Makoto's speech was just like a child fascinated by vigilante justice, admiring those comic-book heroes who enforced their own law.
It wasn't wrong at all—rather, it was a precious kind of innocent righteousness.
Even more unexpected to Makoto was that Rinto openly nodded in agreement:
"I think you're absolutely right, Senpai. I feel exactly the same way."
"Maybe even the Phantom Thieves themselves feel that what they're doing is a necessary evil. Although it might sound arrogant, maybe there are just some things only a Phantom Thief can do, so that's why they started. If they knew someone like you could understand them, Senpai, I'm sure they'd be very happy."
Makoto smiled playfully, "Rinto-kun… You almost make it sound like you're the one secretly feeding information to the Phantom Thieves~."
The student council president's joke was met with laughter from Rinto as well.
Their relationship warmed quickly, and the atmosphere was much better than yesterday's initial conversation.
Letting out a comfortable sigh of relief, Makoto smiled gratefully:
"It's really nice to finally talk openly with you. Ever since my sister asked me to look out for you, I was stressing the whole day about how to handle it."
"But seeing how sincere you are, Rinto-kun, I feel relieved. Let's work together to see if there's anyone at school acting as a spy for the Phantom Thieves!"
Rinto teased intentionally, "Oh, so we're still looking? You still want to catch the Phantom Thieves after all?"
"Of course," Makoto replied with cool confidence.
"Sympathizing with them is one thing, but tolerating the Phantom Thieves is another. Even leaving aside my sister's involvement, as student council president, I need to make sure our students aren't doing dangerous things. If someone really is sending intel to the Phantom Thieves, they might be putting themselves in harm's way. I have a duty to protect them."
"Rinto-kun, you're related to that judge, right? All the more reason we can't be bending the rules for personal reasons. I'll have you join the student council officially. You just need to show up once in a while—I'll contact you privately for everything else."
Saying this, the efficient student council president handed Rinto another form.
Right after yesterday's club application form, today came a student council registration.
He couldn't help wondering what else Makoto might make him sign in the future…
After Rinto accepted it, Makoto's expression brightened considerably:
"Starting today, we're officially investigation partners at school. Of course, this stays confidential—please don't tell your pretty girlfriend who sits in front of you."
"This will be our secret. In exchange, within the student council's power, I'll support you as much as possible. Consider it part of our deal—is that okay?"
Rinto joked lightly, "Calling it a 'deal' doesn't sound very righteous. It actually sounds more like something the Phantom Thieves would do. Guess we're accomplices now, Niijima-senpai."
"That's true, isn't it?" Makoto laughed openly and joyfully.
Turns out her sense of humor was actually quite easy-going—she laughed easily at jokes.
Their student council president was serious, responsible, and strict, yet also unexpectedly adorable.
This was pretty great—Rinto's social circle had just widened again.
After school that day, Rinto texted his fellow Keion-bu members in advance, telling them he'd be absent today.
His dear kouhai Bocchi instantly marked his message as "Read," but no reply ever arrived.
Togawa Sakiko replied after a short while:
[Is it a date with your girlfriend? Wishing you happiness.]
Why was her mind immediately jumping to that conclusion…? Rinto was at a loss how to reply.
But today wasn't actually a date—it was a group activity.
Even Takamaki Ann had apologized to her bestie Shiho, saying today's event was something Shiho couldn't attend.
That made today's purpose very obvious—
"—And now, we officially begin the celebration party for the Phantom Thieves' first successful operation~!"
Rinto's best buddy, Sakamoto Ryuji, raised his drink energetically, forcing his voice lower than usual.
Rinto, Ann, and the Yoshizawa twins immediately echoed him, clinking their glasses in celebration!
Since Rinto had been busy, their celebration had been delayed by several days, but finally they'd booked a place.
Ann had selected a fancy hotel buffet—with grilled meat, seafood, desserts, everything imaginable. The spread was beyond luxurious!
Naturally, the cost was equally high—normally too expensive for regular students.
Ann was happily eating cake, eyes crescent-shaped with delight:
"It's sooo delicious~♡ When I came here for a magazine shoot celebration last time, I kept thinking how much I wanted to come back… But seriously, Leader, are you sure it's okay for you to foot the whole bill? Isn't it too much?"
"It's fine," Rinto replied calmly, enjoying his seafood fried rice while carefully analyzing its ingredients, trying to replicate the recipe mentally.
Sandwiched between Kasumi and Sumire, he grandly explained:
"I already sold Kamoshida's treasure, that gold medal—it's more than enough to cover today's meal. Eat as much as you want; we've earned it."
"Ooh—!"
Everyone cheered even louder, praising Rinto for being an excellent leader.
"Hey, speaking of which—"
While chewing a mouthful of steak, Ryuji raised an incredibly constructive question:
"If we could bring Kamoshida's medal out of the Metaverse, couldn't we have grabbed more stuff? His Palace was filled with treasures—gold and silver everywhere. If we'd grabbed more at the time, we could've achieved financial freedom already, right?"
Ohh… The girls instantly turned their gazes toward Rinto.
"Nice thought, but it's not realistic."
Rinto drank some water, rinsing his palate like a professional gourmet:
"The medal was Kamoshida's core obsession, powerful enough to form the root of his Palace. Because his distorted desire was so intense, that's why we could physically take it out."
"But aside from those special cases, most things from the Metaverse don't have that strong a sense of 'existence.' We can only take the ruler's core Treasure; everything else just vanishes. So unfortunately, getting rich quickly isn't so easy."
So that was it… Everyone nodded thoughtfully, a bit disappointed but convinced.
However, there was one thing Rinto hadn't mentioned:
It was true they could only bring out core Treasures from Palaces.
But in this world, countless Palaces were born from greed for wealth alone.
If they genuinely wanted money, it was entirely possible to just target a few greedy Palace rulers whose Treasures had direct monetary value, quickly amassing wealth.
Not to mention, there were even darker methods—intimidating Shadows for passwords, coercing them in reality, or even extracting insider information from corporate Shadows to profit off stock trading. Rinto himself had tried interrogating CEO Shadows before to gain insider knowledge—but that was purely experimental and not nearly enough to achieve financial freedom.
Methods were just methods—whether or not to use them was another matter entirely.
Rinto didn't want to pollute his new companions' pure hearts, so he wisely kept quiet about these things.
"…But regardless, we really did punish a bad guy," Ryuji said after finishing three plates of grilled meat and steak, letting out a satisfied belch as he collapsed comfortably onto the sofa.
He looked entirely content, his unpolluted eyes brimming with pure joy:
"Thanks to meeting you, Boss, I didn't just get revenge against Kamoshida—I got him real justice. We did a genuinely good thing, punishing a corrupted adult… It feels incredible!"
"I honestly can't wait for our next mission! Boss, when do we start? Who's next—should we target people connected to Kamoshida, like that TV producer he mentioned?"
Rinto shook his head cautiously: "No. Best not to follow a single line too closely."
"Kamoshida's already confessed, and his associates will be investigated soon enough. Moving against them now would be redundant. At times like this, it's best to lie low and target a completely unrelated criminal later."
That made sense to everyone, who nodded in agreement.
As expected of their veteran leader, Rinto—he had carefully thought through every detail. His meticulousness was precisely why the authorities believed the Phantom Thieves to be a huge criminal organization, with no traces leading back to him.
To sustain their enthusiasm, Rinto added:
"This world is full of terrible people. If you used the Navigation App and tested random names, you'd be shocked at how many Palaces pop up."
"But because of this, I don't want to shoot blindly. We can help people in need, but if we judge solely based on the existence of a Palace, we'd become too arrogant."
"So…" Rinto glanced meaningfully at everyone around the table:
"I suggest we set a rule. Apart from urgent situations, we'll only infiltrate Palaces when all of us unanimously agree."
"Furthermore, we shouldn't target complete strangers. Only when someone directly asks for help, confirming a victim's suffering at a Palace ruler's hands, will we collectively decide."
"Just like with Ann and Ryuji—you two suffered personally because of Kamoshida, fully aware of how evil he was. That's why we acted. This way, we can ensure our actions remain justified and reasonable. What do you think?"
"...Mm, I trust you, Rinto-kun."
Ann was the first to speak, nodding firmly.
They weren't stupid; everyone clearly understood Rinto's implied meaning.
Investigating victims beforehand and then deciding whether to take action had one clear flaw: it was always reactive.
But that couldn't be helped.
The Phantom Thieves' power itself was inherently reactive, never preventive.
Their brand of vigilante justice was essentially a supplement to the inadequacies of society itself, targeting those who should've been punished by the law but weren't.
Thus, despite the inherent delay, they needed to use their abilities cautiously to preserve absolute legitimacy.
Ann spoke seriously, even setting down her cake:
"If you hadn't saved me in time, Rinto-kun, forget dying in Kamoshida's Palace—I might've broken down in real life too... Unable to resist someone protected like Kamoshida, I probably would've given in eventually."
"But even after we changed his heart, I realized how incredible this power was. All those police officers coming into school, all the teachers being questioned, even the students being interviewed individually... We really are changing society. So, of course, we need to be careful."
"Yeah..." Ryuji sighed heavily.
Even as Kamoshida's most direct victim, he felt deeply conflicted:
"Last week, after Kamoshida was taken away, seeing everyone suddenly celebrating really bugged me. So many people worshipped him just days before, and now they're all acting like, 'Oh, I always knew he was a creep'... They even disrupted other teachers' classes, turning the whole grade into chaos. Honestly, it made me sick."
"That's why I also support this. We should stay true to our own conscience! We're acting for people oppressed like us, truly as Phantom Thieves who steal from the wicked and help the helpless! I agree that we should first thoroughly investigate what the villains have done and understand the victim's situation. Only after we unanimously agree should we infiltrate a Palace—sound good?"
"Yeah!"
The five humans and one feline Phantom Thieves unanimously agreed, passing their first official resolution.
And so...
After the girls ate themselves silly, completely unable to resist temptation, Rinto and Ryuji headed to the elevator first to wait.
Even the Yoshizawa sisters, who usually watched their sodium intake carefully, had indulged wildly today, saying strange things like, "Let's just pretend today's a cheat day!" while devouring plate after plate.
The sheer appetite of these two athletic girls had thoroughly stunned the two boys.
"—Hey!"
As the two guys chatted, Ryuji was suddenly bumped by a group of burly men in suits.
They blocked other guests waiting for the elevator and rudely cut in front, clearly asserting dominance.
Ryuji instantly exploded:
"Oi, are you blind?! We were waiting here first! Ever heard of lining up?!"
A towering security guard glanced down dismissively: "This elevator is reserved for the Councilman's security needs. Kids can wait for the next one—what's all the fuss about?"
"Hah?! What Councilman? Being a councilman means you can cut in line now?!"
Ryuji, never one to accept arrogance, stepped forward aggressively.
Rinto had originally intended to calm him down—
But the moment he caught sight of the person behind the security detail, he froze entirely.
"—I sincerely apologize, young man."
Amid the security entourage, a bald-headed, imposing middle-aged man stepped forward with a kindly smile.
Despite his baldness, he had a robust physique, one that even his sharp suit couldn't hide. He radiated an aura of authority.
Yet right now, his smile was gentle and sincere, even bowing apologetically to Ryuji:
"My guards acted rudely—I'll see they're properly disciplined later. It's just that we urgently need to attend a meeting, hence our rush."
"Again, I apologize for my subordinate's rudeness. Here's my card—if there's anything later, contact my secretary, and we'll arrange proper compensation. I'm truly very sorry."
"Oh... Um, okay. Sure, no problem, sir."
You don't slap a smiling face, after all.
Even Ryuji's temper fizzled out in front of this man's sincerity, obediently accepting the card.
As the elevator arrived, the black-suited group swiftly packed themselves inside.
Just before the doors closed, a flash of brightness caught Rinto's eye:
"I'm really sorry too! Let me apologize on my dad's behalf. Sorry we cut ahead."
A girl with long chestnut hair offered an irresistibly charming smile, bowing slightly and even winking at Rinto and Ryuji before quickly slipping inside the elevator.
As the doors closed, Rinto caught a final glimpse of the bald man affectionately patting his daughter's head—quite the touching father-daughter moment.
"...That buff bald guy seriously has such a cute daughter? Genetics are terrifying."
Rinto: "Is that really your first reaction?"
Rinto finally opened his mouth, amused.
At that moment, the girls arrived at the elevator.
Kasumi and Sumire immediately clung to Rinto's sides:
"Senpai, senpai! That bald man just now—wasn't that Councilman Shido Masayoshi? To think we'd bump into him dining here... Are we lucky or unlucky?"
Ann chimed in excitedly: "Exactly! And that cute girl with him was his daughter, Akechi Tamako, right? This is the first time I've seen her in person—she's even prettier than on TV!"
"You all recognize them?" Rinto asked, surprised.
The girls all nodded simultaneously.
That bald man, Shido Masayoshi, was a well-known councilman from recent years. Apparently, he'd achieved significant political success, even rumored to be running for election soon.
As for his daughter, her story was even more legendary.
Ann, an avid gossip reader, began recounting enthusiastically:
"Shido Masayoshi's daughter was supposedly a child born out of wedlock whom he publicly acknowledged only two years ago! Normally, a scandal like that would be disastrous, but he was incredibly upfront—openly admitting he hadn't known about his lover's pregnancy and that he'd take responsibility now."
"Apparently, to honor her late mother, the girl kept her mother's surname, Akechi. Even though the situation itself is bad, this father-daughter duo turned out surprisingly heartwarming. And Akechi Tamako herself is said to be a once-in-a-decade genius—it's practically become a famous story."
A heartwarming story about an illegitimate child...? Ryuji didn't seem interested at all, yawning boredly to the side.
Rinto remained neutral, listening silently as Ann detailed Akechi Tamako's various achievements.
Apparently, the girl was their age—a second-year high schooler.
Not only did she excel academically, regularly ranking at the top nationally, but she was also a fashion model and variety-show star, practically a full-fledged idol already.
"...Rinto-nii? Are you worried about something?"
Amid Ann's excited rambling, Yoshizawa Kasumi was the first to notice Rinto's subtly changed expression, quickly asking about it.
Rinto considered briefly, then decided to reveal the truth:
"I actually know Shido Masayoshi. But I didn't know he had a daughter back then; he must've adopted her afterward. I don't follow celebrity news, so I probably missed it."
Ann gasped: "Ehh~?! Rinto, you even know a councilman? That's incredible! But how do you know him...? Wait—no way, could it be..."
Even the normally dense Ann, realizing the implication, widened her eyes and covered her mouth in shock.
Rinto nodded honestly:
"Shido Masayoshi was once a target whose heart I changed—a monstrous villain with his own Palace."
"And even counting all my targets over the past three years, he was one of the strongest. I spent almost my entire first year dealing with him and his cronies before finally tracking down and dismantling his Palace."
Truly, he'd been a tough nut to crack; just recalling it now exhausted Rinto.
Yet as casually as he said this, everyone else erupted in shock.
Ann immediately grabbed hold of him:
"Wait wait wait—seriously?! Shido Masayoshi was a Palace-holding villain too? And you already changed his heart?!"
"But... but then how is he still a councilman?! Didn't he become famous only recently—after his heart was supposedly changed?!"
"Is it really that strange?" Rinto remained calm.
He explained further: "Changing someone's heart removes their distorted desires and floods them with guilt. But it doesn't always mean they'll publicly repent and face justice."
"Especially powerful officials like Shido Masayoshi. Even if he genuinely repents, those around him will do everything to suppress it. If his rational mind can overcome the guilt and shame, naturally he won't confess."
Rinto pondered silently:
Perhaps acknowledging his daughter publicly was part of his repentance.
Shido had undoubtedly changed—but due to various circumstances, he hadn't publicly admitted his crimes.
It was uncommon but not impossible.
Still, Rinto was genuinely puzzled:
"Normally, even if someone doesn't confess or is suppressed from confessing, they lose the will to continue their career."
"Like Kamoshida, targets usually experience an emotional backlash after a change of heart. But Shido quickly bounced back and continued his political career—it's genuinely baffling."
Was this purely due to Shido's extraordinary willpower, or was something else at play…?
Rinto sank into contemplation, but the answer eluded him.