I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

The card is a black and red concentric circle, and a small text that looks like it was pieced together from fonts cut out from various different paper media.

As an admirer who had been following Amamiya ever since he came to Xialai from Amamiya, Izuna knew all too well what this small black and red card in front of him meant.

Before stealing a heart, the Phantom Thief issues a "Heart-Stealing Notice" to the target.

After taking the small card from Amamiya, Izuna knew what to do after just one glance at its contents.

“Izuna understands… Izuna will hand it over to the ‘behind-the-scenes employer.’”

After receiving his orders from Amamiya, Izuna entered serious mode.

She quickly formed hand seals, then suddenly clapped her hands together, her body transforming into a wisp of white steam that vanished instantly.

"My lord, await Izuna's good news."

"Bear with it!"

Having completed the final arrangements, Shizuko, who had no intention of maintaining the 'idol business style', returned to Amamiya's side and looked at him with her purple eyes, which seemed to reveal no emotion but reflected a deep fire within.

"Sensei, let's go..."

Amamiya nodded slightly.

After leaving Hyakuyado with Shizuko, Amamiya headed to the training department together.

They quickly entered the 'school grounds' of the Hyakki Yagyō Joint Academy and found the activity room of the training club.

Near the club activity room of the 'Training Club', there are cherry blossoms that are currently in full bloom. The cherry blossom pink color is particularly eye-catching among the buildings. Almost immediately, Amamiya noticed the cherry tree and the girl with long cherry blossom pink hair and blue eyes who was standing under the tree waiting.

The coat and shawl; the red and white sailor-style top; and the red pleated skirt that gives off a 'shrine maiden' vibe; all perfectly covered and protected by black pantyhose with just the right amount of denim, highlighting the girl's gentle and approachable temperament, much like that of a Yamato Nadeshiko.

This extremely 'unique' feeling made Amamiya slightly narrow her eyes, subconsciously activating her [Third Eye].

[Assisted by: Mizuha Mimori / A Yamato Nadeshiko who can read minds]

[Arcana: The Faith]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'...It's the same "Faith" card as Yoshizawa Kasumi, but it's not in the regular Major Arcana sequence.'

Amamiya was taken aback for a moment, then noticed the title given to this gentle girl by the "Third Eye".

'A mind-reading Yamato Nadeshiko? Why use "mind-reading" as a prefix? Is she incredibly perceptive, adept at understanding others' inner thoughts?'

Recalling the rumor he had heard from Shizuko about the ability to read minds... Amamiya's heart stirred.

The moment she saw Amamiya, the slight worry that lingered in the girl's pretty eyes vanished like snow melting away.

"Sensei... Nice to meet you, welcome to the Training Club. I'm Mizuha Mimori from the Training Club. Please take care of me from now on."

Amamiya maintained her calm and gentle demeanor, greeting the girl: "Sensei of Sharai, I've come at the invitation of the 'Festival Operations Committee.'"

After averting her gaze, Amamiya immediately sighed softly and temporarily handed the floor to Shizuko.

Because of the damage to Hyakuyado, Shizuko was clearly not in the mood for a 'business mode' self-introduction. She simply said, "I am Shizuko Kawawa, the chairperson of the festival committee," and then got straight to the point.

"Regarding the 'Cherry Blossom Festival,' I inquired with the Onmyo Club. Their suggestion was... to contact the Training Club and combine the club's resources to resolve this together."

Mimori forced a smile, wisely refraining from interrupting Shizuko's speech.

Only after Shizuko finished speaking did she maintain her 'awkward but polite smile' and whisper in agreement: "The Yin-Yang Department... shares the same opinion as the Cultivation Department."

Jingzi: "..."

Amamiya: "..."

After a slightly awkward silence, Mimori continued, "So, Sensei..."

"The reason you came to our Cultivation Department is not only because of the Yin-Yang Department's suggestion... but also because you need to gather the strength of the Cultivation Department to launch a counterattack against the 'behind-the-scenes employer'?"

Amamiya was slightly surprised.

He hadn't even explained his purpose yet, so how did Mimori already know?

Could it be... that she really can 'read minds'?

Amamiya didn't reply, but Shizuko, standing beside her, seemed somewhat surprised: "Regarding the 'mastermind,' we have indeed investigated and are preparing to launch a counterattack... but how did you know?"

Recalling the rumors she had heard about the training club, Shizuko paused briefly before exclaiming in realization, "So, you're the legendary 'Yamato Nadeshiko who can read minds'?"

Mimori seemed a little embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, she 'corrected' in a gentle but slightly awkward voice: "Mind reading and all that is completely unfounded, it's just a rumor..."

Instead of explaining why she 'knew,' she changed the subject amidst a slight awkwardness.

“Sensei, I understand and support your choice to launch a counterattack against the ‘behind-the-scenes employer’ by needing the Training Department’s strength, but…”

After a slightly helpless pause, she continued, "However, the other two members of the Cultivation Department received an unexpected message before you two arrived: 'A demon has destroyed the scene.' They haven't returned yet..."

"Please wait a moment, I'll contact them right away..."

After leading Amamiya and Shizuko to the club room and serving them desserts and tea, Mimori quickly left after saying, "Please wait a moment."

She didn't disappear for long.

Amamiya and Shizuko only waited for no more than three minutes before Shizuko hurriedly returned.

They also brought the other two members of the training department.

If we take Mimori as the 'middle', then the other two girls Mimori brought with her are the 'big' and 'small' respectively.

The more mature-looking short-haired girl had a pair of cute raccoon ears and seemed sleepy and listless.

When Amamiya looked at her, the detection results of the [Third Eye] also appeared above her head.

[Assistant: Kasuga Tsubaki / The Sleepy Dream Girl]

Chun.jpg

[Arcana: The Hiophant]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'...The Pope, that's a very rare card in Givotos.'

Amamiya was surprised by the opponent's languid appearance and the presence of the "Hitler" card.

—It's important to know that the Hierophant card symbolizes [being full of wisdom]; [exploring the inner world]; and [having a correct understanding of things].

This card signifies maturity, wisdom, and rationality... In Kivotos, a school city where "no one is quite mature," this card is rather rare.

After arriving in Givotos, Amamiya met many assistants of various types who possessed other Arcanas... and the Pope was only the third.

Noticing Amamiya's gaze, the short-haired girl waved to him: "Kasuga Tsubaki, the president of the training club... nice to meet you, Sensi."

Amamiya nodded to her: "Sensei of Sharai, nice to meet you."

Then, he looked at the girl who was "smaller" compared to Mimori's "middle".

With her hair tied in a bun and a pair of small animal ears hidden among the hair on her forehead, she wore a red and white shrine maiden outfit with separate sleeves, but it couldn't hide the seemingly lively and active personality hidden beneath that 'shrine maiden outfit'.

When Amamiya looked at her, she took the initiative to introduce herself to Amamiya.

"Ta-da~ I'm Yumi Kaede, the mascot of the Training Club~ Sensei, you can just call me Kaede-chan~! Nice to meet you!"

[Assistant: Yumi Kaede / The Strange Beauty]

Arcana: The Devil (XV. The Devil)

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

One is a "mind-reading Yamato Nadeshiko," another is a "dream-loving girl," and the third is a "strange, peerless beauty"...

Looking at the uniform titles provided by the "Third Eye," which carried a strange feeling that was hard to describe, Amamiya felt a little uneasy.

It must be said that these three girls from the training club are indeed as outsiders have described...

It's very "special".

Amamiya looked at Mimori.

Before he could even ask a question, Mimori seemed to have a premonition of what Amamiya was going to ask.

The girl with cherry-pink hair subconsciously gathered her hair back, while softly explaining to Amamiya, "Um...Sensei, what you see of us are all the members of the training club."

Amamiya: ...

So, does she really have mind-reading abilities?

How could she 'predict' her own actions?

Noticing Amamiya's gaze, Mimori, whether out of guilt or shyness, slightly turned her head away, pretending not to notice Amamiya's gaze.

Amamiya was somewhat curious, but he also knew that this was not the time to ask.

After clearing his throat, he cut straight to the point: "In order to prevent this cherry blossom festival from becoming a mess, and also for the sake of 'lights in every home'..."

“Everyone in the Training Club,” Amamiya’s eyes brightened, her expression radiant, “you all…”

"Can you lend me a hand?"

Chapter Twenty-One: We can't ignore tomorrow's cherry blossom festival!

"Everyone in the training club... can you lend me a hand?"

Amamiya's extremely serious expression and the sense of mission in his voice immediately elicited different reactions from the three girls in the training club.

Tsubaki, who seemed a little sleepy, showed a moment of thoughtfulness.

Although he still looked sleepy, his expression unconsciously became slightly more serious.

The tiny Feng, on the other hand, carries the fierce loyalty of a card player betting on his own family's big monster.

"Sensei...you speak with such a sense of mission!"

“That’s right… It’s held to celebrate the growth of the Cherry Blossom Festival, and also for the ‘lights of thousands of homes’ during the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons…”

As she said this, the girl's small animal ears twitched.

Immediately afterwards, she struck an entrance pose that she may have designed herself, and then said, "The training club of the beautiful trio of girls who are protecting the peace of the town... absolutely cannot ignore the safety of tomorrow's cherry blossom festival!"

Amamiya felt that playing "Be The One" from Kamen Rider Build for her at this moment might be very suitable.

"Hmm... Maple Sauce is right..."

Although Mimori was slightly embarrassed, she still agreed with Kaede's statement: "Even without Sensei's request, the training club will definitely do its best to maintain peace at the Cherry Blossom Festival..."

Halfway through her sentence, the pink-haired girl suddenly realized her words might be ambiguous, and she quickly added, "Ah... I didn't mean anything like 'Sensei's invitation is meaningless'...! I, I meant..."

"In short... everyone in the training club will follow Sensei's arrangements and wholeheartedly help Sensei!"

Amamiya smiled sincerely: "Then thank you all for your trust in me, everyone in the Training Club..."

【~???~】(from Tsubaki, Maple)

【~???~】(from Mimori)

Seeing the blue notes of affection emanating from the girls, Amamiya pressed her advantage: "If everyone in the training club is free now... why don't you come back with us?"

"In order to eliminate the 'mastermind behind the disruption of the Cherry Blossom Festival' as quickly as possible, we must discuss a battle plan immediately and then launch a decisive attack."

Tsubaki yawned slightly and nodded slowly: "Then... let's do as Sensei says."

[...I felt the trust from Tsubaki.]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Kasuga Tsubaki (Pope)★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Kaede, who seemed to be getting a little excited by what Amamiya said, had her golden eyes shining brightly.

Seemingly already envisioning her moment to 'show her skills,' she said longingly, "Oh... to crush the enemy in one fell swoop?! How cool!"

[I could feel the joy emanating from Feng.]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Yumi Kaede (Devil) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

The contrasting reactions of the two members of the training club prompted Mimori, who seemed to be "caught in the middle like a normal person," to reveal an awkward yet polite smile, embodying the gentle temperament of a Yamato Nadeshiko.

"...We will do our best to keep going."

I sensed the unwavering conviction emanating from Mimori.