I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

【~???~】(time)

Despite the subtle pressure around her, Amamiya casually picked up her wine glass, took a slow sip, and then expressed her appreciation.

Feeling a gaze that had become noticeably sharper, Amamiya felt a cold sweat creeping down her back.

Maintaining his composure, he casually placed the wine glass back in its place while glancing at the blue-haired administrator who seemed somewhat 'furious' beside him.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Administrator Ako?"

"Shouldn't we be discussing serious matters right now?"

Ako immediately calmed down, suppressing her resentment, but her tone still betrayed her anger: "Sensei is right... Let's talk about why you haven't visited Gehenna's place lately..."

"You haven't been to our Gehenna Disciplinary Committee for a while now, and you've had very little contact with the Pandemonium... The only people you've had contact with, Gehenna's students, are all troublemakers (members of the Hot Spring Development Department)!"

As she spoke, Ako seemed to want to slam her hand on the table to increase her momentum.

But when she saw the wine glasses and various documents on the table, she hesitated for a moment and decided not to do it.

"Regarding your recent moves... I need a reasonable explanation for the Chairman!"

Amamiya: ...

The 'main topic' I'm referring to isn't this one...

After a brief hesitation, Amamiya stopped paying attention to Ako and instead looked at Hina, who was holding a glass filled with a deep purple drink and whose eyes were vacant.

After considering it carefully, Amamiya asked, "Hina, have you been having some troubles lately?"

Sometimes, it's necessary to ask questions about 'obvious' topics.

Yes, he could see Hina's problem at a glance...

But whether he could see it was one thing, whether Hina was willing to say it was another.

"Ah."

"I've had a lot to say to Sensei about the disciplinary committee lately..."

After saying this with a complicated meaning, Hina lazily glanced around the office at the 'other targets,' including Ayako.

Amamiya, of course, immediately took into account Hina's expression and reaction, so he didn't ask any further questions.

Clearly, Hina was taking into account the 'outsiders' in the room.

She even took into account the fact that 'she was being aggressive because of her.'

Hina clearly has some topics she wants to talk about with herself when she's alone.

Amamiya then looked at Yuzu, who seemed a little too subdued by the oppressive atmosphere in the office.

'A while ago it was Miyu, now it's Yuzu…'

'I've been having a strange connection with the students of "The Hermit" Arcana lately...'

"If Hina has any 'private topics,' let's leave them for later."

Amamiya got up, walked to the sofa and sat down, directly next to Yuzu, whose face looked like a bitter gourd.

The red-haired girl, who was almost curled up in fear, calmed down considerably after sitting down next to Amamiya.

"So... does Yuzu have some special request that led her to suddenly come to Xia Lai?"

Yuzu paused for a moment, and as soon as she looked up, she felt more than one gaze upon her.

The 'cold scrutiny' of time;

Ako's 'sharp edge';

A curious question from a big shot in Hina;

There was even a dish from Azuko on the balcony, 'gentle yet distant';

Being a socially anxious person to begin with, she immediately lost her composure.

Of all these gazes, the one that frightened her the most was Hina's gaze—because of Hina's innate 'judge' aura, even mere curiosity was enough to create a sense of pressure for Yuzu like that of an 'extremely difficult final boss'.

"I, I, I, I..."

After stammering for a moment, Yuzu took a deep breath and gripped the hem of her clothes tightly: "I'll deliver...deliver the message for Kai..."

"Kay said she needs to discuss her own activities with you..."

"Also, Alice, and everyone in the game development department really wants to see you..."

What about Kay's personal activities...?

Speaking of which, she still shares the same body with Alice... Considering that Albatross has started customizing humanoid bodies to make it easier for them to move around, Kai's personal mobility issues are indeed worth putting on the agenda.

Also... it's been quite a while since I've seen the 'troublemakers' from the game development department.

Amamiya understood, then asked curiously, "Then why was it Yuzu who came to talk about this, and not Momoi, Midori, or Alice?"

"Because..." Yuzu's voice was sweet and soft, but instead of the joy of a victor, it was slightly tearful, "I won the Joker game..."

Her answer might have sounded a bit abrupt, but Amamiya understood.

Before setting off, the girls in the games club played a round of Joker, where the loser had to go find Sensei.

Then, thanks to her talent as a "gaming master," Yuzu was lucky enough to draw the Joker.

Amidst the envious or jealous gazes of the other three members of the gaming club, Yuzu, who could be aptly described as a "socially anxious otaku," embarked on her journey with a bitter expression.

"Going out is an extremely difficult thing for Yuzu..."

Amamiya sighed softly, "Yuzu did her best too."

【~???~】(Pomelo)

"So... how should Sensei plan the operation today?"

Sensi, who called herself Amamiya's "personal maid," spoke up at the opportune moment: "Sensi, are you going to take care of the little bunnies today?"

Upon hearing a new keyword, Ayako immediately raised an eyebrow and glared at Amamiya with an aggressive and questioning look.

'Sensei seems to have more and more "pets"...'

'When we played the "pet game" before...'

Amamiya found it quite amusing.

Ayako, what's with that "Sensei's pet only needs me" look in your eyes?

Amamiya found Ako's little reaction quite amusing, but was also a little curious as to why Shi suddenly brought up the Rabbit Squad's situation, something she wouldn't normally be paying attention to.

They seem eager to try...are they planning to compete with the 'little rabbits' of the Rabbit Squad and crush them?

"The Rabbit Squad needs some time to settle down... If you're really interested in them, I'll take you with me when I visit them."

【~???~】(time)

Having received the response he most desired, he said nothing more.

"Understood. Sensei, you can proceed with today's plans. While you're away, I'll keep an eye on Xia Lai."

Amamiya stood up from the sofa and pondered for a moment.

'Regarding the disciplinary committee matter… we can wait until evening to go to Gehenna… evening is also precisely the time when the disciplinary committee members are at their most relaxed.'

"And back then, I often whispered secrets to Hina."

So... for now, let's prioritize dealing with the game club's affairs.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: A special relationship developed between him and Yuzu...

In the afternoon, the trams near the Millennium Science Academy area are definitely a great option for taking a break from your busy schedule and enjoying sightseeing.

Sitting in the last row of the tram, feeling the rear window behind you and the windows on both sides, and enjoying the leisurely afternoon is a special kind of enjoyment.

This 'special enjoyment' is especially evident when satisfying the desire for a 'cute little creature' that clings close to you, greedily absorbing the sense of security born from the closeness of your heart.

Feeling the girl's soft, slightly cool hand slowly reaching towards him and quietly falling into his grasp, Amamiya calmly withdrew his gaze from the sunlit street outside the window.

The red-haired girl, whose hand was tightly clasped with his, would occasionally glance at him, only to have her gaze vanish in the next instant like a fleeting glimpse of a swan. For a fleeting moment, Amamiya had the illusion that he was watching a lighthearted romantic comedy.

After a moment of disorientation, Amamiya, following the rhythm and frequency of Yuzu's gaze, met Yuzu's eyes at the perfect moment.

"Well……"

In just a moment, Yuzu's temples were covered in sweat, and her face turned red with embarrassment.

Yuzu's gaze wandered aimlessly, and she froze like a statue, subconsciously avoiding Amamiya's continued stare.

Amamiya reached out and, amidst Yuzu's (≧≦) peculiar expression, poked her smooth forehead with her index finger.

"Wu... sen, Sensei?"

After being poked by Amamiya, Yuzu was actually less flustered.

As her heart raced slightly with the close contact, Yuzu was also confused by Amamiya's 'intimate contact' in her eyes.

This is different from the "pat on the head" or "pinch on the cheek" often described in games...

Sensei seems to...prefer...my...forehead?

Why exactly...

"This is a rare opportunity to get to know each other. Is there anything you'd like to say, or anything you'd like to do, Yuzu?"

Do you have something to say, or something you want to do...?

Yuzu's chaotic and wandering gaze gradually calmed down, and even became slightly resolute.

'Sensei is right... This is a rare trigger point for a bond storyline...'

An empty tram, and... a chance to be alone...

After swallowing softly, Yuzu, like a player preparing for a boss battle, mentally rehearsed and planned what she was going to do.

As the vehicle entered a 'scenic area' with trees and various plants and flowers planted on both sides, the driverless tram entered sightseeing mode as programmed.

The few passengers sitting in the front row instinctively turned their gaze to the window, admiring the scenery that blended science fiction style with fantastical greenery without feeling out of place.

And pomelo...

After a long period of 'closed-eye meditation', she made a bold move that she herself found unprecedented.

After confirming that no other eyes were on her and that there were no surveillance cameras nearby that could capture the scene, Yuzu lightly got up and sat on Amamiya's lap.

As the sunlight began to brighten, the red-haired girl, recalling her 'game experience,' turned and gazed back from what appeared to be an anime-style 'turning-around angle' in a CG sequence.

Her long, red hair, reaching past her knees, cascaded down like a waterfall with this small movement, and the small bow tied at the end of her hair carried a slightly damp fragrance unique to a homebody like her.

For a moment, Amamiya felt as if she were enveloped in something "fuzzy".

Yuzu's hair volume, while not as astonishing as Iroha's, which makes her look like a real 'fluffy ball', is absolutely unique in that it's dense, rich, and silky, creating an itchy sensation as it brushes against your cheeks and neck.

'...'

In the silence, the girl hurriedly adjusted her posture and leaned slightly closer to Amamiya's embrace.

"Is this okay?"

Her blue eyes rippled like water, revealing a timid and pitiful quality that naturally evoked a protective instinct. Lu asked timidly in a soft voice, "Sensei... you shouldn't dislike this kind of contact, right?"

Amamiya shook her head slightly as she began to help Yuzu braid the plaits that came loose at her temples with the movement.

"The pomelo is cute."

"Why should I hate cute grapefruits and their intimate contact with me?"

"Rather than saying, I sometimes want to have a little close contact with cute grapefruits like this."

"Because I feel like I've developed a kind of... 'cute destructive urge' towards grapefruit."

【~???~】(Pomelo)

is that so?

Yuzu blinked, then quickly understood.

It turns out that Sensei's act of 'poking her forehead' was also because...