I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

First, I witnessed the filth of the gray area in the black market...

Then, without knowing why, they found themselves involved in a 'battle to reclaim the future'...

Now, he's been assigned the role of head of the tutoring department and has to take on the responsibility of running an entire team...

So many dazzling lights came one after another, making her feel overwhelmed and even slightly panicked about the future.

Amamiya nodded: "Yes, being an 'Ace' means accomplishing many things."

“If you don’t give people the feeling that ‘as long as they’re there, we absolutely can’t lose’ in crucial situations…” Amamiya chuckled and countered, “How can that be considered an ‘ace’?”

"but……"

Hifumi murmured softly, her voice softening further: "Isn't it a bit too early for me...?"

Amamiya was silent for a few seconds, then smiled silently, got up and moved closer to the girl who was still 'slacking off' with her head resting on the table.

"Is it early...? At this time of day, it might not be early at all."

In fact, Amamiya could understand Hifumi's thoughts at this moment—

Her current situation is almost the same as mine, who had just been 'disciplined' and was about to transfer to a school in Shibuya, Tokyo, standing alone on the crowded streets of Shibuya with her suitcase.

They will feel lost, confused, and uneasy about their 'future'...

Faced with the girl's gaze, Amamiya didn't say anything hurtful like, "I was much more mature than you back then."

"Actually... Hifumi-chan, the reason you feel confused about the 'current situation' is because you've 'moved too fast'."

Hifumi paused slightly, then unconsciously sat up straight.

'Walking too fast...?'

"Hifumi, have you ever heard this saying?"

Amamiya didn't look at Hifumi, but suddenly turned his head to look at the sun setting below the horizon in the distance.

"Those who chase the sun will eventually become the sun that guides others."

“Hifumi…” Her tone gradually became serious, and the way she addressed her changed from affectionate to somewhat formal. Amamiya suddenly asked, “Ever since you gained the ‘power of the phantom thief,’ you’ve been using your kindness to collect targets who might need to repent, and then observing them in the real world… right?”

Hifumi nodded silently.

I just wanted to make my strength even greater so that I could help more people...

Is this also considered 'strange'?

“You didn’t become complacent and arrogant after gaining power, unlike other Personas who thought they were unique. That’s good.”

Amamiya sighed softly, then suddenly asked, "But... Hifumi, haven't you noticed that you've fallen into 'another vicious cycle' because of this?"

[I want to use this power to help as many people as possible] and [to enrich myself by gaining satisfaction and joy from those I help].

That's well said, it's called being a virtuous person.

To put it bluntly, this is a special type of self-sacrificing latent personality disorder.

By solving the otherworldly request → receiving gratitude from the real-world request → feeling a sense of accomplishment → becoming more motivated to do it again...

It seems like a virtuous cycle, right?

That's not the case at all.

Stroking the girl's sparse sideburns and helping her tidy her slightly messy hairstyle, Amamiya continued, "Hifumi...you made the same mistake we did back then."

The same... error?

Hifumi was slightly taken aback.

Then, a chill ran through my entire body.

As one of the very few people who know almost the entire story of the Phantom Thieves, Hifumi is very clear about it...

Before the arrival of the false god, when the Phantom Thieves were in dire straits, someone had already noticed them and used media and public opinion to set a trap for them, trying to manipulate their desire to steal specific targets.

'...being pushed along by the so-called "petitions."'

Blindly believing that as long as you do enough and do it well enough, you can solve everything...

Thinking about it carefully... it does seem to be true!

Recalling the anxiety I felt while searching for commissions, the trepidation of hoping to be of more help, and the attempts to observe the initiator or the person seeking repentance after the goal was achieved…

Hifumi did not become arrogant because of the power of Persona... but she did indeed fall into this strange cycle of gaining a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

When she came to her senses, Hifumi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

She felt as if she had become fully awake... and with this 'awakening,' all her warmth was instantly drained away.

The girl felt a chill creep up her spine and was instantly drenched in a cold sweat.

Strange... Why did I become 'like this' without even realizing it?

The devil of temptation subtly stirred His wine glass, without Him even realizing it…

It was almost like a harbinger of the tragedy about to unfold in the opera Faust…

She herself became too immersed in the life of a "phantom thief" and the repercussions of that life.

"Hifumi, you must understand... a world where good and evil are determined entirely by phantom thieves, and life and death are controlled by them, is abnormal."

"A phantom thief should 'exist,' yet he shouldn't 'exist.'"

"If people completely believe that relying on the phantom thief can make the most correct judgment, then they will become unthinking and become blind fools."

"If people completely deny the existence of the phantom thief, then it symbolizes that the last bit of 'rebellious' will has been burned out."

"Ideally... the phantom thief exists, yet he doesn't exist."

"The phantom thief appears from time to time, striking down evil people who have committed heinous crimes yet are beyond help. He also helps some people solve their troubles in life—but that's all."

"People need to believe in the existence of the Phantom Thieves and make a vow to become a powerful fighter like the Phantom Thieves in the future, and keep striving in that direction—this is what the Phantom Thieves, who are active behind the scenes, really want to see."

Amamiya's words were like a ray of sunshine clearing away the clouds, bringing clarity to the temporarily disheartened girl.

'indeed……'

'That's how it should be...that's exactly how it should be!'

I shouldn't let those requests or other people's opinions hold me back...

We need to instill in people the courage to only resort to the Phantom Thieves as a last resort when they have tried their best and still couldn't defeat them!

I could feel the unwavering determination emanating from Hifumi.

Coopation has been improved!

【Ajitani Hifumi (The Fool) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆】

[Title has been changed!]

[An extraordinary girl yearning for the ordinary] → [Upcoming Best Actress]

Realizing what was wrong with her mindset, the girl rallied herself amidst her anxiety.

—It seems that we can put aside the matter of Senior Dream for now, as instructed by Abydos…

You can't just do things based on assumptions and then think it's for someone else's good...

Also, we can put the students' requests on hold for now, so they don't develop a distorted dependence on the phantom thief...

Even I need to pull myself together!

Even if I can't be as thorough as Sensei... I need to start learning to 'spread my wings and fly'!

"Th-that...Sensei?"

Amamiya stopped helping the girl comb her hair at the right moment and watched her from a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

'Hehehe... Before I knew it, you'd 'saved' me again...'

'As expected... so reliable, like an "ace"...'

I love it so much…

Hifumi didn't look at him again.

Resting her arm on the desk, propping her chin on her hand, and gazing at the sunset outside the window, even her eyelashes seemed to be bathed in a warm hue. In her golden eyes, which shimmered slightly unnaturally in the sunset, flowed a 'willfulness and unreasonableness' never before seen, like that of a spoiled girlfriend.

Amamiya, who was fully aware of the situation, asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Today... I'll use purchasing equipment as an excuse to go home a little later... that's fine..."

"I see... Then I'll take some more time to spend with Hifumi-chan during this rare opportunity."

[I spent some precious time alone with Hifumi...]

[It's getting late, and in order to prepare for tomorrow's exploration of the other world, I have to send her back first...]

Chapter Thirty-Three: Hifumi Typed GG

After sending Hifumi back to her residence, Amamiya looked at the girl's room, which was filled with all sorts of Perolo merchandise, making her look like a 'die-hard fan'.

Because of Pellolo's abstract cartoonish style, the whole room looks somewhat... subtle, no less so than her velvet room decor.

No wonder Hifumi's velvet room was an arcade; it turns out she's always 'lived' in this kind of world...

Feeling the sweat and warmth emanating from the girl's soft hand that was holding his, Amamiya looked thoughtfully at the girl beside him who had just 'tasted the forbidden fruit' and experienced what a 'first kiss' tasted like.

"That, that..."

Holding Amamiya's small hand, Hifumi trembled slightly, feeling so ashamed she almost wanted to disappear. She really didn't know how to explain herself.

Generally speaking, it's perfectly fine to openly show your bedroom to your close girlfriends.

But... the current problem is...

She didn't bring her 'best friend,' but rather...

"Sen... no, boyfriend? Ugh~ I knew it was such a weird title!"

“Sensei, please let me explain… I, I…”

The girl, caught in a state of self-confusion, no longer knew what she was saying.

My heart was pounding so hard, it hadn't caught its breath at all...

My palms are so sweaty... Will Sensei think I'm really nervous and that will lead to...?

Sensei's hands are so big, it feels different from when she hugs me... Being held by the hand like this, although not as exciting as being hugged, brings a warm feeling...

Sensei seemed to be surrounded by a very faint fragrance, one that could not be detected unless one sniffed closely...

Wow…

No! No!! The important thing now is to think of some explanatory terms!

Hifumi, what are you thinking?! Hifumi!

After repeatedly correcting herself in her mind, the girl, who felt as if her body had gone limp, still couldn't find any effective "explanation".

“It’s okay…” Amamiya smiled gently and shook her head. “Although I don’t have strong feelings for Momo Friends, I’m willing to learn about and accept them for Hifumi-chan’s sake. Isn’t a couple supposed to accept each other’s unfamiliar and unknown things and still tolerate each other’s existence?”

"Also, Hifumi-chan, the room decorations... um... are 'very childlike'."

【~???~】

The girl, who really didn't know how to best hide her embarrassment, could only lower her head and let out her signature low laugh, which symbolized her awkwardness.

“Ah, ahahaha…”

Amamiya didn't say anything more, and the awkward atmosphere continued for almost half a minute.

Hifumi, whose cheeks were so red they could steam an egg, finally couldn't help but raise her head to look at Amamiya's expression—and then she found that Amamiya was looking at her with a half-smile.

"Sen, Sensi... what's wrong?"

Due to excessive nervousness, the girl subconsciously swallowed.

Amamiya shook off Hifumi's 'firmly held' hand, and smiled helplessly and gently: "Hifumi-chan... now, isn't it time to let go of me?"

"Hifumi-chan is holding on to me like this... does she mean she's inviting me to spend the night with her here?"

Eh? !