I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Hello……"

Amamiya adjusted his non-prescription glasses, glanced at the other person briefly, and then asked with feigned curiosity, "So, the funding that Xia Lai applied for was all approved and allocated by Aoi?"

Although Aoi was somewhat confused by Amamiya's question, she still gave a brief answer: "Although the specific situation is a bit complicated... to put it simply, you can understand it this way."

Amamiya sighed, "So, I almost upset Aoi, who controls the economic lifeline of Xia Lai."

Kui paused for a moment, then shook her head with a slight chuckle: "It's not that bad."

【~???~】

Amidst the joyful notes of goodwill, Aoi then added seriously, "Rather than that, I'm actually happy about the series of 'revenue generation' resulting from your recent actions, Sensei... Thanks to you, the previously strained finances of the Federal Student Association have recently seen a significant improvement."

"Regarding the use of your image rights, Odyssey Ocean College paid a considerable image rights fee to the Federal Student Union."

"Furthermore, your redevelopment and revenue generation plans for the 'Paradise Lost Resort Islands'... have truly solved a pressing problem that has been troubling the Federal Student Association recently."

"In any case... I should thank you, not be angry about 'almost making me fall'."

As expected, in terms of negotiation style... Aoi's 'logic' and 'rationality' are similar to Yuka's before she opened up.

After a brief, knowing smile, Aoi immediately remembered that she had other things to do.

"Sensei, your next destination... if I'm not mistaken, is to go to the acting chairman and deliver the 'investigation report' on this incident, right?"

"If you have anything else to do... I won't bother you any longer."

Instead of making an excuse to leave, he found a target within himself and then indicated that he wouldn't disturb them...

That's brilliant.

Amamiya nodded: "I'll occasionally bother Aoi with this."

Aoi paused slightly as she left, glancing at Amamiya with a hint of confusion before quickly regaining her composure.

【~???~】

"Sensei wants to help, right? I appreciate your kindness..."

"If you have time to see me, you can come to the finance office of the Federal Student Union. I'll be here most of the time outside of my vacations."

After watching the other person open the door, enter the room marked "Document and Archives Room," and close the door behind them, Amamiya looked away.

Amamiya wasn't disappointed that she couldn't unlock a new bond on the spot.

For Amamiya, a bond that requires multiple interactions to build trust is actually the norm.

After saying goodbye to Aoi, Amamiya continued by elevator to Rin's office.

Having already established a considerable bond with Rin, and considering her own special status... Amamiya didn't knock; instead, she gently pushed open the office door after arriving at it.

With a slight 'click' of the door lock, Amamiya immediately heard the rustling of papers being turned and people writing rapidly.

Immersed in rapidly processing documents, the black-haired girl sitting behind the acting president's desk slightly raised her eyes.

Upon realizing that the person who pushed open the door was Amamiya, the seriousness she had subconsciously gathered immediately dissipated considerably.

"Long time no see, Rin-chan."

Rin took off the silk gloves she was wearing to prevent the documents from getting contaminated, then took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes, temporarily eliminating the fatigue and disarray between her brows.

"...Who is Rin-chan?"

【~???~】

After rolling her eyes charmingly and, as usual, giving a curt rebuttal to Amamiya's mostly teasing nickname, Rin let out a long sigh and leaned back slightly in her chair.

"Is Sensei here at this time... about the 'investigation report'?"

Rin sounded a little tired, and seeing this, Amamiya lost interest in teasing her further. Instead, she leaned over, pinched Rin's trembling elf ears, and patted her head, using the psychological counseling techniques she had learned from Maruki-sensei to help her relieve some of her psychological pressure.

"Yes, this is a summary of the relevant reports..."

Rin slightly shifted her ergonomic chair, picked up the document Amamiya had put down from the table, and, maintaining the 'mental relaxation service' of Amamiya pinching her ears and patting her head, opened the document and examined it in detail.

"Um……"

Rin turned the pages faster and faster, and put the document down again in less than five minutes.

"Preliminary confirmation has been made... This investigation report is within the scope of being archived. Considering the professionalism of the report writer (Nia), no further revisions are needed."

"That's good."

Rin didn't say anything, but leaned back in the recliner with her eyes half-closed, beginning her brief 'stress-relieving enjoyment'.

With Amamiya's mental relaxation services, she quickly 'regained her vitality'.

"Sensei, regarding the 'Paradise Lost Resort' incident, thank you for your report and the subsequent series of actions..."

After expressing her gratitude in a manner somewhat similar to Aoi's, Rin frowned slightly, then suddenly spoke with a hint of worry: "I've noticed that you seem to have had some contact with Hanaya recently..."

Seeing that Rin was completely relaxed, Amamiya decisively stopped the 'mental relaxation service'.

He asked 'casually', "What's wrong with Huaye?"

"She...has been behaving strangely lately. Sensei, you should keep an eye on her behavior."

Recalling what Nico had said about Yukino's 'mental abnormality' when she came to Xia Lai not long ago, Amamiya's lips curled into a smile.

Wow... Could this be the beginning of a [Palace of Another World]?

[I received advice and care from Rin.]

My bond with Rin has deepened...

【Nanagashi Rin (Advisor) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Although subconsciously she felt that she couldn't connect these two unfounded events, Amamiya still kept the 'suspicious points' in mind.

He nodded seriously: "Yes, I understand."

"Thank you for your concern, Rin-chan... I'll be more careful from now on."

"...Who is Rin-chan?"

Chapter Three: Flower, Put Away Your Bold Ideas

Amamiya had thought that, at least under Rin's 'instructions,' she could significantly reduce the frequency of Hanaya's disturbances...

However, he might be overthinking it.

Having left the "Federal Student Council President's Office," and just as he was about to return to Xia Lai's Rain Palace, he was 'coincidentally' stopped at the door.

Seemingly having been waiting for this moment, the pink-haired girl, with her large, ever-changing ahoge (antenna-like strand of hair) bobbing on her head, smiled and squinted at Amamiya, extending an invitation:

"It seems Sensei has just finished dealing with some matters... Do you have some time now?"

Amamiya: ...

For some reason, every time he saw Huaye, he had a feeling that "you can run away from the first day of the month but you can't hide from the fifteenth."

Perhaps it's because Hanaya's two-faced behavior and actions are somewhat similar to an acquaintance he knew from his days as a phantom thief ("Justice" Akechi Goro)...

When interacting with her, Amamiya, who usually didn't have any prejudice against others, naturally felt some aversion towards Hanaya.

Despite the aversion, further contact was still necessary to ascertain what Hanaya was up to.

After switching Persona to [Makatsu Izanagi], Amamiya imitated the 'detective prince's style of doing things' in his memory and gave Hanaya a friendly smile.

"I can still manage to find some time."

【~???~】

Seemingly particularly receptive to this approach, or perhaps very confident in her 'operation,' Hua Ye nodded slightly with apparent satisfaction.

"Sensei, it seems you haven't paid any attention to 'Valkyrie Academy' since you arrived in Giwatos, have you?"

Amamiya: ...

And you know what? Hanaya's question really hit Amamiya's blind spot.

After standing there stunned for a few seconds, Amamiya smiled helplessly: "That's true... Hanaya. In a broad sense, I'm a 'phantom thief'... Although my current identity is Sharai's Sensei, I used to be a phantom thief and was abused for stealing hearts... Do you think I should have feelings for them?"

Valkyrie Public Security Bureau Academy... just as its name suggests, it is practically the largest 'police brigade' in the entire Kivotos.

Located in the “Student Council District DU of the Kivotos Federation”, it is nominally responsible for maintaining the security of the entire Kivotos, but in reality, it does not have the authority to take action in other school autonomous regions. Therefore, it is often at the mercy of the enemy when facing cross-school crimes.

Hanaya frowned with sympathy: "So...Sensei also has a very painful past."

"As the Sensei appointed by the former president of the Federation Student Council, you have authority no less than that of the president, yet you have absolutely no understanding of the power you can rely on... That's a bit of a 'dereliction of duty,' isn't it?"

After slightly elongating her voice, as if teasing yet very serious, Hua Ye remained silent for a few seconds before revealing her true colors.

She made a fist, placed it to her lips, and coughed lightly: "I happen to have some time now..."

Amamiya was well aware of Hanaya's 'hint'—"Come and invite me, come and beg me, Sensei."

The way to deal with this kind of person is to "fight fire with fire".

Through several encounters with Hanaya, Amamiya realized that Hanaya's personality was somewhat similar to that of Goro Akechi in his memory.

And she is also the holder of the "desire" Arcana...

Arcana holders with this personality type generally live in their own 'world' and are pure individualists and vain.

Aside from those distorted lofty goals (Goro Akechi's revenge, Seigi Shido's control of the world, Toru Adachi's so-called 'upholding justice'), such assistants are generally more likely to amplify the praise others give them.

In other words, 'flattery and ingratiation' can increase the favorability of such people to some extent.

Having considered this, Amamiya chose to temporarily 'feign weakness'.

He lowered his head slightly, 'embarrassed' as he twirled his hair back and forth between his index finger and thumb.

This action is meaningless, but it demonstrates behavior under tension and panic.

“Indeed… as Huaye said, I haven’t done a perfect job in terms of ‘Shalai’s Sensei’…”

"At least regarding Valkyrie, it was my personal oversight. On this matter... I need Chief Hana's help."

【~???~】

Amamiya could sense that the moment her 'pleading' came out, Hanaya's sense of accomplishment soared to the point that even the ahoge on her head stood up straight—even so, her expression remained a 'squinting smile' that showed almost no change, making her seem 'unfathomable'.

“Since Sensei has said so~” The pink-haired girl, her tone slightly cheerful, hummed in satisfaction, “Then…”

"We still have plenty of time, shall I take you to Valkyrie's place for a look around?"

Amamiya did not refuse Hana's 'kindness'.

In many ways, he really needed to have a basic understanding of Valkyrie... and ideally, to get to know a few worthwhile people to help him.

As for Hua Ye... as a channel, she is indeed one of the best choices—after all, she is the head of the Defense Office of the Federal Student Association.

In every sense, Valkyrie had to listen to her.

Amamiya maintained his 'Akechi Goro-style' 'amiable' demeanor and smile: 'Then thank you for your kindness, Hanaya.'

【~???~】

"Then Sensei, come with me."

Hanaya's steps quickened slightly as she led Amamiya straight to the nearby parking lot.

After naturally getting a Federation Student Council bus, Hanaya drove with Amamiya in the passenger seat to the nearest Shiratori District, the large area where Valkyrie Academy is located, which is simply called DU.

Actually, as a huge area, this place is not just Valkyrie... but Amamiya and Hanaya's current destination is Valkyrie.

"Sensei, Valkyrie has arrived."

Without needing to say anything, Amamiya could see the solemn and dignified police station building through the car window, as well as the students quickly entering and leaving the nearby Valkyrie Police Station.

The Valkyrie students were slightly different from the students of other academies that Amamiya had seen before…

The most distinctive difference lies in their uniforms, which are police-issued and have a serious, unified style.

"Is this 'Valkyrie'...?"

To appease Hanaya, Amamiya feigned surprise and said, "It's quite different from the style I imagined..."

【~???~】

Hanaya was quite pleased with Amamiya's tone, which was close to praising but not quite.

She parked the car, and with a very mature demeanor, quickly ran to the passenger side, opened the passenger door from the outside, and made a "please" gesture.

“Indeed, as Sensei said… the atmosphere at Valkyrie is different from the other major academies; it’s quite ‘special’…”