Tokyo's Phantom Thief

Through her half-closed, sleepy eyes, Momoka watched as Asakura Rinto dropped off the Yoshizawa twins at their training studio before heading straight to work.

To keep their parents reassured, Rinto had discussed things with the sisters and agreed it was best to stick to their usual routine.

As for the sudden disappearance yesterday, they decided to explain it away with: "I hit a wall with my gymnastics training and needed to clear my head, so I snuck off to Rinto's place."

Since it was a delicate emotional issue involving a teenage girl, her parents were more likely to tread carefully and not interrogate too hard.

It felt a bit manipulative, using the parents' love like this—but it couldn't be helped.

As for Rinto, today he was working a shift at a boutique ice cream shop in a mall.

This kind of store had a high hiring bar and better pay than average.

And when the manager or shift lead was in a good mood, employees sometimes got to take home leftover ice cream—which was normally super pricey.

He'd only landed the job thanks to his unbeatable clean-cut charm smile.

He'd completely won over the female shop owner with ease—got hired in a flash.

Momoka, tagging along awkwardly but politely, managed to get hired too… though she ended up in a different role.

"I mean, I am a pretty girl too… I am, okay! A pretty girl!!"

"So why do I have to wear this stupid, boiling-hot mascot suit?! (〃＞目＜)"

Rinto: "Truly pretty girls don't say it out loud. They let people notice it themselves."

He gently pushed the oversized mascot head onto her. With that, she was completely engulfed.

To resemble a scoop of ice cream, the whole suit looked like a snowman made of giant fuzzy puffballs—so bulky it practically had a BMI over 50.

Underneath that smiling mascot face that kids adored… was dead silence.

The only sound in the locker room was the low hum of the fan inside her suit.

Momoka sat there in heavy silence, her resentment practically seeping out through the costume's seams:

"Seriously though… Why can't I just work at the counter like a normal employee? I'm polite with customers, not like I'd scare them off or anything… Or am I just overestimating myself? Maybe I really am ugly…"

Rinto shook his head right away. "No way, not at all. You're gorgeous, Momoka. Cool older-sister vibes like yours are super attractive to certain guys. I really like your face and body—honestly."

"…Thanks so much," she replied dryly, clearly unamused.

Seriously, this guy… If you're gonna compliment someone, say it properly! What the hell does "I really like your face and body" even mean!?

Zero points for emotional tact. Just call it what it is—an insult!

Sure, she'd thrown up in front of him a few times, ranted like a maniac, and passed out drunk now and then—but still! Did he have to be so blunt about it?! (〃＞目＜)

Despite her tough-rocker persona, Momoka had a fragile girlish heart (maybe?), and compliments that focused only on looks or body weren't exactly comforting.

That said, there was a reason the store manager had assigned her to the mascot gig.

The shop catered mainly to families with young kids—it had a cozy, relaxed vibe. Only the employees were tense.

And Momoka, with her dyed hair, ear piercings, and choker, really didn't match the store's "sweet and sunny" aesthetic. Honestly, the contrast was kinda hilarious.

Of course, Momoka knew all this—she just couldn't stop herself from complaining:

"Rock is supposed to be edgy and niche… Whatever. I'll go take my post…"

Dragging her heavy steps, she waddled toward the door, her oversized costume warping and shifting with every movement. It took all her strength just to squeeze through the frame.

Rinto, worried, walked her to the entrance and waited until she was in position, waving flyers, before returning inside.

Back in the locker room, he started gathering up the clothes Momoka had peeled off.

Those mascot suits were scorching inside—if they didn't have fans, you'd risk heatstroke.

So you couldn't wear much underneath—usually just a tank top and shorts.

And Momoka, in full "I've given up" mode, had tossed her outerwear and stockings in a heap, assuming her roommate would take care of it. Not a shred of ladylike self-awareness.

This is why the manager's always wary of her, Rinto thought, unsure how to explain it to her.

Momoka was one of those people younger folks adored—but older adults often couldn't stand.

A prickly, sharp-tongued hedgehog type. That had been Rinto's first impression of her.

Not that he minded. Rinto actually liked being the passive one—he didn't mind cleaning up after her.

But when he got back to the locker room, someone else had already started tidying up her mess.

As he stepped in, a bright, cheerful girl gave him a playful salute.

"Yo! Rinto-kun, you're looking extra handsome today! Ever considered enrolling in our performing arts school? I could totally recommend you to a talent agency full of hot guys. If you can just endure a little pervy harassment from your superiors, you'll be a hit with every auntie in Japan!"

Rinto: "If the harassment came from a cute onee-san, maybe I'd put up with it. But I bet you're talking about some old dude, right? I'm not that open-minded… Morning, Subaru-san."

He greeted her with a wry smile.

Hehehe~ ＝ω＝

Awa Subaru curled her lips into a playful cat-smile, clearly enjoying their usual banter.

She was a regular coworker of Rinto's, also seventeen.

Her name, Subaru, came from the Pleiades star cluster—a poetic, almost light-novel-like name.

In contrast to the rocker-chic Momoka, Subaru wore her hair in glossy, flowing black waves that screamed classic Yamato nadeshiko.

Her small, delicate face was downright idol-tier in its cuteness, with bright round eyes that sparkled. She was the very image of a traditional "good girl" that adults couldn't help but love.

Rinto had heard she didn't attend a regular high school, but went to an arts school geared toward students aiming for the entertainment industry.

Because the age range for admission differed from normal schools, even graduates didn't receive a typical high school diploma.

So technically, her highest completed education was middle school… A random bit of trivia Rinto had picked up while chatting with her.

But honestly, when someone was this cute and pretty, did education even matter?

Rinto felt a little guilty for even thinking that.