Commissioner Gordon's warning had done its job.
The moment his voice echoed across the square, the crowd instinctively pulled back, creating a wide, empty ring around Kaito Kid. No matter how fascinated they were, no one dared to remain close with dozens of GCPD firearms trained on a single point.
Curiosity was one thing.
Self-preservation was another.
Now, with Batgirl standing directly opposite Kaito Kid, the scene resembled a one-on-one duel in a secret underground arena, watched by countless spectators holding their breath.
Yet strangely enough, the tension people expected… never fully arrived.
Instead, the atmosphere felt almost casual.
---
An Unexpected Matchup
"Batgirl?"
Kaito Kid turned around slowly, genuine surprise flickering across his face.
"I was expecting Robin. Didn't think I'd be meeting another little Bat tonight."
Batgirl flexed her wrists and smiled faintly.
"Trust me," she replied lightly, "you wouldn't want to meet the big Bat."
She shifted her stance, eyes sharp.
"Are you ready, Kaito Kid? I won't be as gentle as Robin was."
"Oh?" Kaito Kid tilted his head.
"I don't think he was holding back at all."
"In a few minutes," Batgirl said calmly, "you may change your mind."
"Hm…"
Kaito Kid stroked his chin, amused.
"Does the Bat family always talk this much before a fight? I heard you were the silent, efficient type."
"The first time I met Robin, he said almost the same thing you just did. He even promised to catch me next time."
Kaito Kid spread his hands slightly.
"And yet… here I am."
Batgirl's eyes narrowed.
"Then you've misunderstood something."
"The reason I'm being polite is because Robin thinks you still have a chance. He believes you're not beyond saving."
Her smile vanished.
"But if you prefer a more direct approach—"
"Take this!"
---
The First Clash
Batgirl's arm snapped forward.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three cold, gleaming Batarangs flew toward Kaito Kid from different angles, slicing cleanly through the rain.
A sharp glint flashed in Kaito Kid's eyes.
In a split second, his hand rose—now gripping his poker card gun, though no one had seen when he'd drawn it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three playing cards shot out with pinpoint precision, colliding with the Batarangs mid-air.
Metal rang sharply.
The Batarangs lost their momentum, spinning off course and embedding themselves harmlessly into the wet pavement around Kaito Kid.
As if that weren't enough, Kaito Kid casually spun the card gun around his fingers before catching it again.
The crowd erupted.
Criminals in Gotham usually reacted to the Bat family in one of two ways—panic or arrogance. Both ended the same way.
But Kaito Kid was different.
He wasn't reckless.
He wasn't afraid.
He was confident, controlled, and calm.
That alone made him dangerous.
---
Bat Style
"Talking all friendly and then attacking without warning," Kaito Kid sighed.
"Isn't that a little unfair?"
"You don't listen to reason," Batgirl replied innocently.
"So I'll use the Bat family's usual method."
As soon as her voice faded, Kaito Kid's pupils contracted.
Because her voice—
came from behind him.
Batgirl was suddenly right at his back, close enough for him to feel her presence.
Ahead of him, the space where she'd been standing was now empty.
Not a single person in the surrounding crowd had seen how she moved.
"When—?!"
Kaito Kid reacted instantly, sprinting forward to create distance.
Too late.
"It's already over!"
Batgirl's lips curved into a confident smile.
She seized the collar at the back of his neck and flung him backward with explosive force.
Thud!
Kaito Kid slammed into the ground, motionless.
---
Disappointment
Batgirl straightened, clearly satisfied.
"Robin said you were impressive," she said lightly.
"But honestly? You're not much at all."
She turned toward the police line.
"Hey! GCPD! Anyone got a pair of handcuffs?"
The square erupted—not in cheers, but in boos.
"What? That's it? Kaito Kid can't even beat a woman?"
"Well, it is Batgirl. Losing to her isn't shameful."
"But Robin failed twice, and Batgirl finished him in seconds. Doesn't that mean Robin's way weaker?"
Moments ago, Kaito Kid had been a miracle-maker who reversed rain itself.
Now, he looked painfully ordinary.
Almost pathetic.
Just as disappointment spread—
---
Something Is Wrong
"Wait—look at Kaito Kid!"
Someone shouted from the crowd.
"His face… something's off!"
"Of course it's off," another scoffed.
"Anyone who gets knocked down like that would be embarrassed."
"No—look properly!"
More voices joined in.
Batgirl frowned and looked down.
The body on the ground was real.
The costume was real.
But the head—
Her breath caught.
It was a round cloth doll's head, stuffed and fluffy, painted with an exaggerated grin. Its sideways eyes seemed to be mocking her.
"When?!"
Batgirl exclaimed.
---
The Truth Revealed
"Robin never said I was impressive."
A gentle, magnetic voice echoed from above.
"He said you were."
Everyone looked up.
Atop a nearby utility pole stood Kaito Kid, unharmed, cape fluttering proudly in the rain.
He smiled.
"Turns out, you're not that special either."
Batgirl's face flushed beneath her helmet.
"Even with the mask," Kaito Kid continued teasingly,
"I can tell you're beautiful. A life of endless fighting doesn't suit someone like you, Miss Bat."
He bowed slightly to the crowd.
"Thank you all for enjoying tonight's performance. As much as I'd love to stay—"
"I must take my leave."
He paused, glancing at Batgirl.
"Oh, and Miss Bat… I left you a little gift."
"Check your helmet."
With a dramatic sweep of his cape—
Kaito Kid vanished.
Gone.
As if he'd never been there.
---
A Rose Left Behind
The crowd exploded with praise.
"No matter how many times I see him, I can't believe he doesn't use magic!"
"That kind of movement—how is it even possible?"
"Helmet… gift…?"
Batgirl hesitated, then reached up.
She felt something.
Removing her helmet, she found a vivid red rose resting in her hand.
"Tch," she muttered softly.
"Always roses. Can't gentlemen be more creative?"
Yet despite her words—
A faint, unreadable sparkle danced in her eyes.
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