3

Night had fallen.

Inside a traditional Japanese ramen shop, Iseri Nina sat on one side while Tsuzuki Chihiro sat on the other.

Watching Chihiro eat was… fascinating. She ate quickly but somehow still maintained a refined, ladylike manner.

The more Nina observed her, the more convinced she became—this onee-san must have had a falling-out with her family, just like her.

No, actually, her situation seemed even worse.

A pampered rich girl, running away in the dead of night, only to have her bank account frozen and whatever little cash she had left stolen by a pickpocket.

Tokyo's security wasn't as great as people claimed, huh?

"…Um, Tsuzuki-nee, where are you staying tonight?"

"..."

The moment Nina asked, Chihiro instantly slipped into character, seamlessly continuing her act.

"I don't know… If I have no other choice, I guess I'll have to go back home."

"Back home?"

Nina hesitated.

She thought of herself.

Of how her family didn't understand her.

Of how, even though she was the victim, it felt like all the blame had been placed on her.

If she could help it, she'd rather struggle than go back home.

"I was planning to find a job in Tokyo," Chihiro continued, her voice tinged with helplessness. "But getting robbed the moment I arrived… Looks like I have no choice but to call my family to pick me up."

"…How about—"

Nina hesitated again.

She wanted to ask what had made Chihiro run away from home, but she knew she wouldn't open up so easily.

I wouldn't tell a stranger either.

But leaving her alone like this didn't sit right with Nina, either. Maybe it was guilt from bumping into her at the station, or maybe… maybe there was something about Chihiro that resonated with her.

"How about… you come stay with me for now?"

"Huh? No way, no way! Letting you treat me to dinner is already too much—I can't possibly crash at your place too."

"It's fine."

Nina shook her head, looking particularly adorable as she did.

In Chihiro's eyes, with every sway of her head, it was as if she could see imaginary coins jingling and clinking around her.

Crap, I'm getting way too obvious…

"I… I'm scared of being alone," Nina admitted. "If you stay, at least I won't feel so lonely."

"…You're not afraid I might be a bad person?"

"Huh? No way! You're not like that!"

"..."

Chihiro silently studied the girl for a long moment.

Suddenly, she didn't feel like scamming this kid anymore.

Back in England, she had managed to survive by crafting an image—her self-packaging and guitar skills were enough to get by, even if she never really fit in with her bands.

But Nina…

She was almost certain this girl had run away from home. A naive little thing, blindly throwing herself into an unfamiliar city.

It'd be kind of cruel to take advantage of her, wouldn't it?

At the very least, she could offer a little warmth—let this girl believe that Tokyo wasn't just full of pickpockets and con artists.

"…Actually, I do have a place to stay. I just wanted to mooch a meal off you."

"Eh?"

"As an apology for tricking you into dinner, I'll walk you home. A gullible little thing like you shouldn't be wandering around alone."

"Who's gullible?!"

Nina pouted in protest, puffing up her cheeks.

But she didn't believe Chihiro's words at all.

She was already convinced her initial judgment was correct—Chihiro had only said that to turn down her help.

"Then let's go pick up my keys first. They're still at the rental agency."

"Alright, let's head there now."

After Nina paid the bill, the two of them set off down the nighttime streets, each dragging their suitcases. According to Nina, the agency wasn't too far from her apartment.

Good. At least I won't have to beg this kid to pay for my train fare, Chihiro thought.

"Tsuzuki-nee…"

"Just call me Chihiro."

"Eh?"

"My name's Tsuzuki Chihiro. Raana… that's my little sister's name."

"Oh… Okay! Then, Chihiro-nee, I'm Iseri Nina. Just call me Nina."

The strange friendship between these two girls had formed so abruptly, so inexplicably.

Even though they had just met, they were already calling each other by name.

Chihiro didn't mind. After spending so long abroad, she was out of touch with the whole "polite speech" thing anyway.

"Nina, you're not from Tokyo, are you?"

"Ah… I'm from Kumamoto."

Nina's answer was brief—she didn't want to talk about her family.

"Mm." Chihiro nodded absentmindedly, not pushing further. "You sure the agency's still open?"

It was already 9 PM.

She had to admit, she was impressed with herself for wandering around Tokyo's outskirts with this kid for hours.

This has gotta be my least efficient scam attempt ever…

"Well, it is later than I planned…"

"But maybe they're still open?"

"That's what I'm hoping. Because if I can't get my keys…"

"…You'll have to stay with me tonight."

"..."

Chihiro sighed.

This kid was terrible at lying.

Clearly, she still thought Chihiro had nowhere to go and was just putting on a brave front.

But soon, the problem shifted from Chihiro… to Nina.

"Oh no… It's really closed."

They stood in front of the dark, locked-up agency.

"Well, I was way past my appointment time…"

"…Maybe there's a spare key somewhere?"

Determined, Nina immediately grabbed Chihiro's hand and pulled her toward a different part of the building.

But once again, she was met with disappointment.

"Do you have the agent's phone number?"

Chihiro raised an eyebrow, watching Nina squat down to search for a nonexistent spare key.

When that failed, the girl even started messing with the electrical panel.

I didn't get a rich target—I got a complete airhead.

"…My phone's dead."

"…Sigh. Fine. I'll take care of it."

"Eh? Chihiro-nee, you have the agency's number?"

Chihiro simply smiled.

She didn't answer.

Instead, she bent down, picking up a thin piece of wire she had already noticed earlier.

Then, under Nina's stunned gaze, she twisted it into an irregular shape, carefully testing it against the lock.

A few attempts later—

Click.

"…It actually opened?!"

Nina gawked at the now-unlocked door, then at the girl beside her in pure disbelief.

"Chihiro-nee, how—?!"

"Oh, my family manufactures locks," Chihiro said smoothly. "This kind of thing is easy for me."

"Ohh… That makes sense…"

…Makes sense, my ass!

Was she seriously not questioning this?!

Are you SURE you're not some kind of secret agent?!