I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Sen, Sensi... what... do you want to do...?"

I don't know what kind of internal struggle she went through, but when she looked up again, Hongye's eyes had changed to a look of timidity and nervousness, but also a little bit of expectation.

Amamiya: ...

Momiji's subtle gaze reminded Amamiya of the "eye-watering" doujinshi he found while strolling through Akihabara, featuring himself and Goro Akechi.

You have to admire the imagination of female fans of BL (Boys' Love).

Feeling a bit annoyed, Amamiya gave up on the idea of ​​teasing Momiji any longer.

"If Hongye doesn't want this matter to be exposed..."

"Take me on a tour of the library, and also take me to see the real 'creator' behind this doujinshi."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Melu, you don't want to become material for a doujinshi, do you?

"This is it..."

After showing Amamiya around the library and getting a general idea of ​​its layout, Momiji finally led her to a back door that resembled an 'employee entrance'.

Large libraries, of course, require constant maintenance and monitoring.

Naturally, it is necessary to provide appropriate rest facilities for the 'staff' who stay here.

Therefore, it naturally includes a rest area and a living area.

The initial tension had disappeared, and Hongye's words and actions had become much more normal.

However, perhaps due to spending too much time in the library, or perhaps because of her 'literary girl' or 'homebody' traits, even without that awkwardness and tension, Momiji still spoke a little hesitantly.

Take out the key and open the 'back door'. Momiji led Amamiya through the corridor and living area to the door of a 'personal dormitory'.

The door was ajar, and the cool glow of a computer screen shone through the crack.

Standing in the hallway outside the door, Amamiya could hear the sounds coming from inside the room without even pushing the door open.

"Damn it... If only it could be faster..."

"Doujinshi also need to be timely!"

"If I could finish drawing it all in one go during a period of inspiration..."

"At least... we need to finish the storyboard first..."

"Hmph, hmph, hmph... Ahhh, I can't finish drawing this... Ahhh..."

"Inspiration, inspiration is slipping through my fingers..."

Tut tut...

If it weren't for Momiji still watching, Amamiya would have liked to shake his head and click his tongue repeatedly.

Another fujoshi (female fan of yaoi/BL).

Or rather... this one, her 'fujoshi' vibe is even stronger than Momiji's.

No wonder he became a top figure in the doujinshi world within Kivotos, frequently drawing various "special themes" of doujinshi featuring himself and his students.

People who are engrossed in their own focus are generally less likely to notice changes in their environment.

Amamiya pushed open the door and entered the room, immediately noticing the various small decorations that matched the style of a 'manga artist'.

Several signed graffiti, each with a different style, are hanging on the pegboard near the computer.

The small bookshelf was crammed with all sorts of books, their spines adorned with colorful patterns. The ones that appeared to be consecutively numbered were probably series of novels or comics.

The room was dimly lit, with only the main computer screen and two secondary screens emitting a cool fluorescent glow. The main screen displayed the interface of a drawing software, while one of the secondary screens was filled with search bars for various keywords related to 'Sensei,' photos of Amamiya taken from different angles, collected from who-knows-where.

The other screen displays the main interface of a music player.

Her messy, bluish-green hair was frizzy and sticking out, clearly indicating that she didn't take care of it often.

Her loafers lay scattered under the ergonomic chair, while she curled up in the chair in a cute yet incredibly slovenly way, scribbling and drawing on her digital tablet.

[Assisted by: Himeki Meru / 'Manga Artist' from the Book Front]

[Arcana: The Magician (Маг)]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

Amamiya looked closely... and sure enough, the main screen showed that "delusional comic" with each setting more outrageous than the last.

This performance... immediately reminded Amamiya of another song - 'Introverted are all composers'.

Amamiya narrowed his eyes slightly, naturally recalling a well-known fan fiction creator in the doujinshi world whom he had occasionally heard about since arriving in Kiwatos.

Using the pen name "Muri," she's been focusing on herself ever since she created her first doujinshi (fan-made comic book) related to herself...

It can be said that the distortion and decline in her reputation is largely related to her "constant writing".

As Amamiya thought about it, she felt both annoyed and amused.

He rummaged through the shoulder bag he used to keep Morgana in and found a pen and a blank notebook, then moved closer to Melu.

"Cough cough..."

After clearing his throat to get Meryl's attention, Amamiya said 'sincerely', "Meryl-sensei... I really like your work, could you please sign it for me?"

Similarly, Melu, engrossed in her own creation, didn't immediately grasp the situation.

Occupational hazard prompted her to subconsciously take the pen and notebook, and sign her name using a signature method she had naturally developed through countless practice sessions.

"Hmm... Thank you for your support of Ms. Meryl...?"

Melu froze on the spot after signing her name, suddenly realizing a strange fact.

I am now in my own 'workspace'...

Why would there be "fans" asking for my autograph?

Wait... what I just heard...

Her movements abruptly stopped, and Meru made a reaction very similar to that of Momiji when she was caught red-handed—she subconsciously swallowed.

Amamiya remained silent, gripping the back of the ergonomic chair, and slowly turned it halfway around so that the girl nestled in the chair was facing him. Then, she looked at the girl with a smile.

After a long silence, Amamiya, still maintaining his 'deeply calm' smile, continued to speak in the tone of a 'fan'.

"Ever since I came to Kivotos and learned about the pen name 'Melilu'... I've really wanted to meet the manga artist behind that pen name in person... I never imagined it would be like this."

After glancing at the storyboard on the screen, Amamiya straightened his tie, gave everyone a meaningful look, and then paused deliberately beneath her black stockings and the barely visible hem of her skirt.

"So, Ms. Melu is actually this cute. She hit my 'strike zone' perfectly..."

【~???~】(Melu)

Startled from her stiffness, Melu belatedly straightened her legs and sat up straight, pressing down her skirt.

"Woo..."

Whether it was out of shame or some other emotion, her face flushed and her eyes half-closed, she let out a sob of unclear meaning.

"Sensei saw it all..."

Amamiya nodded without changing his expression and agreed: "Yes, a wonderful 'view'... I saw it all."

【~???~】(Melu)

"Ms. Meru's delusions... I admire them."

"So, are there any works among them that use yourself as the prototype for the protagonist?"

Have you ever considered creating this type of work?

"If there is..."

After a pause, Amamiya made no attempt to hide her gaze from moving to the girl's slightly heaving chest.

“I can give Ms. Melu some ‘inspiration-based real-world experience’.”

【~???~】(Melu)

【~??~】(Autumn Leaves)

Melu twisted the hem of her clothes, her teeth chattering, barely managing to squeeze out an answer: "Temporarily...temporarily...not yet..."

"Yeah."

Amamiya withdrew his gaze with a hint of regret.

With his gaze fixed on Momiji, who was looking for an opportunity to 'escape' by the door, Amamiya sighed, leaned against a low bookshelf, crossed his arms, and gave the two girls a strange look that said, 'What can I say about you two?'

"Now, let's talk about 'doujinshi' creation."

Melu sat on the chair, her gaze shifting back and forth.

"Sensei...want to...talk about...what?"

Hongye didn't speak, but she raised her head nervously.

After all, it was a case of 'being caught creating strange fanfiction by the person in charge'... They have no grounds for complaint in this situation.

Is it coming...?

The day of 'liquidation' will eventually come...

Amid the girls' trepidation, Amamiya spoke calmly: "...Regarding your drawing skills, art style, and plot arrangement."

Momiji blinked, thinking she was about to hear some kind of 'sentence': '...Eh?'

'The subject of your doujinshi comes to your door... You think he's going to talk about portrait rights or personal privacy... but instead he turns around and starts discussing art style...?'

Why... would such a strange 'story development' occur?

Momiji couldn't quite understand, and neither could Meru.

However, compared to Momiji, her more developed delusions led Meru to think of another layer.

'Want a real improvement in art style and 'experience'? Then I'll...'

Sensei just mentioned the 'strike zone,' could he be referring to himself and Momiji...?

Amamiya coughed lightly, interrupting Meru's further indescribable fantasies.

"First, there's the issue of art style..."

To broaden Meru and Momiji's horizons, and also to distract them, Amamiya took out her phone and browsed through the masterpieces of famous artists outside of Kivotos.

Fujiwara, renowned in the industry and known as the "magician of extreme colors," the mastermind of the underworld, "Chief Kyokoucho," and the genius who has reached the pinnacle, "Yoneyamamai"...

As for why Amamiya knows so much?

Don't ask, I just learned it from Futaba, who often spends time online with me.

As an artist, Melu's attention was immediately drawn to those highly distinctive styles.

"This, this style...this feeling..."

After a brief moment of surprise, Meru looked at Amamiya with a gaze that shone with astonishment.

"...How did Sensei know that?! How did they find out?!"

Amamiya, well aware of the essence of fishing, slowly put away his phone under Meru's tense yet excited gaze, shaking his head enigmatically.

"I originally had some fanfiction I wanted to share with Meru and Momiji... but since you're both a bit afraid of me, I guess I'll just..."

—Admittedly, Amamiya could indeed use a 'strict' approach to correct their drawing of their own fan art.

But first impressions are very important... Once Amamiya does this, it's almost equivalent to leaving an extremely harsh impression on them, thus severing all ties.

Negotiations... especially the first negotiation, require catering to the other party's preferences.

"Um, that..."

Melu wanted to say something more.

Amamiya wiggled her finger and said leisurely, "I've seen the person, and I've said everything I needed to say..."

"Meru. Do you want to know... the ultimate 'art style'?"

Want to learn more advanced drawing techniques?

Having finished 'laying the nest', Amamiya turned and left with his hands in his pockets.