D.
It was a new bright sunny day but today was special. Not only was there a rumor going around that the legendary phantom thief Dark was returning it was also Daisuke Niwa's 14th birthday.
The latter only mattered to Nao Hirohata. She had been best friends with Daisuke since they were kids and she was planning on giving him the best birthday gift since Daisuke was planning on becoming a 'cool Daisuke Niwa to win Risa Harada's heart.'
When she pulled on her school uniform she walked over to her study desk where Daisuke's present sat, shining in the glow of the morning sun. She got Daisuke a very rare Neptunite Crystal. Her father went through a lot to find it for her and although she was very grateful for it she wanted to give it to Daisuke.
She picked up the crystal by its chain and placed it safely in her pocket. Gathering the rest of her belongings for school she walked out of her house with a positive smile on her face, "Today's going to be a good day."
-0-0-
Unfortunately due to the busy school day and Daisuke's sadden state she couldn't give him her gift, but since it was after school it was the perfect time. The last bell of the day rang and everyone who was not involved in cleaning duty went home.
Nao waltzed up to Daisuke who had his head down on his school bag facing the window, "Hey, Daisuke you okay?"
Daisuke didn't answer he just mumbled.
Saehara popped out of nowhere and slammed both hands on Daisuke's desk, hoping to snap him out of it somewhat, "Hey! Daisuke wake up! What's wrong with you?" He tilted his head to get a better view of Daisuke's face, "Hey, you're not dead right?"
Nao poked Daisuke's back, "I don't think so. He's still breathing."
Saehara grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him a little, "Look you're going to have to snap out of it! You're like a zombie! Now listen…there's something going down tonight that happens only once in a life time and I need you to help me alright?"
"A big event?" Nao and Daisuke asked.
"Yeah." He confirmed, "My dad gave me the scoop that something big was going to happen at eleven and whatever it is it's going to be freakin' huge!" He said gushing with excitement, "And since I'm the reporter I need the two of you to cover my cleaning chores so I can document this momentous occasion!"
Nao held up her hand to stop him, "Hang on a minute, what do we get in return?"
"I'll by you lunch for a week and…" Saehara swung his arm around Daisuke's neck, "…I'll get Daisuke a picture of Harada…an 8x10."
Needless to Daisuke was suckered into Saehara's nonsense.
0-0
Outside of the art room Daisuke hung his head and sighed, "Aw, how'd he talk me into this?"
"He mentioned Risa." Nao answered swiping the access card to open the door. Only instead of letting them in, it locked. "Hey, what happened?"
Daisuke checked the card, "This card is for the other side of the school…I grabbed the wrong one…" He groaned embarrassed he made such a silly mistake. "Aw…everything is going all wrong today…today was supposed to be the day I stopped being such a loser…"
Nao placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Daisuke you're not a loser. You're just having a bad day. Everyone has them. It's all part of becoming 14." She joked lightly hoping to cheer him up.
Daisuke did smile a little, "Yeah, but why did it have to turn out like this…?" He pressed the open button on the key pad and quickly typed in an override code that opened the door, Nao was used to seeing his slight of hand magic tricks. She found it quiet cool.
"See Daisuke when you have cool tricks like that who needs this silly card?" Nao tossed the card on a nearby art table.
Daisuke's face flushed with embarrassment by the praise, he covered it with a nervous chuckle and flipped on the lights, "Hey, did you know they had a reproduction of 'Goddess's Laden' by Ginen?" He asked her pointing to the painting above the door.
Nao stepped back to marvel the art work, "Wow. It's beautiful." It truly was. "I bet you could paint something just as great if you wanted to." Nao told Daisuke as she set to work on grabbing a broom to sweep the floors while Daisuke moved boxes of supplies off the tables and placed them in their appropriate places.
Daisuke mood had greatly improved from earlier, "I don't know about that, but it would be great." He sets one of the boxes on a table, "You know Nao you don't have to stay and help me. It's not your day for cleaning duty."
Nao smiled naturally, "It's not your cleaning day either and besides if I help you'll get done faster and then you can spend the rest of your birthday at home." Then she remembered her gift in her pocket, "Ah! That's right. I have a gift for you!" She rummaged through her pocket to feel the chain of the crystal necklace.
Daisuke's face flustered again and he waved his arms around wildly, "What? You got me a gift?"
Nao approached him, "Yeah, it's your birthday. Of course I got you a gift." She grabbed his right hand with her free hand and placed the necklace in it, "My dad gave it to me actually, but I thought you should have it more." She removed her hands so he could see it clearly.
Daisuke's eyes widen with awe when he saw the black deep red-brown shard, "Wow! I've read about this! This is the Neptunite Crystal right?"
Nao nodded with pride that her friend loved her gift, "Yup! It's very rare so don't lose it or else you'll have one less best friend in the world." She said jokingly.
Daisuke clasped the crystal tightly in his hand and held it to his chest, "I won't lose it. Thank you Nao."
-0-
After a speedy departure from Daisuke, Nao made her way back home that evening. She opened the door to her house and slipped off her shoes at the door and placed her school bag down, "I'm home." She called as she walked into her living room to see that the house was empty as usual. "Guess mom and dad are still not home…"
She left the living room to go to her room to change out of her uniform and into a loose shirt and shorts. She went back down stairs to fix a cup of hot chocolate. After that was done she went back into her room and turned on the TV to watch the big event Saehara was harping about.
"We are just moments away from the specified time for the reappearance of the Legendary Phantom Dark…" The news lady announced over the tolls of the clock tower announcing that it was 11:00 pm.
Nao sat crossed legged on her bed with her hot chocolate, watching with mild interest, "I wonder if Daisuke's watching?" She looked out of her large window that led to her wide balcony that overlooked the ocean.
"…will he really fly in as the legends say?" The lady continued to report.
Suddenly the sirens and alarms began to go off, "It's Dark!" The lady exclaimed as the camera veered off to catch a black shadow with wings, "After 40 years of obscurity the Phantom Thief finally showed himself!"
"Wow. He really is flying…" Nao sipped her hot chocolate.
"The burglar circles above as if taunting the police…" The camera zooms in closer to get a clear view of his face. He had dark purple untamed hair swept in the wind as he flew, red slanted eyes that almost reminded her of Daisuke's big red ones. A flawless face and lean figure that women would drool over.
"Amazing! It appears the Phantom Thief is actually a boy! From here it looks he can't be more than 18 years old…" The lady trailed transfixed by Dark's stunning good looks.
Nao finished her cup of hot chocolate and placed it beside her bed.
"The mysterious bird man from above has disappeared! The police are making their move! They're storming the building now!"
Due to the police barriers the news cast couldn't get any closer. Feeling a little hot, Nao got up from bed and opened her balcony door to step outside into the fresh ocean air. Leaning against the rail she looked out into the ocean while listening to the news go on.
"Taking advantage of the securities weaknesses the Phantom thief made good of his promise to steal the Sacred Maiden Statue and disappear into the night…"
"I still don't see how that was a big event…" Nao mumbled tiredly leaning her head on the rail supporting her arms, "…at least things will possibly be interesting…"
The sound of large wings flapping caught her attention. She lifted her head to see the Phantom Thief landing on her balcony!
Thinking he was going to murder her or something, Nao did what any silly girl would do.
Scream.
"Gyahh!"
"Quiet!" Dark hissed running over to her to cover her mouth with his gloved hand and holding her in place with the other "Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you." He whispered.
Nao moved her head, "That's what they all say, pal! Let go of me!" She yelled, squirming against his grip, "Help!" She cried.
Dark held her firmly and pressed his lips against her firmly yet softly to silence her. Nao froze in place and her eyes widen in shock by the sudden action. When he felt that she was no longer resisting, he slowly pulled away, their lips making a small sound as they parted. Not sure if her eyes were tricking her, Nao thought she saw Daisuke for a moment in Dark's place, "Y-you…"
Dark held a cocky smirk on his face, "Good night, beautiful maiden…"
Then like that, he disappeared in a whirl of black feathers.
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