"Kamuro, you've probably heard a thing or two about the rumors, right? I'm the chairman of this school's daughter. It's true."
"That's how I know the rules of this school, but I can't tell you about them. Otherwise, it might look like cheating."
Sakayanagi Arisu tilted her head and explained with a smile.
"Oh, and Kamuro, you have to keep this a secret, too. Also, Shinsei's been spacing out a little in class lately..."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it..."
Kamuro Masumi was at a loss for words as she thought of Uesugi Gen's terms for the deal...
"Wait. If that's what you're saying, then that guy's goal is—"
"That's right. He saw through the school's rules from the very beginning, then planned to plant a spy in Class A before anyone else caught on."
Sakayanagi Arisu spoke with an oddly calm expression.
"That way, he could get information about Class A and secretly spy on the unknown presence in Class A from the shadows."
Her flat voice rang in Kamuro Masumi's ears. A chill rose from nowhere, running straight down her spine.
"That bastard was planning something like this?"
Kamuro Masumi glared at her phone screen and gritted her teeth.
If she hadn't stood her ground, if she hadn't gone to Sakayanagi Arisu, if Sakayanagi hadn't happened to know the truth, then Class A...
"In a way, you were lucky. Even without you, he probably would've found some other leverage. Then I never would've met him."
Sakayanagi Arisu's smile grew wider. She stared intently at the phone, as if she could see through the screen and make out the other person's true face.
"That bastard. I'm deleting him right now."
Kamuro Masumi was so furious that she was ready to delete him and be done with it.
"No, Kamuro. You can't delete him... You should agree to his demands instead."
To Kamuro's surprise, Sakayanagi Arisu stepped in to stop her.
"Why? If that guy gets information about Class A, then Class A..."
Kamuro Masumi pressed her, confused.
"Even if you delete him, judging by what he's shown he can do so far, he'll probably plant a second spy right away. He's in the shadows, while we're out in the open. That would put us at a disadvantage."
"It's better to agree to his demands. And the information you give him has to be real, so he won't get suspicious of you."
"As for who to give information about, didn't he say you could choose? I think information about Katsuragi would work well."
Sakayanagi Arisu's smile grew wider and wider. She looked just like a little fox who'd stolen a chicken.
"More importantly, I'm very curious about who he is. Extremely curious. This way, we can earn his trust for now, then find out who he is while his guard is down. We can turn the tables on him with the secret photos."
Sakayanagi Arisu sounded cheerful, as if she'd found a new toy and couldn't wait to play with him.
True, theft was a serious offense, but in Japan, taking secret photos and making threats could ruin someone's life. If they found him, they could threaten him in return...
At the thought, Kamuro Masumi felt a strange thrill.
"I understand. I'll reply to that guy right now."
Kamuro Masumi answered quickly.
Huh?
Uesugi Gen stared at his phone, puzzled.
How had she agreed to his terms so quickly, when he'd only played one game?
Looking at the message she'd sent, Uesugi Gen fell into thought.
Judging by her first messages, she'd seemed determined to go down fighting rather than give in.
What had made her attitude do a complete 180?
Had she changed her mind?
It was possible, but unlikely. Unless something major had happened, it was hard for a person to change their nature in such a short time—especially someone as tough as she was, someone who wasn't afraid of threats at all.
Another possibility was that she'd switched places with someone else.
Different people had different personalities, which could explain the complete change in attitude.
How formidable, Thief Lady. She'd rather expose her own dark side than let herself be threatened.
Uesugi Gen couldn't help admiring her from the bottom of his heart.
If that theory was right, then the only person Thief Lady would turn to for help was someone she believed could solve the problem.
In other words, someone exceptionally intelligent.
Was she planning to turn the tables on me?
Uesugi Gen stared at his phone, a flicker of excitement on his face.
That made sense. Using this tactic came with huge risks. If someone discovered his true identity, the game would be over.
Uesugi: [Tell me your measurements, Kamuro. You're really cute, after all.]
A direct hit—a big move right out of the gate.
So, Thief Lady...
How would you answer? Given your original personality, there was no way you'd answer a question like this.
If you did answer, it would prove my theory was right. Then I'd have the upper hand again.
You were untouchable when you had no desires and couldn't be threatened. But as long as you still wanted to find out who I was, you'd have a weakness.
You'd have no choice but to give me information, to stop me from deleting you.
Huh? Her measurements?
Kamuro Masumi glared at her phone, furious.
"It looks like he's already figured out what we're really after. What should we do, Kamuro?"
"Should we just delete him, or go along with what he wants and find out who he is once he lets his guard down?"
Sakayanagi Arisu egged her on from the side, clearly enjoying the show.
Kamuro Masumi's expression shifted back and forth. For some reason, she could suddenly hear a mocking laugh in her head, and it made her angrier by the second.
She clenched her teeth and sent a message.
Just you wait, you bastard. Don't let me find out who you are.
Because if I do, I'll stomp your head into the ground.
Wow. Thief Lady was surprisingly well-endowed.
Uesugi Gen could practically feel her fury through the screen.
Maybe he should reassure her a little.
Uesugi: [Don't be mad. I was just joking, Kamuro. You're just so cute.]
Kamuro: [You're dead when I get my hands on you...]
After trading a few more barbs with Kamuro Masumi, she stopped replying altogether. There was nothing he could do but leave it for next time.
Uesugi: [I look forward to working with you over the next three years, Thief Lady.]
Uesugi: [Oh, and as a friend, let me give you some advice: You should stop stealing. If you want a thrill, come chat with me. After all, talking to your enemy is pretty exciting too, isn't it, Kamuro?]
All done. Send.
Uesugi Gen stretched and set his phone aside.
Regardless of whether she'd changed her personality or switched places with someone else, he'd achieved his original goal, hadn't he?
Now...
It was a matter of whether you found me first over the next three years, or I managed to hide who I was and freeload off your information for the whole time.
Good luck, Thief Lady and her long-legged lady!
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Uesugi Gen's Downfall
Time slipped quietly by.
Before long, a week had passed since classes began at the Advanced Nurturing High School.
In the girls' dorm...
"Hmm~ hmm~"
Ichinose hummed a cheerful tune as she deftly flipped the meat patty in the pan with a spatula.
She'd been eating out with her classmates since the school year began, but she'd always been thrifty and was still more used to preparing her own lunch.
Once she'd gotten to know her classmates, Ichinose had settled into her own routine.
"And that's all done!"
Ichinose wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead.
She looked at the lunchbox on the table. It was simple, but nutritious. Picking up the lid beside it, she covered it.
She could eat with Chihiro and Mako at lunch.
After packing her bag and putting on her loafers, Ichinose left the girls' dorm with a light step.
"Good morning, Honami!"
"Good morning."
"Morning, Ichinose."
"Morning."
Ichinose answered everyone as she made her way to the Class B classroom.
Sunlight fell across her golden-pink hair, giving her whole figure a sparkling glow.
The girl began another day of her life.
Meanwhile.
In the boys' dorm.
In a dark room.
The blackout curtains had been drawn tightly shut. The only light in the gloomy room came from the computer and tower in one corner, their screens flashing with multicolored lights and illuminating some indescribable creature.
"Dodge... dodge!"
"What's that jungler doing? Sleepwalking?"
"Get ready for the dragon... You actually ambushed us... You think I'm scared of two people? Marksman, why are you running? I can carry... Three of you still can't beat me... Damn it!"
20-7-2
Game Over
Uesugi Gen slumped in his chair, staring blankly into space.
Seven losses in a row!
Was it me, or was it the game?
No, this had to be the world's fault!
Before you continue