Although Sora was very interested in Cat’s Eye’s first operation, the time stated in the calling card was midnight.
Too late.
Waiting around for it would disrupt the regular sleep schedule and exercise routine he had already established.
He had no intention of staying up late just to witness an outcome he already knew.
At ten o’clock sharp, he turned off the lights and went to bed.
——— Jinbo Art Museum.
Since this was Cat’s Eye’s first operation, the Metropolitan Police Department wasn’t taking it too seriously.
What if it was just a prank?
Even so, after receiving the museum director’s report, the police had still dispatched several officers to patrol and guard the area.
Toshio Utsumi, a police inspector, was directing the officers on site.
Standing at the museum entrance and looking up at the night sky, he complained: “Cat’s Eye, my ass.
Now I have to work overtime tonight!
I already made plans to watch the game with my friends!” He lowered his head and checked his watch.
There were still two hours until the midnight deadline written on the calling card.
But they couldn’t lower their guard.
If a phantom thief really intended to steal the painting, the announced time might simply be a decoy.
The culprit could arrive earlier.
Or later.
Toshio scratched his head in frustration and sighed.
“Guess I’ll go buy some coffee to stay awake.
No sleep for me tonight.” There was a vending machine not far away.
Walking over, he inserted some coins and bought a can of coffee.
After taking a sip, he noticed a woman approaching the museum from down the street.
“Hey!
There’s a police cordon here!
No civilians are allowed through tonight!
Please take another route!” The woman ignored him and continued walking.
Toshio hurried over to block her path.
“Hey!
Didn’t you hear what I said?!” The woman stopped and raised her head.
Only then did Toshio get a clear look at her face.
Delicate features.
Silver hair.
An expression as cold as frozen ice.
She raised a hand and displayed an identification card.
Toshio glanced at it.
His eyes widened immediately.
Instinctively straightening his posture, he said: “My apologies, Chief Yukino!
I didn’t recognize you!” The woman spoke indifferently.
“Special Cases Division.
Please cooperate.” “Yes, ma’am!” “What happened here?” “The museum reported that someone plans to steal a painting tonight.
We’re standing guard.” “A stolen painting?” The woman frowned slightly.
“I need to search the museum.” Suspicion and hesitation flashed across Toshio’s face.
The woman didn’t make things difficult for him.
“You may call headquarters and verify my identity.” Toshio laughed awkwardly.
“Just doing my duty.
Please understand!” He quickly stepped aside and made a phone call.
“Chief, it’s me, Toshio!
Something’s come up over here!
…What?
Yes!
Understood!
I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly!” After hanging up, he ran back and bowed.
“My apologies, Chief Yukino!
Thank you for your patience!
You may enter the museum freely!” The woman replied calmly: “If you’re worried, you can accompany me.” Toshio’s expression changed slightly.
Forcing a smile, he said: “I won’t interfere with your work.” Without another word, the woman walked toward the museum alone.
Watching her departure, Toshio finally let out a breath of relief.
Then he immediately grabbed his radio.
“Everyone inside, get out right now!
A Special Cases Division officer is conducting a search!” Though confused, the officers obediently withdrew from the museum.
“Inspector Utsumi, what’s going on?” “Don’t ask questions!
Just stay outside quietly!” Looking at the silent museum in the darkness, Toshio remembered what his superior had told him on the phone and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Please don’t blow up the museum…” ——— Inside the museum.
The woman walked alone through the brightly lit corridors.
Masterpieces hung along both sides of the walls.
At one point, she glanced up toward a ventilation duct overhead.
Then she lowered her gaze and continued walking.
After turning a corner and proceeding farther inside, she finally stopped in front of a particular painting.
“Found you.” ——— Not long afterward, Toshio saw Chief Yukino emerge from the museum.
She was carrying a painting covered by a black cloth.
Toshio hurried forward.
The moment he approached, he felt a sudden chill.
“Chief Yukino!
Are you alright?” “Mm.
Would you like to inspect it?” “No!
Absolutely not!
Then what about the museum?” “It’s safe now.
You may go back inside.” “Yes, ma’am!
Thank you for your hard work!” The woman said nothing more and departed with the painting.
As she left, the cold sensation vanished as well.
Toshio rubbed his arms and shouted to the officers: “What are you all standing around for?!
Get back inside!
Return to your positions!
And check on that painting immediately!” The officers rushed into the museum.
Soon, a voice came through his radio.
“Inspector Utsumi!
The painting mentioned in Cat’s Eye’s calling card is still here, but another painting is missing!
Also, it’s suddenly freezing cold in here!” “Forget everything else!
Just keep your eyes on that painting!” Toshio lowered the radio and took another sip of coffee.
“What a pain…
It’s all Cat’s Eye’s fault…” ——— On the midnight streets.
Mifuyu Yukino walked alone, carrying a painting.
Suddenly, a slightly hoarse female voice emerged from the old videotape inside her bag.
“That was an easy job tonight.
By the way, why didn’t you catch the thief hiding in the ventilation duct while you were there?” Mifuyu replied calmly: “I have no interest in playing hide-and-seek with them.” “You couldn’t even give them a warning?” “If they need me to point out a thief that obvious, then they’re far too incompetent.” “Heh.
Fair enough.” A night breeze lifted the black cloth covering the painting.
For an instant, something became visible.
A pair of hands frozen inside the painting.
But they were clearly not human hands.
Sharp claws.
Black scales.
More accurately, they were monster claws.
——— The next morning.
Sora got up at five-thirty as usual.
Brushed his teeth.
Washed his face.
Went outside to warm up.
Then started his morning run.
Twenty minutes later, he once again passed the convenience store.
The AE86 bearing the words “Fujiwara Tofu Shop” was parked outside.
Takumi Fujiwara was punctual as ever.
Takumi was unloading tofu when he spotted Sora.
Remembering the customer who had given him gum yesterday, he nodded in greeting.
Sora smiled and nodded back.
Leaving the convenience store behind, he continued running.
An hour later, he returned to the apartment building and took a shower.
While eating breakfast, he searched for Cat’s Eye news on his phone.
As expected, Cat’s Eye’s operation had been a complete success.
It seemed that the fusion of various anime worlds hadn’t affected Cat’s Eye’s storyline.
As he read the article, however, Sora suddenly frowned.
“Wait a second.” “The news report says two paintings disappeared from the Jinbo Art Museum?” “That’s not right.”