IW: Chapter 160 - The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are Formed, Kasumigaoka Utaha's Lewd Request for a Push!
"Kato? Kato, are you home?"
At the entrance of the Kato family's home.
Eriri pressed the doorbell twice, listening for any movement inside. Although she knew Kato Megumi had taken a leave of absence these past few days,
she had subconsciously ignored it after learning about it. But it seemed like it hadn't been like this before; ever since she became friends with Kato Megumi, she had basically never forgotten Kato Megumi.
"No one?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha crossed her arms, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Logically, since Kato Megumi had taken a leave, she should be home, but there seemed to be no movement inside.
"Looks like she's not home? Could Kato have gone to visit relatives with her family?"
Eriri turned to Bai Ye and asked. It seemed Kato Megumi was not there.
It looked like they had come for nothing today.
"No, she's home."
Bai Ye shook his head. His perception detected Kato Megumi was there, and she was currently running to open the door.
Click.
The door opened, and Kato Megumi poked her head out from inside, looking at the three of them. She said apologetically, "I was busy with something just now, I'm really sorry."
"It's alright, Kato, are you okay?"
Speaking of which, it should be somewhat related to them.
She should have cared herself, as a classmate. After so many days, why had she suddenly forgotten Kato Megumi again?
"I'm fine. It's just that I haven't been feeling well these past few days, so I took a few days off from school. I was planning to go back to school next Monday."
Kato Megumi shook her head. She kept Eriri's concern in her heart.
Her leave of absence was a bit sudden, but there were some things she couldn't tell them, fearing that if she did, the others would think she had gone mad.
"Sick?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Kato Megumi's condition. She seemed to be in good spirits.
"Not really, just feeling a bit unwell. Would you like to come in and sit?"
Kato Megumi shook her head, then stepped aside and opened the door, letting the three of them in.
"Kato, you seem to have something on your mind."
Bai Ye saw through it at a glance. Although Kato Megumi hid it very well, so well that even Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't notice it,
Bai Ye knew very well that Kato Megumi had, for a moment, wanted to tell them something, but then held back.
Although he was curious and wanted to ask, if Kato Megumi was unwilling to speak, Bai Ye would not overly pry into her thoughts. Everyone has secrets they don't want others to know.
"Eh? Is that so?"
Eriri looked suspiciously between the two of them, then her gaze fell on Kato Megumi. Clearly, regarding Bai Ye's statement that Kato Megumi had something on her mind, she hadn't noticed it.
"I really don't know where all your nutrition went."
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri with disdain. She hadn't noticed it just now, but after Bai Ye spoke, seeing Kato Megumi's lack of denial, she clearly had something on her mind.
But Eriri still looked like she didn't understand. Not only was she brainless, but she had nothing else either. She really didn't know how she was going to win; she was destined to be a Golden-Haired Loser!
"What do you mean, you fat woman?"
Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha in exasperation. What did she mean?
Her gaze unconsciously fell on Kasumigaoka Utaha's body. She realized that she seemed to have no way of defeating Kasumigaoka Utaha on this issue.
Damn it!
Why did this woman have such an outrageously large growth, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't change this fate?
"Actually, there are indeed some things I want to tell Bai Ye-kun and you all, but I'm a bit afraid that you won't believe me if I say them."
Kato Megumi hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to tell Bai Ye and the others about this seemingly incredible matter.
At first, she actually didn't want to believe this, but after digesting it alone at home for the past few days, she had no choice but to accept this strange event.
"Don't tell me you're actually a princess from some kingdom, and you're going back to inherit your family's business?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha said jokingly. Although it was a bit absurd, since Kato Megumi had said that they might not believe her if she spoke about this matter,
Kasumigaoka Utaha could only guess along those lines.
"It's even more absurd than that." Kato Megumi shook her head, then took out her phone and placed it in front of them, saying, "Do you believe in the existence of other worlds?"
"Other worlds?!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes. Before, she had thought her own idea was already absurd enough.
"I don't believe it!"
Eriri raised her hand, directly stating that she simply didn't believe in the existence of other worlds.
"But in fact, it does exist."
Even she didn't want to believe it, but so what?
Ultimately, she still accepted this reality.
"An APP gave me the ability to travel between reality and another world, and there, I awakened an ability called Persona."
Kato Megumi tried her best to concisely tell Bai Ye and the others everything she had encountered so far.
This made Bai Ye somewhat enlightened. An APP, Persona—it seemed he knew what it was.
Why does his world have everything? It's a hodgepodge.
Originally, Bai Ye just wanted to live a peaceful daily life of romance, but now it's not just Conan's science, urban legends, and Miko, but also Persona. Even if Stand users appeared later, Bai Ye felt it would seem normal.
Moreover, his world seems to be getting more and more dangerous. Bai Ye in other worlds are more or less solitary existences; only his world is recklessly merging.
"I believe you."
Since he knew all this, Bai Ye naturally knew that Kato Megumi was not wrong; he believed Kato Megumi.
He was just a little curious whether she had intervened in the Persona plot, or if a new storyline had simply opened up due to the world's fusion, or if she had merely acquired the ability without anything else.
Now, it was no longer just the Persona world. So many worlds had merged here, and even Conan's existence directly disrupted all the timelines of this world.
This was a chaotic and disordered era.
"Eh? Are you sure?"
Kato Megumi actually felt that Bai Ye should be like Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others.
Although they were all good friends, this kind of thoughtless belief made Kato Megumi a bit unsure why Bai Ye would think that way.
She was also a bit unclear why Bai Ye would choose to believe her so much.
"Of course, don't underestimate the bond between us, you scoundrel!"
Why did he suddenly become so chuunibyou?
Kato Megumi inwardly complained, but she was indeed a little touched. Although she realized that others might see her as talking nonsense and no one would believe her at first glance,
she had even thought that Bai Ye and the others wouldn't believe her when she said those words.
"I'm suddenly a bit interested in what you said. If it's another world, would you take us there? Or are there any special products from that other world?"
Although it was a bit absurd, one was an author and the other a manga artist; their thinking was inherently imaginative enough.
Plus, Kato Megumi's personality wasn't the type who liked to boast or lie to gain attention, so they were willing to believe what Kato Megumi said.
If another world truly existed, then what would that other world be like?
"It's this!"
Saying that, Kato Megumi tapped on the APP on her phone, and instantly, the few people present arrived in the space generated by Kato Megumi's consciousness.
And this was one of the abilities she gained after getting this APP.
Is there no soul guide?
Bai Ye observed the surroundings for a while, feeling it was somewhat similar to a game, but also not entirely the same.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's cheating, there really is another world?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked around in this space.
Absurd!
It was simply too absurd!
There really was a so-called other world.
"So, you were summoned to this world?"
Eriri thought that Kato Megumi might have been summoned to save the world.
"I've been researching for the past few days, but I can't figure out what exactly is going on."
Kato Megumi shook her head, indicating she didn't know. She had also researched, but she had no idea what this thing was bringing her here for.
No one gave her guidance either.
"Perhaps its existence isn't for you to study at home, but to go out?"
Ultimately, the background of Persona is the intertwining of reality and the supernatural otherworld, fighting against the world's evil desires, stealing the treasures from the hearts of others, and making those filled with evil desires abandon them.
"Hmm, anyway, the reason I've been on leave recently is because of this."
Kato Megumi thought carefully and felt that Bai Ye was right. It was not a solution for her to work in isolation at home. It would be better to listen to Bai Ye and go out to see.
"But I always feel like Bai Ye-kun knows a lot of things, don't I? It shouldn't be my imagination, right?"
Although Kato Megumi didn't want to appear too smart, she immediately saw that Bai Ye seemed to know something.
However, from his previous performance, Kato Megumi really couldn't pretend to be foolish.
She also understood now why Bai Ye had believed her from the beginning.
Upon hearing her words, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri both unconsciously turned to look at Bai Ye, with some suspicion on their faces. Could it be that Bai Ye also knew something?
"Kato is truly smart."
A trace of helplessness flashed in Bai Ye's heart. Sure enough, he had been too obvious just now. Kato Megumi was clearly not as simple-minded as Eriri. Although Kasumigaoka Utaha was also smart, she was not as observant as Kato Megumi.
It had to be said that when dealing with smart women, he sometimes really couldn't maintain his composure.
"So, Bai Ye-kun has already learned about this app?"
"Yes."
Since Kato Megumi had already awakened this ability, Bai Ye felt there was no need to hide it. She would understand later on her own.
Moreover, since she could bring herself into the otherworld, then it seemed this could also allow him to have the ability to change the plot. This also presented many opportunities.
Originally, Bai Ye didn't plan to tell them about his identity as a Phantom Thief.
After all, the three of them were just ordinary people, and telling them this was meaningless. But if all three of them possessed Persona, then they could completely form the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
Especially in this world of Conan, there were too many people who could be stolen from.
So, after realizing this, Bai Ye found that he seemed to be able to change his approach.
The Office normally handled some supernatural events and some legitimate matters.
And this Phantom Thieves of Hearts could completely engage in stealing, with a team composed of him, Kato Megumi, Eriri, and Kasumigaoka Utaha. Later, they could also continue to recruit others who awakened Persona.
This means, I also have hope of awakening a Persona?
This world is really getting more and more interesting!
He told them some information he knew about Persona, the otherworld, and this app.
After they had processed this news, they began to think about another question: why did Bai Ye know so much?
"So, Bai Ye-kun, how do you know?"
"Although it's a bit absurd, there's an example now that makes one have to believe it!"
"This world is not an ordinary world. Bai Ye-kun seems to know more than us."
From this moment on, they seemed to understand this point.
"In short, there are indeed many strange things in this world, so don't be surprised if you encounter them."
"It is indeed strange, just like last time, Bai Ye-kun was clearly with us, but then he appeared in another place. We were also very curious."
Kato Megumi had suspected it at the time, but only thought it was an illusion. After this incident, Kato Megumi also understood that it was definitely not an illusion.
"That's right, I was very curious why there were two Bai Ye-kuns at that time."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded in agreement.
"Eh, eh, eh, what are you two talking about?"
Eriri was confused. How could she still not understand?
"So you two knew before?"
The first time, she thought she was perfect, but they actually all knew?
Of course.
It seemed that except for Eriri, the other two knew.
"Just a guess, because even if the person you like wears a mask, you will still know!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha said, leaning forward and holding Bai Ye's face, then examining him.
His figure and even his deliberately disguised way of speaking could still be vaguely discerned.
"And many times, there are your special habits, Bai Ye-kun. It was just a bit strange before. Bai Ye-kun was by our side, yet there was another person very similar to Bai Ye-kun. So at that time, I just felt like I was overthinking, but if there is a special power, then it can be explained clearly."
Kato Megumi continued to explain.
Because they liked the other person, they would constantly pay attention to their every word and action, even very subtle movements. Except for carefree girls like Eriri, those who were a little more attentive would remember all of this.
And this special ability was also the point she could confirm.
"I just said…"
The two-dimensional world is simply a scam. The mask Kid wore, if he said it was well-disguised, it was just that, but others simply couldn't see through it.
Bai Ye fell for this trap back then. He even covered himself more tightly.
As a result, he was betrayed by his habitual movements.
But thinking about it, Bai Ye felt it was reasonable. When he decided to do this, he was just a high school student who had just activated his golden finger. It was impossible for him to disguise himself perfectly from the start, just like someone performing for the first time, there would always be a slight flaw.
No wonder she said last time she wanted to write a novel about a phantom thief's romance. So Kasumigaoka Utaha had already started to suspect it before?
"Actually, I also saw that you are that phantom thief, Bai Ye-kun!"
Eriri reacted, blushing and quickly said.
Although she might be accused of being wise after the event, she had thought about it before: why were the phantom thief's habitual movements and tone so similar to Bai Ye's?
However, Eriri had internally rejected it at the time, because wasn't Bai Ye right by her side?
"So, Bai Ye-kun, you don't want your secret to be revealed, do you? You know what you should do tonight, right?"
"Hey! You fat woman, have you watched too many movies, you bastard!!"
Eriri exploded instantly upon hearing those familiar threatening words.
What are you threatening?
And I'm still here!
I won't let you succeed!
"If it really is as you say, Bai Ye-kun, how about we form a Phantom Thieves?"
Kato Megumi suddenly felt this was quite fun.
"Can we do it?"
It seemed only Bai Ye and Kato Megumi had special abilities, right?
Although she was somewhat moved, she also felt like she couldn't do it herself.
"Persona, just as Bai Ye-kun said before, perhaps both Shiha-chan and Eriri can awaken it."
It's possible, probably.
Kato Megumi wasn't sure either.
So, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts was formed just like that?
Bai Ye suddenly thought about his future self-introductions: standing here is the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, the boss of the Anything Goes Office, the ghost's best friend, a high school detective, a fake liquor of the Black Organization, and countless other aliases.
"That's true. Then this time, I'll write a love story between Mr. Phantom Thief and Miss Phantom Thief."
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded in agreement. Although she currently had no ability, she might have it in the future. Moreover, if both were phantom thieves, then perhaps they would have deeper interactions because of this matter later on. Although Kato didn't seem to pose much of a threat at the moment, she always felt that Kato Megumi was not right!
----
Want to read 40 chapters ahead? Join my Patreon! Want to read 10 FREE chapters ahead? Join as a free member!
patreon.com/Rogue_Reader