You Will Regret This Ichinose! [13]
The speaker was a silver-haired girl wearing a white beret. Her face was flawless, like a porcelain doll, with short hair lightly brushing her shoulders. Beneath her fair and delicate neck was a faintly visible collarbone, though the rest of her skin remained hidden. Her petite frame, paired with a modest chest, made her look more like a middle schooler than a high schooler.
She held a cane in her hand, which suggested she had trouble walking.
You're just like that guy, aren't you? Both of you just want to boss me around. Kamuro Masumi internally grumbled.
Still, compared to someone she couldn't figure out, Kamuro would much rather deal with the girl in front of her.
At the very least—this girl definitely couldn't outrun her.
"However, what I didn't expect was for Kamuro-san to have such a… unique little hobby. If I'd known, I wouldn't have tried to buy your cooperation with points."
The silver-haired girl covered her mouth with a light laugh.
Never mind. I take it back. You're worse than the guy on my phone.
"Cut the nonsense and just help me deal with this already. I can't figure out what he wants." Kamuro scowled, shoving her phone toward Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi rested her cane on her knee and took the phone from Kamuro, her delicate fingers scrolling through the chat history with a hint of amusement.
"A newly created account just for Kamuro-san… and you outright rejected his proposal. I must admit, I didn't expect someone like you, who's not exactly known for her brains, to make such a correct choice. Now then, his condition is that you—"
The moment Sakayanagi's eyes landed on Uesugi Gen's stated terms, her scrolling fingers froze, and her commentary came to an abrupt halt.
"That's what I'm saying! I can't figure out what that guy is trying to do," Kamuro retorted, rolling her eyes in frustration.
"Tell me, Kamuro-san, are you aware of this school's hidden rules?"
After carefully reading through the messages, Sakayanagi smiled—an innocent, childlike grin, like she'd just found a new toy.
"Hidden rules? What hidden rules?" Kamuro blinked, a big question mark forming in her mind.
"Really, Kamuro-san? I thought you'd at least noticed something was off by now."
Sakayanagi sighed softly—almost playfully—and began to explain.
"This school is a meritocratic institution."
...
"What? A school that ranks students by their value, dividing them into four classes based on performance, with only Class A guaranteed to graduate? That's a pretty big deal! Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
Kamuro shot up from her seat, visibly stunned, as she stared at Sakayanagi.
"You've probably heard rumors, haven't you? About me being the daughter of the school chairman. Well, they're true."
Sakayanagi tilted her head with a smile. "That's how I know about the school's rules. But I can't talk about them openly; it would count as cheating."
She added playfully, "And by the way, Kamuro-san, you'll need to keep this a secret too. Oh, and focus more during class, would you? I've noticed you've been zoning out lately…"
"Fine, fine…" Kamuro muttered, her face darkened with irritation. But her thoughts quickly returned to Uesugi's proposal.
"Wait a minute. If what you're saying is true, then does that mean his goal is—"
"Exactly."
Sakayanagi's voice turned calm and deliberate.
"From the very beginning, he must have figured out the school's system. He's trying to plant a 'mole' in Class A before anyone else realizes what's happening."
The words echoed in Kamuro's ears like a cold breeze, sending shivers up her spine.
"In the shadows, he plans to gather intel on Class A, silently observing from behind the scenes…"
"That guy… So that's what he's been plotting."
Kamuro gritted her teeth, glaring at her phone as though she could burn Uesugi through the screen.
If it weren't for her stubborn refusal to yield, or her decision to approach Sakayanagi for help, or Sakayanagi's knowledge of the truth…
"From a certain perspective, you could say we were lucky. Because even without you, Kamuro-san, he probably would've found someone else to exploit. In which case, I'd never have had the chance to meet him."
Sakayanagi's smile widened, her eyes glued to the phone as if she were trying to see straight through to the person on the other end.
"That jerk! Let's just delete him!" Kamuro snapped, preparing to erase Uesugi's contact in a fit of rage.
"No, Kamuro-san. You mustn't delete him. On the contrary, you need to accept his request."
Sakayanagi raised her hand to stop Kamuro, her voice unexpectedly firm.
"What? If he gets his hands on Class A's information—"
Kamuro looked confused and concerned.
"If you delete him now, given what he's shown so far, he'll just find another way to plant a spy. We'll be on the defensive, out in the open while he operates from the shadows.
"Instead, agree to his terms. But make sure the information you give him is real—otherwise, he'll grow suspicious."
Sakayanagi's expression became foxlike, her grin sharp and full of mischief. "He said it's up to you what to share, didn't he? I think Katsuragi's information would be perfect."
The cunning amusement in her voice was unmistakable, like a fox that had just stolen a chicken.
"More importantly, I'm very curious about his identity. If we play along, we might gain his trust and use his overconfidence to uncover who he really is. And when the time comes, we'll turn the tables on him."
Her cheerful tone made it sound like she'd just stumbled upon a fascinating new game, eager to play and see how things unfolded.
After all, while theft was a serious offense, recording someone without consent and using it as blackmail was guaranteed to ruin his social life in Japan. If they found out who he was, they could flip the script and use his methods against him.
Kamuro's lips curved into an uncharacteristic smirk.
"I get it. I'll respond to him right now."
---
Hm?
Uesugi Gen stared at his phone, puzzled.
I only played one game, and suddenly she's agreed?
He examined the message Kamuro had sent and sank into thought.
Judging by her earlier responses, she had been firmly in a "break before bending" mindset.
What could've caused such a complete 180?
Did she have a change of heart?
Possible, but unlikely. It's rare for someone's personality to shift so drastically without a major event.
The more probable explanation was—
She handed this over to someone else.
Different people have different approaches, which could explain the sudden change in tone.
Impressive, Kamuro Masumi. You'd rather expose your dark side to someone else than bow to a threat.
Uesugi couldn't help but admire her resolve.
If his theory was correct, then whoever Kamuro turned to must have been someone she trusted to handle this. Someone she believed could outsmart him.
So, you're trying to outplay me?
Uesugi's eyes gleamed with excitement as he stared at his phone.
"Well then… let's see how you handle this."
Uesugi: "Kamuro-san, could you tell me your three sizes? You're just so adorable, I couldn't help myself."
Opening move: shock and awe.
Now, Kamuro, let's see how you respond.
---
Huh? Three sizes?!
Kamuro Masumi glared at her phone, her face heating up in fury.
"What do we do now, Kamuro-san? I think he's realized our true intentions," Sakayanagi teased, her voice light, yet brimming with amusement.
"Should we delete him? Or maybe play along and wait for him to drop his guard so we can find out who he is?"
Sakayanagi's tone was far too cheerful, as though she was enjoying the chaos.
Kamuro's face twisted in frustration. She didn't know why, but she could practically hear Uesugi's smug laughter in her head, and it was driving her insane.
Her teeth clenched as she furiously tapped out her reply.
You just wait, you bastard. Pray I never find out who you are. When I do, I'll crush your head under my foot like a cockroach!
Kamuro: "You just wait..."
---
On the other side of the screen, Uesugi Gen grinned.
Wow, the phantom thief has quite the temper.
Even through the phone, he could practically feel Kamuro's rage radiating through her message.
Better calm her down a bit, or she might actually self-destruct.
Uesugi: "Don't be mad, Kamuro-san. It was just a joke because you're so cute."
Kamuro: "You're dead meat…"
After a few more rounds of back-and-forth, Kamuro stopped replying altogether.
Guess that's enough for now.
Shrugging, Uesugi stretched lazily, setting his phone down.
Before he did, he sent one last message:
Uesugi: "I'll be counting on you for the next three years, Phantom Thief Kamuro."
Uesugi: "Oh, and one more thing, as a friend, here's a bit of advice: stop stealing. If you're looking for a thrill, just chat with me instead. Talking to your enemy is plenty exciting, don't you think, Kamuro-san?"
Satisfied, Uesugi hit send and leaned back.
Well, whether it's Kamuro herself or her new "ally," my original goal is already achieved.
He closed his eyes with a smirk.
Now it's a waiting game. Will you uncover my identity first, or will I spend the next three years leeching Class A's intel for free?
Good luck, Phantom Thief Kamuro and your ace, Sakayanagi.
---
T/N: btw it probably doesn't show his name with the messaging! its just there for readers!