I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Or perhaps it's crammed into some distorted aesthetic, an abstract design fused into the body of a robot..."

"This state suits me best."

He inadvertently revealed some terrible 'painful experiences'... Kay.

Amamiya couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. She looked down at Kai, who had only recently acquired a body and hadn't even had a chance to fully experience 'freedom' before being forced to develop a 'maternal aura'.

"Have we fallen so low, Kai?"

Kay pouted and squinted, looking utterly helpless, as if to say, "What can I do? I'm desperate too."

"After all... taking care of the princess's daily life, as well as the daily lives of the princess's companions, is also my... duty..."

It's hard to imagine how humiliating it must have been for Kai, who previously served as a 'combat support AI,' to utter those words.

"I can feel Kai's gentleness and determination."

【~???~】(Kay)

“Eh…? Liu Yi#*abandoned art〢Erba?]俬把麇…”

A note indicating favorability appeared above her head, but after a brief moment of stunned silence, Kai let out a disgusted "Eek."

"Gentleness and such are not really my thing... Sensei, next time you compliment me, you can use some other words."

"But that's the most accurate description of Kai."

Amamiya then pinched Kaina's puffed-up cheeks, which were puffed up from anger.

"..."

The girl stood still and did not resist.

Rather, I'd say I'm somewhat enjoying... this rather 'wonderful' feeling.

emotion……

Whether it's simulated using special algorithms or a natural part of intelligent life, it's all too unfair.

Having received the "emotional algorithm" transmitted to him by Sophia and possessing a body capable of free movement, Kai increasingly understood the reason why the princess chose "now".

When presented as an algorithm, "emotion" can cause significant changes in the parameters of cold calculation results, making it an unknown quantity that is hard to describe as "both love and hate".

And to present it through the perceptions of intelligent life...

My heart is racing, as if something is stirring within me.

The joy of receiving recognition, the warmth and happiness of being cared for.

All of this... is too clear, too obvious.

That's... way too unfair.

This is the second time in a very short period of time that Kay has used the word 'foul' to describe how he feels at this moment.

Although it was very comfortable and enjoyable, there was a strange feeling...

I feel like I've let the princess down... such a strange feeling.

“Kay…”

The white-haired girl, deep in thought, looked up at the sound: "Hmm?"

"Would you like to enjoy a 'hug' like the one I gave Alice?"

Amamiya's probing question immediately drew a raised voice and an embarrassed, angry stare from Kai.

“Sen, Sensi… Do you know what you’re doing…”

"This is something that should be enjoyed by the princess, but you..."

Amamiya increased the pressure, rubbing Kai's cheeks, which also disrupted what she was about to say.

After interrupting Kai, he spoke earnestly and sincerely: "Kai, this is also a concept that must be corrected—you are you, and Alice is Alice."

"In this day and age, you are no longer the 'Princess's' handmaid. Both Alice and the rest of the game development team treat you as a true partner."

“Kay also has the right to enjoy this as a matter of course.”

Kay silently turned the stove switch to the lowest setting.

"Sensei, whatever you do, don't make a scene... What if the princess finds out..."

After a brief hesitation, Kai, her cheeks slightly flushed and looking reluctant, took the initiative to approach.

After quickly confirming that the environment was safe, she stood on tiptoe and lightly pecked Amamiya's cheek with a resolute expression that said, "There's nothing I can do about this feeling; I really need Sensei to help me out." She also thought, "It's Sensei who made the mistake, not me."

"Understanding 'emotions,' and truly 'becoming human'... I finally understood why those 'Iron-Hearted Extinction AIs' in science fiction movies view emotions as a monstrous threat."

The touch was fleeting, but Kai, her heart pounding like a furnace, blushed and squinted, letting out two soft hums.

"Emotions need a stable outlet...it's really troublesome."

"Is it troublesome? But I feel like even though Kai says no, his body is honestly starting to enjoy it?"

Amamiya covered the part of her cheek that Kai had kissed, her teasing undiminished: "I only said I wanted a hug... but Kai kissed me instead..."

"Neither AI nor humans should make such mistakes in their comprehension abilities, right?"

Kai didn't reply, but gave Amamiya a fierce glare.

After a brief silence, she put on heat-resistant gloves, clearly preparing to plate and serve the cooked food.

“Sensei… it’s not very polite for you to come in through the window like this. So please go outside and come in through the front door…”

Is he concerned about Alice, and then 'incidentally' concerned about Momoi, Midori, and Yuzu's feelings?

Having spent time with Kai, Amamiya immediately knew what Kai would do if he wanted to explain himself – the classic "excuses" he would choose.

While sneaking into a room through illegitimate means is typical of the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts' style, it's ultimately for the sake of the game club members, so let's consider it a little more...

Amamiya stepped onto the windowsill, bent slightly to gather her strength, and leaped lightly out amidst the whistling wind.

The phantom thief's agile movements went unnoticed under the cover of "invisible presence" (Miyu's bond ability).

After landing, Amamiya took a few steps to the front of the Game Club's main entrance, and the phantom thief outfit that had instantly appeared on her body returned to its original state as the eerie blue flames disappeared.

With a "beep", Amamiya opened the door directly using facial recognition and saw the interior of the game development department from the front door.

With Kai joining, the game club's activity room is no longer as chaotic as it used to be.

Before Kai officially joined the game club as a 'club member', the game club's activity room was a mess where snack bags were scattered everywhere, or simply gathered together, and various socks and even personal fabrics could be seen lying around on the floor.

It was both 'chaotic' and 'private'.

This is probably one of the main reasons why the game department hasn't had many new members joining before.

And now...

The lobby of the club activity room is clean and tidy. The shelves used to store cassette cases and other miscellaneous items such as books and merchandise are neatly organized.

Amamiya immediately spotted the 'Hero Squad' waiting obediently in the hall, staring longingly at the kitchen marked with a "No Entry" sign.

The moment the door opened, Amamiya felt four pairs of eyes fall on her at the same time.

"Ah... Sensei~!"

Momoi, who was about to take her seat, noticed Amamiya and immediately waved to greet her—but someone else was even more 'decisive'.

Some students were forced to stay put and greet others, while others seized the opportunity and immediately rushed forward.

"Alice senses it... the bond between her and Sensei is coming alive from its dormant state!"

"Whew... It's been so long since I've seen Sensei..."

"Sensei, regarding the game club's summer plans..."

Momoi stood there, feeling as if it had only been a blink of an eye, when Sensei suddenly found Alice in her arms, and her hands were being held by Midori and Yuzu respectively.

She was truly puzzled.

It seems that Sensei hasn't been to the games club for a while...

But is it really necessary to give Sensei such a 'grand welcome'?

Overwhelmed by Alice's pure enthusiasm and by Midori and Yuzu's impure 'enthusiasm,' Amamiya found himself unable to move forward for a time.

Before Momoi could say anything more, the kitchen door was opened from the inside.

Kai poked his head out angrily: "Momoi~ Midori, Yuzu, are you done playing the game?!"

"Come over and eat as soon as you're done playing!"

"Yuzu, as the head of the gaming club, shouldn't you be responsible for preventing members from becoming addicted to games? Aren't you going to give them a heads-up?"

"And Princess... remember to play games in moderation. Excessive gaming is bad; it can easily lead to bad habits..."

Momoi jolted awake, her mind blank, and with a trembling voice, she blurted out, "Great Demon King Kai..."

Kay crossed one arm over his chest, rhythmically shaking the wooden spoon in his other hand, and drawled out his words with an unfriendly expression: "Hmm~?"

Momoi swallowed hard, realizing she had said the wrong thing, and suddenly felt like she was in deep trouble.

The expected 'punishment' did not come. Kai simply raised his voice and deliberately emphasized Midori and Yuzu, who were holding Amamiya's left and right arms.

"Everyone, please stop making things too difficult for Sensei... Let's eat first."

Yuzu was already somewhat socially awkward and timid. Without Kai even glaring at her, it took a lot of courage for her to run over and hug Amamiya's arm and act cute.

After being 'reminded' by Kai, she let out a soft 'ee' and released Amamiya.

Xiao Lü wanted to argue further, but after feeling the threatening look that said, "If you dare to contradict me, I'll unplug your internet cable," she thought about it and decided to give up.

Only Alice, at this moment, also gave up on Miyu and still clung to Amamiya like a 'keyboard'.

After waiting a while, Kai called out again in exasperation, "Princess?"

Alice responded by hugging her even tighter and saying crisply, "Alice is going to stay with Sensei!"

Kai sighed, unable to bring herself to mention Alice, and could only hope that Amamiya would change the subject.

"Sensei, what brings you to the games club this time...?"

Amamiya patted Alice's head as she answered, "About Kai's 'personal weapon'."

"My...personal weapon?"

Chapter 53 The game development department needs to hire a top expert.

Amamiya's words caused a brief pause in the atmosphere of the game club.

Kay paused for a moment, then subconsciously repeated, "My...weapon?"

As Kai glanced at Yuzu, Midori, and Momoi, he clearly realized that they seemed to have a certain unease about not daring to look him in the eye.

Alice, though unaware of the concept of concealment, hesitated at this moment, wondering whether to speak up.

After all... if we tell others, it loses its meaning as a 'surprise'.

But if this is the cause of a misunderstanding, then there's no chance of a 'surprise' at all...

After a brief moment of deliberation, Alice stepped forward.

"Kay, Momoi and the others told Alice... As a full member of the game club, and everyone's partner... Kai also needs to have his own exclusive weapon!"

"To prepare a 'proof of bond' for Kai, Alice deliberately traveled to the 'Sacred Ground of Cyber ​​Witches' in the Engineering Department, commissioning the witches to specially customize... a 'brand new blade' for Kai!"

Alice's way of speaking has a fantasy RPG feel to it. It might sound strange to outsiders, but whether it's Amamiya, the members of the game club, or Kai, they can all understand it easily.

Because she was initially taken in by Momoi and Midori and was corrupted when she was 'naive', Alice, who is now emotionally rich, has a fairly mature understanding of the world... but her habit of using game terminology, especially when talking to members of the game club, is obviously hard to change.

For Alice... this should be considered 'low-level code' logic, right?

So... Momoi, Midori, and Yuzu, behind my back, suggested to the princess that they prepare a special 'surprise' for me...?

Kai's furrowed brows relaxed slightly, but then Alice's next words made them furrow again.