I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

It seems... our 'otherworld adventure' with the three little guys from the game club can be slowed down a bit.

After thinking for a short while, Amamiya made a decision.

"In that case... let's finish the engineering department's tasks during the day... and then accept the maid department's 'special invitation' at night."

After all... if Momoi wants to give Alice a reasonable new identity, she definitely can't bypass Beritas.

Once the process goes through Beritas, Rion should also be able to learn the news...

Let's focus our attention on the engineering department first.

It has been some time since Amamiya provided the "Eden Metal"—Amamiya was eager to know what new tricks these master craftsmen, whose creativity was extraordinary even within Givotos, had come up with.

In addition, Alice also needs to go to the engineering department to obtain her own weapon.

Let's just combine 'obtaining Alice's weapon' and 'going to the engineering department to confirm the research results' into one.

Thinking this, Amamiya checked who was on duty today...

"Arona, did you also arrange today's duty roster?"

After hesitating for a few seconds, Amamiya finally asked.

"Huh? Is there a problem?"

Arona was curious about Amamiya's slightly unusual reaction, which was somewhere between 'hesitation' and 'silence': "Today's student on duty is Shirako, the sand wolf from Abydos... there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"According to the student records that Alona knows, Sand Wolf Shirako seems to be quite 'stable' and 'obedient'..."

Amamiya was shocked.

Well-behaved, that's quite obvious...

But whether it's stable or not is hard to say.

Considering Shirako's unusually excited reaction to proposals like "bank robbery," Amamiya found it hard to accept Alona's claim of "stability."

Rather than stability, it seems more like something unusual because of Abydos's 'fierce' worldview.

What exactly is written in Arona's academic record after she was admitted?

"...Is that so? Alona has made excellent arrangements."

After letting out a soft sigh, Amamiya rubbed her temples and began to ponder how to deal with this 'silent, athletic girl' who almost never showed any emotional fluctuations.

Of the 'Five' from Abydos High School, Shirako and Nomiya were the two he had the least contact with.

Although she was included in the 'Shalai Student Files' after the Abydos incident... to be honest, Amamiya's understanding of her was really not that much.

After all, Shiroko doesn't talk much... so naturally, Amamiya didn't have many opportunities to deepen their bond.

After washing up and taking care of herself, Amamiya got up and checked on Wakasa's movements.

Wakazama, who ultimately chose to rest on the living room sofa last night out of fear, has disappeared today.

Along with the missing blanket that Amamiya brought from outside Giwatos, there were also clothes that he had specially prepared for Wakazama, taking into account the intensity of her battle.

Amamiya picked up a note that had been written not long ago from the coffee table and looked at the delicate and restrained handwriting on it, which looked as if it had been practiced countless times.

"Thank you for your kind hospitality, dear... but I've decided not to trouble you for now..."

"Wakazama will work hard to find a secluded 'base' and then 'build a nest' there..."

"So that I can see my beloved every time... I will strive towards that goal..."

"Also, thank you for the clothes you specially sewed for Wakazama... and the bedding you prepared for her, Wakazama took with her..."

"The bedding will be returned to you, my dear, after Wakazama cleans it up..."

Amamiya: ...

Clean it up?

Just to cuddle and sleep... there's probably no need for that.

After carefully putting the letter away, Amamiya thought to herself, "I hope the 'special armor' I gave her will help Wakazamo."

"Jade-Faced Fox's Spirit Attire": A special outfit that seems to contain the power of the Jade-Faced Fox. It can transform into any outfit the wearer wants to become and can also grant the wearer resistance to mental abnormalities.

Special Effect - Spirit Gear: When equipment is directly destroyed for various reasons, it will self-repair. The faster the damage occurs, the faster the repair will be.

Special Effect - Protection: When equipped with the Jade Fox's Mask, this armor also provides physical damage resistance and a self-cleaning function.

It is also a 'special armor' made of materials from another world, similar to the armor "Armor of the Vow" worn by Amamiya.

In a sense, it can be considered 'god-tier equipment'.

After carefully putting away the letter and confirming that Wakazama had already 'retreated', Amamiya decisively abandoned the idea of ​​preparing breakfast.

After grabbing a quick breakfast bento at Angel24, Amamiya went straight to Sharai's office to start working on her paperwork for the day.

‘Dingling bell~’

Before long, he heard the clear sound of a bicycle bell coming from outside the window of the Xia Lai Building.

Amamiya paused her work and went to the balcony to look down.

Two girls riding the same model of road bikes but with different paint schemes parked their bikes downstairs.

Seemingly sensing the gaze from upstairs, they looked up and waved to Amamiya in the warm, velvety hues of the morning light.

Although the student on duty was assigned the white piece...

But Bai Zi wasn't the only one who came.

Good morning, Sensei.

"Hmm~ I hope this unannounced visit won't disturb Sensei~?"

...I have a strange feeling that today might not be very peaceful.

Looking back at the pile of paperwork that had accumulated since yesterday... Amamiya decisively, like throwing a dart, capped the pen in her hand and accurately tossed it back onto the pen holder on her desk.

"Don't disturb, don't disturb..."

"Come on up. Xia Lai welcomes you anytime."

Chapter 47 Hoshino: The True "Senior's Demeanor"...?

"I see……"

"Is this a 'return gift' prepared for me?"

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window of the balcony, looking down at the road bike parked below, a set of bikes with a red and black main color scheme, full of 'otherworld' and 'phantom thief' style, and with particularly trendy paint art, Amamiya could almost feel the dedication of the painter.

Turning around, Amamiya glanced at Shiroko, who was looking down with her head down and ears drooping. Although she had almost no expression, you could see a hint of 'anxiety' in her subtle reactions. And behind her, Hoshino was 'winking' at Amamiya. Amamiya sighed slightly in exasperation.

"I can feel the care put into preparing the gift..."

Approaching the 'Grey Wolf Girl', Amamiya smiled gently at her growing unease and reached out to pinch her wolf ears, which had become airplane-shaped due to her fluctuating emotions.

"Thank you, Shirako."

"A special gift with great collectible value..."

【~???~】

'Well……'

'My first time having such close contact with Sensei...'

With a touch of blissful intoxication, the girl, whose head was being patted by Amamiya, gradually closed her eyes, trying to absorb the hard-won warmth from the 'adult's hand' that was stroking her hair and ears...

Unlike her "predecessors"...

The most unique form of care, yet the most captivating.

I couldn't help but raise my head slightly, then stand on tiptoe, trying to get closer and closer to this special, gentle care...

“Oh my… Sensei’s appeal as a ‘senior’ is indeed quite remarkable…”

"Is this the unique appeal of a truly reliable senior, and that 'broad shoulders and a supportive back' that inspires reliance...?"

The words that came at just the right time, carrying a hint of teasing and envy, suddenly brought Bai Zi, who was immersed in this special feeling and almost lost his composure, back to his senses.

"..."

Strange... Is it just my imagination?

I sensed a very special and peculiar fragrance emanating from Sensei.

And then there's that strange, irresistible attraction that makes you want to immerse yourself in it...

Even though it was just a simple contact, my body inexplicably felt hot.

"Sensei..."

The girl let out a soft cry, but didn't know what to say next.

There's a strong urge to confide in me... but I don't know how to describe it in words.

"What's wrong, Bai Zi?"

Amamiya lowered her head and met Shiroko's gaze, whose expression was full of inner turmoil.

"..."

Hoshino, standing to the side, made a pointed 'guess' and said, "Shirako is just hesitating, wondering what the 'duty student' should do?"

Bai Zi first instinctively shook her head, then opened her mouth slightly, hesitated for a long time, and didn't know what to say.

It's clearly not like what Hoshino-senpai said...

But why?

Why……

I feel like I can't quite put my finger on it...

Is it impossible to express?

Or is it a lack of courage to express it?

His heterochromatic black and white pupils trembled slightly. After hesitating for more than ten seconds, Bai Zi finally mustered up the courage to speak.

"I'd like to invite Sensei to... go cycling."

Is this the unique introverted nature of a 'quiet, athletic girl'—not knowing how to express her emotions?

Those inexplicable emotions... let's try to release them through the simplest form of exercise, by sweating it out.

Seeing that the other person hesitated for a long time before finally giving a result that even she herself didn't seem very satisfied with, Amamiya chuckled inwardly.

"It's not impossible."

Amamiya then looked at Hoshino and asked, "Does Hoshino want to come along too?"

"Ah ha ha……"

Hoshino, who was looking around, paused, looked down at his toes, and gave a slightly guilty, dry laugh.

—After getting to know 'honorary alumna' Hifumi, the five members of Abydos also picked up the little habit of 'liking to laugh awkwardly with 'ahaha' when they were embarrassed'.

"Let's talk about it another day?"

"Uncle, I came to see Sensei, but actually I have some other ideas..."

Amamiya gradually composed himself and asked seriously, "Is it about the [Abydos Higher Academy]?"

What trouble has Abydos run into recently?

【~???~】

"No, no..."

Hoshino seemed to become increasingly uneasy under the gazes of his juniors, and his voice became somewhat hesitant.

"It's... some of my own problems, Uncle."

Hoshino's 'suggestive' words made Amamiya feel something.

...Did you come here for "the senior's training"?