Tokyo's Phantom Thief

Aside from whatever complicated background Togawa Sakiko might have, there was one more thing that bothered Asakura Rinto.

He'd noticed it the moment her résumé landed in his hands.

The school listed in her academic history: Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.

Even Rinto had heard of that one—an elite school for ojou-samas, where every student came from a family of wealth or status.

It was a full-track institution, too—from kindergarten all the way through high school.

Most girls who entered stayed the whole way through, creating an incredibly insular and distinct school culture.

And yet… here she was, applying for part-time work, and Sakiko had written her past education in full detail, without skipping anything.

That's how Rinto knew: she'd attended Tsukinomori since childhood.

But her high school wasn't Tsukinomori.

She had written down the name of the school she was about to enter—

Shujin Academy.

Which, well… that was a little awkward.

Rinto mulled over this while chewing on an overly sweet bite of Swiss roll.

Of all the places, why pick a school literally named "Shujin"—like a "prisoner"? Who names these places...?

So she wasn't just his junior at work.

She was also about to become his junior at school.

But based on the few hours they'd spent together, it was already obvious Sakiko didn't want people knowing too much about her situation.

Right now, she saw him as a reliable senpai at work. That was fine.

But at school? They'd see each other daily.

If she found out he was a senior at her new high school, she'd probably panic.

Of course, maybe Rinto was overthinking it. Maybe she didn't mind people knowing she had a part-time job.

Still, better safe than sorry.

Rinto decided to play it cautious.

He set down his plastic fork and waited for Sakiko to finish her slice of cake before casually saying:

"Sakiko, there's something I'd like to ask you. Ah, keep eating—no need to be formal."

"N-not at all!"

Sakiko quickly set her tray aside and folded her hands neatly over her skirt, sitting up straight.

"If senpai has something to say, I'll absolutely listen seriously. And please don't call me 'Miss Togawa'—it sounds too formal. Just Sakiko is fine."

Her smile was radiant. Genuine trust was starting to form.

Which was perfect. Rinto smiled back.

"Alright then. I'll be direct. Sakiko, I have a serious favor to ask... Could you keep something a secret for me?"

"...A secret? (｡･ω･｡)?"

Sakiko tilted her head, big amber eyes blinking curiously.

Of course she had no idea what he meant by that.

Rinto continued, gently:

"I saw your résumé—you're starting your first year at Shujin, right?"

"Well, I'm a second-year there."

"So... would you mind not telling anyone at school that I'm working here?"

"—Ehh!?"

Just as Rinto expected, Sakiko looked genuinely shocked.

Most people might be happy about a coincidence like this.

But not her—she looked more shaken than anything. Her amber eyes quivered slightly.

She blinked several times, trying to process the information. Then blurted out:

"Wait, senpai… You're only one year above me!? I thought for sure you were a university student working to pay your tuition or something... like, already in your twenties...!"

Rinto: "Mmm. I'll just take that as you complimenting my mature vibe. Thanks."

Sakiko immediately went bright red, looking terribly flustered.

She bowed her head, apologizing again and again.

To be fair, a lot of people said the same thing about Rinto—he didn't look like a high school student at all.

But that wasn't just appearance. His life experience gave him a grounded calmness that most students didn't have.

That's why Sakiko assumed he was far older.

She scrambled to explain herself—"I swear I wasn't calling you old! You're incredibly handsome, I mean it!!"—but the more she talked, the deeper she dug herself into the hole.

Eventually, though, she caught her breath and remembered what he'd actually asked:

He wanted her to keep his part-time job a secret.

That surprised her.

"Senpai, is working a secret? Wait—is Shujin not allowed to let students have jobs? Are we violating school rules!?"

"Ah, no. Nothing like that."

Rinto waved it off, reassuring her.

"Shujin doesn't forbid part-time work. It's just that, personally, I'd rather keep it quiet. You know how it is—there are some things you'd rather not let your classmates find out. Right?"

He kept it deliberately vague, leaving room for her own interpretation.

The more lies you tell, the more chances for a mistake.

Ideally, Rinto preferred not to lie at all. But his time as a Phantom Thief had already forced him to live under too many masks to count.

As he expected, Sakiko's eyes blinked rapidly. She seemed to relate to what he said.

Her gaze softened, and she nodded with quiet resolve:

"I understand. I promise I won't tell anyone. I'll keep your secret safe, senpai."

"And... I'd like to ask the same of you."

"I don't want my future classmates to know what I do on weekends, either. So let's keep each other's secrets. Is that alright?"

"Of course." Rinto nodded.

He held out his pinky—the same one he'd hooked with the Yoshizawa sisters just the day before—and offered it to her.

"Want to pinky swear? Now we're partners in crime. Should we even pretend we don't know each other at school? Just walk past like strangers?"

"...Pfft~"

Sakiko giggled at how serious he looked.

Whatever tension had been building inside her melted away in an instant.

She closed her eyes and smiled, long lashes fluttering:

"If I see you at school and ignore you, wouldn't that be rude of me? I don't think it's wrong to speak to someone I know. But if you'd prefer I act like we're strangers, I can do that too."

She reached out her pinky and linked it with his.

That smile was as dazzling as ever—yet there was a weight behind it. A quiet strength.

"And with that, the contract is sealed. You have to keep my secret for life, senpai. Otherwise… you'll have to swallow a thousand needles."

Rinto: "A thousand needles sounds kinda terrifying. How about this—if one of us breaks the promise, we owe the other a hundred favors instead? Like, total obedience."

That was the same deal he'd made with the Yoshizawa sisters yesterday. Definitely a softer alternative to death-by-needle.

And just like that, before school even started, Rinto had already met another adorable kouhai.

Shujin Academy was clearly full of hidden gems—and whatever surprises lay ahead, he'd start discovering them tomorrow.