I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

As the title says, I went out today and was in a good mood, so I'm taking a day off.

While I'm saving up some drafts, I also need to start writing some 'special side stories' tomorrow...

Emmm...

(The next special side story will probably be about Ayane, right?)

-

There will be no update today.

-

PS: All content in this volume is expected to conclude within 110 chapters.

(I really have to get into the main storyline now... I'm afraid no one will watch if I drag this out any longer.)

This volume, in general, features about four event storylines (the cherry blossom festival, an original hot spring trip, and Swimming Pool 3 and 4)...

I experienced a bit of pain while writing this. I believe readers who have followed this far have had a similar experience.

In short... I guess I've learned my lesson.

Next time we're organizing event coupons, we definitely won't be combining multiple events together, hmm...

Ghana

See you tomorrow~

Chapter 101 The Xuanlong Sect Master Reminds You: Beware of Telecom Fraud

With its upturned eaves, pavilions, and towers, the festive red plaque glows warmly in the midday sun.

The dazzling splendor creates a sense of history stemming from a long cultural heritage, almost entirely different from the architectural style of most other areas in Kivotos.

This is the next stop for Amamiya and her group—

It is said to be the resort island where the "messengers of Xuanwu" reside.

"Oh...I never expected this," the girl with light-colored gradient hair and starry eyes said, her head slightly tilted back, her mouth slightly open in surprise. "Is this the architectural style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas...How interesting, how mysterious!"

Hai Xiang wasn't the only one craning her neck to gaze at the bustling modern-style buildings with antique Chinese elements and the neat, clean streets in the distance.

Shizuko stared wide-eyed for a long while before blinking and exclaiming in a particularly amazed tone, "...It's so bustling."

The subtle aroma of food wafting through the air as my nostrils twitched, the shouts from the street vendors, the smoky scent emanating from some kind of stove…

As the complex 'smell' passed by, the girls, who had been running around almost non-stop all morning in their swimsuits, subconsciously touched their flat stomachs, which seemed to be showing signs of protest.

After her initial 'reflection,' Shizuko couldn't help but take a long sniff.

Realizing that her actions were somewhat impolite, Shizuko immediately looked around to see if anyone had noticed her behavior and prepared to make an explanation.

However, someone else acted before her—

Chise approached Amamiya with a pitiful expression, and in her characteristically slow and deliberate tone, she stated her intention: "Sensei, my stomach is growling~"

Izuna's expression was even more obvious; he covered his belly with both hands, looking like he was struggling to resist the aroma of the food.

"My lord, Izuna is the same..."

Having received statements from both Chise and Izuna, Amamiya then turned her gaze to Mimori.

Mimori blushed slightly, too embarrassed to say she was hungry directly. She squinted and lowered her head, tacitly acknowledging Chise and Izuna's feelings.

When his gaze fell upon Shizuko, Shizuko's expression became even more 'subtle'.

"Haha~" The brown-haired girl looked around, "The style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas is really unique~ Even the food tastes so..."

Psychological research shows that cute girls are generally too embarrassed to admit they are hungry.

Especially when interacting with men they care about—they dare not say they are hungry, and they even have to control their eating manners and 'moderate' their food intake.

Amamiya finally looked at Kaika, who returned a friendly look and suggested, "After we finish this investigation, let's go have a 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' themed lunch."

Compared to Izuna and Chise's 'straightforwardness', Shizuko and Mimori's restraint...

In this situation, Hai Xiang, being a 'common-sense person,' is more reliable.

Amamiya nodded: "Okay. Let's do as Umika suggested... Let's all put in a little more effort, and then we'll go out for a big meal together after this is over."

【~???~】(from Chise, Izuna, and Umika)

【~??~】(from Jingzi and Sansen)

Just as Amamiya and his group were about to enter the resort island controlled by the "Envoys of Genbu," a special message notification sounded with great penetrating power from Amamiya's jacket pocket.

It's a "highlighted message" from momotalk.

As a special type of 'important message', its message notification sound will be different from that of regular messages. In addition, there is a mode that can be ignored or do not disturb. As long as a message is received, it will emit a notification that can be noticed by the device owner as soon as the device is idle.

Amamiya stopped in her tracks and glanced at her momotalk app on her phone.

as predicted……

After about half a morning, the two contacts he had previously made contact with sent him their investigation reports.

[Saya: "Highlighted Message" Sensei, the news that the Genbu Trading Company you asked me to investigate participated in the resort hunt... has been confirmed.]

[Saya: People from the Xuanwu Merchant Guild told me it's pure nonsense. If you encounter someone claiming to be a member of the Xuanwu Merchant Guild...]

[Saya: I suggest reporting this to the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce. Also, be more cautious and beware of scams.]

Upon seeing the message that Saya had sent first, Amamiya narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself, "Just as I expected."

The resort islands run by the "messengers of Xuanwu" in front of us are indeed just a fake operation in disguise.

[Saya: I've found out the information, so I guess I've helped Sensei out a bit.]

[Saya: Sensei, remember to come find me at the Alchemy Association!]

Amamiya: ...

After replying with "definitely," he immediately opened Fei Saki's chat window.

[Hizaki: The information you requested to investigate... I have already had it collected by my servants.]

[Hizaki: "Documents"—this is a summary of the events, compiled by my subordinates... Also...]

[Hisaki: "Contact Person - Rumi Akashiro"; "Contact Person - Reiji Kayama"]

[Hime Saki: These are the contact details for two core members of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce. After hearing that I was investigating this matter, they contacted me, requesting to connect with you through me...]

[Hime Saki: I've done you a favor. If Sensei has any further questions, please discuss them with them.]

Compared to Saya's approach, which was simple, direct, and to the point...

Fei Xiao was, after all, the leader of the Xuanlong Sect, and possessed the greatest power of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Therefore, she had a very clear understanding of the cause and effect of the matter.

[Hime Saki: Hehe... I have fulfilled my request... You must not forget your promise.]

Unlike Saya's promise to "test the drug"... Hisaki's situation is both easy and difficult to deal with.

If Amamiya's guess is correct... Hisaki probably wants to temporarily get rid of 'Xuanlongmen' and temporarily disguise herself as a new identity to travel around with him.

After Amamiya replied with a message saying "I will never forget," Himeaki forwarded an address coordinate, and then nothing more was said.

—It wasn't explicitly stated, but the meaning was quite clear.

'If you have time, come find me here.'

Amamiya opened the electronic map and entered the coordinates given by Hime Saki—after a brief loading, the navigation map located the area of ​​[Classic of Mountains and Seas - Plum Garden].

After casually adding the two contact messages forwarded by Himeki, Amamiya waved to the girls who were enthusiastically participating in the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), beckoning them to his side.

"I have some news to share with everyone..."

Immediately, Amamiya forwarded the direct conclusions she received from Saya, as well as the complete set of documents recording the cause and effect that she later obtained from Himeki, to the girls belonging to the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons).

"...In short, the 'envoys of Xuanwu' are actually imposters from the Black Turtle Group...All the facilities here were scanned, replicated, and built by the Black Turtle Group according to the style of the region in the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"...The Black Tortoise Group?"

Shizuko, who caught the key words with a slight twitch of her ears, immediately showed a clear crack in her 'idol aura' caused by anger.

Mentioning this name makes Shizuko want to grind her teeth in hatred.

—Not long ago, the mastermind behind the disruption of the "Cherry Blossom Festival of One Hundred Demons" was also this Black Turtle Group!

Even at the very end of the Cherry Blossom Festival, when the problem was finally resolved, the members of Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) and Sensei stormed the headquarters of the Kuro-Turtle Group in the Hyakki Yagyō Autonomous Zone and brought the then-leader of the Kuro-Turtle Group—who called himself 'Nyan-Datsu Masamune'—to justice!

Shizuko thought that after this incident, the Black Turtle Group would be depressed for a long time...

So little time has passed, and these despicable guys... are they starting to cause trouble again?

Shizuko's expression towards this keyword was not pleasant. Izuna and Mimori, who had previously participated in the "Cherry Blossom Festival," also had similar expressions of 'disgust and confusion'.

Even the gentle and mild-mannered Mimori was somewhat exasperated: "It's the Black Turtle Group again..."

Izuna went even further, directly expressing his disgust: "Is this the villain's unique 'weeds that never die out, springing up again with the spring breeze'...?"

Even Chise, although she had not been directly involved in the "Cherry Blossom Festival" related events, had learned about the inside story through indirect involvement.

This 'eccentric girl' blinked, and a hint of 'exceptionally serious' emotion gradually appeared in her pink eyes.

"The final thing to do is to eliminate the villains and drive away the evil spirits?"

"If nothing unexpected happens..."

The only one who hadn't participated in the "Cherry Blossom Festival," but was aware of the Black Turtle Group's 'infamous' reputation, sighed, then looked at Amamiya with great excitement: "Sensei..."

Amamiya was well aware of the gazes he was being cast upon, whether out of hatred (Shizuko), natural energy (Izuna), a desire to eat early (Chise), or a desire to punish evil and promote good (Mimori).

There is absolutely no way this matter can be resolved peacefully.

The other party is a notorious 'gangster organization'... Why bother trying to reason with them?

"To get to dinner as soon as possible... let's finish this quickly."

"Okay~!"

Chapter 102 Schhale, Open the Door!

On a resort island controlled by the Black Turtle Group, which is disguised as the "Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce," a swift and decisive blitzkrieg is unfolding.

How can we describe this special battle where the outnumbered forces fought against the superior enemy?

"I am you, and you are me!"

Clusters of reassuring, ethereal blue flames, accompanied by Amamiya's call, suddenly rose from his body, scorching his summer attire into a magnificent black phantom thief's outfit.

Surrounded and gathered by a cluster of eerie blue flames, an ultimate Persona mask that looked like it belonged to a high-tech fantasy world appeared behind him.

Upon seeing Amamiya's 'transformation,' Izuna immediately responded excitedly and joined in.

"Is the battle about to begin...? Izuna, I will do my utmost to support my lord!"

As he spoke truthfully, Izuna quickly formed hand seals, and a ghostly blue flame ignited around his body.

With a whoosh, accompanied by the scorching sound of flames bursting, the ninja night clothes from the Warring States period replaced Izuna's original swimsuit.

Not only the fox ears, but even the fluffy fox tail was imbued with an otherworldly aura, covered with an ever-burning, eerie blue flame.

"Come on... Mochizuki Chiyome!"

"Mochizuki Chiyome... Summoning Spirit: Takemikazuchi!"

With blazing flames burning above his head and surrounded by miniature suns, the red-skinned deity with an angry expression emerged amidst ethereal smoke.

Wielding the "Spirit Sword - Futsu-no-Mitama", he is in charge of thunder, swords, bows and arrows... symbols of war.

The god, several meters tall, gave a disdainful snort from his high and mighty position, then gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

The wisps of cloud were absorbed and gathered, swirling around His scabbard in a natural spectacle.

In no time, it seemed as if all the clouds in the world were wrapped around it, turning into visible, intertwined, and indistinct traces of wind.

Under the "Sword God's Will", the surrounding air seemed to become 'sharp'.

The sudden change in Amamiya and Izuna filled the other girls of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons with a sense of novelty and curiosity.