[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-spree":3,"chapter-stealing-spree-stealing-spree-chapter-2226":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Stealing Spree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1762351,2333,"Chapter 2226:  Lonely Soul","stealing-spree-chapter-2226",2226,"\u003Cp>Minami Shouko was silent for a while, her gaze dropping to the floor. She seemed to shrink in her chair, her shoulders slumping and the grin on her face gone. It was a stark contrast to the self-assured girl who’d walked in so confidently and tried to play a game with me using her wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a poor girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled her profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was constantly ranking in the top 10 of her year yet she became this kind of a troublemaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear she was craving for something she couldn’t get with her smarts or her popularity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something like a genuine connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right. It must be that. That’s why I was lying when I said we were alike. That was the clear difference between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the change in me, I never really cared about connection. Just the desire. Of course, one could argue that I was deluded back then but so was she.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I would stand by the statement. We’re nothing alike. We have a similar way of thinking but that doesn’t translate to similarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryouko-san said Minami Shouko doesn't trust anyone, not even her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the core of her problem most likely lies there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the silence grew to awkwardness, Minami Shouko’s expression grew more solemn as she took in my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told her to be straightforward with me and I would hear her out. But would she bite?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes remained fixated on the floor. It was as if she was trying to peer into the abyss of her own thoughts while occasionally sipping her tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you need more tea?\" I asked when I saw her cup about to be emptied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Minami Shouko's head shot up, but it wasn’t because she was going to answer my question but because she finally snapped back to whatever state she was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I still want to play, Onoda-kun. But let’s change it. Change it to something more straightforward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her for a while, gauging if she was just trying to stall time. But I could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s serious this time and maybe, I’d be able to break into her defenses through this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. I'll give you the right to pick what kind of game you want to play, I'll bite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put on a small smile. A small reprieve from the gloominess that's now oozing out of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minami Shouko studied me, her eyes searching for any hint of a lie on my face but she couldn’t find any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then took a deep breath before speaking, \"I want to play a game of truth. One question, one answer. No holding back. Can you handle that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't that the same as what we just played?\" I raised an eyebrow. I wanted her to be more straightforward but she's here changing it to a game of truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different terms than earlier but it's still the same. At least in this context.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minami Shouko chuckled, but it was a hollow sound. \"It's different. You see, in my game, we both stand to lose something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah. So that’s what she’s getting. One question, one answer, and only nothing but the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there’s no running away from the question like what she did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see. So that's your goal. If I play this game with you. Will you promise me to stop the game you're playing with your followers? Stop inconveniencing other people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t need to bring that up but in this case, I wanted to remind her why she was really in this office. Her pranks caused the Club Presidents to request us for inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s troublesome for me, isn't it? I also wanted to slack off on my job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes searched mine, the defiance now replaced by a flicker of something else. Something more genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll consider it. If you can make me believe that your 'truth' is worth it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. Deal.\" My lips curved upwards into a smirk before leaning back in my chair, watching her closely. \"Let me start this time then, Minami-senpai. What's the real reason behind these games? What are you searching for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One question, one answer, Onoda-kun.\" Minami-senpai reminded me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fair enough. Tell me, why do you really play these games?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two questions were intentional, I thought I might try something to throw her off. And she remained focused. I’d give her a pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minami Shouko took a moment to gather herself as the room once again became filled with a heavy silence. Her eyes searched my face for any hint of a bluff or a trap, but she found none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she spoke, \"I play because it’s the only way I know how to connect with people. To get them to show their true colors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper, and her gaze had lost some of its sharpness. The mask was slipping away, revealing a glimpse of the girl beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True colors, huh? I guess that stemmed from her lack of trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what do you hope to achieve, Minami-senpai? What's the ultimate prize?\" Once again, I decided to break her rule. This time, it was not to throw her off but to hint at her that I was testing her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's my turn to ask a question, Onoda-kun. You're quite impatient, aren't you?\" With a smirk, Minami-senpai chided. Though it was quite clear to see that she was still shaken from my bluntness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. Ask your question.\" I grinned and leaned forward, showing her that I was all ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minami Shouko took a moment before she spoke, \"What's your true motive in forming your... 'harem'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question was a direct hit to my core, but I was ready for it. I kind of anticipated that she’s still going to ask about it. I mean, it’s not a simple situation but she just lost her chance to question me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've already answered that one, senpai. I love them all. That simple.\" I said, sipping my tea as I watched her process my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shock on her face was clear. She was probably expecting me to answer something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something not as boring as that. She was hoping for me to have a different way of thinking. Not just a simple belief in love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand hovered over the teacup that I just refilled. \"But, why do you love them? What makes them special to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I put on a knowing smirk, \"Now you're the one breaking your rule. It’s my turn to ask a question, senpai. And as a bonus, I’ll answer your questions too. They’re special to me because I love them. That simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused for a moment to see the conflicted and confused expression occupying her face before continuing, “Now, I'll repeat. What's the ultimate prize for this game of yours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minami Shouko let out a sigh. A deep one that somehow aired out what kind of life she was currently living.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what felt like an eternity, she opened her mouth, \"To find someone who understands me. Someone who won't be fooled by the masks I wear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, she lifted her gaze, meeting my eyes. Unlike earlier, she withdrew the veil covering the darkness beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we stared at each other, we were probably getting drawn by the similar darkness from us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always said I was still broken. And that’s true because I couldn’t stop falling in love with girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Minami Shouko couldn’t put her trust in someone. No one had gained it ever since she decided to stop putting blind trust in people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see. You're a lonely soul, senpai.\" I said, placing my teacup down gently.\u003C\u002Fp>",1283,"2026-06-08T09:44:15.441Z",1,"novelbin.me","9f099f8d46bba872672843698b7567eba6c1da441adda9ccae9723e6da4d5772","stealing-spree-chapter-2227","stealing-spree-chapter-2225",2873,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-spree-cover.jpg"]