I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

After her reflection, she briefly turned her gaze to Amamiya, then quickly surveyed the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club.

"Sensei... In order to prevent any 'unexpected situations' from happening next, and also to allow you to better understand the current situation."

"...Come with me to the conference room."

Chapter Thirty-One: The Smiling Professor and the Smiling Professor

"Jie Jie Jie Jie..."

Iroha led them to the meeting room of the Onmyo Division. Before Iroha even opened the door, Amamiya and his party heard Makoto's arrogant, exaggerated, and distinctive laughter.

"Is there any proof?"

"Whether it's the relationship with Sensei, or the perfect execution of the 'Academy Exchange Meeting'..."

"Only I, Makoto-sama, can do these things!"

Amamiya stopped in her tracks, looking at Iroha who was about to knock on the door, along with the ninjas from the Ninjutsu Research Club and Akiko.

Is this always the style of the Pandemonium?

Iroha, with an expression that said 'I'm used to it,' replied softly, 'When Sensei isn't looking... Makoto is always like this.'

The conversation in the conference room continued, and in the brief moment between Iroha's knocking on the door, Amamiya also heard Nia's voice.

"Nya fufu~ It seems that Speaker Makoto is very confident."

"I really appreciate your help in organizing this exchange meeting, Chairperson Makoto."

Compared to Makoto's voice, which has a kind of "brainless beauty," Nia's voice has a unique quality, like a strategist smiling and waiting for someone to fall into a trap... It has a deep, cunning, and even "treacherous" feel to it.

“I have an even more brilliant idea, Chairman Makoto, would you like to hear it?”

Iruha seemed to have deliberately timed her knocking perfectly; Nia had just finished speaking when she knocked loudly on the conference room door.

The conversation stopped abruptly, and then the door was immediately opened from the inside—it was Satsuki who happened to be waiting at the door.

Taking advantage of the height difference, Satsuki glanced down at the calm-looking Iroha, and then naturally noticed Amamiya and her group.

“Oh, it’s Iroha…and Sensei too.”

Thinking of her embarrassing hypnosis experience not long ago, Satsuki felt a little guilty and dared not meet Amamiya's gaze.

As she stepped aside, she changed the subject by mentioning "an acquaintance next to her".

"Iroha, why did you bring Sensei and the others with you? Where's Ibuki?"

Iroha sighed softly: "...Ibuki is currently 'preparing'."

Prepare……

After a moment's thought, Satsuki suddenly realized.

Indeed... it's necessary to conserve your energy beforehand in order to enjoy the upcoming "Warakuhime" performance.

“Sensei, we’re getting to the heart of the matter…you’ve come at the perfect time.”

She stepped aside, intending to lead Amamiya and her entourage through a short corridor separated by screens in the style of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons and other Zen-inspired decorations.

Iroha did not go with them, and said goodbye to Amamiya and the others, saying that she still had to take care of Ibuki.

Under any circumstances, taking care of Ibuki is the top priority for all members of the Pandemonium.

After all, she was truly the apple of everyone's eye, the true future Demon Emperor of the Pandemonium.

"See you at the next performance...Sensei."

Leaving behind such a mysterious and suggestive remark, Iroha hurriedly departed.

"..."

Before entering, Izuna, Koman, and Tsukuyomi briefly exchanged glances.

It wasn't because of nervousness, but because...

'I smell something "off"... Izuna, Tsukuyomi, what are your thoughts?'

'Izuna feels that the current Princess Iroha seems a little different from the Princess Iroha he has met before…'

"Huh? Everyone feels that way... I... I feel the same way."

'Sensei should have been notified in advance...'

'Yes, that's right! This must be the danger lurking around Prince Sensei, the so-called "Smiling Strategist's" conspiracy!'

"Then, does that mean our lord has fallen into the villain's trap?! Izuna, we must get this information to our lord!!"

The ninja girls inexplicably became 'hot-blooded'... but Amamiya could understand it.

The events I'm currently experiencing do indeed have a subtle, eerie feel to them.

The person who had been by his side for quite some time looked like Iroha and also had a similar personality to Iroha when they interacted.

Even the halo that proves a student's true identity, which is unique to each student and difficult for the students themselves to recognize, but which Amamiya can recognize, is also Iroha's halo.

However, in the Third Eye, the message she corresponds to is not Iroha, who possesses the Demon Arcana.

[Assistant: The Smiling Professor/Moriarty of the criminal underworld]

Arcana: The Devil (XV. The Devil)

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

Although he possesses a similar demonic form, Arcana, his name has been changed to one that clearly looks like a pseudonym, and his title has become the highly symbolic 'Moriarty of the Criminal World'.

Before even entering the meeting room, I encountered some bizarre 'impersonation'...

This is really...

interesting.

Where exactly is the real Iroha?

Is Ibuki currently in a safe situation?

—The reason why Amamiya didn't expose it immediately was because of this concern.

The best time to 'flip the chessboard' is when the opponent has no chips in our possession.

Now that the 'Laughing Professor's' acting skills have been exposed and she can no longer continue her act, it's difficult to ascertain the situation between Iroha and Ibuki.

"Sensei, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting..."

“Chairwoman Makoto and the others are waiting for you here at (7) 3 Lengshi? 〕Sanshi.”

After watching Satsuki turn and leave, Amamiya led Azuko and the anxious members of the Ninjutsu Research Club into the conference room.

As the Japanese-style sliding door was pushed open, the girls behind Amamiya immediately felt a sense of oppression—

The huge conference room contained only two people.

They all share the characteristic of 'horns': one has demon horns, and the other has devil horns.

Besides that... their auras are also terrifyingly strong.

After a brief silence, Nia the cat smiled and slightly waved the folding fan in her hand as a greeting.

"Sensei, welcome~"

Nia was no exception among her colleagues in the Ninjutsu Research Department.

As for...

Nia's gaze briefly fell on Ajinko, and she was momentarily 'amazed'.

This aura... seems to have some similarities to Chise of the Onmyo Club...

Nia's smile froze for a moment, then she casually gestured for Amamiya and her group to sit down in the empty seats nearby.

Makoto, on the other hand, kept her gaze fixed on Amamiya the entire time, her burning gaze, almost like a desire to conquer, making no attempt to hide it.

'If we could get the support of the "Phantom Thief"...'

Without even thinking, Amamiya knew what she was thinking at that moment.

The meeting room fell silent briefly upon Amamiya's arrival.

After a moment, Nia coughed lightly, seemingly acknowledging that Amamiya had already learned the news, and continued the previous topic.

"Ahem... let's get back to the main topic."

“I mentioned before that I had an even more unique idea… President Makoto, what do you think?”

What do you mean by "what do you think?" Nia, have you finished explaining your plan before asking someone else what they think?

Amamiya, who had just sat down, immediately felt somewhat helpless, as if Nia was toying with a fool.

But the key point is... Makoto really is the kind of person who's 'all talk and no action'.

When Nia asked her that question, she seemed to freeze, blinking blankly for a moment before forcing herself to calm down and regaining her arrogant and sharp demeanor.

"……snort."

Although she didn't know what Nia was saying, she still let out what she thought was a cool snort and nodded slowly and deeply: "Since you've said so, then I'll listen attentively."

"Mmm~" Nia smiled softly, "The specific plan..."

Azuko, sitting down next to Amamiya: "..."

The girl looked up in confusion, subtly observing Makoto, who spoke with an air of superiority, and Nia, who remained indifferent to Makoto's attitude.

It feels very strange...

There's an absurdity to "unexpectedly connecting even though we're not on the same wavelength."

Nia gives the impression of being a "bad woman," while Makoto gives the impression of being a "stupid woman."

After thinking for a moment, Akiko tugged at Amamiya's sleeve under the table, then gave him a curious look that seemed to say, "Are all student council presidents like this?"

Regarding Akiko's problem... Amamiya can only say that the student council presidents of each academy really do have their own shortcomings.

Let me list all the student council presidents I've encountered so far, besides Makoto and Nia...

Hoshino's impression of himself is 'lazy and undisciplined';

Rion is 'cold and rational, almost inhuman';

Nagisa is 'overly suspicious';

Hisaki is 'afflicted with an illness';

These 'shortcomings' are all the result of the predicaments they face, and are pitiful aspects that deserve sympathy after a deeper examination.

After giving Akiko a look that said, "That's a perfectly acceptable interpretation," Amamiya began eavesdropping on Nia and Makoto's conversation, watching Akiko's thoughtful expression.

'The Student Council President's Flaws...'

Akiko rubbed the badge on her chest that read "President of the Student Council of Arios Branch School".

This ultimate treasure of the "Palace of Beatrice," the symbol of the Arius branch... is the illusion it made him see when the palace collapsed real?

What was the former president, who wore this emblem before me, like...?

It made me feel gentle...

The painting of Sayuri that Yusuke's mother left for him, which I mentioned to Sensei, is somewhat similar...

As Azuko pondered deeply, and while the girls of the Ninjutsu Research Club sat upright, Amamiya had already overheard Makoto and Nia's conversation and learned about Nia's so-called 'temporary plan'.

The most important role in the performance of the play "Warahime" is, of course, the princess who is 'kidnapped' and then rescued.

Previously, this role was played by Chise from the Onmyo Department.

Now, in order to highlight the successful collaboration between the 'Hyakki Yagyō' and Ghéna,' Nia plans to have Makoto choose a Ghéna student to perform a key part of this show on Chise's behalf.

"Or……"

Nia chuckled, but then inadvertently changed the subject.

"The 'True and False Princess' scenario... is definitely something Wakarahime has never tried before."

"But if Sensei agrees... it's not impossible to try some innovative modifications to the script~"

With her eyes lowered and brows furrowed, Nia looked at Amamiya while holding a folding fan in her hand, but instead spoke about Azuko.