Deceit - The Phantom Thief

Chapter 18: The Beginning Of The End

Shuichi never did enjoy studying corpses, but this time was extremely different.

The lump of cloaked body laid in a heap in front of him. It happened again: this was another life he had stolen - something he had sworn to never do again. But he failed himself. He was the worst. Guilt consumed him like a disease. Murder wasn't worth it - not for a petty thief. He didn't ever want to have to use a gun again. It wasn't fair.

He couldn't handle the thought of taking another life away. But he knew that he couldn't look away from the truth.

"I'm so, so sorry." he breathed as he crouched down to meet the corpse, reaching out to move his cape out of the way.

"If you truly were sorry, you wouldn't have done it." a familiar voice responded weakly.

Shuichi jumped and almost fell back, but a cold hand grabbed his wrist tightly.

"Wh-What?" the detective stammered, almost tearing up from the fright. "You... You died! I shot you in the--"

The other struggled to stand, clutching at his shoulder as a bullet clattered onto the dark planks. "I'm bulletproof, baby! Nishishi!"

"I... N-No way... What?"

"Yeah, I'm actually pretty surprised I managed to fool you. I've never been shot before so you really put my acting skills to the test!" he shrugged, eyes gleaming brightly with such twisted pride. "Movies aren't always too reliable to replicate at all, y'know? If I died it would've been a mess... Gross!"

"What the hell..." Shuichi stuttered, speech faltering. What on Earth was happening? And why to him? "Y-You're out of your damn mind!"

The boy stepped closer, seemingly unfased by the firearm still in his enemy's firm grip. "Aww, were you worried about me, Mr Detective?" he cooed, his voice dripping like honey and absolutely oozing from the corners of his mouth.

Golden eyes narrowed, taken aback by the claim. "No. Of course not."

Before Shuichi could protest further, the piece in the background gradually came to a stop and the angelic voice of the pianist herself graced their ears.

"Thank you for coming tonight, everyone." she began, tone calm but cheerful, "I have one final piece to play; one I have poured my heart and soul into composing for a very special person - my best friend."

The thief smiled gently. Whether it was real or fake, Shuichi didn't know. "Y'know, once this song ends you'll never see me again, right?"

"Huh?"

Kaede giggled. "I hope you all enjoy."

She began to play.

Shuichi shook his head. "You can't just leave! I-I'll shoot you again!"

The Phantom Thief chuckled mischievously, "We'll see about that." He already knew Shuichi was less than capable of firing another bullet. Not because he couldn't bring himself to do it again - but because Shuichi Saihara was just so damn predictable. Someone who'd shoot so recklessly clearly lacked care for whether he hit his target or not. Someone like that only needed a single bullet. That was when he was certain the situation was his to take advantage of. "Then, I suppose we might as well make the most out of our shortening time together, no?"

Shuichi's face lit up with fear as his nemesis pulled out the same sharp weapon as he did when he first broke into his apartment. "What are you going to do with--"

"Shh..." the smaller beamed as his body glided smoothly towards him. Without a word he took Shuichi's wrists in his hands and guided them to his hips, gun pressing snugly against the fabric of his jacket. "Don't move, or I might bite." he whispered coyly, arms glissading up his chest and around his neck softly.