I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

That can no longer be described as "vastly different".

The phrase "worlds apart" should be used to describe the difference.

"Mr. Phantom Thief, it seems... you're quite interested in the changes in Miss Controller?"

Amamiya nodded, responding to Albatross's question with a gesture.

I'm not just interested, I'm extremely interested.

Of all the changes that have occurred in Yuriko, the most obvious is her "charm".

As her body grew and matured overnight, her "charm" increased steadily, reaching just the right level.

This 'just right' is not a derogatory term, but rather signifies the 'golden ratio'.

The principle that "too much is bloated and too little is incomplete" applies to works of art everywhere.

This analogy still applies to people.

Her body proportions, the length of her hair, and the slight marks from the swimsuit's edge that accentuated her perfectly flat stomach—not an ounce of fat whatsoever…

Everything can be described as "just right," which is the most appropriate word to describe it.

"May I ask you something..."

After a moment's thought, Amamiya couldn't help but ask Yuriko how the changes in her body had come about.

"What exactly is this change...?"

Yuriko interrupted Amamiya's question, answering earnestly in an emphasizing tone: "It's a personal secret, Sensei, you shouldn't be too curious about this."

Personal secret...

Amamiya, of course, understood the implication in Yuriko's words that she "didn't want to talk about this," and nodded.

While I am indeed very curious, I am not so curious that I have to get to the bottom of it.

Since the other party didn't want to talk about it, Amamiya didn't want to press the issue and end up making things unpleasant for everyone.

After surveying the thoroughly cleaned hangar, Amamiya immediately changed the subject.

Turning her gaze to the helicopter, now painted with the Abydos logo, parked in the corner of the hangar not far away, Amamiya asked, "Yuriko called me here so early in the morning..."

Yuriko understood and took over the topic: "Besides letting Sensei adapt to my changes in advance, there is another very important matter - the issue of Ayane's pilot's license."

"Preliminary exam for the subject?"

"Yes, a preliminary exam for the subject."

Yuriko raised her hand, signaling the albatross, which was temporarily occupying the hangar in the middle, to take off first from the open upper hatch of the hangar.

Then, she jogged to the helicopter landing area in Abydos and drove the helicopter directly under the upper canopy where the Albatross had previously been parked, making it easier for the helicopter to take off and land.

After bringing the helicopter to a stop, Yuriko opened the cabin door and gracefully jumped out.

"During Ayane's test flight, I will act as a temporary examiner to allow Ayane to 'preview' the relevant exam content in advance."

"As for Sensei..."

After a subtle pause, Yuriko's originally calm tone took on a hint of 'fox-like cunning'.

"Your job is to sit in the passenger seat, interfere with Ayane's actions, and keep Ayane calm."

Amamiya was immediately filled with confusion: "???"

What do you mean by interfering with Ayane's actions and trying to stabilize her emotions?

Not only do we need to give Ayane one last boost in strength, but we also need to prevent any unexpected events from happening, right?

After a moment of 'doubt', Amamiya roughly understood Yuriko's intentions.

The co-pilot of a helicopter is usually responsible for monitoring and reading instruments, assisting the pilot in various operations, relieving the pilot's workload, and so on.

Amamiya has no experience in helicopter piloting whatsoever... even if he were to sit in the co-pilot's seat, it would be unlikely that he would be able to perform the duties expected of a co-pilot.

This is the first step in increasing Ayane's difficulty—she needs to complete almost all driving objectives single-handedly, with the co-pilot offering virtually no assistance.

The second element of increasing strength is, of course, the existence of Amamiya herself.

Even if Amamiya did nothing but sit idly in the passenger seat, it would be enough to put considerable psychological pressure on Ayane.

At that time, Ayane will probably become nervous due to her 'special relationship', 'desire to perform', and 'determination to prove herself', but at the same time she will also be full of fighting spirit.

This, while putting pressure on her, undoubtedly helped stabilize Ayane's emotions.

After understanding Yuriko's intention, Amamiya shook his head helplessly and then sat in the co-pilot's seat of the helicopter as Yuriko instructed.

Yuriko, holding her tablet, sat in the back row, clearly intending to issue various impromptu flight commands on the spot.

Amamiya and Yuriko waited in the hangar for no more than three minutes before a black-haired girl with glasses, dressed in casual clothes, came running into the hangar, panting, with a slightly unique yet adorable 'clumsy girl run'.

Upon noticing the brand-new helicopter parked directly beneath the upper canopy, the girl's rapid breathing faltered slightly.

Against the light, Amamiya caught a complex and indescribable emotion in Ayane's slightly trembling golden eyes.

Having experienced the initial "crash" incident, the subsequent low point in helicopter maintenance, and the bitter experience of learning to disassemble helicopter parts...

At this moment, Ayane's complex emotions, almost overflowing, could perhaps be described in the simplest terms as "bitterness turning into sweetness."

at last……

The helicopter has been repaired and is ready to fly again.

After standing there stunned for a moment, Ayane adjusted her glasses, concealing the 'joy of overcoming hardship' that was already overflowing in her mind.

Then, she nervously approached the helicopter's pilot, opened the cabin door, and peered inside to observe the environment.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayane-san."

Yuriko, who was sitting in the back of the second row, immediately waved to Ayane.

As for Ayane... she shuddered the moment she saw Yuriko and instinctively started trembling.

Every day, she was forced to memorize various helicopter maintenance regulations... The vivid memories had instilled in Ayane an instinctive fear of Yuriko.

"Good morning..."

After lowering her head awkwardly, Ayane took a deep breath to calm herself and then sat in the driver's seat.

Then, Ayane began to check the various instruments and facilities inside the helicopter in a tense but orderly manner.

"Self-check has been completed."

"Ready? Then... let's take off."

Chapter 119: A deep bond was formed with Ayane...

"W-How is it...?"

The roar of the helicopter rotors gradually subsided, and the helicopter was finally safely parked back in the hangar. The first thing Ayane did after shutting down all the equipment was to nervously peek behind her, hoping for an answer.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Amamiya witnessed Ayane's driving skills, which, while not particularly outstanding, were definitely 'steady and reliable'. He then gained a more accurate assessment of Ayane's driving abilities.

Makoto Niijima often drives around the other world in a cat car (which Morgana has turned into) and a cat helicopter, so he puts all his skill points into special driving techniques such as 'quick reaction'...

Compared to Mana Niijima's 'dancing on the edge' driving style, Ayane prefers a more steady approach.

—Perhaps she's not suited for crucial breakout maneuvers, but she's definitely the best at driving under normal circumstances.

After assessing Ayane's driving skills in his mind, Amamiya unbuckled the passenger seatbelt and turned off all the instruments and equipment that he needed to turn off.

He then peered at Yuriko, intending to hear her expert opinion on this woman who wasn't quite a 'millennial flight instructor' (she was just one instructor's certificate away from being recognized).

"Hmm~"

Yuriko, the instructor for this 'flight simulation test', crossed her legs, crossed her arms, and slightly raised her eyelashes.

Ayane immediately tensed up—this 'low pressure' had, not long ago, meant that she hadn't even passed the test.

The rating is: Excellent.

Ayane was surprised: "Huh?"

She was somewhat surprised that Yuriko, who had been so meticulous not long ago, had suddenly shown her 'unmistakable' side.

Before speaking, he deliberately takes a deep breath, as if he is trying to tease someone.

After the brief incident, Ayane wasn't angry; instead, she patted her chest and sighed with relief.

"Now that I've received Yuriko's evaluation, I should be able to get my pilot's license on the first try..."

As Ayane sighed to herself, Yuriko and Amamiya, who had turned her head, exchanged a glance.

'You can begin now, Sensei.'

Amamiya, feeling slightly helpless at Yuriko's suggestive gaze, quickly composed herself.

After carefully choosing her words, Amamiya spoke softly, with a hint of teasing but mostly gentleness: "Although this period has been a veritable 'hell week' for Ayane..."

"But as a top student and a good child... Ayane lived up to expectations and persevered through gritted teeth."

“She shines because of her earnest efforts… It seems I’ve seen Ayane’s deepest side.”

“It’s very cute.”

Amamiya's praise could be described as 'plain as water'.

But for Ayane, this was the care and encouragement she most wanted after 'going through hardships'.

"Eh?!"

After a blank "Eh?" sound, Ayane blushed slightly, scratched her cheek with her index finger, and chuckled shyly.

'Cute and stuff...'

'Hehehe...hehehehe~'

'Oh no! Yuriko is still watching…'

Suddenly jolted, Ayane's gaze darted left and right before she guiltily looked up as if nothing had happened.

However, the unnatural blush on her cheeks was not something that could be easily removed in a short time.

Noticing Ayane's peculiar little behavior, Amamiya smiled and shook his head, then took out a medal carved from a pair of wings from his shirt pocket, which inherited the will of the "Pioneers".

"This is a personal gift from me to Ayane..."

As Amamiya spoke, he got up from the co-pilot's seat and, while Ayane was blushing and flustered, personally pinned the bronze medal, which was engraved with "the oldest airplane in history," to Ayane's chest.

Noticing the aircraft's design, which was considered an "ancient of the ancients," Yuriko immediately asked with slight surprise, "This is...?"

Strangely enough, what she felt from this medal was not only the weighty steadiness brought by 'the weight of time', but also a kind of will that was hard to describe in words.

"Hmm... could we call it the Certificate of Flight, or the Wright Medal?"

Amamiya explained simply: "It can be understood as... forged from the free will that most yearns for the sky among materials from another world. It can be granted not only to the 'Pioneers of Flight,' but also to 'Those Who Yearn for the Sky.'"

【Name: Proof of Flight/Wright Medal】

[Type: Equipment/Accessory]

[Skill: Wings of the Sky/Wings of Miracles]

[Skywing: Greatly enhances control over flying vehicles.]

[Wings of Miracles: Controlling flying vehicles will grant a certain degree of 'idealistic' bonus. When willpower is sufficient, the controlled vehicle can 'break through its limits'.]

[Description: 'Through willpower and creativity, one shortens the distance between oneself and the vast blue sky above, making it no longer out of reach. This is not merely the realization of a dream, but also true proof of free will breaking free from its cage.']

From a penniless "fool" to a "magician" with limitless potential. Possibilities and creativity are always worth believing in.

"so……"

Yuriko pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyebrows and smiled: "...Perhaps, the best reward for Ayane's agonizing time is not an easily attainable flight permit."

"This gift you gave her... has even more 'special meaning' for her."

Even without touching it, Yuriko could clearly feel the powerful willpower emanating from this seemingly ordinary bronze medal.