[The Target: The Elysian Museum, downtown. The objective? A priceless necklace called the "Queen's Breath," its sapphire centerpiece valued at over thirty million. Recently brought in for a one-week exhibition, security was maxed out: lasers, pressure sensors, motion detectors, thermal scans, and armed guards.]
They had already submitted a forged maintenance report about a fake gas leak in the east wing. The museum rerouted its system protocols, creating a soft spot in the western corridor—the vault's location.
Kaito pointed. "We go in from the rooftop. James will kill the thermal sensors. Derek takes hallway watch. I hit the vault. We're ghosts—seven minutes, tops."
Everyone nodded.
«1:17 A.M.»
The night was quiet. A perfect silence blanketed the museum roof as the trio landed with fluid grace. Ropes coiled behind them. Masks on. Guns holstered.
James tapped into the security panel on the roof access door. "Thermals going down… now."
Inside, the Queen's Breath gleamed under a spotlight, encased in smart glass that monitored heat, pressure, and motion. Derek stood watch in the corridor while James disabled the internal sensors, whispering updates.
Kaito approached the case. He planted a handheld disruptor at the base, deactivating internal alarms.
He cracked the case open.
The necklace shimmered like frozen lightning.
With steady hands, he swapped it with a replica calibrated to emit identical thermal and weight readings. A breath passed.
"Clean," he said.
Suddenly, there were sounds of boots approaching from outside the room.
"Shift change," James hissed.
"Move," Kaito ordered.
They bolted into the service tunnel. A pre-planted smoke bomb detonated in the east wing, sending the guards scrambling in the wrong direction.
Outside, the Audi peeled off into the night.
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They had completed the job. The once cold and menacing mercenary, Kaito, now looked like he couldn't harm a fly as he walked up to a western-style bungalow. He pressed the doorbell and waited. A woman in her early twenties—hazel hair, big blue eyes, and a gentle charm—opened the door, embracing him with a loving smile.
"Honey, where've you been all day? I tried calling, but it didn't go through. Did something happen to you?" she asked, carefully inspecting him head to toe, not caring that they were still outside.
Cough cough. "I'm okay. There's nothing wrong with me," Kaito said warmly. "Let's go inside, Haine."
Realizing they were still out front, Haine blushed and darted inside like a startled rabbit. Kaito shook his head and smiled bitterly.
This woman will be the death of me… but I love it just the way it is. Baahahaha. He chuckled as he walked into the house.
The once dirty walls were now bright and clean. The furniture and appliances sparkled. He picked up a pair of safety gloves lying on the dining table and walked into the kitchen, where Haine was making dinner.
"You did all this yourself?" he asked in awe, with a hint of guilt.
"Yup! I did it all by myself, husband~" she said with a teasing grin.
She knew he never allowed her to do anything strenuous, especially in her condition.
"Troublesome woman," he mumbled. "So, what's for dinner?"
"Ooh, we'll be having something simple tonight," she replied with a not-so-simple smile.
Kaito looked at his wife—still battling a severe illness, yet carrying herself like everything was normal. He smiled, held her hand, and whispered in her ear:
"Let's eat out tomorrow. Just me and you."
Haine nodded enthusiastically, like a woodpecker. The two spent the rest of the evening watching TV and playing around like kids in love.
Morning came.
Just as planned, it was supposed to be a special day for the couple. Everything was ready. They were already on their second honeymoon outing, having the time of their lives.
Lol, who said goddess Fate always favors one side?
BZZT BZZT.
Kaito's phone vibrated nonstop. He picked it up, irritation clouding his face as he walked to the restroom.
"Let me answer this, Haine. I'll be right back," he said, hiding any trace of rage from the little woman who remained blissfully unaware.
BEEP.
"Who's this? Call me another time—I'm not accepting missions right now, thank you."
He was about to hang up when a voice crackled through the speaker. One he recognized instantly.
"You've got to finish what you started, Black Cat.
11 PM. Elysian Museum.
You'll meet up with a crew there.
Oh, and if you try to skip the mission and lose your little wife…
Hehe, you're not the only one who does dirty work around here.
Baahahaha."
BEEP.
UTTER SILENCE.
IT ALL SCREAMED SILENCE.