I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

So Amamiya had no choice but to venture inside on her own and went up to the second floor where there was an open-air balcony.

Pushing open the balcony door, a 'spectacle' comes into view: a tea table under the winter sun, and the back view of a young girl sitting elegantly at the tea table, holding a cup of black tea.

The girl, who was sitting alone at the tea table, seemed to hear the door open. Instead of getting up immediately, she turned her head and looked back at the entrance to the balcony.

Once her gaze lingered on Amamiya, the girl seemed unable to conceal the curiosity swirling in her amber-gold eyes any longer.

"Oh... Sensei, welcome to our official visit."

'How subtle... It feels completely different from the last time I saw you in such a rush...'

'Like... a prince on a white horse...'

Thinking back to their first meeting, when Sensei was surrounded by Trinity students, Mika was momentarily lost in thought.

It's amazing...

It gives the feeling that "the prince, surrounded by young girls, has finally returned to his princess's side."

Setting down her teacup, Mika's eyes flickered slightly before she gently raised her hand to beckon Amamiya.

"Sensei...don't be shy! Come and sit down!"

Amamiya: ...

Although he cultivated an air of 'aristocratic bearing,' his actions were in no way befitting of 'aristocrats'...

For a moment he felt helpless, but he still responded to Wei Hua's invitation and came to Wei Hua's tea table to sit opposite her.

As for Mika, she rested her chin on her hands and her elbows on the table, leaning slightly forward as she carefully examined Amamiya.

Then, she leaned back slightly, no longer 'deliberately observing' Amamiya, and, just like Nagisa had done before, gently clapped her hands while pressing a button.

"Sensei, please wait a moment~ Someone will be here to serve tea shortly."

Amamiya calmly hummed in response, looking at her with feigned curiosity.

"So... while we wait for the tea, would you like to chat with me about something?"

Amamiya said, "There's nothing wrong with it."

Rather, he came here because he wanted to deepen the bond between them and understand the current situation of Trinity.

After receiving a nod of agreement from Amamiya, Mika recalled Nagisa's unfathomable smile from memory and tried to imitate it.

After forcing out a smile that looked a little silly for some reason, Wei Hua spoke seriously.

“Sensei…you know about the ‘Arius Branch School,’ right?”

Chapter Six, Wei Hua: What did you just call me? Say it again? Say it again!

“Sensei…you know about the ‘Arius Branch School,’ right?”

Mika's straightforward question made Amamiya understand.

So it really is about the Arius branch campus...

Looking at the girl's beautiful face, Amamiya nodded slowly and calmly: "...Of course I know."

"Then, things will be much easier from here on out..."

Wei Hua pouted, her expression a mix of dejection, sympathy, and pity, and her tone gradually became negative.

"Sensei, regarding the conflict between the Arios branch campus and Trinity..."

Perhaps it was because Amamiya possessed not only the advantages of her position as 'Sensei' but also the mysterious and unpredictable abilities of a 'heart-stealing phantom thief' that Mika chose to offer a heartfelt explanation from the very beginning.

After explaining the entanglement between Trinity College and Arius Branch School in her own way and in a few words, the tea party members responsible for 'serving tea and pastries' also placed pastries such as Swiss rolls and teapots on the tea table at just the right time.

Amamiya kept this young lady company while she drank and chatted. After about half an hour, she finally got to the point: "About the Ariane branch... I want Trinity and them (the Ariane branch) to get back on their side."

Amamiya frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed.

He put down his teacup and said with a hint of surprise, "A very 'well-intentioned' idea."

【~???~】

"Ahaha~"

"Sensei thinks so too... But neither Nagisa nor Seiya seem to agree with my opinion..."

Amamiya remained silent.

There are reasons for agreeing and reasons for disagreeing...

According to what he learned from Saori about the situation at the Ario branch... if Trinity really wants to peacefully merge with the Ario branch, then it can only be said that "the road ahead is long and arduous."

Beatrice's decade-long, unwavering ideology had long since turned those students into nihilists, into puppets with almost no personal souls.

Moreover, Arios's side advocates the concept that "all the difficulties we are currently experiencing are caused by the students of Holy Trinity."

Under such a premise of 'hatred education' and 'nihilistic education', the personal concepts formed by those students who are inexperienced in the ways of the world... to be honest, Amamiya really can't imagine.

It feels like they're not much different from the ancient assassins who received training in various killing techniques from birth, whose only motto was "to be loyal to their master, even at the cost of their own lives."

Even if Nagisa and Seiya didn't know that the Arios branch campus was now controlled by Beatrice, they could still realize from the hatred shown by the students of the Arios branch campus towards the students of Trinity and Ghenna that the so-called 'peace' was not so simple.

Imagine you are the ruler of a country. One day, after your subordinates defeat the enemy, they capture a group of assassins trained by the enemy. Your subordinates want you to recruit them into your army. Would you agree?

There is an old saying in the Classic of Mountains and Seas: "How can one allow another to snore beside one's bed?"

That's the logic.

For reasons of self-interest or other factors, "incorporating" Arius would be an extremely risky and thankless task.

Nagisa and Seiya certainly couldn't act solely based on their inner kindness—if they did, they would probably have been ousted by the students of Trinity College and student organizations like the 'Board of Directors' (if they existed).

"...So," Amamiya sighed inwardly, then asked curiously instead of continuing the conversation, "Mika, what do you plan to do?"

The sighs of Mika suddenly revealed a hint of delight, as if to say, "Sensei, you've hit the nail on the head."

Behind her, the pure white wings, adorned with cute little decorations like bows, fluttered slightly, and Mika, shifting into a more relaxed and comfortable sitting position, let out a soft "Mmm~".

“Sensei, of course I understand… It’s unrealistic to expect others to accept it immediately…”

"So, how about we start by getting started with 'a little bit'?"

'A classic example of moving from specific details to a broader perspective...'

Amamiya calmly echoed, trying to 'ask' for more information: "Oh~ so?"

"So... I was thinking, could we let Trinity accept a small number of transfer students from the Arius branch campus... to serve as proof of goodwill between the two schools by accepting transfer students."

Without pausing for a moment, she spoke slowly: "Starting with recruiting the first transfer student, we gradually eased the relationship between the two colleges, and then... we allowed the transfer students to form a club with a certain voice within Trinity..."

"If everyone at the Ario branch can get along well with everyone at Trinity... everyone can have a better future."

Amamiya: ...

That's a bit hard to say, that's all.

From Wei Hua's personal perspective, her claim might not seem problematic...

In fact, without Beatrice's 'interference,' this gradual plan might actually have had a certain probability of success.

However... from the perspective of the entire Trinity group as a whole...

Wei Hua's "simple and easy-to-understand" proposition will probably be refuted in the early stages of its implementation.

Based on Amamiya's personal assessment, allowing a few transfer students to enter Trinity College would probably be the greatest leniency Trinity College could offer.

As for giving transfer students a voice? Or even allowing them to have a say in tea parties?

Haha, don't joke around, you 裠僄寺"玲企e )r俬8%寺.

This kind of joke is like something out of an old-fashioned, silly time-travel novel set in the Ming Dynasty.

For example, a time traveler travels to the reign of Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang) and mentions "re-establishing the prime minister system" to Zhu Yuanzhang, who has only recently abolished it.

The seemingly wonderful but actually terrible environment of Trinity, where "even the natural color of their wings doesn't conform to popular perception and they are bullied"...

Amamiya couldn't imagine what Trinity would become if Mika could propose such a idea.

Wei Hua is still a core member of the tea party, so everyone is angry but dare not speak out.

But what if Wei Hua loses this identity?

She'll probably be labeled a 'witch' very soon...

Being tied to the stake and sacrificed as a victim of witch's trial would probably be considered mild.

"Sensei, what do you think of my proposal?"

The girl's bright amber eyes reflected her gaze, along with her expectant yet questioning look.

Amamiya considered for a moment: "...The starting point is good, but we need to think about it more carefully."

The pink-haired girl paused slightly, blinking blankly, seemingly pondering the meaning of Amamiya's words.

Then she chuckled and smiled brightly: "So...Sensei, you agree with my point of view?"

Amamiya: ...

What could he possibly say?

After a brief silence, Amamiya spoke with a hint of helplessness: "...I can only say that your kindness really feels like that of a princess in a fairy tale."

Mika was completely stunned: "Huh?!"

【~???~】

Amamiya then added, "But...my princess, the real world isn't a fairy tale...you have to consider the consequences when you do things. Fairy tales don't just happen in real life, you know? Even 'the phantom thief stealing hearts' requires time to prepare and dangerous exploration."

Mika stood stunned on the tea table, bewildered by Amamiya's repeated use of "My Princess."

The girl's eyes shone brightly, gradually revealing emotions that even she herself found difficult to understand—

A faint blush quickly rose to her cheeks.

'My princess...'

'Your Highness...'

What a subtle feeling...

She automatically filtered out and ignored the rest of the keywords—but only the phrase 'Your Highness' in those two sentences was repeatedly replayed.

My heart is gradually racing...

"...Mika-san?"

The loud noise in her ears snapped the girl, whose heart was stirring for some unknown reason, back to reality.

"Ah...Sen, Sensei."

Trying her best to maintain a 'ladylike demeanor' similar to Nagisa and Seiya, but actually her heart was pounding and she wanted to do something on the spot to 'vent' her frustration, her tone became sweet and soft: "Y-what is it..."

Amamiya said irritably, "...Mihana-kun, did you even hear what I just said?"

Weihua paused for a moment, seemingly anticipating the expected disappointed expression if she answered "no." After a brief hesitation, she nodded quickly and forcefully, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Of course I heard it!"

Amamiya: ...

You'd better actually take this to heart.

"Um... I will seriously consider Sensei's proposal and suggestions!"

Amamiya: ?

No... what advice did I offer? At most, I suggested that you consider the consequences before you act...

The girl shyly twisted the hem of her skirt, the fabric rubbing together and making a soft tearing sound as she did so.

"Um...Sensei, let's end the tea party here for now..."

"Before I leave... could you grant me one request?"

Amamiya hummed in agreement: "What are your requirements?"