Ch. 4: Invitation for a Thief
(The weather is really nice today.)
I looked out the window above the bed, having only just woken up.
Toni: “Hey, OO.”
Toni knocked and entered the room.
OO: “Morning Toni. It’s early, is something the matter?”
Toni: “We made a really good combo last night at the party, didn’t we?”
OO: “Huh?”
(Why is he suddenly bringing that up?)
Toni: “Will you work with me again? I got a job request from my dad. The neighboring country illegally obtained the crown of another country. Everyone else is busy with other work today, even the servants. So I figured we could go do it together, since we’re such a good team!”
OO: “Y-you want me to go too!?”
Toni: “Well, I’d totally be fine if I did it myself, but since you’re here, why not!”
OO: “W-wait! I’ve never stolen anything!”
I could only blink, shocked at Toni’s sudden invitation.
Toni: “It’ll be fine! I’ll be with you!! Plus, if we have the power of your ring, I’ll be able to run super fast, right!?”
OO: “Well…I don’t know about that.”
Toni: “Come on, no time to waste, we have plans to make! We’re sneaking in tonight!”
OO: “Eh!? Toni!? Wait…!!”
My protests were in vain…
Toni took my hand, and I was pulled out of the room after him.
Ch. 5: A New Path
That night…-
Toni and I snuck into the neighboring country to steal their crown.
Toni: “It’s in this room.”
OO: “O-Okay.”
We had been able to sneak into the castle with ease, Toni leading the way.
Toni: “Somewhere around here…”
Toni gently pushed on a bookshelf in the corner of the room, and a secret chamber appeared, the crown sitting inside.
OO: “Wow…!”
Toni tapped on the glass case holding the crown.
Toni: “It’s got a pretty complicated lock on it. I’ll work on getting it open, and you stand guard.”
OO: “G-got it.”
(I wonder if we’ll be alright…)
The air was thick with tension, heavy enough that it felt like I was suffocating, when I finally heard Toni’s voice.
Toni: “It’s open!!”
I looked, and there stood Toni, a smile filling his face and the crown in his hand.
Toni: “That went well! I’m so great!”
OO: “Yeah!”
I let out a sigh of relief when I saw his smile, but at that time…-
??: “Intruders!”
Outside the room, I suddenly heard someone’s voice, and then more and more.
Toni: “The castle guards…they’re here already!”
(Eh…!?)
Toni: “Still, they noticed us quicker than I’d expected…don’t tell me…damn! They set up some kind of sensor on the crown!”
OO: “A…sensor!?”
Toni scowled and looked at the crown, then at me…
Toni: “…let’s get out of here!”
Toni tossed the crown to the floor and picked me up under his arm.
OO: “T…Toni!?”
Toni: “Hang on tight!”
Toni held on to me as he jumped from the castle window.
I braced for the crash and clung to Toni, and I felt his strength as he held me tighter…-
…
……
Somehow, Toni and I barely managed to get back to the castle…
King: “Toni, I will not forgive this failure. I know you are aware of this.”
The king had been waiting for us, and now his gaze was severe.
Toni: “Father…yes, I understand.”
King: “For the time being, you are no longer permitted to act as a thief. Understand the strength required to be a thief, compared to the power you now possess. I have overestimated you. Take a good look at yourself, so you can improve. Understood?”
OO: “Yes…”
The king sounded threatening when he spoke, and the air was heavy, even as he quickly walked away.
Toni’s shoulders drooped and he stared at the floor.
OO: “Toni…are you alright?”
Toni: “I’m sorry for dragging you into that dangerous situation.”
OO: “I…don’t worry about me! It was a little exciting actually.”
I spoke with a smile, trying to lift his spirits.
Toni: “OK …I’ve decided! I’ll go see the world outside of being a thief! With you!”
OO: “With…me?”
Toni: “Yeah!”
Toni held out his fist to me.
(Seeing the world… with Toni…)
I bumped his fist with mine, using that as my answer.
Toni: “I’m countin’ on ya OO!!”
My heart sped up as I imagined seeing the world from now on, with Toni.