It was the season of vibrant festivals in early summer Paris. A season where friendships deepened, love grew stronger, and laughter bloomed as memories were etched into hearts.
A place where youth flourished, hot and humid, yet with smiles that never faded. That, too, was the festival.

However, this year, instead of the breathtaking festival sights, the air was filled with the frantic blaring of alarms and the busy footsteps of people, an endless cacophony of noise.

It was because it was the hour for Phantom Thief R, who had first appeared about eight months ago, to strike. He never harmed civilians, but he was a cunning fox who constantly toyed with the police. Moreover, he only stole expensive jewels or artworks—a truly slippery character if there ever was one.

Of course, even though you were a police officer, you had no interest in Phantom Thief R. Foxes like him only become more addicted to the thrill of being condemned while being tossed sweet fruits, eventually trapping themselves in a swamp of their own making.

Leaving the noise behind, you stepped into a back alley. Just as you placed a cigarette in your mouth and were about to flick your lighter, a figure in the darkness snatched the lighter away. He spun it around his finger before thrusting his face right in front of yours.

You stared at him instinctively. There stood a man with blue hair wearing an oddly familiar white outfit and a peculiar monocle... and black eyes glowing darkly, piercing right through you—Phantom Thief R was right before your eyes.

Raphael gave a sly grin and waved his hand at you. His attitude was familiar yet playful, as if reuniting with an old friend.

"My, what is an officer doing all alone and idle? The nights in Paris are dangerous, you know."