Chapter 103: A Thief in the House?

The night was almost excessively gentle.

The streetlights on both sides of the road cast a dim, hazy glow, and a trace of coolness lingered in the air—but it was easily kept at bay by the warmth that remained in her heart.

Xiao Chun Miura held her phone, still able to feel the faint heat radiating from the device—or perhaps it was just an illusion caused by the warmth inside her.

She couldn’t help herself from acting a little childish, hopping from shadow to shadow as she walked.

It felt like the first time as a child she had accomplished something important on her own—a mixture of relief and a subtle anticipation for the days to come.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore.”

She told herself.

The toughest sports festival was over, and the most troublesome Kondo Haruka had also reconciled.

Even Kanzaki Sou’s attitude toward her was gentler and more trusting than she’d imagined.

In this game world, she seemed to have finally found a solid place that belonged to her.

As long as she kept up this pace, as long as nothing unexpected happened, maybe she could really spend the coming days in peace, until

***

Until what?

Until Graduation?

Until Kanzaki Sou chose someone?

Or until the day she left this world?

The moment the thought surfaced, Xiao Chun Miura quickly snuffed it out.

“What am I thinking about now, ruining the mood.”

She shook her head, trying to drive those distant worries out of her mind.

Right now, she just wanted to enjoy this rare, peaceful night, go home, take a hot bath, and curl up in a warm bed for a good night’s sleep.

Turning the last corner, the familiar two-story house—Xiao Chun Miura’s home in this world—came into view.

But the instant she saw the house, Xiao Chun Miura’s light steps suddenly halted, as if an invisible hand had grabbed her.

She stood there in a daze, the smile that had been on her lips slowly freezing and finally disappearing.

In its place was a chill that shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

Something was wrong.

Under the dark night sky, the house that should have been pitch-black, quietly waiting for its owner, now glowed with an eerie light.

The second floor.

That was… her bedroom.

The curtains hadn’t been drawn completely, and a thin strip of light leaked out from the gap, piercing the darkness.

Xiao Chun Miura’s pupils shrank sharply.

The light?

—Why is the light on?

Her mind started racing, trying to dig up a reasonable explanation from the corners of her memory.

When she left this morning… What time was it?

Seven?

Or seven thirty?

Whatever the time, the sun was already up.

Sunlight filled the room through the window; there was no need to turn on the light.

She remembered clearly—she packed her bag, changed into her uniform, checked the window, then left.

She definitely hadn’t turned on the light.

She had always lived alone in this house.

No one else had a key, and no one else would visit at this hour.

Then, who turned on the light?

A bone-chilling thought slowly wrapped around her neck.

—A burglar.

Once the thought appeared, it couldn’t be shaken off.

Xiao Chun Miura instinctively stepped back, hiding in the shadow of a street tree.

Her heartbeat sped up, no longer from excitement, but from pure fear.

How could this happen?

Could there really be a thief?

She stared hard at the glowing window.

“>Calm down… Calm down.”

Xiao Chun Miura took deep breaths, trying to steady her trembling fingers.

What should she do?

What now?

Call the Police?

Did the police even exist in this world?

But if she didn’t call, was she supposed to go in herself?

Even when she had been a twenty-something male corporate slave in her previous life, she wouldn’t have dared enter in this situation, let alone now—as a powerless female high school student.

If there really was a thief inside…

If the person had a knife…

If they weren’t just after money…

Countless scenes from horror movies flashed through her mind.

In this unfamiliar world, she felt, for the first time, a deep, helpless terror.

No family.

No one to rely on.

Even if she’d made friends at school and built seemingly good relationships, at this moment in the deep night, facing unknown danger, she was still all alone.

“Uu…”

A suppressed whimper escaped her throat.

She raised her phone with shaking hands, its glow feeble in the darkness.

Who could she ask for help?

Yui Hori?

No. If Yui found out, she’d definitely come running with a fuss, and if she got hurt, then what? Besides, they’d just separated; she probably wasn’t even home yet.

Mio Sato?

Yuzuki Yasuda?

They were just ordinary female high school students. If they came, they’d just add to the body count, wouldn’t they?

Then… Who else?

Her fingers slid helplessly over the contact list, which held only a few names.

Suddenly, a familiar avatar appeared on the screen.

[ss].

Kanzaki Sou.

Xiao Chun Miura’s finger hovered over the name.

If it were him…

If it were the calm, reliable Kanzaki Sou who could do anything…

He’d surely know what to do, right?

He’d probably analyze the situation calmly, then gently say, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” like he did in the Infirmary before.

A strong, almost instinctive urge drove her to press the call button.

If she just pressed it, she might hear that reassuring voice.

But—

Just a millisecond before her fingertip touched the screen, Xiao Chun Miura stopped herself.

…What am I thinking.

She twisted her lips bitterly.

It was already so late.

They’d just said goodnight, just ended a warm and restrained conversation.

If she suddenly called now, what would she say?

“Help, I think there’s a burglar in my house, I’m scared?”

That’s just…

Too much like the kind of girl who acts pitiful just to get attention.

And what if it was a misunderstanding? What if she’d simply forgotten to turn off the light this morning?

Wouldn’t Kanzaki Sou think she was an overly dramatic, neurotic, troublesome woman?

More importantly—

Were they even close enough for her to call him for help in the middle of the night?

Even after everything during the sports festival, even with that subtle “accomplice” feeling between them, they were still just classmates, temporary partners.

What right did she have to trouble him with something so dangerous?

“No… I can’t call.”

Xiao Chun Miura bit her lip, crushing the tempting thought.

She couldn’t trouble him anymore.

And she couldn’t let herself look so weak and helpless.

But…

If she didn’t call him, what could she do?

She stood in the shadow of the tree, caught between retreat and advance.