In the silence, Momoka repeated herself softly:
"I don't want to lose. That Guitar Hero's skills are already professional-level, and judging by her appearance, she's probably about the age I was when I dropped out—maybe even younger."
"To have reached that level at such a young age, she must have practiced until it hurt. Six hours or more daily, blistering fingers, calluses forming, bleeding repeatedly, staining the guitar strings red with blood... She must've experienced all that."
Momoka spoke with conviction, as though recounting her own past.
Because that was exactly the path she'd walked herself.
That was why her voice trembled with suppressed intensity:
"But despite all that, all she thinks about is getting popular. She uploads covers of only trendy songs, without any regard for genre or meaning. And she practices them endlessly, spending hours perfecting other people's work… Don't you think that's just a waste?"
Momoka turned to face him.
The defiant, upward slant of her eyes showed a stubbornness both fragile and strong, like a gem glowing brilliantly under pressure.
With a voice brimming with determination, she continued:
"I refuse to lose. I'll only compete using my own music. I absolutely refuse to lose."
"…Yeah, I support you."
Rinto smiled warmly, just as he always did.
Momoka's approach was undeniably stubborn. Out of ten people, all eleven would call her foolish.
Of course, Rinto thought the same.
But he adored this foolishness. He was utterly captivated by her fragile yet unyielding pride.
An independent musician with no fame, struggling in Tokyo for years, who stubbornly refused to chase popularity through covers, clinging only to her original compositions.
Rinto was willing to help her unconditionally, expecting nothing in return.
All he wanted was to see those clear, beautiful eyes forever shining beneath a cloudless sky.
...
"…You have finally taken your first step on this journey, Trickster."
In his hazy dream, Rinto saw a beautiful blue butterfly.
The butterfly shimmered with an ethereal radiance impossible in reality, gently fluttering around him.
Simultaneously, a soft, feminine voice continued speaking:
"You've begun to awaken your true desires, taking your first step on the Fool's journey."
"From now on, you're neither an observer nor merely a judge. You've involved yourself emotionally, experiencing true human hearts."
"I shall grant you one last blessing. You can awaken the emotions of many others, gathering even more beautiful desires and strength."
"Then, someday… please carve out a real future and overcome the despair that binds humanity."
"I have always believed in you, waiting for you… my beloved Trickster."
"—Who are you?!"
Rinto suddenly jolted awake in bed, startling Morgana, who had been comfortably sleeping on top of him.
The poor cat got tangled in the blankets and tumbled to the foot of the bed, frantically flailing around:
"Help! It's pitch-black! So scary, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, waaaaah~!"
"Ah…sorry."
Rinto hurriedly freed Morgana from the blanket, comforting the traumatized cat beside him.
He clearly recalled the vision and the tender voice, tinged with sorrowful longing.
Every time he thought about that voice, a sharp pain pierced his chest, leaving him restless.
He had no idea who she was, but he deeply felt the sorrow in her farewell. The urge to save her was overwhelming.
…But there was nothing he could do about it now.
Sweeping back his sweaty bangs, Rinto picked up the phone from his bedside table.
It was barely past five in the morning—far too early.
But as he idly scrolled through the phone, his eyes widened in surprise:
"The Navigation App…finally showed up, huh?"
Only now, after Kamoshida's Palace had already vanished, did Rinto finally receive the app.
What did this mean? And who exactly wanted him to use it?
With a head full of mysteries and lingering melancholy, Rinto still had to head to school.
Today was Friday, the last day of the first school week.
If everything went according to plan, Kamoshida would surely confess his crimes before the entire school, driven by his subconscious guilt.
Just before entering Shujin Academy, Rinto noticed journalist Ohya Ichiko snapping pictures near the gate.
Spotting Rinto, she blew him a playful kiss. He ignored her entirely.
But while Rinto could pretend she wasn't there, the Yoshizawa twins beside him definitely wouldn't:
"Oh~! I just saw that older lady with the camera flirting with Rinto-nii!"
"Senpai is cheating on us? How unexpected… That's so manly, I kinda love it~♡"
Rinto sighed: "I'm not cheating on anyone. I happen to know that journalist—I'll explain later. And Sumire, could you show a little restraint? Don't just blindly accept every questionable thing I do."
Ever since they'd officially started dating, these twins had revealed all their hidden desires to him without reservation.
Even stranger was that they seemed perfectly comfortable with it, openly making jokes about him fooling around with other girls, completely embarrassing him, a proud believer in pure love.
But surely, they were just teasing…right? Definitely just playful banter.
No way they'd seriously approve of him cheating. Girls like this always hid their true feelings behind playful facades.
Rinto wasn't foolish enough to test those waters. He was already more than content with these twins—no way he'd seek a third girlfriend.
…So anyway.
The dramatic scene they'd all been anticipating unfolded surprisingly quickly.
Right before the first period, an unexpected school-wide assembly was announced over the PA system.
Confused teachers could only obey the instructions given.
When the students had gathered in the auditorium, Kamoshida shakily ascended the stage under the principal's bewildered gaze:
"Students…fellow teachers…I am here to repent."
Kamoshida, who had been absent for an entire week since school began, now appeared visibly thinner.
He looked utterly drained and remorseful, falling to his knees in full view of everyone:
"I, Kamoshida Suguru, during my years as a teacher, committed countless serious crimes! I verbally abused, physically beat, and cruelly punished students I disliked. I harassed female students relentlessly, even destroying the futures of several promising young athletes…my sins are beyond measure!"
"I will accept any punishment or sentence! Even if I must pay with my life, I accept it! Everyone, students, colleagues…please contact the police immediately! Allow me to confess everything! I beg you…please, please, please!"
Kamoshida repeatedly slammed his head against the stage, sobbing uncontrollably as the hollow thud echoed through the stunned hall.
Faced with such an unbelievable scene, teachers stood frozen, completely at a loss.
This eerie silence lasted just seconds.
Then suddenly, a girl's excited shout from among the first-years rang out:
"The Phantom Thief request site updated~!"
Countless students whipped out their phones, instantly realizing:
"It's the Phantom Thieves! Teacher Kamoshida had his heart stolen, that's why he's confessing!"
"So the Phantom Thieves are real?! I can't believe this is actually happening at our school!"
"This is huge! Take pictures quickly! If we say we witnessed the Phantom Thieves' debut, we'll go viral for sure!"
Phantom Thieves, Phantom Thieves, Phantom Thieves, Phantom Thieves—!
This surreal term spread through the crowd like a tidal wave, overwhelming the teachers completely unable to control the excited students.
Ann silently extended her fist to Rinto.
Without a word, Rinto bumped fists with her, their quiet triumph shared amid the chaos.