Once again, I experienced firsthand how easily online reviews could be manipulated.
Even though it was a secondhand phone, I had still chosen a shop with good ratings on a major online marketplace to give Sora a better experience.
I thought buying from a legitimate platform would be safe. I never expected to run into a seller faking reviews. One could only marvel at the pure and liberal commercial spirit of Kivotos.
"This is the shop, right?" Chihiro frowned as she read aloud. "Octo Mobile… judging from the name, it looks like they specialize in secondhand phones."
Hare speculated beside her. "Could they be running a large scale scam this way? Normally, even if a phone gets hit by ransomware, people wouldn't suspect the seller unless they traced it with hacking."
Kotama nodded. "And they target customers with weaker finances, the sort who can't afford to hire a professional hacker just to chase a small ransom."
Maki made a disgusted face. "Ugh… that means they don't even need to spend money developing viruses or maintaining servers. That's seriously vile…"
With just a few exchanges, the girls of Veritas pieced together the most likely scenario based on their extensive experience dealing with cybercriminals.
There might be minor inaccuracies in the details, but the general truth was already clear.
I said nothing. I simply narrowed my eyes slightly, my thoughts swirling around a single idea.
If Veritas was right, Sora wasn't the only victim. If the total amount they had scammed was large enough, how many years could the culprits be sentenced to?
But we still needed solid evidence to file a case with Yayoi. At this time of year, the police force was stretched thin. They couldn't act on mere possibilities.
There was one more option, but it would mean owing a favor to a certain Prefect President, and I would have to go on another date selling my charm to pay her back.
That would also cause trouble for Kanna and the other students in Public Security.
I could picture how Kaya would bark orders at her subordinates with that arrogant, unreasonable attitude of hers.
"To find the shop's full registration details, we'd have to break through the platform's security defenses. It's not impossible, but it would take a lot of time. More importantly, the registration info for Octo Mobile is probably fake. Since they're already committing crimes, using false information would be normal."
Chihiro explained, "So I plan to use a simpler method. We'll directly locate their IP address."
Oh, justice speedrun. Show me the true identity behind the mask!
I asked eagerly, "Then what comes next? A real world confrontation?"
Chihiro stared at me in surprise. "Huh? No… we're going to hack them and extract every piece of evidence of their crimes."
"Oh…"
For some reason, I felt a little disappointed.
"Anyway, while we're locating them, could you pose as a new customer and keep them occupied?"
I agreed immediately. "Of course. I'm the one asking you for help. I've been sitting here watching you all work so hard, and I've been feeling guilty. If I can contribute even a little, that's perfect. Except…"
I shifted topics with a puzzled tone. "If we do that, won't the IP we track belong to the customer support worker? The support agent might not be the seller."
"That's right. But even if the agent isn't an accomplice, they're still connected. We can follow any traces they leave behind… and of course, we won't pry into personal information without cause. Ethical hackers must act with restraint, using their skills only to uphold justice and eliminate wrongdoing, never for personal gratification."
Chihiro could clearly see what worried me.
The three other Veritas girls nodded firmly behind her, their expressions full of righteous determination.
"I see… that makes sense."
"Good. I also happen to use this platform from time to time for electronics purchases. Please use my account."
The honest, justice minded hacker Chihiro typed in her username and password with practiced ease, then handed it to me.
I glanced at the username: pale yellow bunny. My eyes drifted to the pale yellow rabbit plush hanging from Chihiro's waist pouch. Right at that moment, a delicate hand quickly covered the plush's face.
Chihiro glared at me, cheeks tinged red. "W-what is it?"
So she did have a cute, girlish side in private.
Feeling deeply satisfied by this new discovery, I kept a perfectly calm expression and shook my head.
"Nothing. Let's begin. Otherwise the support agent might get off work."
I entered the shop page and selected the option to chat with customer support. Since it was already late at night, I didn't have to wait long.
Support Agent No. 4: Hello dear, welcome to Octo Secondhand Mobile Store∼
Support Agent No. 4: This is Maqi from customer service∼ How may I help you today?
pale yellow bunny: I want to ask about one of your products.
Support Agent No. 4: Sure thing∼ Maqi will do her best to help you∼
So far, the shop's customer service attitude was indeed impressive.
pale yellow bunny: I want to ask. Are your products guaranteed in quality?
Support Agent No. 4: Yes dear∼ Our secondhand smartphones are all used by female students and kept in ninety percent new condition. Quality is strictly controlled∼
pale yellow bunny: Can the price be lowered?
Support Agent No. 4: That's not something Maqi can decide dear∼
pale yellow bunny: Oh.
pale yellow bunny: Then can you transfer me to someone who can make that decision?
Support Agent No. 4: Ah… sorry dear∼ customer service doesn't have that authority∼
Support Agent No. 4: Our products are sold at nearly cost price with small profits and quick turnover∼ There's no cheaper shop with better quality on the market∼
pale yellow bunny: So no matter what, you can't lower the price?
Support Agent No. 4: That's right dear… but you know what they say, you get what you pay for! Maqi uses a phone from our shop too∼
pale yellow bunny: Oh.
pale yellow bunny: Then what if the product I receive isn't actually ninety percent new?
Support Agent No. 4: Eh?
Support Agent No. 4: …Sorry dear, Maqi isn't sure what you mean?
pale yellow bunny: For example, say I had it checked professionally after receiving it.
pale yellow bunny: And if the hardware loss exceeds ten percent, then it's not ninety percent new, right?
pale yellow bunny: In that case, can I claim ten times compensation for false advertising?
Support Agent No. 4: …
Support Agent No. 4: Dear, ninety percent new is a flexible term…
Support Agent No. 4: That is… even though we do have strict quality control, individual products vary…
Support Agent No. 4: But the quality is definitely guaranteed! Maqi uses one too∼
I could tell the support agent was genuinely trying her best to give a satisfactory answer.
Unfortunately, my role was to be a sharp tongued customer with ulterior motives, stalling for as long as possible.
I glanced toward the busy Veritas girls. Chihiro noticed and silently mouthed, "Almost done."
I nodded. It was time to go all out.
pale yellow bunny: Oh.
pale yellow bunny: So in other words.
pale yellow bunny: You're doing false advertising?
pale yellow bunny: I can report your shop to the platform, right?
Support Agent No. 4: …
Support Agent No. 4: Sorry… the platform won't accept that kind of complaint…
pale yellow bunny: Oh.
pale yellow bunny: Then.
pale yellow bunny: What if I report you personally?
Support Agent No. 4: …Eh?
Support Agent No. 4: W-what do you mean?
Support Agent No. 4: That kind of joke isn't funny…
pale yellow bunny: I'm not joking.
pale yellow bunny: Since the shop isn't falsely advertising, then it must be your personal actions that hurt the shop's reputation.
pale yellow bunny: I wonder what punishment you'll face.
Support Agent No. 4: …
Support Agent No. 4: What exactly do you want?
pale yellow bunny: So.
pale yellow bunny: You really can't lower the price?
pale yellow bunny: As an employee, you should at least be able to offer a small discount, right?
It seemed we were circling back to the beginning of the argument.
I leaned back in the chair and let out a small yawn, waiting for the next reply.
But what came was not something I expected. After a brief silence, the support agent suddenly exploded.
Support Agent No. 4: Aaaaah! I've had it! I'm completely done with people like you who keep pestering and pushing!!!!!
Support Agent No. 4: I said I have no authority! None! Do you not understand?!
Support Agent No. 4: I'm only a part time support agent!
Support Agent No. 4: People like you think only about yourselves!
Support Agent No. 4: Can't you think about others even a little? You threaten someone's paycheck just to save a bit of money for yourself?!
Support Agent No. 4: I'm short on money too, okay?! I use a secondhand phone someone else tossed out!! Why do you think I'm working this late?!
Support Agent No. 4: I'm seriously, seriously at my limit!!!!!!
Support Agent No. 4: Who said customer support is an easy job?! Every day I have to deal with people like you!
Support Agent No. 4: I have school during the day and work at night. I don't even have time to see the person I like. And I endure all this frustration just for a small paycheck?!
Support Agent No. 4: If you want to complain, go ahead! I quit!
Her tone was explosive. The swarm of message was painfully sad.
And yet, why did it feel strangely familiar…
While I was still staring in stunned silence, a cheer came from behind me.
"Oh! We've got the location! Let's see where this IP leads…"
Maki blinked and sounded surprised. "Huh? Abydos Region? That's pretty out of the way…"
…Abydos? Support agent Maqi?
All at once, I understood. My expression twisted slightly.
Maki, completely unaware, said cheerfully, "Okay∼ now let's check the traces left inside the device and leave a little message∼"
Hare nodded. "Good idea. Let's mark it with ASCII so they know it was Veritas!"
Kotama added, "Let's also leave a backdoor for monitoring."
…Hold on. Wasn't Veritas supposed to be the misunderstood justice oriented hacking group?
"Hey, this is not the time for that."
The ever reliable deputy director Chihiro frowned and stopped them. "We need to confirm whether the person is actually the culprit first."
I quickly spoke. "Wait, before anything else, I need to confirm something."
Seeing the confusion on their faces, I added, "This customer support agent… might be someone I know. Just let me check first."
Chihiro blinked, confused. "Huh? Not sure what you mean, but alright."
So I took out my phone, hesitated for a second, then directly dialed a video call.
It connected almost immediately.
On screen was a cat eared girl forcing a smile. Her brows were turned upward, her face was flushed, and her breathing was heavy. She looked very much like someone who had just finished shouting in anger.
Serika… so it really was you.
"Sensei? Why are you video calling so late?" Serika asked when I didn't speak. "Did you tap it by accident?"
"…Serika, let me ask. What are you doing right now?"
"Huh? I was just about to go to bed."
That, at least, was true. She was wearing pajamas, and behind her was a clean bedroom. On a shelf sat the wind up music box I had given her.
I dropped the pretense. "Serika, are you working part time as an online customer support agent?"
"Eh? Sensei, how do you know?"
Serika, it really was you.
But thinking about it carefully, it wasn't surprising. Somehow, this was exactly the kind of situation Serika would fall into.
As for the cat eared girl's personality, I knew it by heart.
Pure. Kind. A little short tempered. And easily tricked.
This time, too, she had mistaken this for a normal job and had unwittingly become involved with a criminal group.
Still unaware of the situation, Serika let out a heavy sigh and grumbled, "But I'm quitting. Sensei, listen to me. Just now I met the most annoying—"
"That person was me."
"…Huh?"
Her expression went blank, then shocked. "That pale yellow bunny was you?! W-what is going on?!"
Just as I trusted Serika, she trusted me completely.
It didn't take much effort to explain everything to her. Serika listened, her expression darkening with righteous fury. Even her eyes grew sharp.
"So that's what happened." Serika spoke coldly. "Then, Sensei, what can I do to help?"
"Do you have the shop manager's contact information?"
"Yes. I'll send it to you on momotalk."
Serika clicked her tongue in frustration. "I can't believe I unknowingly became an accomplice to criminals… I'm so mad! I'm definitely quitting!"
"This isn't your fault, Serika. It's the fault of the people doing wrong."
"I know that. Then… Sensei, I'll hang up now?"
"Alright. But one more thing." I stopped her just as she was about to end the call. She looked at me questioningly as I smiled. "In that case, you'll have time to see me in a few days, right?"
This was my answer to customer support agent Maqi, who had lamented she couldn't meet the person she liked because of work.
Serika froze, then her pale cheeks flushed pink. She bit her lip and tried to sound tough.
"W-what are you saying…"
"I feel the same, you know."
At that, Serika's rose colored eyes shimmered, and her face grew even redder.
"U-um… I I see… I… oh, come on! I'm going to sleep! You finish your work and go to bed too! Good night!"
With that, she hung up the call.
Almost immediately, momotalk chimed. A string of numbers and mixed symbols arrived, along with notes.
Her momotalk ID, phone number, email, everything.
I replied with a short thank you, nothing more.
Mainly because I didn't want Serika to get too excited to sleep.
I showed the Veritas girls the information displayed on my phone. A smile crept onto my face without me realizing it.
"With this, we should be able to find it, right?
"The culprit's identity."