I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya staggered after being suddenly lunged at by a flying pounce.

He casually pulled Momoi into his arms, feeling the loose fabric of her pajamas rubbing against him, and asked with some confusion, "...Wearing pajamas in broad daylight?"

"Oh, this is a special event for the games club~"

Enjoying the half-closed eyes, Momoi first let out a proud "hmm~" sound, then explained, "Around Christmas, it just so happens that events like 'pajama parties' are quite popular~"

Amamiya knew, of course, that the 'pajama party' Momoi was talking about was the very proper kind.

We played games together, told scary stories, and stuff like that...

This is the standard plot of Japanese manga and light novels.

If this scenario occurs, then there must be a scene where a beautiful girl is so scared after hearing a ghost story that she can't sleep at night and insists on dragging the protagonist to the toilet with her.

And who knows, there might even be a scene where the beautiful girl, out of fear, burrows into the protagonist's arms.

—Of course, that's assuming the male lead is involved.

Amamiya pondered that Momoi's so-called "sleep party," which she described as an "event planner," was probably just an indoor activity like a pillow fight.

"I see... Did Momoi plan this event? It sounds interesting."

【~???~】

As Amamiya spoke, she slowly released Momoi, then turned her gaze to the remaining space.

Seeing Alice's halo in the cabinet, Amamiya walked over and opened the metal cabinet that usually served as Yuzu's 'activity space' and had a sign that read "Yuzu".

'Squeak~'

When the cabinet door was opened, Alice, curled up inside, came into view.

She also changed into a different Christmas outfit, wearing black over-the-knee socks, and looked even more mature and energetic than usual.

"Huhuhu..."

The moment their eyes met, Alice suddenly smiled deeply, like a sage from a fairy tale.

"Finally... 'My Contractor,' finally, you've found this place..."

Amamiya's expression suddenly became slightly strange.

Although Alice is no longer a true 'AI', but rather a special 'data life form' or 'information life form'...

But Amamiya still had some doubts—could such a 'special life form' also have a chuunibyou phase?

However, Alice's pretentious and mature demeanor is indeed very endearing.

Amamiya then knelt down in perfect unison, and as if acting in a play, deliberately took Alice's hand in an exaggerated yet strangely fitting gesture.

“Ah…” Amamiya began in a slightly exaggerated, aria-like tone: “I have finally found you, my princess.”

【~???~】(from Alice)

【~???~】(from Kei)

Alice was about to say something when her expression suddenly twisted slightly.

"Alice... Waaah, Alice can't suppress the demonic soul within her anymore..."

Kei, whose pupils were quickly tinged with pink, slowly stood up and looked down at Amamiya, who hadn't stood up with him.

"While I am indeed pleased that you are 'acting' alongside the princess... please do not overstep your bounds and do not do anything that would be strange to the princess..."

Amamiya stood up and then placed his hand on Alice's head.

So, Kei, who had just been wearing a strong expression, gave a haughty snort, closed her eyes, and gave a slightly disdainful look, as if to say, "I don't know what you're doing," and "Human interaction is really meaningless."

She didn't refuse, but silently began to enjoy it.

"Kei, how have you been getting along with everyone lately?"

"It's...it's alright..."

Kei, still looking disgusted, responded somewhat guiltily.

"But I was at the door earlier..."

When this was mentioned, Kei's tone became slightly helpless.

"That's not...that's not me..."

"...It was the princess who asked me to participate in the filming, saying it was for a promotional video for the 'producer's behind-the-scenes' segment."

Amamiya immediately raised an eyebrow: Promotional video? Behind-the-scenes footage of the producers?

Does anyone actually watch a promotional video that's entirely made up of memes?

“I see… Then, Alice’s safety will also be entrusted to KEi.”

【~???~】(from KEi)

"Even without you saying so, I will do my best to protect the princess's personal safety."

I felt Kei's affection.

Coopation has been improved!

Alice Tendo (Space) ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★3 Abilities: 'Demon King's Appearance/Hero's Heart' have been unlocked!]

After interacting with Kei, Amamiya finally looked at Midori, who had inexplicably started groaning.

"Merry Christmas to everyone in the gaming club."

After sitting down next to Midori, Amamiya began to take out the gifts she had prepared for the game club.

After distributing the different gift boxes to the four members of the game club, Amamiya looked around at the joyful girls with some curiosity and observed their expressions.

"I received a message from Yuzu... Has that game been released yet?"

As soon as Amamiya brought this up, Momoi immediately showed interest, as if to say, "I'm not sleepy anymore now that you're talking about this," and began chattering away, revealing some "development secrets" to Amamiya.

After completing the final testing phase, the game department publicly released this new game, which spans multiple platforms, across the entire internet.

With gimmicks like "Kivotos's first phantom thief game," "adapted from adventure records provided by Sensei," and "audio-visual presentation supported by the renowned Engineering Department and Beritas," it certainly garnered a lot of attention.

With so many 'destiny buffs' bestowed upon him, it would be hard for him not to become popular.

It sold out on the day it was launched.

Moreover, in less than an hour, it had already climbed to the top of the best-selling charts on several well-known gaming platforms, surpassing many established games and winning numerous "very positive" and "overwhelmingly positive" reviews as a dark horse.

"This game, which was ultimately named Persona, currently has a score of 10 out of 10 on well-known game review websites!"

The website's review of this game is... "An epic masterpiece that you'll absolutely regret for the rest of your life if you don't play it!"

Momoi had been rambling on and on until she was quite hoarse before finally stopping.

Games participating in the Millennium Grand Prix need to have a deadline for 'pre-submission' or 'release', so releasing a game during the Christmas holiday season is actually quite normal.

"Thus……"

The game club is unlikely to be disbanded.

After all, they really created such an epic masterpiece, and even the reputation of the entire club underwent an absolute reversal.

Momoi excitedly interrupted Yuzu: "That way, we can all stay together like this again!"

Yuzu felt a little helpless after being interrupted, but she breathed a sigh of relief.

She quietly approached Amamiya, murmured, and tugged at Amamiya's sleeve, offering a soft but sincere thank you.

"Thank you, Sensei..."

Then, Yuzu slipped a small, curled piece of paper, which had a texture similar to kraft paper, into Amamiya's hand.

I felt the gratitude from the pomelo.

Coopation has been improved!

【Hanaoka Yuzu (The Hermit) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆】

[★4 Ability: 'The Game Queen's Reversal' is now unlocked!]

Amamiya quietly put it away, and then started chatting with the four members of the game club.

As evening approached, in order to prepare for the upcoming 'pajama party,' Amamiya had to find an excuse to say goodbye to the girls who were still reluctant to leave.

After leaving the game club, Amamiya took out the 'little note' from his pocket and looked at it.

"...?"

"A coupon for unlimited pomelo use...?"

Amamiya was stunned when he saw the unique, meticulously crafted ticket.

'Who would have thought that the bravest member of the gaming club would be Yuzu, who usually seems so timid and cowardly?'

After carefully putting away the special voucher, Amamiya looked up at the sky, which showed no signs of stopping the snowfall.

"Noah's 'pajama party' is coming up soon, let's get ready a little..."

Chapter 41 Yuuka, Noah, Koyuki... Pajama Party!

The Xialai residential area was a bit more lively in the evening compared to the daytime.

As for why it's described this way...

This is thanks to the "uninvited guests" who "premeditatedly" "suddenly visited" during this snowy season...

"Wow—this is Xia Lai's residential area...it looks strangely cozy."

Amidst exclamations of wonder and admiration, Xiaoxue, dressed in a strange set of 'rabbit pajamas,' began running and jumping with boundless energy as she approached from afar.

"Hehehe~ I wonder what kind of Christmas presents Sensei will prepare for us..."

Looking around here and there, he acted like a lively and restless little rascal... Even the cute bunny pajamas couldn't hide the restless soul hidden beneath.

Compared to the 'lawless' Yuki, Yuka and Noah, who have always been more mature, became reserved and introverted at this moment.

Xiaoxue was surprised and curious to find that the seniors she had brought with her did not respond.

Looking back, Xiaoxue carefully observed the situation of her seniors and was surprised.

I saw the two seniors I brought with me. One of them was holding a long, white cushion, sitting in a very standard, girlish posture on the sofa next to the Christmas tree.

When Xiaoxue cast a glance at him, whether out of nervousness or something else, the latter gave him a bright eye roll in a rather 'irritating' manner.

The 'cold' calculations had transformed that previously oppressive aura into something as icy as a clear spring... it was completely gone.

Xiaoxue, who was planning to be a little mischievous, didn't feel any pressure from her familiar senior; instead, she hesitated.

As the saying goes, "There must be something fishy going on when things seem out of the ordinary."

In the past, Yuka would get angry if she was teased, and would even beat her up without any mercy.

And now...

His aloof senior was actually getting 'shy' now?

Feeling a subtle pang of unease for no apparent reason, Xiaoxue ultimately chose to follow her intuition and remain silent.

Turning to look at another senior colleague, Xiaoxue blinked, completely bewildered.

The performance of the other senior colleague doesn't seem to be much better.

She wore a white nightgown, barefoot, her bare feet gliding on the gleaming wooden floor where her reflection was barely visible. In her hand, she held her ever-present notebook, the one she used for taking notes…

The pure white lace trim, the mature and slender figure, and the natural gentleness and restraint... all these things broadened Xiaoxue's horizons, and she even had a sense of absurdity, wondering, "Is this still Senior Noah?"

It's so strange...

What's wrong with the seniors today?

Why did they all show a 'special side' that I've never seen before?