Chihaya Rei: I Want Both the Divine Thief and Sakayanagi's Cat!

"...Finally, I sincerely wish all students a fulfilling three years here at Advanced Nurturing High School."

Even at a school like Advanced Nurturing, the entrance ceremony could not escape the long-winded, rotating speeches from the school board, leadership, and teachers.

By the time the ceremony concluded, it was nearly 12 o'clock.

Since things had reached this point, it was time to eat.

With this thought in mind, Chihaya Rei first headed to the school cafeteria to grab lunch, then set off for the supermarket to purchase the daily necessities he would need later.

He chose a supermarket nearby.

After scanning the area, he noticed a free-standing section set up near the exit.

It was stocked with toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, tissues, and other basic daily necessities.

A sign indicated that each person was limited to taking three items per month.

Chihaya Rei walked over to take a closer look; the quality of these free supplies was mediocre, consisting of brands he had never seen before.

Still, he picked up three items at random.

Whether he would use them or not was beside the point; he just enjoyed the feeling of getting something for free.

As he continued deeper into the supermarket, intending to buy a bottle of Coca-Cola, Chihaya Rei caught a glimpse of a girl who looked familiar.

She had beautiful long purple hair, with a small ponytail tied to one side.

The rest of her long purple hair draped casually behind her, reaching almost to her slender, willow-like waist.

Her gracefully curved calves were covered in black stockings.

Chihaya Rei wore an expression of surprise.

Isn't this that petty thief from Class A, Kamuro Masumi?

He recalled a plot point from the anime that had only been briefly mentioned.

It was said that at the beginning of the school year, Kamuro Masumi had stolen beer from a convenience store but was caught by Sakayanagi Arisu.

From then on, she became Sakayanagi's lackey, not only running errands to buy her coffee but also holding an umbrella for her on rainy days.

In pursuit of a thrill, she had ended up throwing away her own three years.

So, is Kamuro Masumi planning to make her move today?

No, sister?

Isn't this a bit too impatient? It's only the first day of school.

Despite the various complaints in his mind, Chihaya Rei's eyes began to shimmer slightly.

The opportunity for torture has arrived again.

Kamuro Masumi was clearly a "God-Person" as well, though the degree of her "divinity" certainly couldn't compare to the three masterpieces in the dark room.

Moreover, although his system was called the Torture God-Person System.

The targets for torture were not limited to God-Persons.

Ordinary people could be tortured as well, though the Torture Points gained would be less than those from a God-Person.

While lost in thought, Chihaya Rei slowed his pace, pretending to browse for snacks while actually inching closer to where Kamuro Masumi was standing.

He also scanned his surroundings from time to time, attempting to spot a certain white figure.

Chihaya Rei soon found what he was looking for.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he walked to a recessed area formed by a wall and a shelf, quietly observing the two girls ahead.

The location of the petty thief was a blind spot for the surveillance cameras.

She looked at the merchandise in front of her, a flicker of hesitation crossing her pretty face.

The items displayed before her were various types of beer, and this was clearly not a place she should be.

At the same time—

There was a petite figure hiding behind a shelf not far away: Sakayanagi Arisu.

However, Chihaya Rei preferred to call her Sakayanagi-cat.

Because she always wore a faint smile, which really made her look like a white cat plotting something mischievous.

Sakayanagi Arisu's skin was fair, and her high-quality, short white hair fell over her shoulders like a waterfall.

On her small, round head sat an exquisite little black beret, and her right hand gripped a cane to support her body.

Her slender legs were encased in white suspender stockings.

At first glance, one would think she was cute and want to pick her up and tease her.

If there was one flaw, it would be the regrettable lack of development on her chest.

Oh, and a body unsuited for strenuous exercise.

At this moment, Sakayanagi Arisu was using the gap between the shelves to aim her phone at Kamuro Masumi, her intent clear: she was going to capture evidence of Kamuro's crime.

Both girls were exceptionally focused, completely unaware of Chihaya Rei's presence.

Hmm, what should I do?

Chihaya Rei pondered what action to take.

Should he stop Kamuro Masumi right here?

He didn't really want to.

At most, he could only give Kamuro Masumi a verbal reprimand.

And without substantial evidence, Kamuro Masumi could simply deny everything.

More importantly...

He wanted to maximize his gains, even to the point of plucking the fur from Sakayanagi Arisu, that white cat!

Soon, Chihaya Rei came up with a brand new plan.

So, before Kamuro Masumi could make a move, he nonchalantly turned and left, quickly walking to the front counter to pay for the items he had purchased.

Then Chihaya Rei exchanged a few words with the cashier.

Following that, the cashier actually took out her own phone, and the two of them, smiling, completed another transaction.

Afterwards.

Chihaya Rei walked out of the supermarket with his shopping bag, but he didn't go far.

He stood in front of a trash can, pretending to throw something away, while mentally planning to stage a "Sakayanagi catches a thief" scenario, with Chihaya trailing behind!

Only a few minutes passed.

Chihaya Rei saw Kamuro Masumi, carrying a shoulder bag, walk out.

And her steps gradually quickened, clearly showing a guilty conscience.

Next came Sakayanagi Arisu, leaning on her cane, the cane making a crisp "tok tok" sound as it hit the ground, her short legs working hard to catch up.

Seeing this scene, Chihaya Rei couldn't help but want to laugh.

Forcing down the sudden urge to kick Sakayanagi Arisu's cane away, he maintained a safe distance and quietly followed.

...After walking a certain distance.

Sakayanagi Arisu glanced around the vicinity, not seeing any other students.

And if she didn't stop Kamuro Masumi soon, she wouldn't be able to catch up, so--

"Kamuro-san, please wait a moment!"

Hearing the sudden voice, and her name being called, Kamuro Masumi's body stiffened slightly, and then she stopped and turned around.

"What is it?"

Kamuro Masumi recognized Sakayanagi, the girl with such distinctive features.

Sakayanagi Arisu walked forward, her rosy lips panting slightly. Her gaze sharpened, and she spoke clearly:

"You just stole beer from the supermarket, didn't you?"

Kamuro Masumi's heart sank, but she feigned calmness and said:

"What are you talking about? How could I do such a thing?"

"Denying it is useless! Because I filmed it."

Sakayanagi Arisu said, lightly showing her phone, the screen clearly displaying the scene inside the supermarket.

Then, a sly smile curved her lips.

"Kamuro-san, you wouldn't want this matter of you stealing to be discovered by the school, would you?"

This sentence, coupled with the video evidence, was like a fatal blow, inflicting unbearable damage on Kamuro Masumi, causing her face to show a deeply embarrassed expression.

Checkmate.

Sakayanagi Arisu then stated her objective:

"Don't worry, as long as you follow my instructions from now on, I will keep your secret."

"I... I understand..."

Kamuro Masumi resignedly reached into her shoulder bag, took out the can of beer, and handed it to Sakayanagi Arisu.

Sakayanagi Arisu's delicate face displayed a victor's smile.

However, the moment her hand grasped the beer bottle.

"This is where it ends--"

A clear, powerful voice rang out.

Sakayanagi Arisu immediately looked alertly in the direction of the sound. The scene she saw made her pupils contract slightly, and her smile froze.

Chihaya Rei slowly emerged from behind a tree.

Carrying a supermarket shopping bag in one hand and holding a phone that was still recording in the other, he calmly walked in front of the two of them.

The phone's camera lens was still pointed directly at the beer in Sakayanagi Arisu's hand until the very last second.

It made Sakayanagi Arisu feel as if this were a deliberate provocation directed at her.

"Who are you? And when... did you arrive?"

Kamuro Masumi's expression was one of bewilderment, her voice betraying her profound shock.

"To think there was a third party present; this is truly a miscalculation!"

Sakayanagi Arisu, however, regained her composure quickly.

With a faint smile on her lips, she shook her head slightly, appearing to feel a touch of regret that an uninvited guest had disrupted her plans.

"Because I saw an interesting scene, I have been here the entire time."

Chihaya Rei informed the two of them with a smile.

"I am from Class 1-A, Sakayanagi Arisu."

Speaking softly, Sakayanagi Arisu lifted the hem of her skirt like an elegant princess and performed a graceful curtsy, greeting him with refined poise.

She only ever acted this earnestly when she encountered someone who piqued her interest.

She then fixed her beautiful violet eyes directly upon the boy before her and politely inquired:

"This student, would you mind telling me your name and class?"

"Class D, Chihaya Rei."

Unfazed by the prospect of being added to Sakayanagi's mental blacklist, Chihaya Rei stated his name indifferently.

"Chihaya-kun, I will be sure to remember you well."

Sakayanagi Arisu whispered his name, then gave a serious nod.

It seemed he had been marked by the formidable Sakayanagi.

Yet, Chihaya Rei replied with an indifferent smile: "I am merely a passing ally of justice; there is no need to take me to heart."

Though he said as much, Chihaya Rei had no intention of actually becoming an ally of justice.