Kamuro Masumi walked along slowly, pretending to be calm.
After leaving the convenience store, the fresh breeze gradually cooled her excitement.
As a student who had received a basic education, she knew stealing was wrong, and she also knew that people her age weren't allowed to drink.
If she got caught, it would be no small matter.
The joy of successfully stealing and the fear of getting caught mingled together, and her heartbeat still hadn't settled.
"Guess it really was just my imagination."
At the convenience store, Kamuro Masumi had felt that someone was watching her.
But she hadn't stopped what she was doing.
She'd felt the same way the first time she stole something.
She'd had a similar feeling every time she stole something after that.
And yet, she still hadn't been caught even once.
"I'm just scaring myself."
Kamuro Masumi felt the beer can hidden in her shoulder bag and decided she would throw it away later.
She didn't like beer. She just enjoyed the despicable thrill and sense of achievement that came with stealing—and the fear that followed.
On the other hand, imagining herself being despised, having people point at her and curse her, being forced to admit she had no shame, and being made to apologize with her head pressed down—though humiliating, it did something for her.
"Excuse me, could you wait a moment?"
Kamuro Masumi turned around and saw a handsome boy jogging toward her.
She'd assumed he was just coming over to hit on her.
Until...
"Did you take a can of beer from the convenience store just now?"
Makoto Nishikado stepped closer and asked quietly, his eyes fixed on Kamuro Masumi's hand.
Kamuro Masumi noticed Makoto Nishikado staring at her hand and instinctively tightened her grip.
The convenience store, the beer—this boy had definitely seen everything.
"Are you sure I stole something?"
Kamuro Masumi asked calmly.
Before she'd made her move, she'd carefully checked the convenience store's cameras.
She'd only acted after confirming that her position was in a blind spot.
Her only concern was that he might forcefully search her bag.
Even if she accused him of sexual harassment, a quick check of her bag would expose her.
"I'm this handsome, and you didn't even notice me while you were stealing?"
Makoto Nishikado looked devastated and ran a hand through his hair.
He wasn't some expert at hiding in plain sight. He'd been close to Kamuro Masumi in the convenience store, yet she hadn't noticed him at all!
He'd thought he was naturally blessed with such good looks that he couldn't help but shine wherever he went, making it impossible for anyone to overlook him.
He'd been too full of himself.
"Tch! So what if I stole it? Are you going to tell the school?"
Kamuro Masumi was thoroughly annoyed.
She'd been so careful, and she'd still been spotted.
She didn't care anymore. She took the can of beer out of her bag.
Since she'd been caught, she'd accept whatever came.
Whatever the consequences, she'd face them.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Put it away. I'm not planning to expose you."
Makoto Nishikado smiled and waved his hand.
He'd picked the right moment to approach her. There was no one else around.
"Then why are you here?"
Kamuro Masumi put the beer back in her shoulder bag, crossed her arms, and watched Makoto Nishikado warily.
According to the scene she'd imagined, he should be saying, "You wouldn't want the school to find out you've been stealing, would you?"
Kamuro Masumi would never give in to that kind of threat!
"I'm just here to warn you that someone took a picture of what you did."
Makoto Nishikado helpfully pointed out.
"Who?"
Kamuro Masumi instinctively thought of the convenience store clerk, then imagined a few more unusual scenarios.
"Don't worry, it's a really cute girl. But she's super fierce, so you'll probably have to be her loyal dog from now on."
"Don't joke around. There's no way I'd be anyone's dog!"
"Don't take a good thing for granted. An ordinary person would be fighting for the chance to be the dog of a busty, white-stockings-wearing little rich girl, wouldn't they? If I got a chance like that, I'd be happy even if it cost me my whole fortune!"
"If you like it so much, you can be her dog."
Kamuro Masumi's face was full of disdain.
She didn't believe she'd ever be anyone's dog.
Even if her kleptomania was exposed, she couldn't do something like that.
"Are you sure? Then good luck."
Makoto Nishikado's expression turned strange.
If he didn't know the story, he really would have believed her.
Still, it was strange.
Kamuro Masumi wasn't even afraid of having her theft exposed. How had Sakayanagi Arisu managed to tame her?
Makoto Nishikado decided to find out.
"If you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving."
Kamuro Masumi didn't take what Makoto Nishikado had said to heart. She turned to go.
"Wait. Want to exchange contact information?"
Makoto Nishikado took out his Personal Terminal.
Until now, he hadn't added anyone outside Class B.
"Why would I add you?"
Kamuro Masumi said that, but she took out her Personal Terminal too.
After they successfully exchanged contact information, Makoto Nishikado smiled and waved goodbye.
"When you finally bow your head and admit defeat, and really become her loyal dog, we'll meet again. Your expression will be priceless."
Makoto Nishikado handed back her Personal Terminal, his smile growing even brighter.
"Then I'll just have to disappoint you."
Kamuro Masumi didn't believe him.
She, Kamuro Masumi, would never be a slave!
"Want to make a bet? If you lose, would you go on a date with me sometime?"
After inviting her, Makoto Nishikado turned and walked away without giving Kamuro Masumi a chance to refuse.
"Wait a minute! You're so mean."
Kamuro Masumi was a little angry.
Makoto Nishikado had told her to wait twice, and she'd stopped both times.
Now she was telling him to wait, and the man didn't even slow down.
And Makoto Nishikado hadn't even said what punishment he'd accept if he lost.
This bet wasn't fair at all!
Before Kamuro Masumi could get any angrier, a message arrived on her Personal Terminal.
Makoto Nishikado: I didn't say what my punishment would be because if I lose, you can ask me for anything you want.
"Hmph. What a sly man."
After reading the message, Kamuro Masumi felt much better.
For Makoto Nishikado's attempt to hit on her, she'd give him nine out of ten.
If she lost, she'd accept it, just as she had when she was caught stealing beer.
But would she lose this time?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
After leaving Kamuro Masumi, Makoto Nishikado returned to Dorm 502 with a bag of daily necessities, then went out again for a stroll.
He wasn't just wandering around. He was memorizing the locations of all the school's cameras and their blind spots.
When Makoto Nishikado finished his walk and was getting ready for dinner, the system notification arrived.
Unless something unexpected had happened, Kamuro Masumi had realized she'd been tamed by Sakayanagi Arisu.
She hadn't even lasted half a day.
"Poor phantom thief. That rich little girl has her wrapped around her finger."
After sighing, Makoto Nishikado still didn't plan to leave Kamuro Masumi alone. He sent her a message right away.
Makoto Nishikado: Miss Phantom Thief, where would you like to go on a date? Kamuro Masumi: !
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