Tokyo Psychic

Page 231

While Akira was on the phone, the Shadow Patrol members exchanged glances.

Having confirmed that the other party was a living, breathing person, and not the phantom that unleashed an endless barrage of "Heavy Sin Armor-Piercing Bullets," he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After finalizing the arrangements for attending the concert rehearsal and having dinner tonight, Lai Xixiao hung up the phone. The area around her was already completely surrounded by the Shadow Patrol members.

Shiomi Kotone closed the roller shutter door and leaned against the wall, looking at them.

"Next, it's time to exchange information."

Lai Xixiao glanced down at the timestamp on her phone. "We have plenty of time."

Kirijo Misuru nodded. "Then, as the acting captain of the Shadow Patrol during this period, let me start from two years ago."

Two years ago?

"A persona capable of manipulating memories suddenly became active worldwide without warning."

......

at the same time.

After finishing her lunch, Miku Miku did not choose to return to the film set to continue chatting and laughing with the director.

Miku Miku took her phone and hid in the dance practice room that the agency had arranged for her. She locked the door, stared at the screen for a long time, and finally made up her mind to dial a number.

A heart-stopping breathing sound came through the receiver.

Then, a synthesized voice, indistinguishable from the real one, said, "This is Megiddo. Miss Triangle, is there anything you need us to do?"

Even though the person on the other end of the phone easily called out her real name, Misaki Misaki still didn't hang up immediately.

She said, her voice trembling, "How much do you know about the 'Mind Thieves'?"

"Please note that calls are charged by the second," the hacker on the other end of the line kindly reminded him. He had never seen a client telling stories on a call that cost two thousand yen per second.

Misaki Miku suddenly realized her lapse in composure and forced herself to calm down. "I want you to investigate the 'Mental Thieves' and expose their true colors."

"The Phantom Thieves, does that refer to that chuunibyou group that acts like ghosts and spirits?" Since Miku Miku insisted on talking about things unrelated to the mission, the hacker was happy to make some money without working for it.

He was never worried that Miku Miku wouldn't be able to pay... Hackers have too many ways to take revenge on an illegitimate daughter who is not valued by her family.

Misaki Miku said, "I hope you will focus your investigation on Ren Amamiya and Shoko Toyokawa."

"Ah, is there anything else?" The hacker who was in contact with her was all prepared to listen to Misaki Miku tell a few minutes of melodramatic romance stories about chaebols, but she suddenly changed the subject and started talking about the commissioned matter, which was a bit disappointing.

Miku Miku then said, "The best outcome would be if you could disrupt Morfonica's concert."

Although the hacker was very curious as to why Misaki Miku, the illegitimate daughter of the Toyokawa family, would sabotage a concert sponsored by her own family... he still had some professional ethics to uphold.

Just listening to Misaki Miku explain the details of the request is enough to conjure up a grand and dramatic romance story about a chaebol heir...

The international hacker group "Megido" responded, "Okay, we accept your commission, but since it involves going against the Toyokawa family, the fee will be very high."

"What about it?"

"The ownership of that apartment in Tokyo that your father gifted you." Their greed for money was no longer concealed—they were eyeing the prime real estate in Tokyo that Miku Miku owned.

Miku almost immediately agreed to the hacker's offer, saying, "As long as you can do it, it's just a house, take it."

The phone hangs up.

In the dimly lit bedroom, a middle-aged man with graying hair turned to look at the police uniform in the open wardrobe, shaking his head with a somewhat contemptuous smile.

After some maneuvering on the computer, he finally managed to contact the founder of "Megido" through this complex method, using a designated server as a springboard.

[0906: Boss, we've taken on the Miku Triangle project.]

[Alibaba: What was her request?]

The hacker sitting at the computer desk immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Based on his understanding of that elusive hacking genius, the other party must have been eavesdropping on his phone call just now, which might mean they were trying to torture him.

But all he could do at that moment was to report the details of the matter truthfully.

[0906: Investigate the true nature of the "Psychic Thieves," focusing on the connection between Shoko Toyokawa, Ren Amamiya, and the "Psychic Thieves," and sabotage Morfonica's concert.]

[Alibaba: That sounds really complicated.]

[0906: So, following the organization's advice, we're preparing to directly take back ownership of the room the Toyokawa family gave her. Perhaps we can use it for future transactions with the Toyokawa family.]

[Alibaba: Don't bother me with these things anymore. You can figure out how to do it yourselves.]

Futaba Sakura typed away on the keyboard, even though she had considered trying to stop the hackers' actions.

But his eyes fell on the encrypted photo on the computer desktop, and even though he knew that the international hackers who had gathered because of him were about to declare war on the Mind Thieves, he ultimately did not offer any advice.

A complex mix of guilt, self-blame, and confusion lingered on his youthful face.

Futaba Sakura leaned back in her computer chair, covered her face with her hands, and groaned in anguish.

She fantasized about it more than once.

If I, who have made so many mistakes, were to be reformed by the Phantom Thief of the Mind, would I be able to return to a normal life?

She couldn't rationally discern whether she was truly a sinner; the pain of losing her mother, coupled with the accusations from others, had completely detached her from the life trajectory a 15-year-old girl should have.

Akira Kurusu's appearance gave Futaba Sakura a slight hope that was almost a form of self-liberation.

If... if I could take this opportunity to muster the courage to confess my crimes and repent, if...

Sakura Futaba was lost in thought, tears welling up in her eyes.

When that happens, the Phantom Thieves will definitely be very disappointed, right?

I promised to help them with their work, but I caused them so much trouble.

but......

Sakura Futaba thought of her mother who had died in front of her, and an indescribable sadness and regret welled up from the depths of her memory.

I really can't bear this pain any longer.

Whatever happens, it doesn't matter... I don't care where I end up in the future...

Please let me be free.

The genius hacker, curled up in his chair with his legs drawn up, portrays himself as omnipotent on the internet, a facade deliberately created to gain a false sense of security.

Soon, the sound of a girl crying could be heard in the dimly lit bedroom.

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(I'm being censored so late that updates are coming in very late. I'll still have a "three-in-one" chapter tonight. I'm currently revising the text at lightning speed... Don't talk about empty promises. I've actually delivered on every promise I made to update a lot since last month. Even if there are external factors, it will only delay the release for a while, but I will definitely complete it with high quality and quantity.)

(Anyway, six chapters have been released so far, please vote with monthly tickets~~)

(These chapters were written during the day and just need revisions. Tomorrow's regular updates will not be affected.)

201. Miku Miku in Triangle Form has been abandoned (three-in-one)

（周末加更：6/8、7/8、8/8）

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The joy of traveling together is probably sitting in the same carriage with familiar friends, chatting aimlessly, sharing favorite snacks, discussing popular music... In leisurely moments, it seems that all topics can become interesting.

Jing Qinren was scrolling through videos on YouTube, laughing hysterically at the fan-made creations from Parody House, and eventually just rolled around in her seat with her phone in her arms.

This kid always has a very low threshold for laughter.

Akira Kurusu played with the soft strands of hair that were covered by Iori Rencai at the back of her neck. The girl was probably tired from laughing, so she simply rested her head on Akira Kurusu's arm and lay down in his arms.

She seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she had done anything wrong; instead, she held up her phone to show the video on the screen to Akira.

The close proximity and posture allowed him to clearly feel the girl's body temperature and smell her pleasant scent.

After thinking for a moment, Akira Kurusu simply put her arm around Serina Izayoi's shoulder and leaned close to her while looking at her phone.

This time, Igarashi Rina was genuinely embarrassed and wanted to dodge, but her eyes were glued to Kurusu Akira's profile for a while. She struggled symbolically for a moment, but couldn't get away, so she gave up and leaned on his shoulder with a sense of self-righteousness, saying, "It's so hot."

"Isn't there air conditioning?"

"It's so hot." The tone was completely coquettish.

The people sitting behind the two were Mutsumi Wakaba and Shoko Toyokawa... to be precise, it was Motis and Shoko Toyokawa.

The journey was so boring, and coupled with the fatigue accumulated during the day in the LeBlanc attic, Wakaba Mutsu quickly fell asleep.

If Ye Mu falls asleep, then it's naturally Motis's turn to come out and move around.

Mottis clung to Toyokawa Shoko's arm, fussing, "Shoko, I want to sit with Ren too!"

"The seats have already been chosen, so no matter how much you plead, it won't work."

"Ugh, I hate it!" Metath pouted and shook Toyokawa Shoko's arm. "I want to be hugged and kissed by Ren like Nina does!"

"What are you saying?!" Jing Qinren, who was sitting in front, jumped up with a scream, as if she had been stepped on.

Jingqin Rencai hugged the back of the chair, glaring angrily at Motis with a flushed face.

Metis playfully stuck her tongue out at her, made a face, and then ignored her.

Provoked by Motis, Izuru was so angry that she jumped up and down, wishing she could run over and fight her to the death. However, her seat was blocked by Akira Kurusu, and Akira Kurusu didn't want her to leave.

In the end, all she could do was lie on Akira Kurusu's lap and throw a tantrum.

Hearing the commotion beside her, Momoka Kawahara couldn't help but cover her forehead and sigh.

An and Subaru sat beside her, engrossed in watching a pre-downloaded TV series, as if the world's joys and sorrows were none of their concern.

Slightly to the side of the group sat the girls from "MYGO".

Kaoru was completely restless; if she hadn't been restrained by Shiina Ritsuki, she probably would have already run to Akira's seat and started playing around with him.

Looking at the complicated relationships between men and women in the carriage, Chihaya Aine couldn't help but ask Nagasaki Motoyo, who was sitting next to her.

But before she could speak, she saw Nagasaki Motoyo put her index finger to her lips, "Shh..."

Chihaya Aine was initially somewhat unconvinced, but when faced with the gaze of Nagasaki Motoyo, shrouded in shadow, she felt a suffocating sensation, like being coiled by a python, and silently shut her mouth.

Once Chihaya Aine calmed down...

Nagasaki Motoyo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

That was close; she almost upset Xiangzi.

Nagasaki Motoyo didn't care about the romantic entanglements in other bands at all; she just wanted Toyokawa Shoko to be happy.

......

The curtain at the back of the carriage was lifted.

The girls from Morfonica came to visit with some desserts that looked very expensive.

"Greetings~" they greeted with elegant and composed smiles, uttering a greeting rarely heard in everyday life.

Nagasaki Motoyo immediately responded to her school seniors with the same smile and words.

The students at the private Moon Forest School always have some surprising, high-class manners.

Toyokawa Shoko, who was sitting in front, wanted to reply with "Greetings," but she was stopped by Motis's noisy chatter.

"I want potato chips! I want potato chips!!" Motis had taken off her shoes at some point and was kicking Akira in the seat in front of her with her little feet covered by white lace socks.

Lai Xixiao was happily eating a bag of cucumber-flavored potato chips. "Mortis, you can't be naughty. If you eat and drink a lot while Xiao Mu is asleep, she'll scold you when she wakes up."

"Ugh..." Metath grimaced, not at all like someone who took Kurusu Akira's words to heart.

However, her temper flared up quickly and subsided even faster. By the time Kurata Mashiro handed her a piece of mango daifuku, Metase was already beaming with joy.

Morfonica quickly crossed the corridor to deliver desserts to the next carriage.

The carriage was about to quiet down, and even Lena's mouth was stuffed with matcha cake.

Just then, they heard Metis ask Toyokawa Shoko curiously, "Shoko, do you know what 'lolicon' means?"

"Ok?"

"Last night, I heard Subaru-neechan say... Ren is a lolicon!"

Akira Kurusu, sitting in the seat in front, was immediately shocked. "Metis! What are you saying?!"

"Lolita complex?" Toyokawa Shoko repeated Mortis's words.

“Yes, yes,” Metath looked at Wakaba Mutsu’s trusted childhood friend with innocent eyes, “So what does it mean? Ren seems to hate being called that.”

She straightened up from her kneeling position, hugged the back of the chair, and looked around, only to find that no one in the carriage could answer her question.