Clamp School Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Nokoru's First Love ❯ The Fashionable Thief: Part One ( Chapter 7 )

SailorStar9: Hell finally froze over since I finally got my butt down to type this fic. This is Chapter 7. And I finally found the CLAMP episodes on YouTube. Horary for me! Read and review.

 

Words in italics refer to thoughts and flashbacks.

 

Disclaimers: Why do I have to say this every single time? I own not the legal rights of Sailor Moon or CLAMP Campus Detectives.

 

Chapter 7: The Fashionable Thief: Part One

 

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The scene opens with a flashback of Ohkawa Utako's birthday party the year before and an ice sculpture of a mermaid was the most expensive gift.

 

All was going well until a huge metal clamp came down from the sky and took the statue away.

 

The famous 20 Masks stood in a hot-air balloon to ferry the ice sculpture away.

 

Looking at a note that fell into her hands, Utako noticed that it was a greeting from the infamous thief.

 

At that, Ohkawa Utako woke up.

 

“A dream?” she wondered out loud.

 

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“Nokoru-sama, this is the report on the joint meeting.” Utako informed her fellow Council President as she handed him a stack of papers.

 

“Thank you.” Nokoru nodded his thanks.

 

“President Ohkawa, how about some tea with us?” he offered.

 

“You'll have to bear with my tea as Ijyuin isn't here.” Souh Takamura replied, joining the conversation.

 

“I'm honored.” Utako told the fifth grader.

 

“Speaking of which….” she turned to the otherwise empty room.

 

“Akira is showing some visitors around the campus.” Nokoru answered her unasked question.

 

“Visitors?” Utako echoed and smiled.

 

“You remember when 20 Masks took the curtain from the Gamera Hall last year?” Nokoru reminded her.

 

“Of course.” Utako nodded.

 

“Actually, a group of people are here to do a report on that 20 Masks case.” he added.

 

“A report on 20 Masks?” Utako blinked.

 

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Elsewhere, Ijyuin Akira is showing the above-mentioned visitors around.

 

“The current curtain is a new one made after the theft. But the design is identical to the one that was stolen.” he explained.

 

“Ijyuin…” the club president interrupted.

 

“Yes?” Akira asked.

 

“I hear that CLAMP's security system is the best in the world.” The president remarked.

 

“That's correct.” Akira nodded.

 

“That people outside campus cannot enter or leave campus without permission.” The president continued

 

“That's also correct.” Akira nodded.

 

“But still 20 Masks managed to steal the curtain from inside this hall?” The president inquired.

 

“Yes, that's correct. Anything wrong with that?” Akira replied.

 

“Then, 20 Masks would probably be someone affiliated with this school.” The president reasoned

 

Akira gasped.

 

“Nah…” The president waved his theory aside.

 

“An interesting theory.” Ohkawa Utako sounded from behind.

 

“Kindergarten Division President Ohkawa.” Akira blinked.

 

“Ohkawa?” The president frowned.

 

Akira smiled, “Allow me to introduce you. This is Utako Ohkawa, the president of CLAMP School's Kindergarten Division.”

 

Turning to Utako, he added, “And these are the members of the 20 Masks Fan Club.”

 

“20 Masks Fan Club?” Utako echoed.

 

“His activities are very popular overseas.” The president told her

 

“I'm also a big fan of his.” Utako replied, shaking his offered hand.

 

“Don't you mean victim? I mean last year on your birthday, a mermaid made of ice adorned with a sapphire worth 100 million yen was stolen by 20 Masks.” The president pointed out

 

“I'm surprised you know that.” Utako told him.

 

“20 Masks is a great man. He has dreams, he is a romantic. A true modern-day fantasy. 20 Masks is truly the greatest thief of this century. We came all the way to Japan to see his action with our own eyes.” The president beamed joyously.

 

Akira and Utako looked at each other.

 

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That night, Akira and Utako met up as usual.

 

“I've never heard of a fan club for a thief. This world is coming to an end.” Utako remarked.

 

“Um… excuse me.” Akira begun.

 

“No need to apologize. 20 Masks is really charming. But…” Utako told him.

 

“But?” Akira blinked.

“Knowing a thief personally is really taxing on your nerves.” Utako replied.

 

Akira smiled, “Please be assured. I've been concentrating on schoolwork and council duty lately.”

 

“Really?” Utako asked.

 

“The people that request service from 20 Masks are currently on a cruise around the world. So…” Akira answered.

 

“So `work' has shut down for the time being.” Utako finished his sentence.

 

“I will notify you first Utako, before resuming that `job'.” Akira promised.

 

“That's a promise right?” Utako confirmed.

 

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Flashback

 

“Who's there?” Utako demanded.

 

“Good evening.” A voice greeted her.

 

“You are…” Utako gasped.

 

“The one that they call The Mysterious 20 Masks.” A figure replied.

 

“The Mysterious 20 Masks?” Utako echoed.

 

Removing his mask, revealing his identity as Akira, he added, “I'm not anyone suspicious so please don't mind me.”

 

“What part of someone who appears this late at night is NOT suspicious?” Utako questioned harshly.

 

“Come to think of it… I'm sorry, I must have sounded stupid.” Akira chuckled.

 

“No time for joking around! 20 Masks is a thief right?” Utako scolded.

 

“Yes.” Akira replied.

 

“I thought thieves were bad people that steal other people's stuff. I know, I heard of them.” Utako remarked.

 

“You are well-learned.” Akira commented.

 

“But there is nothing to steal in this house. The only thing I can think of is cute little me!” Utako told him.

 

“To tell the truth, I was being chased and when I jumped in to safety, you were here.” Akira explained.

 

“You're such a goofball.” Utako pouted.

 

“Everyone tells me that.” Akira smiled.

 

Giving the younger girl a slight bow, he added, “I'm truly sorry I bothered you so late at night.”

 

“WAIT!” Utako cried out, when Akira turned to leave.

 

“You are going to leave after barging in on a lady's room this late at night without doing anything in return?” she rebuked.

 

“Um… What should I do then?” Akira asked, confused.

 

“I want you to stay a bit longer.” Utako replied, a small smirk on her face.

 

Akira blinked when Utako neatly slammed a tea cup in front of him.

 

“Your name is?” he asked, prompting conversation.

 

“Utako Ohkawa. CLAMP School Kindergarten Division, Class `moon', single.” Utako replied, sitting down on a chair next to him.

 

“You seem upset. Is it because I bothered you so late at night?” Akira noted.

 

“No.” Utako replied.

 

“Then do you have something on you mind?” Akira questioned.

 

“I was dumped.” Utako confessed.

 

Akira blinked and straightened up, “Oh my… The other person did something really silly. You are such a wonderful young lady.”

 

“I think so myself.” Utako retorted.

 

Then, her face turned downcast, “But my cuteness was totally powerless when faced with the age barrier.”

 

“Utako, what do you think the one thing you shouldn't forget when you love a person is?” Akira asked.

 

“To cherish the partner more than yourself.” Utako replied.

 

Akira chuckled slightly, “No. you have to like yourself first and foremost.”

 

“Why?” Utako wondered.

 

“Because you fell in love, you want them to love you back and be at your side forever, right?” Akira told her.

 

“I don't ask for much, but I DO want to get married and have three kids. Of course, I would like to live in a house away from my parents.” Utako answered.

 

“If you were to give someone you love a gift Utako, you want them to cherish the gift, right? You choose carefully because you want them to always have it with them, right?” Akira asked.

 

Utako nodded at his logic.

 

“Nobody would give anything they don't like to the person they love. Therefore, it's impossible to ask someone to love you if you don't love yourself.” Akira reasoned.

 

“But I don't like myself because I can't get that person to love me.” Utako snapped.

 

“See, that's why your love didn't succeed.” Akira said.

 

Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved something and presented it to Utako.

 

“What is that?” the girl asked, looking at the candy-like object in Akira's hand.

 

“Chocolate bonbons. Do you dislike them?” Akira offered.

 

“I've never had one.” Utako admitted.

 

“They're delicious.” Akira told her.

 

Utako let out a smile for the first time, “When you say that, they really do look good.”

 

“I'll have one.” She said, taking the sweet and popped it into her mouth.

 

“I like it. Give me more.” She requested, after swallowing the candy.

 

“Gladly.” Akira smiled, dropping a pile of the said sweet before her.

 

“Eat a lot, and get mad a lot and when you're done, please smile. I'm sure that there is a wonderful smile hiding behind that pout.” He told her.

 

“There's only skin, fat, and bones under all of this.” Utako retorted.

 

Akira let out an amused laugh.

 

“The person that taught me that a thief was bad was the teacher at school. I always thought that the most just people were teachers. But it doesn't seem that way.” Utako complained.

 

“Why is that?” Akira asked.

 

“Because you smile so kindly.” Utako answered, smiling dreamily.

 

“Do I?” Akira blinked, a faint blush on his cheeks.

 

“The age difference between myself and my teacher was only 17 years.” Utako told him.

 

Jumped up from her seat suddenly, she snapped angrily, “He thought I was a joke because I'm a kid! The only difference between a child and an adult is whether they're old idiots or immature idiots.”

 

“There is a good way out of this.” Akira told her.

 

“What is it?” Utako shouted.

 

“If you can't forget about that teacher, just think of it this way. You don't care if he doesn't love you back, if you can love him for both of you, all is well.” Akira advised.

 

“That's fraudulence, a mere deception! You're just fooling yourself!” Utako protested.

 

“Then you have to find a new love.” Akira replied.

 

Utako gasped.

 

Akira continued, “Humans have the worst memory of any creature on Earth. So if you find a new love, you'll forget the pains of your lost love quickly. Besides…”

 

at this point, Utako was feeling giddy.

 

“There are as many people that can potentially fall in love with you as there are stars in the sky.” Akira finished his counsel.

 

“I'm… getting dizzy…” Utako muttered, wobbling on her feet.

 

Akira managed to catch her before she fell.

 

“Utako!” he shouted worriedly.

 

“Oh, you were twins? I see two faces.” Utako remarked, her vision getting blurry.

 

“Are you all right?” Akira questioned.

 

“Hey 20 Masks!” Utako shouted.

 

“Yes?” Akira blinked.

 

“You said there are as many people that would love me as there are stars in the sky?” Utako demanded.

 

“Yes.” Akira nodded.

 

“Then I'll make YOU my next star.” Utako told him, before passing out altogether.

 

“Utako! Please pull yourself together! At least fall asleep in your bed.” Akira cried out, bringing Utako into her room.

 

“Women who lost their love are weak. But a woman in love is stronger than any words can describe.” Utako mumbled and lost complete consciousness.

 

“Only a little further! You can do it!” Akira told her.

 

“Are you listening?” Utako demanded, suddenly waking up.

 

“Of course I'm listening.” Akira replied, somewhat nervously.

 

Flopping on her bed, Utako continued her rants, “I hate weak people! Because I don't know how long I will be with them, I don't know if I will part from them tomorrow. What if someone I love had something sad happen to them and get hurt and I wasn't around? Who will take responsibility then? From now on, I'll never love a weak person as my `most loved' ever again.”

 

With the last sentence said, she dozed off.

 

Akira gently pulled the cover over her.

 

“All right. I will become strong for you.” He promised.

 

End of flashback

 

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Back to the present, Utako smiled and got off her seat.

 

“Anything wrong?” Akira asked.

 

“The curtain for Gamera Hall… It's now…” Utako begun.

 

“It's the carpet for the living room in our house.” Akira told her, knowing what she was referring to.

 

“I'm sure the fan club members would be surprised to hear that.” Utako mused, stopping at the balcony.

 

“Since my mothers do not take `no' for an answer when they want something, I do apologize for the time I took the ice mermaid.” Akira explained.

 

Utako shook her head, “It's all right. I was much happier with this ribbon.”

 

Akira let out a relieved smile.

 

“You change into 20 Masks to grant your mothers their dreams.” Utako commented.

 

“I have two mothers, but on the other hand, I have no father. It's a rather complicated family structure.” Akira told her, taking his place beside the younger girl.

 

“What is your father like?” Utako inquired.

 

“According to my mothers, my father is the best thief AND the best chef in the world.” Akira replied.

 

“So your talents are from your father.” Utako remarked.

 

“My dream is to make my mothers happy by getting closer to my father's cooking.” Akira confessed.

 

“That's a wonderful dream.” Utako told him.

 

“What about your dream, Utako?” Akira suddenly asked.

 

“Me? It's always been my dream to raise a dog ever since I was younger.” Utako replied.

 

“You like dogs, Utako?” Akira beamed.

 

“Yes! I love dogs. I always had it in my mind that when I get married, I'll have a cute puppy and cute kids and a wonderful husband.” Utako smiled brightly, blushing at the last three words.

“There's no wife out there that is perfect from birth. If I keep working from now, I'm sure I can be a wonderful wife. At least I can.” She added.

 

“Utako, I'm sure you will.” Akira assured her.

 

“Thank you.” Utako smiled.

 

“I'm sure you would look wonderful in a wedding dress.” Akira pondered.

 

“Of course.” Utako beamed.

 

“Please invite me to your wedding.” Akira requested.

 

“Of cou…” Utako replied, before cutting herself off when she realized what Akira had said.

 

“Who and who are you talking about?” she demanded.

 

“Of course, I'm talking about you, Utako and your future husband.” Akira replied, completely clueless on what he had said.

 

“So, you don't care if I get married to someone else at ALL? That's you mean?” Utako pressed.

 

“Married? Me and Utako? Married?” Akira stammered, a very visible blush gracing his face.

 

“Yes!” Utako retorted hotly, stepping forward.

 

“Utako?” Akira blinked, taking a small step back.

 

“20 Masks… 20 Masks… I HATE YOU!” she screamed.

 

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The next morning, in the CLAMP Elementary Council room, Nokoru snapped his fan shut and told his fellow council members, “The airplane museum that the Imonoyama group sponsors is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and the three of us were invited as guests from this school.”

 

The blonde president then noticed Akira's downcast expression.

 

“Akira?” Nokoru stated.

 

“Yes… I'm honored.” Akira replied.

 

“The festivities are planned for next Friday.” Nokoru told him.

 

“I understand.” Akira nodded.

 

“What's wrong? You don't seem so energetic today.” Souh commented.

 

“I'm all right. Nothing's wrong. I'll go make some tea now.” Akira smiled at his two seniors.

 

Why did Utako get so angered all of a sudden? We were talking so happily for a while. Akira wondered, not noticing that the tea cup had overflowed.

 

Meanwhile, Utako was on the swing in the kindergarten playground, seeing her peers play about.

 

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The day finally arrived for the celebrations.

 

When the three CLAMP Elementary Council members cut the ribbon, cameras flashed around them.

 

“For the 10th anniversary celebration of this museum, the Imonoyama Group has graciously donated this golden plane; the Golden Goose! And now a word from Mr. Nokoru Imonoyama from the Imonoyama Group.” The museum's head curator announced.

 

Nokoru stepped forward to give his speech.

 

Silently, Akira slipped out.

 

Outside the auditorium, he heard a whine and saw a puppy before him.

 

Picking the puppy up, Akira giggled when the dog licked him.

 

“Don't. That tickles.” He chided.

 

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That night, Utako waited patiently for Akira to arrive.

 

“It's a Friday today.” She muttered.

 

“Utako.” Mako called out to her younger sister.

 

“Mako…” Utako turned to face her elder sister.

 

“20 Masks didn't show today? Do you hate him already? Were you seeing him because you thought he was in love with you?” the older Ohkawa sibling inquired.

 

“No.” Utako replied.

 

“Then there's no reason to worry about it. Utako, you shouldn't just stay in love with 20 Masks, just as like you have been.” Mako advised.

 

“Mako…” Utako turned to her sister.

 

“I hope you won't say something as stupid as `I don't want to love someone that won't love me back.' After all, love is always a one-way street. You only think that you understand each other. But, THAT is why romance is so interesting. You and 20 Masks are two different people, Utako. Maybe he loves you in a completely different way from how you love him. At least he was showing up every Friday night. It means there was something there. Even if he has no plans of getting married, to you right now, Utako, he may not always feel like that. You can only try to stick it out.” Mako told her.

 

“But, it's over.” Utako replied.

 

“What happened?” Mako asked.

 

“20 Masks won't come again.” Utako wept.

 

“Utako…” Mako mumbled worriedly at her sister.

 

“I told him I hated him. I'll never be able to see 20 Masks again.” Utako cried to Mako.

 

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Meanwhile, the security guard was making his rounds in the museum when his touch light shone onto something.

 

“Who's there?” he demanded.

 

“The Mysterious 20 Masks” the figure declared.

 

“20 Masks?” the guard gasped.

 

He was about to reach for his gun when 20 Masks hit his hand with his calling card.

 

With the guard out of the way, 20 Masks drove the Golden Goose off.

 

He flew the plane above CLAMP campus, incurring the curiosity of the drivers on the roads.

 

“What's that?” one driver questioned.

 

As he flew past the roads, a trail of flyers descended from the sky.

 

Skillfully maneuvering the plane, the fake 20 Masks burst out in triumph laughter.

 

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Later that night, Utako was indoors as the drizzle turned into a downpour.

 

What she did not notice was Akira standing under her window in the rain.

 

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The next morning, the Elementary Council treasurer entered the Council room, looking far from his usual self.

 

“Good morning.” He mumbled.

 

“You don't look too well, Ijyuin.” Souh remarked.

 

“I'm all right.” Akira replied, just as the phone rang.

 

“Hello, Elementary Division Student Council Room.” Nokoru answered the call.

 

“Hold please.” He requested after a while.

 

“It's the president of the 20 Masks fan club.” He told Akira.

 

The treasurer nodded and went tot receive the call.

 

“This is Ijyuin. Thank you for the other day.” Akira spoke.

 

“What? Can you repeat that?” he exclaimed.

 

After the club president hang up the phone, Akira turned his attention to his two seniors.

 

“20 Masks?” Akira gasped.

 

“It's true…” Souh muttered.

 

“The Golden Goose was stolen from the airplane museum.” Nokoru informed Akira.

 

“That can't be… that just…” Akira breathed.

 

Suddenly, he dropped the phone and fainted on the ground.

 

“Akira!” Nokoru shouted, running to the fallen treasurer.

 

“Ijyuin!” Souh yelled, following the president's example.

 

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“He won't tell me why, but he was standing in the rain all night.” Nokoru told the secretary.

 

“That's preposterous. However, he HAS been acting strangely the past few days.” Souh hissed.

 

“It's just as well that his condition isn't serious.” The 20 Masks fan club president remarked.

 

“Nokoru.” Utako's voice was heard.

 

“President Ohkawa?” Nokoru blinked in surprise.

 

Walking forward, Utako posted a request.

 

“I have a favor to ask you, no, to ask the Clamp School Detectives.” She began.

 

“What is it?” Nokoru asked.

 

“I want you to investigate this 20 Masks case.” Utako cried out.

 

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SailorStar9: This chapter is down.