After finishing his part-time shift at Nijika's family's live house STARRY, Rinto's first week as a second-year high school student officially came to an end.
Looking back, even he thought way too much had happened this past week—so full it felt a bit excessive.
He'd originally wanted to retire from being a Phantom Thief, but in the blink of an eye, he'd formed the Phantom Thieves with Takamaki Ann and the others, even taking down a corrupt former Olympic gold medalist teacher.
Not to mention somehow ending up with three girlfriends at once… This was far too sinful!
Everything had come so fast, Rinto just wanted to slow down a bit.
No matter how mature he seemed, he was still a boy experiencing his first loves—right now, he just wanted to enjoy spending time with the girls he adored.
Speaking of which…
"Momoka, I'm heading off to school now."
"Mmm…mmnn~…"
Rinto woke up in Momoka's bed and gave his clingy older girlfriend a sweet good-morning kiss.
Waking up to his beautiful, sexy (and adorably soft-tummied) older girlfriend felt absolutely blissful.
If he didn't have to go to school, he honestly wanted to forget about everything else and spend the entire day nestled in bed with Momoka, filling her up all over again.
Still groggy, Momoka hugged him tightly without even opening her eyes:
"Just skip school… Let's drop out together and form a band for life, okay~?"
"No way," Rinto immediately rejected. "A girl band has to be all beauties; having a guy around would just ruin the vibe."
Rinto kept his bass-learning secret carefully hidden, planning to surprise Momoka later.
He cuddled Momoka a bit more until she was gasping and begging for mercy before finally letting her go.
He got up, washed, cooked breakfast, and prepared their bentos.
Everything done with practiced ease, professional as always.
Rinto didn't dislike housework—in fact, he was growing increasingly fond of cooking.
Preparing meals for Momoka, his girlfriend, made him incredibly happy; preparing meals for Ann, his Phantom Thief comrade (?), also brought him joy.
He loved seeing the satisfied smiles on people's faces when eating his food—maybe that was the true happiness of a chef.
"I guess I should start making Momoka a bento from now on too…"
Rinto muttered to himself.
Momoka previously went out for work most days, sorting out her lunch on her own.
After all, she was a rough, carefree type—bringing homemade lunches felt kind of embarrassing.
But now Rinto wasn't just her roommate; he was her boyfriend.
So naturally, he wanted to show off a little—making bentos was just another form of PDA.
He happened to have enough ingredients today, so he made an extra portion, neatly packed into a spare lunchbox for Momoka.
After finishing everything, Rinto took off his apron and changed into his school uniform.
He wasn't sure if Morgana, who'd been out "observing humans," had returned. He peeked into his room to check:
"Morgana, you here…?!!"
Rinto's voice rose suddenly, nearly loud enough to wake Momoka upstairs.
Because right there on his bed lay a stunning, fairy-like girl, ethereally beautiful with flawless white skin.
She wore an extraordinary sapphire-blue dress, her silvery-golden hair spread across the bed, shimmering gently in the sunlight.
The entire scene had an unreal, dreamlike quality, making Rinto wonder if he'd stepped into another world.
He stared dumbfounded, frozen on the spot.
Yet inexplicably, he felt an intense, strangely nostalgic connection with this unfamiliar girl.
Before he could process any thoughts clearly, his hand instinctively reached out.
"…Nya~"
But the moment he touched the fairy girl's head, the sensation became soft and furry.
The vision dissolved like a mirage, leaving Rinto petting Morgana's fluffy, furry cat-head instead.
Morgana immediately began rubbing affectionately into Rinto's palm, purring sweetly:
"Morning, Boss. Heading off to school? Then I'll come along; let me squeeze into your bag."
"…Morgana, when did you come back?" Rinto managed to hide his inner shock and confusion, asking calmly.
He refused to believe he was hallucinating just because he was tired or had done it too much with Momoka.
The vision of the blue-clad fairy surely held some significance.
Morgana tilted his head: "I came back just before dawn. I wanted to nap on top of you, but you weren't in your room, so I just slept by myself."
"Observing humans outside is really fun—I sensed tons of fresh, delicious desires, filling me right up… Even now, it smells wonderful (✧ω✧)~"
Morgana's cute, spoiled meows were bone-meltingly sweet, even licking Rinto's fingers affectionately.
He flipped over, baring his fluffy white belly and kneading the air at Rinto:
"Nyaa nyaaa ♡… such a sweet aroma… the best kind of love ( 'ω`)… Boss, you're amazing, cultivating so much love these past two days. I adore this flavor… generate even more love, please?"
Rinto: "…You feel satisfied just sensing people's desires? Especially love?"
Even Rinto couldn't resist this clingy kitten's adorable antics, gently rubbing his soft belly.
Momoka was right—Morgana truly acted like a girl cat, definitely in heat right now.
That blue fairy he'd just seen might even be Morgana's true form.
But that luxurious, pure fairy was worlds apart from this clingy little kitten begging affectionately and licking his fingers. Rinto wondered which was Morgana's real nature.
After spending a good while spoiling Morgana, Rinto realized he was nearly late and quickly packed the cat away, heading to school.
At the station, he met up with the Yoshizawa sisters on their platform.
"—Ah! Senpai brought a guitar!"
They spotted Rinto carrying an instrument case from far away and exclaimed in surprise.
Rinto smiled wryly: "This isn't a guitar; it's a bass. Though honestly, even I can't really tell the difference."
"Why did you suddenly bring a bass to school, Rinto-nii?" Kasumi blinked. "…Could it be you're trying to set yourself up as a prince of love songs, planning to seduce more fangirls?"
No way (°o°)… Sumire also gasped dramatically:
"After experiencing us, Senpai finally awakens as a carnivorous type?! …Fantastic~ ♡"
"A playboy senpai is awesome too! So manly—I love it ♡"
Rinto: "Sumire, I don't like playboys—I prefer fresh fruit. Though bananas are actually sweetest when almost rotten."
Another random life tip—bananas really were fragile things…but now wasn't the time for that.
He confirmed the twins were healthy, as lively as ever after resting a day.
During the train ride, Rinto briefly explained his part-time work at the live house and how he'd started learning an instrument.
"So lucky… lucky, lucky~!"
Kasumi pouted enviously: "Rinto-nii really loves Momoka-san—you'd do anything for her. I also want to spend more time with Rinto-nii… How about you purposely repeat a year so we can be classmates next year?"
Rinto: "I wouldn't mind doing that for you, but then your dad—or rather our dad—would definitely strangle me."
That strict judge would never let his daughters date a guy repeating a year. Rinto didn't want to ruin the sisters' reputation over something silly.
Kasumi looked ready to argue that outside opinions didn't matter as long as they were happy behind closed doors.
But Sumire was more rational:
"Senpai, you brought your bass to school to hide your practice from Momoka-san, right? Then what? You can't bring it home again, so will you leave it at school?"
Good point. Rinto nodded: "I planned to ask if our school has a Light Music Club—I could hide it under club activities."
After hearing that smart idea, Sumire's eyes lit up:
"Then let's join the Light Music Club too! That way we avoid trouble and spend more time together!"
"Ah, that's right!" Kasumi nodded happily.
Rinto then learned teachers at Shujin had repeatedly invited the Yoshizawa twins to establish a gymnastics club due to their national-level abilities and beauty.
But the twins weren't interested:
"Gymnastics is individual, pairs, or teams. Sumire and I aim to win individual and pair competitions—we don't have time for club activities."
True enough.
They were already professionals; club practice at school would be pointless compared to professional training.
But if they joined his music club, wouldn't others accuse them of losing their discipline? Rinto was slightly worried.
But they shrugged it off easily:
"It's fine! Our coach even said it's healthy to have hobbies outside gymnastics!"
"Exactly! And with the club as cover, we can spend extra time with Senpai! Maybe even fool around at school… that'd be perfect~ ♡"
These two girls really were hopelessly addicted—true teenagers.
Though skeptical, Rinto still agreed:
"I'll ask a teacher today. Bring any good friends along if you want—more fun that way."
"Yay~(＞3＜)!"
The twins jumped excitedly, each claiming half of Rinto's lips for a three-way kiss.
...
When Rinto arrived at school, it was no surprise that showing up with a bass immediately drew attention.
Especially from Takamaki Ann, sitting right in front of him. She instantly spun around and leaned over his desk:
"Rinto, you started learning an instrument? Is that a guitar? Wow, how sexy~!"
Rinto: "Why sexy?! And it's a bass, not a guitar."
Why did everyone see him carrying an instrument and instantly assume he was trying to pick up girls?
What kind of stereotype was that? Did everyone assume rock musicians were all into smoking, drinking, and fooling around with women?!
He didn't smoke or drink at all! And he was totally devoted!
Anyway, Rinto quickly explained his plans to Ann.
Ann immediately replied, "I don't think Shujin has a Light Music Club. The school used to be way more focused on athletics than culture, so sports clubs are everywhere, but cultural clubs are pretty rare."
"But hey, maybe we can start one ourselves! Want to go ask Kawakami-sensei together later?"
"Ann, you're really an amazing girl," Rinto couldn't help praising her again.
How could a girl as beautiful, generous, and enthusiastic as Ann even exist? God must have added way too many ingredients when creating her.
If he didn't already have three girlfriends, he might've confessed, been rejected, fallen into despair, and turned villainous right on the spot—whew, good thing he hadn't!
As Ann bashfully twirled her hair, Rinto took the chance to ask:
"If I really do start a club, could you join too? Even just casually to help with numbers."
"Ah, sorry~," Ann quickly pressed her palms together apologetically. "Shiho and I already agreed—I'm bringing her to interview at the fashion magazine where I work part-time."
"I mean, she's got an amazing figure, and now that she quit volleyball, she finally has free time. It'll be super fun modeling together~!"
"…I see. Then congrats, and I hope it all goes well for you two."
Rinto felt genuinely happy for Ann, comforted by the dazzling smile lighting up her face.
Just last week, she was depressed about Shiho quitting volleyball.
But clearly, they'd talked it through over the past two days.
Their friendship remained strong, supporting each other's new paths—truly enviable best friends.
"…It's thanks to you that I found the courage. Thank you, I like you."
"Hm? Ann, did you say something?" Rinto asked blankly.
He'd vaguely heard Ann whisper something softly to herself but didn't catch it clearly.
Ann was obviously being deliberate, though, maintaining a radiant smile:
"I was saying Shiho seems to like you. She wants to invite you to have lunch together sometime. She's super shy, you know—this is the first time I've ever heard her wanting to ask out a guy. You're in luck, pretty boy~♡"
Rinto: "Huh? But I already have a girlfriend… Ann, cut it out. Everyone's staring."
Ann kept poking his cheek playfully and ruffling his hair.
These overly intimate gestures naturally caught the attention of their classmates, and some girls even started sneakily taking photos again.
…Seriously, did Ann really not worry about making her best friend jealous at all? Rinto genuinely couldn't figure out what was going through her head.