Crime Scene

Entrance ceremonies are universally unpopular among students, regardless of time or place, unless they are immediately followed by an exam.

"Would you like to visit my club room? The school gave us a huge one~"

Once the ceremony concluded, I walked to the front of the line, placed a hand on Ryuen's shoulder, and began coaxing him into helping me.

"I have no use for that right now. I'll be finishing off the last of the resistance in my class soon enough. If you're only here because you need manual labor—Ishizaki!"

Ryuen saw through my intentions instantly. With a look of disgust, he pulled my hand off his shoulder and summoned Ishizaki.

"Boss! What are your orders?"

I have to admit, Ishizaki is a natural-born lackey, though being Ryuen's lackey does come with its perks.

"Take a few of the boys and go with Sima. Do whatever he tells you to do. That is all."

"Understood! Classmate Sima, please treat us well!"

"Then I'll leave it to you, Classmate Ishizaki."

To my surprise, the students of Class C were quite efficient once organized; it didn't take long for them to clear out a section for me.

My previous guess was correct: this club room had been used as a storage closet by other clubs. The people helping me even uncovered a pristine cooking workstation, still wrapped in its original protective film, while clearing out the junk.

"Hiyori, keep an eye on things here. I'm going to the cafeteria and the supermarket. Ishizaki, prioritize clearing the area around this workstation and the two spots by the windows. I'm going to get you all drinks and lunch. Does anyone have any preferences or allergies? I'll be cooking lunch myself to save some points."

After checking the safety of the workstation and confirming it was in working order, I asked the others about their preferences.

"As long as it isn't too expensive, that's fine. Honestly, I'm more curious about Classmate Sima's cooking skills than the drinks!"

"Same here."

Tokito Yuya and Suzuki Hidetoshi, who had been brought along by Ishizaki, both indicated they weren't interested in the food itself, but rather in my culinary prowess.

"Then I'll really have to show you what I can do. See you later~"

"What a coincidence. If I were to use this encounter as material for a book, the character you're assigned to play certainly wouldn't have a happy ending~"

When I arrived at the supermarket closer to the club building to pick up large bottles of drinks and ingredients, I saw the "obedient puppy" who would soon be tamed by Sakayanagi standing in front of a shelf, performing what looked like a prayer.

I had no idea who she was praying to. Could it be the Great Sage and Teacher of the thieving world—the legendary Ram?

"Normal students don't pray before buying coffee. Is your faith as strange as the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Are you a devotee of the Coffee God?"

Approaching Kamuro, I saw that the items on the shelf were coffee.

According to the future culprit's own confession, she committed four thefts after enrolling: coffee, candy, pencils, and beer. She was caught by Sakayanagi on the fourth attempt. This must be her first theft at the school.

"It's fine if you don't answer. I have no intention of criticizing your faith, but your behavior is truly bizarre."

"Could it be that I misunderstood? Perhaps you don't have a strange faith, but rather an exhibitionist streak? Is that why you chose to perform such odd actions in an area covered by security cameras?"

"Or perhaps you are a person with even more unique hobbies, and this was a mission assigned to you by your master—hey? Don't run away! Classmate! I haven't finished my analysis yet!"

Under my relentless teasing, Kamuro finally buckled under the pressure and turned to flee.

She was fast; in the blink of an eye, she had bolted out of the supermarket. How slack.

Daring to steal from a shop within this school is essentially a death wish. From top to bottom, this entire institution is the property of the Sakayanagi family.

For someone like Kamuro, who has a kleptomaniac streak, she might get away with it once or twice due to the carelessness of the staff. But if she doesn't stop and continues, the moment an inventory discrepancy appears and Sakayanagi finds out, she will immediately realize there is a new "toy" among the freshmen.

Still, it's hard to save a soul determined to die. Like a gambler, if one could stop in time, addiction would be nothing more than a joke.

I'll wait until the next time Sakayanagi uses Kamuro for her own ends before I go to mock her~

"Ara~ I didn't expect Classmate Sima to have such unexpectedly high moral standards."

As I turned away from the supermarket checkout, carrying a large bag in each hand, I found myself blocked by Sakayanagi.

"My miscalculation. I didn't expect Classmate Sakayanagi to take such a keen interest in a penniless writer like me. Shall I give you a reminder? That 'genius' you're so eager to challenge is currently flirting with the Student Council President's sister at another supermarket~"

I had actually spotted Sakayanagi when Kamuro ran out of the store; she had been standing in the shadows outside.

I originally thought she had discovered Kamuro's theft so early, but it turned out she was gunning for me.

I wanted to make her give up, so I started walking in circles around the supermarket. I didn't look back, gauging the distance between us solely by the sound of her cane tapping on the floor.

It didn't take long for the sound to drift away until it vanished entirely. I thought she had left, but it turned out she had simply gone to block the exit.

"Classmate Sima is truly no ordinary person. I was originally just interested in the student who managed to get through the back door via my father, but I didn't expect such an unexpected harvest. This trip was well worth it."

Sakayanagi acted as if she hadn't heard a word I said, though the stiffening of her body betrayed her.

"Classmate Sakayanagi must have forgotten what I said back at the club building. Aren't you worried that I might actually snatch your cane away?"

"A penniless writer forcibly taking the cane of a frail girl—how do you think that material would be used in a story, Classmate Sima? Besides, your hands are both occupied right now."

The battle of words had already begun.

"Hmm, that material could indeed be used in a work. Thank you for the reminder, Classmate Sakayanagi. However, you overlooked one thing."

"Oh?"

I placed the plastic bags I was carrying onto the floor and swiftly snatched the cane from Sakayanagi.

Supporting the girl with my other hand as she suddenly lost her point of support, I held the end of the cane, raised it, and tapped her on the head three times before placing it back into her hand.

"I can put down the burdens in my hands, but you cannot put down the attachments in your heart. That is what you overlooked."