Story:

Peach lowered her voice. “The money belongs to somebody. You cannot simply take it.”

Kicho turned from the window. “Since when have the Butterfly Sisters feared guards?”

Peach looked between them.

Violet seemed prepared to offer an encouraging answer.

“Do not,” Peach said. Both sisters paused.

“No more taking things. No more moving things into your bags because you decide nobody is using them. Before doing anything remotely ruthless, ask me.”

Kicho’s eyebrows rose.

“Anything?”

“Yes.”

“That is a broad category.”

“For you two, it needs to be.”

Violet patted her bag. “We required resources. Seira supplied us with shelter, uniforms, and a list of prohibitions. Her generosity did not extend to enjoying the city.”

Peach pressed her fingers against her forehead. “How much?”

“Hmm?”

“How much money did you take?”

“I do not know the value of these papers.”

“Then how many?”

Violet glanced down at the bag, as though hoping it might provide a helpful answer. “By weight? Perhaps ten pounds.”

Peach turned toward the window.

The city beyond it blurred into a mercifully meaningless succession of shopfronts.

Nearly five kilograms. Five kilograms of banknotes. The sisters had been allowed outside for one evening.

Peach’s head sank back against the seat.

Beside her, Kicho leaned forward. “Peach-san?”

For one terrible moment, she seemed to have lost the ability to answer.

Then Peach raised a hand. “I’m awake. Unfortunately.”

Violet’s confidence had begun to look slightly less secure.

“Is that… excessive?”

Peach turned back very slowly. “We are discussing this with Seira.”

Kicho winced. “Must we?”

“Yes.”

The sisters exchanged a glance.

“And you are not doing it again.”

Violet gave a reluctant nod.

Peach watched her until Kicho nodded too. Only then did she breathe properly.