On the Possibility of Raiding the Phantom Thieves’ Leader 28

Chapter 28

Being a private high school, Shujin Academy implemented mandatory make-up lessons for five days before the end of summer break. Yu returned on the last day of these lessons.

With summer break ending soon, they finally decided on a date for their beach trip.

The trip was initially planned to help Futaba become more comfortable around people, but since Yu had been in Inaba, it also served as an opportunity for him and Futaba to get acquainted.

However, unbeknownst to the others, Futaba had already been won over by Yu’s limited-edition figure and the all-stats +15 bracelet.

To Futaba, Yu was like a benevolent Doraemon, always providing Ren with amazing gifts.

Yes, the all-powerful Doraemon!

After informing his family, Yu went to meet everyone at the beach. Before leaving, he had invited Akechi, who, as expected, declined. His excuse was that, as a celebrity, he would be recognized at a crowded beach, potentially causing a disturbance.

And he might even be photographed in his swim trunks, leading to unwanted rumors…

“He overthinks everything,” Yu commented, reading Akechi’s reply. “Being a famous detective must be so boring.”

“Rarely going out, always worried about being recognized, constantly appearing on TV, no time for himself.” Ren, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement. “He cares too much about his image.”

“I don’t think most people pay that much attention to celebrities’ private lives, except for their fans, of course,” Yu sighed. “Rise also had stalkers for a while, but their interest eventually faded, and she was able to live a normal life again.”

“Akechi worries too much about what others think.”

Ren: …

He wanted to agree with Yu and criticize Akechi, but wait, who was Yu talking about?

“Rise?” Ren paused, then looked at him. “Don’t tell me you also know Rise Kujikawa?”

As a rising star, Ren was aware of Rise. After all, her commercials played on TV every day. Her retirement last year had caused quite a stir, but she had returned to the entertainment industry in the spring, her popularity even greater than before.

She was practically the number one female idol in Japan right now.

“She’s my friend,” Yu replied. “We met after I returned to Inaba.”

Ren: …

What did he mean by “friend”? Having known Yu for a while, Ren understood that “friend,” in Yu’s vocabulary, meant “Persona user.”

Akechi, you didn’t lose unfairly.

This guy, Yu Narukami, didn’t even care about the “Detective Prince” title, so he wasn’t impressed by Akechi’s popularity!

“Hey! What are you two doing? Hurry up and change!” Ryuji slapped their shoulders.

“Did you bring your swim trunks?”

Yu gave him a thumbs-up, and Ren stood up. The others had already changed into their swimwear. They stopped their Akechi discussion and went to change.

Emerging from the changing room, Yu saw Ren, already changed, wearing plain black swim trunks, the small black star pendant visible on his right wrist.

Yu was wearing the purple swim trunks his uncle had bought him last year.

“…That’s a bold color,” Ren commented, looking at Yu’s swim trunks.

“Right?” Yu grinned. “Pretty awesome, huh?”

Ren nodded in agreement, then added, “I want to try that color sometime.”

Ryuji, waiting nearby: …

“…Ren, are you serious?”

He couldn’t imagine Ren in bright purple swim trunks. The mere thought made him want to bleach his eyes.

However, the vibrant color surprisingly didn’t look out of place on Yu, even complementing his appearance.

Good-looking people had privileges, even when it came to fashion choices.

They spent the day enjoying themselves at the beach. Futaba seemed to be having fun, smiling and laughing throughout the day. After their activities, Yu sat on a beach chair, sipping a drink, watching the others play, looking every bit the “youth is wasted on the young” type.

Everyone commented that he played the part well.

“It’s probably his true nature,” Ren commented from beside him. “I think he’s the type who seems gentle when you first meet him, but once you get to know him, he becomes incredibly smug.”

Ann looked at Ren curiously. “For example?”

“Like when he plays beach volleyball and says, ‘Time for your punishment!’ with a completely straight face.”

Everyone: …

They left the beach before sunset. Ren and the others walked Futaba home. Yu, having nowhere else to go and no one at home, joined them. After dropping Futaba off, they went to Leblanc for coffee.

The cafe wasn’t crowded, just a few scattered customers. Sojiro was making coffee.

Seeing Yu, Sojiro simply made him a cup of his signature blend without comment.

Yu took a sip, sighing contentedly. “Your coffee is still the best, Sojiro-san.”

“Hmph, that kid still has a lot to learn,” Sojiro chuckled proudly. “How was your day?”

“It was great. The beach was crowded, and the water was clear,” Yu said with a smile. “Everyone had fun.”

Sojiro nodded, relieved. “Glad to hear Futaba had a good time too.”

Sojiro cared deeply for his adopted daughter. They were family, and even without a blood connection, he wanted her to be happy.

Yu understood, praising Futaba to ease his worries.

After chatting for a while, Yu looked towards the stairs.

“Why isn’t Ren down yet?”

“Probably changing,” Sojiro replied casually. “There’s no AC upstairs. It’s fine in winter, but it gets unbearably hot in the summer. Changing clothes is like taking another shower. It takes him a while.”

“Really?” Yu blinked.

He hadn’t been to Ren’s room often, the last time being during their study session before the second midterms. It hadn’t been that hot then, and although stuffy, opening the window had made it bearable.

Summer heat was truly terrible.

“So, can I take him home for a night?” Yu suddenly asked Sojiro.

Sojiro paused. “Huh? A sleepover at your place?”

“Yes, my parents are working late and won’t be home. I’m a bit lonely being alone at home,” Yu rested his chin on his hand, looking sincere. “He doesn’t have anything to do tonight, right?”

“Of course not. There are no customers here at night,” Sojiro waved him off dismissively. “Take him with you.”

Ren, having just changed, paused at the top of the stairs, puzzled.

Huh?

Take who?

Half an hour later, Ren, carrying his cat bag, stared at the small villa before him in silence. It was the same house he had walked Yu to before.

What had just happened?

Although Ren had guessed Yu’s family was well-off, he hadn’t expected this.

Such a large house in expensive Tokyo, fully furnished and modern, with air conditioning throughout. It was a stark contrast to the attic he lived in above Leblanc.

“Amazing!” Morgana, perched on Ren’s shoulder, swished his tail. “Narukami’s house is so nice!”

“I’d prefer a smaller house if it meant they worked less,” Yu said, taking out drinks from the refrigerator, pouring a glass for Ren and a smaller one for Morgana.

Morgana’s eyes lit up as he jumped onto the table, his face beaming.

Having been treated like a cat for so long, this was the first time someone had poured him a separate drink.

Ren scratched Mona’s chin, smiling at his happy expression.

Yu sat back down on the sofa, crossing his legs and looking at Ren seriously.

“Ren.”

Ren looked at him. “What?”

“There’s a problem.”

Yu said in a serious tone, “What are we having for dinner tonight?”

Ren: …

When would this person learn to speak normally?

Yu had just returned from Inaba and hadn’t had time to buy groceries. His parents rarely cooked at home, so he had discovered their lack of ingredients when he opened the refrigerator. They didn’t have enough for a proper meal.

So he had genuinely expressed his concern to Ren.

Ren found it even more difficult to tease him when he was being so serious.

“Can’t we just cook something together?” Ren suggested.

Yu considered this. “…Maybe?”

“What’s with the hesitation?”

“Throwing everything into a pot together might boost courage, but it doesn’t guarantee a good meal. Sometimes it even leads to debilitating food poisoning. I have experience.”

Ren: …

His experiences were truly strange and fascinating.

“I’ll cook,” Ren sighed. “Although we’re missing a few ingredients, we can still make curry. Curry it is, then.”

“That’s great!” Yu relaxed instantly. “I thought we were going to starve tonight.”

“Didn’t you consider ordering takeout or eating out?”

“Nah, we’ve been out all day,” Yu patted Morgana, who was lapping up his drink. “It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s more comfortable at home.”

He smiled at Ren. “And I get to have you cook for me. How lucky am I?”

Ren calmly stood up from the sofa. “Consider it my thanks for letting me stay the night.”

“…Although I’m still not sure why you brought me here.”

Yu maintained his smile. “Looks like I didn’t need a confession for you to move in with me after all.”

“Don’t bring that up again. I might be tempted to throw you into Mementos for a duel.”

“Sure,” Yu nodded. “I’m ready for a fight!”

Ren: …

When would his Proficiency level evolve to the point where he could properly retort to this guy?