I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Under Hoshino's intensely swaying gaze, Amamiya rode the "Phantom" bicycle, and Hina, who was sitting on the back, embarked on the "next stop of the journey".

After cycling all the way to the station, in order to avoid the midday sun, Amamiya and Hina simply parked their bicycles temporarily at the parking area and then went into the station's waiting room.

With the door closed, the cool air from the air conditioner inside the room created a barrier, keeping out the midday heat of the desert region.

Hina immediately found a seat and sat down, then pinched her hair, which had become soft and limp from being soaked with sweat.

While it wasn't to the point where you could "squeeze water out of it," the feeling of being soaked in sweat... was definitely quite uncomfortable.

After a moment of hesitation, the girl quietly raised her eyes and looked at the back of the adult who was standing next to the vending machine in the room, buying an iced drink. The adult's clothes seemed to be soaked with her sweat.

He pulled a white handkerchief from inside his military uniform and carefully wiped his cheeks. After the fine sweat on his forehead cleared, Hina couldn't help but start to let his mind wander again.

'Sensei's physique seems exaggerated... Despite the high-intensity exercise in this other world, and maintaining speed while cycling the entire time... he doesn't sweat at all.'

'It feels so uncomfortable to be soaked in sweat...'

'I hope Sensei won't be bothered by my sweat staining her clothes...'

As the girl was lost in thought, a bottle of chilled energy drink was placed on her forehead.

Hina suddenly snapped out of her reverie and met Amamiya's slightly teasing gaze and smile, which seemed to have read her thoughts.

Hina paused for a moment, her thoughts still racing, but her body instinctively reacted as if Ako and Chinatsu had brought her drinks.

After taking it, Hina subconsciously said thank you: "...Thank you."

"...?"

"?!"

"Um, Sensei, I..."

Realizing that she had just done something terrible, Hina hurriedly tried to explain.

Amamiya smiled and shook her head slightly before sitting down next to Hina.

'...Huh?'

After a moment of hesitation, Hina shrank back, trying to create some distance between herself and Amamiya.

"Um...Sensei...can we move a little further away now...?"

"He was sweating a lot and was very dirty..."

Amamiya, however, continued to approach relentlessly, even going so far as to place both hands on Hina's waist and, as if catching a cat, directly embrace the bewildered white-haired girl.

"...sen, Sensei?"

Amamiya grabbed a lock of Hina's hair and smelled it.

Upon hearing the faint sound of breathing, Hina's brain went blank for a moment.

What is Sensei doing?!

This kind of behavior...

I felt incredibly ashamed, but...

I don't know why, but subconsciously I didn't want to refuse...

After a very slight struggle, Hina blushed, cupped her cheeks, and tried to hide her shyness with her bangs, like an ostrich trying to deceive itself.

"Hina does have a sweaty smell... but even if it is, it smells nice."

"...Sensei?!"

Hina's voice rose several octaves, her petite body curled up in a ball, trembling slightly, while her small wings behind her began to flap uncontrollably due to excessive excitement, clearly indicating that she was too ashamed to express herself.

"What...what are you talking about?!"

Amamiya said seriously, "I'm just telling the truth."

【~???~】(Hina)

[I've grown even closer to Hina...]

【Hina Sorasaki (Judgment) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆】

"Sen, Sensi... No, don't smell it anymore..."

My heart pounded fiercely, like a furnace for forging emotions, growing ever more intense.

Hina, who was really 'unable to accept' it, finally jumped out of Amamiya's arms.

"Let's hurry and go somewhere else..."

"Narina, which 'next stop' would you like to go to next?"

A choice must be made before Sensei goes any further in 'making herself weird'...

In her haste, Hina glanced at the station map screen in the waiting room.

"Sensei... Let's go to the Classic of Mountains and Seas next."

Chapter Fifty-Six: Since ancient times, "love" has been full of oddities.

"Huff...Huff..."

As the train's whistle, signaling its slowing down and approaching the station, drifted into the distance, the tranquility created by the misty, rainy alleyway, reminiscent of the Classic of Mountains and Seas and dominated by bright red and other classical colors, seemed to be briefly broken.

But then, everything returned to calm as the passengers disembarked.

During the rainy season, the pavilions and towers, with their upturned eaves dripping with raindrops, create a serene atmosphere amidst the various natural sounds of the rain.

The buildings, mostly bright red and in both antique and modern styles, present a picturesque scene, resembling a poetic ink painting.

Having just gotten off the train, Hina stood on the platform almost pressed against the glass, quietly watching the 'silent world' unfold before her.

The heat that had accumulated in the desert not long ago was completely dispelled by the misty rain of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Having spent most of his time in the Gehenna region, Hinai had never seen such a 'poetic' rain scene before.

Hina slowly came back to her senses only when the rain gradually blurred and the reflection of the white-haired, purple-eyed girl on the glass became blurred by her breath.

"What a beautiful rainy scene..."

Hina's reflections resonated with Amamiya, who nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the "rain scenes" in the Classic of Mountains and Seas possess a mysterious charm... which can be considered a characteristic of the region described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"I never imagined that the idea of ​​'walking together in the rain,' which I discussed with Hina not long ago... would come true so soon."

After paying at the self-service umbrella stand in the waiting room, I picked up an umbrella with characteristics of the Shan Hai Jing region, specially made in the style of an "oiled paper umbrella," and then Amamiya went to the vicinity of the exit.

He didn't step into the rain immediately, but first opened a crack in the door, stretched out his hand, and felt the size and intensity of the rain.

After confirming through physical sensation, Amamiya returned to Hina's side and looked at the girl, whose clothes were soaked with sweat from the previous desert trip, and whose originally fluffy 'white ball of fluff' hair was now limp and slightly disheveled.

"Would you like to rest a bit more, Hina?"

Hina shook her head, then said gently, "I want to go out in the rain."

Amamiya understood, and with a whoosh, he opened his black umbrella with a white Eastern dragon painted on it at the door.

Having gradually gotten used to the feeling of being close, Hina immediately moved closer, carefully maintaining a close but not overly intimate gesture and distance.

Stepping into the rain, the pitter-patter of the raindrops became even clearer in my ears.

Throughout, Hina maintained her curiosity, slowing her pace to carefully observe the shops on both sides of the street, where the aroma of food mixed with cooking fumes filled the air, exuding a strong sense of daily life, as well as various stalls selling all sorts of things.

The region described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is vast and rich in resources. Therefore, it is famous for its tourism and cuisine.

As they walked, Hina even spotted students from the Classic of Mountains and Seas lingering in the teahouse.

They sat in the traditional-style tea room, sipping tea and occasionally discussing the rain that was right next to them.

'The scenery described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas... is also quite unique...'

With a casual attitude of 'going over to observe whatever looks interesting,' Hina soon noticed a magnificent pavilion.

'This is... the Xuanwu Merchant Guild...?'

Upon seeing this name, Hinata immediately recognized the corresponding information based on her knowledge of the Shan Hai Jing region.

Despite its name, the Xuanwu Trading Company does indeed deal in a wide variety of goods, and you can even occasionally find one or two branches in the Gehena region...

However, based on what Hina knew, the other academies, large and small, were all very curious about this mysterious school and region, which was associated with the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

If we're talking about what the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce is most famous for, it's in Gehenna...

Hina immediately thought of the bizarrely styled "innovative style Classic of Mountains and Seas dishes" from the Xuanwu Merchant Guild, which made people wonder if they could be "normally eaten".

What is this "chamber of commerce" that has received mixed reviews from outsiders like in the local context of the Classic of Mountains and Seas...?

Having developed this curiosity, Hina had already made up her mind.

"Sensei..."

She tugged at the hem of Amamiya's robe, who was holding an umbrella for her, and asked for her opinion, "Shall we go check out the 'Genbu Trading Company'?"

Since it was Hina who initiated the 'date,' and it wasn't an unreasonable request, Amamiya naturally had no objections.

Coincidentally, after resolving the incident at the resort, he obtained the contact information of two people from the "Genbu Trading Company" from Hime Saki.

After adding each other as friends, Amamiya also sent them MomoTalk greetings and chatted about other topics.

Perhaps if you go to the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce now, you might 'bump into' them... &艺柒liE`'u亿陕d尔倭酒尔

"Then go and have a look."

The headquarters of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce is a towering building that stands out among the surrounding buildings.

The landmark-level scale of the building inexplicably reminded Amamiya of the Yueyang Tower, which he had learned about before coming to Kivotos but had never had the chance to see.

After all, it is the headquarters of a 'chamber of commerce' organization that spans various colleges, so it is naturally very impressive.

After climbing the steps, Amamiya immediately noticed two girls standing on either side of the entrance. They had their hair tied in upright braids, and wore headscarves and red cheongsam-style tops and skirts. Although their attire was somewhat 'incongruous,' it unexpectedly evoked the style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Upon noticing Amamiya, the two idle members of the Genbu Merchant Guild were briefly surprised.

"Yo~ Welcome, guest... Eh?"

"Isn't this Sensei...?"

Then, they immediately demonstrated a hospitality style that required no training whatsoever, reminiscent of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"Ahem... Welcome, Sensei, to our Xuanwu Merchant Guild!"

"Have you eaten? No...would you like to come in and get something to eat?"

It has to be said... the way the Classic of Mountains and Seas greets people is truly unique.

"Is the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce not too busy right now?"

In response to Amamiya's question, one of the Genbu Trading Company members grinned and replied cheerfully, "No rush, no rush~ If Sensei is looking for President Rumi, we can get in touch with her for you right now!"

Amamiya smirked and waved to the Genbu Merchant Guild member who was about to take the communicator hanging on his chest.

Although he really wanted to meet this "President of the Genbu Chamber of Commerce", he thought that if he were to deliberately contact him now just to meet him, it might affect Hina's mood.

After greeting the two members of the Genbu Trading Company, Amamiya led Hina into the Genbu Trading Company headquarters.

After confirming that Amamiya and Hina had 'gone far away,' the two Genbu Chamber of Commerce members exchanged a knowing glance, and then one of them pressed the communicator on his chest.

The headquarters of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce naturally has more than just the function of 'discussing various business matters'.

To showcase the uniqueness of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce, the first floor itself is a dazzling array of 'reception halls'—or rather, a special area that combines a small portion of catering services with shopping functions.

"Amazing……"

After confirming the exquisite interior of the first floor of the Genbu Chamber of Commerce headquarters, Hina immediately expressed her admiration.

It's like a completely closed commercial street... I'm not familiar with it, but I really like the strong sense of local life.

After expressing her feelings, Hina twitched her nose slightly, savoring the olfactory stimulation from the flavors of the dishes reminiscent of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

I feel a bit...

As she was pondering how to describe the sensation she was experiencing, a strange voice reached her ears.

"How is it? This guest from Gehenna... is she enjoying the delicacies in the style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas?"

"?!"

Hina was startled and instinctively turned to look warily—