The Phantom Thief’s New Disguise

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Mo Linyu expressed her gratitude to Pan Qi, who then extended her hand for a handshake.

After their hands met, Pan Qi then reached out to Li Yue, who hesitated for a moment before reluctantly extending her hand for a brief shake.

‘Who does she think she is, shaking hands with everyone like some big shot leader?’

Li Yue was unaccustomed to such formality, yet the meal itself had left her rather satisfied.

For a school cafeteria, it had far exceeded her expectations; both the seasoning and the presentation were surprisingly delightful.

Such a skilled chef could only be recruited by a school like St. Maria’s, she mused.

The only drawback was the somewhat meager portion size.

Even with her shrunken appetite since transforming into this girlish form, Li Yue still felt a bit peckish, but perhaps this was the typical serving for young ladies.

‘Therefore, I absolutely will not attend this school.’

“Let’s have dinner again sometime, Student Council President.”

Wiping her mouth, Mo Linyu exchanged numbers with her.

Pan Qi, however, countered, “You won’t even tell me your name; how am I supposed to save your contact information?”

“Hmm, then just save me as ‘Demon Lord.'”

“Is that some kind of online ID?”

“Yes, something like that. You can think of it that way.”

****

“By the way, why did you give her your phone number?”

After the trio left the restaurant, Li Yue couldn’t help but ask.

“Isn’t that normal? The more friends you have, the more opportunities arise. Besides, she’s the Student Council President of St. Maria’s; she might be able to help us later.

Even if she can’t, it’s better not to offend her if we can avoid it.”

Mo Linyu, by contrast, was clearly more adept at navigating social dynamics.

“So, are we still looking for a place to take pictures?”

“No need. The photos taken in that restaurant should suffice for our purpose.” Mo Linyu shook her head in response, then looked at Alezno and added, “As I said earlier, if we can avoid offending them, we should. Even if the two of us don’t care, the loli still has to attend this school.”

Alezno nodded, her voice soft. “…I, I can go talk to Alezno’s parents.”

Mo Linyu still shook her head.

“No, approaching them as the loli won’t yield any results. Those obstinate parents wouldn’t take their daughter’s words seriously. However, Pan Qi was right about one thing…”

She reached out, gently pinching Alezno’s chin to examine it closely. “Completely severing ties with them, breaking free from the influence of her birth family, would be beneficial for the loli.”

“What about Alezno’s consciousness, then?”

“We’ll go find Gongliang Kuixi, what else can we do?”

“Then our experience at the girls’ school ends here…” Li Yue yawned as she spoke. “Anyway, let’s head back to the gym and change out of this troublesome school uniform first.”

Returning once more to the gym’s changing room, perhaps hoping Li Yue would quickly return the uniform and leave, neither Mo Linyu nor Alezno followed her inside this time.

“The Ranger and I will wait for you outside. Hurry up and come out after you’ve returned it.”

“OK~”

With Mo Linyu not causing trouble, Li Yue readily agreed.

The changing room, undisturbed, was remarkably quiet, save for the whooshing sound from the air conditioning vent and the rustle of clothes being changed.

Yet, just as Li Yue was about to shed the school uniform, the previously vanished Perk Interface unexpectedly reappeared before her eyes.

“Hmm?”

After a moment’s consideration, she reached a conclusion.

‘Could this perk only activate when I’m alone?’

Not only that, but the interface, which had been completely blank before, now…

“Oh, content has appeared?”

A photograph of Pan Qi now graced the interface, the sole item displayed. If this was indeed the Phantom Thief Disguise Kit, did it mean she could disguise herself as the Student Council President?

She wondered about the filtering mechanism.

The previous blankness wasn’t due to a lack of internet connection, but because it hadn’t yet ‘recorded’ the target’s disguise information. But what criteria did it use for recording?

If it were based on contact duration, why wasn’t there any information for Alezno or Mo Linyu?

Lacking an instruction manual, Li Yue remained puzzled, yet with a subject now available to test the ability, she naturally seized the opportunity.

“I’ll press it~”

****

Having changed back into her own clothes, Li Yue stretched leisurely as she exited the changing room.

“Why did you still take so long?”

Mo Linyu’s question greeted her at the door, but Li Yue seemed to be in good spirits, merely remarking, “The photos we took in the restaurant weren’t ideal, were they?”

“…Hmm.”

“Do you want to take some more suitable pictures?”

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t quite figured out the principle yet, but I’ll tell you after we leave St. Maria’s.”

“After leaving, where will you get a school uniform?”

Li Yue’s lips curved into a smug smile.

“Hmm?” Mo Linyu asked. “Did the Goddess send you a new cheat?”

“Quick reaction, but you wouldn’t guess even if I told you.”

As the trio prepared to leave the gym, they spotted Pan Qi returning there, ready to continue distributing the experience day school uniforms.

Indeed, for a Student Council President, she was remarkably hands-on, perhaps even to an excessive degree.

Li Yue handed the changed uniform to Pan Qi, who promptly tossed it into the dirty laundry basket…

Then, she singled out the over-the-knee socks and tossed them back to Li Yue.

“Take these back yourself.”

These socks had been purchased by Mo Linyu.

Pan Qi continued, “Are you leaving already?”

“Since you won’t let us take photos anyway, we’re preparing to depart.”

Mo Linyu stated plainly, adding a warning, “Even if you find out my identity, don’t spread it around.”

Pan Qi showed a flicker of surprise, but quickly replied:

“…Understood, rest assured.”

What she had done during the time she left after lunch…

Yet, Pan Qi did not deny her discreet investigation, nor did Mo Linyu press the point.

It seemed a tacit understanding had been reached between the two.

However, Li Yue merely found their pretentious attitudes quite sickening.

Afterward, Pan Qi personally escorted the trio out of St. Maria’s, but their one-day experience was not yet complete.

****

Leaving the school, Li Yue immediately pulled the other two into a public restroom at a nearby subway station.

It was, of course, the women’s restroom.

It being early afternoon, the restroom was deserted. Li Yue directly slipped into a stall, saying, “Wait for me out here for a moment.”

Mo Linyu and Alezno exchanged glances, neither knowing what Li Yue was plotting.

Then, not long after, she pushed open the door and stepped out, clad in the St. Maria’s Girls’ Academy school uniform.

“Oh?”

“Where did you get that?”

“Don’t rush, there’s something even more surprising.”

In Li Yue’s hand was a short-haired wig… no, it was connected to flesh-toned skin underneath…

Then, before their very eyes, she pulled the headpiece over her head.

“Ah, what?”

It appeared to be a slightly loose skin-tight mask, but once donned, it rapidly contracted to fit snugly, transforming into Pan Qi’s characteristic poker face.

Li Yue swept aside the fringe that covered one eye, then asked,

“How is it? Doesn’t it look like a phantom thief’s disguise?”

Even her voice followed suit, shifting to Pan Qi’s slightly neutral tone.

Mo Linyu nodded, then added,

“It would be even better if your hair could be hidden too.”

Behind the neck of the headpiece, Li Yue’s golden hair still cascaded down her back…

So, she quickly removed the headpiece.