I had to change the Inspector's font style because he yells all the time, but I don't know if it you can see it online
I love when Lupin stands to Fujiko.
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Lupin was striding boldly toward the Louvre. After their earlier confrontations, Jigen was a bit more stressed. He was scanning every street corner and rooftop as they went. But it seemed like nothing was standing in their way anymore. Good. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.
The plan was simple enough: get to the roof, slip through a trapdoor, shoot the security system's control box, and let Lupin handle the rest. Supposedly, that would lead them straight to the ruby's room. Snatch it, get out. Classic.
Lupin hadn't exactly filled in the finer details, but then again, most of their heists boiled down to the same mantra: 'Get in, do your thing, I'll do mine, get out.'
Jigen took a final drag of his cigarette, crushed it under his heel, and sighed. Simple plans worked best anyway.
He'd learned every detail of every room that they would pass through. The rest was a bit blurry —no one could blame him. Only Lupin knew the labyrinthine layout of the Louvre by heart.
Jigen had even memorized the internal layout of the control box to ensure he wouldn't need to fire multiple shots. Why Lupin had insisted he leave his silencer behind was still a mystery.
At last, the grand façade of the Louvre appeared before them, imposing and cold under the muted glow of the streetlamps. Lupin easily found a way to the rooftops. He led them through a maze of hidden courtyards, forgotten passages, and service doors, skillfully avoiding surveillance cameras and guards.
Eventually, they climbed onto an older section of the museum, reaching a raised rooftop overlooking one of the main galleries. From there, Lupin uncovered a small, creaky hatch—far too poorly protected for the treasures it concealed, and barely large enough for them to squeeze through. It was clearly a very old, disused hatch. They probably hadn't sealed it because they were above a section of the Louvre that held little interest to thieves—it mostly housed large, unmovable rocks and books no one cared about.
They crouched around the hatch and scanned the area below.
"This is where we go down, Jigs. But first…"
Lupin stood up and headed toward a hidden stash. He pulled out two guard uniforms and tossed one to Jigen.
"Put this on."
Jigen slipped on the shirt first, tucking his trusty hat under the zipper. "Now I see why you didn't want the silencer."
Lupin wanted to retort something, but he was currently wrestling with the legs of the black uniform pants that he had put on upside-down. He nearly toppled over and grabbed onto a ventilation pipe to steady himself. Jigen snickered as he tugged the guard's cap down over his eyes.
"Very funny, Jigen. You remember the plan, right?" Lupin asked as he finally got his footing and finished dressing.
Jigen had already put on his pants and was adjusting the rope to an anchor.
"I've got the important parts down." He tried not to laugh again, but the mocking grin never left his face.
With an exaggerated pout in Jigen's direction, Lupin zipped up his jacket, as if it were a deadly threat. Done sulking, he pointed out the control box, which was visible from up there. It was just a few meters to the right of an emergency exit, protected by laser sensors invisible to the naked eye.
Jigen was already focused on the upcoming shot. He mentally reviewed every detail of the control box's schematic, visualizing exactly where he needed to hit to disable the system.
Lupin went down first, moving slowly. The thief twisted and turned his body to avoid the invisible lasers. Jigen followed close behind. Once he had a clear angle, Jigen took a deep breath and steadied his grip on the magnum.
Lupin froze in place, careful not to create any tension on the rope. The entire museum went silent, the only sounds being the faint creaking of the rope on the hatch and the controlled rhythm of their breathing. Even the distant hum of the ventilation systems seemed to fade into silence for Jigen.
He fired.
The angle was perfect, the shot flawless. The sound of the gunshot briefly echoed through the vast hall of the museum before dispersing into the many rooms of the Louvre. The control box, struck at its core, let out a few sparks before shutting down entirely. A thin wisp of smoke rose from the device.
Lupin jumped to the floor, no longer bothering with caution. "Good job, Jigen-chan. Mission accomplished."
By now, every guard in the museum must have heard the shot, and soon, this place would be swarming.
"The guards will be here any second," Jigen warned, landing beside him.
"Exactly, my dear Jigen."
Lupin shifted a rug ever so slightly, leaving one corner folded up, then cracked open the door ahead before moving to the opposite end of the room, hiding in a corner. If everything went as planned, the guards would rush in, chasing the false trail Lupin had left, while the two of them could stroll freely through the halls of the Louvre. The plan was ridiculous and not exactly original, but Lupin's plans always worked.
"Come on, hurry up, Jigen," Lupin added, already tucked into his hiding spot.
The sound of guards rushing in echoed closer. Lupin and Jigen exchanged a glance. A faint tension hung in the air, but it was the kind of thrill that made hearts race faster. The two shared a fierce, knowing smile before melting into the shadows.
Echoing voices filled the empty galleries. Lupin cast one last conspiratorial glance at Jigen.
"Showtime."
He moved forward just as the guards entered, his entire demeanor transforming into that of a panicked guard. Lupin and Jigen blended seamlessly into the chaos. The real guards, too busy shoving past one another to reach the source of the gunfire as quickly as possible, paid them no mind.
Taking advantage of the commotion, the two thieves slipped away unnoticed.
They strolled through the Louvre without being questioned. Lupin disabled any remaining security systems they encountered, making sure to work quietly this time.
Finally, they arrived in front of the room where the ruby was displayed. The doors were locked, and Lupin crouched in front of the keyhole eagerly, his lockpicking kit in hand. His fingers began moving with their usual precision, the quiet clicks of the mechanism barely audible in the corridor.
"Hey, Boss."
"Hmm?"
Normally, Jigen would refrain from asking questions, but this time was an exception. If some other group had its eyes on the jewel, then there was something special about it.
He took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke slowly drift toward the ceiling. "I know you've got another reason for stealing this ruby, and it's not about Fujiko."
Lupin kept working but didn't dismiss the question. Jigen took that as a sign to press on.
"What's the deal with this thing? What are we walking into this time?"
"Ah, Jigen… you know me too well." A soft smile played across Lupin's face. He didn't pause, but his tools slowed slightly.
"You're right," he said at last. "I found a lead suggesting that the Heart of Napoléon isn't just a simple jewel. It's part of a much bigger puzzle."
He straightened up slowly, slipping his tools back into his pocket, and cast a sidelong glance at his longtime partner.
"I know where we need to go next, but I don't yet know what we're dealing with. We might be getting ourselves into some serious trouble with this Heart."
Jigen narrowed his eyes. When Lupin mentioned trouble, it meant trouble.
"It's described as a legacy," Lupin continued. "Many believe it could be Napoléon's war treasure, butI think it's not! I mean, it could be anything! A myth, some knowledge that could shake the world, a family jewel, a forgotten artifact, a buried secret, a key…"
He flashed Jigen a mischievous grin. "You'd be surprised what a ruby can reveal." With that, he pushed open the door he had just unlocked.
The ruby's chamber was a masterpiece—a grand hall of polished marble floors, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes, and pastel green walls lined with gilded frames holding portraits of long-forgotten nobles.
There were display cases along the walls, holding other priceless artifacts, but the main attraction was the ruby displayed at the center of the room, set on a pristine white pedestal, encased in a transparent, bulletproof dome.
The room seemed peaceful, but it was obviously riddled with traps—especially after their not-so-discreet arrival.
Lupin pulled out his infrared goggles, as did Jigen. The room was covered in invisible laser beams.
"Well," Lupin whispered to Jigen, "they've certainly rolled out the red carpet for us."
Jigen sighed. "Stop goofing around."
"You're being a grouchy-grouch, Jigen. Are you not having fun?" Lupin hopped over one laser and nearly tripped another in the process.
Jigen didn't bother answering as he navigated his own way across. Lupin was far more flexible than him and had a tendency to often chose the shortest path over the most practical one.
The ruby, perched in the center of the room, shimmered faintly under the soft display lights. Its beauty was undeniable. Lupin climbed the three steps leading to the pedestal, hastily pulling off his goggles. He was practically vibrating with excitement, his fingers twitching in anticipation, eager to finally grasp their prize. Just one more alarm to disable, and the jewel would be theirs.
But at that exact moment, as his fingers hovered over the ruby's gleaming surface, a furious yell shattered the silence.
"LUUUUUUPIIIIINNNNN!"
The door flew open, slamming against the wall with a deafening crash. Standing in the doorway was Inspector Zenigata, his face twisted in a triumphant scowl, as though he'd already slapped the cuffs on them. His eyes were locked on Lupin, burning with the kind of determination that spoke of years of pursuit. His expression was a mix of pure exasperation and grim satisfaction, as if this was the moment he'd been waiting for his entire career.
Jigen pulled out his usual hat and put it on, pulling it down slightly to hide a smirk. They hadn't seen Zenigata in a long time—strangely enough, it was almost comforting to see him again.
Lupin spread his arms theatrically, as if welcoming an old friend. "Ah, Pops! I was wondering when you'd show up."
Zenigata was breathing heavily. He seemed on the verge of exploding. He took a sharp step forward, brandishing a pair of freshly polished handcuffs, aiming them menacingly at the two thieves.
"I knew it was just a diversion! I knew you'd already be in the room with the Heart of Napoleon! I knew it!"
"You sure know a lot, Pops," Lupin quipped with a grin.
Zenigata, full of fiery determination, stepped further into the room, his eyes locked on Lupin. A plan formed in Jigen's mind almost instantly. His gaze had fallen on the large fabric banner hanging from the ceiling, with 'Le Cœur de Napoléon' embroidered in bold golden letters on it. It was an impressively heavy and cumbersome piece, suspended by two ropes directly above Zenigata.
There was no need to explain the plan to Lupin, but Jigen gave him a coded signal anyway. Lupin didn't react—at least, not verbally. His actions, however, spoke louder than his words. Straightening up, Lupin placed his nimble fingers on the jewel and resumed his tirade toward Zenigata.
"I must admit, I'm impressed. You really caught us off guard this time!"
Zenigata looked like a predator ready to pounce, nearly foaming at the mouth. "This time, Lupin, you're not getting away! I've finally got you!"
"Sorry, Pops. Looks like we got you."
Lupin snatched the Heart, and the alarm blared to life.
That was the signal. Jigen's magnum aligned itself with the ropes holding up the banner. He fired twice, once for each rope, and the ropes gave way. The massive fabric banner fell heavily, completely engulfing the Inspector.
"What the...?!" Zenigata yelled, panicked. He thrashed against the heavy fabric like a clumsy ghost, but he was well and truly trapped. He stumbled clumsily, arms and legs entangled in the cloth.
"Sorry, Inspector! Better luck next time! Au revoir!"
Lupin blew him a kiss as he leaped over the furious bundle of rage that resembled a hamster stuck in a handkerchief.
"Bye, Pops!" Jigen called out, mimicking Lupin's tone.
"Lupin! You won't get away with this!"
They bolted out of the room, the sound of Zenigata struggling still echoing behind them. As they raced through the hallways, Lupin called out, "Perfectly executed, Jigen!"
Jigen allowed himself a small, satisfied grin before retreating behind his usual cynicism.
"Don't slow down—he'll get loose soon. We need to get out of here before the rest of the guards show up."
"Don't worry, Jigen-chan! This way!"
They shed their disguises as they ran. They were useless now, with the alarm blaring loudly in every corner of the museum. Zenigata, in his endless obsession with catching Lupin, had probably replaced the museum's guards with his own men.
Lupin and Jigen dashed through one last room. Lupin pointed to a high hatch leading to the rooftops and shouted, "We're climbing!" Without waiting for a response, he began scaling the security ladder. Jigen was close behind. Their shoes clanged against the metal rungs, the sound barely noticeable over the shrill wail of the alarm.
They climbed through the hatch, leaving behind the chaos of the galleries. The two figures emerged onto the rooftops of the Louvre and into the cool embrace of the night. Paris was stretched before them, glowing with city lights. Only Lupin's signature red jacket and yellow tie stood out against the darkness.
But they weren't alone on the roof. Just as Jigen closed the hatch behind them, another figure emerged from the shadows. Lupin stumbled, and Jigen grimaced.
It was Fujiko.
She stepped out of the darkness with a seductive smile—never a good sign. She leaned slightly over Lupin, giving him an excellent view of her assets, then pulled him upright by his tie. She was playing up her sultry act far too much for it to be genuine.
"Ooooh, Lupin," she cooed. "That wasn't very nice of you to alert all the guards. I barely made it out in time."
She gave him a mockingly wounded look before letting out a soft laugh. "So? Did you at least manage to get the ruby?"
"Guh! Buh!" came the eloquent response from the usually quick-witted Lupin.
Fujiko's eyes sparkled with interest, her smile like that of a magpie who'd just stumbled upon a gold watch. "I'm so sad I had to make such a quick escape, without even the smallest little prize to take with me… You'll find a way to cheer me up, won't you?"
She scratched under Lupin's chin, and he moved his leg like a happy puppy. More drooling "Guhh!" noises escaped his lips.
Jigen growled a warning, "Lupin…"
Fujiko turned to him, giving him the bare minimum of attention, just enough to blink twice in his direction—a subtle but effective display of the utter disdain she felt for him.
"You're planning to run off with the loot again, aren't you?" Jigen snarled. "You're leaving us to deal with Zenigata?"
He could hear the Inspector's shouts as Zenigata discovered the hatch and began climbing. Jigen pressed down on the trapdoor, trying to hold it closed against the maniacal force of Zenigata. But the Inspector was stronger, and Jigen knew his efforts would only delay his arrival for a moment. The situation was quickly spiraling out of control. For a fleeting second, he wondered if Lupin would actually stick to his word this time—after all, he'd gone on and on about the incredible legend of the Heart of Napoleon.
Right on cue, Lupin regained his voice. "Fuuujiko-chaaan! Of course I can cheer you up!"
He puckered his lips and stretched his arms out, hoping to pull his beloved into a hug. Fujiko, however, let him collapse to the ground without a shred of remorse.
"Come now, Lupin! Not here! Not with Zenigata so close!"
Right on cue, Zenigata reached the top of the ladder, and Jigen was struggling to keep the hatch shut. Furious shouts echoed from below.
"Oooooh… You're so mean, Fujiko…" Lupin sighed as he got back to his feet and dusted himself off.
"If you'd like," Fujiko purred, "I could lose him for you. Hm? Zenigata is going to catch you and confiscate that magnificent Heart." She glanced at Jigen, who was doing everything he could to keep the hatch shut. "But if I have it, I could give it back to you once you've escaped."
That bitch, Jigen thought. She'd clearly seen her first approach fail and was switching to Plan B. If she couldn't get the ruby using the love card, she'd play the police card instead.
Jigen cast a quick glance around, checking if there were more of those men who'd been chasing them earlier. Fujiko wasn't going to return the Heart—not while she was working with them. He could only hope Lupin would hold onto the ruby, but resisting Fujiko's charms was no easy feat for him. Jigen had to trust his boss, even if said boss refused to meet his eyes.
Meanwhile, Zenigata was pounding furiously against the hatch. Thankfully, Jigen still had the higher ground. He could hold him off a bit longer.
Lupin had a smile spreading across his face now. But it was one of those smiles Jigen couldn't quite decipher.
"Dear Fujiko, you're right, as always! I'll give you the Heart and… oops!"
He had meant to toss the Heart to her, but it slipped from his fingers mid-throw, veering slightly to the left—straight toward Jigen. Fujiko's eyes tracked the ruby as it flew past her, but she wasn't quick enough to catch it. Jigen, on the other hand, was.
Or at least, he could have. Something told him that Lupin was acting strange, and even if he didn't know what exactly, he had to trust himself. He didn't even try to catch the ruby. Instead, he let go of the hatch.
Well, it wasn't so much "let go" as "stopped holding it down when Zenigata smashed it open." The Inspector's head popped up like a jack-in-the-box, just in time for the jewel to smack him square in the face. He caught it in his teeth by reflex.
"Wa the?"
Fujiko let out a shriek and lunged at the Inspector. Lupin doubled over in laughter as she wrestled Zenigata for the ruby, which had slipped into the Inspector's coat. They grappled with each other, one trying to climb up while the other tried to climb down. But nothing was more relentless than a Fujiko with a jewel in her sights.
Despite his uncontrollable laughter, Lupin was the first to act. He darted over to Jigen and hauled him upright with one arm as they bolted. The pair made their escape, leaving Fujiko and Zenigata struggling behind. Lupin's uncontrollable laughter echoed through the Parisian night.
Jigen simply followed Lupin to the safehouse. They jumped down the rooftops and escaped with a swift run through the dark alleys of Paris. They left the noise of alarms and the commotion of Zenigata and Fujiko behind them. The adrenaline that had kept Jigen alert throughout the getaway was beginning to wear off, replaced by a dull fatigue. By the time they reached their small rented apartment, they were both thoroughly drained.
Lupin had rented an old apartment that could have belonged to a Revolutionary-era servant—or maybe a Buddhist monk halfway through a career change. It was a small and worn space, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, serving only as a temporary hideout for their operations.
Once inside, Jigen collapsed onto the couch, lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves. Lupin, meanwhile, poured them both a generous glass of scotch, setting Jigen's within arm's reach on the table, before finally settling into a chair by the window. He took a long sip, letting his head fall back with a satisfied sigh.
A few moments passed, filled only with the sound of the two thieves catching their breath. Eventually, Jigen leaned forward to pick up his glass.
"Lupin…" he ventured, "Fujiko. Does she have the ruby?"
Without lifting his head, Lupin reached into his jacket and pulled out the Heart of Napoleon, holding it up to Jigen with a proud, mischievous smile. Jigen found the strength to stand. He had to be sure. Taking the ruby from Lupin's hands, he examined it closely.
"Damn…" he muttered, turning the stone over. "Looks like the real deal."
"Oh, Jigen-chan! You wound me, underestimating me like that!" Lupin teased, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "This treasure is far more valuable than any pile of cash we could get by selling it!"
Lupin managed to sit up in his chair, and looked at Jigen, quite proud of the little trick he had pulled.
"By sheer accident, I tossed the fake one to dear Fujiko. That was the one I'd planned to swap for the real Heart if Zenigata hadn't interrupted us. Fujiko might be mad, but she'll get over it. When something's important to me, I don't let anyone take it."
He winked at Jigen, as if expecting him to read something more into his statement. Jigen didn't bother trying to figure out what kind of double meaning might be hidden in Lupin's words. The only implication he could grasp was that Lupin seemed to be suggesting Jigen was somehow important—which was utterly ridiculous. Jigen wasn't important. He could shoot fast, that was all. If he let himself think otherwise, then…
Jigen grumbled, involuntarily crushing his cigarette between his fingers. His damn heart was racing for no reason. He forced himself to take a deep breath. Lupin was just a work partner, nothing more. Jigen was grumpy, scruffy, and incapable of trusting anyone. How dare he even think someone like Lupin would want anything more to do with an old, grouchy man like him? Leave it to Lupin to mess with his feelings like this. Stupid double-meaning messages.
"Tch. Fucker."
"I love it when you grumble, my Jiggy-poo."
"That might be the worst nickname you've ever given me. You'd better hope I never hear it out of your mouth again."
Lupin shut up. Jigen's gaze turned outward, toward the window. Outside, the dawn was beginning to break, and the first rays of sunlight cast their warm yellow-orange glow over the gunman's tired features.
From his chair, Lupin could see the glint of white in Jigen's eye beneath the shadow of his hat. His dark, impenetrable pupil was darting back and forth with a certain professional precision. He was scanning the rooftops for anyone who might be watching them. It was such an ingrained reflex that Lupin doubted Jigen even realized he was doing it.
The gunman took one last drag from his cigarette. It had burned down to nearly nothing, the ember close to the filter. Slowly, his hand lowered, and a steady stream of smoke escaped through his slightly parted lips. Lupin basked in the view. I won't let anyone take what's important to me.
Jigen stirred suddenly, breaking the spell. He crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and handed his Heart back to Lupin, pulling him from his reverie.
"Anyway, nice work. I really thought she had you this time," Jigen said, oblivious to the fact that he had just rendered the most talkative person on earth speechless merely by existing in his vicinity.
Lupin pouted. He took the Heart and pretended to study it, which seemed enough to convince Jigen that Lupin had moved on. Jigen changed into a dry shirt, scribbled something on a scrap of paper, and grabbed a decent bottle of wine lying around.
"One last stop before we leave?" Lupin asked.
"Cigarettes," Jigen lied, knowing full well Lupin wouldn't believe a word of it.
Lupin merely rolled his eyes. He knew exactly where Jigen was headed.
"Don't drink it all alone."
Jigen flipped him off and slammed the door behind him.