I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Hina, whose brain's CPU was practically overheating, had no idea what expression to make or how to respond to this seemingly teasing but actually very serious remark.

Since she didn't speak, Amamiya didn't 'lack the sense' to continue saying anything.

Even such banter, given that no bond has been established yet, needs to be kept to a minimum.

"Too much of a good thing is bad"—this is an unchanging truth in many situations.

After standing there in the office for several minutes, Hina finally calmed down.

Even though they had only known each other for less than a few hours... she had a feeling that 'it's been like we've known each other for a long time'.

For some reason... I seem to be unable to put on any pretense with this Sensei anymore, and I have absolutely no desire to distance myself from him...

That feeling... if I had to describe it, it was like... Iori, Chinatsu, and Ako relying on themselves...

Have I found that kind of "reliance that I can always trust"?

Raising her eyes, Hina, who had just taken a deep breath, looked at Amamiya with a different gaze.

[...I sensed Hina's dependence on me.]

'Whoosh...whoosh...'

The sound of chains being torn apart by immense force and then gradually breaking was exceptionally pleasant.

I am you...you are me.

Here you receive a new covenant.

[As the saying goes, "Break through destruction to find the wings of resistance."]

Here you are bathed in the light of hope and blessed. You have obtained a fragment of the ultimate mystery of "Judgment"...

[To further propel us toward the future...]

[Coopetition restrictions have been lifted!]

【Hina Sorasaki (Judgment) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★1 Ability Unlocked!]

Chapter Twenty-One: Ako, You're Really a Dog!

[Assistant: Hina Sorasaki / The 'Imprisoned Princess' of the Demon King's Castle]

Arcana: The Trial

【Assistance Ability: ★1 - Prelude to the Finale】

[Prelude to the Final Act: You are the judge who will usher in the final act... and the 'trumpeter' who will bring about the apocalypse. As the 'judge who brings the prelude,' you will possess an unparalleled 'anti-evil' aura.]

[Assistant's Profile: Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee. She seems to be burdened with many worries and troubles, constantly trying to resolve various problems... To alleviate her suffering and to offer her guidance, I've decided to become her support...]

"Th-that...sensei..."

She murmured, hesitated, and remained silent, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

It seems the only question is whether I'm being too 'willful'.

It seems to be simply asking – can someone like me really be treated so "specially"?

Amamiya smiled and stepped forward, gently stroking the silvery, snow-like strands of hair on her forehead.

This time, Hina could have easily avoided this 'surprise attack'—but she didn't.

A strange sense of peace and a fleeting, elusive greed led her to choose not to run away, but to stand still and accept Amamiya's pat on the head.

"After all... as a Sensei, there are many things I don't understand, things I can't comprehend, or things I can't solve on my own..."

Amamiya's smile gradually turned serious, and he continued, "If something really happens that is difficult to solve... I hope that Hina can lend me a hand then."

“…Understood, sensei.”

Amamiya withdrew his hand and glanced at the sunset outside the window.

Before I knew it, the view outside the window had changed from midday to sunset.

In the dim twilight, the sunset in the city seemed exceptionally brilliant. From afar, Amamiya could feel the waning heat emanating from the city as it dipped below the distant horizon, reflecting the sun's rays.

The buildings on the horizon were bathed in a warm gold by the setting sun, and all the skyscrapers were like this.

Seeing this scene, Amamiya had a sudden realization that "even the most chaotic places can have moments of peace."

"I didn't realize it was already so early..."

After a soft sigh, Amamiya looked at the mountain of documents piled up on Hina's desk: "Do you... need my help with these?"

【~???~】

Hina, who had intended not to trouble Sensei any further, and who was usually decisive and efficient... hesitated on this ordinary question, which was unusual for her.

The polite refusal, such as "I'd rather not trouble Sensi," was suppressed by a desire to "spend more time with Sensi."

In the end, all the words that were about to be spoken turned into a short, hesitant "...um".

Amamiya raised an eyebrow and nodded, unsurprised.

"Then I'll do my best to help..."

Thanks to Yuka's bond ability [Basic Factorization], Amamiya was able to understand and accept these things that should have been completely unfamiliar to him at a very fast speed—it could even be said to be astonishingly fast.

Amamiya's unfathomable computing power and decisive, accurate decision-making abilities allowed him to work with divine assistance in the field of "document processing," which was originally unfamiliar to him.

In addition, the Fool's "third eye" marks clues, highlighting details and demonstrating keen observation and insight...

Amamiya used a speed of processing and acceptance that surprised even Hina to quickly help her process the two stacks of documents that were more than half a meter thick.

"call……"

"Thank you for your help, Sensei."

“It’s just my duty,” Amamiya said, tossing down the marker in his hand and stretching his wrists. “It’s getting late… I should go back.”

He stood up, and under Hina's 'reluctant' gaze, moved the chair blocking the office, pushed open the door, and walked out.

【~???~】

Hearing the note "Affection level increased" coming from behind her, Amamiya did not turn around, but went out the door and observed her surroundings.

Almost immediately, Amamiya discovered—

Half a meter away in the corridor, the 'mature woman with light blue hair' he had met once before was now leaning against the railing, looking at him with a micro-expression and eyes that resembled shame or anger.

[Assistant: Ayako Amami / The 'Resentful Loyal Dog' of the Demon King's Castle]

[Arcana: The Hanged Man (X.Le Pendu)]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

Amamiya: ...

Noticing the barely concealed resentment in the other person's expression, he was slightly puzzled—he hadn't done anything wrong, had he? Why was the other person so hostile towards him?

Arcana is the Hanged Man of the Marseille Tarot...

The negotiation experience provided by [Unrestrained Negotiation] flashed through Amamiya's mind, and he remembered the negotiation trait of possessing this Arcana.

"This Arcana shows that an opportunity to open up new horizons lies within a seemingly insurmountable predicament."

The Hanged Man card is quite unique – it depicts a person hanging upside down on a T-shaped tree branch, with one leg upright and the other leg crossed, forming the number "4".

This person's expression wasn't pained, because he accepted it willingly.

He wore red trousers, symbolizing desire, and a blue shirt, symbolizing knowledge. This could be interpreted as a sublimation from desire to the soul.

In short, this card is like this:

The upright "The Hanged Man" can be interpreted as "self-sacrifice; obedience; dedication in return; reflection."

The reversed "Hanged Man" card can be interpreted as "meaningless sacrifice; self-centeredness; failed plans; dying struggle; inability to solve problems; anxiety; unease; pointless efforts."

A helper who embodies both positive and negative traits...

There are several ways to negotiate with them.

Once you've already established a relationship with their "superior," perhaps the negotiation style could be a little more "condescending"?

Conversely, if you are in a 'weak position', you should be careful and cautious when dealing with someone who possesses the [Hanged One] Arcana.

The key word for the Hanged Man is "sacrifice".

—If you are in a high position, then it is the other party who will be "sacrificed".

Conversely, if you are in a weaker position, you have to "make sacrifices" when negotiating.

After a moment of confusion, Amamiya roughly understood what was going on.

Analyzing the "Hanged Man" card in conjunction with the characteristics of the person holding that arcana...

This Ayako probably believes that her improved relationship with Hina will interfere with or directly affect her.

Perhaps it was a preconceived notion that someone like her wasn't worth befriending... or perhaps it was simply jealousy stemming from their relationship... for various reasons, she developed feelings of resentment towards herself.

Meeting the other's slightly resentful expression, Amamiya smiled, raised her hand, and greeted her, "Hello, Ayako Amami."

"..."

The other party didn't speak.

Amamiya then spoke up earnestly, "I heard Sorasaki mention you when she was working. She told me you're a great political appointee."

The other person remained silent, but Amamiya could see that her deliberately displayed 'distance' and 'formulaic' demeanor had caused the other person's expression to soften slightly.

"I am Sensei from [Federal Investigation Department - Sharai]. If there's anything, you can contact me..."

"It's getting late, time to go back. Goodbye... Ayako-san."

【~??~】

……

Just as night fell, Amamiya finally boarded the train and returned from the 'dangerous' Gehenna to the relatively safe Charlene Building.

Before even entering the building, Amamiya saw a blonde loli girl sitting at the entrance, hugging her knees, looking terrified, as if she had recently experienced a 'terrorist attack'.

"...Xiao Kong, what are you doing here?"

Upon hearing the sound, Xiao Kong, filled with fear, looked up, and in her eyes, she saw the reflection of the young man standing under the streetlight.

"sen, sensei..."

Her emotions were not very stable, and her voice trembled slightly with tears: "Just recently, Xia Lai was the victim of a 'terrorist attack'..."

Amamiya paused for a moment, then immediately became serious. She knelt down next to Sora and cautiously asked, "Do you know who it was? If you don't know the name... do you have any general characteristics of the attacker?"

"I don't know her name... because she was wearing a fox mask when she came, so I don't know her specific features..."

After racking her brains for a moment, Xiao Kong hung her head in frustration and said pitifully, "I'm sorry... Sensei, I was so panicked at the time that I can't remember any of her specific details... I only remember the two features: 'fox mask' and 'tail'..."

Amamiya: "..."

An image involuntarily flashed through his mind of a girl wearing a fox mask who, upon meeting him, gained his favor and then inexplicably deepened their bond—

Wakamo Fox, whose title in the 'coopation' is 【Crimson Catastrophe Fox】.

Could it be her...?

Amamiya felt a slight chill and reached out to touch Sora's forehead to comfort her, saying, "Sora has already done enough..."

【~???~】

After a blue eighth note appeared above his head, Xiao Kong was clearly no longer flustered.

"Based on your description, I can roughly guess who it is... So let's summarize: is there anything specific that was damaged or lost in this attack?"

"Well……"

After letting out a sob, Xiaokong said dejectedly, "Sensei... I've finished taking inventory after the attack. Apart from 'Sensei's Bento Box,' Angel 24 didn't lose anything else..."

Amamiya: "..."

That attacker, who is currently suspected to be Wakamo Kitsaka... could he be targeting me?

Xiao Kong and her angel 24 truly suffered an undeserved calamity.