"By the way, Mamoru. What do you think about the act of stealing?"
"Huh? Where did that come from all of a sudden?"
It was after school on a day we'd had swimming lessons. On our way back to the dorms, Arisu suddenly threw the question at Mamoru.
"Just curious. Take shoplifting, for example.
What would you do if someone did that right in front of you?"
"...Is this about me stopping by the convenience store a lot lately?"
There was a convenience store on the route from the school building to the dorms. Lately, Arisu had been stopping by there frequently.
She always bought delicate sweets that didn't keep long—nothing suspicious in itself, but to Mamoru, her constant visits felt like an excuse.
And just as he began to suspect there might be more to it, she brought this up.
"Oh? Do you really think I'm planning to shoplift?"
"Not really. That kind of thing doesn't suit you."
It wasn't that he believed Arisu was a good person—more like, shoplifting just didn't match her style.
"This is just a survey. No need to overthink your answer."
A public opinion poll, huh...?
Since she clearly wasn't going to tell him what she was really up to, Mamoru sighed and gave the question some real thought.
He looked up at the sky for a moment before answering.
"To be honest, I'm not all that interested."
"Not interested?"
"If I actually saw it happening, maybe I'd intervene.
But if we're just talking hypotheticals—about people whose faces and names I don't even know—then no, I don't care enough to get involved."
Mamoru's kindness was directed only at those in front of him.
If someone was suffering somewhere far away, he didn't think about how to help them.
So in a purely abstract discussion, it was hard for him to picture what he'd do.
"So, you're not interested in the act of crime itself?"
Mamoru nearly laughed.
They were, after all, sorcerers—people who lived outside the law.
"It's not my job to decide who's guilty or to hand down punishment. That's for the victim."
To Mamoru, the law wasn't an iron rule, but more like a social guideline.
He didn't think it should be ignored, but he wasn't bound by it either. When enforcement failed, people like him naturally took a more lenient stance.
Maybe that was true of all sorcerers.
"On the other hand, if no one's harmed, I don't think it's worth getting too worked up over."
By this point, Mamoru had a pretty good idea of what Arisu was getting at.
(She must've seen a student she suspects of shoplifting. Now she's trying to dig up some dirt.)
The student in question was unlucky, sure—but not innocent. Mamoru had no intention of opposing Arisu.
"I'll say this: if you see someone shoplifting, do as you like, Arisu-san.
But if you're going to do something about it, at least return the product properly."
Arisu gave a fearless smile, clearly expecting that answer.
"Fufu. Got it. Let's do that, then."
While chatting, they reached the convenience store.
Even though it was just a store visit, the air between them felt like two kids on their way to buy a toy.
Mamoru had said earlier he wasn't sympathetic toward shoplifters, but as he imagined what Arisu was about to do, he found himself silently praying for her latest "toy."
"Welcome!"
The store's chime rang out, followed by the clerk's greeting.
The two wandered the aisles, casually chatting.
"Look, Mamoru. They've got a new strawberry roll cake. Looks good."
"Yeah, it does."
Arisu browsed the shelves nonchalantly, but didn't seem to have her eye on anyone in particular.
Maybe the target isn't here today.
Just as Mamoru thought that, a female student walked into the store.
(Kamuro…?)
Mamoru instantly recognized her: Masumi Kamuro, a fellow A-Class student.
At the same time, he saw Arisu's gaze sharpen—Kamuro was clearly the target.
(So what's the plan now?)
If they were here, Arisu must have been confident Kamuro would steal something.
Would she try to catch her in the act? Or wait and confront her later?
Mamoru kept up idle conversation while subtly watching Kamuro.
About five minutes passed. Then Kamuro left the store—without buying anything.
(Huh? She just left normally?)
Mamoru hadn't been watching her every second—there were blind spots in the store—but still, she hadn't shown any obvious guilt or suspicious behavior.
"Let's not buy anything after all. Ready to go, Mamoru?"
"...Yeah."
As if nothing had happened, they followed Kamuro out of the store.
"That was a great move."
Those words made Mamoru realize—Kamuro had stolen something.
"You sure? I didn't notice anything."
"I didn't see the exact moment either, but she definitely stole something."
Mamoru frowned.
"You say that so confidently."
"She pretended to browse, but her eyes were scanning for cameras.
She's been doing that all week. There weren't any cameras today, so I guess she'd already finished her recon."
"That's still not proof she stole anything."
"Her bag's zipper."
"...What?"
"When she entered, it was fully closed. When she left, it was slightly open.
Normally, you'd notice and close it. Unless you just put something in."
"You really noticed that?"
"Once I suspected her, I watched all the ways she might hide something."
Mamoru already knew Arisu had sharp observational skills, but this was impressive.
Still, it wasn't exactly conclusive proof.
Yet Arisu looked fully confident—maybe she'd noticed something else she hadn't shared.
"So, what now?"
"Let's talk to her. Please, Mamoru."
"Me? I told you to do what you want, not to drag me into it."
"Sorry. It's hard for me to keep pace with her. I'll do the talking—just help me out."
"...Fine."
With a resigned sigh, Mamoru picked up the pace to catch up with Kamuro.
"Kamuro-san, do you have a moment?"
Kamuro turned around, scowling.
"What do you want?"
There was a flicker of suspicion in her eyes—either because she didn't know Mamoru well, or because she felt guilty.
"It's not me who wants to talk. Arisu-san does."
Mamoru pointed a thumb behind him at Arisu.
"Sakayanagi Arisu? What does your girlfriend want with me?"
"That again…" Mamoru muttered, rubbing his forehead.
"...Just so you know, we're not dating. Please ask her directly."
"Right."
Kamuro seemed disinterested.
Arisu soon caught up.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"What do you want? Make it quick."
"Oh, are you in a hurry?"
"That doesn't concern you."
"Fufu, true. But if you're in a hurry, we'll be quick."
Mamoru watched her confident smile and thought.
Arisu seemed sure Kamuro had stolen something, but there was no solid evidence.
They couldn't search her bag, and even if they accused her, she could just deny it.
So how would Arisu handle this?
"You shoplifted, didn't you?"
(That's direct…)
Even Mamoru was surprised by her bluntness.
"You've been checking out the store layout, memorizing camera placements.
Is this your first time shoplifting at this store? Or your third?"
"Are you saying I definitely stole something?"
"You didn't notice us, did you? If you had, you probably wouldn't have shoplifted.
That alone proves it."
It was illogical—but persuasive.
"Yeah, that's true."
To Mamoru's shock, Kamuro admitted it.
"So what? You going to report me? Your class might lose points."
Everyone in A-Class knew behavior affected their monthly points. This incident could have serious consequences.
"Exactly. You might even be resented by your classmates."
Kamuro wasn't fazed.
"Do as you like."
Still calm, Kamuro reached into her bag—and pulled out a can.
(Seriously? Alcohol?)
Mamoru was horrified. Shoplifting was bad enough, but alcohol? That added another layer of trouble.
"Go ahead. Call them."
Kamuro's voice was more desperate than defiant.
Arisu ignored it and asked casually:
"Do you drink often?"
"Huh? No. I'm not really into alcohol."
"So this isn't about need—it's about thrill, isn't it? You get a kick from the risk."
"I know you're good at analyzing people. Just report me already."
"Are you sure? If this gets out, you'll be suspended. Maybe worse."
"So what?"
"You've only been here a week. Don't you think there's more worth experiencing?"
"If you won't report me, I will."
Mamoru could tell Kamuro meant it—and Arisu looked like she was enjoying it.
That wasn't good.
Before Kamuro could put the can away, Mamoru stepped in silently and snatched it.
Both girls blinked in surprise.
"I'll return this. Kamuro-san, can you stop being so defensive for a second and just hear us out?"
"...Hear you out? About what?"
"That's for you to decide. But don't reject something you haven't even heard yet."
Kamuro tensed, as if still debating calling someone. Mamoru didn't let go of her wrist until her grip loosened.
"..."
Though reluctant, Kamuro seemed willing to listen.
"Again, Kamuro-san—I have no intention of exposing your secret.
In exchange, I'd like your help from time to time."
"So… a blackmail deal?"
For some reason, Kamuro gave Mamoru a dirty look—even though Arisu was the one talking.
"Hey, don't look at me. I'm not part of this."
"I don't deny he's kind of a servant."
(…Can't argue with that.)
Mamoru averted his gaze as Kamuro glared at him.
"'Servant' sounds harsh. I just want someone I can rely on."
((That sounds fake.))
Even Arisu's dramatic flinch couldn't fool them.
She quickly returned to her usual self.
"Jokes aside, Kamuro-san. I can't outlaw shoplifting.
We all know it's wrong. But does that feeling really stop anyone?"
"...No, I guess not."
Kamuro's face turned bitter. She likely knew it was wrong—but kept doing it anyway.
"But maybe, if you hang around us, you won't need to shoplift.
Maybe something else will fill that emptiness."
Arisu's confident smile wasn't threatening—it was warm, like someone proud of something.
What Kamuro saw in that smile, only she knew.
But after that day, no one ever saw her shoplifting again.