I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Makoto's abilities remain to be seen for now.

However... her desire for 'expansion' is undeniable.

“So now, an opportunity, a chance to expand the influence of the Pandemonium, is presented to Makoto…”

Amamiya stopped crossing her legs and leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between herself and Makoto.

Under Makoto's expectant and persistent gaze, Amamiya first asked a profound question: "If there were such an opportunity... 'simply sending members of the Pandemonium to maintain order could significantly increase the influence of the Pandemonium members,' Makoto... what would you do?"

Makoto frowned, about to answer "pass it on to the Disciplinary Committee," but then realized that things weren't that simple.

its not right……

If this kind of thing is handed over to the disciplinary committee, wouldn't the disciplinary committee itself become the one to exacerbate the impact?

What if the popularity of the Pandemonium decreases and its support rate drops?

Will I be kicked out of my position as Speaker of the Pandemonium then?

But if we can't hand it over to the Disciplinary Committee, then we can only hand it over to the Demon Hall... Wouldn't it be too much trouble to do it ourselves?

...Considering that it is to enhance the influence of the Demon Palace, a little trouble is acceptable.

After a moment's thought, Makoto, mimicking Amamiya's 'profound' tone when asking the question, replied in a similar manner: "Pandemon Palace... can withstand the test."

"That's good."

"There is indeed a similar matter at present that requires the assistance of the Temple of Ten Thousand Demons—"

Amamiya cleared his throat and said seriously, "Next, we will conduct a special secret operation that will last for at least two months. During this period, the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau will gradually come to a complete standstill."

"At that time... various colonels will deploy personnel to replace the paralyzed Valkyrie and take charge of maintaining security throughout the entire Shiratori district..."

"The organizers of the Trinity tea party, with an equally keen sense of smell, have already realized the potential benefits..."

"I suppose Makoto-sama can figure this out just by thinking about it."

Makoto:......

To be honest, I didn't understand much of it.

However, since the organizers of the Holy Trinity tea party were aware of the potential benefits, they could be aware of them themselves!

'To place a bronze statue of oneself within one's own designated area of ​​jurisdiction?'

'No... it's just about maintaining order; they shouldn't have the authority to alter the terrain or arbitrarily add or remove large facilities.'

'Using law enforcement to win over support?'

'Hmm...that seems like it.'

'As long as Gersner performs better than Trinity... then Gersner's approval rating will be higher than Trinity's!'

After several ingenious substitutions, Makoto felt that she could probably understand it.

Then, she couldn't help but feel the terrifying foresight of the person in charge of the tea party at Holy Trinity.

'That Kirito Nagisa...did she already realize this beforehand...?'

'They are truly a formidable opponent.'

'However... if it's only this bad, I won't lose.'

【~???~】侕意（三）（五）久刘鏾貳（真琴）

After a moment of stunned silence, Makoto suddenly let out a soft chuckle.

“Sensei…I understand.”

"Sensei really went to great lengths to ensure that the Pandemonium could gain the upper hand, instead of letting the Disciplinary Committee get a share...

"He actually came all the way to the Temple of Ten Thousand Demons to tell me about this... He truly is a partner worth making friends with!"

Amamiya: "..."

She seems to have misunderstood something.

Did he think that by not telling the disciplinary committee about the matter, he was preventing the disciplinary committee from getting a share of the spoils?

No... actually, it's to reduce the pressure on the disciplinary committee.

If this heavy burden were also placed on the Disciplinary Committee, Hina, who was already on the verge of collapse, and the members of the Disciplinary Committee would probably be 'crushed'.

And if the Pandemonium were to handle this matter... Makoto would likely be drawn to the 'plan's execution'.

Without her bossing people around, the disciplinary committee's work became much easier.

Forget it...

Although cross-channel communication still occurred, the goal was at least achieved.

[My bond with Makoto has deepened...]

【Makoto Hanuma (Emperor)★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

Makoto, who thought she understood the situation, suddenly stood up and extended her hand to Amamiya: "Come on...Sensei, shake hands."

"I'm sure this collaboration has been very successful..."

Amamiya: "..."

After a moment of silence, Amamiya extended her hand and politely shook hands with Makoto.

Amamiya's expression was calm, but Makoto, who was holding his hand, had a subtle expression that showed she was trying hard to hold on, but was about to break down.

'No, I can't laugh yet. Let's wait until Sensei leaves Pandemonium before declaring victory!'

—Although she didn’t say anything, her expression seemed to convey this message.

"Hmm... It's been a pleasure working with you."

Chapter Seven: Souls Bound by Gravity...

At midday, the train platform was bathed in bright sunshine under a clear blue sky.

Every now and then, a train would rush by or slow down to enter the station, gradually becoming a stagnant scene reflected in the girl's crimson eyes.

Sipping her coffee through the straw, the girl, who had somehow removed her pantyhose, rubbed the inside of her thighs, a faint blush on her slightly dazed face.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

She only breathed a sigh of relief when the coffee was finished and the straw made a dry sound, and awkwardly shifted her posture to cross her legs.

"Sensei... are you... going to keep... staring at me like that?"

"What...is there to see in me?"

"Or... are you really... an incurable pedophile?"

After enduring it for a while, Fubuki finally couldn't suppress the subtle discomfort of being constantly stared at.

Amamiya, who had been given a look of unspoken expectation, silently looked away.

Is the residual power of 'Succubus Mode' really that exaggerated...?

Amamiya was certain that she had not activated "Succubus Mode".

Even so, one's words and actions can have an 'excessive' impact on Fubuki, carrying the destructive power of 'potentially triggering a stress response at any time'.

All I can say is... Yuzu's bond skill, [Game Queen's Love Cheat Code], is just too... useful.

"Fubuki, where are your pantyhose?"

Amamiya bluntly expressed her 'doubt'.

Fubuki was silent for a few seconds, then turned her head and shook the plastic coffee cup in her hand. After taking a preliminary shot, she threw it into a nearby trash can with a 'three-point shot' motion.

Then, she tugged at the hem of her top, unbuttoned the buttons near the neckline, revealing her fair collarbone, which was slightly warm.

"...I felt a little hot, so I took it off."

“Sensei probably knows this too…” she continued to complain, “Dressing is the most troublesome thing during the transition from summer to autumn… If you wear too little, you feel cold, but if you wear too much, you feel too hot…”

"That's definitely a problem..."

Amamiya nodded in agreement: "But regarding Fubuki's pantyhose, I think..."

【~???~】(Fubuki)

"Cough cough!"

Slightly embarrassed, Fubuki coughed heavily twice, interrupting Amamiya's words.

"Sensei, let's not talk about pantyhose right now. Don't you have other plans this afternoon...?"

“But we’re going to Abydos this afternoon, which is a desert… that might be a bit extreme for Fubuki.”

"Fubuki seems to be in a bit off... Is she really capable of making it to Abydos this afternoon, given how bad she is?"

"Would you like to take a break?"

The word 'rest' seemed to have touched a nerve in Fubuki's imagination.

Startled, she looked up abruptly, waving her hands repeatedly: "No, no need..."

"I'm not tired at all... I don't need to rest..."

To avoid experiencing that feeling of 'heartstrings being excessively plucked' again, have they even temporarily given up on being lazy...?

Seeing Fubuki's 'allergic reaction', Amamiya smiled and remained silent, not pressing the issue further.

Most of the time... things should be done in moderation.

Going too far can easily provoke resentment.

With Fubuki, who was "voluntarily not tired," Amamiya boarded the train to Abydos.

—Thanks to the 'schedule' of the two AI girls, Alona and Sophia, and his own sense of time as a phantom thief who 'never delays what needs to be done,' Amamiya kept the timing very precise.

This dedicated train line to Abydos is operated by the Highland Railway Institute.

It's a little regrettable that... Amamiya has only encountered the rather interesting 'Railway Twins' twice, despite taking the Highland Railway Academy's special bus so many times.

This time, the 'coincidence' also failed to materialize.

After completing the basic boarding and ticket checking process with the gray-haired girl wearing a train attendant's hat and the uniform of the Highland Railway Academy, Amamiya sat in her seat and watched the train attendant check tickets one by one and then leave.

The time Amamiya 'bumped into' the Railway Twins, they were the ones who checked her ticket.

Amamiya speculated that the Railway Twins were likely high-ranking officials at the Highland Railway Academy.

After all, it's not train attendant service, ticket checking, or carriage service... these are "interests" rather than "necessities" for them.

After the train attendant left the carriage, Amamiya gently nudged the shoulder of the blue-haired girl sitting next to her and considerately suggested, "If Fubuki feels tired... she can lean on my shoulder, or just rest her head on my lap for a while."

【~???~】

Fubuki squinted, avoiding eye contact, swallowed hard, and forced out a sentence with great difficulty.

"Thank you so much, Sensei..."

"..."

After hesitating for a while, she finally turned her head to the side.

Amamiya: "..."

'Isn't Fubuki's reaction a bit too much of a shock?'

Should I slightly reduce the power of the "Succubus Mode"?

Although she tried her best to appear as if she was asleep, Amamiya could clearly tell from her persistently rapid heartbeat and the undying aura that Fubuki was actually just pretending to be asleep.

Amamiya knew about Fubuki's condition, but didn't point it out.

However, Fubuki's "pretending to be asleep" doesn't prevent her from actually sleeping.

The journey to Abydos is very long... If we depart now, we probably won't arrive until evening.

Then... either spend the night in Abydos, or take the night bus back to Shalai, and then gather the members of this temple raiding team the next day to explore the temple of Faye first...

Regardless of the choice made, the time to recuperate is quite tight.

Under the influence of "The Judge's Sunday" (Hina's Bond), Amamiya quickly slowed down her consciousness.

[...I sensed a change in Fubuki's emotions.]