I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

After picking up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and taking a bite, Misaki was overwhelmed by the burst of sweet and sour flavors in her mouth.

Amidst the interplay of sweet and sour aromas, Misaki even hallucinated a scene—

The chef, with his back to the counter, nodded with satisfaction at his masterpiece, which had just been plated and taken out of the pot.

"Sweet and sour pork ribs... This dish should be eaten while it's hot. Once it cools down, the sour taste will become more prominent and mask the sweetness."

"Will Sensei be able to taste the meaning behind 'it's just like love'?"

Clearly, this dish has a 'specific purpose' and was not prepared specifically for the 'guest' himself.

However... it was surprisingly delicious.

Being with Sensei... is this what it feels like?

You can taste the sweetness when you get closer.

When Sensei is friendly with other students... the sour taste becomes more prominent.

So, can we understand it as...?

Ever since the moment Sensei teased me and I wanted to become her pet girl...

The complex emotions that arise in one's heart can be attributed, summarized, and concluded as... "love"?

Upon receiving this result, Misaki paused, her heart pounding.

Is this what "liking" means?

I like it, Sensei?

After glancing up and secretly observing Amamiya, Misaki quickly looked away.

……

Lunchtime passed quickly.

Rumi asked the waiting members of the Genbu Chamber of Commerce to collect the leftover dishes, but she did not leave immediately.

"Sensei..."

Rumi's gaze held a hint of ambiguity: "How does it feel?"

Amamiya knew what Rumi was asking, but at this moment, this was all he could answer—

"Rumi's hospitality was, of course, impeccable."

【~???~】(Rumi)

"I'm glad Sensei likes it."

Rumi was quite satisfied, certain that her 'feelings' had been conveyed.

"So...shouldn't we talk about something else now?"

"……really."

At that moment, Amamiya subtly extended the invitation for "cooperation" to Rumi.

As for Rumi... she naturally wouldn't, and couldn't, dodge such a "major matter."

"Mmm...I understand."

After hearing Amamiya's 'hint,' Rumi made a decision without hesitation: "Shall we do our part for the security of the core area of ​​Giwatos...?"

"In terms of combat prowess, the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce might be slightly inferior..."

"But as for defense... heh."

Why does the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce use 'Xuanwu' as its key identifier?

After asking a question she already knew the answer to, Rumi touched her chest again and made a promise similar to that of Hime Saki.

"If Xuanlong Gate can become a sharp sword to clear obstacles for Sensei..."

"Then, the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce will become Sensei's most reliable shield."

[My bond with Rumi has deepened...]

【Amanashi Rumi (Love) ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

【★3 "Emotional Flavoring" is now available!】

Chapter Four: Xia Lai's Pet Girl

The night scene described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is quite unique.

The buildings with upturned eaves and undulating heights stretch to the ends of the earth, while pale yellow ginkgo leaves flutter and dance in the evening breeze, echoing the brilliance of the sky called stars and the brilliance of the earth called lights.

The sky, shrouded in a massive halo, appeared to be 'torn apart,' with the crack stretching to the horizon, as did the stars that shone brightly near the crack.

In comparison... the light on the ground appeared very 'soft'.

A warm-toned light stretched out in a line, and the rising lights of thousands of homes, though not bright, were exceptionally cozy.

The white base with blue trim, and the knot in the style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, are slightly taut yet just right.

A black-haired girl dressed in a high-slit, blue-and-white porcelain-style cheongsam sat on a stone railing with her legs crossed, her fair figure bathed in moonlight.

"Sensei..."

She smiled gently and sincerely thanked her, saying, "...Thank you."

After gazing at the silent beauty blending into the night for a few seconds, Amamiya chuckled and waved her hand, "What are you thanking me for?"

"Misaki's gratitude... is completely unfounded."

"It's not without reason."

Misaki took a light breath, then corrected herself earnestly: "The reason I am grateful to Sensei now...Sensei should know better than I do."

Amamiya remained silent for the time being.

"The reason I'm expressing my gratitude here, now, is because... this is a rare opportunity."

Misaki jumped down from the stone railing, turned her back, and held onto the railing with both hands. She looked down at the brightly lit streets below, watching the prayer lanterns, each with a small but warm light, gradually rise around the area.

The girl remained silent in that position, seemingly waiting for Amamiya to continue before she could speak further.

At this moment... Amamiya, of course, wouldn't be so 'unromantic' as to stand still.

After a moment's hesitation, Amamiya naturally came up behind Misaki, slightly bowing and placing his hands just a hair's breadth away from Misaki's, maintaining a distance that was 'almost touching but just a hair's breadth away'.

"Sensei, I..."

"..."

"I have thought about ending my own life, about embracing death."

Amamiya did not respond, but instead breathed slowly and evenly.

...It's obvious.

Moreover, it's easy to tell from the first meeting.

"If everything returns to dust, then why live..."

"...Life is nothingness."

“Pain, suffering… these small things, even the slightest bit, can easily crush a person, negate all their efforts, and destroy all their achievements.”

"Before I met you... I had thought this more than once."

Amamiya didn't respond, so Misaki slowed down her speech, recounting her heartfelt words that she had been preparing for a long time, while carefully sensing the response from the adult who was holding her.

"...If only there were no 'wisdom,' then we wouldn't feel what suffering is."

"If only I could remain in 'nothingness,' then I wouldn't have to think about anything, I could just follow instructions."

"If only it could be 'ended' like this... then I wouldn't have to care about anything."

"This idea has always influenced me... right now."

At this point, Misaki leaned back slightly, trying to feel the warmth of the adult's embrace through her own back.

"...Until I joined Xia Lai, I had some..."

"...I don't know what to do."

Amamiya only reacted at this moment.

—There was no further retreat.

Instead, he went to meet her, resting his chin on the girl's shoulder and tightening his embrace.

"Does Misaki understand what she should do now?"

Misaki nodded slightly first, then shook her head.

"I simply cannot accept all the beauty that exists in this world."

After confidently stating her results, she pursed her lips and seemed to chuckle slightly.

"Huff...Huff..."

"...Indeed, life itself is 'nothingness'; no matter how one tries to escape it, everything ultimately returns to dust."

"Life is suffering, and even the slightest ripple can easily destroy all of one's efforts."

"But even so... I have found a reason to continue existing today."

"Hell is other people; the 'gaze' deprives people of freedom, plunging them into eternal self-examination and struggle."

"But despite all this... today I have also gained my own understanding and aspiration for the meaning of existence."

Amamiya listened silently, and at the same time couldn't help but marvel at the accuracy of the concept that "everyone who is lonely is a philosopher."

This was the first time Misaki had ever spoken so much in one go... and the purpose of speaking so much was to express her true feelings.

After a moment of silence, Amamiya asked, "Since Misaki can't accept all the beauty in this world... then what meaning of existence has Misaki found?"

"..."

"This significance...we have to start with Sensei."

"I find it hard to accept all the good things... because they are all unnecessary for me."

Misaki suddenly turned around and hugged Amamiya tightly, burying her flushed cheeks in Amamiya's chest, just as Amamiya was about to be caught off guard.

"But... I can't live without 'beauty' now."

"...I can't live without all the wonderful things Sensei has given me."

"Only Sensei... is 'necessary' for me."

The girl's voice sounded muffled and strange, but firm.

“I found my will to survive… but perhaps my will to survive will seem ‘abnormal’ or ‘ridiculous’ to you.”

"...That's Sensei."

Amamiya belatedly stroked Misaki's exposed back, comforting the girl while also experiencing the girl's delicate and smooth skin, which could be described as "ice-like and jade-like".

"……oh?"

"I……"

"I guess I can't live without Sensei anymore."

Misaki's embrace tightened, gradually creating a suffocating pressure.

"I think I've probably fallen for Sensei."

Amamiya paused, seemingly somewhat helpless.

"……Um."

"Misaki's emotions... can definitely be clearly felt when we're this close."

It wafts along with body temperature and a faint fragrance, though it is not tangible, it is exceptionally clear.

"So, what does Misaki want to say?"

Misaki finally stopped burying her head in her hands, raised her head, and spoke clearly and firmly: "I want... to be with Sensei."