I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

—Ayane simply couldn't understand it.

Why are some students able to ask the engineering department for "free upgrades" without any qualms, and why do some students buy things without even understanding the basic functions and then immediately say "it's broken"? The reason is that they didn't even look at the settings.

Thinking of the comments under that tweet, as well as the complaints from some other academy's artisans... Ayane shook her head repeatedly.

She didn't want to distort the impression of Abydos, which was now probably the only stable and reliable supplier of large machinery, into that of a naive person who would pay once and have lifelong after-sales service.

Ayane knew this in her heart.

Yuriko's current "responsibility" when repairing aircraft... while a kind of "torture" for herself, is indeed the most benevolent and dutiful thing she can do.

If you don't want to eat even when food is right in front of your mouth, and even say that "you need to be taught how to open your mouth," then you're simply not appreciating it.

"……I see."

After saying that, Ayane pushed a trolley piled high with documents and slowly retreated, looking desolate.

Hoshino, Serika, Nomiya, and Shirako, who witnessed Ayane's 'desolate departure,' all expressed sympathy, or sighed softly and then slightly averted their gaze.

Inside the hangar, octopus-like robots nimbly swung their 'limbs', carrying various helicopter repair or replacement parts back and forth.

After following these somewhat ominous-looking creations for a short while, Hoshino finally decided to break the silence.

"Sensei, regarding the issue of uniting forces to occupy other islands..."

Just recently, the five-member group from Abydos successfully reached other islands they had previously visited via an armed hovercraft piloted by the Helmet Group.

Therefore, Hoshino also saw that the "Sea House" was far better than the conditions at the Abydos Resort Island in terms of building repair, renovation, and other aspects.

"Regarding the issue of 'union'..."

It was precisely because he had witnessed the strength of Hyakuyado that Hoshino hesitated: "Given the current situation in Abydos..."

Amamiya waved his hand, interrupting Hoshino's hesitant words.

"Resorts require an initial investment...and Baiyetang has already completed that initial investment."

"After all, Hyakya-do can be considered the face of Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), a benchmark for the region's tourism and service industries—their performance far surpasses that of Abydos, which is quite normal."

"However, Hoshino doesn't need to underestimate himself."

“From the perspective of the ‘Academy’… Abydos is qualified to discuss cooperation with Hyakuyado.”

The pink-haired girl's previously hidden 'unable to speak' expression dissipated considerably.

【~???~】(from Hoshino and Nomiya)

【~???~】(from Qinxiang, Baizi)

"Hmm... I was a little nervous at first, but I didn't expect..."

Hoshino rubbed the ahoge (cowlick) on his head, quickly regaining his composure: "Since Sensei has said so... well, regarding the 'cooperation,' I don't have any particular questions or opinions..."

I sensed Hoshino's strong sense of responsibility.

My bond with Hoshino has deepened...

【Takanashi Hoshino (Sun) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆】

[★7 Ability "Responsibility of a Senior" has been unlocked!]

'But...we need to consider the style...how should we build the resorts in Abydos...?'

Seeing that Hoshino was already looking up at the 'ceiling' of the hangar and starting to think about how to build an Abydos-style resort, Amamiya interrupted her thoughts.

"In preparation for tomorrow's 'errands' and the possible battles that follow... let's all get some rest as soon as possible today."

Amamiya never imagined that one day he would have to play the role of 'Morgana', advising others to rest as early as possible.

Hearing Amamiya's comment, Hoshino chuckled and hoisted his "Eye of Horus" onto his shoulder, swaying as he walked toward the hangar exit.

"Uncle, I still need to patrol the night to ensure safety... um~"

"Juniors, remember to follow Sensei's instructions and get some rest."

After watching their seniors leave, Nomiya, Shirako, and Serika did not go to rest.

After a brief exchange of glances, they turned their gaze to Amamiya.

"Sensei..."

Serika cast a slightly wary glance at Yuriko, who was supervising the work of the "Nameless Guardians," and deliberately raised her voice to ask, "Aren't you going to rest?"

Amamiya, who was focused on the "Nameless Guardian," didn't look up and casually replied, "I'll stay here for a while, and once I've confirmed everything is correct, I'll prepare to rest."

He moved closer to Yuriko and asked directly, "How is it?"

"Some parts will require a second or even a third batch to arrive. However, the current parts are sufficient for simple repairs on the helicopter—theoretically, a helicopter that has undergone its first major overhaul can fly, without considering any subsequent maintenance."

Amamiya: ...

He certainly understood the meaning of "not considering subsequent maintenance at all".

If you're not afraid of crashing and becoming a total loss after this one flight, then this helicopter can be flown again after its initial maintenance.

Of course, even if it can be flown, this helicopter will truly be making its 'last flight'.

"The specific time..."

"One to two weeks." Yuriko pushed up her goggles and answered succinctly, "As I said before, this is the fastest I can go."

It seems that helicopter maintenance cannot be rushed.

In a corner unnoticed by Amamiya, Nomiya and Shirako had already finished their conversation.

With a meaningful smile, Nomiya gently pushed Serika, who was almost 'blown up' with embarrassment, forward.

Serenka stumbled from the push, and in her embarrassment and anger, she instinctively looked back—only to be blocked by Shirako.

Qinxiang: "..."

After a brief silence, she displayed an expression of reluctance and helplessness, as if to say, "Okay, okay, I understand."

Clutching the ruffles of her swimsuit, she repeatedly encouraged herself in her mind. After mustering her courage, the fluctuations in the girl's crimson eyes gradually subsided.

She moved closer to Amamiya and tugged at the hem of his clothes.

Amamiya, who was monitoring the aircraft's maintenance status, looked at Serika: "What's wrong, Serika?"

Serika didn't meet Amamiya's gaze, but instead tilted her head slightly in a 'tsundere' manner.

"Sensei...do you have time later?"

"me……"

'Calm down, Celery... Think about how it felt when Sensei saved you...'

'You are a princess recognized by Sensei...you mustn't show that kind of embarrassment!'

Recalling that feeling, Celery didn't calm down; instead, she felt her heart beating noticeably faster.

An indescribable feeling was brewing and growing in my heart.

"Do you have time afterwards?"

"I have something to say..."

I wanted to tell you this privately.

Chapter 91: The Most Proactive Episode by Celery Cat

"Sensei, could I borrow a little bit of your time?"

The night breeze rustled the grass on the hillside, gently ruffling the ruffled swimsuit on the girl's body, leaving traces of the breeze.

Her crimson eyes glowed faintly in the night, and the black-haired girl, her cat ears twitching, smiled broadly.

The girl's heartfelt words in the night breeze, and her unusually awkward way of speaking, made Amamiya vaguely realize something.

"What's wrong, Celery..."

Although I already had a vague idea of ​​what was going to happen next...

Amamiya, feigning ignorance, asked, "...Is there something you're trying to say that's difficult to explain?"

"Um……"

Celery gave a soft "hmm".

Seemingly filled with some immense emotion, overflowing and then firmly imprisoned in place, the 'tsundere black cat' even gave the impression of speaking in a much softer and more gentle way than before.

“Abydos has been getting better every day since I met Sensei…”

"how to say……"

"I came here with everyone with the idea of ​​having the 'best vacation' ever... but I never expected so many things to happen during this time..."

"Anyway..."

After saying "in short," Celery paused completely, as if she was brewing something or gathering momentum.

Serika didn't continue for a while, and Amamiya, instead of being 'unromantic' and trying to interrupt her, slowly moved closer.

For a moment, on the high slope under the cover of night, apart from the whistling evening wind of the island, there was only the rustling sound of Amamiya's footsteps falling on the grass as he approached.

As Amamiya approached, Serika suddenly tensed up, as if she were a predator about to strike its prey, a sense of danger emanating from her shapely, youthful body.

"Hey~"

After letting out a strange cry, the girl pounced on Amamiya in an unexpectedly fierce yet adorable manner.

Amamiya could certainly have dodged... but he didn't, and couldn't dodge.

Standing still, having taken the full force of the girl's attack, which resembled a apex predator pouncing on its prey, and instantly falling backward onto the grass, Amamiya feigned helplessness and said, "...Serika?"

“Sensei…do you know?”

Seemingly achieving the desired effect, the black-haired girl, who naturally straddled Amamiya's waist and placed her hands on Amamiya's chest, smiled slyly in the moonlight: "Feline animals do 'hunt' their favorite prey like I am now."

"Besides..."

"Once a feline has chosen its 'owner,' it will do the same thing: want to leave its mark on its owner, want to stay close to its owner, and want to be with its owner all the time."

The girl straddling Amamiya laughed softly and wantonly, with an air of 'aggressiveness'.

“And I happen to be a cat,” Serika continued, her cat ears folding and perking up repeatedly, “so, Sensei…”

"Um……"

She seemed to want to say something even more aggressive, but suddenly froze, and her emotions, which were already on the verge of breaking down, quickly cracked.

The atmosphere and opportunity that had been painstakingly created were swallowed up by a flood of shame. Unable to continue speaking, Serika looked down at Amamiya with a panicked gaze, which met Amamiya's unwavering eyes.

"...At least show some sign of panic, Sensei?!"

After the initial embarrassment, Serika seemed to be amused by the elaborate confession ritual she had just witnessed: "Didn't Sensei feel any nervousness at all after I was so fierce with her?!"

"Isn't that how it is when a cat is aggressive? All you need to do is look at it with a gentle smile, and then pet it affectionately after a while to comfort it."

Amamiya smiled in response and added, "Besides, Serika isn't just a cat, she's 'my dear princess.'"

"How could my dear princess possibly do anything to truly hurt me?"

"..."

【~???~】(from Qinxiang)

"Too cunning..."

The girl lowered her head and brows, her expression instantly filled with a bittersweet mix of shyness and naivety: "Sensei."

Amamiya smiled, about to strike while the iron was hot and say something more ambiguous.

Unexpectedly, Serika's next words were quite explosive: "...Sensei, do you say the same thing to the other members of the Countermeasures Committee?"

As the girl slightly tightened her legs, Amamiya, who was being 'sandwiched' between them, suddenly felt a real sense of danger—

“Sensei, I know that…”

"Aside from Hoshino-senpai's confession being interrupted..."

"You don't seem to have rejected either Ayane's or Nomiya's advances..."

Meeting Serika's slightly gloomy, even possessive gaze that could be described as 'mildly yandere', Amamiya maintained a calm and composed expression, but inside he was sweating profusely.