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Chapter 56 - Tokyo’s Phantom Thief [56]

"Kasumi, Sumire, and I...we're not even in that kind of relationship yet…"

Rinto tried to clarify with an awkward smile.

But Sojiro wasn't even listening, stroking his beard as he continued:

"You know, I always thought you and that young lady doctor next door were a couple."

"But now I see you're just fooling around? She looks beautiful, but dangerous—and she's a doctor. If you mess around and break her heart, things could get ugly… Ah, never mind, you don't have to answer. I was young once too, I get it. That's men for you!"

"Hahaha!"

Sojiro laughed heartily, slapping Rinto on the shoulder repeatedly.

But his laughter didn't last long, abruptly cut short by the jingle of the doorbell.

A mischievous young girl's voice chimed in:

"Oh~, Sojiro's having fun again, definitely chatting about something dirty—Hey Mom, Sojiro's acting suspicious! He's teaching inappropriate stuff to some young guy again!"

Again? She actually said "again"?

Rinto turned around just as Sojiro began frantically defending himself:

"Futaba!? Don't say nonsense like that—and don't call your mom either! I haven't done anything!"

The girl named Futaba—a petite, playful brat sporting vibrant orange hair and punkish attire—hopped into the café, sticking out her tongue teasingly at Sojiro.

She's probably Sojiro's daughter, Rinto thought casually. But calling her dad directly by name—what a progressive parenting style.

Rinto took the opportunity to politely excuse himself:

"Thanks again for the coffee and chocolate, Sojiro-san. I won't disturb you further."

As Rinto stepped outside, he brushed past an elegant, dark-haired woman entering the café. She gave him a gentle smile and a polite nod, and he returned it courteously.

Isshiki Wakaba walked into LeBlanc, glancing at her playful daughter and the flustered Sojiro with amused suspicion:

"Sojiro-san, is what Futaba said true? Are you really giving advice to young men about juggling multiple girlfriends?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Sojiro was visibly embarrassed.

"I just saw a nice young man cornered by some uptight old guy, so I tried to cheer him up! I definitely wasn't giving him relationship advice! Futaba, say something—Futaba? What's wrong?"

Futaba didn't respond immediately.

Her eyes were fixed intently on Rinto's retreating figure as he walked down the street, eventually prompting her to rush back to the door, leaning out with both hands gripping the frame. Her long orange hair spilled down like a waterfall.

Her mother, Wakaba, followed, leaning her chin gently on Futaba's head and teasing softly:

"What's wrong, Futaba? Love at first sight? Could it be that my little girl is finally ready to follow in her mother's footsteps and have a baby before marriage?"

"Ugh, Mom! …Not exactly."

Futaba didn't even address the outrageous remark about her mother's past, instead frowning thoughtfully as she watched Rinto's disappearing back:

"He's a student at Shujin—and pretty famous, too. He escorts twin beauties to school every day and gets along really well with that half-foreigner girl in his class. A real playboy."

"And if I remember right, he transferred directly into second year... Mom, didn't your psychological profiling of the 'Phantom Thief' suggest he's probably around my age?"

"Hmm, indeed," Wakaba calmly confirmed.

"From the Phantom Thief's targets so far, most of the incidents he's handled were publicized in mainstream media. But among the less prominent cases—like school bullying—it's clear the Phantom Thief pays special attention to younger targets."

"That makes sense from a cognitive science standpoint too. Adolescents experiencing emotional turbulence are more susceptible to interacting with the Metaverse."

"That's it!" Futaba snapped her fingers decisively, dashing back inside LeBlanc.

"Sojiro! Lend me your upstairs! I need to hack the school database and dig up some info on that playboy!"

Sojiro sighed helplessly:

"...At least keep your crimes discreet and don't get caught, okay?"

The poor old café owner had no choice but to offer passive support to this mother-daughter duo.

...

After leaving LeBlanc, Rinto originally considered dropping by the clinic nearby to visit his doctor acquaintance.

But he'd barely walked two steps when his phone rang again.

Another call from a Yoshizawa—this time the older twin, Kasumi.

"Hey, Kasumi? Something up?"

[Ah, Rinto-senpai! Are you free right now?]

Kasumi's voice was as cheerful and lively as ever, indicating nothing was wrong, so Rinto let down his guard slightly as he replied:

"Yeah, I'm free. Just finished having coffee with a very intimidating uncle and was thinking about taking a break."

[Ahaha~ That's perfect!]

Kasumi's tone became adorably mischievous, as carefree as if she were inviting her boyfriend to a love hotel:

[I'm about to infiltrate Sumire's Palace. Want to join me?]

"Pfft—!"

Rinto nearly spat out his lunch.

Kasumi's words landed with far greater impact than the judge's entire pressure-test interrogation earlier.

…Thus.

Following Kasumi's instructions, Rinto immediately found a hidden spot and accessed the Metaverse. To save time, he even used his Persona's powers to fly straight toward the Tokyo National Stadium.

Upon arrival, he conducted a quick scan—and surprisingly, actually picked up a Palace reaction.

Without hesitation, Rinto tore open a dimensional rift and dove directly into his dear little sister Sumire's cognitive world.

"Oh, Senpai! Over here~!"

Kasumi waved enthusiastically from the Palace entrance as Rinto descended from above.

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she nodded approvingly:

"Wow, Rinto-senpai, you really look handsome in that outfit. It suits your Prince Charming image perfectly."

"Now isn't the time to tease me. I've got a million questions to ask you!"

Rinto was truly overwhelmed by these twins.

The fact that Sumire even had a Palace in the first place was already shocking enough. He'd had no idea until now—it seemed almost impossible!

Moreover, Kasumi clearly already knew and had brazenly infiltrated it alone…

There were so many issues at hand, he didn't even know where to begin complaining.

Instead, Kasumi calmly reassured him:

"Alright, Rinto-senpai. Deep breath—in~ and out~... Let's calm down first and tackle your questions one at a time. You ask, I answer, okay?"

"…Fine, you win."

Rinto sighed softly, suddenly understanding just how formidable Kasumi really was.

She truly was her father's daughter.

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