Inheritance of Shadows [Hugo Vlad x Fem!OC]

Chapter 2: Fractures, memories from the past

The city noise faded into a distant throb—neon lights flickered overhead, casting uneven shadows in the grime-slicked alley. The Ruby in his pocket resonated with his heart.

Hugo stumbled against a damp wall, clutching his chest. His breathing was shallow, ragged—not from running, but from something inside tearing deeper.

It's getting worse.

His fingers trembled as he fumbled for his phone, trying to call his partner to pick him up. The screen flickered, stained with the faint smear of blood at the edge of his palm.

One new message.

Yukari Yuki: I failed... for the first time.

He stared at the message, silent. His heart should've felt victorious.

But all he could think about...

Was her name.

—

"That thief is so obnoxious, I can't believe he slipped right through me! That bastard has a knack of fooling people, hate to say it but he's way too clever. He made a disaster for me!" Yukari started ranting, hating to admit how cunning that phantom thief is. Hugo was carefully listening, sipping the coffee before him. Yukari followed him after.

She sips, returning her gaze into his calm eyes. It was two in the afternoon, Yukari was let out early and she immediately texted Hugo if he was available, in which he conveniently was. And thus, they met up in the usual café.

Hugo's eyebrow lifted, a faint smile creeping up his lips. "I've heard. Must've been chaotic."

"You have no idea," she sighed, eyeing him carefully. "The thief... he's different. Almost like he knew exactly what I was thinking."

"Sounds personal." Hugo tilted his head slightly. "Did you get a good look at him?"

"Close enough," Yukari said, her eyes heavy in distraught. "But not clear enough."

Hugo chuckled softly, leaning back, crossing one leg over the other. "Well, maybe next time you'll catch him."

"Maybe," Yukari murmured. She hesitated briefly before adding, "Strange thing is, he reminded me of someone."

Hugo's gaze sharpened subtly. "Someone you know?"

Her voice softened, eyes locked on his. "I'm not sure yet."

Yukari eyed her friend in a calculating behaviour. "You don't happen to have a briefcase, do you?"

Hugo laughed, acting as if Yukari was talking nonsense. "No way, what reason would I have a briefcase to carry around. Wait a minute, perhaps I do." He pondered a bit before talking more. "I have a brown briefcase to carry luggage? Like clothes. Does that count?"

Yukari laughed at him sarcastically, remembering back to the Mockingbird's angular briefcase. "Of course it does! But isn't the type of description I was looking for... Either way I got a hell of a scolding from the inspector, even though he did nothing to contribute that much." She sighed. "I mean it's my first time, and he never caught him either so I don't even know why he is mad at me..."

Yukari rested the side of her face over the palm of her left hand which was propped on the table. She stares at her coffee, gloom rained over her, stirring her coffee around slowly. She used to feel confident, yet she's getting blamed for not doing her job properly. The only thing she's good at doing and she failed miserably.

Hugo felt bad—almost guilty for causing her depressed state. He didn't mean to make her feel gloomy. He stares at her softly, watching her adorable face slightly pout. But it's to be expected. Instead of comforting her with words, he gives her something else instead, "Yukari, here."