Shujin Academy was still reeling from Shiho Suzui's jump from the second floor. Students congregated in the hall, exchanging theories about why she did it. Was it stress? Did her grades drop? Was she in danger of academic probation? Still others thought there may have been a more sinister reason behind her actions than a failing grade. This last possibility was all Makoto could think about.

She had been in class when it happened. She heard screams and then a nauseating impact. She followed the other students out to the courtyard and saw Ann Takamaki kneeling next to Suzui. Makoto felt sick to her stomach as she remembered what Mishima had told her over winter break: that Kamoshida had turned volleyball practice into a torture chamber. That students were routinely humiliated, that they felt unsafe, that he'd call the starting lineup to his office one by one and do unspeakable things to them.

"These are very serious allegations," Makoto told him. "Won't you consider becoming a witness? Principal Kobayakawa should know about this. But he isn't going to listen without proof."

"No, please," Mishima pleaded. "I brought this to you because I want to stay out of it. The whole team does. Who knows what he'll do to us if he finds out."

Makoto wouldn't say a word, of course. It would reflect poorly on the council if she divulged every secret a student told her in confidence.

She had an allegation but no evidence. The volleyball team had been training hard for nationals, which could explain the bruises and other injuries. Mishima made it clear that he and his teammates wouldn't testify. Then there was the fact that Kamoshida was an Olympic champion and the best thing to happen to the school in years. Shujin had always been known for its academics but recently started to make a name for itself in sports. There were university admissions and letters of recommendation on the line. She didn't want to ruin any student's chances of getting into their first-choice college.

So she left the matter alone, watching and waiting for the right moment to act. Now it seemed she was too late. Suzui-san had been pushed past her limits, and Mishima had thrown his lot in with the troublemakers, as Makoto learned when she overheard three students chatting by the stairwell, shaking their heads at the foolishness of Sakamoto, Mishima, and the transfer student in confronting Kamoshida.

"Rumor has it those second-year guys are getting expelled. Serves them right for trying to start shit," one of them said.

"They picked the wrong teacher. Everyone knows Kamoshida runs this school," said another.

"Who tried to start shit?" asked a third student. His classmates didn't hesitate to name names.

"Amamiya? The new guy? Not that I'm surprised, but I thought he'd at least make it to midterms."

Makoto was intrigued. It seemed the transfer student was starting trouble already, just as she'd expected. But, she thought, this may be exactly the opportunity she needed. As student council president, she had the authority to mediate between the school and students facing expulsion. If Sakamoto, Mishima, and Amamiya had tried to take on Kamoshida, they might know something incriminating about the man that she didn't. And if they knew something she didn't, perhaps they could work out a deal: information for student council representation.

She decided to start with Amamiya.

Ren looked up to see the girl from the study table approaching him. He was surprised to see someone, anyone try to talk to him, much less someone he actually had an interest in. If only he didn't have to leave so soon to meet Ryuji and Ann at the hideout. They planned to return to Kamoshida's palace and finish what they started: find his Treasure, steal it, and change the man's heart.

He glanced at the clock. Half past two. Time was of the essence.

The girl had an air of authority about her, more so than the other students he'd met, and up close he could see that her posture was impeccable — her spine perfectly straight, her limbs held tightly against her body. She seemed too proper, with not a hair out of place and a steel glint in her crimson eyes. He had to revise his initial impression of her as someone who was going to be on his side. He couldn't be sure about that after all.

"It's been a week since the semester started, and I haven't even introduced myself," the girl with the crimson eyes said. "My name is Makoto Niijima. I'm a third-year here."

"Nice to meet you, Niijima-senpai." Ren only half turned to face her. He was very busy. Couldn't she see he was busy? "But I'm afraid this is a bad time."

"So I've heard," the girl named Niijima said. "I promise I won't take up too much of your time."

So much for getting out of this quickly. With reluctance, he motioned for her to sit down in the adjacent cubby. They were the only two in the library on a beautiful spring afternoon, most of the school having wisely left to study in the courtyard. Only Ren's delinquent status kept him inside. He didn't need to overhear any more nasty rumors about him and his friends.

Niijima smoothed out the wrinkles of her skirt and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. She paused for a moment, then raised her hand to her chin as if deep in thought.

"I...I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help at the board meeting next month," she began. "The one the teachers convened on the subject of your and Sakamoto's…"

"Expulsion?"

"Yes." She seemed a little surprised he was so forthcoming. He supposed most Shujin students would be ashamed of being in such a bind. He supposed he would be too, if he hadn't already been through worse.

"So you know about that." This conversation was off to a great start.

Niijima began talking faster, the words practically spilling out of her mouth. "I should mention that I am student council president. I'm well acquainted with Principal Kobayakawa. I've done many favors for him over the years, and he holds me in high regard." She paused again, letting her hand fall to her lap. Then, making very pointed eye contact, she continued, "I could put in a good word for you, if you'd like. I just need some information in return."

"About what?" Ren asked.

"About…about what happened with Kamoshida." Niijima's voice was firm. "You must have heard the rumors about the volleyball team by now. I'm trying to bring the matter to the principal's attention. In order to do that, I need proof of Kamoshida's wrongdoing. I need proof so I can help those on the team."

Ren gave her a quizzical look. Student council president? He thought of the student council at Inaba, which always seemed more concerned about padding their college applications than doing anything to help their peers. His impression of Shujin's council thus far was no different. He could still see Ann's tear-streaked face as she consoled Suzui-san, and Ryuji's posture getting even slouchier as he recounted what happened to the track team. Where was Makoto Niijima when his information leaked online? Where was she when Kamoshida was making Shiho's life hell?

No, he didn't think there was anything she could do to help.

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't we'll be needing it," he said. Niijima stiffened at the flat refusal. Clearly, this was not how she envisioned their conversation would go.

"Can I ask why?" she asked.

"Well, I haven't been impressed with what I've seen so far. I was hoping for a clean slate when I started here, but it turns out everyone already knows about my criminal record." Ren thought he might as well get his feelings about that out of the way.

Niijima balled both hands into fists, taking some of the thin fabric of her skirt with them. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "You never came to us for help," she said.

"That's not all. You might know this already, but Sakamoto and I conducted our own investigation. We asked members of the volleyball team about their…one-on-one practice sessions with Kamoshida. He's done some unforgivable things, you know. And all this school seems to care about is covering his tracks to protect its reputation."

It was his turn to proffer the pointed eye contact. "Rumor has it this includes the student council."

"I…I was just biding my time," Niijima said, an edge to her voice. "Try to see it from my point of view. I didn't want to destroy the team's chances at nationals. Especially after we lost track and field because of your friend Sakamato. There are students counting on that letter of recommendation."

"First of all, that was not Sakamoto's fault. At all," Ren fired back. "Second, that does make it sound like you would do anything for a letter of recommendation." Now he was being a smartass, but he couldn't help it. He enjoyed turning the tables on her. What harm was there in teasing this difficult, superior, uptight classmate of his just a little?

"That accusation is completely unwarranted," she cried. She looked equal parts startled and annoyed as he began collecting his items, intent on extracting himself from this conversation he never wanted.

"Tell you what. I'll take down Kamoshida and show you how it's done," he said, ignoring the sudden movement from his bag.

"I-I don't see how. You're already getting expelled. He's already won."

Ren shot her a smile he hoped was both charming and devious. "Just watch, Niijima."

He had already secured the infiltration route to Kamoshida's treasure room with Panther, Skull, and Mona. All they had to do was send the calling card that would force the treasure to materialize. He couldn't think of a better way to get under the skin of Miss President and help the school at the same time. Makoto Niijima would get her evidence of Kamoshida's wrongdoing at the same time as everyone else.

As he left the library for the rooftop, the thrashing in his bag became impossible to contain. Morgana popped out of the zippered compartment, meowing his head off. "Did you seriously JUST TELL HER THAT?" he cried. "Now she's going to know it's us if Kamoshida has a mental shutdown!"

Makoto stayed up late that night to study for her next mock exam, though a hot bath might have been a better choice. She was so distracted, she wasn't sure if it was truly an effective use of her time.

I'll take down Kamoshida and show you how it's done.

The words played themselves over and over in her head.

She was so tense, she nearly hit the ceiling when her phone went off, breaking the silence in the apartment. It was a message from Sis saying she'd be working through the night. Makoto felt somewhat relieved. She didn't want Sis to see her in such a distracted state.

She looked down at her unfinished problem set, the margins covered in formulas and equations — all work and no results — before laying her head down on her desk. It was no use. Her mind kept drifting back to her disastrous attempt at interrogation.

Amamiya had been right, to a point. For all her accomplishments, she had not been a very effective student council president. She had failed to change Kobayakawa's mind on any point of disagreement and often let matters drop after one conversation. More damning, she'd done nothing to protect Shiho Suzui. She had her reasons for keeping the information from Mishima to herself, but still. It wasn't exactly the hallmark of a proactive leader.

Makoto dug her fingernails into her palms. The delinquent had caught her completely off guard. She wasn't expecting him to refuse her offer, nor did she anticipate the interrogation turning back on her. He was able to do so with such ease that she sat there gaping for minutes after he left. How dare he speak to her that way? How dare he criticize how she did her job?

And yet… even in those tense moments, he had such an air of geniality about him that if she hadn't known about his criminal record, she would never have suspected he had problems with the law. It was hard to react to him in the moment. She couldn't stop thinking about that smile or the way he tugged on the cuffs of his blazer, his dark eyes glinting with mischief, or the lilt in his voice — flirtatious, perhaps? — as he delivered his parting words.

Just watch, Niijima.

That might have been her most embarrassing mistake of the day. She had severely underestimated his charm.

On May 1, Principal Kobayakawa called Makoto to his office. The room was just as she remembered it, with the green accents and accolade-laden trophy case. Except now the man at the heavy oak desk was red-faced and very, very angry.

"Niijima-san, what is the meaning of this?" he sputtered, handing her a folded piece of paper. Makoto examined the collage of letters cut out from newspapers, books, and magazines, eventually decoding the rather crass message inside.

"Sir Suguru Kamoshida, the utter bastard of lust," she read aloud. "We know how shitty you are, and that you put your twisted desires on students that can't fight back…"

She glanced at Kobayakawa. Surely he got the idea; surely she didn't need to keep going. But the slightest twitch of the principal's chin in her direction suggested otherwise.

So she continued:

"That's why we have decided to steal away those desires and make you confess your sins. This will be done tomorrow, so we hope you will be ready. From…the Phantom Thieves of Hearts."

She looked up from the paper, confused. What on earth did she just read? Was this some sort of prank?

"You tell me, Niijima," Principal Kobayakawa said, as though he could read her mind. "You know the student body intimately. Do you think it's a prank? Do you know who could have posted these all over the school?"

"I…" Makoto remembered what Amamiya had said about taking the Kamoshida situation into his own hands. It would be so easy to implicate the probationer, she thought. She could tell Kobayakawa about their conversation in the library. She could convey exactly what he told her: that he would be the one to bring down Kamoshida. That he would show her "how it was done." He even said it like it was a guarantee.

On the other hand, the absence of any handwriting made the identity of the author hard to discern. Was such an accusation fair when she didn't have any proof? She had waited long enough to take action on the Kamoshida case; she could certainly wait for Amamiya to show his hand.

"Well?" Kobayakawa had taken back the note and looked on the verge of tearing it to pieces.

Makoto stared down at her boots. There was a new run in her stocking that would need mending at home. It was nothing she couldn't handle. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to meet the principal's.

"I don't know, sir," she said. "I couldn't tell you."

Kobayakawa sighed and summarily dismissed her.

On May 2, Suguru Kamoshida confessed his crimes to the entire student body. Makoto stood with her classmates in the gymnasium, trembling as the teacher listed off one terrible act after another - rape, sexual harassment, aggravated assault, and more. It was worse than she had ever imagined.

Makoto searched the room for Amamiya, hoping to catch his eye. She wanted a sign that he was responsible for this, that Kamoshida's sudden change of heart was all his doing. Alternatively, she wouldn't mind if he said it had nothing to do with him at all. She wouldn't have lied to the principal in that case.

Her eyes glazed over the crowd, past the sea of faces until she spotted the delinquent standing next to Sakamoto. They were whispering about something, their heads hovering close. He did not turn in her direction.