I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

After a moment's thought, Amamiya decided on the itinerary.

"Then... let's go to Abydos first."

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Christmas in Abydos

Having made up her mind, Amamiya boarded the train to Abydos.

Abydos is, after all, a desert region. Although there are quite obvious temperature changes throughout the year, it is very rare to see real rain, snow, wind, and frost.

however……

The imagery that Amamiya envisioned—where the 'Christmas style' around the train gradually fades away as it moves forward—did not materialize.

The snow seemed to have covered the entire city of Kivotos... even Abydos was not spared.

Along the way, every scene Amamiya saw was covered in a blanket of snow.

It even seems that the desert has gradually turned into a vast, boundless white tundra.

Since the girls on the countermeasures committee were not informed in advance, Amamiya did not expect them to come and greet her as if they had 'foreseen' it.

The station was slippery with a light layer of snow, and looking around, many places, such as the eaves, were covered with icicles.

Walking alone through the almost deserted station area, Amamiya felt for a moment as if he were in The Long Dark (a winter survival game).

He arrived at Abydos's campus, and compared to his last visit, it hadn't changed much.

The most obvious change is that the campus has been transformed into a snowy landscape.

Amamiya, who had been strolling around the campus for a short while and was heading to the Countermeasures Committee's activity room, suddenly heard the sound of sloshing water and crunching snow behind her.

"Ah~?"

The deliberately drawn-out words, seemingly tinged with languor and surprise, rang out from behind Amamiya.

"I never expected... that Sensei would visit at such an 'unexpected time'..."

Amamiya turned around and saw the pink-haired girl he hadn't seen for about half a month, who was now wearing a winter outfit.

Hoshino, whose breath was particularly noticeable in the winter air and whose mood seemed to have improved considerably because of Amamiya's arrival, casually picked up a piece of crushed ice and placed it in front of him, waving to Amamiya with a smile.

"Hmm... Good morning, Sensei~?"

Amamiya gave her a comforting smile: "Yes, good morning, Hoshino."

After pausing briefly on her exceptionally thick and heavy pantyhose and the hem of her cotton plaid pleated skirt, Amamiya then looked at the ice bucket beside her.

Knowing what Amamiya was wondering about, Hoshino chuckled, scratched the back of his head, and awkwardly lowered his head to explain.

"Ice fishing is said to be a special way to 'enjoy' winter..."

"Since we still have to keep watch in winter, I gave it a try... but it seems that due to poor prior research or bad luck, I didn't get anything..."

Amamiya curled the corners of her lips, thinking to herself, "So this guy can even be an air force pilot?"

Kiwatos's technological development is quite unbelievable to ordinary people. If that's the case, then their technology in fishing tackle and bait must also be very advanced, right?

【~???~】

Noticing the teasing look in Amamiya's eyes, Hoshino casually tossed the ice shards back into the plastic bucket, stood up 'angrily' to argue, "Don't look down on the Air Force... but, but... experience and stuff, it's definitely accumulating, you know?"

"Next time, if I'm lucky, I'm sure I'll catch a ton of fish..."

Amamiya knew that this seemingly carefree girl harbored a strong will and a competitive spirit that was completely different from her petite appearance and the impression she gave off.

After giving a noncommittal smile, Amamiya leaned closer, stroking her head with one hand while pinching her cheek, which remained largely unchanged by the winter, with the other.

"Hmm..."

Hoshino initially showed a comfortable expression for a few seconds, but quickly changed to a pained expression as if she had been pinched.

"Sensei, stop pinching me... Uncle's face is going to be... ugh..."

Because of Amamiya's rubbing, she was speaking somewhat incoherently, but she did not show any obvious resistance—she even 'cunningly' placed her hand on Amamiya's hand, subtly pressing Amamiya's hand to prevent Amamiya from ending this special behavior immediately.

"Today is Christmas..."

Amamiya chuckled, noticing Hoshino's little secret, and then asked, "Does Hoshino want any 'Christmas present'?"

"Hmm... Christmas..."

The distressed girl immediately adopted a thoughtful expression.

After tilting his head slightly and reviewing his juniors' 'schedule' for the day, Hoshino finally understood.

"So that's how it is... No wonder the younger generation seemed to be 'shining' all day. It turns out it's this festival..."

However, holidays don't seem to have much to do with me.

After all, the patrols and other affairs in Abydos do not completely cease with the holidays.

"Although it may be somewhat unrealistic..."

With a sly wink, Hoshino deliberately softened his tone and boldly made a request that was unlikely to be fulfilled: "Since Sensei asked, then I'll make a bold request... The 'Christmas present' is something I want to do with Sensei."

Suddenly realizing something, she added, "Yes...we were together all day, right?"

Amamiya: ...

After a brief silence, he said helplessly, "You really are 'greedy,' Hoshino."

【~???~】

"Greed can sometimes be a great quality!"

Hoshino, who slightly bent his palm and made a cute cat gesture towards Amamiya, then said meaningfully, "After all... if you're not 'greedy'... how can you become a good senior?"

While chatting with Hoshino, Amamiya soon arrived at the entrance of the Countermeasures Committee's club activity room.

It's clear that there have been some decorations here for Christmas.

The doorway was decorated with Christmas greenery, resembling a doorway or wreath, and was lit with Christmas lights.

As for the club activity room... it was even more 'lively'.

Through the window, Amamiya could clearly see that the large conference table in the club activity room had been temporarily moved, and a Christmas tree that had been partially decorated was placed in the middle of the room.

Under the Christmas tree, there were also many gift boxes and red and white velvet-trimmed cotton stockings, which are closely related to Christmas elements.

Currently, only Ayane is guarding the club activity room.

When she heard someone open the door, Ayane assumed it was the other club members returning. She instinctively turned to greet them, but froze when she saw Hoshino following closely behind.

"Ah...Sen, Sensei?!"

After a moment of surprise, Ayane revealed a surge of joy and delight, smiling as she prepared to say Merry Christmas—

"Merry Christmas, Ayane-chan."

The words she was about to say stuck in her throat. Ayane paused for a moment, then saw Amamiya rub her ear.

"Speaking of which... Ayane-chan's ears look red from the cold, are you alright?"

ear……

ear……

The subtle keywords, coupled with the behavioral cues, instantly reminded Ayane of the 'shameful incident' that happened when she was on duty in Xia Lai...

Ayane's heart skipped a beat, but under Hoshino's knowing gaze, she calmly smiled and nodded: "Ahaha... Th-thank you for your concern, Sensei..."

"Ear care is indeed a problem..."

Feeling guilty and timid, Ayane changed the subject hastily to hide her blush and panic, turning her back to look at the Christmas tree in the room.

"Speaking of which... the Christmas tree that Nomiya-senpai prepared... is really quite special."

"Is Ayane struggling with the decorations? I can help with that."

Amamiya didn't tease Ayane any further, but instead followed Ayane's lead and changed the subject.

Amamiya proactively approached the Christmas tree and began decorating, while also asking Ayane what kind of 'Christmas present' she wanted.

"A Christmas present..."

As Ayane gradually calmed down, she thought about it seriously for a moment.

"As for me... I don't really want anything... As long as everyone in Abydos can maintain the status quo and get better, that will be enough..."

Amamiya responded earnestly: "Things will definitely get better."

【~???~】

"Um……"

With a gentle smile, Ayane felt a warm feeling rising in her heart.

With Sensei around... everything will be alright.

[...I felt warmth from Ayane.]

Coopation has been improved!

【Ayane Okuzora (Moon) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Out of the corner of her eye, Ayane noticed Hoshino, who was silent and seemed to be staring intently in their direction. Ayane, who had calmed down, immediately became slightly flustered again.

"Th-that... Hoshino-senpai?"

Hoshino did not respond.

After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly sighed softly, "Ayane-neechan... it's cold in winter, you should also improve your defenses~"

The younger generation's resistance is just too low... If they were alone with Sensei, they would be easily defeated, right?

If the younger generation gets taken by Sensei beforehand, then wouldn't I, as a senior, have failed to set a good example in terms of 'conquering and being conquered'... That won't do.

I need to slightly increase the defense of my juniors... that way, I can conquer them faster...

Ayane, of course, couldn't hear Hoshino's little thoughts at that moment, but she did understand Hoshino's hint.

"Ah ha ha……"

After an awkward smile, she temporarily abandoned her plan to decorate the Christmas tree.

"That, that..."

"I'll go call everyone over..."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Now it's Nomiya's turn!

Ayane hurriedly left the club activity room.

However, in just a short while, she called Shirako, Serika, and Nomiya, who had been doing something previously, to the club activity room.

Due to the season, they, like Hoshino, also changed into winter clothes that, while still seemingly thin, were quite warm.

Nomiya was wearing a linen-colored winter dress. Because the clothes were thicker than one layer, her figure, which was previously quite exaggerated even among the five members of the countermeasures committee, became 'inconspicuous'.

Her long, hip-length flaxen hair was slightly disheveled by the winter wind, but the meticulous care she had taken in never faded.

It's moist and smooth, with a silky texture that makes Amamiya want to touch it and feel its texture.

As for Serika, she had probably just been called back from some 'workplace' by Ayane. She was wearing a Christmas-themed outfit, but it looked more like a Christmas employee uniform. The loose red clothes and cute twin ponytail hairstyle gave her a strange and adorable contrast.

As for the white pieces...

Perhaps it's because wolves are naturally less afraid of the cold, or perhaps it's because athletic girls have a higher average body temperature... or something like that?

Bai Zi remained indifferent, seemingly oblivious to his own way of doing things.

Her dress, made by Yi Qi Liu Erjiu 2, didn't seem to have changed much...

If I had to point out anything, the only noticeable change might be that she was wearing a pair of black pantyhose.