The Phantom Thief of Hearts || Saiouma Phantom Thief AU

3

Shuichi's POV

I stood there alone- defeated- and in shock. I had to take a minute for my face to stop burning while I processed the events that have led up to this point. Shortly after I became calmer, I heard footsteps behind me. I whirled around- fearful- but it was just Kyoko, and my uncle- who I assume drove here with the intent of picking us up.
"I was told everything by the police," he said, "They got away. Again."
Yeah... they.
"We now know that the phantom thief doesn't work alone," Kyoko said, practically reading my mind.
"Yeah..." I said, not fully present.
I zoned out- I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd accidentally done, and how embarrassing it must've been- for not one- but both of us.
"Shuichi?" my uncle tapped my shoulder.
"Ah- sorry-" I stuttered, silently cursing myself for doing so.
"Are you okay? You seem out of it," he said.
"I'm fine- Just tired-" I replied, which wasn't a lie.

*Timeskip*

We were driven home in my uncle's car, and our first stop would be my apartment building. I climbed out of the vehicle with my bag, thanked and said bye to my uncle (and Kyoko,) and entered the building.
As I rode up the elevator to my floor, I was one again thinking about my attachment to catching the thief.
Was I attached to the idea of catching him, or to him as a figure?
...Well I certainly had a lot to think about. I'd been chasing this thief for weeks now, and at least a small attachment- considering I am who I am- would be expected.
Ding!
I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards my apartment, taking my shoes off before entering. (Author's note: In Asian countries, people take their shoes off before entering their home.)
With a sigh I removed my hat from my head- and, after entering my bedroom, dropped down onto my bed, exhausted. I wanted to read a bit of the detective novel I was reading, but ended up drifting off to sleep instead, still in my work clothes.

*Timeskip*

I woke up super hungry, since I was so concerned with the case that I forgot to eat yesterday. I decided to get up, get ready, and pick up some breakfast on my way to the agency. I brushed my teeth, showered, got dressed, and left my apartment with my bag. My best friend- Kaede Akamatsu- owns a cat café just a few blocks over, so I decided to make a pit stop there. I got into my car and drove over there, and arrived in only a few minutes.
I entered the café, hearing the little bell on the door jingle. Kaede stood at the counter in an apron, taking a customer's order. Kaede was a tall, blonde haired girl who's passion was playing the piano, but her defining trait was her optimism. The cat café reflected that- It had a recurring theme of pastel colors, floral designs, birds, and wind-chimes- and obviously contained cats. I knew she and the several adorable cats in the café would find a way to at least slightly relieve my stress about the case.
Kaede noticed me, and motioned that she'd be right over, so I sat down and decided to look at the next clue while I waited.

"Where many stony people stand I will be waiting with my plan, They are an unmoving array that will remain till the next day"

I felt dizzy reading that... These riddles were getting harder and harder every time-
Before I could overthink I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Kaede, holding a kitten.
"Hey Shuichi, you look kinda stressed-" she paused, "Hey are those dark circles?- Are you sacrificing sleep for a case again?-"
I rested my head in my hands. "I guess you could say that I am-"
"Any progress on that one case?" she said as she sat down across from me, putting the kitten on her lap, "The one about the phantom thief?"
I sighed.
"Nope, I'm stuck. I've been stuck for weeks. I've had countless good leads that get me so close to catching him- but he always just barely manages to get away."
A cat climbed into my lap and cuddled up to me, and I started slowly petting it.
"I know it's tough, Shuichi," Kaede said, "But you need to relax a little sometimes. Rest is good."
"I guess."
"You should eat something- you look a little pale- want a smoothie bowl?" she offered.
"Yes please-"
"Got it," she said, moving the kitten off her lap to get up and go to the kitchen.
I kind of zoned out waiting, and before long Kaede was back. She set the smoothie bowl in front of me, and sat across from me again. I started eating while she sipped some tea.
"Want me to have a look at the clue too? Sometimes two sets of eyes is better than one."
"Sure," I agreed, before setting the clue in front of her.
She seemingly read it in her head- and her face went from from casual to confused.
"Wow Shuichi," she said, "I totally understand why you lose sleep over these things- This could mean anything-" she paused and took a sip, "But we have to think it through."
I nodded and shifted my half eaten smoothie bowl to the side to put my laptop on the table. I open it and had Kaede read me the clue again out loud.
"Wait Kaede- the first part of the clue-" I said, "Do you think he means 'stony' literally or figuratively?"
"Hmm," Kaede put a hand to her chin, "Not sure- I think both possibilities are worth investigating."
Hmm... unmoving...
"Unmoving..." I thought out loud, "It must be literally then," I concluded.
"Stony people that don't move? So statues!" Kaede exclaimed, "We're onto something Shuichi."
I thought for a minute before opening my computer browser.
This thief has a thing for museums...
"museums statues tokyo"
"Maybe..." I sat back, "The Asakura Museum of Sculpture, in the Yanaka neighborhood of Taito, Tokyo!... and since the clue also says 'until the next day'- That must mean I only have until midnight to stop him!-" I quickly moved the cat off my lap and closed my laptop, stuffing it and the clue into my bag.
"Thank you Kaede!-" I said before rushing out.

Kaede's POV

He didn't even finish his smoothie bowl-

--Word count: 1090--