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.

.

Scaramouche

"... For me. Being a criminal isn't fun for everyone."

"I wouldn't label myself as a criminal, more like... A person who commits crimes for their own good."

"Wouldn't you agree with me?"

Boy

"I... Don't know what you mean."

Scaramouche sighed and came closer to the boy, sitting on the grass. The boy did the same thing. They were resting on the grass, facing each other.

Scaramouche

"I don't have much mora. But, nobody seems to give me mora since they want to keep it for themselves, right?"

Boy

"I can give you mora!"

Scaramouche chuckled softly.

Scaramouche

"That's not what I meant, kid."

"I didn't choose to be like this, the decisions and actions of others made me like this."

"Does it make sense now?"

Boy

"So... They're the bad guys."

Scaramouche

"Exactly! It's crazy how a kid like you understands better than full-grown adults. You're special."

Boy

"You think so?!"

Scaramouche

"Yes."

Boy

"We are friends now. Let's play ball!"

Scaramouche

*Sigh* "I don't see why not."

y'all better not come at me for making him 'too nice' it's been confirmed that scara treats the elderly and children with kindness (surprisingly?!) 😘

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.

.

You smiled as you saw Scaramouche playfully compete with the boy.

Scaramouche

"That was a good throw!"

They bounced the ball back and forth, never dropping it once. It got to the point where Scaramouche couldn't catch the ball anymore, and it landed by your foot this time. When Scaramouche turned around to go retrieve it, he noticed you with your mask on to conceal your identity and froze, his smile immediately disappearing.

You

"That was quite a show."

Scaramouche

"Wh- How long have you been there?! You didn't see a fucking thing!"

You

"Heehee, I saw everything."

Boy

"Sir, who is that?"

Scaramouche

"It's- Uhm... It's-"

Boy

"You are friends?"

You

"Oh, and who's this?"

Scaramouche

"It's a lot to explain-"

You

"Hehe, I've never seen you happier. This is amusing."

Scaramouche

"You saw nothing!"

You smiled and laughed, looking at Scaramouche who was now grumpy and embarrassed.

Boy

"Can we play again? Your friend can join us this ti-"

???

"What are you doing to my son?!"

An angry woman interrupted and grabbed her child in her arms.

You

"Oh, that must be the mother."

Mother

"You damned criminals! You stay away from me and my family!"

Scaramouche

"What family? I don't see the dad."

You

*Gasp* "That's so foul!"

You giggled, holding back the urge to burst out in laughter.

Mother

"You!- I will be telling the Tenryou Commission of this!"

You

"No, you won't."

Mother

"!..."

"And... And what makes you so sure?!"

You

"Woman, we're on an isolated island that the Tenryou Commission doesn't know about. They won't come here."

Mother

"You... You don't... Know that for sure."

Scaramouche

"It's your fault for coming here anyways, you should've just stayed with your first husband in Inazuma City instead of leaving him because he didn't have the mora that you desire."

Mother

"Oh! What did you tell these people?!"

Boy

"I just told them the truth."

You and Scaramouche covered your mouths, desperate to laugh.

Mother

"... That's it. We're leaving!"

"You stay away from those criminals from now on, you got that?"

Boy

"But mom, they're not criminals. They're just people who commit crimes for their own good, and it's the 'good' people who made them this way."

Mother

"Oh, don't believe all the lies they tell you. They're trying to play with your mind."

Carrying her child, she walked at a fast pace and left.

.

.

.

You

"Archons, that was priceless!"

"You were playing with this kid who told you about his shitty mom and his mora-lacking dad?! Hilarious!"

Scaramouche

"You don't understand!... I was just!... Bored! Yes, I was bored, so I played ball with the kid."

You

"Bored? What were you even doing out here anyway? I woke up and you were gone, for a minute I thought you left me."

Scaramouche

"I was getting us fruits for breakfast. I'm starving, and I'm sure you are too."

You

"Aww, you got us breakfast? How sweet."

Scaramouche

"I swear to the Archons, if you start using those goddamn pet names again, I will not hesitate to drown myself in that lake right over there."

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You

"We're here."

-AMAKANE ISLAND, A FEW MINUTES AWAY FROM INAZUMA CITY, MORNING-

You

"It's been a while!"

Scaramouche

"..."

You

"..."

"Nervous?"

Scaramouche

"What? No."

"Let's just do it."

You

*Sigh* "Alright, if you say so."

.

.

.

You

"Shouldn't you be at least hiding your face with that hat of yours? Your face is all over those wanted posters, remember?"

He told you previously what the child had told him; the wanted posters, when he was overtaken by his embarrassment at being caught playing with a child.

Scaramouche

"No. I want Ei to know that it was me who caused havoc in her beloved Inazuma City."

You

"Ah, alright. Where shall we start?"

Scaramouche

"Hm... That one over there."

Scaramouche pointed to a small store that sold packaged goods. It would be beneficial in providing you with food for the coming few weeks.

You

"Good choice."

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.

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Aoi

"Help! Help!"

The woman behind the desk cried wildly, her voice scratched.

You

"... We haven't even done anything, and she's already freaking out."

Aoi

"You! You're The Balladeer!"

Scaramouche

"Not anymore."

Aoi

"No lies! I... I've gotta report to... The Tenryou Commission at once!"

"The Balladeer! Everyone!"

Everyone looked around, startled, Aoi's shouts drawing their attention. They realized when they saw the man with the large hat. They fled quickly, the distraught parents guarding their children with everything they had. 

This was much easier than you anticipated. Even if the Tenryou Commission came after you, it wouldn't be that serious. They suck anyways.

You

"Wow, you're like a celebrity! How does it feel to be known all over Inazuma City?"

Aoi

"Why can't I get out?!"

Aoi attempted to escape from behind the desk along with the others. Her quivering hands were worthless in opening the door that would set her free. You and Scaramouche merely chuckled and stared at the key on the desk.

Scaramouche

"Looking for this?"

Scaramouche held the key, extending out his hand to offer it to her. Aoi did nothing except back away violently, her back glued to the wall.

Aoi

"Wh-Where did you find that?! Thief! Give it back!"

Scaramouche

"Uh, well... I'm trying to give it to you so you can open the door, but you're not taking it."

Scaramouche attempted to get even closer to Aoi by pressing himself on the counter. But Aoi simply moved her head to the side, and closed her eyes in fear that he might stab her with the key.

Aoi

"Stop it! Get back! You'll be put behind bars for this!"

You

"Hehe..."

Scaramouche

*Sigh* "She's not taking the key. What to do now, Y/N? The police will be here any minute now."

You

"If she doesn't want the key, then I'll take it."

You took the key and opened the door since Aoi couldn't. She flung herself through the door as soon as it was unlocked, smashing it down. She landed on top of the door and immediately got back up. 

She looked back at you with her tangled hair as she ran slow, then onward, nearly tripping as she went.

Scaramouche

"Well... I guess that's another way to open the door."

You

"Look at this haul! Do you think we should start farming and stuff so we can grow our own crops?"

Scaramouche

"Hell no! Too much work."

"Plus,"

"Stealing's a lot more fun."