I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Izuna is working very hard."

Holding Izuna's cheeks in his hands, and after gently rubbing them amidst the girl's comfortable and contented expression with her fox ears drooping, Amamiya continued, "Let's do our best today too."

【~???~】(from Izuna)

"Ok!"

After thoroughly 'soothing' Izuna, Amamiya watched as Izuna quickly formed hand seals, and then his figure turned into a wisp of smoke and quietly drifted away, attaching itself to Amamiya's shadow.

'Izuna-style Ninja Art: Shadow Escape Technique!'

'This is a new ninjutsu that Izuna specially developed so that he could stay by his lord's side forever!'

...I think it's best not to develop or use this kind of ninjutsu casually.

With these thoughts in mind, Amamiya deftly opened the door and glanced at both sides of the corridor.

Hoshino's voice, which had been speaking earlier, seemed to be focused near the 'living room'.

They probably won't notice what's going on inside the room, right?

After a slight hesitation, Amamiya deliberately made a slightly audible sound as she opened the door, ruffled her hair, yawned while wearing slippers, and exuded an aura of 'untidy laziness' as she walked into the living room.

The huge resort hotel was filled with people dressed almost identically early in the morning, all wearing swimsuits, exuding a 'seaside charm' and 'the unique immature aura of young girls'.

Aside from the five-person group from Abydos, who have been frequently seen wearing swimsuits since arriving at the resort island…

The members of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) also arrived.

When Amamiya turned her gaze to the hall, she saw a brown-haired girl who had changed into a light pink ruffled swimsuit, had her hair tied in long pigtails, and was wearing a cat-ear maid headdress to add to her cuteness. She was pointing at a map that was spread out on the living room table and clearly looked like an aerial view of a resort island.

"Regarding the hypothetical plan for the resort, I think it should be like this..."

Shizuko seemed to be talking about her 'resort construction project', maintaining a lively and positive yet distant tone similar to that of an 'idol' interacting with fans, while also highlighting her 'cute yet incongruous charm'.

Why do we say it feels out of place?

Because those who truly understand Shizuko, and those who are Shizuko's close friends, know very well...

This "Hyakuyado's mascot" has entered a "business mode" that she thinks is very good, but in reality, it carries a slight sense of incongruity.

Noticing Amamiya stepping out of the corridor, she immediately put down the pen she was using for sketching and gave Amamiya a playful wink.

"Good morning, Sensei~"

After exchanging greetings, she naturally explained herself and the purpose of the girls from the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons: "We're here to discuss a 'resort construction plan'~"

The blue-haired girl, who was holding a watermelon and seemed a little lost in thought, then added in her unique, slow-paced manner, "Um. Also, there's... cooperating with Sensei's actions."

Compared to Shizuko's girly pink ruffled swimsuit that accentuated her cuteness... Chise's swimsuit looked much more... eye-catching.

It was a blue and white striped bikini.

The mature-style clothing worn by the slightly 'slender' girl did not create a strange sense of incongruity. Instead, it highlighted her natural cuteness from a very special angle.

"Change into your swimsuits... and then go together."

Amamiya: ...

She finally stopped spouting haiku.

This should be considered a good thing, right...?

Amamiya finally looked at the pink-haired girl who was wearing a pure white swimsuit, with no other makeup, just her hair tied up, and who looked like a pure white flower blooming in the sea.

When she realized that everyone was looking at her, the pink-haired girl seemed to hurriedly try to look away, but she also felt it was strange to do something unexpected in public.

A slight ripple appeared in the girl's light blue eyes, and she lowered her head with half-closed eyes.

Perhaps it was the 'mind-reading' ability that had activated again, because Mimori, sensing something, gradually revealed a blush of shyness.

Without Amamiya even asking, the girl, who had been mystified into a 'mind reader' by the legend of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, mumbled an explanation.

"After they found out I was going to the beach, Tsubaki and Kaede said they would help me dress up nicely... and then they prepared this swimsuit for me..."

"Everyone's swimsuits fit perfectly..."

As Amamiya spoke, she glanced at Yuriko, who was sitting in the corner, seemingly only interested in taking a vacation and slacking off.

She also changed into a swimsuit... but perhaps it was due to her personal taste or other reasons.

Yuriko's swimsuit is neither like the unique style of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) nor like the Abydos style, where "though lacking in distinctive features, her personal charisma makes up for it."

Yuriko's swimsuit bears a striking resemblance to Shirako, who is silently preparing for departure and checking her weapons.

But perhaps it's due to her body shape or temperament... Amamiya always felt that the one-piece swimsuit that suited Shirako well looked slightly out of place on Yuriko.

“It was an eye-opener for me.”

【~???~】(from Jingzi, Qianse, Mimori)

【~???~】(from Yuriko)

While Amamiya was praising her, Ranmai and her 'external brain'—a girl named Saki—also pushed open the door and entered the living room.

Lan Wu, who had been about to say something after opening the door, frowned when she realized there were more people in the living room than usual. She wisely chose to remain silent.

After Lanwu chose a seat near the door, Jingzi immediately turned her gaze to Amamiya.

"Everyone's here... So, let's begin the 'operation plan' before we move out, Sensei?"

Chapter 93 Nomiya asked a fatal question

"Everyone's here... So, let's begin the 'operation plan' before we move out, Sensei?"

Shizuko's words, which seemed to be seeking opinions, instantly drew the attention of all the girls, whether standing or sitting, gathered in the living room.

Being the focus of more than a dozen gazes, even Amamiya felt a sudden pressure.

'Resolving all the issues by today... is certainly not an easy task.'

"Let's summarize the information we have gathered first."

The person under scrutiny clenched their fist, cleared their throat, and looked directly at Lan Wu: "The Helmet Team members who have been 'hunting' everywhere should have the best understanding of the situation in this resort archipelago, right? Lan Wu, why don't you tell us about the intelligence that the Helmet Team has gathered?"

"okay!"

Lan Wu, revealing a set of neat, white shark teeth, answered with a hearty laugh.

Immediately afterwards, she imitated Amamiya, making a fist with her hands in a serious manner and coughing lightly twice in a very classy way.

Just when everyone thought she would slowly open her mouth and reveal some profound and useful information—

Lanwu patted the shoulder of the helmeted group's strategist, Saki, who was standing next to her, and said quite decisively: "I'm really not good at being an intelligence presenter, so I'll leave it to you, Saki!"

The girl who had been patted on the shoulder by Lan Wu sighed softly, then spoke in a soft, prepared voice, "According to the information we have..."

"The main participants in the 'Resort Hunt'... besides the Helmet Gang, Abydos, and the Hyakya-do of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons currently gathered here..."

"And then there are those from Gehenna, the so-called 'sulfur miners searching for the dreamlike hot springs.' According to our combat records and subsequent intelligence investigations..."

Speaking of her academy's students, she paused slightly, a little embarrassed: "...They are members of the 'Hot Spring Development Department' from Gehenna."

"A hot spring..."

Shizuko couldn't understand it at all.

This is an island resort.

When it comes to islands... the keywords that come to mind are definitely words related to swimwear and summer.

Looking for hot springs here? Even if you did find some... is there any value in further developing these hot springs?

Saki's narration continues.

"Next... there's the Xuanwu Merchant Guild from the Classic of Mountains and Seas... I personally feel there's something strange about the investigation into the Xuanwu Merchant Guild."

"Although it uses the name of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and the architectural style is also based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas... the operators do not have the overall style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. I think this is something to be wary of and pay attention to—perhaps someone is impersonating someone else under the banner of the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"...Impersonation?"

This keyword successfully alerted Amamiya.

"Hmm...it's just a strange feeling that I can't quite put my finger on. If you're concerned, Sensei, you can confirm it through other means."

Amamiya nodded, signaling 'Saki' to continue.

He then took out his phone, opened momotalk, and sent messages to the two contacts associated with the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

—It’s actually quite simple to verify whether the Classic of Mountains and Seas was involved in this resort hunt.

Amamiya 'happens' to know two students of the Classic of Mountains and Seas...

One of them, coincidentally, is the current highest-ranking person in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the 'Student Council President'.

After receiving Amamiya's message, the two contacts gave different replies.

[Saya: Huh? You want me to investigate whether the Genbu Trading Company participated in the resort hunt... Okay.]

[Saya: I'll ask someone right away...]

[Saya: I helped you this time, so as a way of repaying you, Sensei, remember to come to the Alchemy Research Association next time and help me test the medicine.]

【Saya: [A mouse looking forward to it.jpg]】

Drug testing...

After Amamiya replied with "Next time for sure," Saya responded with an OK emoji, and then there was no further news for a while.

[Hizaki: I see... So you're investigating the Genbu Trading Company and the hunting trip at the resort.]

[Hizaki: I'll send someone to inquire right away. However...Sensei. You may have already known this when you sought help...]

[Feixiao: The Classic of Mountains and Seas places great emphasis on human relationships and social customs... If I help with this, it will be equivalent to a karmic connection...]

Upon seeing this, Amamiya promptly replied: "I will go find Himeki later."

[Hizaki: Hehe.]

[Hime Saki: I haven't said anything yet...]

[Hime Saki: But since that's the case, then I'll keep my expectations in mind.]

[Hizaki: I'll give you a definite answer later.]

Following this news, there has been no further news from Hisaki's side for the time being.

Whether it's through Hisaki's channels or Saya's channels... investigating and summarizing information clearly takes time.

Amamiya put away her phone and turned her gaze to 'Saki', who was still talking eloquently. Although her voice was soft and sweet, it did not carry any fear. Instead, she exuded a powerful aura.

"The last participant worth noting is the 'Odyssey Ocean Academy.' Most notably, they arrived on a large, luxurious cruise ship..."

"It's said that the cruise ship is called the 'Golden Fleece.' According to my investigation, it seems to have become a high-end club..."

"There must be a card-related competition being held by the higher-ups."

At this point, 'Saki' clasped her hands in front of her, bowed calmly and politely, and summarized her words: "...That's all we know."

Amamiya nodded, then turned her gaze to Ranmai—

At this moment, Lan Wu's expression was somewhere between bewilderment and surprise.

The confusion lies in: 'Did we really know so much information? Why do I have absolutely no recollection of it?'

His surprise stemmed from the thought: 'This strategist… I really did choose the right person.'

Amamiya gave the girls ample time to think and process the information.

After waiting a little while, he clapped his hands, regaining the girls' attention.

"Then let's consider the group assignments next..."

Upon hearing this in silence, Hoshino's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately stood up and set an example.

"When it comes to familiarity with the 'Kaiser Group'... our Abydos side has the advantage."

"After all... we often 'deal' with the Caesars Group... so leave the task of dealing with the Caesars Group to us."

Hoshino's eyes shone brightly as he deliberately emphasized the syllables of the word "deal with," his fighting spirit palpable.

—If I were to create a 'ranking of hatred' in my mind…