I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Tsk tsk..."

Amamiya stroked his chin, clicking his tongue slightly, his eyes looking somewhat strange: "I never imagined that Mimori would be thinking about something like this..."

Amamiya's seemingly soul-stirring 'remark' made Mimori instinctively shrink back, forgetting her embarrassment, and look up in astonishment: "Sen...Sensei...?!"

Amamiya shook her finger and said a few words that left the girls present bewildered, but instantly made Mimori even more flustered.

"If a year is calculated in thirteen months, then a month has 28 days. And every year there's exactly one extra day..."

"It is said that this day has no day or week, and even the gods forget it. Therefore, it is a 'completely blank day.' It is said that all the contradictions in life can be resolved on this day."

Clicking her tongue, Amamiya went even further, mimicking the gentle tone Mimori had 'seen' in her memory: "And this, is the origin of the name 'Kamizuki'..."

"Waaaaaahh ...

"Sen, Sensi... No, please stop saying that!"

Mimori rushed forward in a panic, unable to even maintain her Yamato Nadeshiko demeanor, and disregarding any sense of distance, and covered Amamiya's mouth.

Next, it's all about passionate and affectionate confessions!

Amamiya stood still without making any move, just smiling as she watched Mimori react 'react'.

【~???~】(Sansen)

I sensed the complex emotions emanating from Mimori.

[Coopation Improvement!]

【Mizuha Mimori (Faith)★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆】

[★4 Bond Ability "Wish of the Divine Moon" is now unlocked!]

"..."

(//////////)

After their eyes met at close range, Mimori belatedly realized what was happening and pulled back as if she had been electrocuted.

"Ah, um, that, I..."

"..."

Feeling the different gazes cast upon him by the members of the Ninjutsu Research Club and Ibuki, Mimori felt extremely embarrassed at that moment.

As Mimori stood there bewildered, Nia's announcement came over the loudspeaker again from the airship.

"Oh my... I never expected the 'Mind Reader' to be outmaneuvered by the 'Mind Thief'... How interesting."

"It seems that Sensei has passed this hurdle in a very special way."

"Then what happens next..."

“Sensei, and the 'ninjas' surrounding him.”

Are you ready for the "Final Trial"?

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Is the Smiling Professor About to Be Captured?

"So—what is presented before you all is~~!"

As the seemingly uneventful "Warakuhime" performance drew to a close, Nia, who was occasionally in charge of broadcasting the event from the airship, gradually raised her voice.

"The final hurdle in this 'Wagakuhime' performance... the House of Lies."

After Nia's brief introduction, Makoto's voice, which naturally exuded an arrogant and villainous aura, came from inside the airship.

"A fog of thousands of lies hangs over this place, and now, the 'Legendary Ninja,' the 'Future Demon Emperor,' and the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' will set foot here..."

"The ability to detect lies will be the discernment of the 'future Demon Emperor,' the experience of the 'legendary ninja,' or the shrewdness of the 'heart-stealing phantom thief'..."

"The stage is ready!"

"Hehehe...Let's present the most magnificent farewell performance!"

Standing beneath a magnificent building resembling a castle tower, Amamiya listened to the announcement coming from the airship, and it was obvious what was going on...

These lines for Makoto were probably prepared for her by Nia, and Makoto may have even practiced them for a long time without saying a word before actually reading them.

Pulling herself back to reality, Amamiya looked up at the massive building standing in the shadow of the airship, its weathered appearance a blend of age and modernity.

"Oh...this is the final challenge..."

Along the way, even the energetic girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club are now somewhat tired.

With a gleam in her eyes, Xiaoman's voice carried a joy and anticipation of impending success.

Given that the entire process was almost broadcast live, getting this far... was quite an achievement.

Izuna shaded his eyes with his hand, twirled his large fox tail, and stood on tiptoe, looking around.

"It seems Izuna hasn't discovered this time's 'Guardian'..."

After finishing her observation, Izuna trotted over to Amamiya to 'report': "My lord, Izuna didn't find any danger, but something feels very strange...!"

Tsukuyomi, who often hunched her shoulders and gave off a slightly timid impression, chimed in, "I sensed a somewhat unusual sense of danger..."

As Ibuki, who was jogging around nearby and observing her surroundings with curiosity, Amamiya expressed her agreement with the seemingly unfounded concerns of the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club.

—A performance is often referred to as the "grand finale".

"Saving the best for last" is the common practice for most performances.

Just like Makoto's well-prepared line: 'The stage is ready.'

What awaits Amamiya may well be a truly 'grand farewell performance'.

Of course, it could also be an undeniable farce.

"Everyone's feeling is correct. The closer we are to success, the less we can afford to be complacent."

After saying this with a stern expression, Amamiya lowered her voice and said softly, in a way that wouldn't be recorded by the live broadcast recording equipment, "Did you feel it? That feeling that's completely different from before."

The girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club nodded in unison.

That indescribable, complex feeling that has been accumulating within me since I started participating in "Warakuhime"—a feeling of being noticed and expected—is now so obvious that it can truly provide me with a tangible boost.

"Your Highness Sensei, this kind of..."

It was truly difficult to describe this abstract feeling. After a moment of hesitation, Xiaoman asked with a strange expression, "...What exactly is this strange feeling?"

"I have this strange feeling that's related to the 'popularity' we've always had..."

Amamiya smiled and answered the girls' questions in an abstract way: "Just think of this as the power transformed from everyone's 'positive wishes' for you."

"'Gathered prayers will become a force for opening up the future—' Don't think I'm talking about some cringeworthy, hot-blooded anime line; this is the 'most accurate description' at present."

Xiaoman seemed to understand but not quite, and always had a subtle sense of déjà vu.

Izuna, however, realized something in an instant: "Ah! What you mean, my lord..."

"As long as everyone continues to voice their support, our strength will become stronger and more continuous."

Reminded by Izuna, Tsukuyo realized something: "That's just..."

The girls in the Ninja Research Club exchanged knowing glances once more, their anxiety instantly dispelled.

They all thought of... the legend of the "phantom thief".

The seemingly insignificant questions, such as "Do you believe the Phantom Thieves are righteous?" and "The false god who shrouds the world in despair," converge at the final moment to summon the "King of Demons who judges evil gods," and then banish the evil god who symbolizes ignorance and despair.

"Everyone is watching, so there's no need to be afraid, and you shouldn't be afraid."

Amamiya tugged at his gloves, his smile fading as he said, "No matter what difficulties lie ahead, as the 'protagonist,' I cannot stand still."

"Come on—Show Time!"

Xiaoman's eyes lit up: "Wow...it's getting exciting!"

"Your Highness Sensei, was that how you encouraged the Phantom Thieves members back then...?"

Izuna's expression was resolute: "Izuna will always be by my lord's side!"

Tsukuyo didn't speak, but instead echoed Izuna's will, nodding slowly and firmly.

After preparing the members of the Ninjutsu Research Club mentally, Amamiya did not pick up Ibuki, but instead walked in front.

The girls from the Ninjutsu Research Club formed a triangle around Ibuki, constantly on guard against any unforeseen dangers that might suddenly arise.

Maintaining their formation, Amamiya entered the building without any obstacles.

It's clear that Nia put a lot of effort into the set design for the "Wagakuhime" performance.

To fit the theme of "the real and the fake princesses", most of the observable ones use subtle decorations that are symmetrical with one exquisite and one flaw.

Along the way, one could see sword stands for displaying katanas;

This is how the display shelves and vases are arranged;

The same applies to screens and the carvings on them.

Upon arriving at the scheduled performance venue, 'Princess's Boudoir', Amamiya and her group immediately saw the 'performance set' already prepared in a room filled with Japanese Zen-like ambiance.

"Sensei..."

Imprisoned in a prop cage, the girl with downcast eyes sighed softly, "...And everyone."

"You are here."

Wearing the specially prepared 'twelve-layered kimono', her bright red eyes and gentle aura, she exuded the temperament of a 'princess' with just a glance when she opened her eyes and looked up.

"As expected, it's...it's Princess!"

Realizing she had almost broken character, Xiaoman quickly corrected herself: "Princess, don't panic, we'll rescue you right away..."

Azuko smiled gently, tilted her head slightly to look at Amamiya, and did not reply.

She... doesn't seem flustered at all?

Azuko didn't speak, but that didn't stop another 'abrupt' voice from ringing out in the room.

"Don't rush to save them. Do you remember the final request from the 'True and False Princesses'?"

With a 'click', the hidden mechanism in the room was remotely activated, and a cage suspended by a rope was raised into the room.

Iroha, who was locked in another cage, waved to Amamiya and his group through the bars as a greeting.

"In the 'True and False Princesses' contest, if the difference is made at the very last moment, not only will all the effort be in vain, but it could also lead to the worst possible outcome..."

After giving this reminder, Iroha leaned against the fence, displaying a laziness that was completely different from Akiko's gentle and approachable aura.

Iroha's reminder also reminded the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club of the "crime warning" they had received not long ago.

The gist of the "crime warning" is: 'Iroha has been kidnapped, and to rescue her, the real princess must be identified in the final stage.'

Recalling the relevant content, the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club became alert.

If the kidnapping letter was fake... then is the Iroha in the cage in front of us real?

If Iroha isn't real, then where is she now?

The girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club were stumped, and Ibuki was also at a loss. She came to the cage where Iroha was and tried to communicate with Iroha through the bars.

Faced with Ibuki's gaze and calls, Iroha hesitated for a moment before finally closing her eyes and letting out a soft "Ah" as if giving up the struggle.

“Sensei, now…”

Make your choice.

Amamiya's original intention was to test the girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club and see what their opinions were.

But when he turned around, he noticed that the girls from the Ninjutsu Research Club, as well as Ibuki, were all staring at him expectantly.

Unlike the students of Gehenna and Hyakki Yagyō who were watching the video broadcast for entertainment, this was different.

They were among the few people in the know about this "secret kidnapping case," possessing knowledge of the unusual inside story.

From the outside, this choice seems unremarkable; at worst, choosing the wrong one would just mean failing the "trial."

But what is the reality? Choosing the wrong option could lead to serious consequences.

This could be a critical choice that leads to 'mistakes and eternal regret'...

'Still needs to grow, L wine $3@neighborly affairs VI start?〢玐?贰〒箘.'

Taking in the girls' embarrassed and nervous expressions, Amamiya sighed softly to herself.