I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Out of 'similar caution', the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club did not speak immediately, and did not even introduce themselves.

Amamiya, meanwhile, casually greeted Iroha, then went to the nearby refrigerator and took out chilled drinks and a chilled mango pudding specially prepared for Ibuki.

"What special purpose could Ibuki and Iroha have for their sudden visit?"

"Ah."

Ibuki took the drink but didn't drink it. Instead, she tucked it under her arm and immediately helped Ibuki unwrap the pudding. Then, under the starry gaze of the little blonde girl, she handed it back to her.

“Sensei visited the Pandemonium yesterday… I’ve already heard about it.”

"I came specifically for the 'College Exchange Meeting'..."

Chapter 14 Ibuki’s most charming episode

Iroha, as expected, came to confirm the details of the academy exchange meeting in advance.

After explaining her purpose, Iroha calmly found a seat under the watchful eyes of the numerous girls from the development department, crossed her legs, leaned back slightly, and popped open the iced drink with condensation on it to take a small sip.

“It’s supposed to be an office… but Xia Lai’s office doesn’t feel tense at all; in fact, it’s quite relaxing to be here.”

After her initial reaction, seemingly to attract attention, the 'red, furry' girl turned her gaze slightly away as if oblivious to what was happening, and deliberately shifted the position of her legs, which were positioned slightly higher than her father's, in a slightly larger posture.

The girl, who had casually half-undone her oversized long coat and military uniform, seemed to be 'releasing heat', and her words sounded even more languid.

"Sensei, who has been in contact with the core members of the Pandemonium, should be very familiar with the Pandemonium's style."

"This academy exchange meeting, which was originally initiated by the Yin-Yang Department and responded to by the Demon Palace, has attracted too many unwanted attentions because the Demon Palace received the news that 'Sensei is in charge' and publicized it extensively."

Considering that both Ibuki and the ninjutsu research club of the Hyakki Yagyō were present, Iroha did not speak concisely.

However, Amamiya was able to immediately understand Iroha's underlying intentions.

Due to the extensive publicity orchestrated by Makoto, Iroha worries that this otherwise unremarkable exchange meeting has attracted the attention of some "unknown individuals"—

Iroha's concerns were not unfounded.

As one of the key witnesses on Gehenna's side when the Eden Treaty was signed, Iruha has a lot to say about the experience that took place at the time, which could not be described as the end of the world, and the experience that is still vivid in her mind.

Afterwards, she subtly inquired with the core members of the Pandemonium, including Chiaki, Satsuki, and Gehenna... and then discovered another rather terrifying fact.

If what happened at the time wasn't related to Sensei... I would have forgotten about it quickly afterwards.

Iroha could never forget the experience of that temple materializing directly into the real world, after which the entire world became bizarre, strange, and incomprehensible.

Now that similar situations have been observed, it is natural to take precautions.

"Iroha is worried that some 'unexpected situation' might suddenly occur at that time, right?"

Iroha bluntly admitted, "That's right."

As she acknowledged it, she subtly glanced at Ibuki, who was eating pudding.

The meaning was already clear from their eyes.

Amamiya could understand Iroha's concerns... After all, compared to the other core members of Pandemonium, Ibuki was absolutely indispensable.

Like Makoto, if she makes a fool of herself or something goes wrong, so be it, since she has the ability to solve problems immediately.

As for Ibuki... she has almost no ability to solve 'special problems' independently—Amamiya even suspects that the demons of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) or the delinquent girl gang of Gehenna could take advantage of this opportunity to 'trick' Ibuki away when she is alone.

"exactly……"

"Our 'special event' is precisely to prevent any unforeseen circumstances from occurring."

……exactly?

Iroha narrowed her eyes, took a look at the 'ninjas' of the Ninjutsu Research Department, and understood after a moment's thought.

Is Sensei... just about to embark on a special "otherworld activity"?

After switching the crossed legs again, Iroha slowed her speech and asked hesitantly, "Can we travel together?"

Why bring up peers?

Amamiya asked in return, curious.

After all, the more 'magnificent' the other world is, the more 'dangerous' it is.

The students of Kivortolin U Medical School, although most of them have very unique personalities... are not the kind of "born battle maniacs" who want to fight every day. When they encounter something dangerous, their best option is to retreat.

Iroha clearly knows how dangerous the other world is... Her lazy and trouble-averse behavior seems to have destined her to be unrelated to the keyword "phantom thief".

"because……"

Iroha squinted and grinned, "...I'm curious about the other world. Also...I want to build a deeper relationship with Sensei."

"If it's a 'phantom thief operation,' maybe it'll even motivate a lazy person like me?"

It didn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor was it driven by pure curiosity.

Amamiya could sense it...

When Iroha said this in a teasing tone, she concealed a deeper meaning beneath that flippant and joking manner.

There were considerations for the Pandemonium, considerations for himself, and considerations for Ibuki...

"Iroha is going to participate in the 'Phantom Thief' activities' too... It's not impossible."

【~???~】(Iroha, Ibuki)

After finishing her pudding, Ibuki noticed the atmosphere was gradually relaxing and immediately jumped up excitedly.

While Tsukuyomi stood there bewildered, Xiaoman blinked in shock and confusion, and Izuna's fox ears rose and fell repeatedly as she stared blankly at them, Ibuki came running over, bouncing her hat as she did so.

"Ibuki is also going to participate in the phantom thief activities—"

"To become a beautiful and mature 'phantom thief older sister'!"

It naturally exudes feelings of longing and dependence, but its tiny bat wings are already flapping excitedly, and its heart-shaped tail has already climbed onto Amamiya's arm.

She's already so clingy at such a young age, what will she be like when she grows up?

An unrealistic thought flashed through his mind, but feeling Ibuki's tail pulling him, Amamiya reluctantly followed Ibuki's lead and placed his hand on the girl's head.

“Ibuki can definitely become the ‘Big Sister Phantom Thief’.”

【~???~】(Ibuki)

[I sensed a sense of dependence from Ibuki...]

[My bond with Ibuki has deepened...]

【Tanka Ibuki (Sun) ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Seeing this heartwarming scene, Iroha felt a wonderful sense of healing from the bottom of her heart, and her expression relaxed.

She was about to say something when she realized that something seemed a little off.

"……?"

Iroha gradually became serious.

Is it... just my imagination?

Isn't Ibuki a little too precocious?

Swallowing back the words that should have been spoken, Iroha then carefully observed Ibuki's subtle movements.

Through careful observation, Iroha clearly noticed...

Ibuki Na's emotions are hidden beneath her natural cuteness and manifested in her small gestures, not very obvious.

The moment she noticed Ibuki's expression, she abandoned her last shred of hope.

With Ibuki's tail tangled around him, Amamiya had no choice but to continue touching Ibuki with his entangled hand.

Maintaining his pose, he called out to the members of the Ninjutsu Research Club, whose expressions of envy (Izuna), surprise (Xiaoman), and bewilderment (Tsukuyomi) varied.

"The training program in another world continues."

Chapter Fifteen: Little Ibuki's Eyes Opened

The impression space of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons is a slumbering night, with the bright moon hanging high, sparse stars and bright moon, and a brightly lit shogunate city.

As exquisite as ukiyo-e prints, yet also harboring various unexpected dangers.

"Wow--"

As her vision gradually cleared, the first thing Ibuki did was let out a long, surprised sound.

The girl's vocabulary and knowledge were relatively limited and immature, making it impossible for her to conceive or describe this other world, which was novel and even fantastical to her.

"This is the 'other world'..."

Iroha, who was also greatly amazed, remained much calmer.

She pulled her phone out from under her military uniform, which was covered by her fluffy red hair, and her first instinct was to turn on the camera and take a picture.

After discovering that neither the camera nor the recording device could be turned on, she sighed softly, looking 'troublesome,' but still took out a small notebook from her collar and immediately began to record the surrounding scenery and her own observations and feelings.

'Although it's beautiful, this pervasive sense of danger unconsciously stirs up a feeling of unease...'

As a "laborer" of the Pandemonium, Iroha, who is well-versed in the art of slacking off, knows when to be serious and when to be diligent.

Just as surprised as Ibuki were the newcomers, Koman and Tsukuyomi.

—In particular, Xiaoman, who admired the 'way of the ninja' and intended to promote ninja culture.

Once her vision cleared, Xiaoman's expression was successively filled with overwhelming shock and curiosity about 'personally entering the era of ninjas'.

I couldn't help but stand on tiptoe with starry eyes to look out, only regretting that my vision was too limited to take in all the ghosts parading under the lights.

"Welcome to... 'The Impression Space of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons'."

Having already donned a black phantom thief outfit, Amamiya casually pushed up the Persona mask that automatically appeared on her face, giving a brief introduction to the four girls who had just arrived in this other world: "If you find that term too cumbersome, you can simply call it 'Shogunate City.'"

Hearing the introductions, Xiaoman finally paid attention and observed everyone around her.

Her gaze followed the sound and lingered on Amamiya. Her pupils trembled, and then an indescribable brilliance quickly appeared.

"So this is... His Highness Sensei's Phantom Thief outfit..."

"So handsome..."

Iroha, Ibuki, and Tsukuyomi also turned their gazes toward them.

'Oh...so it is...a long-hemmed garment.'

"Sensei is amazing~! Ibuki, can you even have a 'phantom thief outfit' like that?"

"...This is the true face of Izuna's 'lord'...?"

Without even exchanging glances, the girls quickly and almost unanimously gave themselves an 'absolutely positive' rating.

If we were to describe Amamiya in his Sharai uniform as both 'cool' and 'gentle'...

In his Phantom Thief attire, Amamiya completely transforms into someone with an "unruly and wildly handsome" and "extraordinary charm."

Although wearing a mask and night clothes, it was as if he were walking in the sunlight, having shed all his disguises—he was dressed entirely in black, except for his slightly eye-catching red gloves, which were otherwise 'plain and unremarkable'...

But this all-black phantom thief outfit, worn by Amamiya, is even more eye-catching than Shala's "white" uniform.

Noticing that the girls' gazes had all turned to him, Amamiya coughed lightly in exasperation.

"...You have to be vigilant at all times in another world. The phantom thief outfit isn't for showing off...it exists to defend against sudden attacks."

"Izuna."

Izuna's amber-gold eyes, which had been poised to strike, suddenly lit up in the night as Amamiya called out.

"I'm all set, just bear with it!"

Izuna suddenly stepped on the ground, preparing to form hand seals.

A ghostly blue flame suddenly ignited, surrounding Izuna, and then, as if by a 'transformation spell,' instantly changed Izuna's originally slightly flamboyant clothes and added a fox mask to her.

"Wow……"

Seeing this gorgeous scene that required no special effects, Xiaoman was so envious that she even felt a little bittersweet.

He instantly became handsome and more mature, and his gorgeous night clothes were even more elegant in the night. There was also a small katana hanging horizontally on his waist, a band on his thigh, and kunai and meteor showers tied to the band... Everything about him was so "ninja".