I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya's question successfully put the girls at the seminar into deep thought.

They all subconsciously glanced at their companions, their gazes unconsciously revealing a slight hint of hostility.

What is Yuuka-chan planning to make?

'After all, it's an expensive trip, so it needs to be planned carefully...'

'Huh? Why do Yuuka-senpai and Noah-senpai suddenly seem to be acting like they were at the pajama party...'

Why are my seniors showing me hostility? I haven't done anything wrong!

'...Is that so? It seems I'm not the only one with unusual ideas.'

Everyone is itching to get started...

In just a moment, Amamiya understood what "a tense situation" meant.

After that brief moment of hostility, the girls at the seminar took matters into their own hands—after all, the hot spring inn had been booked out, which meant they could choose any room they wanted.

The design of "Chisaki Onsen" was originally intended to maintain a high-end, private, and customized level, so the design of the onsen ryokan (hot spring hotel) naturally did not lean towards "more accommodations".

The accommodation area has a maximum of six rooms – three on each side of the corridor.

Including Amamiya herself, it's just enough to fill the house.

Choosing a corner room allows you to observe what's happening in other rooms while reducing the chances of being noticed...

After looking around at the rooms on both sides of the corridor, Yuka decisively chose the corner room at the very back.

'Hmm... considering avoiding Yuuka-chan while minimizing the chances of being noticed... this will do.'

Following Yuka, Noah also made her own choice. She chose the outermost room, which was exactly symmetrical to Yuka's.

'Huh? Why did the seniors choose a corner...? Shall I choose a corner too?'

'But if I choose a corner, I'll either have to face Yuuka-senpai or Noah-senpai...'

'Hmm... I think I'll choose to stand opposite Senior Noah.'

Although Xiaoxue didn't quite understand why the two seniors chose a corner, she sensed that their intentions were not simple, so she gritted her teeth and also chose a corner.

'A corner... it is indeed a very safe and convenient option.'

'but……'

When it was Rion's turn, after observing the 'geographical location' of the remaining three rooms, Rion decisively entered the middle of one of them.

'Clearly, the room next to Sensei has a greater advantage...'

'At the same time, there is also a greater possibility of being noticed...'

After a brief deliberation, Shi decisively chose the corner room as well.

As a result, Amamiya could only stay in the middle room.

After a room selection process that seemed long but actually happened very quickly, this is the situation we are in now.

【Yuka, Liyin, Koyuki】

----corridor----

[Hour, Amamiya, Noah]

After the rooms were assigned, Amamiya felt as if she were seeing more than one formation diagram that either restrained or cooperated with each other.

After settling their luggage in their rooms, the girls quickly gathered in the lobby of the hot spring inn.

After a brief silence, Noah smiled and spoke amidst the slightly deathly still atmosphere: "The rooms have been assigned, so... what are everyone's plans now?"

After Noah finished speaking, the other five girls subconsciously glanced briefly at Amamiya.

Realizing their movements were a bit too synchronized, they all looked away simultaneously.

Yuka clenched her fist, cleared her throat, and said, "I...I plan to try soaking in the hot spring first, and then do my other activities in the afternoon or evening..."

After someone started, Xiaoxue decisively became the second to step forward.

She stood on tiptoe, raising her hand to express her intentions enthusiastically: "Then I plan to go to the cherry blossom festival venue for the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons right now! Are there any fun things there?"

Compared to Xiaoxue's enthusiasm, Liyin was much more composed.

"It's a rare time to rest... Let's rest until it's a good time to do something before we take action."

As she spoke, Rion's gaze fell on the calligraphy and paintings in the style of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons hanging in the lobby of the hot spring inn, as well as various other eye-catching decorations—the meaning was clear: she planned to rest in the lobby first before engaging in any activities.

"Sensei, I..."

Shi originally wanted to say that she had plenty of time—but before she could even utter the words, she sensed that the gazes directed at her from around her were a bit off.

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

Is this a compromise everyone chose after realizing that "no one will benefit if we don't divide our time voluntarily"...?

After a moment's hesitation, she combed her long blonde hair and gave a response that sounded completely harmless.

"I did some research before coming and learned that the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) seems to offer yukata (light robe) rental services. I'm going to check it out for my festival attire."

The 'yukata rental' service is indeed offered during various festivals and celebrations of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) – in fact, the costume department of the Hyakki Yagyō is one of the main providers of this service.

For students who want to try out the style of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) festival costumes but don't want to spend a lot of money to buy a whole set of "festival attire" that they'll only wear once or twice and never have the chance to wear again, temporary rental is the most cost-effective option.

To provide costume rental services, the costume department of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) has prepared thousands or even tens of thousands of different sets of rentable clothing for various body types, both common and uncommon.

'Rent clothes...'

The keywords that were mentioned at the time caused Noah, Yuka, and Rion to fall into a brief state of contemplation.

Noah smiled, his eyes narrowing, and then spoke lightly, "Since everyone has their own plans... then, let's just go and do what we need to do next, shall we?"

Noah's seemingly insignificant 'suggestion' immediately excited Xiaoxue, who felt as if she had received an order to disband.

"Let's go check out the cherry blossom festival right away..."

As she spoke, Xiaoxue prepared to run outside—but then she realized that no one else was making a move except for herself.

Xiaoxue stopped in her tracks, puzzled and confused.

'What's wrong with the seniors...? Why are they all acting so strange today...?'

Xiaoxue, who hadn't quite grasped the tense atmosphere, glanced at the group of seniors before suddenly realizing something.

"Speaking of which... Senior Noah hasn't said what he's going to do yet?"

Noah's gentle smile showed a momentary flaw.

She didn't respond to Xiaoxue's question; her violet eyes were fixed firmly on Amamiya.

“Sensei…I’m very interested in the culture of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.”

"Regarding what you mentioned earlier... the famous shopping street where the 'Festivals Department' operates the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), and the Hyakya-do (Hyakya-do) located there..."

"I'm very curious about the story you described earlier about the 'Festival Club and the Cherry Blossom Festival.'"

Amamiya knew it the moment Noah said, "I'm curious"...

I know I can't escape now.

Ignoring the increasingly unfriendly or surprised glances around him, Noah smiled gently and continued to state his request.

"Regarding the story you told... I think it's worth recording in detail."

"so……"

"Sensei, could you spare a moment of your time to take me to that place called Hyakuyado?"

Chapter 40 forged a deep bond with Noah...

The busiest time of day in the shopping street where a hundred demons parade at night is around noon.

As a bustling street encompassing a wide variety of shops, this place offers a unique and natural spectacle of a hundred demons parading at night—a sight to behold almost constantly.

Large groups of students with animal ears or tails, or both, dressed in Japanese-style school uniforms, strolled through the streets, exuding youthful energy...

At least, in Millennium Academy, where most students are science majors and where the best-selling items on campus are Monster Energy and triple espresso, it would be absolutely impossible to see such a youthful scene.

"here……"

With her hands behind her back, the white-haired girl strolled beside Amamiya, observing the 'perfectly natural' festive atmosphere around her with her exceptionally bright violet eyes.

"It seems that even outside of festival season, it gives people a... special feeling."

Amamiya, of course, knew exactly what Noah meant by the 'special feeling' he had so subtly expressed.

The literary nature of a young girl, and the scenes depicted through the embellishment of literary works... in Noah's view, possess a unique kind of 'romance'.

From the perspective of literary creation... cherry blossoms have always been endowed with far too many 'special meanings'.

Among these many meanings, those similar to 'pain' or 'regret' are the most common.

After watching Noah jot down some keywords in a small notebook and then carefully put it away, Amamiya slowed down, looked at Hyakuyado, which was located in a prime location, and introduced it to him.

"That's Hyakya-do up ahead, the famous tea and snack shop located on the commercial street, which is run by the 'Festival Operations Committee' I described in the story."

Hearing this, Noah gathered his slightly scattered thoughts and looked up at the shop, meticulously constructed with modern craftsmanship and an antique style.

"Is this the place that the student who invited Sensei to participate in the cherry blossom festival is currently running?"

Noah abandoned the gentle, literary smile she usually wore when other people were around. Her expression hardened, and she became serious and inquisitive about the new things: "Sensei... can we go inside and take a look?"

What else could Amamiya say? She couldn't just change the subject because it was easy to be misunderstood.

With a slight twitch of her lips, Amamiya nodded with a hint of helplessness: "Of course... you can."

The teahouse at Hyakya-do is relatively quiet around noon... Although there are still customers, probably not many people enjoy drinking tea at midday...

Excluding the special festival season of cherry blossoms, Hyakuyado's peak business hours are probably during the short period after school—after all, that's when the students attending the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) have the most free time.

As Noah pushed open the door, the familiar interior of the Hyakuyado foyer immediately came into view.

Immediately, Amamiya heard Shizuko switch to 'business mode,' her voice slightly deliberate and sending chills down one's spine: "Good afternoon~ Welcome back, Master... Huh? Sensei?!"

After her gaze paused briefly upon seeing the 'unexpected person,' Shizuko's eyes unconsciously fell on Noah, who was traveling with her.

That one glance, not belonging to the style of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, caused Shizuko's brain to briefly freeze.

'Sensei...brought students from other schools with you?!'

'Was it a private date... or... a "hot spring trip"...?'

'Awaaaaah...'

After experiencing a dramatic emotional rollercoaster, Shizuko's gaze towards Amamiya and Noah became somewhat strange.

A look of curiosity and astonishment, as if asking, "What exactly happened?"

"That, that..."

Realizing things might be a bit complicated, Shizuko quickly suppressed the slight warmth and familiarity she had unintentionally shown towards Amamiya, cleared her throat, and asked in a serious tone, "Sensei... is there anything you need?"

Since we're already here... we can't let this trip be in vain.

After ordering a set of Hyakuyado's famous cherry blossom cakes and Hyakuyado tea, Noah took the initiative to choose a corner by the window and sat down with Amamiya by the window.

As a well-known tea and snack shop, Baiyetang's interior decoration is quite exquisite. At present, it is almost deserted at noon, which adds a touch of elegance to the already Zen-like atmosphere.

After taking her seat closer to the window, the white-haired girl kept her hands clasped together, facing the midday sunlight outside the window, and looked at Amamiya with a calm and gentle gaze.

Amamiya looked at her a little confused: "What's wrong?"

"Sensei..."

Noah seemed slightly lost in thought: "Do you remember what I said about cherry blossoms not long ago, the one I didn't finish saying?"

Amamiya raised an eyebrow: "Is that the sentence that was interrupted by Yuki in a funny tone earlier?"

Noticing the subtle changes in Amamiya's expression, Noah tilted his head slightly, a moment of surprise in his eyes: "Sensei... do you think there's anything wrong with that statement?"

Amamiya shook his head and answered honestly, "I just happen to know another version of that phrase outside of Kiwatos."

Noah paused for a moment, then chuckled with relief, "Is that so..."

Lost in thought, Noah recalled the question Sensei had asked him when they first met—

What is the outside world like?

Noah recalled the question that sparked her interest in getting to know him better when they first met... mainly because of this sentence, this question... which seemed to be subtly reflecting each other at this very moment.