I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

This unique 'way of conversation'...

Indeed, even the dialogue subtly carries a sense of 'human-machine interaction'.

"I've come to take a look at this college."

Meeting Yukino's gaze, which held a penetrating power beneath its calm surface, Amamiya shrugged and replied with a sigh, "Look at this academy I've never been to before, yet it's deeply intertwined with me in every sense of the word."

"...?"

Yukino didn't immediately understand the meaning behind Amamiya's 'reflection'.

However, she didn't sense even the slightest hint of sarcasm or other intention in Amamiya's remarks.

It seems that it really was just a simple sigh.

"..."

Is there anything else?

“If nothing is wrong, then you don’t have to stop me and insist on saying something to me.”

Sensing Yukino's obvious aloofness and resistance, Amamiya smiled helplessly.

After thinking for a moment about which bond skills would be most useful at this time, Amamiya selected several special skills from the bond skill list.

[Kindness and Affinity] + [Ordinary Girl's Thoughts] (Hifumi Bond) + [Elegance Throughout] (Akane Bond) + [Twilight and Dawn] (Noah Bond)

The power of bonds... lend it to me.

Let's break down Yukino's defenses in one fell swoop.

"Yukino...wait a minute."

Amamiya moved sideways, spreading her arms to block Yukino, who was trying to walk around her.

"..."

Yukino frowned slightly when her path was blocked, seemingly annoyed for a moment, but she didn't say anything. She just looked at Amamiya with a calm gaze as if 'Sensei wants to say something'.

"Yukino should know about what happened at the Arius branch campus after the signing of the 'Eden Treaty' not long ago, right?"

Yukino nodded indifferently in response: "I know."

Nowadays, her 'impression' of Amamiya no longer carries the same hatred as before, when she thought Amamiya was the 'real culprit who caused SRT to be shut down'.

Even so, Sensei played a crucial role in the overall process of SRT's closure.

Although she was "out of control" in the beginning, she didn't try anything and just let things take their course...

Regarding everything that happened after Amamiya came to Giwatos and became "Sharai's Sensei"... Yukino has repeatedly given it serious consideration since that meeting.

Considering Amamiya's recent close interactions and concern for the Rabbit Squad, Yukino completely dispelled her preconceived notions about Amamiya.

Although she no longer harbored prejudices, she still subconsciously didn't want to have any dealings with Amamiya.

...There was absolutely no reason, it was just that my subconscious didn't want to.

Under this mindset, Yukino's feelings towards Amamiya remained in a strange range of 'not intending to pay attention to him, but also really not wanting to get involved'.

"Yukino should know what happened to the Arius branch school after that, right?"

Amamiya nodded, then extended her hand directly to Yukino: "Yukino, want to talk?"

Yukino stood still without moving.

After seemingly hesitating for a while, she stepped forward and shook hands with Amamiya politely.

"If it's just meaningless 'chatting,' then forget it..."

"Sensei, I'm in a hurry."

Amamiya breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Thankfully, at least they didn't show any obvious rejection...

That's a good omen.

"Of course it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing, so I didn't want to ask Yukino about something meaningless."

Amamiya smiled gently, without letting go of Yukino's hand.

By switching Persona to Fafnir (The Hermit), Amamiya simultaneously activated the Bond Skill she had acquired from another assistant named Hisane Ichinose before arriving in Gevotos.

Specializing in emotion algorithms for human-machine interaction.

"Yukino, let's have an open and honest talk."

"Actually, I feel the same way about you..."

Chapter 87 Yukino's beliefs are being tested...tortured!

What is the best way to combat 'human-machine' interaction?

Regarding this issue, before coming to Kivotos, Amamiya had discussed related topics with Ichinose Hisane, a genius AI engineer who developed the "emotional algorithm," a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, and also the creator of Sophia.

At that moment, the brilliant researcher merely winked slyly, briefly revealing an unusual behavior that was completely out of character for a 'researcher' but perfectly in line with the realm of 'genius'.

Then, she came up with a word: "breaking the mold".

'Human-machine'... or rather, whether it's artificial intelligence or a person trapped in a prison, they are all bound by their own "framework".

What limits artificial intelligence are its algorithms, databases, machine learning capabilities, and other rather complex parameters.

What limits humanity is both simple and complex, and has yet to be truly discovered or understood—this "single parameter" is human thought.

Just like artificial intelligence algorithms can have bugs, so can human thinking.

It is not feasible to use the field of artificial intelligence to combat artificial intelligence within the scope of human resources.

So why don't we choose to cut off the power to artificial intelligence, instead of comparing the human brain with artificial intelligence in the computing power domain where artificial intelligence excels?

The same applies to interpersonal relationships.

The unconventional approach of geniuses may actually be their own unique way of dealing with people, a 'way of life' that they figured out on their own.

When dealing with geniuses, one can follow tradition and adopt the attitude they prefer.

But to negotiate with someone who is imprisoned... you have to break with convention.

Because these kinds of people cannot recognize themselves like geniuses do, and they are even less able to break free from the mud and water that is submerging them up to their necks and about to suffocate them, without them even realizing it.

Making them realize that they are soaking in muddy water rather than in a hot spring, and that what they feel as 'wanting to close their eyes and sleep' is not comfort but a suffocating feeling of muddy water about to submerge their necks, is already a luxury.

Amamiya still remembers the lively yet undisguised arrogance in Ichinose Hisane's tone when she said those last words.

But it must be said that as a genius standing at the pinnacle, Ichinose Hisane certainly has the right to be proud, and what she said is indeed very true.

It was during that conversation with Hisane Ichinose that Amamiya truly understood her "emotional algorithm" and realized why Sophia, the "partner of the Phantom Thieves" and "humanity's best friend" whom she created, was so energetic and lively.

She always goes against the grain, yet miraculously manages to get along well with the Phantom Thieves, truly integrating into the group in less than a month and breaking free from the limitations of being an AI.

Sensing the increasingly puzzled look in the eyes of the girl with long, straight, dark brown hair, Amamiya quickly reviewed her conversation with Ichinose Hisane in her mind and decided on how to negotiate with her.

Grasping the girl's delicate hand, which she tried to pull away from, and whose fragility could still be felt even through her gloves, Amamiya said with pity, "Yukino's hand... carries a heavy weight added by willpower."

...?

Yukino was clearly stunned, and looked down at her hand that had been grabbed in surprise.

She really didn't expect... Sensei would start with a completely unreasonable 'nonsense'.

"...Sensei?"

Yukino tried calling out, but her voice was no longer as cold and emotionless as before; it carried a noticeable hesitation.

Amamiya did not answer Yukino's call. Instead, while Yukino was in a daze, he took off the tactical glove from her hand and gently stroked the girl's knuckles, which were not in good condition due to holding a gun for a long time and carrying out missions.

"Well……"

Yukino gave a muffled "hmm," clearly sensing that something was wrong, but for a moment she didn't know how to react.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly romantic, Amamiya sighed softly, her tone filled with even more pity: "Yukino's hands have never been cared for by anyone else... not even Yukino herself, have they?"

Yukino was startled, and then her heart, which had been beating faster, suddenly skipped a beat.

It seems...that's true?

No, that's not right... After all, it's my own hand. Even if it's just to make sure I can hold it properly and not make mistakes at crucial moments... I'll take good care of it.

...That's not right either!

Now is not the time to think about that.

What exactly is Sensei doing?

Her fox ears stood up high, and her usually distant red eyes revealed a rare hint of panic and belated hesitation. Following her subconscious instincts, Yukino took a step back and was about to retreat.

"Sensei, what are you trying to say..."

Amamiya persisted, grabbing Yukino's hand and closing in, forcing the retreating girl into the corner created by the vending machine in her panic.

Switching Persona to [Ishtar (Romance)], Amamiya leans against the vending machine with one hand, blocking Yukino at the perfect angle for a 'wall slam'.

"I'm talking about Yukino."

Amamiya, whose aura was created by releasing the dual bond skills of [Fairy Tale Princess and Prince] (Mihana's Bond) + [Signboard Girl's Dependence] (Shizuko's Bond), looked serious and spoke in a gentler tone: "I am curious about everything about Yukino... and I have seriously looked into it."

"..."

Yukino, leaning against the vending machine, felt the cold, mechanical touch emanating from behind her.

She shrank back, trying to avoid any further contact—

Then, the dreamlike aura emanating from Amamiya momentarily dazed him.

"Yukino... tell me, why did you, and everyone in the Fox Squad, cooperate with Hanaya to do something like attacking the Federation Student Council?"

Yukino's pupils trembled. Enveloped in the intense aura of 'love,' she was momentarily like an artificial intelligence that had been attacked by a vulnerability, her thoughts becoming noticeably sluggish and disordered.

Ignoring the reason why Amamiya asked the question, she lowered her head shyly, her fox ears swaying erratically due to her fluctuating emotions, and her tone became sweeter than ever before.

"Because...Director Hanaya told me that as long as I choose to cooperate with her and follow her orders, I can revive SRT..."

Amamiya narrowed his eyes slightly, and immediately thought of a possibility.

Hanaya's 'malicious' actions... could it be that she wants to oust Rin from her current position as acting president and stage a power grab?

"That Yukino..."

Amamiya raised her voice slightly, and with her other hand, she took off her glasses and put them in her shoulder bag.

Then, seeing Yukino's even more astonished, flustered, and bewildered expression, she used her index finger and thumb to lift Yukino's chin, forcing her to look directly at her.

...To be honest, at the moment I did that, Amamiya had a strong sense of déjà vu, like watching a 'domineering CEO short drama' on YouTube.

This kind of 'gentle yet domineering' behavior is anything but ordinary.

But considering that Yukino is also a complete novice in interpersonal relationships and is a young girl who is not very experienced in the world... she is still susceptible to this.

Suppressing the subtle discomfort of 'recreating the domineering CEO's behavior,' Amamiya continued, "...Do you know?"

"How does Chief Hanaya view you?"

Yukino still had no time to fully comprehend the sensation of the delicate, fair skin on Amamiya's face, nor the profound meaning hidden beneath Amamiya's gentle words.

With her mind blank, she instinctively shook her head.

"I have no idea."

Amamiya moved closer slightly, leaning forward to maintain an ambiguous distance as they slowly closed in.

"So, Yukino, and everyone in the Fox Squad... what do you think of Hanaya?"

My heartbeat became like that of a boiling furnace sizzling with molten metal, powerful yet brimming with a burning intensity that seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Yukino had absolutely no idea what to do. Realizing she couldn't escape, she just stammered and mumbled something incoherently, relying entirely on instinct.

“I...I...that...Sensei, weren't we getting a little too close...As an adult, you should...you should keep a certain distance from students…”

What's wrong with it? Even with its 'superb human-machine interaction,' it's actually more rigid than AI in everyday behavior...

Can't she still make such a cute expression?

Amamiya chuckled inwardly, but maintained her calm and gentle demeanor: "This is just... normal psychological counseling. Yukino, don't panic, and don't resist."

“If Yukino is more used to following orders… then let me put it another way.”