The crystal ball stayed dark, motionless.
"…No reaction? So there's really no Izumi Sakai in this world?" The girl bit her lip in frustration. "That jerk called me a liar while spouting nonsense himself!"
…
Hayashi Shuichi rode back to the izakaya without incident, night wind clearing his head. "What a joke—fortune-teller cursing me with bad luck. All smoke and mirrors."
"Senpai? What'd you say?" Midori, waiting at the door, asked curiously.
"Another scammer at the Block 2 underpass offering readings," Hayashi Shuichi parked the bike. "The last one just got arrested—new one already."
"Scammer?" Midori frowned. "Want me to have Yatsuki chase her off?"
"No need. I'll tell Kitano and Yoshioka tomorrow—they'll warn her." He stepped over and placed a hand on her forehead.
"S-Senpai?!"
"No fever," he said, puzzled, pulling back. "Yukiko said you were burning up."
"I'm really fine!"
Midori, flustered and touched he still worried, stammered, "I-I was just… tired from work earlier!"
"Sure?" He eyed her suspiciously but let it go, locking the door and patting the rear seat. "Hop on—I'll take you home."
"It's close—I can ride myself," she mumbled awkwardly.
"Come on. You said you were tired. And sorry—I dragged you into helping the shop when you only came to learn cooking."
His sincerity won. Midori bit her lip and carefully sat behind him.
She hesitated, then lightly grabbed the hem of his shirt instead of hugging like Yukiko.
The night breeze carried faint cherry blossoms; her heart beat faster than the wheels.
Yet the flower shop was truly close—she'd barely settled when they arrived.
"We're here…"
"Thanks for the ride, senpai," Midori hopped off, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Good night."
He waved, returned the bike, and headed back alone.
In a dark alley, a gust of wind hit his back.
Eyes sharpening, he dodged forward and swept a leg behind him.
"Ow!"
A figure in the shadows took the kick square.
Hayashi Shuichi narrowed his eyes under the faint streetlight. "…Tomizawa-san? Why the sneak attack?"
Chikage Tomizawa rubbed her shin, grimacing. "Just testing your reflexes! You're fast—and no mercy for a lady."
"I didn't know it was you." He sighed. "What do you want?"
"Do I need a reason to see you?" She folded her arms, tilting her head.
"Coming this late? Definitely trouble." He turned to leave. "No reason, I'm sleeping."
"Wait!" She grabbed his arm. "Fine… it's about Narumi's medical bills…"
"You promised you'd handle that," he frowned. "Don't tell me you can't get the money. I'm broke—or I wouldn't run an izakaya."
"I'm not borrowing!" She rolled her eyes. "I'll have the cash tonight. I need your help."
"You want me to rob with you?" His expression turned strange. "No way. I'm not a thief."
"It's not stealing—it's robbing the rich to help the poor!"
Chikage huffed, hand on her abdomen, face paling slightly.
"I just need you to watch the street. When I get the money, carry it for me—I just had surgery. Heavy lifting could reopen the wound."
So… lookout duty.
Basically accomplice.
He was about to refuse, but her pale face and pained brow softened him. "If you're not fully healed, we can wait—"
"I can wait. Narumi can't." She gave a bitter smile. "Tomorrow's Monday—payment deadline. If we miss it, they'll kick him out."
"Asou-sensei's performing overseas. I promised to look after Narumi… I can't let him get discharged."
"…Fine." Hayashi Shuichi nodded after a pause.
"I knew you wouldn't say no!"
Color returned to her face instantly. She dragged a suitcase from the shadows. "Carry this!"
"I feel scammed," he muttered, eyeing the case. "What's inside?"
"Phantom thief gear," she said proudly. "Rich people have insane security these days. Tools are a must."
"Target?"
"Relax—I pick carefully. Never wrong." She lifted her chin. "Tonight: Sumiyoshi-kai's Mikan boss, Ito Ichiro!"
"His money's all dirty anyway. Using it to save Narumi—you're okay with that, right?"
"Sumiyoshi has tons of guys here," he warned. "Not afraid of slipping up?"
A month ago, Ito Ichiro barricaded his club with a hundred underlings to avoid arrest for murder. Division One had needed Hayashi Shuichi to solve it fast.
"I'm a phantom thief, not a bank robber." She waved dismissively. "We take with skill, not force. Numbers don't matter."
"Did you send a calling card?"
"Not this time." She touched her wound. "Still recovering—cards raise the difficulty. Once Narumi's settled and I'm 100%, I'll hit again properly with a card."
You're planning a sequel…
…
Hayashi Shuichi dragged the case behind Chikage to a walled mansion with a garden.
Moonlight cast eerie shadows on the roof.
"Ito Ichiro's Mikan residence," she whispered, pointing. "Yakuza like him don't trust banks—cash stays in home safes."
"I scouted the terrain. Over that wall straight ahead is the backyard."
She traced the route in the air.
"Usually ten to fifteen guys on guard—mostly front. Avoid patrols and we're golden."
She began unbuttoning her jacket.
Hayashi Shuichi started to turn away, then stopped, folding his arms with a smirk.
"Tch, you caught on fast. Was gonna tease you," she grumbled, shedding the jacket to reveal a black bodysuit wrapped with bandages on left arm, right leg, and waist.
"Camouflage plus utility," she explained.
She donned a multi-function night-vision headset, wrapped her hair in more bandages, then handed him a bundle.
"Your outfit."
"I get one too?"
"Unless you want the yakuza seeing your face?"
Inside: white dress shirt, black tailcoat, top hat, white half-mask, white gloves, extendable cane, red cape.
"…You want me cosplaying Kaitou Kid?"
"What's Kaitou Kid?" She looked blank. "Bought this today on impulse. My partner tonight can't dress like a slob."
Resigned, he took the clothes and changed in a corner.
"What, scared I'd peek?"
Minutes later, Hayashi Shuichi emerged.
The fitted tailcoat outlined his frame; the white mask covered the upper face, leaving a sharp jawline; the red cape fluttered mysteriously—like a gentleman from an old painting.
Chikage stared, momentarily forgetting to look away.
"Ready?" He shifted awkwardly—first time in such dramatic attire.
"Yeah," she snapped out of it, muttering, "White tailcoat might've looked better…"
He shot her a deadpan look—white tailcoat and monocle and he'd be full Kid cosplay.
They scaled the wall silently and landed in the yard.
"You stay here," she stopped him. "If all goes well, I'll meet you with the cash."
"If I run into trouble, make a scene and draw attention."
"…You sure you're okay alone?" His eyes flicked to her waist.
"Gunshot's mostly healed." She winked warmly, then glided toward the house like a hunting panther—silent, alert.
Hayashi Shuichi watched, tense.
It went smoothly—she scaled to the second-floor eaves and slipped through an open window before patrols passed.
He hid behind a tree, watching.
Twenty minutes ticked by—quiet except insects and distant cars.
She should have it by now…
A massive crash echoed from the house, followed by a panicked shout: "Boss is dead!"
Hayashi Shuichi's pupils shrank—this wasn't the plan!
He started forward—just as a black shadow leapt from the second-floor window: Chikage, backpack bulging…
(End of chapter)
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