I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya chimed in, “Sometimes, it’s good to be a little more ‘proactive’ and ‘outgoing’… even just a little bit. Hoshino, your juniors are all very observant kids. They might notice the ‘changes’ in you even before you do.”

"Do you still remember the determination you had to remove your mask when you were in that 'other world'?"

Hoshino nodded gently, his gaze steady.

How could I not remember?

After all... those were important memories for Abydos.

"Keep that resolve in your heart... and do what you believe is right, Hoshino."

"If you make a mistake... I will correct it for you."

Amamiya sighed and said, "It's okay to make mistakes... as long as you repent."

"The truly wrong ones are those who, after making a mistake, persist in their own way and refuse to repent."

Be bold and try new things, don't be afraid of making mistakes...?

Hoshino recalled the story of the Phantom Thieves that Amamiya had told her.

At that time... the Phantom Thieves also made mistakes, and were once manipulated by public opinion, becoming arrogant... and that 'arrogance' was the fuse that led the Phantom Thieves into a trap.

However, it was during that period that the Phantom Thieves managed to turn the tide and turn the tide of the story, which seemed to be going wrong step by step...

The Phantom Thieves are "forced to move forward because they are in dire straits".

In comparison... Abydos is much better off now.

All you need to do is "boldly move forward".

At that time, the Phantom Thieves' partners almost gave up... It was only because of the unwavering will of the Phantom Thieves' ace, and the 'leader', that they did not 'back down' or 'disband'...

Back then, Sensei, who was still a phantom thief, carried out this kind of will all the way... and paved a new path, right?

"I think I understand..."

After gently rubbing his body to find a comfortable position and angle, Hoshino gradually revealed a relaxed and comfortable smile.

"It's good that you understand."

“But then again…” Hoshino suddenly smiled slyly and lazily, “Now that Sensei has said that… it makes me feel like Sensei has truly become a ‘senior’…”

Amamiya calmly replied, "From the perspective of age and life experience, I am your 'senior'."

"No, no, no... Uncle, I'm not talking about 'senior' in that sense~ but rather... in 'another sense'."

Amamiya feigned ignorance and asked, "Oh? Then can Hoshino tell me in what sense?"

Hoshino didn't reply immediately. Instead, after a brief pause, she boldly rolled over in Amamiya's arms, hugging Amamiya back while looking up at her with a subtle, unspoken expression.

“…Sensei, uncle, I’ve explained it to this extent…don’t you understand?”

[…Here, it seems we should choose our words carefully.]

However, the enchanting atmosphere lasted less than a second before the crisp sound of the door opening shattered it.

“Sensei, my job…”

The folder made a 'thud' sound when it was dropped to the ground.

"Hoshino-senpai..."

Immediately following was a voice that had subconsciously risen eight octaves, even carrying a hint of hostility.

"Sensei... Hoshino-senpai... what are you doing?!"

……Why?!

Hoshino, who was anticipating the next 'kiss' or 'intimate reply', suddenly felt a chill come from behind, which directly dispelled her slightly confused consciousness and brought her back to her senses.

"That, that..."

"a ha ha ha……"

Meeting the calm yet sharp gaze of his junior, Hoshino deflated quickly, feeling guilty, like a punctured balloon.

"Bai Zi... little sister, we're just... um, having... psychological counseling."

With increasingly sharp scrutiny, Hoshino hastily came up with a reason as his excuse.

“Shiroko-chan… I’ve been feeling a bit traumatized lately because of what happened with Abydos… There are some things I want to confide in Sensei, and I want Sensei to listen to me…”

"You didn't do anything inappropriate with Sensei, did you? Really...nothing?"

【~???~】

Cooperative status has been improved!

【Takanashi Hoshino (Sun) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆】

"..."

Amamiya pinched his nose and wisely chose to 'protect himself'.

"Bai Zi, such special 'intimate contact' is actually a part of emotional expression."

"If Bai Zi also wants to give it a try, I'm always welcome."

【~???~】

'Psychological counseling'...?

Bai Zi's expression softened slightly.

"so……"

If Hoshino-senpai can enjoy such treatment, then I should be able to too...

“However,” Amamiya changed the subject, “it’s getting late…after lunch, we have a special schedule for the afternoon.”

"Shirako, Hoshino, I'll have to rely on you then."

Thinking about the upcoming 'other world activities', Hoshino and Shirako focused their attention and nodded very seriously.

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"Shall we demonstrate our seniors' strength and responsibility to the younger generation of the 'Millennium Science Academy'...?"

"You can leave it to me, Sensei."

Chapter 49 Alice has been completely corrupted!

afternoon.

The sky remained overcast and rainy, showing no signs of improvement.

"Hmm... to be on the safe side in case it rains, let's prepare a portable umbrella in advance, Sensei?"

After helping Amamiya organize her shoulder bag, Hoshino finally folded up a folding umbrella and put it into her backpack.

"Then... this afternoon, Xia Lai will be handed over to Hoshino... and you two, Shirako, to look after for the time being."

Hoshino showed a momentary gentleness, almost like a 'good wife,' but quickly returned to her lazy, indifferent demeanor, waving to Amamiya with a languid smile.

"Don't worry, Sensei. We'll contact you immediately if anything happens."

"Heh heh~~ In preparation for the afternoon's battle, I think I'll find a place to take a nap and rest first..."

As she said this, she dragged her gait, which resembled that of an 'old lady,' toward Xia Lai's residential area.

"..."

Hoshino breathed a long sigh of relief after confirming that he could no longer feel the gaze of his juniors.

'It seems... coming with a junior wasn't a good choice after all.'

Thinking of the pair of wolves who had been watching her like 'hunger wolves guarding their food' since noon, Hoshino sighed deeply and quickened her pace slightly.

Actually, she's not sleepy at all; on the contrary, she's incredibly energetic.

Scenes from not long ago still flashed vividly through her mind.

What... what's going on...?

Why did I feel a sense of relief at that moment, and then inexplicably take the initiative to confess my feelings?!

Was it because of the atmosphere at the time...?

Or perhaps it's because of my own feelings towards Sensei...

My mind was a complete mess.

'I successfully prevented Shiroko's sister from having "further contact"... but the price was that I almost fell for her myself...'

For some reason, Hoshino felt a lingering sense of unease upon realizing this.

Sensei's "attraction"... is becoming more and more deadly.

Now, everyone in Abydos... even Nomiya, whose defense is considered the highest, is gradually showing a tendency to develop 'negative resistance' to everything from Sensei.

'Oh dear...'

'If this trend continues... one day, it will evolve into a future where "even a chance encounter with a Sensei will lead to the urge to attack them"... won't it?'

That future is just around the corner…

'Uncle, I need to hurry up and find a way to take down Sensei ahead of schedule...'

...at that time.

"..."

Watching 'Senior Hoshino' gradually walk away, Shirako lowered her eyes and placed her right hand on her restless chest, feeling the intense heat and vitality emanating from within.

Strange, that feeling of 'wanting to express myself' but being blocked... seems to be getting stronger.

If only I could always be by Sensei's side...

……

……

Following the "special invitation" from the engineering department, Amamiya contacted them promptly in the afternoon.

At the same time, a message was sent to the four members of the game department to "go to the engineering department to meet up".

After traveling from Xia Lai to the Millennium Technology Academy, Amamiya headed straight for the Engineering Department. There, downstairs, she saw the four members of the Game Department who had been waiting for her for a long time.

When Amamiya arrived, Momoi and Midori were explaining to Alice the significance of the Millennium Project Department.

As Alice watched with curiosity, Little Green coughed lightly and spoke with a hint of meaning: "A thousand years ago... experts in manufacturing and repairing machines were called 'master craftsmen.'"

After a pause, she continued under Alice's increasingly hopeful gaze, "The Engineering Department is a club composed of masters who specialize in hardware."

Momoi quickly chimed in, adding, "They're experts in all sorts of machinery, and they're also in charge of repairing and modifying weapons based on millennia-old technology... just like a 'blacksmith shop' in an RPG game!"

Amamiya, who had been listening in: ...

Don't say it, really don't say it.

If viewed from the perspective of a fantasy world... the engineering department does indeed resemble a 'blacksmith shop'.

Upon noticing Amamiya's figure, Yuzu suddenly raised her voice and became more alert, slightly tiptoeing as she waved to Amamiya.

"Um... Sen, Seni... Good afternoon..."

Amamiya leaned closer and, under Alice's curious gaze, touched Yuzu's large forehead.

"Well, has Alice learned to talk yet?"

After a moment of silence, Momoi nodded confidently: "Of course—"

"Thanks to our efforts, Alice is now able to communicate normally!"

As if in agreement with Momoi's statement, Alice nodded in agreement.

Then, under Amamiya's curious gaze, she began to briefly gather her strength.

"I am you, and you are me... My name is Alice! You stigmatized rebels, filled with resentment and unwillingness... If you are not willing to accept the unfair treatment you receive... why not raise your banner and make a scene!"