Tokyo's Phantom Thief

This morning, Asakura Rinto woke up even earlier than usual.

Before dawn had even broken, he was already wide awake, washed up, and had even taken a shower.

After blow-drying his hair, he put on his freshly ironed high school uniform and adjusted it in front of the cracked mirror.

Shujin Academy's uniform was a black blazer with a white high-collar shirt—mature in both style and cut.

And expensive. Really expensive.

Japanese school uniforms were outrageously overpriced.

The moment Rinto saw the price tag, he immediately understood why so many people in Japan kept their high school uniforms for life.

It wasn't nostalgia they were preserving—it was their parents' cold, hard-earned money.

Except in Rinto's case, it wasn't his parents footing the bill. It was his own savings—earned one shift at a time.

Which made it hurt even more.

But in a way, it added to the sense of ritual.

Knowing how much this outfit had cost him made Rinto all the more determined to take school seriously. Wasting it would just be too shameful.

At this hour, Momoka was definitely still asleep.

So he made a quick bacon and veggie sandwich, wrapped it in cling film, and left it on the table with a note telling her to eat when she got up.

Rinto himself only had a few bites.

When it was time, he grabbed his schoolbag, laced up the school-issued dress shoes, and headed for the door.

But the moment he creaked open the warped old front door—

The Yoshizawa sisters, who had apparently been hiding outside for who knows how long, yanked a party popper!

"Pop-pop bang! Congratulations on becoming a high schooler, Rinto-nii! Happy second year! \(^ω^)"

"Happy first day, senpai! I'm really happy we'll finally get to go to school together starting today! (＞﹏＜)"

"...Thanks, Kasumi. Thanks, Sumire."

Covered in colorful confetti, Rinto couldn't help but break into a big, genuine smile.

His favorite pair of twin kouhai were just too thoughtful.

How could anyone be this sweet?

They had told him earlier they'd be too busy this morning to go to school with him—just so they could surprise him like this.

After the mini celebration, the two of them giggled as they helped him shake off the streamers and shiny bits.

As always, they clung to him affectionately, walking to school like they were real siblings.

But they hadn't gone more than a few steps when the twins' mischievous hands started acting up again.

Kasumi reached up and ran her fingers through Rinto's hair, sliding between the slightly overgrown strands, fiddling with them like it was addictive:

"Rinto-nii's hair is so soft… and kinda long too. You haven't had it cut in a while, huh? You look just like one of those Johnny's idols on TV… Honestly, if you keep looking like this, girls are gonna start making mistakes! ( oωo )"

Rinto chuckled. "That's a bit much. You two are way too biased."

The Yoshizawa sisters' bias for Rinto knew no bounds.

They practically treated him like the most handsome man on earth, as if he had some kind of irresistible succubus aura that could break hearts just by showing his bedhead.

Rinto didn't believe he had any powers like that, of course.

He hadn't even used his Persona. Charm and mind control don't work until the skill actually hits.

But the sisters were still worried he'd attract too much attention.

What if some aggressive older teacher dragged him into her office and harassed him? That'd be a disaster!

The two exchanged a glance—and nodded in perfect sync.

Sumire reached into her bag and pulled out a glasses case, producing a pair of oversized black-rimmed frames.

"Senpai, please wear these! Don't worry, they're non-prescription!"

Rinto had perfect vision and had never worn glasses before.

So when Sumire slipped them onto his face, he wasn't used to the weight on his nose—it felt a bit off.

Seeing him like that, both sisters let out a breath of relief.

"Whew. Glasses really are a face-sealing artifact. Now you look like a super-studious nerdy senpai who forgot to get a haircut because he reads too much. That rugged handsomeness is now just... unkempt."

"Mm-hmm, exactly. Your eyes are usually so bright and hypnotic—it's like they could pull people's souls right out. I couldn't even look you in the eye before. But now? You totally just look like some gloomy otaku guy. Not cute at all."

Rinto sighed. "Aren't you two being a little too harsh? I mean, isn't this also kind of disrespectful to actual bookworms and otaku brothers out there?"

He said that, but he didn't take the glasses off.

Their affection needed some outlet.

If Rinto kept rejecting their gifts or gestures, he genuinely felt like they might just push him down one day.

Besides, if a pair of glasses could help him stand out less, all the better.

He wanted to enjoy a normal high school life—not become some walking headline in his class.

His ideal was to be that middle-of-the-pack guy—someone just average enough that when the teacher needed one last person for an event, maybe they'd remember him.

That's the sweet spot.

But what Rinto forgot was this: surrounded by two campus idol-tier twins, his high school life was never going to be quiet.

Today was Shujin Academy's opening ceremony.

There wouldn't be any classes yet—just a short morning assembly and then a homeroom session before dismissal.

"Rinto-nii, are you working this afternoon?" Kasumi asked, clinging to his arm.

He shook his head. "I cleared my schedule today. First day and all—I wanted to stay in student mode."

After all, this was the campus life he'd been looking forward to.

Rinto even wondered if he'd meet someone cool on day one and hang out that afternoon.

That's how it worked on TV, right? All the popular kids were out doing mixers on day one.

He wanted to know if students these days really did hang out at karaoke all the time.

The moment the sisters heard he had the afternoon free, their carnivorous energy skyrocketed:

"Yesss! We don't have training today either, so let's go hang out together! Sumire, where do you wanna go? You get to pick this time~?"

"I-I want to go to the hotel! That love hotel from last time—the bed was sooo soft and comfy... ah! (.>w<.)"

Rinto bonked both their heads lightly, earning a pair of pouting faces in return.

Honestly… the way these girls went on the offensive was a little too bold. It was embarrassing.

So he put on his serious face:

"You two are officially high school students now. You're wearing that uniform—so act like students. No more weird talk. …Also, your uniforms suit you. They look really nice. Pretty and cute. I mean it."

Kasumi / Sumire: "Thank you, senpai~!"

Blushing and smiling like they were glowing, the twins practically sparkled with happiness at his praise.