I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

After reading an incomprehensible passion in Kirino's 'energetic, hot-blooded idiot' expression—a righteous yet silly one—Saori, like Amamiya, fell into a moment of silence.

"Alright, Sensei, our Life Safety Bureau members are now ready to depart!"

Kirino stopped what she was doing and began calling out to the students from the Bureau of Life Safety in the same carriage: "We're about to arrive at the station. Everyone from the Bureau of Life Safety, please prepare to disembark! Students responsible for carrying on-site supplies will go first. Please disembark in an orderly manner..."

As the tram came to a complete stop, a group of students from the Bureau of Life Safety and Security hurriedly and orderly exited the station.

Like a few other passengers from other academies in the carriage, Amamiya and Saori did not take immediate action.

"Saori, what's your opinion?"

Amamiya, sitting in the back row, leaned forward and rested against the empty front seat next to Saori, conveying a whisper through this seemingly inappropriate gesture.

Saori naturally understood what Amamiya meant by asking for her 'opinion'.

Whether as part of Arius's special squad in the past, or as active as Xia Lai's blade now... basic skills such as "observation" and "intelligence gathering" must be honed to an exceptional level.

“…It’s strange.”

Combining the information she gleaned from Amamiya and Kirino's conversation, as well as the information about various academies she gained through her access to Sharai after joining the academy, Saori, also lowering her voice, summarized her thoughts:

"The Valkyrie Police Department faces obvious difficulties due to a lack of equipment and personnel."

"This predicament was resolved 'suddenly'..."

“There must be some anomalies here that require further investigation.”

Saori was aware of the situation at the Valkyrie Police Station.

After all, when Arius's team was wandering around, they were mainly pursued and had bounties placed on their heads by the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau.

As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle." As the target that needs the most vigilance, Saori naturally has the deepest understanding of the situation of the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau.

Previously, Valkyrie was short of personnel, lacked equipment, and had insufficient funding... Faced with the frequent incidents in Kiwatos that required police intervention, it could be said that they were willing but unable to do so.

But now, the personnel issue is not so bad... After all, we have received personnel from SRT Special Academy, so it is understandable that we are not short of manpower.

However, it would be too unusual to say that both funding and equipment issues were resolved at the same time.

Kirino from the Bureau of Life Safety, and most of the general members, did not have a clear understanding of the potential problems under this anomaly, but Saori did.

Because she had previously led Arius's squad in a dangerous situation, she had to be more vigilant about everything around her.

"Did you notice?"

Amamiya composed herself, raised her voice slightly, and smiled broadly: "As expected of Saori."

【~???~】(Saori)

"...?!"

Saori was startled and instinctively looked around for any gazes she might receive.

Being praised, especially in public... and then being stared at by many unfamiliar students...

This feeling was agonizing for Saori, who was not used to being the center of attention... yet it also had a strange, pleasant quality of being recognized.

"Now that we've identified the problem..."

Despite her inner turmoil, Saori maintained her 'professional' tone in a low voice: "Should Arios's team conduct an investigation...?"

This matter can indeed be handed over to Arius's team to investigate.

After all, now that they are affiliated with Xia Lai, they have authority no less than that of the Fox Squad, who were directly assigned by the guild leader at their peak.

After weighing the options in his mind, Amamiya finally made a decision.

"Get ready for the investigation. Before we begin, I need to contact the other two teams..."

—The Rabbit Squad, which is currently preparing to investigate the behind-the-scenes events of the "Akura Grand Festival," and the Fox Squad, which is currently registered under Hanaya's name.

Each of the three teams has potential, and Amamiya doesn't want to show obvious favoritism.

However, compared to the already mature Arius Squad and the professional Fox Squad, the Rabbit Squad is slightly lacking in key factors that constitute a squad, such as 'combat experience' and team cohesion.

This operation could still primarily focus on the Rabbit Squad, serving as a key training ground for them, while the Arios Squad and the Fox Squad provide support from behind.

'The other two squads...'

Upon hearing Amamiya's words, Saori immediately realized what was going on.

"understood."

"I will inform the team members in advance so that they can be prepared."

During the conversation, the students from the Bureau of Life Safety had all disembarked, and the other academy passengers also got up one after another and left through the doors.

"Let's go too, Saori."

Saori didn't linger, immediately humming in agreement, and then got up.

The simple "hmm" carried a unique, crisp, and endearing quality characteristic of Saori.

After exiting the station with Saori, Amamiya immediately headed to the area of ​​the Akawa Grand Festival venue.

Under the shadow of the uniquely styled Millennium Stadium, Amamiya saw his destination.

...The 'little rabbits' dressed in gymnastics outfits, waiting and enjoying the shade.

Chapter 81 The Amazing Adventure of the Rabbit Squad

There is actually still some time before the official opening of the Akawa Grand Festival, which is neither too long nor too short.

After all, it's a biennial event, the biggest in Kiwatos...

To make this event the best it could be, and to showcase the strength of the Millennium Science Academy... the gymnasium, which was almost deserted during the summer, was now bustling with activity, if not teeming with people.

Amamiya, who walked around the venue with Saori, could clearly feel the efficient and busy atmosphere that had a thousand-year history.

Almost every student had something to do... Some were using robot dogs or small robots to move parts, some were in charge of team coordination, and others were responsible for streaming to alleviate the huge network load...

All students are busy, but there are exceptions.

After passing through the perimeter of the venue and entering the building, Amamiya immediately spotted a few 'little rabbits' that stood out among the group of Millennium students resting in the shade.

Although they were under the guise of 'infiltration,' their gymnastics uniforms, which were different from those of ordinary students, and the rabbit earrings they wore on their heads, made them stand out strangely among the students from the millennium.

'The sports meet hasn't even started yet... why are they already out in their gymnastics uniforms?'

'I don't know... Could it be a new strategy to seduce... I mean, attract Sensei?'

'Which club are they from? They don't look like they're here to help...'

'I feel like they've been waiting here for a long time... Are they waiting for someone?'

Amamiya caught the whispers of the students from the Millennium Generations and clearly noticed the embarrassment of the Rabbit Team.

Unexpectedly, the Rabbit Squad's 'infiltration plan' had a glaring flaw in its very first step—

It's not even the time when the Akawa Taisai officially opens yet, and running around in gymnastics attire is certainly an eye-catching act.

After observing the bunnies' various unconscious behaviors due to their embarrassment, Amamiya picked up the fresh breakfast bento and high-energy sports drink she had bought from a nearby convenience store on her way there, and went over to greet the bunnies.

"Everyone in the team is in high spirits."

Arriving at the four little rabbits, Amamiya exchanged a glance with each of them as a greeting, then casually asked, "How's the plan going?"

There were some minor setbacks, but nothing went wrong.

Miyako's slightly peculiar summary surprised Amamiya a little.

"Oh? What exactly happened?"

Just as Miyako was about to speak, summarizing last night's events, a cute rumble came from her lower abdomen.

'Gu...'

The white-haired girl, who had been smiling gently, suddenly became a little embarrassed, and her originally calm eyes gradually became somewhat unsteady because she had embarrassed herself in front of the adult she admired.

After Amamiya gave her a teasing look that said, "Even Miyako is unexpectedly cute like this," Miyako's already slightly flushed face became even more uncontrollable.

Noticing Miyako's unease, Amamiya waved her hand at her with feigned amusement, saying, "Let's eat first, we'll talk after we finish eating."

The little rabbits, who were already quite hungry and couldn't wait any longer, immediately gathered around Amamiya and each received their bento boxes.

"Hehehe... As expected, the 'results after hard work' are much more appealing..."

As the most "proactive" member of the rabbit squad, and also the "big rabbit" with the least natural resistance to Amamiya, Moe's golden eyes sparkled with stars. She was the first to approach Amamiya, making a nimble, seemingly slightly intimidating gripping motion with her ten fingers, before snatching her share from Amamiya's hand.

She was slightly disappointed to notice that each bento box looked and contained almost identical portions.

"Although it's not the kind that Sensei makes themselves... it's still a top-of-the-line, high-end product."

"Ah... so-so."

【~???~】(Cute illustration)

They've become picky too.

Amamiya smiled and handed another copy to Miyako, who was a beat slow to react to Moe's sudden action.

When Miyako learned from Moe that 'the bento wasn't made by Sensei herself,' she was slightly disappointed.

But then she realized—after all, this was a sentiment that couldn't be let down, and it was also Sensei's subtle and gentle care for the Rabbit Team…

What exactly was Sensei's purpose in preparing the highest-grade bento boxes available at convenience stores for the Rabbit Squad?

Of course, it's because Sensei showed enough care and consideration for herself and the entire Rabbit Team...

Sensei's care always gives off a feeling of 'subconsciously wanting to depend on'.

Because of the complex thoughts in her mind at that moment, Miyako's movements to receive the items were exceptionally slow.

It was precisely because she was slow that she had the opportunity to notice Saori, who was lingering on the periphery of the crowd, observing the situation around her.

"...?"

That is……

Upon noticing Saori's figure, Miyako's gradually radiating 'happiness of being cared for' froze instantly.

The standard style white top with the Charlotte logo has a long hem and a certain Federal Student Union style. The light clothing that falls to around the calves, like a long trench coat, sways in the wind. It is also almost white, with a short skirt that goes past the waist, white over-the-knee socks and long boots. The simple combination makes it look more like a 'public servant'.

However, Miyako knew.

This seemingly inconvenient long-hemmed Sharai uniform transforms into a 'Redeemer' robe with blood-stained patterns and wrapped in thorny roses when entering combat, thanks to clusters of ghostly blue flames.

As soon as a public official puts on the hood of a saint's robe, their composure instantly transforms into an equally suffocating aura of menace.

Noticing the change in Miyako's expression, Moe, Saki, and Miyu also noticed Saori lingering outside the crowd.

At that moment, none of the little rabbits were in the mood to eat; they were all very alert and ready for battle.

The feeling of being in a battle where everyone has a second or even third stage, with the intensity curve changing so absurdly that it's suffocating, and they can't even beat the first stage... The members of the Rabbit Squad really don't want to experience that again.

"Sensei..."

"Don't worry, everyone."

Amamiya explained to Miyako, who was looking at him, "The main reason I brought the members of the Arianus Squad here is that... if the Rabbit Squad might temporarily join Xia Lai later... then we will inevitably have to cooperate with the Arianus Squad."

"Of course, even if you don't join Xia Lai, as long as you have a close relationship with Xia Lai... it's only natural to have contact with her afterwards."

"The main reason she didn't come closer with me was because she was wary of the Rabbit Squad..."

"..."

After a brief silence, the little rabbits abandoned their hostility towards Saori.

After all, the relationship between the Rabbit Squad and the Arius Squad... at most they were 'defeated opponents,' and it shouldn't have gotten that bad.

Perhaps because of Saori's presence, the little rabbits were no longer as lively as they were when they were only with Amamiya, and became much more 'silent'.

After the meal, the other three little rabbits began to clean up the leftover lunch boxes and other 'kitchen waste'.

Taking this opportunity, Miyako told Amamiya the words she had prepared beforehand.

"That is to say..."

After listening to Miyako's summary, Amamiya found the Rabbit Squad's rather 'tumultuous' experience yesterday somewhat amusing.

"Shortly after infiltrating a thousand years ago, due to network issues, they were targeted by the ancient 'Beritas,' and a battle ensued..."

"And then, you even got into a confrontation with the 'Ruthless Calculator'?"