“—Ugh, why do I have to do the shopping…?”

Tobari grumbled, letting out a heavy sigh as he carried two paper bags filled with three days' worth of groceries for two people.

It had been several months since he arrived in London. He was finally getting used to life in this unfamiliar land, but the local cuisine was proving to be a constant source of frustration.

The first time he tried the food, he was in utter culture shock. It was always either grilled, boiled, or fried – those were the only three options. The lack of seasoning, with condiments simply placed on the side as if to say "serve yourself," was almost unbelievable. He had half-seriously considered setting the restaurant on fire.

And his roommate ate it as if it were the most normal thing in the world. After several days of enduring such meals, Tobari quickly gave up on eating out. No matter how you dressed it up, bad food was still bad food.

As a result of all this, Tobari was forced to cook for himself in this foreign country.

Fortunately, his roommate had no objections. In fact, he'd cheerfully delegated the task, saying, “By all means, if it means I get to eat something decent and flavorful.”

(Well… I have a place to stay, I get paid, and I get to eat, even if I have to cook it myself, so I can't really complain.)

He couldn't deny that he'd been neglecting the original reason he came to this country. He was here to find someone. But he hadn't expected it to take this long. He had intended to finish the job quickly and return home, but things rarely went as planned. London was a vast city with a constant influx and outflow of people. Finding one missing person was a considerable challenge.

“…Guess I just have to be patient.”

He sighed, resigning himself to the situation, and was about to head home when—

“—Stop! Stop right there, you filthy thief!”

A gruff, angry voice erupted from behind him.

Wondering what was going on, he turned to see a portly man in expensive clothes, his face red with exertion, running in the distance. Or rather, he was trying to run, but from Tobari’s perspective, it looked more like a brisk walk.

Anyway, putting that aside.

Like him, other pedestrians turned their heads at the man's shouts. Among them, Tobari spotted a small figure weaving through the crowd, low to the ground, heading towards him. It was a child in ragged clothes, wearing a long scarf.

(…I see.)

Grasping the situation, Tobari subtly shifted his position as the boy glanced back. He bumped lightly into the running boy.

(—This is it.)

At the moment of impact, he felt something hard in the boy’s clothes and smoothly slipped it out.

At the same time, he turned to the boy and glared, saying, “Whoa! Watch out.” The boy responded with an insincere, “Sorry!” before disappearing down a side alley.

(Birds of a feather…)

Tobari chuckled wryly, looking at the wallet in his hand as he watched the boy go.

Finally, the red-faced, panting man caught up.

“Damn… Where… did he… go…?”

As the man gasped for air and looked around frantically, Tobari approached and held out the wallet.

“Looking for this?”

“—Huh? Who are you…? That’s my wallet! You got it back for me?!”

“I happened to see a kid drop it.”

It was a lie, of course, but the man wouldn't know. Indeed, upon receiving his wallet, he readily believed Tobari’s words and beamed with joy.

“Oh! Thank you so much! Here, take this as a reward.”

The man handed him a wad of banknotes – about ten in all. Glancing inside the wallet, Tobari saw it was overflowing with cash. No wonder he was targeted, Tobari thought, inwardly exasperated, but he accepted the money. “I’m grateful, young man,” the man said cheerfully, turning on his heel, the pickpocket already forgotten. Tobari sighed in exasperation and turned his gaze towards the alley where the boy had disappeared.

“…Now, I wonder what he’s up to.”

Intrigued, Tobari stepped into the alley. It was dimly lit and deserted; there was no sign of the boy. Tobari lowered his gaze. The ground was covered in soot, marked with fresh, small footprints. It was practically an invitation to follow.

“He could’ve tried to hide them a bit better—well, I guess that’s asking too much of a kid.”

Grinning, Tobari walked leisurely down the alley. The boy was fast, but still a child. After a few turns, he spotted him. It seemed he was just about to examine his loot, staring blankly at the potato in his hand. Tobari had switched it with the wallet. The weight must have been similar enough that the boy hadn't noticed. The look of triumph on his face when he’d snatched it had been quite comical.

“—If it’s the wallet you’re looking for, it’s already back with its owner.”

He called out casually. The boy’s shoulders stiffened comically as he turned around. His expression clearly conveyed the question, “How are you here?” more effectively than words ever could.

“You look like you’re wondering how I’m here. The answer is simple. I followed you. And why? Let’s just say I’d like that potato back.”

“You did this?! Where’s my wallet?!”

“I returned it to its owner, of course. I could’ve just ignored you, but you looked interesting, so… It seems you’re good at picking pockets, but not so good at having yours picked.”

“D-Don’t mock me…!”

The boy’s anger flared at Tobari’s words. His easy agitation seemed age-appropriate. However—

“—Hey. Don’t underestimate me, foreigner.”

A faint metallic click. Looking closely, Tobari saw a knife in the boy's hand. He twirled it proudly, brandishing the blade.

“—I don’t know what you’re doing here, but do you have any idea where this is? This is Rogue Street. Home to those who have nothing to do with fancy clothes or money. I don’t know where you’re from, but… if you’re just here out of curiosity, you’re going to get hurt.”

It was a well-delivered threat, and quite accurate. Coupled with the boy’s stance, it was quite convincing. An unsuspecting tourist might have run for the hills.

“Duly noted, young man. And what do you intend to do with that dangerous-looking thing?”

“What, you think I’m bluffing?”

“No, not at all, but…”

Tobari shrugged with a faint smile in response to the boy's sharp glare. He maintained his composure. Threats like this were practically everyday occurrences for him.

He took a step forward, deliberately and slowly approaching the boy, his fearless smile unwavering.

The boy took a step back. His expression hardened, his gaze sharpening. “Don’t come any closer!” he shouted. But Tobari could see the flicker of fear in his eyes.

“Don’t look so scared. If you keep glaring at me like that—”

As he spoke, he flicked his left hand.

The hem of his black coat swayed.

That was all.

But in the next instant—a single-edged dagger materialized in his previously empty left hand.

“—I might just lose control and draw my weapon.”

The boy paled visibly.

Well, that was to be expected. Despite his bravado, he was just a pickpocket. He might be used to intimidating others, but he probably hadn’t been on the receiving end of such blatant hostility very often.

Of course, Tobari had no intention of doing anything more. But… the boy’s reaction had certainly piqued his mischievous side.

(Now, what to do…?)

He’d drawn his weapon on impulse, but he hadn't thought about what to do next. The boy’s face was a mixture of fear and tension, ready to lash out at any moment.

Maybe I teased him a little too much, he thought, starting to consider how to resolve the situation—when—

“—Aha! Now’s my chance!”

A spirited voice rang out.

Suddenly, a presence appeared.

A chill ran down his spine. The presence was close—right above him!

(—Seriously?!)

It had been a while since someone had gotten this close without him noticing.

He looked up reflexively. At the same time, he sensed something land behind him—and almost instinctively, he flicked his left wrist!

A silver arc flashed through the air!

He missed. Instead, a shadow slipped past him.

“Here, run!”

Following the voice, he saw a small figure running away with the boy. He caught a glimpse of them in the dim light. A girl with short, vibrant vermilion hair, wearing a hat.

“—I’ll be taking this!”

As she ran, she called out, holding up a wad of banknotes. The reward he’d received from the man. Checking his pocket, Tobari confirmed the money was gone.

It was a remarkably skillful move. He couldn't help but admire her technique. In that brief moment, the girl and the boy disappeared down the alley.

Tobari stood there, stunned for a moment, before sheathing his dagger and—

“—Impressive,”

He muttered. He hadn’t expected to be caught off guard so easily. And her pickpocketing skills were exceptional. He hadn't noticed a thing until she’d revealed her prize. He hadn't been letting his guard down, but she was clearly far more skilled than he'd anticipated.

Sighing, Tobari turned back, picking up his shopping bags. He wasn’t particularly bothered about the stolen money. It had practically fallen into his lap anyway. As long as his own wallet was safe, he hadn’t lost anything.

Lost in thought, he reached the main street when—

“—Hmm?”

He suddenly remembered the girl who had run off with the boy.

Her face had been obscured by her hat, but there was something familiar about her, especially her bright, vermilion hair peeking out from under it.

“…Ah.”

He searched his memory.

He’d met her recently.

At the shop where he'd had his favorite coat repaired – not the black one he was wearing now.

Tobari stopped and looked back at the alley he’d just emerged from. A smirk played on his lips.

“—What a small world.”

He murmured, amused.