The Reason for Absence
"You've come. I've been waiting."
After leaving the notice at the art gallery, I headed underground to the imitator.
"Is the painting finished?"
"Of course. Take a look for yourself."
I approached him and gazed at the Lighthouse on Stormy Night painted on the canvas.
"What do you think?"
"...It's incredible."
I meant it. I was so stunned that I lost my words and just stood there admiring it. The same awe I felt when I first saw the piece at the gallery washed over me again.
"I'm glad you think so."
But upon closer inspection, I could sense subtle differences from the original. Especially the absence of 'light' in this one. Without the radiant glow that the Goddess had said defined the 'gem,' it felt like an unfinished work.
Of course, no ordinary person could tell the difference just from the presence or absence of light. So this fake was perfect, exactly as I'd hoped.
"As I said, though, it's not free. In exchange, you'll grant me one favor."
"Of course. What is it?"
The imitator asked me to fetch something for him. Just as expected, it was the exact same request he'd made to the protagonist in the original story.
"Got it. Would it be okay if I bring it after this job is done?"
"Of course. I have nothing but time left anyway. I'll wait patiently."
"Haha. Thank you."
With the deal safely closed, I took the painting and headed home. Preparations were complete. Tomorrow, I'd hit the art gallery.
Another Notice from the Phantom Thief!
Outrageous Provocation! Notice Found Clutched in the Frozen Hand of a Statue.
Police's Confident Declaration: Raven's Shenanigans End Here.
Sure enough, the next morning brought the scene I'd anticipated. Every media outlet was buzzing solely about Phantom Thief Raven's announced heist.
Now, at least in this country, there won't be anyone who doesn't know you.
Who knows. We've still got a long way to go.
Thinking about it, this was only my fifth heist. The museum one had blown up so massively that it felt bigger, but to avoid becoming just fleeting gossip, I needed consistent performances.
Still, things were especially noisy today. Probably because the police had vowed a strict response and declared they'd catch me for sure.
At the Academy on the way to class, it was the same. The chattering kids were all talking about Phantom Thief Raven.
My group was no exception.
"Total chaos out there."
"He went all out with the flair."
"Group leader. You still think the phantom thief's a good guy?"
Yulia Grace responded flatly to Rachel Scarlet's question.
"An ordinary bad thief wouldn't bother with flashy notices."
"Agreed. He's not your average bad thief—he's a batshit crazy one."
"......"
Hold on. Why no comeback to that?
Did Yulia actually agree that I wasn't right in the head? Sure, even if she thought that, what could she say... But if you're gonna defend me, at least go all the way.
"Oh yeah. How'd the interview go yesterday?"
"Here's the notebook I organized."
"Nice."
Rachel slowly read through the notebook Sharon Honsia had compiled yesterday. It was so objective, you could've sworn a machine wrote it—no personal bias at all.
If Sharon's feelings had snuck in, it'd probably be full of negatives. Based on her reaction yesterday, 100%.
"Hm. Pretty straightforward."
"Can I see?"
"You already know what it'd say anyway."
"Still curious."
The notebook went to Yulia. She nodded as she carefully read through it.
"Good. Let's add this interview to the presentation. Okay?"
"Do what you want. It's just more work for you, the leader."
"I'm fine with it."
Sharon, who'd been silent, finally nodded too.
"Yeah."
Adding this wouldn't make people suddenly view the thief positively. But it might give them pause to rethink, like Yulia wanted.
"Oh, I just had a great idea."
Rachel, who'd been looking bored, flashed a sinister smile.
"Huh? What idea?"
"That thief said he's hitting the art gallery. Tonight, right?"
Wait. No way this girl...
"Let's all go watch."
What the hell was this bombshell?
The queen of half-assing group projects suddenly fired up at this timing?
Thankfully, Yulia seemed skeptical.
"Eh. Even if we go, won't the police block us?"
Yes! Good girl! Spot on. They'd strictly control civilians to avoid any variables while going all-in to catch the thief.
"So what? If we can't get close, at least spotting his face from afar is a win."
"Hmm... Yeah, that might be worth it."
Hey. Why cave so easily?
Push back a little more. You won't see shit clearly from afar anyway.
"Okay. Leader approves—motion passed."
I couldn't take it anymore and jumped in, dead serious.
"You're always half-assing things, so why the sudden enthusiasm?"
"What? 'Cause it'll be fun. How could I miss watching a heist?"
Couldn't argue with that logic. If she thinks it'll be fun, what could I say?
She's got a point.
Don't chime in from the sidelines.
Yulia glanced between me and Sharon.
"What about you two?"
"What about? Obviously we're going. Especially the total loser—you're coming."
Why act like I have to obey your orders?
Of course, I couldn't go.
"Sorry. I can't make it."
"Me neither tonight."
Sharon followed up with a firm rejection right after me. Basically simultaneous.
"Ha? You're ditching a sacred group activity?"
"Hey. Don't say that when you skipped yesterday's interview yourself."
Rachel scowled and grumbled, then her eyes lit up as she smirked.
Here we go again. Every time she smiles, my heart drops.
"Both bailing at once... Don't tell me you two are..."
"Gasp! Is that it? I had no idea..."
Rachel's baseless shipping and Yulia's over-the-top freakout formed a nightmare combo, making everything worse. My head was spinning.
Me? With Sharon? The aloof ice princess?
Ridiculous. We're fated never to connect. She hates Phantom Thief Raven. If she figures out that's me, she'll cut ties completely.
So zero chance for us.
Foolish child. That's the essence of true fate.
Goddess, just stay quiet. Please.
Hmph. Fine, I get it.
Ah, the Goddess was properly sulking this time. Fixing this would take some effort.
Yulia, apparently already convinced in her head that Sharon and I were a thing, stammered awkwardly.
"W-When did you two... C-Congrats? You make a good... couple?"
"Ending with a question makes it weirder."
I sighed and cleared the misunderstanding.
"Absolutely not. Pure coincidence."
"Hmmm? Really just coincidence? Nothing happened during your little two-person interview yesterday?"
"No! If you're gonna nitpick, you went alone with me two days ago!"
Rachel scrunched her eyes in disgust at my retort.
"Ew. What're you yapping about, loser? Why would I date a total nerd like you?"
"......"
"Hey. You mad? It was a joke, dude. Chill."
She poked my side with her elbow and winked playfully.
Ugh. Pretty face, but acts just like one of the guys.
"Fine, not dating. So why can't you go? No good excuse, and I'll assume it's lover's date time."
A proper reason? Because I'm the Phantom Thief Raven you're all dying to watch.
I have to go steal the painting so you can gawk.
Of course, I couldn't say that, so I threw out a vague excuse.
"Some relative's staying over tonight, so I gotta greet them."
"What kinda lame timing? Whatever. You?"
I'd escaped the encirclement unscathed. Rachel turned to Sharon next.
Hm?
Wait a sec. Why's Sharon bailing too? Don't tell me...
Sherlock?