I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya greeted them with a smile, and at the same time summoned Ishtar, the goddess of "love".

"Mediarahan".

The familiar healing skill, like a gentle spring rain, falls upon the earth, but the feeling evoked by Athena, the goddess of the "Chariot," is completely different from that of Ishtar.

Legend has it that the goddess of harvest and the goddess of Venus could summon the bright and distant starlight hanging in the night sky to the earth with just a wave of her hand, turning it into emerald green starlight that swirled and wrapped around everyone.

Like a green firework that explodes in the night sky and then disappears in an instant, the light rain lasted for less than a moment before vanishing.

As she had done not long ago, Amamiya inquired about the 'recovery progress' of the disciplinary committee members present: "How is everyone's recovery going?"

After receiving almost unanimous responses, Amamiya nodded, gave each of the dozen or so Disciplinary Committee members present a pat on the head as encouragement, then bid them farewell and headed to the Disciplinary Committee headquarters' infirmary.

"See, just as I said... Sensei is going to see the health committee member."

"Sensei already knows Captain Iori, Committee Chairperson Hina, and Administrator Ako... It's not something to be proud of that you can guess his next destination..."

"But Sensei patted my head the longest just now."

"...It's just that I was a little lucky."

A voice that had become somewhat overly sour came from behind her, but Amamiya didn't pay much attention to it.

After shaking his head with a smile, Amamiya entered the Disciplinary Committee headquarters without hindrance, under the watchful eyes of the Disciplinary Committee members.

Compared to the deepening night outside, the interior of the Disciplinary Committee headquarters remained as bright as ever.

At night... although there is no need to deal with the various impromptu deployments and firefights that would occur during the day, some members of the disciplinary committee still have to handle clerical work.

The health room, which ensures the health of the disciplinary committee members every day and assists in processing various forms, is also included in the 'clerical work' category.

Standing outside the infirmary, Amamiya did not knock on the door or try to push it open to enter. Instead, he first displayed his "professional hazard as a phantom thief."

After confirming that there were no surveillance cameras or other devices around, he carefully leaned against the wall and pressed his ear against the door to listen for any sounds inside.

The lights were on inside the infirmary, but it was very quiet.

Amamiya could only faintly hear the sound of a game soundtrack coming through the door, along with the rustling of paper being turned and the scratching of writing.

After confirming the situation, Amamiya knocked on the door solemnly.

The next moment, the music and rustling sounds inside the door stopped simultaneously, followed by the girl's slightly tired but still gentle voice.

"The door is unlocked, please come in."

With a click, Amamiya opened the door and her gaze met that of the flaxen-haired girl sitting behind her desk, processing stacks of documents.

Even through the thick lenses of his red-rimmed glasses, Amamiya could still clearly see the surprise that flashed in the girl's amber eyes the moment she saw him.

After a brief silence, Chinatsu took off her glasses, rubbed her eyes as if she doubted her vision, and then put them back on.

"..."

"Sensei?"

She tried asking a question.

Amamiya: "...Why do you sound doubtful?"

“Ah… no.”

The girl put down the documents in her hand, and stood up hastily, slightly embarrassed: "Um... I'm just a little... surprised that 'Sensei contacted me at this particular time.'"

As she stood up, Chika's gaze quickly swept over the tea table, water heater, and other utensils used to entertain guests.

Realizing she hadn't prepared anything, the girl's expression momentarily showed dejection and helplessness.

"I was originally planning to prepare some 'hospitality etiquette' for Sensei..."

As Chika removed her red silk gloves, her smile became increasingly forced.

"Um, if Sensei doesn't mind, I'll..."

Just as she was about to suggest going to the nearby convenience store to buy some supplies for guests, Amamiya shook her head, interrupting her.

"Actually, I think Chinatsu already has a lot of 'hospitality etiquette'."

"...?"

Chika tilted her head slightly, not quite understanding Amamiya's 'meaningful' words.

Amamiya paused for a moment, then spoke earnestly and sincerely: "To me, seeing the 'bespectacled beauty' flustered and shy when facing me is itself a special kind of... 'hospitality.'"

"...?!"

Chika's pupils dilated slightly. She was stunned for a moment, then blushed instantly.

【~???~】

"sen, Sensei..."

Amamiya adjusted her glasses: "Because I wear glasses, I'm somewhat of a 'glasses fetishist'... I hope Chinatsu doesn't mind?"

"Huh? Ah... Ah?!"

Chika was even more confused, and her brain briefly went blank.

【~???~】

After realizing what had happened, she took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

"Um, um... I don't, I don't mind..."

Unable to continue looking directly into Amamiya's eyes, Chinatsu hurriedly looked away, and couldn't help but start having all sorts of wild thoughts.

My heart is pounding...

'Is this... the attack power of the "Phantom Thief of Hearts"...?'

Chika lowered her guard...

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Himiya Chinatsu (The High Priestess) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

After swallowing softly, in order to prevent the conversation from taking an increasingly strange turn, she took the initiative to speak: "Well... that."

"Sensei... did you come to see me with a special request?"

Amamiya, who was quite satisfied with the effect of the bond skill "Aggressive Aura" that she had recently obtained from Iori, decisively gave up the idea of ​​teasing Chinatsu after noticing that Chinatsu had "gained vigilance".

— The outrageous statement about "aggressive aura" can only maintain its best effect when used occasionally.

Using it repeatedly will only make people feel that it is "frivolous and inappropriate".

Amamiya nodded.

"It's about Hina..."

Chapter Fifty: Our Club Has Declined...

"The Chairman's recent health condition...?"

In the darkness of night, a girl sitting on a bench with a cup of hot cocoa in her hand showed a brief moment of contemplation after listening to Amamiya's request.

The light from the streetlights overhead flickered and changed due to the flying insects swirling around them in spring. The rising steam from the self-heating cocoa cup blurred the lenses of her red-rimmed glasses. Chika gently exhaled, blowing away the steam swirling around the rim of the cup.

"The Chairman's health is indeed a key indicator that the Disciplinary Committee is paying close attention to, as it is closely related to the entire Disciplinary Committee..."

After considering it for a moment, the girl turned her head and summarized to Amamiya beside her: "Although Sensei asked me questions like 'Chairman Hina's health condition'..."

"Well... compared to her physical condition, Chairman Hina's mental state is a bit worse."

"Aside from her physical development being somewhat worrying, President Hina is in excellent health—in fact, her overall physical condition is among the best in the entire Gehenna Academy."

At this point, Chinatsu's expression held a hint of regret: "...If we could 'stand on our own,' perhaps Chairman Hina wouldn't have had to bear so much pressure."

After saying that, she leaned back on the park bench and looked up at the sky in a daze.

Amamiya could understand Chinatsu's situation of "wanting the will but not the ability".

From the perspective of "Ace", Hina and himself... in some ways, can be considered somewhat similar.

They are relied upon and recommended because of their reliability;

Due to their formidable combat power, they are often the core or the final act of battles, and they are almost never absent from battles large or small.

But she is different from myself.

Compared to the Phantom Thieves, who basically don't have to worry about paperwork, Hina, besides being relied upon for her "fighting prowess," also suffers from the pressure of heavy paperwork.

Sensing the emotions conveyed by the girl beside him, Amamiya said softly, "Chinatsu, you have a very strong sense of responsibility."

【~???~】(Chinatsu)

“A sense of responsibility alone is not enough…” Chinatsu sighed softly, “If only I could have the same level of competence as Chairman Hina…”

After expressing her feelings, she shook her head, interrupting herself.

"Well... let's get back to the Chairman's relaxation issue."

Chinatsu adjusted her glasses, hesitatingly asking, "Sensei, are you planning to... use the 'duty officer' arrangement to have Hina temporarily and completely leave the Disciplinary Committee for a day...?"

"Hmm. Will this put pressure on the disciplinary committee?"

Chinatsu seemed to want to make a 'twitching mouth' expression, but she held back after a short pause.

Of course there's pressure.

I'm under so much pressure.

The Disciplinary Committee is now operating under such intense pressure that "everyone is like a high-speed cog in a machine"... It could collapse even if it were to lose Hina, its "controlling core," for just one day.

At worst, it could descend into complete chaos.

After getting up and throwing her empty cocoa cup into the recycling bin across the street, Chika turned back and sat back down in her original spot.

After brushing aside her bangs, which were slightly disheveled by the night breeze, she lowered her shoulders slightly, trying to gather her composure.

"...If it's just for one day, there shouldn't be any problem."

Amamiya could naturally see Chinatsu's difficulty and reluctance, but he couldn't very well tease her for the 'ambition' and 'sacrifice' she made when she said those words.

—You should know that without Hina, even if Chinatsu were to manage the disciplinary committee for just one day, she would be under tremendous pressure.

"You've worked hard, Chinatsu."

【~???~】(Chinatsu)

Forcing a polite smile, the girl slowly shook her head: "...Considering the Chairman's mental state, making some 'sacrifices' is only natural."

“Sensei…” Her tone suddenly became more solemn than ever before, “The Chairperson… is now in your care.”

Amamiya: "..."

Why does it feel like entrusting a daughter to someone when it's clearly a subordinate asking someone to look after their boss?

"I will try my best to take care of Chairman Hina's...personal situation."

Having learned the necessary 'relevant information,' Amamiya stood up and bid farewell to Chinatsu.

"Thank you, Chika, for letting me know so much about the Chairman..."

"I will come to the Disciplinary Committee to see you later."

"Ha ha……"

Chinatsu chuckled as she stood up, glanced at Amamiya with pursed lips, and then said seriously, "...Then, I look forward to Sensei's next visit."

After saying goodbye to Chinatsu, Amamiya wandered alone through the deep night of Gehenna Academy.

As night deepened, even the most troublesome students in all of Givotos, such as the Ghena students, needed to rest.

The streets of the Ghena Autonomous Region are mostly quiet at night.

However, some streets remain brightly lit and never sleep.

Amamiya wandered around aimlessly, and on a corner of a street that was bustling in the evening, he noticed several familiar figures.

—The girls from Convenience Store 68, whom I met just yesterday.

They sat around a low stall chair, looking at each other in silence.

The streetlights were warm yellow, but the light reflected from the lanterns and decorations illuminating the girls' bodies and faces only created a sense of 'silence' and 'dead stillness'—a mottled and oppressive atmosphere.