I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya: "..."

Are you also recognized by the "childlike innocence" and considered an "older sister type"?

"Nice to meet you. I am Sensei from Xia Lai... My basic information should no longer be a secret by now. You can call me by my name, or any other name you feel comfortable with."

Nia closed her folding fan, and at the same time, suppressed her smile.

"The Minister of the Yin-Yang Department, Tenchi Nia."

"Nice to meet you, Sensei~"

"Your demeanor is truly wonderful!"

"So cute~"

Amamiya: ...

Despite having Ibuki's bond skill, Amamiya felt...

I still can't connect myself with the keyword "cute".

When Nia cast a glance at him, seemingly seeking an amusing response, Amamiya immediately understood—Nia's main purpose in 'praising' him like that was to catch a hint of embarrassment or awkwardness in his expression or actions, as if he had been teased.

Amamiya shrugged: "Thank you for the compliment."

"...?"

Nia's little 'observation' gesture was slightly trembling.

Amamiya continued, "President Nia is quite remarkable too... She has a unique 'older sister' aura. Among the many students I know, someone with your kind of aura is practically 'one of a kind.'"

【~???~】(from Nia)

【~???~】(from Qian Shi)

"...?!"

Amamiya hadn't turned off Ibuki's bond skill yet, so you can imagine the 'damage' his words would have on Nia.

'What's going on... this feeling of being instantly 'pierced'...'

Suppressing the sudden flutter in her heart and the inexplicable urge to "pick her up and knead her in my arms," ​​Nia let out a soft breath.

Feeling as if she had been tricked, she felt a little resentful after calming down.

'That's strange... How does Sensei manage to 'speak like a child using adult language in a serious tone, yet without sounding out of place at all'?

'And...why do I feel such strange emotions towards Sensei?'

'Could it be... that the power of the "Phantom Thief of Hearts" is at work as well?'

'I'm perfectly lucid right now... I shouldn't have been affected by any power, right?'

With a jumble of thoughts in her mind, Nia tapped her palm lightly with the rib of her fan, asking with a hint of resentment, "How does Sensei view 'me'? What was her first impression of 'us'?"

His slightly mocking demeanor, and the instant glances cast at him by the other three students who hadn't had a chance to speak...

Under the varying degrees of curiosity or doubt from Mimori, Fina, and Chise, Amamiya paused for a moment to prepare himself.

Then, he earnestly extended his arms to the girls.

"Me? I like Nia the most..."

It seems like he only said half of what he was saying, but it also seems like he said everything.

Amamiya's 'shocking' words clearly stunned Nia, whose expression twisted into disbelief.

Mimori, Chise, and Fina were even more surprised.

Nia: "?!"

After pausing for a moment, Amamiya uttered the second half of the sentence: "And everyone else too."

Chapter 83 What does 'Sensei Asakusa' mean?

"Me? I like Nia the most..."

"...And everyone else too."

Recalling Ibuki's childlike, melodious speaking style, Amamiya spoke these truly "heart-stirring" words with utmost seriousness and sincerity.

—As for why I say that?

That all started with a game where "the protagonist can sign a contract with a sword girl and go to the World Tree called Paradise".

Although I haven't had much time to interact with Ibuki... Amamiya thinks that Ibuki might say to Makoto or Iroha in a childlike and innocent tone, with a look of longing, "Ibuki~ I love Makoto and Iroha-neechan the most~" and make them very happy.

Otherwise, Ibuki would never have become the "actual ruler of the Pandemonium" and the "universally recognized darling of the group."

It's not just because Ibuki is young—it's also because Ibuki is genuinely adorable.

'...'

As soon as he finished speaking, Amamiya noticed that the micro-expressions of Mimori, Fina, Nia... became more and more terrifying.

The girl with cherry-pink hair slightly brushed aside a side of her hair, seemingly demonstrating the subtle actions of swallowing saliva and licking her lips.

But the deep longing and care she conveyed when she turned to the side could not be easily concealed—or rather, it seemed that Mimori had no intention of hiding her thoughts of 'holding Sensei in her arms and gently comforting her'.

The blonde girl's eyes flickered, and her breathing gradually became heavy and long, carrying wisps of white vapor. Like an engine entering full-power overload mode.

Even without getting close, Amamiya could easily sense the increasingly rapid, drum-like heartbeat, and...

Those eyes seemed to be turning into hearts, so sweet they were almost saccharine.

As for Nia...

Well, needless to say.

After a brief moment of stunned disbelief, as if pierced by Cupid's arrow, Nia opened her eyes wide, her gaze now completely different—filled with a kind of doting affection that made Amamiya's scalp tingle slightly.

Chise, the only one unaffected by the "childlike innocence" (Ibuki's bond skill), didn't seem to mind.

(After all, Chise doesn't have the demeanor of an older sister.)

"Sensei..."

Nia was panting heavily, her voice carrying an almost irrepressible urge: "Can...I hug you...?"

'Gulp (sound of swallowing)'

"Sensei... Fina seems to want another hug too..."

Amamiya felt a chill run down her spine, shook her head resolutely, and simultaneously deactivated the [Childlike Innocence] bond skill.

[Sensing Nia's unusual emotions...]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Tenchi Nia (Demon/Evil) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★1 Ability "Strategist's Tactics" is now unlocked!]

"Shall we get straight to the point?"

To break the slightly eerie atmosphere, Amamiya looked at Chise, the only one unaffected by Ibuki's bond skill: "So... what exactly is the trouble that 'Hyakuya-do' is facing?"

Chise blinked, curious about the sudden change in the atmosphere, seemingly still not understanding what was going on.

Why did the atmosphere suddenly become so scary?

Why did it recover so quickly?

Chise didn't quite understand the current situation, and she was a beat slow to react when she heard Amamiya's question.

A hint of doubt flashed in her pink eyes. After a moment's hesitation, Qian Shi ultimately decided not to ask her own question first.

"Resort Islands,"

"The House by the Sea is Opening."

"Encountered trouble."

Amamiya: ...

So, besides knowing how to punctuate 5, 7, 5, she also knows how to punctuate 5, 5, 4?

So just how much does she love haiku...?

The 'Electric Wave Girl's' unconventional answer successfully broke the slightly dangerous atmosphere.

Seemingly realizing what she had just said and done, Nia coughed lightly and quickly regained her previous composure.

Then, she picked up where Chise left off: "Specifically... it's related to 'Paradise Lost Resort'..."

Amamiya raised an eyebrow slightly.

—Is it something related to the resort again?

Did Nia not notice, or did she notice but deliberately get involved?

Amamiya looked at Nia—because Nia's 'squinty eyes' expression was so calm, Amamiya did not realize Nia's state of mind at this moment.

"You should know about Sensei, right? The 'resort hunting' activity that's recently become popular in a few academies in Kivotos in a peculiar way..."

“That event…” Nia explained as she slowly paced around Amamiya, “Hyakuyado also participated.”

"These days, Shizuko and Haika from the 'Festival Operations Committee'... are mostly at 'Sea House' over there."

That's the seaside house that Qian Shi mentioned in her MomoTalk message, right?

Amamiya knew without even thinking what Hyakuyado had encountered over there.

Amamiya had no intention of joining Nia in their banter. With one hand crossed over her chest and the other stroking her chin, she made a confident guess: "Attacked?"

“That’s right… just as Sensei said.”

"The 'Sea House' that Baiyetang operates over there has been attacked by groups calling themselves 'Resort Hunters'."

Nia maintained that squinting 'smile,' but her tone had become so calm it was almost icy.

"So, the commission is... about maintaining security at the Sea House, and matters related to the 'Resort Battle'?"

"Not only that..."

"Sensei, from what I understand, the members of Hyakuyado seem to have been framed as the masterminds behind the 'Resort Hunt'."

Amamiya: ...

That's really tragic.

Not long ago at the Sakura Festival, Hyakuyado was harassed by members of the remotely controlled Chimei Ichizaku by the mastermind behind the scenes.

Now he's been framed as the mastermind behind the resort hunt, and is constantly harassed by groups of 'righteous resort hunters' and even other forces?

Amamiya sighed softly, "I understand what I need to do."

Given the current situation, what he needs to do is very clear—

In the past, we cleared up misunderstandings and mediated conflicts.

Then they would find Caesar, who was secretly causing trouble, and punish him severely.

"Since that's the case... then I won't say any more."

Nia stopped in front of Amamiya, her voice regaining its gentle tone: "Regarding the resolution of this matter... our Onmyo Club can send Chise and Mimori as assistance..."

Amamiya didn't ask a pointless question like "Where's Fina?"—someone needed to stay behind at the Hyakuyado headquarters.

As for Nia's purpose...

Amamiya saw it very clearly too.

If she knew the truth behind the resort, then her purpose in doing this was purely for fun.

If she didn't know... then her purpose was simple: she saw tangible benefits and wanted a piece of the pie.

"I've said what I needed to say~"

Nia lightly tapped her palm with the ribs of her folding fan and casually stretched: "Hmm~ Well then, it's time to leave~"

She faced the setting sun, making a move to walk away, but after taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned around in the sunset.

Nia said this very easily, even with a sense of relief.

If she stayed any longer, she was afraid that if she chatted with Sensei for a few more minutes, she would fall in love and have her heart stolen.