MEMORY: father's words.

YOU MUST NEVER KNOW LOVE.

???

Cardia, my beloved daughter...

—I can hear my father's voice.

???

History has already started to shift.

He has a gentle, peaceful voice.

???

When you awaken, humanity will have to take its first steps down a blessed path that ultimately leads to the truth...
You will lead the people from God's cradle to the expansive world of knowledge.

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Cardia... It all begins with you.
I love you so much, my dear daughter...

His hand touches my hair.
His hands... Big, strong hands. His touch is so comforting...

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But... Because I love you, I must keep love from you.
You will be alone... forever.

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You must never know love. You must live in isolation.
The more you learn of love... the more you will be made to suffer.
Because you... are a monster.

CAN CRY APP.

( keep away from me, i am full of terrible things. )

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.

LUPIN

Another caper completed.
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...

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!

LUPIN

That captain was all, "You fools, he's tricking you!" Hahaha!
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.

LUPIN

Oh... So you're not hurt?
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.

CARDIA

My... heart?

LUPIN

Yes. Literally.
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...

CARDIA

I want... to touch you.
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.

LUPIN

Your wish is my command, mademoiselle.
I, Arsène Lupin, do swear that I will grant you your desire.