Arsene Lupin Lalafin Nonomiya/Bond Story

*The world-famous thief Arsene Lupin sneaks into the Tower of London determined to steal its diamond. How will he get past Inspector Ganimard’s traps? From “Lupin vs. Inspector Ganimard.”*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Lupin is a Hero

 **Lalafin:**Whew! Finally done cleaning the classroom! It's pretty late — I should head back.

 **Lalafin:**Huh? The lights in the rehearsal room are still on. Did someone forget to turn them off?

 **Lalafin:**Oh well, I'll do that and go back!

 **Tsukasa:****(As Inspector Ganimard)**
"You despicable villain! I've finally got you!"

 **Tsukasa:****(As Inspector Ganimard)**
"Try as you might, you won't fool my eyes!"

 **Lalafin:****(As Arsene Lupin)**
"Bwahaha! Where are you even looking, Inspector Ganimard? I'm over here!"

 **Tsukasa:**Eek! Lalafin! When did you get here!?

 **Lalafin:**Just now! I noticed that the lights were on so I came to have a look.

 **Tsukasa:**Ooh, I see. I asked the teacher if I could use the room to rehearse. Sorry, I made you come here for nothing.

 **Lalafin:**Not at all! I'm glad I could see your Inspector Ganimard in action!

 **Tsukasa:**Thank you. What do you — my rival — think about it?

 **Lalafin:****(As Arsene Lupin)**
"You couldn't sound more villainous, Inspector Ganimard!"

 **Tsukasa:**I'm glad Lupin thinks so. I'm still having a hard time grasping the character.

 **Lalafin:**Really? As far as I can tell, it looks like you've improved even more since the time you performed in class.

 **Tsukasa:**I'm relieved to hear that. Good thing I spoke with Shizuha then.

 **Lalafin:**Uh? What did you talk about?

 **Tsukasa:**We went over the things that make Lupin special and tried to tailor Inspector Ganimard taking them into account.

 **Lalafin:**Whoa, that was quick! Ah, I mean... What did you come up with? I wanna know!

 **Tsukasa:**Well, Lupin is usually portrayed as mysterious and polished, no? But the way you perform him is more fresh and open — almost like the main character from a children's book.

 **Lalafin:**Oh! Come to think of it, the book on Lupin I read when I was younger was written for kids!

 **Lalafin:**It was about this big and had a realistic image of Lupin right on the cover!

 **Tsukasa:**It's probably the same book I borrowed from the library then. I'm trying to mold the character after that.

 **Tsukasa:**Something along the lines of "Inspector Ganimard, the hand of justice that stands against the gentleman thief Lupin"!

 **Lalafin:**I see! That's why you performed so well earlier! Your art can take on different forms too!

 **Tsukasa:**...Ah, well, I guess you could say that. I'm trying to tailor his character after your Lupin, after all.

 **Lalafin:**Oh! Do you want to know my secret technique for action scenes?

 **Tsukasa:**Sure! But first—

 **Tsukasa:**I should focus on how Inspector Ganimard would act when he's in front of Lupin.

 **Lalafin:**What do you mean?

 **Tsukasa:**Since I based his character on your Lupin, how do you think he would be in your world?

 **Tsukasa:**Would he be cool, or funny, or something else entirely...?

 **Lalafin:**I think he would be like a villain in a hero's story!

 **Lalafin:**Lupin is kinda like the main character in the story, right?

 **Lalafin:**He's more like a dark hero, or something like that...

 **Tsukasa:**Huh?

 **Lalafin:**Hmm... Not like a pure hero that doesn't condone evil. More like a hero that isn't afraid to get his hands dirty from time to time!

 **Lalafin:**I guess I could portray him that way too, but I'd rather make him into a pure hero!

 **Tsukasa:**So to highlight that aspect you'd prefer an Inspector Ganimard who is more villainous?

 **Lalafin:**Exactly! Someone who's rough and walks with a stoop!

 **Tsukasa:**Hmm... Interesting idea. Tell me more about your image of a villain!

 **Lalafin:**"You fly! If you can fly, you'll solve all your problems!"

 **Tsukasa:**Huh? Are those lines from somewhere?

 **Lalafin:**I just came up with them! What I mean is — the best way to answer your question is rehearsing together!

 **Tsukasa:**Practice is the best teacher, as they say, huh? Thank you — I was stuck by myself.

 **Lalafin:**Heroes and performances need a partner, after all!

 **Tsukasa:**Oh, like a rival? Inspector Ganimard is a villain, though.

 **Lalafin:**Exactly what a hero needs!

 **Lalafin:**You and I can complement each other, and improve ourselves!

 **Tsukasa:**I think I got the gist of what a hero's story is. All thanks to your sudden appearance, Lalafin!

 **Lalafin:**...! Wait, is that like an elusive phantom?

 **Tsukasa:**Huh? Yeah, something like that.

 **Lalafin:**I see... That's it!

 **Tsukasa:**Huh? What is...?

 **Lalafin:**Why Lupin is like the main character in a hero's story! I just thought it's because he's cool and is the main character, but that's not why!

 **Lalafin:**Lupin is like an elusive phantom that can't help but rescue those in trouble!

 **Tsukasa:**Come to think of it, there was something like that in the book I borrowed. He was very kind to children, and often that led to Inspector Ganimard finding him.

 **Lalafin:**Told you! Lupin is a hero!

 **Lalafin:**I should be thanking you! You made me realize why I saw him as a hero!

 **Tsukasa:**You're welcome. Shall we begin rehearsing?

 **Lalafin:**Let's! Hero and villain finally face each other!

A Dangerous Adventure

 **Lalafin:**Emergency snacks, check! Water flask, check!

 **Tsukasa:**…? Lalafin?

 **Lalafin:**Raincoat in case it rains, check! Backpack, check!

 **Tsukasa:**That’s so much luggage. Are you going on a trip?

 **Lalafin:**I’m going on a big adventure! It’ll be one filled with danger!

 **Tsukasa:**What, really!? What are you going to do about the performance? It’s on Monday—

 **Lalafin:**Tsk, tsk, Tsukasa! Lupin wasn’t just a thief, he was also an adventurer!

 **Tsukasa:**Oh, you’re going somewhere to work on your character. You had me worried.

 **Lalafin:**Heh, heh! As an apology, I would like to invite you on my journey as well. Would you like to join me?

 **Tsukasa:**It sounds fun, but do I have any time to get ready for it? Where are you going, by the way?

 **Lalafin:**A new bakery that Tsukasa told me about the other day!

 **Tsukasa:**That’s just by the station! Isn’t it a bit too close to call it an ‘adventure’!?

 **Lalafin:****(As Arsene Lupin)**
“An adventurer can find adventure even in the most familiar of places, Inspector Ganimard.”

 **Lalafin:****(As Arsene Lupin)**
“if you so desire, I shall teach you how!”

 **Tsukasa:**I see.

 **Tsukasa:****(As Inspector Ganimard)**
“Don’t tell me later that you regret inviting me to tag along, Lupin.”

 **Tsukasa:****(As Inspector Ganimard)**
“I would follow you anyway. It’s my job, after all!”

 **Lalafin:**Great! Let’s go then!

 **Tsukasa:**Yippie!

***\*CLANG CLANG\****

At the bakery by the train station

**Clerk:**Welcome!

 **Lalafin:**Whoa! Look how cute these buns are!

 **Tsukasa:**This bakery is so fancy! Apparently, the manager trained in France.

 **Lalafin:**Oh, that explains why they are so colorful and artsy!

 **Lalafin:**Hey, they have a free tasting! Here I go! \*nom nom\* Whoa!

 **Tsukasa:**Huh? Which one did you try?

 **Lalafin:**Erm… This… brioche…á tête!

 **Tsukasa:**This one? Okay, I’ll buy one…

 **Lalafin:**Ah! This one too! Say, ‘aah’!

 **Tsukasa:**Mm… This is delicious! I’ll take it!

 **Lalafin:**You don’t waste time deciding, do you?

 **Tsukasa:**Aah, this is just my pet peeve. I feel bad if I don’t buy what I try.

 **Lalafin:**I see! Leave it to me then— I’ll make you try all the best ones!

 **Lalafin:**It’s just… They all look so yummy!

 **Lalafin:**We got so much! Let’s give these to Shizuha and the others as a present!

 **Tsukasa:**I’m sure Aruru and Misora will love them! Is this the end of our adventure?

 **Lalafin:**No, we’ve only just got started! We still have to get back to the dorm, after all!

 **Lalafin:**Hmm… Ah, I got it! The first that steps outside of that white line loses!

 **Tsukasa:**What!? That’s so hard!

 **Tsukasa:**Still, I guess it’s an adventure. Your head works in mysterious ways, Lalafin.

 **Lalafin:**You think so? Didn’t you try this game when you were a kid?

 **Tsukasa:**Can’t say I did, but maybe I forgot. Wait, I already stepped out the line… Is this game over?

 **Lalafin:**Be careful! If you don’t find another white line within a minute, it will be!

 **Tsukasa:**Okay, let’s try and find the lines that take us to the dorm the quickest then!

Back at the dorms

 **Tsukasa:**We’re back! It was a super fun adventure— Huh? What are these cookies doing here?

 **Tsukasa:**‘To Tsukasa and Lalafin’ … ? Wait, did Aruru make these?

 **Lalafin:**My hands are sparkling! Huh? What’s wrong?

 **Lalafin:**Lupin is so cool, right? He can overturn any difficult situation and smile in the face of danger! What a hero!

 **Lalafin:**Last Sunday, Shizuha and I played a game of tag! I was Lupin and she was the security guard trying to protect a jewel!

 **Lalafin:**Flying between trees, grabbing jewels with a grabber arm and deceiving everyone with Misora as an ally was really fun.

 **Lalafin:**But every time Shizuha would find me and it was game over. I guess I really can't beat her...