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MEMORY: lupin's promise.
I WANT... TO TOUCH YOU.
LUPIN
All right, we should be safe now.
CARDIA
...
LUPIN
Are you worried? Don't be.
I left some fake footprints behind. They're probably completely lost right now.
I left some fake footprints behind. They're probably completely lost right now.
LUPIN
Another caper completed.
Ha ha, I truly am a genius!
Ha ha, I truly am a genius!
Lupin stretches and looks up at the night sky.
I follow his gaze.
How long has it been since I last stared at the stars?
Not just through the window in my room, but in the fresh air.
The wind brushes against my cheek...
Even though I've seen this so many times to be bored with it, now it feels beautiful...
I follow his gaze.
How long has it been since I last stared at the stars?
Not just through the window in my room, but in the fresh air.
The wind brushes against my cheek...
Even though I've seen this so many times to be bored with it, now it feels beautiful...
LUPIN
Heh...
Lupin appears to be shaking as he focuses on the sky.
CARDIA
What's the matter?
LUPIN
Ha... Haha...
CARDIA
Lupin...?
LUPIN
Ahahahaha!
LUPIN
Mon dieu! Did you see their faces?
Royal Guard, pfft!
They are nothing compared to me!
Royal Guard, pfft!
They are nothing compared to me!
LUPIN
That captain was all, "You fools, he's tricking you!" Hahaha!
They were completely baffled, don't you—
They were completely baffled, don't you—
CARDIA
...
LUPIN
... What's the matter? Are you hurt?
LUPIN
No... Did something hit you as we were escaping? Where are you hurt? You don't have to hide it from me.
I shake my head.
It's not pain... It's sadness.
I was ready for death, but here I am.
I can't touch anyone.
I'm a monster who hurts anyone around me.
My life serves no use to anyone.
It's not pain... It's sadness.
I was ready for death, but here I am.
I can't touch anyone.
I'm a monster who hurts anyone around me.
My life serves no use to anyone.
LUPIN
Oh... So you're not hurt?
Good, good.
Then... what is it?
Good, good.
Then... what is it?
LUPIN
Tell me. What has you so despondent?
CARDIA
Who... are you?
LUPIN
Huh? Oh, pardon me. I do suppose I haven't formally introduced myself.
Lupin bows, as if on stage.
LUPIN
Allow me to present myself: Arsène Lupin.
For reasons I cannot disclose, mademoiselle, I have come to steal your heart.
For reasons I cannot disclose, mademoiselle, I have come to steal your heart.
CARDIA
My... heart?
LUPIN
Yes. Literally.
But I won't take it for free.
But I won't take it for free.
LUPIN
It's not my style to leave a beautiful young woman disappointed. In exchange for your heart, I will grant you one wish.
CARDIA
A wish?
LUPIN
Indeed, mademoiselle. This humble thief promises you in all sincerity, that he will grant you a single wish.
—A wish...
My heart responds to his words.
I have realised what I most desire.
A wish, tucked deep within my heart, that I forbade myself to ever think of.
It bubbles up into my mind.
I have never touched another person. Not once, in my entire life.
I resigned myself to a life like that, and came to terms with it long ago.
As my father said, I would be alone. Forever. But...
My heart responds to his words.
I have realised what I most desire.
A wish, tucked deep within my heart, that I forbade myself to ever think of.
It bubbles up into my mind.
I have never touched another person. Not once, in my entire life.
I resigned myself to a life like that, and came to terms with it long ago.
As my father said, I would be alone. Forever. But...
CARDIA
I want... to touch you.
I want to feel you... Your warmth.
I want to feel you... Your warmth.
The words tumble out before I can stop them.
LUPIN
A touch... I see, so you...
He stares at me, seemingly deep in thought.
CARDIA
Is it impossible...?
LUPIN
No.
Lupin smiles confidently.
He kneels down, takes my hand, and smiles.
He kneels down, takes my hand, and smiles.
LUPIN
Your wish is my command, mademoiselle.
I, Arsène Lupin, do swear that I will grant you your desire.
I, Arsène Lupin, do swear that I will grant you your desire.