I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Wearing a high-slit cheongsam, a brown-haired girl who looked much more mature than herself came into her view, smiling and waving.

After greeting Hina, the girl's large yet adorably flexible animal ears twitched, and then she straightened up and extended her hand to Amamiya: "I never expected to meet Sensei in person like this..."

"My name is Rumi Akashiro, the president of the Genbu Trading Company at Shan Hai Jing High School. Sensei, you don't need to be so 'distant' when you address me, just call me Rumi as you like~"

[Assisted by: Rumi Akashiro / Fried Rice Master of Genbu Trading Company]

【Arcana: Love (VI. The Lovs)】

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

He really is... naturally outgoing.

The overwhelming sense of familiarity left Amamiya with no choice but to extend her hand and shake hands with the other person.

“So, Sensei…”

After shaking hands, Rumi immediately showed her enthusiasm by saying, "And this student of Gehenna who came with Sensei..."

"Would you like to give it a try...?"

"What about the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce's 'special hospitality'?"

Chapter 57 The Most Unbelievable Episode for Hina

The specially made incense sticks, combined with the aroma of tea and the subtle fragrance of a certain plant, create the mysterious main theme of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Separated by a plum blossom screen, in a private room decorated in the style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, seemingly isolated from the world, a white-haired girl looked with a troubled expression at the lavish and dazzling array of porcelain tableware laid out before her, which exuded an unsettling sense of danger.

"Please, everyone, this is the Classic of Mountains and Seas... a newly developed 'secret recipe' by the Xuanwu Merchant Guild!"

Rumi clasped her hands together, a sweet smile on her face that seemed to be somewhere between urging someone to "eat, eat quickly."

Hina nervously picked up the spoon, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately did not reach for the plate that clearly smelled of strawberries but looked like Mapo Tofu.

Although she was genuinely curious about what "strawberry-flavored Mapo Tofu" would taste like...

But if you can choose not to do something that tortures you, why do it?

"call……"

After bracing herself for a 'strange taste attack on her taste buds', Hina sighed softly. After hesitating for a while, she finally began to enjoy the omelet rice in front of her, which was full of plump, golden egg yolks, with a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste. When poked, it burst open with a rich, runny texture.

Hina closed her eyes and began to chew slowly and nervously.

However, the expected 'strange taste sensation' did not arrive as expected until she swallowed the first bite.

Hina felt much more at ease. After glancing hastily at Rumi, she began to try her best to maintain the 'ladylike dining etiquette' that was still very unfamiliar to her.

While enjoying the delicious food, Hina noticed that there was still no movement from Amamiya's side, so she couldn't help but take a worried look in Amamiya's direction.

At that moment, Amamiya's glasses were covered by a thick layer of steam from the food, making it impossible to see his expression through the blurry lenses.

'Sensei... Are you sure there's no problem...?'

Hina was filled with worry, but she didn't know that Amamiya's silence was...

This is because he has a fairly deep understanding of the culinary style based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

When he was a phantom thief in Shibuya, Tokyo, he often invited his fellow phantom thieves and other helpful people with whom he could deepen his relationship to eat various snacks in the Chinese food street.

During that time, Amamiya ate both ordinary food served under false pretenses and delicious dishes carefully prepared by owners who were genuine foreign visitors.

Amamiya has a very good impression of this style of cooking.

[Ran Jun: , Yang Lin Er also #O put two... This good impression has been tainted today.]

—He was 'corrupted' by the brown-haired girl in front of him who was smiling at him.

After observing the various dishes on the table, which were beautifully presented but tasted increasingly bizarre, Amamiya's heart sank to the bottom.

For a fleeting moment, he recalled the agony he felt when he helped Yoshizawa Kasumi taste the bento boxes.

—Of all the dishes on the table, only the omelet rice that Hina ate was 'good enough'; Amamiya tried the rest.

As for the taste... Amamiya can only say that it's hard to describe.

Of all the dishes next to him, none of them looked as good as they tasted.

Mapo tofu may look very spicy, but it tastes sweet and sour like strawberries.

The glossy, caramelized sweet and sour pork, however, exploded with flavor, making him feel as if he had swallowed a volcano.

The lightly presented lion's head meatballs made Amamiya feel a sense of trepidation, almost like he was facing a "hellishly spicy takoyaki roulette challenge"—

The famous saying, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get," completely failed at Rumi's meticulously prepared dinner table.

Even with the same plate of lion's head meatballs, Amamiya wasn't sure what the next bite would taste like—a completely different flavor.

In just a short while, he ate a series of increasingly outrageous flavors, including "five-spice, soy sauce, extra spicy, Sichuan peppercorn, and matcha".

After putting down her chopsticks, Amamiya remained silent for a long while.

Finally, he hesitated before speaking, "Rumi, these dishes..."

“It’s a new flavored dish specially developed by the Genbu Trading Company,” Rumi said seriously. “It won’t be served to ordinary customers.”

The girl's fox-like animal ears drooped down, making her look 'pitiful'.

"The Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce focuses on innovation and development. Sensei... you should understand this, having had contact with Sect Master Feizaki, right?"

"Due to the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce's philosophy, we have actually been trying to 'open up new avenues'... that is, to develop a completely new system of dishes..."

"However... due to the development of new dishes, there are often various uncertainties and novel ideas... the taste may be somewhat different..."

Rumi's explanation made Amamiya want to roll her eyes slightly.

So, he's a "pioneer taster" who dedicated himself to the development of "new dishes" for the sake of 'science'... no, it should be said that he's a "pioneer taster" who has devoted himself to the development of "new dishes".

He acknowledged, understood, and even strongly supported Rumi's "spirit of pioneering and expanding territory."

But if we're talking about food tasting...

Amamiya finally understood why those "scientific pioneers" generally couldn't find assistants to cooperate with their experiments, or were often kept at a distance and seemed somewhat 'eccentric'.

Being a pioneer in science isn't easy... it's hard to find people to test drugs on...

Then the scientists will have to try it themselves.

"Opening up a new track..."

“Yes.” Rumi repeated Amamiya’s words: “To open up a new track.”

Amamiya leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.

In fact, no cuisine suddenly appears overnight without any reason.

Take, for example, the Shibuya area of ​​Tokyo where Amamiya lived before she came to Kiwatos—

He once noticed a foreign tourist talking to a shop owner while he was strolling through Chinatown.

Out of curiosity, a foreign tourist asked, "Boss, why are your 'Eight Great Cuisines' so famous?"

Upon hearing this, the owner, dressed in a white chef's uniform, stopped wiping the table, snorted disdainfully, and spoke with an air of pride.

"Because we have accumulated knowledge and experience over thousands of years."

Looking back now, Amamiya feels that what the shop owner said was absolutely right.

The spirit of pioneering new paths is certainly commendable...

However, if we really want to 'innovate,' and especially in terms of dishes, the effort required may be unpredictable.

After finishing her contemplation, Amamiya looked at Rumi and sincerely praised, "Such pioneering spirit is truly admirable..."

【~???~】(Rumi)

"However, next time you invite me for a 'tasting,' could you please let me know in advance that it's a tasting, so I can be mentally prepared?"

Seemingly certain that Amamiya had no intention of further reproach, Rumi quickly composed herself to suppress the apology that was about to be expressed.

She nodded slowly and earnestly: "...Next time I will inform Sensei in advance."

"So……"

After a pause, Rumi's eyes lit up again as she pulled a small notebook from her side pocket.

"Sensei, please now describe your taste and feelings... and your suggestions for improvement?"

Amamiya nodded and, based on her fairly professional culinary experience, offered her evaluation and suggestions for improvement.

When it comes to cooking, Amamiya really knows her stuff.

From learning Sakura Sojiro's curry recipe to the Phantom Thieves' summer vacation trip in their RV, Amamiya not only served as the team's "ace" but was also the undisputed head chef.

Under Rumi's slightly reverent gaze and eager expression, Amamiya gave a professional evaluation of each dish on the table and offered suggestions for improvement.

"I see……"

"Is there another way to improve this...?"

"Sensei's guidance was truly insightful... It was like a revelation, a moment of sudden enlightenment."

Amamiya stopped explaining only after Hina maintained her 'ladylike' manners and quickly finished her lunch in small bites.

After glancing at the almost untouched dishes on the table with lingering fear, the white-haired girl realized what she should do and coughed lightly before getting up.

"Sensei, it's almost time..."

"It's time to go back..."

Interrupted, Amamiya immediately stood up, feeling 'deeply regretful'.

"The rain has stopped, Rumi. We have other things to do, so we won't keep you company any longer..."

Rumi didn't react for a moment. By the time she suddenly stood up while engrossed in her explanation, Amamiya and Hina had already arrived at the entrance of the Genbu Trading Company.

"Hey, Sensei..."

Rumi exclaimed, about to say, "At least finish this meal," but Amamiya had already resolutely led Hina into the rain-soaked sky after the rain had cleared.

Rumi seems to have been greatly inspired.

[I sensed a slight dissatisfaction from Rumi...]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Amanashi Rumi (love)★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

[★1 Bond Ability "The Ultimate Fried Rice" is now unlocked!]

Chapter 58 Hina VS. Hime! Today's outcome: Hina's defeat...?

On a sunny afternoon after the rain, in the self-governed area of ​​the Classic of Mountains and Seas, a faint rainbow shrouded the sky, and the lingering moisture gathered into a sweet fragrance.

'It's time to go back with Sensei...'

'What if something unexpected happens to the disciplinary committee if we go any later...?'

The beautiful scenery before us is indeed worth cherishing and sharing with those around us.

But considering the pressure the Disciplinary Committee might face... Hina had no heart to appreciate the breathtaking scenery before her.

After hesitating for a moment, Hina tugged at Amamiya's sleeve as she approached him.

“Sensei, it’s about time to go back…”

Amamiya could certainly hear Hina's confusion about the 'dilemma' and her reluctance to ultimately choose 'the greater good'.

"Then go back."

Along with Amamiya's voice, there was also the crisp sound of high heels stomping on the asphalt, interspersed with the slight sloshing of water.

"The water sparkles beautifully on a sunny day, and the misty mountains are equally enchanting in the rain."

"Are you two... leaving already?"

The sound grew louder as it approached. A black-haired girl with a bun hairstyle, wearing an oversized black striped suit over a black cheongsam with a gold dragon pattern and a high slit underneath, came from the streets and alleys where the rain had just stopped.

Under Hina's slightly confused gaze, the black-haired girl gracefully walked up to Amamiya and stopped, tilting her head slightly, her misty blue eyes shrouded in a thin mist, carrying a hint of bewilderment.

“Sensei… The ‘after the rain’ in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is truly a magnificent scene that is beautiful whether lightly or heavily adorned.”