The number of people who know the personal number registered on my name was few. Apart from all the girls that I stole and some who I used to get close to them, I never gave it away to anyone. Even my email was the same.

And with the advent of easier access to the internet as well as instant messaging applications, the need to give it out lessened considerably.

Thats why seeing an unknown number calling me made me think twice before answering.

Well, there was also that instance of Hitomi calling me through a satellite phone. Thats why its not that unusual for me to get a call from an unknown contact, its just rare.

Nami, who clearly saw how I tensed up slightly which indicated my surprise, stared at me in slight confusion.

Is there something wrong? She asked.

Perhaps hearing that Nami stopped being playful, Satsuki and the others also looked in my direction, wondering what happened.

No. Im just thinking about who this could be. Those who know my contact number are limited. Anyway, I better think about that later. I answered as I relaxed my expression and smiled.

Following that, I accepted the call and put the phone next to my ear. At this point, the girls had already crowded back around me, their curiosity piqued.

After waiting for a while, whoever was on the other side stayed silent. I could hear the sound of someone breathing close by, however, it was like they were waiting for me to talk first rather than introduce themselves.

However, as the call time approached its first minute, I heard a click and the call was cut off from the other side

Thats weird.

Noticing what happened, the girls became more curious

Is it a prank call? Hina put out a guess.

Well, thats plausible. Someone couldve guessed my number correct. But in this day and age are prank calls still a thing?

Maybe... Theres clearly someone on the other side. I never said anything because theyre the ones who called me. I answered.

However, right after saying that, my phone rang again. And its the same number.

This time, the girls looked on even more curiously. Satsuki was seriously annoyed though. If not for her standing behind Aya, she wouldve already grabbed my phone and rejected it.

But since it could also be a connection problem, I accepted the call again.

This time, I started the conversation rather than wait, Hello? Who is this?

Its a simple question.

However, apart from the sound of someone breathing, theres still nothing. Well, theres the faint sound of someone smacking their lips. Nonetheless, it still didnt produce any voice so I still had no idea if it was a man or a woman on the other side.

I tried picking up the background noises but it was too silent. Its like he or she was inside an isolated room or the phone had just that option to minimize background sounds.

Either way, it took almost a minute again before the call was cut off once more

Block the number, Ruki. Someone is pranking you. While frowning, Satsuki finally couldnt hold back her annoyance. She moved closer and stretched her arm out, asking me to give her my phone.

Suddenly, instead of a call, I got a notification that I received an email.

I looked and everyone followed.

The email was also from an unregistered contact.

When I opened it, it was, at least, not empty. However, only one sentence was written in it. And based on it, its really connected to the unknown caller.

You havent changed your number and email yet.

Reading through it, the girls confusion grew.

Saki put a finger on her chin as she tried to put it all together. Seconds later, as though an imaginary lightbulb lit up next to her head, the girl widely smiled as she put out her own guess of what she realized. Ruki, is it possible that its someone from your past?

Upon hearing that, the other girls agreed to it instantly.

Well, shes not wrong. Because thats also my guess. No. Not just a guess Im now certain that its someone from my past. As for who it was, thats something I needed to find out.

Thinking about it, calling me to hear my voice is probably a way to confirm that I still have the same number. And sending that email is to give me an obvious clue and a reason to start the call this time.

Someone from your past You said theres a lot of them, Kii. Who do you think it is? Chii raised the question this time even before I could also agree with Sakis guess.

No idea But theres definitely a reason why she had to contact me this way. Remember, I cut off everyone regardless of their feelings for me.

Someone who hated me or someone who at least didnt think too badly of me. Whoever it is I still have to decide whether to bite into her obvious bait.

But if shes one of the girls from my past she should have an idea that I wouldnt so easily do that.

Unless she caught wind of my change

If thats true, its either someone spilled it to her or she found out herself.

Ive been spotted multiple times at Akanes school. Its possible that one of the girls I stole and cut off recognized me. Just like how Miyako did so back then.

Moreover, theres also that unknown girl who called out to me from the Seven Stars Girls Academy.

Uh Clearly, this is the case of me being too forgetful Although I could remember them if I saw or heard their voice clearly, its still a problem. Who knows? Someone might already be plotting to take me down for revenge and I still have no idea who they are

Well, lets not go to that extreme.

But seriously, the caller completely piqued not just my interest but all of the girls here with me as well.

Even before I could decide, they were already anticipating that I would be calling the unknown number this time.

Uhm Ruki, are you worried? Perhaps seeing my slight hesitation, Aya asked me while looking slightly worried herself.

A little. It could be troublesome whether I get to the bottom of it or not So, to be safe I have no choice but to find out her reason for contacting me in this kind of fashion. I answered the girl while patting her head.

And right as soon as I finished doing that, the phone lit up once more and vibrated on my hand causing all our eyes to focus on it.

After looking at the girls and nodding at them, I tapped the accept button and put it on the loudspeaker.

Alright Stop acting mysterious. If youre trying to get my attention, congratulations. I started with a sarcastic tone.

And sure enough, theres now a difference from the previous two calls.

A faint sound of laughter could be heard. It sounded stifled but through it, we confirmed that it was certainly from a girl.

A while later, we all heard activity from the other side. It sounded like the girl had just gotten up from a springy bed followed by footsteps as she walked away from the phone.

That girl, is she testing my patience? Too bad, if someone is going to lose patience here, its Satsuki.

Shes already in a bad mood, especially from hearing that laughter. On the other hand, the other girls were also a bit annoyed yet they were more curious about the reason of the caller for contacting me.

Nami caressed my cheek and smiled. Her way of trying to calm me down

Well, even if Im not agitated over that mysterious girl, Im more concerned about the mood of these girls around me.

If that girl remained uncooperating then Id end the call myself and try to find out who she is using different means. She could play like this but Im not someone who always backs down from a challenge.

A while later, the girl returned from somewhere, picked up the phone again and perhaps dropped back on her bed.

Seconds passed again without the girl saying anything.

This time, when it was about to reach two minutes, I started reaching for the end call button.

But it was also at that moment that the girl finally said something.

Ruki, did you miss me? Wait a minute, let me change it. Have you been well?

As her voice trickled to our ears, one of the girls around me instantly reacted.

H-hana? Is Is that you? Although shes stuttering a bit, Chii widened her eyes in disbelief. She looked at me as though trying to confirm if I guessed the same.

And yes, I did.

Just the way she called my name was enough for me to relate it to her

However, one question popped up in my head. Just how? How did she get my number and email? Akane couldnt have given it to her

Hmm? Oya? Is Chizuru with you? How interesting Answering Chiis question with an amused tone, the girl directly named her. It appears that what I heard is true Its wonderful, Ruki I cant wait to see you again.

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Authors Note:

First of all, I apologize for putting this here. Theres no dedicated textbox to write this.

Its the 1000th Chapter! I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who are still sticking to this super-ass-slow novel of mine! I appreciate the support and suggestions coming from all of you.

The cast of characters is already too huge but Im making sure none of them will be forgotten. (Thats the reason why its so slow, seriously.)

Since this is an important milestone, I shouldve put something special. Unfortunately, I cant prepare for it. And I apologize again for that.

Anyway, I should end this here or it will be another coin for you.

Once again, thank you for reading!