Layered's Gratitude and Arsene Lupin's Debut
The day after the Arsene Lupin group presentation ended. Something felt different about the class kids' gazes. Hard to pin it down exactly, but one thing was clear: my presence had leveled up big time. It was an ambiguous situation—should I like it or not?
And one more change stood out.
"Kro! Good morning!"
Yulia Grace's attitude had shifted dramatically. The distance between us felt much closer now. Her usual kindness to everyone had evolved into something warmer, directed especially at me. Was I reading too much into it? The physical proximity was almost clingy, which was a bit overwhelming.
I forced an awkward smile and returned her greeting.
"You're here early."
"Yeah. I was so bored waiting all alone."
I had no idea who she was waiting for, but that must've been tough. Rachel Scarlet hadn't arrived yet, so we sat side by side at our desks, chatting about nothing in particular.
Then someone cast a shadow over me and stood in front. Looking up, I saw it was none other than Layered. What did this guy want so early in the morning?
As I stared at the protagonist's face, he spoke first.
"Hey."
Was he just staring to say hi? No, don't think badly of him. Hiding my bewilderment, I smiled back.
"Hey. Good to see you."
"...Thanks for yesterday."
With that shy expression of gratitude, Layered bolted like he was fleeing. I stared blankly at the empty space he'd left, snapping out of it late.
...No way, for real!?
I'd brushed off the Goddess's warning yesterday, but... was Layered really...?
Ugh. My stomach's churning...
[Calm down and take deep breaths.]
Goddess. It can't be real, right?
[Who knows. Even if that catastrophe happens, wouldn't it all be karma?]
Why would this be my karma!?
I felt wronged. I'd just spotted a problem right in front of me, saw an easy solution, and acted on it. Objectively, it wasn't a bad situation. But what can I say—it was all changing too fast, leaving me flustered. Maybe consistency would've been better.
"Hey, loser! Go buy me some bread from the vending machine."
Scratch that. People do change and improve. How does she think of making me her bread shuttle the second she arrives?
"No money."
"What? You broke or something? Fine, big sis'll treat you today. Come on."
Before I could respond, she locked me in a headlock and dragged me off. Wait—how is she this strong?
"I'll come too!"
Yulia volunteered to follow, swelling our party. Rachel even scouted the quietly seated Sharon Honsia at her desk.
"You too. Come on."
What overwhelming charisma. The four of us headed to the vending area together and picked out snacks. Even though the group project was over, our dream quartet seemed here to stay.
Rachel munched on her bread and brought it up first.
"Things have been quiet lately, huh."
"Huh? What has?"
"That phantom thief bastard."
The topic naturally flowed to Phantom Thief Raven.
"Who knows. Maybe he's prepping something huge?"
"Huge or not, it's still just theft."
"What do you think, Sharon?"
Sharon, sipping her coffee, replied indifferently.
"Dunno."
"Whoa, 'dunno' from you? Do your usual detective deduction thing. Come on?"
Why did Rachel's teasing make me flinch? It was probably meaningless ribbing, but as someone suspecting Sharon of being Sherlock, it sent a chill down my spine.
Sharon ignored it completely and turned to Yulia instead.
"Yulia."
"Yeah?"
"Church okay?"
"The church? Why the church all of a sudden?"
Yulia looked puzzled by the abrupt shift, and I was just as confused listening from the side.
"Your presentation mentioned the church donations."
"It was just to the class. What could happen?"
"Better safe than sorry. Especially with the government obsessed with catching Raven."
The mood grew heavy. Sharon's warning might seem overkill, but it was grounded in reality—especially after the tax office seized the orphanage's donations just days ago. Yulia realized she couldn't brush it off, nodding seriously.
"...Yeah. I'll tell Sister Theresia."
"Raven might even make a move himself."
I listened quietly before asking.
"Any reason you think that?"
"No reason. Just a hunch."
A hunch. Impressive. Sharon's guess was spot on. Phantom Thief Raven would strike tonight.
"Here you go."
The forger handed me an envelope. Peeking inside, I saw various ID documents. I pulled out the most important one and inspected it closely.
'Arsene Lupin'—the fake identity I'd chosen, named after Earth's most famous phantom thief. Not just the name; all the details matched what I'd told the forger.
"Perfect as always. Thank you."
"Save the thanks. This isn't charity—it's a solid deal. Ready for payment?"
"Yes. Name it."
He'd hinted this request would top the last one for the moonflower viewing.
"As a phantom thief, you'll pull it off easily, I trust."
"I see. Something to steal, then."
"Sharp as ever."
Instead of explaining, the forger passed me a document. As I read it carefully, the Goddess whispered softly.
[It's a 'gem'.]
Best-case scenario.
A gem as payment to the forger? Perfect—I could absorb its power for the Goddess first, then hand it over. Draining her power wouldn't diminish its value anyway.
"Got it. I'll fetch it ASAP."
"Reliable. I'm counting on you."
A flawless deal all around. As I pocketed the envelope and headed out of the basement, the forger called me back.
"What do you plan with that identity?"
I pondered briefly before chuckling softly.
"Philanthropist."
***
The next day, right after Academy classes, I hurried off. What I had planned couldn't wait for nightfall.
Walking the streets, I checked my reflection in a shop window. Slicked-back hair in a neat pompadour. Faint wrinkles at the forehead and eyes. A tidy mustache adding gentlemanly flair.
Makeup after so long.
[Still amazing every time. Seamless.]
No one would peg me for the Academy boy Kro Morris. Makeup was labor-intensive and uncomfortable mid-job, so I rarely used it—but for phantom thief work, it was one of the most useful tricks. I'd done it once before at Rafano's mansion.
Note: this wasn't illusion magic or makeup via spells. That would've tripped the mana sensors at Rafano's. Pure, mundane disguise—leveraging my pre-possession life's skills.
As the dignified gentleman Arsene Lupin, I strode boldly through daytime London. My steps finally halted at City Hall.
What if my cover got blown? Still, trusting my makeup and the forger's handiwork, I entered without hesitation.
As expected of London City Hall in the Britannian capital, it bustled even at this hour. I sat waiting on a bench until my turn came.
"Welcome. How may I assist?"
Calmly facing the clerk, I stated my business.
"I'd like to establish a private foundation."
"May I see your ID first?"
I handed over the fake ID from the forger yesterday. She checked both sides thoroughly, then nodded brightly.
"Yes, Mr. Arsene Lupin. You wish to create a foundation?"
"Indeed."
"What's the purpose?"
"Charitable works."
Not a lie—I genuinely wanted to donate by setting this up.
"Understood. Please fill out this application."
Smooth so far, but too early to relax. I filled the form with dense, fabricated details—every bit a lie. No wonder fake identities were tough to craft.
The clerk took my form, stood, and said,
"Please wait a moment. Foundations normally require review."
"Of course."
I'd prepared for this, but nerves still jittered. After a while, she returned beaming.
"Mr. Lupin, your foundation is approved."
"Thank you."
I thanked her politely, gathered the papers, and left City Hall. This was just the beginning.