Anime, but the Phantom Thieves of Heart

"My question is, did you 'steal' my heart' last night?"

Although Lan Ke's preview letter said "take away twisted desires" or similar words, but with the name of "Phantom Thieves of Hearts", people in this world still call Lan Ke's behavior "stealing hearts", and Saeko Busujima is no exception.

As for Lan Ke, he didn't expect the other party's question to be this. He thought the other party would ask about the cross.

but------

"That's right. Although Miss Busujima's inner desire hasn't yet swelled to the point of running wild, I sensed that it was already showing signs of running wild, so I took it away."

Lan Ke's answer made Busujima Saeko's mood extremely complicated for a moment.

After all, according to the other party, her previous guess was not wrong. If she continued, she might really become a so-called "murderer".

"Thanks……"

Busujima Saeko's thanks were obviously beyond Lan Ke's expectations, but the corners of his mouth under the mask unconsciously curled up.

After all, my "treatment" can be recognized by the patient, and as a "doctor", I naturally have the right to be proud of it.

After thanking him, Busujima Saeko did not go back on her word and spoke again.

"Actually, I'm not sure if you'll come tonight, Mr. Kaito, or if your target is this 'cross'. This was all a dream. After waking up, I felt my restless heart calm down a lot. I don't remember the dream very clearly, except that I seemed to see you and myself with horns on my head. Other than that, I think you mentioned the 'cross', so I'm just giving it a try."

Lan Ke was somewhat surprised by Saeko Busujima's words. After all, according to her, she seemed to have seen the process of her "stealing hearts"?

No, that's not right. It should be said that he only knows some fragmented information, which is almost the same as when he first "traveled" here.

Unfortunately, before Lan Ke could continue thinking, Busujima Saeko spoke again.

"So I suspect the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' might be stealing hearts through 'dreams'..."

Although it was not a question, Busujima Saeko expressed her own speculation. Unfortunately, Lan Ke did not answer this time. Instead, he raised an index finger in front of the "bird's beak".

"Sorry, Miss Busujima, this is the second question, and it is a company secret~"

Lan Ke's rejection was not unexpected. In fact, she didn't think she would get an answer. After all, although she didn't know how the other party had accomplished the "stealing of her heart", this matter was weird and terrifying at the same time.

So she simply put it behind her for the time being.

"In that case, if I give you this cross, can you grant me one wish?"

"Want me to take away someone's 'desire'? Sorry, I can't give you an accurate answer, but if the target you give meets 'our' standards, I don't mind helping you out~"

"Take away desire? No! I'm not interested in such things. I only have one thing to ask of you——"

As she spoke, Busujima Saeko threw the cross in her hand directly to Lan Ke.

Lan Ke, not knowing what the other party was doing, instinctively caught it.

"I hope you can fight me with all your strength once!"

It was only then that Busujima Saeko's voice fell again.

Looking at the 'cross' in his hand, he first glanced at it with his 'third eye' and found that it was actually glowing. Then Lan Ke pretended to put it in his pocket, but actually threw it directly into his 'backpack'.

"Miss Busujima, are you planning on forcing me to buy you something? It's not a difficult request, though. Okay, I'll take it."

It was only at this moment that Busujima Saeko finally showed an expression of relief.

It was obvious that the confrontation with the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' had made her very nervous...

I'm so tired, so alone

Chapter 34 Times have changed! Samurai!

Looking at the relieved Busujima Saeko, Lan Ke couldn't help but want to laugh. After all, this is a scene that you would never see normally. If it were a GAL, there should be a standing picture even if there is no CG, right?

Busujima Saeko, who had no idea what strange things this oppressive "Phantom Thief" in front of her was thinking, took a deep breath to adjust her mood and turned slightly to the side.

"If we fight here, we might attract my father's attention. Please follow me over here."

After saying that, Busujima Saeko turned around and walked towards her house, as if she was not afraid of Lan Ke running away.

But in fact, it was also because she knew that she had no way to deal with the other party at all.

The Busujima family, which owns one of the largest dojos in Tokyo, actually has many disciples working in the Metropolitan Police Department or the National Police Agency. This is actually the key to the Busujima family's survival.

And it is for this reason that she knows a lot of information related to the 'Phantom Thief of Heart'. For example, to this day the police still don't know how the 'Phantom Thief of Heart' appeared at the murder scene.

In addition, Busujima Saeko suspected that the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' might come to take the cross she dreamed of, so she specifically instructed the security personnel in charge to pay more attention tonight.

However, these trustworthy security personnel have not sounded the "alarm" until now, which indirectly proves the strangeness of the other party's abilities.

Since you can't stop the other person, you might as well be more generous in order to win their favor.

In fact, she took the initiative to hand over the "cross" to Lan Ke because she did not have the confidence to keep this cross that had no apparent reason.

It turned out that her intuition was correct. The 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' in front of her was easier to talk to than she had imagined.

Chihiro⑨６檪⒈卼６樲７0

After returning to the courtyard behind her house, Busujima Saeko didn't waste any words and directly put the sword on her waist. Her aura seemed to continue to rise.

Facing the fighting-minded Saeko Busujima, Lan Ke was instead in a state of hesitation.

Although he himself thought he had no special talent for 'Kendo', he simply had more practical experience, which allowed him to better absorb the knowledge he gained from others.

But he did not deny that those with superb kendo skills were indeed extraordinary. If he used the moves he was good at, the other party might discover his true identity.

"It's true that learning techniques from an expert is more efficient, but it also makes it easier for them to spot you. So, there are pros and cons..."

With a silent sigh in his heart, Lan Ke reached behind his back and then pulled out his "cane".

Almost at the same time, Busujima Saeko also pressed her body down suddenly.

"Innocent Shinto Style Kaori Shinto Style Busujima Saeko——————"

"Come on!!"

Almost at the moment the words fell, Lan Ke heard a sharp sound of stones rubbing against each other, and then saw a cloud of dust rising from the place where Busujima Saeko had stood before, and she seemed to have disappeared from his sight.

If an ordinary person encountered this situation, he might not be able to react, but Lan Ke, who often fought against various monsters in the "Impression Space", instantly changed from leaning on the cane with both hands to holding the cane with one hand and suddenly swung it upwards.

ー0⒈0卼８⑶９⑻

"Ding~"

Accompanied by a crisp sound of metal clashing, Lan Ke's eyes locked onto Busujima Saeko who was lowering her body and charging towards him.

The opponent's move is called "Shrinking the Earth". Of course, it is not true teleportation, but it temporarily escapes the enemy's sight by lowering the body and bursting out at full speed, thus achieving the effect of "disappearing and reappearing in the enemy's sight as if teleporting".

Unfortunately, in addition to large enemies, there are also many small enemies in the "Impression Space". Paying attention to attacks outside of his field of vision has almost become Lan Ke's instinct.

But even if the sneak attack was blocked, Busujima Saeko would not be discouraged. In other words, if such an attack could be successful, she would not be able to help but doubt whether the person in front of her was the real boss.

But at this moment, Lan Ke suddenly noticed something wrong.

Although her already outrageous physical fitness will be further enhanced after putting on the 'Phantom Thief Suit', and even exceed the theoretical physical limits of humans in the 'material world', Busujima Saeko is not an ordinary person. Even if she can block the opponent's attack, it shouldn't be that simple, right?

Almost at the same time as this thought came to mind, another shadow swung over from where the other party had drawn his sword before.

"Hoo~!"

Accompanied by a tragic whistling sound, Lan Ke almost instinctively pulled back, and then saw that Busujima Saeko's left hand was holding the scabbard from before.

In an instant, a name appeared in his mind——Double Dragon Flash!

Busujima Saeko actually started researching the 'Flying Sword Style'?!

The Seventh Umbrella of the Temple of the Temple of the Temple of the Temple

However, no matter how surprised he was, Lan Ke could not show it. Instead, he commented on it in an unfathomable manner.

"Very interesting moves."

Busujima Saeko, who had dodged the sneak attack, smiled brightly as if she didn't care at all.

"I think so too~"

At this moment, Busujima Saeko felt happy from the bottom of her heart, not only because she was holding a real sword, but also because it was different from when she fought with Teacher Fujimura, her father, or even her elders. She could not hide her murderous intent at all, and the real sword in her hand was aimed at the vital points of the "enemy" in front of her.

In addition, what my junior schoolmate said seemed to be more useful than I imagined.

However, because she had just learned the principle, Busujima Saeko felt that her performance was not good enough. After all, according to her junior, the real "Double Dragon Flash" should be that the sword and scabbard are on the same track, covering each other. In this way, even if the enemy is lucky enough to dodge or block the first blow, he cannot avoid the second blow.

Lan Ke, who was originally thinking about how to end the battle quickly, couldn't help but become interested when he saw this. He was very curious about how many moves related to the "Flying Sword Style" that Busujima Saeko had developed.

Lan Ke returned to 'standby' mode again, as if signaling Busujima Saeko to continue attacking.

This 'arrogant' attitude may seem irritating, but Busujima Saeko doesn't care about it at all.

One reason was that her entire mind was focused on swinging the sword and she had no time to think about anything else. Another reason was that in her opinion, all of this was the privilege of the "strong". Since the other party was stronger than her, then the other party was also qualified to do so.

There was only one thing she needed to do!

That is to try your best to defeat the opponent in front of you!

While thinking of Busujima Saeko, he put the knife and scabbard back in place. With a long breath, the other party started again and rushed straight towards Lan Ke.

But this time she didn't deliberately lower her body. After all, lowering her body would bring suddenness and would also affect her strength. Since she had been discovered the first time, using it again would be deceiving herself.

Looking at Busujima Saeko who seemed to be planning to fight him for a hundred rounds, Lan Ke had no intention of letting her do so. After all, the longer it dragged on, the greater the possibility of him being exposed.

"Thank you, Miss Busujima, for saving me a lot of time, but it's almost time for me to leave..."

After hearing what Lan Ke said, Busujima Saeko, who was accelerating, became even more alert, but now that she was about to "meet the enemy", she had no time to change her tactics and could only bet all her attention on this attack.

“Sizzle~!!”

Because he drew the sword with all his strength, the sparks produced by the friction between the blade and the scabbard even drew a flame-colored arc in the air.

"Ding~"

With a crisp sound, the blade and the staff collided with each other. Busujima Saeko was not surprised by this and turned the long sword in her hand upward instead of slashing horizontally. As the two weapons separated, Busujima Saeko also changed from the initial "Iai" posture to raising the weapon high above her head.

The left hand that originally held the scabbard also grasped the hilt of the sword and swung it down fiercely!

Facing this head-on attack, Lan Ke had to raise his cane to block it.

"Ding~"

Amidst the crisp sound of metal clashing, the opponent swung the blade again, but the difference from before was that this time the blade was swung towards Lan Ke's right hand holding the cane.

It was obvious that he saw that Lan Ke's cane had no guard, so he planned to attack Lan Ke's fingers directly.

Although it was only the third knife, Lan Ke seemed to have seen through Busujima Saeko's plan.

I don't know if it was because of the 'dream', but Busujima Saeko seemed to have been certain that Lan Ke knew her moves, so she didn't use the moves that Lan Ke saw when he fought with the 'Shadow', but instead used the 'Flying Sword Style' moves that Lan Ke had orally described at the time.

This is true whether it is the original 'Double Dragon Flash' or the current move.

He started with the Iai move of 'Zochi (left horizontal)', then 'Karatake (straight chop on the head)', and then 'Kasaya-slash (slanting downward cut from right to left)' to attack Lan Ke's fingers.

Lan Ke suspected that what the other party was trying to imitate was the 'Nine-Headed Dragon Flash', which can be understood as an enhanced version of the 'Dragon's Nest Flash'. The former attacks through irregular high-speed slashes, while the 'Nine-Headed Dragon Flash' attacks the enemy at an extremely fast speed using the nine basic sword-fighting slashing methods almost simultaneously.

Busujima Saeko naturally couldn't reach this level, but she seemed to have figured out some tricks through years of practice and Lan Ke's "guidance", and it seemed that she could at least ensure that her attacks were continuous.

So we can’t let the other party continue to perform!

The blade was originally cutting along the body of the staff, splashing countless sparks, but Lan Ke unexpectedly flipped his right hand and turned the long staff around. Busujima Saeko's sword instantly lost its support. At the same time, as the staff turned, the direction that was originally wide open was now the end of the bird's beak of the staff against the front.

Lan Ke also exerted force suddenly.

"Ding!!"

With a crisp sound, the bottom of the cane hit Busujima Saeko's blade hard, even breaking a gap in it. The huge force almost made Busujima Saeko lose control of her body balance.

But even so, Busujima Saeko still relied on her excellent balance ability to twist her body back to normal.

But it was too late, because a black muzzle of a gun was pointed at her head.

Along with the black muzzle of a gun in the field of vision, the iconic low voice of the "Phantom Thief of Hearts" also appeared.

"Times have changed, Samurai!"

It turned out that Lan Ke used his cane to simulate "brass knuckles" to block and counterattack, while his other hand had already pulled out a revolver from his "backpack" and put it against the opponent's forehead.

When she saw the muzzle of the gun, Busujima Saeko was completely stunned. The human instinct for survival made her stop what she was doing, but fortunately she quickly realized that the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' in front of her didn't seem to have any intention of shooting, because as she put away her knife, the other party also put away his gun.

At this moment, she certainly didn't think that Lan Ke pulled out his gun in frustration because he was suppressed by her. After all, she was already at a disadvantage in the counterattack just now. Even if the other party pulled out some other weapon to chase her, she would still lose.

"I lost!"

At this time, Busujima Saeko seemed very calm. After all, she had already used all her strength. In her opinion, because of Lan Ke's inspiration, she even became stronger than before.

But at this moment, she had no idea that the 'revolver' in Lan Ke's hand was actually the 'new equipment' that Lan Ke bought with the money he earned from her part-time job.