I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"..."

The girl didn't say a word, but silently moved closer to me, and then, as if she had mustered up great courage, she took my hand.

"...I want to be with Sensei..."

I heard her voice, barely audible.

"Okay. On a night like this... I'll stay by Serina's side and keep her company."

My body seemed to be sweating slightly, and then a chill followed.

As I strolled along the cold night streets with the girl beside me, I suddenly noticed a small shop that was still open by the roadside.

"Candied apples... I didn't expect that a snack usually only sold at summer festivals or similar events would still be available at this time."

"Want some?"

I suddenly asked her.

"Huh?"

After a moment of confusion, the girl seemed stunned.

"Everything today revolves around Serina. Since Serina likes it... let's buy a pair to try."

As soon as she finished speaking, I noticed that the girl suddenly smiled after a brief moment of stunned silence.

"How strange... Even though I'm in the middle of such a cold night, I can still feel warmth."

"There's a feeling... that I'm not alone."

"A guardian angel...? Is that how Sensei sees me...?"

Touching her frostbitten cheeks, the girl gazed at the adult's retreating figure and murmured absentmindedly.

"If that's what Sensei thinks, then... I'll protect Sensei from now on..."

"I've already bought it, Serena, come and eat with us..."

I held a candied apple in front of the girl's cheek, then whispered something in her ear with a chuckle.

"Merry Christmas."

The girl accepted the candied apple without hesitation and gave me a sweet smile.

"Mry Christmas!" Sensei! 』

……

……

And so, he and Qinna spent a long Christmas Eve together, just the two of them...

—A cold night is never long.

If we keep each other company...

He is not alone.

This volume includes a summary at the end and an overview of your ranking progress.

(PS: I accidentally posted this as a paid chapter, so I'm reposting it.)

(The paid version's end-of-volume summary is exactly the same, so please don't subscribe to that one.)

Wow... we walked such a long way.

Having written this far, I'd say I've gained quite a bit.

I wrote about four events all at once, and my head is spinning...

Furthermore, although the number of favorites barely reached my goal (one-tenth of the number for "Survival in Azur Lane"), overall... compared to the authors I admire, this book still has many shortcomings. (Just today, on the day this chapter was published, I was fiercely criticized by readers in the group chat...)

(What can I do? After all, copying song lyrics was my own mistake, and I can't just shift the blame onto someone else, can I? I guess I have to accept the consequences.)

Only by experiencing pain can one truly feel "growth".

Thank you all for your unwavering support and companionship.

—I also want to express my special thanks to the reader who followed me into the group and even started attacking me (I guess I'm a masochist).

In short... the next volume will return to the main storyline of "The Little Rabbit"...

Well, future events definitely won't be dragged out this long (it's a lesson learned).

Perhaps we could follow the example of the pros (Survival in Azur Lane) and directly integrate it into the main storyline?

In short, writing strategies can be adjusted.

————Next, here is an overview of the points gained in this section——

Reading format: The number in parentheses is the amount of star rating increase each time. The number outside the parentheses is the current level after the increase.

PS: This is just a rough estimate and may not be entirely accurate.

Chapter 1: Crystal (★+1); ★2

Chapter 4: Qianqiu (★+1) Relationship Unlocked

Wife (Part 2) Abandoned by Age 3 (Li Yi Chapter 8: Izuna (★+1) Relationship Unlocked)

Chapter 11: Shizuko (★+1) Relationship Unlocked

Chapter 13: Jingzi (★+1): ★2

Chapter 15: Izuna (★+1): ★2

Chapter 18: Izuna (★+2): ★4

第二十一章：三森（★+1）：关系解禁；椿（★+1）：关系解禁；枫（★+1）：关系解禁。静子（★+1）：★3

第二十五章：三森（★+1）：★2；椿（★+1）；★2；枫（★+1）；★2。

Jingzi (★+1);★4

Chapter 26: Fina (★+1): Relationship Unlocked

Chapter 27: Izuna (★+1); ★5

Chapter 31: Sunny Day (★+1); ★2y/ue/yi-first/release

Chapter 34: One Flower (★+1):; ★2

Chapter 36: Qinna (★+1): ★2

Chapter 40: Noah's Full Bond: ★+2

Chapter 43: Liyin (★+1);★4

Chapter 44 (★+1): ★5

Chapter 45 Minor Snow (★+1): ★2

Chapter 48 Ajinko (★+1) ★5

Chapter 49: Yuriko (★+1)★4

Chapter 54: Celery (★+1)★3

Chapter 56: Hoshino (★+1) ★6

Chapter 57: Ayane (★+2) ★6

Chapter 60: Nomiya (★+2) ★3

Chapter 70: Yuriko (★+1) ★5

Chapter 71: Ayane (★+1) ★7

Chapter 73: Bai Zi (★+1) ★4

Chapter 77: Little Kong (★+1) ★4

Chapter 78: Violet (★+1) Relationship Unlocked

Chapter 79: Maki (★+1) Relationship unlocked; Chihiro (★+1) ★2

Chapter 80: Rin (★+1) ★3

Chapter 81: Flower Yeah (★+1) ★2

Chapter 83: Nia (★+1) Relationship Unlocked; Fina (★+1) ★2

Chapter 86: Izuna (★+1) ★6

Chapter 87: Jingzi (★+1)★5

Chapter 8179: Lan Wu (★+1) Relationship Unlocked

Chapter 90: Hoshino (★+1)★7

Chapter 91: Cinnamon (★+3)★6

Chapter 97: A Thousand Years (★+1) Relationship Unlocked

Chapter 99: Sansen (★+1)★3

Chapter 103: Jingzi (★+1)★6

Chapter 104: Nia (★+1 ★2)

Chapter 106: Orchid Dance (★+1 ★2)

Chapter 109: Ayane (★+1) ★8; Yuriko (★+1) ★6

第一百一十五章：野宫（★+1）★4；芹香（★+1）★7；白子（★+1）★5；星野（★+1）★8

Chapter 116: A Thousand Lifetimes (★+1★2)

Chapter 117: Nia (★+1) ★3

Chapter 119: Ayane's Full Bonds (★+2)

Chapter 120: Alona (★+1 ★5)

------------

So next, the MVP who ranked the fastest in this volume is—Ayane-chan!

A full six stars!

There's also Izuna—a full six stars!

The wavering of [belief]

Chapter One: Nicole's Visit

It is early April, and the "Start of Summer" is still a long way off.

However, in the Rain Palace located in Charlemagne, one can already clearly feel the atmosphere of summer.

Perhaps it's because of the "resort hunting" event that happened not long ago...?

He yawned slightly, and a faint layer of fog appeared on the lenses of his non-prescription glasses.

After finishing writing the document in her hand, Amamiya looked at the pink-haired girl sitting quietly on the guest sofa, calm and reserved, exuding a ladylike demeanor.

"Nicole..." After her gaze lingered briefly on the girl's pretty face, which held a hint of maturity yet was still youthful and innocent, Amamiya softly called out the girl's name, "You've waited until now... Isn't it time to explain why you've come?"

Seemingly accustomed to waiting... or rather, waiting, the girl stood up nimbly and picked up a bento box that was exquisitely made, reflecting the thoughtfulness of its maker.

This bento box is wrapped in a rather unique fabric that even carries a faint fragrance of girlishness mixed with the scent of some kind of flower petals. Even without opening the fabric, you can feel the overwhelming Japanese style.

"...I came to apologize."

After bowing her head slightly in apology, the fox-eared girl lifted the knot of the sushi with one hand and supported the bottom of the sushi with the other.

Maintaining this gentle yet solemn movement, she slowly approached Amamiya, handing her the bento box as she bowed deeply: "Regarding... the captain's matter from a while ago..."

"Well... the captain acted impulsively and talked back to you at the time..."

After stammering out the embarrassing 'accident' that had happened not long ago, the girl then resolutely handed the bento box towards Amamiya, as if to say, 'If Sensei doesn't accept this bento, I'll stay in this position forever.'

"This is my personal apology for this matter... Please accept it!"