Sewer Alligator
What happens when a fresh-faced young man and woman find themselves alone together in the prime of their youth?
“……”
The answer is: it’s awkward.
Unless you’re close, don’t expect any pink-tinted atmosphere. That stuff only happens in comics, not real life.
Hold on. Isn’t this a comic world?
Anyway, right now I was at the school’s rear recycling station with Yulia Grace.
She focused silently on sorting the recyclables, no chit-chat exchanged.
Why aren’t you asking her already?
Got it, just give me a moment.
There’s an art to this timing.
I ignored the Goddess’s urging and carefully watched for an opening.
By chance, the perfect opportunity to talk arose. A chance to probe the full story of that pre-class conversation I’d overheard.
And if I could use today to get closer to Yulia, it’d make inserting myself into the original plot events way easier.
All in all, a critically important moment.
Isn’t it just that you want to make friends?
…Be quiet.
As we washed our hands at the faucet after finishing, Yulia spoke first.
“Good work.”
“Yeah, you too.”
“What’re you up to after classes end, Kro?”
Planning to steal a necklace from the National Museum.
“Just chilling at home.”
“I see. No clubs or anything?”
“Nah, nothing that interests me.”
Still, the conversation flowed naturally. I decided to seize the chance and ask without awkwardness.
“By the way, I heard Phantom Thief Raven is hitting the museum tonight. You catch that?”
“Everyone’s talking about it these days.”
“Hard not to draw attention.”
Now, how to broach it. As I pondered, Yulia took the lead.
“What do you think, Kro?”
“Huh? About what?”
“Phantom Thief Raven. Just a bad thief after all, right?”
I hadn’t expected her to bring it up first. And from her tone, she seemed undecided, wavering on the phantom thief.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm. Honestly, I’m not sure. At first, I figured a thief’s just bad, obviously.”
“But?”
“Now… I’m a bit confused. Maybe he’s actually a good person deep down.”
She opened up easier than expected. Maybe she’d been bottling it up and needed someone to vent to.
“What makes you think that?”
“Um…”
This time, no quick reply. Yulia hesitated, then gave an embarrassed smile.
“You might not like hearing it.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s pretty selfish.”
Caught off guard, I stared at her. “Selfish” didn’t suit Yulia at all—she thought of others more than anyone.
The reason she’d changed her view on the phantom thief… because of selfishness? Hard to buy.
“It’s fine. I won’t be disappointed.”
“No, still…”
“Really. Who’m I gonna tell? I don’t even have friends to gossip with.”
Somehow, I’d dissed myself. But facts are facts.
“Um…”
Yet Yulia pondered seriously. Wait—her reaction kinda hurts. Maybe I do have friends to talk to? Like spilling everything to Rachel?
No, that’s impossible no matter how I spin it.
Anyone else, maybe, but not Rachel.
“I have a really close older sister figure. Like family to me.”
Huh? Hold up. Could this be…
“That sister got help from Raven. She was in a tough spot, and it solved her problems—big time.”
“……”
“Selfish, right? It’s money from stealing someone’s stuff. Not exactly honest, but I’m happy because someone I love benefited.”
Now it clicked. A few days ago, I’d sold Sun’s Smile and donated every penny to the church. That nun is a key original character who aids the protagonist’s group. In fact, the protagonist meets her through Yulia entirely.
Yulia’s fondness for him stems from a nun-related event too.
Oh ho. So it was all calculated.
No, it wasn’t.
I’d overlooked how the late-game emphasizes Yulia’s bond with the nun. Never imagined it’d loop back like this.
Yulia changing her mind because of me. And feeling guilty about it? My head spun on how to respond.
“It’s not bad.”
“…Huh?”
“She’s precious to you. It’s natural to be happy for her.”
“Really? Even if it hurts someone else?”
Definitely not simple. Maybe selfish, like she said.
But people are selfish by nature.
“Prioritizing a stranger over precious family—that’d be worse, no?”
“That’s…”
“If you can’t decide yet, just keep watching.”
Surprised by my answer, Yulia stared wide-eyed.
“See if Phantom Thief Raven’s truly bad or secretly good. He’s active tonight, perfect timing.”
She mulled it over, then nodded with a brighter expression.
“Yeah. You’re right, Kro.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Thanks. Good thing I opened up to you!”
I stared blankly as she beamed. Reality beats the comic—she’s even prettier.
If this were a game, an affinity-up notice would pop.
From mere classmate to chit-chat buddy now?
Well done. Fulfilling your phantom thief duties splendidly.
Even so, I’m a pure romantic at heart?
Hehe. They all say that at first.
Wait, are all goddesses like this? Not some lecherous pot-bellied perv uncle.
Why’s she so fixated on that stuff? Baffling.
Anyway, we headed back to class much closer than before, bantering idly.
Nothing special after. Classes ended, and I headed straight home.
Tonight. Time to raid the museum as promised.
Got a concrete plan?
“Yes.”
Truthfully, no special prep needed. The operation was dead simple verbally.
Sneak into the underground sewer undetected, use the pre-dug route to snag the necklace.
Issue: if someone spots the display opening when I grab it, game over.
So, distract their eyes. Aggro, basically.
“Planning to use balloon dummies like last time.”
That’ll get spotted easily.
“Just needs to divert attention briefly. That’s enough.”
No need for perfection. Pull eyes for even a second, mission accomplished.
Balloon dummies’ perk: inflate on my cue. Tiny balloon beforehand, link magic to puff up.
Stuck ‘em to the ceiling. Transparent museum roof means everyone inside looks up.
Guards too tight to approach, but toss from nearby and done.
“Nice. Landed perfectly.”
Now head to the sewer.
As the Goddess said, descend, steal, done. Museum had me tense, but smoother than expected.
Don’t slack till the end, though.
Luckily, sewer entrance untouched. Slipped in, followed yesterday’s pickaxe-dug path to the museum.
“Sniff sniff.”
What’s wrong?
“Doesn’t the smell seem worse?”
Asking me? Do I look like I can smell right now?
“Oh, right.”
Forgot the staff can’t sniff.
Anyway, sewer water’s off today—stinkier. Gotta grab the necklace quick and bail.
“Here we are.”
Angel's Stayed Sea sits directly above.
Museum’s probably bristling with defenses to catch me. Sorry, I’m underground.
Opened the display for the necklace, triggered the ceiling balloon dummy magic simultaneously.
Commotion echoes down. Hurried, I snatched the necklace and yanked it below.
“Busted?”
Faint shouts. They know it’s gone, but not I’m below.
Perfect success. Escape sewer, home free.
Too easy a win.
“Yeah. Gotta have these smooth days sometimes.”
Hustled out before dawdling got me caught.
Grrrr…
“…Huh? Goddess, hear that just now?”
What sound?
“Like a dog growling.”
Why would I growl?!
Weird. Definitely heard it.
Recalled sensing something yesterday. Not imagination—something’s here?
But what in a sewer?
Splash. Bubbles rising, dark shadow moving in the water.
Something in the sewer water.
“Run.”
Bad vibes. Turned to sprint for the entrance—
But it burst from the water first, revealing itself.
“…An alligator?”
A massive alligator. Standing on two legs.
“No wonder it went too smooth…”
Yeah, I’m in deep shit now.