this is simply unacceptable.

I must...

I must write a calling card at once!

Monsieur, it's me.

Did you receive my calling card?

That's correct.

In truth, it was a letter asking for your help.

... It's rather embarrassing to admit, but...

Something I hold very dear was stolen.

So I've come to ask for your help in getting it back.

Um...

It embarrasses me to say so, but...

It... It's...

the mask I wore when I first decided to become a phantom thief.

...!

Is that how you see me?

It would have been wonderful if that were true, but unfortunately not.

I have an ordinary life of my own, one that no one knows about.

Though I imagine that's rather difficult for you to picture.

Indeed.

I've been living a life of thievery for quite some time now.

When I first started, I was a rather hopeless one.

That mask is a dear companion that saw me through those days.

Anyway, that's why I've come to see you.

Well you see...

I suspect our fellow thieves.

Think about it.

Besides yourself, there are three others working alongside me:

Quency, Miranda, and Delta.

They all look upon the phantom thieves with great fascination and high expectations.

Then the answer is obvious! They stole my very first mask with hopes of becoming the greatest phantom thief of all!

Because what they truly desire is to become...

me, the one and only Phantom!

How should I put it...?

You don't strike me as that sort of person.

Rather than that, I think you'd find it a hassle,

and I doubt you'd be interested either.

And so,

will you help me, Monsieur?

Hmm...

It appears

Delta the Ninja Thief isn't here.

No.

However hard Delta tries, she's still only a trainee.

She could never deceive a full-fledged phantom thief such as myself.

So Delta isn't here.

Do you happen to know anything, Monsieur?

Very well, lead the way.

Good morning.

There you are, Delta.

What brings you here, Phantom?

I've come to ask you something.

I hope you'll answer me truthfully.

Affirmative. Go ahead.

Delta, was it you...

who took my precious mask?

Your... mask?

It's currently on your face.

Not this one.

It's an old, tattered mask,

nowhere near as sleek or beautiful as this one.

I've never seen a mask like that.

Besides, I have no reason to take it.

Delta, you are the only trainee in the Thieves of Justice.

Did you steal my mask in the hope of becoming an official phantom thief?

I would never stoop to such a cowardly act.

If stealing your mask were enough to make me an official phantom thief,

then I would have no intention of joining the Thieves of Justice.

And why not?

Because that would be unjust.

...!

The phantom thief I want to be is one who stands for justice.

I believe that will make me stronger.

That's why I devote myself to training.

...

It would appear you haven't been training today.

Affirmative.

That's because I am Delta of the Scouts today, not the Trainee Ninja Thief.

... I see.

So that is who you truly are.

Tell me, Delta, has your time as the Ninja Thief made you stronger?

Affirmative, I've grown much stronger.

...

I see.

It would appear you're not the culprit.

Look at those honest eyes.

A person with eyes like that would never try to take what belongs to someone else.

If you require assistance, I'll provide it.

I carry my phantom thief outfit with me so I can change at a moment's notice.

No.

Remain at your post, Delta.

Since it's a personal item, I'd rather look for it myself.

... Understood.

If you require assistance later on, feel free to ask.

I'm Delta of the Scouts.

Reconnaissance, search, and exploration are what I do.

I see.

Thank you for the offer.

Hmm.

Miranda's not here either.

In that case, I suppose she'll be at the police station.

That does make things difficult.

I can't exactly walk into the police station.

Oh...?

Very well. If that's what you say, then I'll trust your judgment.

Hello!

Huh...?

It's the Commander and Phantom!

Phantom, you're not supposed to be here...!

Wait! That's not right!

Poli said it's okay as long as I put you in handcuffs!

Oh, not as phantom thieves?

I'm a phantom thie—

Mmph!

Are you here to report a lost item?

In that case, please come in.

So what did you lose?

...

My mask.

Your mask?

But you're already wearing it!

Not the one I'm wearing. Another mask.

One that carries many precious memories for me.

And I suspect that you, Miranda, may have taken it.

Me?

Quite so.

To become a more perfect Phantom Police, you took my mask, did you not?

No way!

I already have the awesome mask and phantom thief outfit you gave me.

There's no reason for me to take a mask that's filled with your precious memories!

And besides, I'm Miranda of the A.C.P.U.!

I would never take someone else's belongings without permission!

Someone who does that can't call themselves a phantom thief or a police officer,

so they definitely can't call themselves the Phantom Police!

...!

...

Don't look so down, Phantom!

The A.C.P.U. always does its best to keep people safe and happy!

We'll find your mask, no matter what!

Do you have a picture of it?

If not, just tell me what it looks like! Its color, shape, anything you can remember! That'll make it much easier for us to find it!

I don't have a picture of it.

It's dark in color, made of paper, and rather old and crumpled.

Got it!

But there's no need for you to help me.

We're going to find your lost item together!

That's what I'm here for!

I know.

Still, I'd like to find it myself.

You should focus on helping those who need your help more than I do.

Hmm... I'm not really sure.

But if that's what you say, Phantom, then okay!

The police station is always open, and I'll always be here to help the citizens!

If you run into any trouble, just come back and see me!

Very well.

You have my thanks.

Then all that's left is Quency.

...

It's not that...

I've simply had a lot on my mind.

For now, let's be on our way.

Hm?

Hmm... It doesn't seem like anyone's here.

She must've escaped and run off again.

Huh?

I recognize those voices...

Instructor? Phantom?

Hey! It's been a while since you came looking for me first.

Where have you been?

Me? At my hideout.

I've gotten my hands on a lot of good stuff lately.

The bottle caps have been rolling in, hehe!

Something valuable...?

I knew it, Quency! You're the one who took my mask, aren't you?

Huh? Your mask?

But you're wearing it right now.

Not this mask.

My most treasured possession, my very first mask, has gone missing.

Besides, Quency, you have a knack for lifting things.

If anyone can get their hands on it, it's you.

I mean, you're not wrong,

but I don't steal stuff like that.

Stuff like that...?

Nobody at the hideout

would want to buy that precious old mask of yours, Phantom.

There are plenty of things worth more than that.

...!

How could you say that?!

What I'm saying is, everyone's got their own idea of what's valuable.

What's this bottle cap worth to you?

...?

It's merely recyclable rubbish.

What value could it possibly have?

Yep. Around here, this is our currency.

It's worth way more than credits, y'know?

Just like that mask of yours. It might not mean much to anyone else,

but to you, that mask is more precious than anything.

I see...

Besides, today's the first time I've even heard about that mask. How am I supposed to know where it is and steal it?

C'mon, do you really trust your fellow member that little, O great phantom thief?

...

My apologies.

In my haste, I acted without thinking...

C'mon, I was just kidding. Don't take it so seriously.

If you need help, just say the word.

They don't call me the Escape Queen for nothing, you know.

I'll find us a route straight to the culprit's doorstep.

Well now...

I daresay I couldn't be in better hands.

Hm? What's that supposed to mean?

To be honest, I thought the only people who might have stolen my mask were the Thieves of Justice.

So I found myself suspecting every one of you.

Yet none of you were the culprit.

In fact, every single one of you offered to help me.

Hehe! No way we'd be the ones who stole it!

You're right.

I'll have to apologise to everyone properly next time.

Hmm, I don't think anyone really minds,

but if it'll put your mind at ease, go for it.

In the meantime, I'll ask around the inmates at the hideout and see if anyone knows anything.

Let's do our best to track it down!

... All right,

thank you.

*Sigh...*

I was wondering the same thing.

...

Indeed...

My missing mask is one thing,

but I can't help feeling I was wrong to suspect everyone.

And despite that, they've all offered to help me.

This has nothing to do with the phantom thieves, yet I've ended up involving them regardless. That sits rather uneasily with me.

...?

They're all just going about their daily lives, aren't they?

...!

...

I put it in a box and stored it in the workroom.

Yes... Wait, no, that's not quite right.

It's my workroom when I'm not a phantom thief.

Oh...!

Once I've sorted these books, that'll be it for today.

Phew... I'm getting a little tired.

Hm?

"The Mask of Phantom Thief P"?

I've never come across this one before.

It looks like a novel.

Maybe I'll sit down and give it a read once I'm finished here.

...

...

The Phantom Thief P...

Despite the hardships of everyday life, there's a freer side to them.

And it's that freedom that helps them endure it all.

Hmm... Perhaps I should read a few other phantom thief novels as well.

...

...

I think I finally understand phantom thieves a little better now.

They use their freedom to carry out justice from the shadows.

It's almost as though...

they're no different from me!

...

...

All right, it's a little rough around the edges, but...!

With this mask, I can be a phantom thief too.

I'll help everyone from the shadows,

and my daily life will become a little more colorful.

... Because this time, I'll remember every act of justice I've carried out.

You're right.

Somewhere along the way, I'd forgotten.

I am the phantom thief, and the phantom thief is me.

The phantom thief exists because I do,

and because the Phantom Thief exists, so do I.

...

That mask...

Perhaps it wasn't stolen by someone targeting the phantom thief after all.

It may simply be that I've lost it.

I'm simply letting it go.

It's also a way to punish myself for losing sight of my original resolve.

...!

I-if you say so.

Then I suppose there's no helping it.

We'll have to go to my workroom.

You were the one who said

there was no need to separate my phantom thief side from my everyday self, were you not?

In that case, I shall extend a special invitation to you.

Monsieur...

Is there nothing you wish to ask?

Hehe, I see.

It seems you'd already seen through my disguise.

As always, you continue to surpass my expectations.

Clean...?

Ah.

Aaagh!

I-I completely forgot today was the big clean-up...!

I became so caught up in my excitement that I rushed out of the library!

I-it seems Arcana and Label have already tidied everything up...!

This can't be...

H-how am I supposed to apologize...?!

A note...?

...!

Ah...

Now I remember.

I wanted to keep it somewhere safe, so I tucked it into this book.

... So this is where it was all along.

...

I don't know how I can ever thank the two of them.

I...

Nin-nin.

...?!

Good evening.

I found something similar to what you were looking for.

Wh-what's that?

A mask.

Unlike your mask, this one covers the entire face,

but I brought it here just in case.

I had to recover it from the Observatory in a hurry, so it's not in good condition.

D-don't tell me... you actually went all the way to the surface?

All hail the great phantom thief!

...!

Hehe, you've got more company than I expected.

How did you...?

I was worried, so I went looking around and found something that looked close enough. Figured I'd bring it back for you.

What do you think?

H-how did you...?

I asked around and did some digging myself,

then somebody finally said they'd seen something like it.

You got any idea how many bottle caps that little tip cost me?

Anyway, turns out there really was a mask.

Figured it might be the one you're looking for, so I grabbed it for you.

Y-you used your precious resources... for this mask...?

Hello, Phantom!

Were you able to find your mask?

...

... So you found a mask too, Miranda?

Yeah, that's right!

I looked all over for it and found a similar one!

Will you take a look?

This...

Where did you find it...?

I found it while searching the park!

... What would you have done if you hadn't found anything?

Then I would've kept searching!

Helping civilians recover their lost belongings is part of my job!

And if they're your belongings, Phantom, then I have to try even harder!

...

What... What on earth has happened?

I... I...

Ohh...

I see...

They carried out justice from the shadows,

and once again,

it was the phantom thieves who saved me.

Monsieur!

How do I look?

So, in other words...

You're saying I look Phantom?

...

Then who might you all be?

Aha!

I'm Miranda, the Phantom Police!

I protect civilians

and fight for justice!

Heh! So this is what we're doing?

I'm Quency, the Phantom Prisoner!

I live life on my own terms, and as Phantom's assistant, I make sure there's always a way through.

I'm Delta from the Scouts, and also the Trainee Ninja Thief.

Come to me if you ever need someone to perform observation or reconnaissance for you.

And I'm working hard to become an official phantom thief.

...

...

I uphold justice from the shadows!

I am Phantom, the Phantom Librarian.

I became a librarian because I love books,

and a phantom thief because I believe in doing what's right.

... Only now have I come to realise this simple truth.

I know it's rather late, but...

Would you allow me to remain by your side from here on?

Haha...! Hahaha!

Hahahaha!

...

It seems the sun is beginning to rise,

as light starts to seep into the library.

... As the shadows recede, the world begins to stir from its slumber.

Those who once danced beneath the stars slip back to their rightful places.

As though nothing ever occurred, the day begins anew.

But I shall no longer distinguish between day and night.

Through every hour,

I shall exist.

Tell me, how did you all know I was the Phantom Librarian?

Took you long enough to ask.

Are you starting to get a sense of how sloppy you've been?

...?

...?

Wait, there's a librarian Phantom too?

I simply followed your trail. That's all.