I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

To date, the academy of only five people, Abydos, is still operating normally and even shows a trend of 'thin life and everything thriving'. The most important reason for this is that Abydos is now half-affiliated with Xia Lai.

After Abydos became "defunct in name only," many of its powers were gradually suspended and revoked by the Federal Student Union.

Without Xia Lai's support, let alone rebuilding the academy, even the operation and maintenance of airspace for helicopters to take to the skies would be impossible...

Even the procurement of equipment and the permit to "use weapons of mass destruction" are problematic.

Because of her clear understanding of Abydos, Nicole also had very unique ideas.

She saw it clearly.

The "SRT revival" that Captain Yukino Nanata hoped for is probably impossible.

But if SRT is to continue to exist at a minimum... Charlemagne's Sensei could easily do just that.

Unfortunately……

Thinking of this, Nicole sighed softly.

The wood is done.

They have already done the "attack on the Federal Student Council".

The deed is done... Afterwards, the Fox Squad will definitely be "purged," right?

'Ding--'

As the elevator doors opened, Amamiya led the thoughtful Nico through the large, open-plan corridor to the door of the "Shalai Club Activity Room".

Amamiya knocked on the door, and finding it ajar, pushed it open.

Outside the window was a bright, starry night, while Xia Lai's club activity room, which was also his office, was kept dimly lit.

Wearing an SRT school uniform and rabbit earrings, the black-haired girl who was sitting nervously on the sofa immediately stood up and gave Amamiya a forced greeting.

"Um, Sensei, welcome back..."

She was halfway through her greeting when the figure that came into view made her stop in disbelief, and the rest of her sentence turned into an interjection that was not quite appropriate.

"Eh……?"

Nicole, carrying a plastic bag full of various ingredients, smiled and waved: "Good evening, juniors of the Rabbit team."

While greeting her, Nicole also took a close look at her 'junior'.

The clothes were spotless, clearly having been washed recently with a meticulous washing method;

There was no dirt or grime on his body;

The nutrition seemed to be adequate, and there were no signs of 'being hungry' or 'being tired'.

The only noteworthy thing is that he looks somewhat exhausted because he stayed up so late in an unfamiliar environment.

'They must be being taken very well.'

Relying on her life experience, Nico quickly 'diagnosed' her junior's situation, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Amamiya with a gentle smile.

"It seems... Sensei really takes good care of them."

【~???~】(Nicole)

Nicole then began looking around the room, clearly searching for the kitchen.

"Sensei...and Miyu, haven't they had dinner yet?"

Noticing a 'kitchen' sign not far away, her eyes lit up, and her fox ears perked up with anticipation.

"Could I use the kitchen?"

After saying that, Nicole went into the specially prepared small kitchen.

Soon, the lights in the room came on, and the girl's neatly tied apron and the shadow of her preparing kitchen utensils were reflected on the glass.

Since Nicole was going to 'show off her skills', Amamiya had no intention of 'helping' her.

While Nico was busy in the kitchen, Amamiya looked at Miyu.

"During my absence, nothing unusual should have happened in Xia Lai, right?"

Miyu thought for a moment and then quickly shook her head: "N-no..."

"I see... Miyu did her best."

As Amamiya spoke, he leaned over and patted the head of the confused and bewildered girl.

'Why?'

'I didn't do anything... yet I still got praised?'

A small circle appeared in Miyu's eyes.

She couldn't understand why she had received such unwarranted praise...

But this doesn't prevent her from deriving a warm feeling of 'being recognized' from the praise.

[Mei You's guard has lowered further...]

The bond between Miyu and him has deepened...

【Xiaze Meiyou (Hermit) ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

'Although I don't know why I was praised...'

'But, I'm so happy...'

After "soothing" Miyu, Amamiya began to think about going to the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau tomorrow to welcome the Rabbit Squad.

'Perhaps, I could talk to Nicole about it…'

Chapter Thirty-Four: Who is the cutest fox in the Fox Squad...?

The nights in early spring often carry a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

Amamiya felt that this feeling was inextricably linked to the fox-eared girl in front of him, with her long eyelashes, gentle gaze, and eyes that were almost like those of a virtuous wife looking at her husband.

"Sensei..."

Gently swirling the small bowl in the style of a night parade of demons in her hand, and holding a steaming metal spoon in her other hand, the pink-haired, fox-eared girl raised an eyebrow at Amamiya with a bright smile: "Want to try it?"

"This is a dish I specially learned, a style of cooking inspired by the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons."

"I am very confident in my culinary skills. If you are satisfied with the meal..."

With a slight smile, Nicole paused for a moment before speaking earnestly and expectantly: "...That would be my honor."

That's so gentle...

Meeting the gentle gaze of the girl's light blue eyes, Amamiya couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

If we quantify it according to the "personality index"... the five-dimensional system of "knowledge", "dexterity", "charm", "consideration" and "courage", not to mention other areas... at least in the area of ​​"consideration", Nicole has completely maxed it out.

Taking the small bowl from the girl and then a pair of chopsticks from the cutlery box beside her, Amamiya couldn't help but turn her gaze to Nico, who was wearing a red apron and had returned to the stove to start 'busying' herself.

After tasting the rich soup, which seemed to be made with the girl's earnestness and gentleness, Amamiya sincerely praised it: "It seems to have a unique gentleness... Drinking a little bit makes me feel better."

The girl in front of the stove didn't stop moving, and the fox ears on her head trembled violently a few times.

"is it?"

Even with her back turned, Amamiya could hear the gentle smile in Nicole's voice when she said those words.

"I'm glad Sensei likes it."

Your recognition is a special encouragement to me.

【~???~】(Nicole)

After turning the fire down, the girl, whose attention had been entirely focused on the stove, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After wiping the moisture and kitchen grime from her hands with her apron, Nicole turned to Amamiya and asked, "So...Sensei, is there something you want to tell me?"

As a truly gentle and approachable vice-captain of the Fox Squad, Nicole possesses more than just 'maternal allure'; she also has the judgment and keen insight that the Fox Squad should have.

She naturally realized that Amamiya's reason for coming to the kitchen to help... was definitely not just a simple 'help'.

There must be... some topics that are inconvenient to tell Miyu, right?

"Then I'll get straight to the point... Nicole."

Amamiya glanced towards the kitchen door: "From a senior's perspective... what do you think of the 'juniors' of the Fox Squad?"

"Sensei wants to know my opinion of them, right?"

Nicole tilted her head slightly, looking thoughtfully at the ceiling.

"As for my opinion of them...?"

After careful consideration and summarizing her impressions of the younger members from her own perspective, Nicole replied, "From the perspectives of the team's cohesion, cooperation, and tacit understanding..."

"Or... to put it more abstractly, but in a more easily understood way—the Fox Squad has a 'team spirit,' but the Rabbit Squad, which has only just completed its group training, does not."

Amamiya nodded—judging from the previous 'interrogation results,' the Rabbit Squad really does lack cohesion.

Currently, they are a group of students from the same college who have roughly the same interests and have managed to put together a team.

Nicole summarized the relationships, cooperation, and tactical skills among the team members into a single word—"team spirit"—which, in a sense, is a concise yet easy-to-understand description.

"So, what about their personal evaluations?"

"Personal evaluation..."

Nico didn't hesitate for long this time. After quickly gathering her thoughts, she answered decisively, "First of all, there's the captain of this 'temporary squad'—Yukino Tsukiyuki. In her, I see the shadow of our Fox Squad's captain... Yukino."

“Although we didn’t have much contact…” Nicole said, lowering her head and shaking her head, her tone seemingly carrying a hint of regret or remorse, “but I think that child must be a rather stubborn one, right?”

"Sense`翼lin ]g易妻四武IX思9爸i... If you truly wish to help these younger generations, please ensure you provide the correct guidance—students should learn to be flexible and adaptable, to consider the bigger picture, and not become 'shells that only know how to complete tasks.'"

Seeing Yukino's shadow in Miyako... and intending to 'take it as a warning'?

“I understand. If possible... I will try my best to keep an eye on Miyako.”

【~???~】(Nicole)

After receiving Amamiya's response, Nico continued, "Next up is a team member, Sorai Emi..."

"In my opinion, this child doesn't have any major flaws, but he should learn to be more flexible in his daily life..."

"Then, it's about the team members, Kazakura Moe..."

Thinking of Moe, Nicole became visibly troubled.

"That child...in my opinion, has a very special...unique hobby."

'Firepower supremacist', 'explosion maniac', isn't that just a unique hobby?

"Finally, there's Kasumizawa Miyu... She has a very low profile. She's also timid and insecure... I think we should show her more care and concern."

After summarizing the experiences of all the rabbit team members, the stove that Nicole was overseeing, which was now simmering, was ready to be heated.

Immersed in summarizing her experiences with her juniors, the fox-eared girl didn't forget what she needed to do. Noticing the change in the pot, she immediately turned off the stove completely and plated the sumptuous 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons' dinner.

"Ah...it's all ready."

"Sensei, could you lend a hand?"

Amamiya naturally took on the task of plating and tidying up the tableware.

“Nicole, I’ve already spoken with the Federation Student Council about the SRT team… They’ve said there are no problems and the remaining three members of the Rabbit Team will be released from the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau tomorrow.”

Taking this opportunity, Amamiya made her request.

"In order to rebuild their trust in me, or rather, to minimize the negative impact of the 'unpleasant first encounter,' could Ni come with me?"

As we all know, prejudice in people's hearts is a huge mountain.

Once a preconceived notion is established, it takes several times, even dozens of times, more effort to reverse it.

Amamiya knew that her first encounter with the Rabbit Squad, apart from Miyu, was definitely not pleasant.

After all, how can "wonderful" be described as leading another squad to "wipe them all out" on their very first meeting?

Amamiya didn't even need to guess to realize that, right now... in the eyes of Miyako, Saki, and Moe, his image as a "bad adult" might have already begun to take shape.