Tokyo's Phantom Thief

If they weren't in public, the twins would've tiptoed up and kissed Asakura Rinto on the face without hesitation.

The two were already stunning—delicate features and small faces, like they belonged center stage in an idol group. Truly eye-catching.

Wearing those sleek black school uniforms made their tall, slender frames look even more elegant and mature.

Especially those legs—long, toned, wrapped in sheer black tights under their fluttery skirts. Honestly, they looked long enough to outlive a person… no doubt the legs of trained gymnasts.

The mix of youthful innocence and polished sensuality they carried was—honestly—not very healthy for any guy's mental state.

Just being around them felt like ascetic training. Painful... but blissful.

To avoid losing himself completely in their charm, Rinto quickly shifted the topic:

"You two got in through the athletic recruitment program, right? Then you'll probably need to check in with the principal or someone like that. I'll go with you."

"Really!? You're so nice, Rinto-kun~!"

Yoshizawa Kasumi immediately beamed at him, eyes sparkling with gratitude.

This kind of social grace was second nature to them. Having grown up in the athletic world, the twins were used to it.

Wherever they went, they were the center of attention. And for them, training always took precedence over normal school life.

That meant they'd inevitably be taking time off for competitions, and they'd need the school to be on their side.

Which meant building relationships with the right people—from the principal to their teachers.

It was an awareness they'd been raised with: learning to win over adults was just part of being a child athlete.

And of course, Rinto was happy to go with them.

Though the real reason he offered was something else:

"If you're going to greet the teachers, you won't be able to avoid the P.E. teacher. I need to be there—because of Kamoshida."

"—Ah!"

The twins flinched in unison—they'd almost forgotten.

They'd gone with Rinto to infiltrate Kamoshida's Palace.

But because their cognition was still partially sealed, they hadn't yet seen Kamoshida's true Shadow self.

Rinto still hadn't decided how to deal with this Palace ruler.

But the existence of a Palace alone proved it—his desires were already twisted. That made him a potential threat.

There was no way Rinto was letting the Yoshizawa sisters meet someone like that alone. He needed to be there.

That realization hit the girls too—Rinto had been looking out for them this entire time.

"Rinto-kun~!"

"Rinto-senpai~!"

This time, they couldn't hold back.

Right in front of everyone, in a flurry of laughter and good-natured stares, they stood on their toes and kissed Rinto on both cheeks.

Blessed by two angels—Rinto couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

He reached out and ruffled both their heads, which only made them laugh harder.

Once they entered Shujin Academy, Rinto and the twins split up briefly.

They headed to the first-year assembly, and he joined the second-years.

Following the instructions on his orientation packet, he found his classroom: Class 2-D.

It was still early. Students milled around in little clusters, chatting away.

Most of them had been classmates since the previous year, so when they saw Rinto—an unfamiliar face—they only glanced his way a couple of times before losing interest.

Guess Sumire's face-concealing glasses really do work, Rinto mused idly.

He picked a window seat and sat down.

Watching the steady stream of students flowing through the school gates felt oddly mesmerizing. He could probably sit and watch them all day.

Then, just as the classroom was nearly full, something changed.

While he was staring out the window, a surprised voice called out nearby:

"You're... Asakura-kun, right!? From the drugstore? No way—you're my age!?"

"...Ah, Takamaki-san. I'm surprised you recognized me."

Rinto looked up and smiled.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl—Takamaki Ann—was like a walking magnet for attention. The moment she walked into the room, all eyes were on her.

Compared to the elegant, soft-spoken Yoshizawa sisters, Ann had a flashier appearance and a bombshell figure that made her look anything but high school-aged.

Rinto had assumed the glasses would make him unrecognizable.

Apparently not. If someone had seen his real face before, the disguise didn't work on them.

Ann looked thrilled.

She ignored the curious stares of the other students and slid into the seat right in front of Rinto without a second thought.

Leg crossed, she leaned across his desk with a grin:

"This is seriously wild—I was just talking to Shiho about you! You remember her, right? That girl from the volleyball team? Suzuki Shiho—she's in the class next door. I'll introduce you later! She's gonna totally freak when she finds out you're our age!"

"I really thought you were, like, a college student working part-time or something! I can't believe you're a second-year like us! And these glasses—ugh, they're so lame lol… Wait, they're just for show, right? No way they're prescription! They don't suit you at all! www"

"Haha..." Rinto let out a strained laugh, a bit overwhelmed by how bright her energy was.

And once again... someone had thought he was older. That kind of stung.

But seriously, she had skipped past college student and assumed he was a full-grown adult.

With that look, she could pass for a 20-something fashion model, he thought, a little meanly. Probably the type who drinks too much and never remembers to take off her makeup before bed.

Trying to steer the conversation somewhere else, he asked, "Things okay since then?"

"That creepy teacher—he hasn't given you any trouble?"

"Oh! So you did hear us that time?" Ann covered her mouth, flustered.

Her bright blue eyes darted around, checking to make sure no one else was listening.

Then she leaned in close and beckoned Rinto forward:

"Can't say stuff like that too loud. If anyone hears me calling Kamoshida a creep, one of his little lackeys might rat me out. And that would suuuck."

"But seriously, he's like, the creepiest creep ever! You believe me, right, Asakura-kun? You've gotta be on my side!"

Her eyes sparkled with unshakable trust.

Despite this being only their second proper conversation, she already believed in him that much.

It honestly made Rinto worry.

With looks that drew attention and such a wide-open heart… was she really safe walking around like that?

She seemed like the type to fall hard for some host club pretty boy and get completely swindled. Hopefully she never ended up bankrupt because of some scumbag.