Lossy's Journal

In the Animal Realm, inside the tiny swap box. Time unknown─

???

Whoa, I can't believe the treasure's here! I would've never spotted it just by swinging from building to building.

???

I'm a local, so we have an advantage over them. We were always going to get here first.

???

You always come up with the best plans! And now─

Joon

This treasure belongs to us, the Joon Phantom Thieves!

Yamame

Huh, where did the treasure go?!

Joon

I thought we were in the clear for once... Ugh, they got us again!

Yachie

Those sneaky cats! Or should I say...

Yachie

─Five Tails, the new phantom thief gang!

Formula Picara

Hehe, your plans may be great, but I'm Formula Picara! I'm a pro at analysis and break-ins!

Fortune Picara

Yeah, she's the leader for a reason! This is a walk in the park for her!

Fortune & Formula

See ya!

Joon

They got away! How are they so quick?!

Yamame

It looks like the rumors were true. They really are cats!

Yachie

Pull yourself together! We gotta go after them!

Formula Picara

We did it once again! Now we can eat all the expensive cat food we want!

Fortune Picara

It's all thanks to my incredible intel-gathering skills!

Fortune Picara

You can always count on me─Fortune Picara─to sniff out those big treasures!

???

Did you really think it'd be that easy?

Fortune Picara

Wh-What's she doing here?!

Fortune & Formula

A-A snipurrrr?!

Nue

"Sniper," you mean. But anyway─

Nue

This game of cat and mouse ends here. You're gonna stay right there until Joon and the others arrive.

Joon

Nice, Nue! I knew I did the right thing by asking you to wait here!

Yachie

Stop taking all the credit. That was my idea.

Yamame

You're not getting away this time!

Formula Picara

Oh, no! We're doomed!

Formula Picara

...Is that the reaction you wanted from us? Well, too bad!

Nue

You're pretty calm... What do you have up your sleeve?

Fortune Picara

Do you know why we're called the Five Tails?

Joon

No, I don't. It's hardly like that matters now.

Yachie

(Maybe their name comes from how many tails they have...)

Yachie

(But the two of them together have only three tails...)

Yachie

It can't be!

Yamame

What's wrong, Yachie?

Shion

Joon, we have a problem! You won't believe what I just saw!

Joon

Wh-What did you see, Shion?

Yamame

I-Is that a car charging our way?!

???

Sorry, I'm late!

Yachie

Gah, they blindsided us!

Yachie

Their name suggests they should have five tails. But Formula and Fortune only have three between them.

Yachie

That means they're not a phantom thief duo... they're a phantom thief trio!

???

You're a smart one. No wonder you're the adviser of your gang. Yes, I'm the third member of the Five Tails! Call me─

Flame Picara

Flame Picara!

Flame Picara

That's enough talk for now. Hop in, Formula, Fortune!

Joon

No, wait!

Nue

Aaaand they're gone.

Shion

I was keeping a lookout for the police, but I didn't expect a third phantom thief to come flying out of nowhere!

Yamame

Yeah, that was unexpected. It's frustrating that we couldn't stop them, but they're not gonna get our treasure next time!

Yachie

Five Tails... We can't take them lightly. Maybe I should pack my missiles full of catnip just in case─

???

Hold it right there, Joon Phantom Thieves!

Saki

Return the treasure you stole!

Joon

Th-Those cats stole your treasure, not us!

Saki

Then you're gonna take me to them... on foot! Get ready to run like you've never run before!

Yachie

Ugh, she's such a musclehead! C'mon, everyone, we better get outta here!

Yukari

My, my. What an energetic bunch.

Yukari

Do you like these kind of stories?

Yukari

The kind with two groups of characters in separate locations where one group's actions immediately affect the other's.

Yukari

And the truth behind what's happening stays hidden from those involved.

Yukari

As if they were the front and back sides of the same card. A story that is also a puzzle.

Yukari

I bet you're wondering how someone can affect another person's actions without even interacting with them.

Yukari

But who says they can't?

Yukari

It doesn't matter because everyone's connected in some way. Or they will be at some point.

Yukari

That's just how things work.

Yukari

Let me show you one such story.

Yukari

A tale where the motives of all the people involved form a complex web of actions and reactions. Let's watch it unfold.

Yukari

And then I'll answer all your questions. It'll be more fun that way, don't you agree?

Yukari

Until then... Farewell!

A few days after the tiff between the two phantom thief gangs. Inside the tiny swap box with PLAYER─

Hecatia

We got a new upgrade, so it's gonna be, like, totally awesome!

(She must be talking about the tiny swap box.)

So what's new in here?

Hecatia

He he he... Let me tell you all about it...

Hecatia

─And that's why it's gonna be epic. Sorry if I gave you too many unnecessary details. I'll sum it up for you...

Hecatia

Basically, we're gonna have a treasure hunt. It's gonna be the Joon Phantom Thieves vs. the Five Tails and you.

Hecatia

Whoever finds the treasure first wins. It's simple, but it's gonna be loads of fun!

I'm gonna give it my best and win!

But I've never met the Five Tails before!

Choice Selected: "I'm gonna give it my best and win!"

Hecatia

That's the spirit, PLAYER!

Hecatia

Let me help you out! The thing about those cats is that...

Continue onto main branch.

Choice Selected: "But I've never met the Five Tails before!"

Hecatia

Don't worry, you'll be fine. You can do something like...

Main Branch

Hecatia

So? Do you wanna give it a try?

It's not like I have any better ideas! I'll give it a shot!

Maybe it'll actually work!

Hecatia

Good luck! I hope you pull it off!

Hecatia

We're gonna have to split up, but I'll keep you company for a bit.

Hecatia

You probably need some time to get psyched up, huh? In the meantime, I'll help you get rid of some of these pesky fairies.

Thanks, Miss Hecatia!

Hecatia

C'mon, let's go!

Hecatia

I think that's the last of the fairies, so without further ado...

Hecatia

Let the game begin!

At the Five Tails' hideout as PLAYER and Hecatia start their journey─

Fortune Picara

Our last mission was a huge success! Orin's timing was just perfect!

Code Name: Fortune Picara. Real Name: Mike Goutokuji. A promising phantom thief, great at gathering intel on treasures.

She can either get intel on treasures or attract customers... so their hideout is gorgeously decorated with all their unsold loot!

Flame Picara

You guys did a good job outwitting the Joon Phantom Thieves. I was sweating bullets, hoping you weren't caught.

Code Name: Flame Picara. Real Name: Rin Kaenbyou. Acts as a reliable older sister to the rest of the gang.

She's got a wheelbarrow that can transform into a mini cat mobile!

Formula Picara

Don't worry, 'cause with my hacking and analysis skills, I can always find the best way to break in AND predict Orin's timing!

Code Name: Formula Picara. Real Name: Chen. The leader of the phantom thieves gang, the Five Tails.

The orb-like thing on the stick she carries does the analysis for her. It's an incredibly versatile tool!

Formula Picara

Hey, what's with that lame introduction?! You barely mentioned me!

Flame Picara

Our last mission was a success, but...

Five Tails

I'm so hungry...

Flame Picara

We gotta learn to save up.

Formula Picara

Yeah, but who doesn't want a treat after completing a job?

Formula Picara

What's the matter, Mike...?

Fortune Picara

I'm gonna step out and gather some treasure intel... and hopefully some food too!

Flame Picara

How have you got so much energy?!

Flame Picara

Aaand she's gone. Let's just take it easy till she gets back.

Formula Picara

*sob* I'm starving...

Formula Picara

Hey, Orin... What did we do with the money we got from the last treasure we found?

Flame Picara

We spent it all on expensive fish and that super soft carpet for our hideout.

Formula Picara

And what about the treasure before that one?

Flame Picara

We couldn't find a buyer, so it's just lying over there.

Formula Picara

And what about the one before that?

Flame Picara

We went on a shopping spree and spent it all.

Formula & Flame

...

Fortune Picara

C-Come quick, you guys!

Formula Picara

Wh-What's wrong, Mike?!

Fortune Picara

U-Um...

Fortune Picara

I found a whole bunch of canned cat food just lying on the ground!

Flame Picara

Can we take it? I wanna take it! Then again, it could be a trap...

Five Tails

...Who cares!

Formula Picara

Operation: Cat Food Conquest... BEGIN!

Fortune & Flame

YEAH!

Thirty minutes after Mike informed the others about the canned cat food. In the area she found the cans─

Flame Picara

They should be around here somewhere...

Five Tails

Th-There they are!

Formula Picara

We're phantom thieves! We should know better than to scavenge for food... but all of this cat food─

Formula Picara

Is as good as treasure!

Fortune Picara

It's canned, so we'll be able to store it for a long time! Let's stuff all of this cat food into Orin's wheelbarrow!

Fortune Picara

Huh, where's Orin?

Flame Picara

Over here! You gotta try this! It's definitely the more expensive kind!

Fortune & Formula

S-She's eating already?!

Formula Picara

C'mon, Mike! Let's dig in! It doesn't seem to be a trap!

Fortune Picara

Yeah, this is like cat heaven!

Formula Picara

Look, there's more over there!

Fortune Picara

There's still space in the wheelbarrow! Let's get them all!

Flame Picara

There's no need to rush. The cans aren't going anywhere.

Flame Picara

These can't have all belonged to one person. Maybe a delivery person dropped them on their way to a store.

Fortune Picara

Yeah, that's probably what happened. They're just lying in the middle of the road─

Formula Picara

Look, someone's being attacked! Is that a human child?!

Fortune Picara

That kid's got a can in her hand! Maybe she's a cat disguised as a human?!

Flame Picara

We'll find out after we save her! C'mon, let's go!

Fortune & Formula

Yeah, OK!

Formula Picara

Hey, why are you giving the orders?! I'm the leader here!

Fortune Picara

So you're the one who dropped all of this canned food, huh? What a coincidence!

Flame Picara

Are you OK?

Yeah, thanks for the help!

And thanks for picking up all the cans for me!

Formula Picara

You said your name was PLAYER, yeah? I think we gotta talk about those cans...

Flame Picara

The thing is... we ran out of food, and we were starving. So... we already ate a bunch.

Fortune Picara

Sorry, little girl... we were too hungry.

Formula Picara

But we haven't touched the ones in the wheelbarrow!

Formula Picara

We aren't gonna steal from a little kid. We can't do anything about the ones we ate, but you can have the rest back!

Um, if you'd like, you can have them all!

Think of it as a gift from me to the Five Tails.

Flame Picara

Wait, how do you know us? Was this all a trap...?

Flame Picara

Who are you?

One hour after the cans were collected. At the Five Tails' hideout, with PLAYER─

Flame Picara

We only brought you to our hideout 'cause we wanted to hear what you have to say for yourself...

Flame Picara

So, tell us. Who are you?

Fortune Picara

You don't look like a police officer or an informant. And yet, you seem to know we're phantom thieves.

Yeah, I need your help with something!

I knew if I laid out the cat food, you'd show up!

Flame Picara

We played right into her hands.

Formula Picara

But at least we got to eat!

Fortune Picara

You did all of this 'cause you want our help, right?

Flame Picara

What do you wanna do, Formula? Do you think we can trust her?

Flame Picara

She may be just a kid, but that doesn't mean she won't turn us in. This is your call.

Formula Picara

I wanna hear her out.

Formula Picara

I know we're phantom thieves, but I don't get bad vibes from this kid.

Fortune Picara

Did you hear that, little girl? We're gonna help you!

Flame Picara

So, what do you want from us?

Thanks for trusting me, Chen, Orin, Mike!

I'm sure together we can beat Miss Hecatia!

Five Tails

Huh?!

Formula Picara

W-Wait a minute! How do you know our real names?!

Fortune Picara

Hecatia is the boss of the Joon Phantom Thieves, right?

Flame Picara

Yeah, she is. Tell us, little girl. Are you competing with her or something?

Yeah, we're playing a game. And it'll be bad if I lose!

We gotta find the treasure hidden in Hakugyokurou!

Flame Picara

Are you talking about the mansion in the Netherworld? Mike, do you know anything about this?

Fortune Picara

Yeah, I've heard rumors. I don't have anything concrete, though.

Formula Picara

You know our real names, and you even have intel on treasure that Mike doesn't.

Formula Picara

AND you're playing a sketchy game with the boss of the Joon Phantom Thieves...

Formula Picara

It sounds like you're in way over your head. I sense there's more going on here.

Formula Picara

All right! Let's help PLAYER!

Fortune Picara

I kinda feel like we're connected to her somehow. This is gonna be fun!

Thanks, you guys!

Um, do I need to pay you?

Flame Picara

Yeah, but you've already done that.

Five Tails

We'll make sure you get your cans' worth!

Formula Picara

Now, let's go to Hakugyokurou─

Formula Picara

Oh, by the way, you gotta call us by our code names!

Got it! You wanna keep your identities secret, right?

Flame Picara

That's one reason, but also...

Fortune & Formula

Code names are kinda cool!

Flame Picara

So no real names, please!

The day after the Five Tails learned about the hidden treasure. In the Netherworld, at Hakugyokurou─

Formula Picara

So the treasure's hidden in this mansion, huh? Let me use my staff to see where exactly it is and how to get to it.

Formula Picara

OK, analysis complete!

Formula Picara

They've got too many guards, so we can't use the front gate at the top of the stairs. Our best bet is to go around back.

Fortune Picara

Brilliant idea, Formula! That'll be far less risky!

Formula Picara

My staff is picking up a signal from under a big cherry blossom tree! This has gotta be the hidden treasure!

Flame Picara

Under a tree? I guess that's less obvious than hiding it in a vault, but it's gonna be a pain to dig out...

Flame Picara

Don't let your guard down. Anything can happen, so we gotta proceed with caution!

Fortune Picara

We managed to sneak past the guards. Everything's going well, but─

Five Tails

Why are there so many cherry blossom trees?!

Fortune Picara

Hey, Formula, which tree is the treasure buried under?

Formula Picara

Hmmm, I'm trying to figure that out, but my staff isn't working. It looks like some sort of sorcery is at play here.

Flame Picara

Oh, no, the guards have been alerted! Let's retreat for now!

Fortune Picara

They're still on our tail! They really don't give up easy, huh?!

Formula Picara

Tch... How did they even find us? We never get detected this easily!

Flame Picara

Who knows, maybe they've upped their security. Anyway, let's just focus on getting outta here!

Flame Picara

Now's our chance! Let's make a break for it!

Formula Picara

Wait! My staff seems to be working again!

Fortune Picara

Can you tell where the treasure is?!

Formula Picara

Yeah...

Formula Picara

It's buried under the cherry blossom tree that isn't blooming!

Don't tell me it's the one I think it is!

Flame Picara

You know which one it is?

Yes, but I didn't know it had treasure buried under it!

Formula Picara

It looks like the sorcery from earlier is blocking our path. We can't go back the way we came.

Formula Picara

The shortest way there would be through the mansion. But that same sorcery won't let me check the route.

Flame Picara

That means we have to go in blind. All we know is that treasure's hidden under the tree. This isn't gonna be easy.

Fortune Picara

But we've come this far! We can't give up now! Right, Formula?!

Formula Picara

Of course not! We're gonna get that treasure!

Flame Picara

Hehe, and THAT'S why you're our leader.

Flame Picara

Now that we know where the treasure is and how we're gonna get to it, let's leave this here...

Flame Picara

─A notice from the Five Tails.

In the Netherworld. A few hours after the Five Tails broke into Hakugyokurou─

Formula Picara

We'd usually leave a notice inside the mansion, but I guess we've got no choice this time.

Fortune Picara

Yeah, it's too risky to go back now. We'll be done for if we're caught.

Flame Picara

But if you think about it, a notice lying in the middle of the stairs is pretty conspicuous.

Formula Picara

That's true! And they've got plenty of guards around! Someone's bound to see it!

Formula Picara

OK, then let's leave it around here─

Joon & Formula Picara

EEEEEEEEEEP!

Joon

Wh-What are you guys doing here?!

Formula Picara

Right back at ya!

Fortune Picara

Oh, so that's why the guards are on high alert...

Flame Picara

You tried to sneak in, didn't you?

Joon Phantom Thieves

*gulp*

Yachie

Ugh, I told you to keep it down! Now look what you've done! We ended up running into these guys!

Shion

I got a little too excited 'cause I'm wearing my fancy thief outfit today.

Nue

Don't blame us! You're the one who kept shooting your bazooka off!

Yachie

They were smoke bombs, and I only did that to make you guys shut up!

Yamame

Yeah well, you coulda aimed better! You almost blew my head off!

???

C'mon, you guys... This ain't the time to fight among ourselves.

Five Tails

I-It's her!

Five Tails

Hecatia Lapislazuli... boss of the Joon Phantom Thieves!

Hecatia

Aw, I'm so happy you know who I am.

Hecatia

How's it going, PLAYER? Are you having fun?

Y-Yeah, everyone's friendly, and I'm enjoying myself...

Joon Phantom Thieves

PLAYER's here?!

(This is turning into a mess!)

(Why did Miss Hecatia have to talk to me?!)

Shion

Did they... kidnap her?!

Joon

We can't let that slide! They're going down!

Fortune Picara

W-Wait a minute! We didn't kidnap anyone!

Flame Picara

Little girl... are you friends with the Joon Phantom Thieves?

Flame Picara

You seem to be pretty close... But anyway, we can talk about this later.

Flame Picara

In detail.

(Eeeeep!)

(She's not wrong, but how do I explain it to her?!)

Formula Picara

Argh, I don't know what's going on here anymore!

Formula Picara

C'mon, you guys! We gotta fight back!

Hecatia

'Kay, stop! Enough with the games.

Hecatia

I've got an important announcement to make. You guys better listen carefully!

Joon Phantom Thieves

Important announcement?

Five Tails

What's she talking about?

The same day after the battle between the Five Tails and the Joon Phantom Thieves. In the Netherworld─

Hecatia

Actually, I have two announcements to make, and they both concern everyone here.

Hecatia

They're about things that have already been set in motion and cannot be changed.

Hecatia

So here's the first announcement.

Hecatia

We're having a treasure hunt, and it's the Joon Phantom Thieves vs. the Five Tails and PLAYER!

Hecatia

You gotta get the treasure hidden here in Hakugyokurou! The first group to find it will be declared the winners!

Flame Picara

Oh, now I get it...

Flame Picara

This has gotta be the game the little girl was talking about.

Flashback to a few days ago. Somewhere inside the tiny swap box, with Hecatia and PLAYER─

Hecatia

Are you ready for another thrill ride?!

Hecatia

The tiny swap box has been updated. There's a new phantom thief gang and an all-new treasure!

Hecatia

Apparently, it's a gang of cat phantom thieves. I'm, like, totally excited to meet them!

Hecatia

The treasure's supposedly hidden in Hakugyokurou. "The new treasure of Hakugyokurou" sounds lame, so...

Hecatia

Let's call it "The Netherworld's Hidden Treasure!"

Hecatia

I just thought of a way to make this more interesting! If you lose, you'll be given a punishment!

Hecatia

And of course, if you win, you'll get a reward!

What kind of punishment?

Hecatia

I don't know, maybe I'll make you spend a whole day with Clownpiece or something!

Hecatia

As for your reward...

Hecatia

I'll take you to the best cafe around!

Hecatia

And to make it even better, Junko and I will be at your service the whole time!

(Even the punishment sounds kinda fun...)

(But I still wanna win!)

Hecatia

I can't wait to see who's gonna find the treasure first! Let the game begin!

Formula Picara

The treasure hunt might be under way, but you haven't won yet!

Formula Picara

Just you wait! We're gonna win AND keep the treasure!

Joon

You can talk all you want, but we outnumber you, and we've got more experience!

Joon

You may be good, but you can't change facts! And that's why we're gonna win!

Hecatia

That's the spirit!

Hecatia

OK, my second announcement's about PLAYER.

(Huh?! What about me?!)

Hecatia

This little girl─

Hecatia

Is a super influential special agent, solely responsible for maintaining the balance of this world!

(No one's gonna buy that!)

Five Tails

...

Joon Phantom Thieves

...

Everyone

That...

Everyone

That makes complete sense!

(Does it?!)

Yachie

Yeah... She's our friend, but she's also working with the Five Tails.

Yachie

She's also worked with the detectives in the past... It's the only logical explanation.

Yamame

I knew there was something mysterious about her, but I didn't realize she was such a big shot!

Nue

I've gone outside the tiny swap box as an agent before, so it's not that surprising to see one in here.

Everyone

(Th-That's...)

Everyone

(SO COOL!)

Flame Picara

So that's why she knew about the hidden treasure... I didn't see that coming at all.

Flame Picara

You know what? Maybe PLAYER's the real treasure here!

Hecatia

OK, now you guys have agreed my story is totally legit... let's call it a day. We'll see each other again after the heist!

Hecatia

We better get outta here before the guards catch us!

Joon

HEY, Five Tails! Get ready to see what it means to be a real phantom thief!

Formula Picara

You're gonna regret underestimating us!

A few hours after the encounter with the Five Tails. On the way back to the Joon Phantom Thieves' hideout─

Yamame

PLAYER's gonna be working against us this time, but let's not go easy on her!

Yachie

Yeah, she's our rival now, so it'd be disrespectful not to give this our all.

Joon

All right, let's get back to our hideout and come up with a strategy!

Shion

I'm kinda excited to go up against the Five Tails and PLAYER!

Hecatia

Could this...

Nue

What's wrong, boss...?

Hecatia

Everything's A-OK! C'mon, let's go back to our hideout!

Meanwhile at Hakugyokurou─

???

Sorry to disturb you, Lady Yuyuko.

Youmu

But the guards found these lying on the stairs.

Yuyuko

Oh, my... Are these phantom thief notices?

Youmu

Yes, I'm pretty sure they are.

Yuyuko

It looks like both the gangs will be coming on the same day. I didn't know they got along.

Youmu

We don't have long to prepare. What should we do?

Yuyuko

Hmmm...

Yuyuko

If we're going to have so many guests─

Youmu

If that's what you want, Lady Yuyuko...

Yuyuko

Excellent...

Yuyuko

I can't wait for the party to begin.

The day before the heist. At the Five Tails' hideout─

Formula Picara

OK, everything's set for tomorrow! Let's make sure we get that treasure!

Fortune Picara

We've had quite a few surprises over the past few days...

Formula Picara

We ran into the Joon Phantom Thieves... twice, and the little girl we rescued turned out to be a big shot!

Fortune Picara

What if she didn't accidentally drop the cat food, and us finding it was all part of her plan?!

Flame Picara

Then it's our fault for falling for it. We gotta learn to be more careful...

Flame Picara

But I gotta say, she's got guts. She may even be more tenacious than us cats.

Flashback from a few hours after the encounter with the Joon Phantom Thieves. At the Five Tails' hideout─

Formula Picara

I can't believe you're such a big shot, PLAYER!

Fortune Picara

Yeah, and you're all buddy-buddy with the Joon Phantom Thieves and their boss.

Flame Picara

If this whole treasure hunt was pre-planned, does that mean our encounter wasn't a coincidence?

Fortune Picara

Yeah, did you leave that cat food out to bait us in?

Fortune Picara

You knew we'd follow the trail and end up bumping into you, didn't you?

Formula Picara

Did you plan an attack on yourself, too?! You knew we'd come to save you! I can't believe you outwitted us!

Um, I didn't really have much of a plan...

Everything just kinda worked out that way.

Flashback from when the Five Tails were starving. Somewhere near the Human Village with PLAYER─

Hm, I'm having a hard time finding the Five Tails...

Maybe I should try out Miss Hecatia's idea!

Shortly before PLAYER and Hecatia went their separate ways. Somewhere inside the tiny swap box─

Hecatia

I'll give you a little advice on how you can find them!

Hecatia

They have a really bad habit of spending money as soon as they get their paws on it...

Hecatia

They've probably got nothing left to eat.

Hecatia

Even if they do, it won't last long...

Hecatia

You could use something like this canned cat food to lure them in, then give it to them to get on their good sides.

I've put cans along the road, but will they see them?

Oh, no, when did all these fairies get here?!

Formula Picara

Look, someone's being attacked! Is that a human child?!

Fortune Picara

That kid's got a can in her hand! Maybe she's a cat disguised as a human?!

Flame Picara

We'll find out after we save her! C'mon, let's go!

Formula Picara

Well, whatever. I'm glad she's working with us now!

Fortune Picara

Yeah, she's been a great help. She went shopping for us while we were busy with our strategy meeting.

Flame Picara

But why isn't she back yet?

Fortune Picara

Hm, I hope she's OK.

Formula Picara

It's gonna be dark soon. I'm a little worried. Let's go look for her!

A few hours after PLAYER left the Five Tails' hideout. In the Human Village─

Flame Picara

I know it's night, but we can't just waltz into the village. We'll stand out like a sore thumb. Let's stick to the shadows.

Fortune Picara

I thought she'd be on her way back by now, but we haven't seen her anywhere.

Formula Picara

And she can't still be shopping... Almost all the stores are closed.

Flame Picara

I hear someone coming. Let's take cover!

Fortune Picara

Wait, look!

Formula Picara

Isn't that PLAYER with the detectives?!

Flame Picara

Why are they all surrounding her like that? Are they interrogating her?

Fortune Picara

They're taking her somewhere!

Formula Picara

No more hiding! Let's go save PLAYER!

Fortune & Flame

Got it!

Five Tails

Hold it right there!

Marisa

Great... the phantom thieves are here.

What are you guys doing here?!

Fortune Picara

We were worried 'cause you were taking so long to come back!

Formula Picara

Don't worry, we'll save you!

Nazrin

This is gonna be a pain to deal with...

Flame Picara

Now's our chance! Let's pull back!

O-OK!

Marisa

Where did they get that car from?! That's cheating!

Patchouli

As if they weren't fast enough already!

Nazrin

Maybe we shouldn't go after them...

Alice

Yeah, that'll be too much work, and it'll only lead to another battle.

Shou

We should proceed with our plan.

Marisa

Sounds good!

On the day of the heist. At Hakugyokurou with the Five Tails─

Formula Picara

The day has finally come. Are you guys ready?

Fortune Picara

You had a tough time with the detectives yesterday, but are you good to go, little girl?

Yeah, I'm fine! Thanks for coming to my rescue!

We gotta find the treasure before Joon and the others!

Flame Picara

Sounds like we've got nothing to worry about. I gotta say, you're little, but you're quite tough.

Formula Picara

─We don't know what's waiting for us, so let's be careful! We might run into more weird sorcery in there.

Formula Picara

Time to execute our plan! Let's go!

Fortune Picara

The shortest way to the treasure is through the mansion. Do you think the Joon Phantom Thieves will take that risk?

Formula Picara

I can't analyze anything in here 'cause the sorcery's so bad. They'll probably take the long way outside where it's weaker.

Flame Picara

Yeah, there are fewer guards outside, and we haven't seen them in here yet, so that makes the most sense.

Flame Picara

Uh-oh... We've been spotted!

Formula Picara

Let's get 'em before the other guards show up!

Formula Picara

Let's make a run for it before the other guards get here!

Fortune & Flame

OK!

Around one hour since the break-in. Inside Hakugyokurou, with the Five Tails─

Fortune Picara

Everything was going fine... Why did THEY have to show up?! No one invited them!

Nazrin

How rude. Is this how you treat all your rivals?

Marisa

Detectives will always get in the way of phantom thieves. We don't need your invitation.

Flame Picara

We've got no time to entertain you. Now move!

Shou

Do you really think we're going to let you get away a second time?

Formula Picara

We didn't wanna do this the hard way, but you leave us no choice.

Flame Picara

Stand back, little girl. They might try to nab you again.

O-OK!

Alice

What are you researching at a time like this, Patchouli?

Patchouli

How to take down phantom thieves...

Patchouli

I thought I could look that up, but instead...

Patchouli

I'll just use my catnip-infused spirit magic on them!

Five Tails

Meow?! That sounds scary!

Formula Picara

G-Guys, we gotta take them down before it's too late!

Alice

Not acting so tough anymore, huh?

Formula Picara

Now's our chance! We can use the cat mobile to get past them!

Patchouli

Y-You can't be serious...!

Flame Picara

Hop on in, everyone!

Fortune Picara

Get in, little girl!

Alice

That looks like her usual wheelbarrow...

Everyone

How is it so fast?!

Shou

They would've sent us flying if we didn't get out of the way.

Marisa

By the way, what's wrong with you, Nazrin?

Nazrin

I can't stand cats...

Around two hours since the break-in. In one of the rooms inside Hakugyokurou, with the Five Tails─

Formula Picara

This room seems fine for now...

Fortune Picara

Not anymore! What's going on here?!

Formula Picara

Why are all the rooms collapsing?! Is this also 'cause of the weird sorcery?!

Flame Picara

Think later, run now!

Fortune Picara

Was this hallway always so long? And why are there so many more rooms all of a sudden?

Flame Picara

It's like we're in Eientei.

Flame Picara

This is either some powerful sorcery or a high-tech trap made using technology I've got no clue about.

Formula Picara

My staff has gone haywire, and we can't use the route I planned out earlier!

Fortune Picara

Maybe one of those magician detectives did something...

Formula Picara

Right, all of this started after we ran into them..

Flame Picara

But couldn't they have blocked our way or waited for us up ahead?

Fortune Picara

Yeah, why do something that'll slow them down, too?

Formula Picara

This looks like the work of Lady Yukari to me...

Flame Picara

Are you saying your master is the one behind this weird sorcery?

Formula Picara

Hm, maybe not... 'cause if it was her, things would be more elaborate and precise.

Formula Picara

Not clumsy and unstable like it is right now. Lady Yukari's magic can't be messed with so easily.

Fortune Picara

Then it's gotta be the mistress of this mansion.

Formula Picara

Standing here isn't gonna get us the treasure. Let's check every room and find a way out!

Fortune Picara

Huh, is that... the sky?!

Formula Picara

I'd understand if we could see the sky from the room, but this room IS the sky!

Flame Picara

I don't think we should go in there! Let's check another room.

Fortune Picara

And this one's a graveyard... Can we even call these rooms if they're all outside?

Formula Picara

I'm detecting a hidden passage! ...Nope, false alarm.

Formula Picara

Huh, where did Flame go?

She's busy doing something in that "room"...

Flame Picara

Oops!

Rin

Hehe, I found some phantoms and corpses!

Formula Picara

At least someone's happy...

Fortune Picara

Just leave them there, OK? Don't load them into your wheelbarrow.

Fortune Picara

This room's completely blank!

Flame Picara

I can feel the floor, though. Let's look around.

Formula Picara

OW! What did I bump into?!

Formula Picara

Is that... a dresser?

Flame Picara

If you look carefully, you can see other furniture, too. There's a table and everything. But they're all white.

Fortune Picara

There's a vase-like thing here. It feels kinda jagged. This makes no sense...

Flame Picara

I don't think there's anything useful here. I don't see an escape route, either. Let's try another room.

Flame Picara

And this one's pitch black.

Fortune Picara

But it doesn't have walls or a floor like the blank room did.

Formula Picara

Maybe it's the way out! We should jump in and see what happens!

S-STOP! What if we fall in and get stuck forever?!

These rooms might be really dangerous!

Fortune Picara

That's true... This is too risky.

Formula Picara

Let's check another room instead!

Formula Picara

Finally, a normal room, but...

Fortune Picara

Something doesn't feel right. Maybe this is─

???

Good job dodging that attack.

Flame Picara

It's an ambush!

Around two hours and thirty minutes since the break-in. In the huge kendo hall inside Hakugyokurou─

Youmu

You're the phantom thieves who left this notice, aren't you?

Youmu

You probably aren't going to listen to me, but can you please give up on the hidden treasure and leave?

Youmu

If not...

Youmu

I'll have to carry out the order I was given by my master.

Flame Picara

Why does it sound like you have a problem with obeying your master?

Youmu

I don't...

Fortune Picara

That's not very convincing. You may have your reasons, but so do we. We aren't leaving without the treasure.

Formula Picara

Phantom thieves never back out after leaving a notice.

Flame Picara

And I'm sure you already know what you gotta do.

Flame Picara

Neither of us can back down, so there's only one way to resolve this.

Youmu

I know...

Youmu

Thieves don't deserve kindness!

Formula Picara

Watch out, everyone!

Youmu

Here I come!

Youmu

I lost... I'm sorry, Lady Yuyuko.

Fortune Picara

That was scary, but I'll take the win!

Flame Picara

OK, now let's get outta here before something weird happens to this room, too.

Youmu

What do you mean?

Formula Picara

By the way!

Formula Picara

Tell your master to undo the weird sorcery she cast on this mansion!

Youmu

What weird sorcery?

Youmu

What are you talking about?

Youmu

Is something going on here? Can you tell me about it?

Formula Picara

Huh...? S-Sure... So, before we came into this room─

Youmu

Hm, I did sense something strange, but I didn't know things were so bad...

Formula Picara

You didn't notice any of it?

Youmu

I'm ashamed to say I didn't... Maybe only a part of the mansion is affected by whatever this is.

Flame Picara

But you knew something was off, didn't you? That's why you asked us about it.

Youmu

Well...

Youmu

My master... Lady Yuyuko has been acting strange of late.

A few days ago, after the phantom thief notices were found. At Hakugyokurou with Youmu and Yuyuko─

Yuyuko

Oh, my... Are these phantom thief notices?

Youmu

We don't have long to prepare. What should we do?

Yuyuko

Hmmm...

Yuyuko

If we're going to have so many guests─

Yuyuko

I want you to cut them all down.

Youmu

If that's what you want, Lady Yuyuko...

Youmu

Lady Yuyuko is a gentle person. She'd never give an order like that if it wasn't something serious.

Youmu

She had this crazy look in her eyes. It's like she was being controlled by someone...

Youmu

And you said there's some weird sorcery going on in this mansion... Who could be behind all of this?

Fortune Picara

From everything you've said, it sounds like it isn't Miss Yuyuko.

Flame Picara

It's still too early to conclude anything...

Flame Picara

Maybe the real culprit will show up when we try to take the hidden treasure.

Formula Picara

The sorcery seems to have gotten stronger since we entered the mansion.

Fortune Picara

Whoever's behind this is probably trying to stop us from getting the treasure.

I wanna help Miss Yuyuko...

Maybe we can set her free once we get to the treasure!

Youmu

Are you sure you want to do this?

Fortune Picara

What do you say, Formula?

Formula Picara

It doesn't sound like Youmu's lying, so I'm fine with it! She can guide us to the treasure!

Flame Picara

Don't worry, Youmu. We'll help your master.

Flame Picara

By the way, the treasure isn't a corpse, is it? Everyone knows that people are often buried under cherry blossom trees.

Youmu

It's not. The treasure is in a wooden crate─

Youmu

Wait a minute... Did you all come to steal the treasure without knowing what it is?

Flame Picara

I mean, it's called the "hidden" treasure... But, um, we have PLAYER's info and Formula's analysis, so...

Youmu

Wow, I can't believe this...

Fortune Picara

EEP! This quake was the strongest one yet!

Formula Picara

Th-This room is done for!

Around four hours since the break-in. In the huge kendo hall inside Hakugyokurou─

Flame Picara

It's dangerous in here! Let's quickly get outta this room!

Formula Picara

...There's something blocking us in! It's like an invisible wall or something!

Youmu

Stand back, everyone!

Flame Picara

Whoa...!

Fortune Picara

Did you just break the wall with your sword?! Thanks!

Formula Picara

O-Oh, no! The ground's giving way!

Flame Picara

We better get out before we fall down with it!

Five Tails

P-Phew, we made it out in one piece...

???

Geez, I didn't know our rivals were such rookies!

Formula Picara

You...!

Five Tails

It's the Joon Phantom Thieves!

Hecatia

How have ya been? We came to save you guys!

Hecatia

But it looks like we're a bit too late...

Y-Youmu's still inside!

Formula Picara

W-What?! I thought she was right behind us after she broke the wall!

Fortune Picara

We used the stable parts of the floor and jumped our way out, but...

Flame Picara

We could do that 'cause we're cats. She isn't one!

Formula Picara

We gotta go back and help her!

Joon

There's hardly any floor left. How do we get to her?

Yachie

Yamame, maybe you could use your webs to get her out!

Yamame

The ceiling and the walls don't look very stable, but I'll try!

Fortune Picara

Just stay put, Miss Youmu! We're coming to rescue you!

Youmu

Listen carefully, everyone...

Youmu

The hidden treasure is buried under the Saigyou Ayakashi─the giant cherry blossom tree that's not in bloom.

Youmu

It's a magical tree. You'll see it once you're in the garden. If you hurry, you can still make it.

Formula Picara

O-OK, but we need to get you out first─

Youmu

I have one request...

Youmu

Please take care of Lady Yuyuko.

Formula Picara

N-No way...

Fortune Picara

Formula...

Flame Picara

We'll fulfill your last wish, Youmu...

Hecatia

I know you guys are in shock, but, like, this place is still very dangerous.

Hecatia

I think we should call a truce and help each other out.

Joon

Boss told us what happened. We are totally OK with working with you guys.

Hecatia

We just wanna know what you think.

Formula Picara

Phantom thieves never give up on treasure. No matter what happens!

Fortune Picara

The sun always shines after the storm. And we'll be the glorious beams of light that pierce through the clouds!

Flame Picara

Phantom thieves always see their missions through. It's a matter of pride to us.

Hecatia

Good answer. Now, let's get that treasure together!

To the Saigyou Ayakashi!

Around four hours and thirty minutes since the break-in. In Hakugyokurou's garden with the phantom thieves─

Formula Picara

The Saigyou Ayakashi should be close by.

???

Hello, there. Are you guys here to enjoy the cherry blossoms?

Flame Picara

Ugh, not you guys again. Can't you just give up already?

Nazrin

I could say the same to you. We don't like playing cat and mouse any more than you do.

Nue

Then go away. Or do I need to remind you of my sniping skills?

Alice

That won't be necessary. We already know that you only shoot to distract or incapacitate.

Alice

I'm sorry, but we can't back down.

Shion

You wanna arrest us that bad, huh?

Patchouli

That's the police's job.

Patchouli

We're detectives. Our job is to predict your next move and prevent you from getting what you want.

Yachie

I see.

Yachie

But it's not our job to do as you please.

Yamame

Yeah, and if you're such great detectives, why don't you go on ahead of us? Why are you wasting your time chatting here?

Shou

All right, I'll explain why.

Shou

The hidden treasure you're after is extremely dangerous.

Shou

You'd be wise to turn back and forget all about it.

Formula Picara

Do you really think your scare tactics are gonna work on us?!

Joon

We're not leaving without the treasure!

Nazrin

*dramatic sigh* They're so stubborn.

Marisa

It's not easy to give up on something you really want. I kinda get how you guys feel.

Marisa

But if you ain't gonna back down...

Marisa & Nazrin

A battle it is!

Alice

They got away again. They're going to get to the hidden treasure soon.

Marisa

Yeah, probably. In fact, I'm counting on it.

Nazrin

C'mon, things are about to get interesting.

Around five hours since the break-in. In front of the Saigyou Ayakashi, with the phantom thieves─

Formula Picara

So this is where the treasure is buried.

Joon

Let's dig it up before the detectives or Miss Yuyuko get here!

Everyone

Found it!

Flame Picara

Now let's get outta here!

Formula Picara

...There's something strange about this box─

Fortune Picara

I-Is it a trap?! Step back, everyone!

Yamame

Did I just imagine that or did everything change color for a sec?!

Formula Picara

Don't tell me this treasure is the source of that weird sorcery!

Hecatia

You're on the right track. And that's exactly why we gotta get that treasure.

Joon

Huh... what do you mean─

???

Oops, I missed. You're so nimble.

???

But don't worry.

???

I won't miss a second time.

M-Miss Yuyuko is really acting crazy!

Fortune Picara

Is she the mistress of this mansion?!

Yuyuko

It seems you already know me, but I'd be a poor host if I didn't give you a proper introduction.

Yuyuko

Welcome to Jslihuplitpi. I'm Yu■■ Sai■ji.

Formula Picara

Huh, what did she just say?

Nue

I think the effects of the sorcery are getting worse. She was speaking fine just a few seconds ago.

Yuyuko

OK, rmpihj ■alk.

Flame Picara

Watch out!

Yuyuko

─I'll erase every single one of you.

Formula Picara

I hope she goes back to normal now!

Hecatia

It isn't over yet!

Yuyuko

The party can't end...

Yuyuko

EndnoendnoendERRORpartynoendmusteraseunknownseraseall ERRORnotovernoendunknownunknownendnoendERRORnoend

Five Tails

She changed?!

Yuyuko

Let's plAY AGaiN.

Over five hours since the break-in. At around 4 a.m., in front of the Saigyou Ayakashi, with the phantom thieves─

Yuyuko

Hehe, the pArty iSN't ovEr YET.

Yuyuko

Hehehehehe...

Yuyuko

Hehe, ahaHAheHahahahaTeeheehahahahAHAHAHaahehe, HAHAheheHaERRORhahahateeheeehehehehaHAhahaha.

Yuyuko

ThIS is sO MUCh gim! Eliminating ERRORS is f■, Hajsjrs. LeT'S qasu? Eliminate ERROR500. So zivj FUN!

Fortune Picara

This is beyond trying to figure out what she's saying! She's lost it!

Formula Picara

If that treasure is doing this to her, then maybe it'll stop once we steal it!

Flame Picara

I don't know... We'll just have to give it a shot!

Yuyuko

Wow, upi'tr baCK FoR zptr? I'm SO jsqqu.

Yuyuko

I'll mAkE ditr I DELETE yOU tHIs timE─

Yuyuko

I'm not done yet...

Yuyuko

NotdONEnotdoneERAseerasenotdonefullerasenotdoneERROR forCEcloseREjectederaseELIminateeraseeliMInateEaseNOW

Formula Picara

H-How is she still standing?!

Shion

Our bullets have no effect on her!

Yachie

I don't think that's true. I think the weird magic is stopping our bullets from hitting her...

Yachie

Or rather, it's making our attacks weak.

Joon

The treasure is doing that, right?

Flame Picara

This has turned into a battle of endurance. We gotta hurry and get the treasure! We won't be able to hold out much longer!

Fortune Picara

We don't wanna tire ourselves out any further... We gotta come up with a plan!

???

How 'bout this?

???

─Spy Sign: Seeker Dolls! ─Earth Sign: Lazy Trilithon!

I recognize those attacks... Could it be...?!

Fortune Picara

Wh-Whoa! Their attacks slowed her down!

???

That was weak. Can't you use something that'll hold her back longer?

???

Stop complaining and help us out.

???

Yeah.

Alice

─Marisa.

Joon

Wh-What are the detectives doing here?! They couldn't have come at a worse time!

Formula Picara

No, I think they're here to help...

Nazrin

You're a smart one.

Nazrin

We've got our reasons for helping you.

Flame Picara

Is this one of your tricks? Are you trying to catch us off guard by lying to us?

Shou

We're not trying to trick you. Please hear us out.

Flame Picara

I'm all ears...

Marisa

We'll stop Yuyuko. In the meantime─

Marisa

Go get the treasure!

Over six hours since the break-in. At around 5 a.m., in front of the Saigyou Ayakashi, with the thieves and detectives─

Flame Picara

Why would a detective encourage theft? What aren't you telling us?

Shou

We just explained all that we can about the hidden treasure.

Nazrin

You don't need to know anything more.

Shou

I'll explain why we decided to help you.

Shou

The hidden treasure you're after is extremely dangerous.

Nazrin

And one more thing... The moment you get the treasure─

Nazrin

Destroy it.

Five Tails

Why would we do that?!

Yamame

I know the treasure is working some crazy magic, but...

Joon

They could be trying to trick us─

Joon

What's wrong, boss?

Hecatia

You gotta listen to them. This isn't the time to fight.

Patchouli

Can you stop chitchatting and help us already?

Alice

We need to work together to stop her! One of you can go grab the treasure in the meantime.

Marisa

And then you gotta decide whether you trust us or not...

Marisa

Just make sure you do it before we're all annihilated.

Formula Picara

Let's help them!

Shion

A-Are you seriously gonna trust the detectives?

I know nothing makes sense right now...

But please trust Formula, Miss Hecatia...

...and me.

Flame Picara

I'll go with whatever our leader decides. There's no time to hesitate!

Fortune Picara

Our leader has never been wrong under pressure. I'm sure it's gonna end well!

Formula Picara

Thanks, you guys...!

Nue

We'll miss our chance to get the treasure if we don't decide quick.

Yamame

That's not a good look for us! Let's not waste any more time!

Yachie

Act first, think later... That sounds a lot like someone I know...

Yachie

But sometimes, that's the right way to do things. And if we don't like the outcome, we can always change it by force!

Shion

Sounds like we're all on the same page. What about you, Joon?

Joon

The Joon Phantom Thieves will cooperate! Let's hold Yuyuko back!

Joon Phantom Thieves

YEAH!

Yuyuko

So smmpuomh! Erase! ERROR D■lete! So ottoysyomh. EraSE! SevereD■TAERROR! NOendP■rTYnonoENDeliminateERR■R!

Yuyuko

RejEctrejectforceshutdownrejectdestroyrejectdAmagerejected! PartypartyforeverpArtyrejecteraseERRORrejectNOendparty!

Hecatia

I see a change in her attacks. Now's our chance! GO, PLAYER, Five Tails!

Five Tails

We got this!

? hours since the break-in. Around 6 a.m., in front of the Saigyou Ayakashi, with the thieves and detectives─

Formula Picara

Let's go all at once while the others hold Miss Yuyuko back!

Fortune & Flame

Got it!

Five Tails

Now's our chance!

???

─Not oN my waTCH.

Fortune Picara

H-How?! You gotta be kidding!

Flame Picara

How did she get here?!

Marisa

Whoa, she teleported?! I thought we got rid of her!

Hecatia

This is bad! I didn't know she could do that!

Yuyuko

─Hppfvtw.

???

...Sorry.

Formula Picara

Y-You...!

Youmu

I'm glad I made it in time.

Fortune Picara

You're alive!

Youmu

Hurry up. Don't you need to destroy the treasure before Lady Yuyuko wakes up?

Flame Picara

O-Oh right... But how did you know about that?

Youmu

I don't know how to explain it. After I fell, I woke up somewhere in the middle of all the cherry blossom trees.

Youmu

That's when I heard a voice that said Hakugyokurou and Lady Yuyuko will go back to normal once the treasure is destroyed.

Fortune Picara

So miracles do happen...

Flame Picara

We can discuss this later. We gotta destroy the treasure before that lady wakes up!

Formula Picara

Let's go!

We did it! We destroyed it!

Formula Picara

We couldn't get the treasure but...

Formula Picara

This is beautiful.

After the mission was completed. Around 8 a.m., in front of the Saigyou Ayakashi, with the thieves and detectives─

Flame Picara

The mansion seems to have gone back to normal.

Youmu

I asked the phantom guards to check and they've reported that everything's fine now.

Youmu

Thank you for everything.

Youmu

But more than anything else, I want to thank you for saving Lady Yuyuko.

Yuyuko

I have no memories from the past couple of days, but it looks like I've caused a lot of trouble.

We're just glad you're OK!

Yuyuko

Hehe, thanks.

Marisa

It's finally over!

Alice

I was worried for a bit there.

Nazrin

That was actually quite exciting. I had fun.

Patchouli

Really? I'm exhausted. I just want to go back and rest.

Shou

Hahaha... Yes, we should all do that.

Yamame

It's a bit disappointing, though. I thought we were gonna get something big this time. Why else would it be hidden?

Shion

Yeah, I even got dressed in my best outfit for the occasion.

Nue

You should've worn something else to look more like a phantom thief...

Yachie

We didn't get to settle our score with the Five Tails, either. I hope we get to do that next time.

Joon

Yeah, and we'll make sure we win!

Hecatia

Good job, PLAYER! Everything went pretty well!

Hecatia

But since no one got the treasure...

Hecatia

You're gonna get the reward AND the punishment!

(That's basically two rewards!)

Flame Picara

I think we better get going soon. Phantom thieves shouldn't really stay in other people's houses for long.

Fortune Picara

Haha, yeah. I wanna go gather intel on other treasures!

Youmu

You're leaving already? At least give me a chance to thank you.

Formula Picara

You don't need to!

Formula Picara

You've already done a lot by telling us where the treasure was. And you even helped us when we were in trouble!

Yuyuko

Really?

Yuyuko

That's too bad. I was hoping we could have a thank you party...

Yuyuko

Especially since I found this...

Five Tails

I-Is that what I think it is?!

Yuyuko

So, what do you say?

Five Tails

We'll stay for the party!

Our heroes successfully cleared the mission to get the Netherworld's Hidden Treasure by destroying it.

The new day began with everyone partying it up at Hakugyokurou─

Yukari

Hello again. So, how did you like the story?

Yukari

I guess there are still a few mysteries to unravel, aren't there?

Yukari

Don't worry, I'll explain everything.

Yukari

But before that, I need to tell you something about me.

Yukari

I am the Yukari Yakumo who exists on the boundary between stories and reality.

Yukari

To put it simply, I'm like the narrator of a story.

Storyteller

Yes, why don't you call me "Storyteller" from now on?

Storyteller

However, know that this is just a code name. It indicates that I'm not a part of the story.

Storyteller

You might be wondering why we need names that are nothing more than an indication of something.

Storyteller

That's because they are very useful in certain situations.

Storyteller

I'm sure you'll find that code names make parts of this story easier to understand.

Storyteller

OK, now let's begin.

Storyteller

It's time to give you answers.

Storyteller

OK, let's watch the rest of the story.

Storyteller

Now, you might be wondering...

Storyteller

Wasn't it time to get answers? Wasn't the story over?

Storyteller

Well... To get answers, you first need to hear the entire question, which in this case, is the story.

Storyteller

I'll now narrate the flip side of this story. I'm assuming you've already seen the normal version.

Storyteller

If you haven't, the flip side won't make any sense. You won't even understand that it's the flip side.

Storyteller

That's just how it is.

Storyteller

In the normal version, the hidden treasure was destroyed, and everyone had a party at Hakugyokurou.

Storyteller

But what happened after that?

Storyteller

Let's return to the story, shall we?

After the party at Hakugyokurou inside the swap box. Outside the swap box at the Kirisame Magic Shop─

Hecatia

That was fun, but also kinda scary.

Marisa

Good. I hope you've learned not to barge into other people's homes.

Alice

Look who's talking.

Patchouli

Exactly. Now, return the book you stole from me the other day.

Marisa

Wh-Where did that come from?!

Nazrin

Geez, you guys never stop arguing, do you?

Shou

You had fun, didn't you, Nazrin?

Nazrin

W-Well, playing detective has a lot in common with searching for treasure, so I guess I did!

Nazrin

Sure, there were cats in there, and I can't stand cats, but it's not like I could let you go on your own.

Chen

Meow! Phew, I finished it in time!

Ran

Good job, Chen. You fixed it all by yourself.

Chen

Ehehe, it's all thanks to your support, Lady Ran!

Yukari

Hehe, I'm so proud of you two.

Hecatia

How can you take things so lightly? PLAYER was in a lot of danger, you know?

But I had fun playing with everyone!

Yukari

See? She had a great time. Besides, I wouldn't have let anything happen to anyone.

Yukari

Everyone's back in one piece. That's what matters.

Hecatia

Well, I guess I also let things play out when I could've intervened.

???

Hey, Chen! Are you there?

Chen

Orin and Mike are here! I gotta go!

Ran

Oh, right. I forgot you were going out with your friends today.

Ran

Hello, Mike, Orin. Thanks for always hanging out with Chen. Go have fun, Chen.

Chen

I will!

Rin

Let's go!

Storyteller

─That's how this story ends. It was quite heartwarming.

Storyteller

A lot of people came out of that tiny swap box, didn't they?

Storyteller

There was Hecatia Lapislazuli and PLAYER, who entered the game together.

Storyteller

And Marisa Kirisame and the other detectives, who were working as a team.

Storyteller

Oh, by the way, Chen, Rin Kaenbyou, and Mike Goutokuji didn't enter the tiny swap box.

Storyteller

That means all the Five Tails members were in-game characters.

Storyteller

─And the same goes for the others not present in Marisa's house.

Storyteller

This story began when something suddenly went wrong with the tiny swap box.

Storyteller

And the story ended when Chen went out with her friends after it was fixed.

Storyteller

Why did the Five Tails look like Chen and her friends? Who knows...? Maybe because she chose to model them that way.

Storyteller

Anyway, let's watch the flip side of the story now... right from the beginning to the very end.

In the Animal Realm, inside the swap box. A few days after the Five Tails' first encounter with the Joon Phantom Thieves.

At the same time─

Somewhere inside the tiny swap box: Hecatia and PLAYER start their journey.

Outside the tiny swap box at the Kirisame Magic Shop. Someone's working on something.

Chen

Woohoo, I did it! Look, Lady Ran, it's finally done!

Ran

Yes, the modified program seems to be working fine.

Ran

The new assets are also functioning properly. Good job, Chen.

Yukari

Wow, you made it work. I'm so proud of my two shikigami. One is an excellent teacher, and the other is a brilliant learner.

Ran & Chen

L-Lady Yukari...!

Yukari

Hehe, so what changes did you make?

Chen

Um, I upgraded the Chivalrous Phantom Thief Princess story.

Chen

In the previous update, I added a new phantom thief gang and a new area to hide treasure.

Chen

This time, I've added a special treasure that's super hard to get!

Yukari

It's good to see new areas and items being added to the game.

Chen

Hehehe, I'm gonna keep making things interesting!

???

Aw, that's sweet...

Marisa

But who allowed you to use my shop?

Yukari

Sorry about that.

Yukari

I thought we could find something useful in the piles of junk here to help Chen learn.

Marisa

...Is that an apology or an insult?

Marisa

Anyway, that new update sounds interesting.

Marisa

I'm gonna go grab PLAYER so we can play detectives again!

Yukari

Umm, about that...

Yukari

PLAYER is already in there with someone else.

Marisa

Wh...

Marisa

WHAT?!

Marisa

When did that happen?!

The Five Tails and the Joon Phantom Thieves battle it out at Hakugyokurou inside the tiny swap box─

Meanwhile─

Outside the tiny swap box: Chen continues programming at the Kirisame Magic Shop.

Chen

I'll add this here, and then add some more phantom guards at the mansion...

Marisa

C'mon... Let me play.

Yukari

Shh, don't distract Chen. You can play some other time.

Yukari

I'm not going to let you play just because you brought all your friends with you.

Marisa

Tch, but we dressed up and everything.

Storyteller

The detectives weren't allowed in the game at this point.

Storyteller

So when and what exactly happened that they entered the tiny swap box?

Outside the tiny swap box at the Kirisame Magic Shop: The detectives try to convince Yukari to let them in the game.

Meanwhile─

Inside the swap box: The Joon Phantom Thieves are on their way back to their hideout after the battle with the Five Tails.

Hecatia

Could this...

Hecatia

(Could this be a bug?! We gotta fix this quick if it is!)

Nue

What's wrong, boss...?

Hecatia

Everything's A-OK! C'mon, let's go back to our hideout!

Hecatia

(I better get in touch with PLAYER and investigate what's going on.)

The day before the break-in, inside the tiny swap box: PLAYER was on her way to shop in the village.

I can't do much, so I'll help them with shopping!

I need to buy bonito cat food, chicken cat food, and...

???

Is there anything on the list that isn't cat food? Do you need help?

Oh, hey, Miss Hecatia! What a coincidence!

Hecatia

I wouldn't call it a coincidence... I was kinda waiting for you.

Hecatia

We don't have much time, so I'll keep it short.

Hecatia

I think there's a bug in the system.

Hecatia

I want you to step out for a bit and ask Ran and Chen to check the files for me.

Storyteller

And then PLAYER got out of the tiny swap box.

Storyteller

I'm pretty sure you can guess what happened next.

Storyteller

The detectives were still waiting for a chance to get in. When PLAYER asked Chen to check the game for bugs...

Storyteller

They offered to help investigate the system from the inside, promising not to let the thieves see them.

Storyteller

The flip side of the story tells us that on the day before the hidden treasure heist at Hakugyokurou...

Storyteller

The detectives entered the tiny swap box to investigate a bug in the game.

Storyteller

But not everything went as planned.

The day before the break-in, inside the tiny swap box: The Five Tails were looking for PLAYER.

Meanwhile─

Inside the tiny swap box after PLAYER returns with the detectives.

Marisa

I don't see any bugs here. Maybe we should look around.

Alice

Let's check if we can get in touch with the others outside.

Patchouli

The connection seems to be working fine for now. Have you found the bug yet?

Ran

Yes, after conducting an analysis, we've figured out what's causing it.

Ran

The newly added hidden treasure at Hakugyokurou is bugged.

Ran

We'll modify the program at our end, but you need to destroy the treasure in there to fix it.

Nazrin

Hm, that means we'll also have to break into Hakugyokurou.

Ran

The Joon Phantom Thieves, led by the goddess of Hell, are also planning a break-in. I'll inform her about the situation.

Ran

We're counting on you to destroy that treasure.

Marisa

Alrighty! C'mon, PLAYER, let's quickly get to Hakugyokurou─

Alice

Marisa, wait! We need to let her go.

Shou

The Five Tails will get suspicious if she doesn't go back to them.

Marisa

Oh, yeah... I'm so used to working with PLAYER that I forgot we need to split up.

Five Tails

Hold it right there!

Marisa

Great... the phantom thieves are here.

Patchouli

...They couldn't have come at a worse time. They're going to think we were kidnapping her.

Nazrin

This complicates everything, but we gotta deal with it.

Storyteller

─That was the flip side of the story before the day of the break-in.

Storyteller

The detectives were supposed to stay away from the thieves, but it didn't take long for them to get caught.

Storyteller

But...

Storyteller

That eventually turned out to be a good thing.

Storyteller

We're almost at the end.

Storyteller

The Five Tails and the hidden treasure were added to the game after Chen updated the tiny swap box.

Storyteller

But with that update came a bug.

Storyteller

That's what caused all the weird sorcery experienced by the Five Tails.

Storyteller

The detectives entered the game to investigate it while Chen and Ran were fixing the program from the outside.

Storyteller

There's a lot going on in the flip side of the story, isn't there?

Storyteller

But there are still more mysteries to uncover.

Storyteller

What were the detectives doing while the phantom thieves were looking for the hidden treasure?

Storyteller

And what was happening outside the tiny swap box?

Storyteller

Let's watch.

Inside the tiny swap box, around thirty minutes since the break-in. The Five Tails were battling the mansion guards.

Meanwhile─

Inside the tiny swap box: The detectives were on the stairs leading up to Hakugyokurou.

Ran

The phantom thieves have broken into the mansion.

Ran

It'll be easy to destroy the hidden treasure if you can distract them somehow...

Patchouli

The cats are probably on high alert after seeing us yesterday... We should've been more careful.

Marisa

Do you really have to point that out right now?

Shou

We need to avoid unnecessary conflict with them. Ran, can you send us a discrete route through the mansion?

Ran

All right, I'll talk to you soon.

Alice

The Joon Phantom Thieves are also here, but they shouldn't be a problem 'cause Hecatia is with them...

Marisa

Maybe we should scare the Five Tails a little.

Marisa

Even if they get the treasure first, they won't simply hand it over to us 'cause we're detectives. Thieves don't really like us.

Marisa

We could steal it from them and destroy it, but that'll only end up in a big battle...

Marisa

We gotta play it up and scare them away from the treasure!

Alice

You mean we should distract them with lies?

Marisa

We won't be lying. We just gotta tell them the treasure is dangerous.

Marisa

We'll play our roles as detectives and attack them. It'll tire them out, and all the confusion will make them slow.

Nazrin

And that's how we'll get to the treasure first and destroy it, right?

Marisa

Exactly!

Patchouli

But what if they get to the treasure before us?

Marisa

PLAYER and Hecatia will also be there. I'm sure they'll think of something to buy us some time.

Shou

I hope you're right... Let's give it a shot.

Storyteller

So, it seems the detectives gave that warning and attacked the Five Tales as part of their last-minute plan.

Storyteller

But perhaps that was for the best. The thieves were unlikely to work with them even if they hadn't met the day before.

Storyteller

Why, you ask?

Storyteller

It's just like Marisa said. Phantom thieves and detectives don't work together.

Storyteller

They're rivals by profession. That's just how it is.

Two hours since the break-in, inside the tiny swap box. The Five Tails encounter the changes taking place in the mansion.

Two more hours since then─

Inside the tiny swap box: The changes in the mansion get worse and Youmu Konpaku gets stuck in a room that caves in.

The Five Tails once again run into the Joon Phantom Thieves.

Storyteller

The mansion started to collapse. The phantom thieves thought it was caused by some weird sorcery, aka the bug, but...

Storyteller

They were wrong.

Storyteller

If you remember, one of them noticed a similarity...

Formula Picara

This looks like the work of Lady Yukari to me...

Flame Picara

Are you saying your master is the one behind this weird sorcery?

Formula Picara

Hm, maybe not... 'cause if it was her, things would be more elaborate and precise.

Formula Picara

Not clumsy and unstable like it is right now. Lady Yukari's magic can't be messed with so easily.

Storyteller

Yes, someone was using magic similar to my own. And that someone was behind the things happening at Hakugyokurou.

At the same time as the weird stuff started happening in Hakugyokurou inside the tiny swap box─

Chen was working to fix the bug with Ran's help outside the tiny swap box─

Chen

Umm, I'll change this first and then... and then...!

Ran

Calm down, Chen. Take it one step at a time─

Chen

Oh, no! All the furniture turned white!

Ran

It's like everything in the room suddenly lost its color and texture. But let's fix this later.

Chen

O-OK!

Chen

This room's interior has completely disappeared!

Ran

This is bad! We can't have anyone waltz in there!

Ran

We need to block the door to that room.

Chen

Uh-oh.

Ran

What now?

Chen

PLAYER and the Five Tails have already opened the door...

Ran

Wh-What?!

Ran

Let's just hope they don't fall in...

Ran

Everyone seems to be getting closer to the hidden treasure. How much of the data have you restored, Chen?

Chen

There's just a little bit left. I don't know why, but a countdown has popped up.

Chen

What could it be?

Ran

"Two hours to go." Is this...

Ran & Chen

A deadline?!

Storyteller

A time limit was set. Things were looking really bad.

Storyteller

So what happened after that?

Storyteller

I could continue the story, but...

Storyteller

You must be getting tired.

[...?]

Storyteller

Let's take a little break.

Storyteller

I love battles and chitchat.

Storyteller

Anyway, let's continue with the story.

Storyteller

Chen made a couple of mistakes while trying to fix the program.

Storyteller

One of them, or perhaps all of them together, made the bug worse.

Storyteller

And a countdown was triggered. It was like they had lit the fuse of a bomb.

Storyteller

It happened exactly when the phantom thieves arrived in front of the Saigyou Ayakashi in the tiny swap box.

Storyteller

They had to deal with a crazy Yuyuko, destroy the hidden treasure, and fix the program...

Storyteller

And they had only two hours to do it all.

Storyteller

That meant...

Storyteller

The deadline was the break of day at around 6 a.m.─seven hours since the phantom thieves broke into Hakugyokurou.

Storyteller

What would happen if they didn't make it in time, you ask?

Storyteller

Exactly what Yuyuko said would happen.

Yuyuko

─I'll erase every single one of you.

Storyteller

Every bit of data would be erased. What would that look like? Well, I'll leave that to your imagination.

Storyteller

But this is a story, and miracles tend to happen in stories.

Inside the tiny swap box at around 5:45 a.m.: The phantom thieves and detectives were battling Yuyuko Saigyouji.

Meanwhile─

Outside the tiny swap box: Chen and Ran were busy fixing the program.

Ran

(We're running out of time! There's got to be a way─)

Yukari

It's OK, Ran. You don't need to panic. Chen won't learn if you help her too much.

Yukari

By the way, she's already fixed a part of the data.

Yukari

─Yuyuko's servant is back in action.

Yukari

Let's just have some faith in Chen.

Ran

Lady Yukari...

Chen

OK, this bit is done. Now I just gotta change the code here... and it should work!

Chen

Huh, why didn't it work?! OK, then I'll just override Lady Yuyuko's data and make her stop!

Chen

Ugh, why isn't it working...? She's acting even more weird...

Chen

I can't give up! Lady Yukari and Lady Ran have trusted me with this! I won't let them down!

Chen

Maybe I should try running it from another path!

Chen

I-It worked! Now it's almost done!

Chen

Hang in there, PLAYER, everyone! It'll be done soon!

Formula Picara

Let's go!

Formula Picara & Chen

We did it!

Storyteller

─The bug was fixed one hour and fifty-nine minutes after the countdown began.

Storyteller

It was a close call. This story wouldn't have been so nerve-racking if you didn't know the flip side, huh?

Storyteller

By the way, the hidden treasure was destroyed at the exact same time the bug was fixed.

Storyteller

Was that a coincidence? Or was it inevitable?

Storyteller

Or was it because Formula Picara was modeled after Chen─

Storyteller

Was that a stray cat?

Storyteller

Or was it one of the cat phantom thieves?

Storyteller

I'll leave that to your imagination.

Storyteller

Well...

Storyteller

This is where the story ends.

Storyteller

Did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it sometime.

Storyteller

I'll have to invite you back here or to some other boundary to talk about it.

Storyteller

Until we meet again─

Storyteller

Farewell.

Storyteller

So we meet again.

Storyteller

It feels like we spoke not that long ago, but I can't say for sure.

Storyteller

Well, it doesn't matter. Time is relative, anyway.

Storyteller

I don't know how long it's been, but welcome.

Storyteller

The story from last time was quite interesting, wasn't it?

Storyteller

I'm talking about the story with the cat phantom thieves. Did you forget about it already?

Storyteller

I hope not, because I wanted to show you the sequel.

Storyteller

OK, maybe I need to refresh your memory.

Storyteller

One fine day, Chen decided to update the tiny swap box by modifying the Chivalrous Phantom Thief Princess story.

Storyteller

She added two things. A new phantom thief gang and─

Storyteller

A treasure hidden in the Netherworld at Hakugyokurou.

Storyteller

However, Chen made a fatal error while modifying the program.

Storyteller

That caused a bug in the hidden treasure...

Storyteller

The treasure had to be destroyed, and the program had to be rewritten to repair the corrupted data.

Storyteller

Everyone worked together to fix the bug, and all was well.

Storyteller

That's how the story went.

Storyteller

And now, I'm going to tell you what happened after the bug was fixed.

Storyteller

Chen and her friends decided to enter the tiny swap box to play.

Storyteller

Let's jump right in.

A few days after the bug was fixed. Somewhere inside the tiny swap box, with PLAYER, Chen and the others.

Mike

Wow, did you write the code for this place?

Chen

Yeah, I added a new phantom thief gang, so I made this hideout for them!

Rin

I assumed phantom thieves would have discreet hideouts in back alleys, or like, live in luxurious mansions, but...

Mike

I'd never be able to guess what this place was just by looking at it from the outside!

(There was a lot going on last time, so I didn't notice!)

(So this is what it looked like from the outside!)

Chen

PLAYER plays this game often so she already knows, but there are all sorts of places in here!

Rin

What about Former Hell and the Human Village? Are they in here, too?

Chen

Yeah! I'll show you around as we go!

Mike

Wow, I wonder what they look like in-game!

Mike

Whoa, this virtual world is amazing. It looks just like the real world!

Rin

All the buildings have been replicated to perfection... even the interiors.

Chen

(Maybe I shouldn't tell them about the whole Hakugyokurou fiasco...)

???

...

Mike

─That was fun! Everything looks so real!

Rin

I wanna do something that I can't do in the real world.

Chen

Like how Marisa and the others play detectives?

Rin

Yeah, something like that. I wanna pretend like I'm a whole new person. You don't get to do that in real-world games.

Mike

Let's ask them how to do it!

Rin

What a coincidence...

Rin

I didn't know Marisa and the others were here.

Rin

Judging by those outfits, it looks like they're playing detective. Mike's right, this is a good time to ask them about it.

Chen

Huh...?

Chen

But I remember changing the settings on the tiny swap box, so only we're allowed to get in here from the outside world...

Chen

That means they're from here...!

Swap Box Detective Alice

You've sure got guts to just waltz up to us like this. You shouldn't underestimate us.

Swap Box Detective Patchouli

Did you think you could fool us by changing your outfits?

Mike & Rin

Huh?

Swap Box Detective Marisa

You ain't getting away today, Five Tails!

Mike, Chen & Rin

HUUUUUUH?!

The Three Witch Detectives

Come back here!

Rin

Wh-Why are they chasing us?!

Mike

And what's a Five Tails?!

Chen

I-I'll explain later! Let's get outta here first!

Thirty minutes after the encounter with the Three Witch Detectives. In the rice fields away from the Forest of Magic─

Mike

Ph-Phew, we managed to shake them off somehow!

Rin

Why were they calling us "Five Tails"?

Chen

Umm... That's 'cause─

Rin

Oh... So, basically...

Rin

The members of the phantom thief gang you added look exactly like us and...

Mike

Marisa and the others are detectives from this world, and they came after us 'cause they thought we were them.

Are they still looking for us?

Chen

I don't know, but it's gonna be a pain if they find us again. Maybe we should go back.

Rin

Yeah, we can play another day!

Mike

Wait... Isn't that...?

Chen

What's wrong, Mike?

Rin

That's the head of the Keiga Family, right? Is she real, or is she also from here?

Chen

I-I hope she's real! (Or maybe it's better if she isn't!)

Mike

Didn't you say we're the only ones from the real world here?

Mike, Chen & Rin

Uh...

Swap Box Officer Saki

I FINALLY FOUND YOU! Hand over what you stole!

Saki

FIVE TAILS!

Chen

W-Wait a minute! We aren't phantom thieves─

Swap Box Officer Saki

COME AGAIN? I can't hear you!

Rin

Then maybe you should stop screaming at the top of your voice first!

Mike

Anyway, the point is that...

Mike, Chen & Rin

We didn't steal anything!

Swap Box Officer Saki

Oh, really? I found a notice from you guys, so I thought you did...

Swap Box Officer Saki

OK, if you're really innocent...

Swap Box Officer Saki

I'll only arrest you if I catch you!

Mike, Chen & Rin

You're crazy!

Mike

Our bullets aren't slowing her down, and she doesn't seem to be giving up!

Chen

She's gonna catch up soon! What do we do?!

Swap Box Officer Saki

If you're gonna call yourselves phantom thieves, you gotta train harder! I'm gonna get you soon!

Swap Box Thief Yachie

Was that who I think it was...?

Swap Box Thief Yachie

Wow, I feel bad for those girls. I wouldn't wanna be chased by Kurokoma.

Swap Box Thief Yachie

I'm done gathering intel for the day. I better get back to the hideout before I get dragged into their mess.

Swap Box Officer Saki

Oh, hey, Yachie! I almost didn't see you there.

Swap Box Thief Yachie

I wish you hadn't...

Swap Box Officer Saki

It's my lucky day. I ain't gonna let you get away this time!

Swap Box Thief Yachie

What happened to chasing the cats?

Swap Box Thief Yachie

I hope you don't think it's gonna be easy to catch me.

Swap Box Officer Saki

I don't. And that's exactly why I wanna do it!

Mike, Chen & Rin

...

Chen

A-Are we safe now?

Mike

I don't know, but I think we should run as far away as possible.

Rin

She might still come after us. I don't wanna get caught up in this mess.

???

You guys seem to be taking it easy.

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

What you stole wasn't even worth the trouble, you know?

Swap Box Detective Shou

Someone already made a big purchase the other day, so you only managed to steal what was left over.

Chen

How many times do we need to say that we aren't phantom thieves?! We didn't steal anything!

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

How dumb do you think we are? I must say, I'm insulted.

Swap Box Detective Shou

Nazrin, let's arrest them. Interrogating them is the fastest way to find out if they're lying or not.

Mike, Chen & Rin

D-Did you say interrogating?!

Rin

L-Let's get outta here, you guys!

Mike & Chen

Y-Yeah, let's!

Swap Box Detective Shou

No, wait!

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

We gotta go after them, Master!

Mike, Chen & Rin

Why is this happening?!

Two hours since the chase began. In the Human Village, with PLAYER and the others─

Mike

We've been running for hours! It's already dark.

Chen

It's all my fault. If I hadn't made the Five Tails look like us, this never would've happened.

Rin

Don't worry about it! We got to experience what it's like to be phantom thieves!

Mike

Yeah, I learned how to run and hide from people like a pro today!

You guys should play this as the Five Tails next time!

Rin

That's a good idea!

Mike

Yeah, sounds fun!

Chen

You guys...

Chen

Thank you!

Rin

Ugh, those detectives are relentless.

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

You cats sure are good at hide and seek. I had a hard time finding you.

Swap Box Detective Shou

But enough is enough. You're not getting away this time!

Mike

OK, fine...

Mike

We'll prove our innocence with a battle of bullets!

Rin

This is gonna be a pain...

Rin

But we're not gonna go down without a fight!

Chen

C'mon, let's give it all we've got!

Rin

Now's our chance to get away!

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

Boy, you really do think we're dumb, huh?

Chen

What do you mean─

???

Thanks for buying us time.

Mike, Chen & Rin

Th-The Three Witch Detectives?!

Swap Box Detective Alice

We had to leave our tea party unfinished to get here. Can't you just make things easier for us and give up already?

Swap Box Detective Patchouli

You're trapped like mice... or should I say cats? It's best for everyone that you stop running.

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

How rude. Mice would've done a much better job than them...

Swap Box Detective Shou

Don't get so offended, Nazrin. It's just a phrase.

Mike

Wh-What now?! I don't see a way out!

Rin

We could try to explain that we aren't phantom thieves, but I doubt they'd believe us.

Chen

Gah, there's gotta be a way out─

Chen

Wait, aren't they...?!

Around four hours since the chase began. With PLAYER and the others at ???─

Chen

Whoa, I didn't expect you guys to save us. Thank you so much!

Chen

─Five Tails!

Formula Picara

Hehe, we stole the treasure, so why should you suffer the consequences? And how could we not help our cat friends?!

Flame Picara

I was surprised to see how much we look alike... Too bad the detectives thought you were us.

Fortune Picara

But I'm kinda glad that happened 'cause we got to meet you guys and see PLAYER again!

Thanks for helping us!

Are you friends with the Joon Phantom Thieves now?

Formula Picara

Yeah, but they're still our rivals, you know?

Flame Picara

They're an interesting bunch. I wouldn't mind working with them again.

Fortune Picara

That reminds me of what happened earlier─

One hour ago. In the Human Village, with PLAYER and the others─

Chen

Wait, aren't they...?!

Chen

Aren't they the real Five Tails?!

Detectives

WHAT?!

Swap Box Detective Alice

Does this mean...

Swap Box Detective Alice

We've been after the wrong people this whole time?!

Swap Box Detective Shou

That means you're the real thieves!

Formula Picara

Thank you, Captain Obvious!

Five Tails

The treasure belongs to us!

Is that the canned cat food I bought last time?!

(I didn't know they liked it so much.)

Swap Box Detective Marisa

C'mon, guys, we gotta get the real Five Tails!

Swap Box Detective Alice

EEK! Something just caught my leg...!

Swap Box Detective Patchouli

This looks like spider webs...!

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

Don't tell me it's who I think it is!

Swap Box Detective Shou

A sniper is shooting at us... this has got to be them.

Swap Box Thief Nue

You guys seem to be having a party without us.

Swap Box Thief Yamame

Let us in on the fun! What ever happened to the more the merrier?!

Swap Box Detective Marisa

Ugh, why did the Joon Phantom Thieves have to show up?!

Swap Box Thief Shion

Now's your chance, Five Tails!

Swap Box Thief Joon

Remember, you owe us one!

Fortune Picara

It's not like we asked for your help... but thanks!

Flame Picara

Let's get outta here!

Mike, Chen & Rin

I-Is that a car?!

Mike

Don't you have one, too, Orin? Why are you so surprised?

Rin

My wheelbarrow can't transform like that!

Formula Picara

You guys are coming with us! Hop on in!

Chen

I don't know what's going on here, but OK, we'll go with you!

Swap Box Detective Alice

They're getting away!

Swap Box Detective Marisa

I know, but we can't do anything with the Joon Phantom Thieves in our way!

Swap Box Detective Nazrin

We're just gonna have to let them go...

Rin

That was awesome! Now I wanna know more about you guys!

Mike

Can you tell us about your escapades?

Five Tails

Of course!

Formula Picara

I have an idea!

Formula Picara

Why don't we snack on some cat food while we chat?!

Chen

Yay!

Several hours since the chase ended. In the rice fields away from the Forest of Magic─

Swap Box Thief Yachie

When are you gonna give up? I've got other things to do, you know?

Swap Box Officer Saki

What a coincidence! So do I!

Swap Box Officer Saki

But...

Swap Box Officer Saki

Giving up isn't my style!

Swap Box Thief Yachie

Ugh...

Swap Box Thief Yachie

Enough! You're going down!

If you're wondering how long their battle went on... Well, that's a story for another time.

Storyteller

How did you like the story?

Storyteller

Chen, Rin, and Mike got to meet the Five Tails who looked exactly like them.

Storyteller

Everything worked out well, and they seemed to get along.

Storyteller

Now that I think about it...

Storyteller

I heard a psychic met someone who looked just like her during one of the incidents.

Storyteller

Humans say that something really bad happens when you run into your doppelganger.

Storyteller

But our youkai and shikigami seemed to be fine.

Storyteller

Maybe that's because characters in a virtual world aren't the same as doppelgangers.

Storyteller

Or maybe the bad thing is yet to happen. Then again, who's to say it hasn't already begun?

Storyteller

Speaking of doppelgangers... You've met one, haven't you?

Storyteller

No, don't answer that. I'll save that question for another time.

Storyteller

Oh, are you wondering if I'm a doppelganger?

Storyteller

Hehe, I'll leave that to your imagination.

Storyteller

Anyway, it's time to say goodbye. I look forward to seeing you again.

Storyteller

PLAYER, and...

Storyteller

You.

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Code Name: Picara ~Five Tails~

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Code Name: Picara ~Five Tails~