Eri shot Shuichi a skeptical glance, doubt clear.
Yukiko chin-high, words brewing—then purple-hair groaned on the bed, eyes fluttering open.
"I... where? Hospital?"
"Mihama Central," Shuichi nudged the standoff duo bedside. "Wound treated—rest up, you'll discharge soon."
"Here means you took down the gun-toting boss?"
"Yeah—cops have them," Shuichi said. "Your guarded ruby? Doc handed to police."
"Really?" Purple-hair eyed Eri's group, words catching.
"Antiseptic's thick," Eri covered nose. "Air break?"
Yukiko and Reiko caught on—no fuss, out they went.
Eri's parting glare at Shuichi: Watch yourself.
Alone, Shuichi grinned: "Thanks for the save."
"What save?" She huffed, face-turn.
"Drop it—you woke earlier," Shuichi chuckled.
"Didn't want post-op bickering bedside," she grumbled. "Not close—why intrude?"
"Snapping at your rescuer? Heartless much?" Shuichi dragged a stool, sat edge.
"Heartless?" She sneered. "You blabbed my ID—expect thanks?"
"Correction: didn't spill—they guessed," Shuichi said. "Hinted light. Your slips? Sharp minds connect dots."
"Who else knows besides those two?" Face dark.
"Three," Shuichi corrected. "No one else pegs you Phantom Lady."
Relief washed; awkward shift: "Why not rat to cops?"
"Know your gigs rough," Shuichi smiled. "Cop? I'd cuff you—duty. But me? Jailing a fan-fave rogue? Backlash city—no thanks."
"Good you get it!" She preened huff.
"Motives? Thrill? Justice? Revenge?"
"...Bit of all."
First asker— she didn't dodge, voice tangled memory:
"First 'Phantom Lady' heist: rich heir faked gem, duped my friend."
"Heartbreak, debt crush—despair leap."
"Furious, I burgled: swiped real heirloom, leaked crimes to press as her."
"Parents jailed, firm bust—he begged streets."
"That wreck? Told her grave first."
"Late justice saves no life—eases her soul, though."
"Since: same rot, I swipe unjust loot as her."
Worried misread, add: "Stolen goods? Redirected—rightful homes."
"Riverside walks wet shoes. Motives noble, exposure looms," Shuichi warned. "I pass this time—others won't. Your cases, offended elites? Arrest? Catastrophe, no?"
"Planned for fallout," she toughened.
Strangers—no push.
"Told you plenty," he rose, eyed tag. "Farewell, Tomizawa Chieko."
"Better never!"
Door-bound, her hesitate: "Anyway... thanks for the save."
Wave-no words, out.
"Tch, showoff!" Tomizawa smirked, smile ghosting.
...
Hall clear to girls—bump: five-six-year-old darted from room.
Collision: Shuichi fine; kid tumbled.
Crouch-lift: "Okay, little sis?"
"Fine, big bro," boyish grin. "I'm a boy, though."
"Boy?"
Shuichi blinked at delicate-cute face.
"Sorry, gotta find nurse-sis." Polite bow, scamper to desk.
Shuichi rose, shrugged back—quest resumed.
Desk: nurse ruffled hair. "Narumi, folks due soon?"
...
"Leaving just like that?"
Hospital doors, Yukiko eyed ward-ward.
"Wanna ask her phantom feels?"
"Stay clear—trouble magnet," Eri cautioned.
Answered Yukiko, eyes pinned Shuichi: "Gray-zone folk? Not our crowd."
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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