King of Thieves - Treasure 4

(At the same time, in NewDi's office)

Natsume: ...

Tsumugi: Natsume-kun, how's the search going?

I haven't found anything in particular, except - here, have a look at this. I found a picture of one of our old concerts.

That live was when we'd just started out, huh. How nostalgic ♪

Natsume: ... (ignoring)

Tsumugi: Sigh, Natsume-kun... Please don't scowl like that~

Two heads are better than one, after all. Come on, let's work together and find some mementos ♪

Natsume: ...HMPH.

Tsumugi: (I'm at a loss. He's been in a mood for a while now.

In the first place, I suppose it was my fault that I didn't notice how Natsume-kun was feeling. Maybe it's best that we're not talking while we're looking for his lab equipment.)

Hmm~mm. Nothing's turning up from the office storehouse. The moving contractor said they didn't know anything about any equipment, either.

Maybe someone took Natsume-kun's equipment home by accident.

Ahaha. I don't think it has anything to do with all that ruckus about a robbery this morning, though...♪

Natsume: RobbeRY...? What are you talking aBOUT?

Tsumugi: Huh? I'm happy you finally noticed me, Natsume-kun, but — it wasn't a big deal, you know?

I heard about it this morning from the higher-ups in ES. Something about someone taking home the office trash before it got picked up, I think?

Natsume: Why is this the first time I'm hearing about THIS, Senpai...!

Tsumugi: Wh-? Please don't grab me by the collar like that, Natsume-kun! It's painful!

I haven't told any of our idols yet because it'd get everyone worked up — I was going to say something later after we'd figured out a solution!

Natsume: That's not the POINT— Why didn't you consider the possibility that my lab equipment might've been stoLEN, too? There are actual thefts happening HERE, RIGHT?

Tsumugi: I don't think something like that would happen though...

Natsume: So you're saying this is the culprit's first ofFENSE? What makes you think that if someone's stealing TRASH, they won't take equipment TOO?

Tsumugi: ...I- you're right. It's not impossible.

We need to consider that thefts can happen. It's true that things were moved around in the office, after all.

It’d be dangerous if the office setup right now makes it easy for people to take things out of it — so even if we don’t find your equipment, all this thinking about it won’t go to waste.

Natsume: Sigh... Even though you’re so nosy about the most random THINGS, Senpai, you’re so inattentive when it comes to THESE.

Tsumugi: Ahaha. Sorry, seems I was a little off the mark.

When I'm reading books, I try to consider the thoughts and feelings of the characters, but I guess that doesn't always work out in real life.

Just kidding. No point trying to justify it — but let me try and explain, Natsume-kun.

Firstly, about what happened... NewDi employs another company to collect its trash.

I left the trash outside the office after closing up, and the next morning, it'd disappeared before the collection company came — that's what this robbery scandal was all about.

Natsume: GotCHA. This was simpler than I expecTED.

Tsumugi: Mmhmm. It seems that it was still being investigated when I was told about it this morning.

Maybe some well-intentioned person threw it out for us... That's something else to consider.

I didn't really look closely at the trash either, so I don't even know whether or not it was actually a big deal.

Natsume: You're not making this very CLEAR. Wouldn't someone show up on the security cameRA? I thought that ES had a solid security sySTEM.

Tsumugi: Hmmmm. The problem is no one showed up on the cameras.

It's as if this criminal is very familiar with the structure of the ES building.

Natsume: ...AlRIGHT, I've got IT.

Tsumugi: You do, Natsume-kun?

Natsume: Yeah. After hearing you OUT, I feel like I know why this is being kept on the down-LOW.

A crime committed by someone familiar with the inner workings of this builDING, to the point that they can avoid being seen on cameRA—

It's not as if it's the work of some GHOST. There's only one lead LEFT.

This was an inside JOB. Due to THIS, the higher-ups haven't made any official announceMENTS. RaTHER, they CAN'T.

Isn't that SO, Senpai?