Thief in the Convenience Store

After Sakayanagi Arisu finished speaking, she didn't mention her identity. Instead, she simply bowed and left the stage.

The opening ceremony also concluded with her bow.

With the opening ceremony over, Shibata, as previously arranged, headed to the swimming pool alone to investigate.

The other students from Class B dispersed, planning to explore different areas of the school to check out the items for sale.

Itozawa first went to the school's convenience store. He found that the goods here were very different from a regular convenience store, filled with smart items that required Energy Stones to operate.

His gaze swept across the shelves, and he saw high-tech products like a water heater embedded with an Energy Stone and an energy gathering array powered by Energy Stones.

In addition, there were some small, exquisite-looking objects whose craftsmanship was so fine he couldn't figure out how they were made. He picked up these objects curiously and asked the clerk.

The clerk explained to him that these were made of Ling Steel, a material that coexists with Energy Stones. Due to its unique properties, it could be used to construct very delicate and complex small components.

Itozawa understood and put down the objects he was holding.

Then, he noticed an Energy Stone music box. Its appearance was exquisite, and it emitted a faint glow.

He asked the clerk if he could try playing it.

The clerk agreed, so he pressed the play button, and the music box began to play a gentle melody.

At that moment, the pink chess piece in his mental sea suddenly vibrated and resonated.

He quickly understood the principle behind the music box. It seemed to be built around a core similar to Hoshimiya-sensei's special ability. Moreover, playing this music box actually made the pink chess piece in his mind brighter, as if the same source of power allowed him to understand that power more deeply.

So, he decided to buy the music box. Just as he was about to ask the clerk for the price, he found that the music box in his hand had suddenly disappeared. He was stunned for a moment, then realized the music box had been stolen.

He quickly turned around, scanning the convenience store, trying to find the person who took the music box.

Itozawa scanned the area and quickly pinpointed the purple-haired girl who had taken the music box.

This wasn't because he had exceptional eyesight, but because she had been politely stopped by the clerk nearby.

Seeing her indignant expression, Itozawa quickly recognized who she was—Kamuro Sumire, the girl from the original story who was controlled by Sakayanagi Arisu due to kleptomania and was eventually expelled.

The clerk stopped Kamuro Sumire, his voice sounding gentle and polite, but with an undeniable firmness: "Student, you seem very interested in our music box. If you intend to take it, we will need you to purchase it first."

Kamuro Sumire pouted helplessly. She knew clearly that the clerk had seen through her intention to steal but had no intention of exposing her, merely wanting to seize the opportunity to increase sales.

Just as she was about to resign herself to bad luck and prepare to take out Energy Stones to buy the music box, she was surprised when Itozawa suddenly spoke, stopping her.

Seeing the clerk stop Kamuro Sumire, Itozawa stepped forward and intervened in the dispute under the pretense of intending to purchase the music box.

He calmly said to the clerk, "Hello, I am Itozawa from Class B. I am very interested in this music box and was planning to buy it. It seems this student accidentally took it. Why don't I pay for it?"

The clerk looked at Itozawa, then at Kamuro Sumire, clearly weighing how to handle the situation.

Itozawa continued, "Look, if this matter escalates, it won't be good for the store's reputation. Since I'm willing to buy this music box, let's just treat it as a misunderstanding. You'll also sell an extra item, so why not?"

The clerk, hearing Itozawa's words, felt that this solution was beneficial to both parties, avoiding disputes while increasing sales.

So, he nodded, agreeing: "Since you are willing to purchase it, we will no longer pursue this student's responsibility. Please proceed to the cashier to pay."

Itozawa smiled at the clerk and said, "Thank you very much for your understanding." Then he turned to Kamuro Sumire and said softly, "Are you alright? I will buy this music box, so you don't need to worry about it."

Kamuro Sumire had been prepared to accept her fate, but she didn't expect Itozawa to step in and help her out of the situation.

However, she didn't show any gratitude and was about to leave on her own when Itozawa stopped her.

Kamuro Sumire looked at Itozawa warily, striking a defensive stance as if ready to retaliate at any moment: "Although I appreciate you helping me out, don't think you can make any unreasonable demands because of this."

Itozawa's forehead was covered in lines, and he smiled helplessly, "What are you thinking? I just wanted to get to know you."

Actually, what he was thinking was to establish a connection with Kamuro Sumire first. Later, when she became Sakayanagi's subordinate, he could still use her.

Although the school's power had increased now, and Kamuro Sumire couldn't even steal, let alone be threatened by Sakayanagi, what if plot inertia still caused them to meet?

Even if it failed, at worst, he would have a female contact's information. He wouldn't lose anything.

Kamuro Sumire smirked disdainfully, "Are pickup lines really this outdated now? If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

Just as Kamuro Sumire turned to leave, Itozawa's voice made her stop.

He said calmly, "Since you like stealing so much, I have a way for you to satisfy your urge to steal without getting caught."

Kamuro Sumire immediately turned around, arguing, "I don't like stealing, I just like that thrilling feeling." But there was a clear hint of hesitation and lack of confidence in her words.

Itozawa didn't intend to listen to her excuses. He directly exposed her: "If stealing isn't for money or possessions, but for the thrill, then that's precisely a manifestation of kleptomania. Otherwise, if you were simply seeking thrills, why not choose activities like extreme sports?"

Kamuro Sumire was rendered speechless by his words. She glared fiercely at Itozawa and said, "If you have a way, say it quickly, or I'll make you regret it."

Itozawa looked at her annoyed expression and smiled slightly, quickly stating his method: "You can steal from your classmates. Because the school doesn't intervene in conflicts between students. Otherwise, the Principal wouldn't have openly spoken about our disputes this morning."

Kamuro Sumire's eyes lit up upon hearing this idea. She felt that this method was indeed reasonable.

Just as she was about to make a move on Itozawa to test if his suggestion was feasible, Itozawa saw through her intentions.

So, he chose a target for her: "The representative of the new students, Sakayanagi Arisu. Her identity is special. If you could steal something from her, wouldn't that be even more challenging?"

Kamuro Sumire stopped her hand, which had already touched the music box, her eyes shining with excitement.

She felt that Itozawa understood her perfectly.

Sakayanagi Arisu, the girl who had been specially escorted this morning, had already been recognized.

She was the daughter of Chairman Sakayanagi and the granddaughter of the Kouiku Founder.

If she could successfully steal something from her, it would be incredibly thrilling.

She eagerly left the convenience store, leaving behind only one sentence: "If I succeed, I'll thank you."