I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

However, in the short term, becoming a "phantom thief of the heart" can indeed greatly alleviate the current situation of the convenience store being "spending more than it earns and getting worse and worse".

It can provide a relatively stable cash flow for convenience stores, while also preventing them from becoming overly reliant on them.

It is impossible for members of the same club to 'exploit without restraint'.

Kayoko did not give a clear answer immediately, but Aru immediately became restless.

Aru stepped closer and volunteered, "Sensei, then I..."

"...I could actually become a phantom thief too!"

"No, Aru doesn't fit the style of a phantom thief yet."

Aru's face immediately froze: "Eh?! How could this be...!"

Amamiya then added, "...Becoming a phantom thief is a gradual process. Once Kayoko has learned enough professional phantom thief knowledge, she will gradually consider joining other members of Handy Shop 68."

【~???~】(Kayoko, Alu)

Upon hearing this, Alu immediately let out a long sigh of relief.

"So that's it..."

Filled with anticipation, Aru looked at Kayoko as if cheering her on.

Kayoko felt even more helpless under the gaze that seemed to wish she could agree for her.

After a silence that was neither too short nor too long, she gave a curt "hmm" with a dark expression on her face.

"……I see."

[I sensed Kayoko's complex emotions...]

My bond with Kayoko has deepened...

【Kayoko Onikata (Emperor) ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

"I will become a phantom thief..."

Chapter 64 Sakurako: Then let everyone become idols!

After saying goodbye to Kayoko and Aruru, Amamiya rushed to Trinity before dusk.

The warm, golden twilight is probably the one that carries the most 'sacred atmosphere'.

Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the modern Gothic spires of the church reflect the light through its stained-glass windows, naturally creating a serene and sacred atmosphere.

Standing outside the cathedral, Amamiya only needed a quick glance to see many 'nuns' coming and going... or rather, the students of the nuns' order.

Most of them wore black nun's robes and veils, their expressions somewhere between compassion and holiness, the white stockings and black veils perfectly contrasting to create a sense of 'asceticism'.

—Although they are members of the 'Sisters', if you set aside their identity as nuns, which is 'close to the sacred,' they are ultimately just underage girls carrying the fragrance of youth.

This ambiguous attire piqued Amamiya's curiosity.

In various literary works, nuns, who should have been sacred, have gradually been given the characteristic of 'seduction'.

However, the demon, which symbolizes brutality, has become increasingly innocent and cute with the gradual development of derivative works...

When exactly did the reversal of the impressions of 'demon' and 'clergy' begin?

"Sensei... what's wrong?"

Walking beside her, the orange-haired girl, whose black nun's veil was pushed up by a pair of erect animal ears, noticed that Amamiya's pace was slowing down. She also slowed down, tilted her head, and blinked, curiously watching Amamiya's 'actions'.

"……nothing."

Amamiya withdrew her gaze: "I was just curious about the atmosphere around the Grand Cathedral."

"Although I used to go to church often, this is the first time I've ever seen such a big church."

Thinking back to her time living in Shibuya, Tokyo, and the shogi girl, Togo Ichifumi, who often appeared in the church alone playing shogi, Amamiya had a strange feeling—

Perhaps this is also a good place to go in the evening.

Compared to the 'grand welcome' at a tea party, the nuns' welcome is not so 'ostentatious'.

However, the moment Amamiya entered the cathedral building, she spotted two core members of the Sisters of the Order of the Nun in the bright, dappled light and shadows projected onto the ground.

One of them was a girl with cascading silver hair and bright purple eyes. Her aura did not give off a sense of 'holiness', but rather a sense of 'resoluteness'.

The other person's aura immediately reminded Amamiya of the Rescue Knights' Miya Aomori.

Immediately, his heart sank slightly.

Does Trinity College still have any normal students...?

Miya Aomori, the leader of the Knights of Rescue, is already a very difficult student to approach due to her unique style of doing things...

Upon noticing Amamiya's gaze, the silver-haired girl, with her hands naturally hanging in front of her, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and greeted him.

"I am Sakurako Utazumi, a member of the Sisters' Guild at Trinity College. I have been watching your every move."

"Now, I am finally fortunate to speak with you... May peace be with you every day."

As the girl introduced herself, a Tarot card of the High Priestess slowly lit up in Amamiya's third eye.

[Assistant: Sakurako Utazumi / A rigid nun from the Sisters' Guild]

[Arcana: The Priestess]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

"The High Priestess" has always been a rather two-sided Arcana.

Amamiya maintained a gentle and approachable smile while switching her Persona to Metatron.

"...Nice to meet you."

With the archangel's glimmer clinging to him, and relying on the "sacredness" created by Metatron and his unrestrained negotiating nature, Amamiya quite accurately grasped 'Sakurako's first impression of him'.

“Mary’s story is indeed true…Sensei.”

Sakura's gaze softened considerably. She lowered her head slightly and murmured with a sigh, "...Despite having the title of 'phantom thief,' she seems to be even more favored than us."

"You are indeed a special being connected with the Holy Trinity... and with us."

Amamiya smiled, naturally not intending to mention things like her "unruly talent" for switching personas to create a more favorable negotiating situation.

With a sliver of hope, Amamiya turned her gaze to another nun.

With black hair and red eyes, she exuded a restrained aura, her clean gaze pure and innocent, yet carrying a subtle tension when she looked at me.

They seem to be the easiest to approach from the nuns, but in reality...

"This, this is Hinata Wakaba... Please, please take good care of me, Sensi!!"

[Assistant: Hinata Wakaba / The Sisters' Siege Tank]

【Arcana: V.The Chariot】

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

The title "Siege Tank," and the Arcana of the "Tank"...

Indeed, it's not simple at all...

Amamiya felt that her already somewhat stiff smile was starting to falter.

Just before she was about to lose her composure, Amamiya decisively changed the subject.

"Regarding the Sisters' Order... I've gained a fairly deep understanding of it since I met Mary, through conversations with her on MomoTalk..."

Sakurako's eyes brightened slightly, and she leaned forward eagerly, asking, "So, what is Sensei's impression of the Sisters?"

Amamiya: ...

What's your impression?

All I can say is... they could probably fill a table with the Ambulance Knights next door.

None of them are normal...

No, it should be said that the composition of its members is quite similar to that of the Knights of Rescue—common sense is concentrated on 'a certain person' among the core members.

The Knights of Rescue have a pink-haired little angel named Cinna, who is like the 'last conscience'.

Meanwhile, the nuns also have Mary, a cute and charming little cat-eared nun.

Aside from this 'only normal student,' the other two core members are more or less 'abnormal'...

The impression in her mind was slightly bad, but Amamiya certainly couldn't say it outright.

After a slight hesitation, Amamiya solemnly uttered a compliment that was not entirely sincere: "...Very special."

Under the nuns' 'burning, eager' gazes, Amamiya continued, "The atmosphere here makes me feel very peaceful... If I could visit here often, I should be able to empty my mind, calm down, relieve the pressure in my heart, and repent for my mistakes."

【~???~】(Sakurako, Mary)

【~??~】（Hinata）

"It is an honor for our Sisters to make Sensei feel a sense of belonging."

Sakurako, who had been involuntarily serious due to nervousness, relaxed her smile slightly: "Thank you for your praise... This will become a source of strength for our nunnery."

Amamiya: ...

Where did you get the conclusion that 'I feel a sense of belonging'?

Amamiya squinted slightly, but did not respond in any way.

"The Sisters have been in contact with each other much more frequently lately... so is there some kind of trouble?"

Amamiya's initiative to bring it up seemed to immediately ease Sakurako's underlying hesitation.

"Besides wanting to truly get to know Sensei, we do have some requests for Sensei..."

"Let's discuss the rest somewhere else..."

Sakurako and Hinata walked in front, while Mary walked to one side. The nuns, whose distinct styles were evident even when they walked together, led Amamiya out through a side door and into what looked like a meeting room commonly used by the nuns' council.

“Sensei, since you came to Givotos and started to come into contact with Trinity... you should have a clearer understanding of the various colleges and the clubs, big and small, within them, right?”

After inviting Amamiya to sit down, Sakurako, who had been pondering the matter all the way, immediately asked him a question.

Amamiya nodded.

Now, he has come into contact with several large academies and has a clear understanding of the clubs and organizations under these academies.

In addition, the president's "déjà vu" bond ability fills in some gaps in his knowledge...

"Since that's the case, you should also be well aware of... the key elements for a club to develop and grow... besides the club's own strength and 'foundation,' there are also the crucial external factors that influence the club the most—"

Amamiya raised an eyebrow: "Public opinion?"

【~???~】(Sakurako)

"Hmm. Public opinion."

Sakurako wore a relieved expression, as if to say, "Sensei really understands this."

“Sensei, currently, the Sisters are troubled by outside stereotypes, so…”

Looking for a way to turn public opinion around...

Amamiya squinted, his thoughts briefly drifting back to the 'golden age' of the Phantom Thieves.

He had clearly witnessed the power of public opinion.

Before and after Okumura, the Phantom Thieves were swept up in a huge wave of 'reputation,' being called 'righteous thieves,' 'chivalrous thieves,' and 'all evil people should be rendered useless.'

Under the influence of such overwhelmingly positive public opinion, the members of the Phantom Thieves all became somewhat arrogant.

At that time, the Phantom Thieves almost went astray because of these negative rumors.

After that... the reputation of the Phantom Thieves plummeted to rock bottom because of Okumura's 'failed repentance', and their reputation was once reduced to 'murderous demons' and 'criminals'.

As expected, Sakura's next sentence was about the trouble related to public opinion.

"...I'm very curious about Sensei's story of 'turning the tide,' so I'd like to ask Sensei for advice."