I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

It was late spring, and the leaden, gloomy sky seemed poised to unleash the final rain of spring.

All that remained of the sky outside the window was the distant view of the Xialai residential area and endless cirrocumulus clouds.

Amamiya casually picked up the non-reflective mirror that was placed on the bedside table and put it on as a mask.

Although glasses are not needed to correct vision... when necessary, they can be used to cover one's eyes, like a mask to conceal oneself, and non-prescription glasses are the most common choice.

On the bed, the girl wrapped in a blanket slowly woke up from her drowsy state.

"Sensei..."

After instinctively calling out, Saori suddenly woke up.

Clutching the blanket that vaguely revealed her body, she sat sideways against the window frame, the mist in her eyes instantly dispelled as she regained consciousness.

Recalling the experience of last night—tight, powerful, varied, unpredictable, and sleepless—Sha Zhi sighed softly in silence.

In the end, they did it anyway...

'In a moment of impulse, it's easy to do some... very...'

'Afterwards, people will doubt what they actually did... such a thing.'

"Saori, how's your recovery going?"

After attempting to take action, Saori gave an uncertain response: "If nothing unexpected happens... we won't be able to carry out normal operations until at least noon."

"so……"

“Saori, you can rest in this lounge for now… As for the rest of Arios’s team, I…”

Saori clasped her hands together, giving a light but firm clap, and expressed her request with a complex yet quite sincere expression: "...Please, Sensi, be sure to keep this a secret for me."

Amamiya opened her mouth, then nodded with a wry smile.

"I understand."

"So, Saori...do you want to continue our 'tender moments' before the day begins?"

Saori remained silent.

A moment later, she rested her cheek on her knees and softly hummed in agreement.

"……Um."

After another round of 'pre-dawn tenderness' with Saori, Amamiya left Xia Lai's residential area feeling refreshed.

Today, we still need to deal with the rabbit team's 'clothing, food, shelter and transportation' issues, and then we also need to make some arrangements for the specific itinerary of "a day's escape with Hina"... There really isn't enough time.

Stepping through the morning mist, Amamiya arrived at Xia Lai's office building and entered the Angel 24 convenience store, which had opened early.

At this time of day, most of the students at Kivotos are either busy preparing for the day's events or... still huddled in bed.

As for Xiao Kong, although she is relatively young... she has already stepped into the 'former category' at a very early age.

When Amamiya entered the convenience store, Sora had already brought over a small box to elevate her. She stood behind the cashier, yawning, her eyes watering, and looking extremely sleepy, preparing to handle today's "Angel 24" business.

Upon seeing Amamiya enter, the blonde loli-like girl showed no sign of unnatural panic.

She has gradually gotten used to the 'adult figure' that suddenly appears in her daily life and will continue to accompany her in the future.

"Morning~"

Rubbing her eyes and speaking in a tone that couldn't hide her sleepiness, Xiao Kong greeted everyone, sounding 'not in good spirits at all,' before immediately switching into business mode: "Sensei... is there anything special you need today?"

Since it concerned the 'food, clothing, shelter and transportation' of the entire squad, Amamiya naturally omitted some of the pre-arranged pleasantries.

He approached the counter and sat down in the seat that Xiao Kong had specially prepared for him.

"Regarding some product issues of Angel 24... especially the near-expiry food that can no longer be sold."

"Xiao Kong, I'd like to ask how Angel24 usually handles these kinds of near-expiry goods?"

Xiao Kong yawned softly, completely dispelling her drowsiness.

"Hmm... food nearing its expiration date..."

"This is usually handled by Saori-senpai and the others..."

"In addition, occasionally... students from the Fox Squad will come to buy small quantities..."

Amamiya: "..."

Hearing Sora address Saori as 'senpai', he couldn't help but chuckle.

Last night, when he ran into Saori, who was working as a temporary clerk at Angel 24, Saori called Sora "senpai" (senior)...

And today, Sora is calling Saori "senpai" again...

what is this?

Senior cycle?

"That's it..."

Amamiya nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

"Xiao Kong, can I ask you for a favor?"

"W-What's wrong?"

Although Sora is no longer nervous when facing Amamiya...

But it was just a matter of not being nervous during 'normal face-to-face conversation'.

Looking up to the gentleness and maturity naturally emanating from the adults before her, and yearning to become such an adult herself, Xiaokong naturally wanted to use her abilities to help these adults who had helped so many students solve their problems.

However, while having this thought, Xiao Kong was also a little scared.

They are afraid that if they act rashly, the situation will backfire.

She was afraid that she would not only fail to help Sensei, but would also cause her trouble...

Xiao Kong swallowed hard, her expression turning timid: "Is there anything I can do for Sensei?"

"It's about a small team..."

After considering it for a moment, Amamiya gave her the rest of what she had already told Sora about the situation of SRT Academy and its students.

After summarizing the Rabbit Squad's lack of everything, Amamiya concluded, "...Due to the Rabbit Squad's special circumstances, I want them to work for Angel 24 at Sora's shop."

Those who are proud and arrogant especially despise "food offered with contempt" when they are down on their luck.

A well-intentioned act of "feeding" may not necessarily win their favor; on the contrary, it may even make them dislike you.

Because they might feel that the food you kindly give them is not fulfilling their basic needs, but rather trampling on their dignity.

Therefore, Amamiya's strategy for the now "down-and-out" rabbit team is to first solve their most basic "food problem," and then provide them with the means to "provide them with food, clothing, shelter, and transportation."

But specifically... they'll have to figure out a solution themselves.

The hunting of the 'little rabbits' cannot be rushed.

The analogy of boiling a frog in lukewarm water perfectly illustrates this principle.

Direct, overly eager approaches are not a good choice.

“Eh…Is that so?”

After listening attentively to Amamiya's account, Sora frowned with sympathy: "According to Sensei, the seniors of the Rabbit Squad..."

While Xiaokong was pondering, Amamiya had already gotten up and bought a complete set of towels, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities for everyone in the Rabbit Squad from the nearest household goods section.

After a moment's thought, considering the current situation of the Rabbit Team camping in Rabbit Park, Amamiya went to the nearby hardware store and bought some portable equipment for camping, such as multi-functional shovels, fishing gear, and portable gas stoves.

Combining the supplies they bought last night, which Saori paid for, this should be enough for the Rabbit Squad's needs for quite some time...

While pondering, Amamiya pushed the shopping cart to the checkout counter.

Amamiya was about to speak and ask Sora, who was deep in thought, to pay the bill, but the next second Sora herself broke free from the vortex of her thoughts.

The blonde girl suddenly looked up, her sky-blue eyes filled with a determination and longing that Amamiya couldn't quite decipher.

"Sensei, you really care about the students..."

"However, Sensei, who has always cared for the students... rarely receives care from them..."

Amamiya is funny.

It's only natural that he cares about the students.

As for students caring about themselves...

Yes, it does exist, but you just didn't see it, Xiao Kong.

Amamiya remained silent, enduring the gaze from Sora's sparkling sky-blue eyes.

"So that Sensei's care won't be tarnished...so that Sensei will also receive a response of care..."

"I...I will try my best to help!"

With a longing for 'adult care' lingering on her tender face, Xiao Kong finished scanning the code to pay and decisively entered '50% OFF' as the discount on the final checkout page.

"Also... regarding Sensei's mention of 'part-time work'... you can inform the members of the Rabbit Squad. Angel 24 is always welcome!"

I could feel the unwavering determination emanating from Xiao Kong...

[My bond with Xiaokong has deepened...]

【Empty (Hermit) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆】

[★5 Bond Ability "Convenience Discount" is now unlocked!]

Amamiya: "..."

Although I don't know what Xiaokong is determined about, I can't refuse this kindness.

"Then I will accept Xiao Kong's kind offer on behalf of the members of the Rabbit Squad."

Chapter Forty-Eight: The first step in winning over the rabbits is...

One day has passed since the members of the Rabbit Squad were 'captured' and then released by Valkyrie.

Having gained genuine permission from Amamiya to camp and live in Usagi Park, the girls of the Usagi Squad no longer had to 'hide and hide' like before.

Arriving at the familiar overpass, and standing at the highest point to observe the overall situation of Rabbit Park, Amamiya only glanced around before noticing the Rabbit Team's campsite located next to the lakeside open space.

The little rabbits seem to be in a very special 'nothing to do' phase in the morning.

As Amamiya noticed the girls in the park, Saki was carrying a bucket full of water, returning from the lakeside, seemingly preparing for her morning wash.

Meanwhile, Miyako was sorting through the rabbit squad's dwindling supplies, which were barely enough to sustain their survival, while Moe was observing the weather.

Despite the distance, Amamiya, with his "phantom thief's superb eyesight," could still read the unease in Moe's expression as she occasionally looked up at the sky.

During the transition from spring to summer, it is relatively easy for rain to occur due to weather convection.

For the rabbit team now camping out in the park... rain, especially heavy rain, is a 'disaster' that cannot be described in any words.

Amamiya withdrew her gaze and, carrying two large bags of supplies, arrived at a brand-new trash can nearby.

With one hand free, he knocked on the top of the trash can as if knocking on a door.

This time, the trash can wasn't locked as tightly as it had been the first time we met.

After a slight shake, the lid of the trash can opened from the inside, and a little rabbit with fallen leaves on its head, looking 'dusty and dirty' but not at all slovenly, timidly poked its head out.

"sen, Sensei...?"

Compared to their first meeting, Mei You did not show any obvious "keep away" vigilance this time.

"Miyu, I brought some things for everyone... Also, it's to help ease the awkward situation of the Rabbit Team."

Let's get in touch with everyone.

【~???~】(Miyu)

Now, Miyu can naturally accept Amamiya's kindness.

It's not just because of trust, but also because...