I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

However… what she heard was not concern or encouragement, but a somewhat 'bizarre' question.

Have you had any strange nightmares lately?

A strange...nightmare?

This unexpected question left Bai Zi stunned.

"Well……"

"If Sensei says so, it seems that...there might be."

After pondering for a while, Bai Zi said uncertainly, "I do seem to be having the same nightmare lately."

She paused, then added, "It was a nightmare about Sensei."

"Oh my~?"

Upon hearing this, Hoshino, who was already somewhat unable to contain himself, was a little surprised.

"I didn't realize that Sensei's influence on Shirako-chan had reached the point where she would 'have nightmares' if she were away from Sensei..."

Only Amamiya knew the truth.

Bai Zi's 'nightmare'... might be related to the dream he had before.

Finally, Amamiya looked at the blonde girl who had been 'long awaited'.

"...Sensei?"

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

After a few seconds of silence, Amamiya finally said something that surprised all five girls on the countermeasures committee. It had nothing to do with gentle concern and was even a bit silly.

"Actually... a long time ago, I was very concerned about your... exaggerated figure, Nomiya."

After a moment of surprise, Nomiya naturally smiled and said, "If you're concerned... I'll give Sensei a little surprise later~"

She then carefully changed the subject.

"Regarding Sensei's 'true purpose' in coming to Abydos..."

"During this period, Sensei needs the support of various schools to maintain order, right?"

Nomiya's information channels are still very well-connected.

—Or rather, with the stable source of income and connections from the 'resort islands', Abydos's conditions improved significantly, including its intelligence channels.

"Hmm~ It might be a bit unrealistic to expect Abydos to provide manpower directly, but..."

"In order to increase its influence, Abydos... will respond to Sensei by providing manpower and other means."

Provide alternatives to human resources...

Amamiya immediately thought of the "treasure" that Abydos had obtained in the previous hall.

With the Kaiser Group withdrawing from the black market, the "treasures" they had previously acquired have become increasingly less useful.

Hoshino... could it be that he wants to make the most of this 'treasure' and give it its last bit of value?

After spending some time discussing the 'formal topics,' the girls continued to swarm around us with ill intent.

"Everything that needed to be said has been said. Now..."

"'It's time for the main course...'"

Chapter Nine: A Tacit Smile.jpg

The next morning, due to 'acclimatization issues', Fubuki got up very early.

Wearing a hastily prepared oversized set of pajamas, the girl yawned as she approached the window, pulled back the curtains, and was immediately blinded by the exceptionally bright and dazzling sunlight outside, which brought tears to her eyes.

"Aha……"

"The sky here in the desert is really..."

Rubbing her sleepy eyes and feeling restless all over, Fubuki quickly tidied herself up and then planned to go to the club activity room of the Countermeasures Committee as agreed yesterday to make final preparations before leaving.

The morning air was exceptionally dry, and there wasn't a single student in sight, making it exceptionally peaceful.

'Although the campus environment is so-so and there are very few students, considering it's convenient for slacking off... at least that's a plus.'

Looking around and feeling a bit sentimental, Fubuki quickly made her way through the dormitory corridor to the Countermeasures Committee's activity room.

The door to the club activity room was ajar. Fubuki peeked out from the door frame and found the tables and chairs inside to be in a mess, as if they had been ransacked.

Realizing something was amiss, Fubuki didn't rush in.

After all, the first reaction to a special incident should be to 'protect the crime scene'.

'What exactly happened...?'

'What about the students on the countermeasures committee?'

'Could it be that Abydos was invaded last night, and the entire countermeasures committee was unfortunately wiped out?'

A terrifying thought flashed through her mind, and Fubuki couldn't help but click her tongue slightly.

Sensei's combat strength and self-defense capabilities are not a problem; he is strong enough that there is no need to worry about him.

Compared to the almost flawless Sensei, I'm more worried about the students who might be knocked unconscious and lose their mobility for various reasons...

If the worst-case scenario really happens, then I also bear a responsibility that I cannot escape...

Thinking this, Fubuki turned and left, intending to go to the dormitory to find someone first.

However, as soon as she turned her head, she almost bumped into the Abydos group of five, who were acting suspiciously, acting hastily, with flushed cheeks, looking as guilty as rats who had done something wrong.

Fubuki stood in the corridor, while the Abydos group of five stood at the corner where the corridor met, creating an extremely awkward scene.

"..."

"..."

After the initial awkwardness, it was the blonde, green-eyed girl with the most stunning figure and unique aura who spoke first.

"Um... what is Fubuki-chan doing?"

Fubuki: "..."

He's quite outgoing and friendly.

Fubuki could clearly sense that the atmosphere became unusually tense when the question was asked.

"There was a problem with the club activity room of the Countermeasures Committee. The preliminary judgment is that it was attacked."

"Ah ha ha……"

Ayane squinted and scratched her cheek with her index finger, chuckling dryly, "Eh? So, it was..."

Hoshino, who was standing next to her, nudged Serika with her elbow. Serika understood and stepped forward to shield the extremely embarrassed Ayane, making the same remark with a somewhat strange expression.

"It is indeed a very, very troublesome matter... Well, that's why we rushed to contact Sensei."

Bai Zi opened his sports bag and pulled out a blue bandit balaclava.

"This was found at the scene of the attack."

Hoshino sighed softly, "These crime traces seem very similar to those of a masked, ruthless gang that used to operate in the black market and left behind a legend..."

Fubuki: "..."

You can continue acting.

Having studied professional-level criminal investigation, even though she's been slacking off at the Bureau of Life Safety, Fubuki could still spot the anomaly in this situation at a glance.

With the mindset of 'This has nothing to do with me, why should I care?' even though she noticed something unusual, Fubuki didn't have the intention to investigate further.

"Where is Sensei now? It's time to go back as agreed..."

The five-member countermeasures committee remained silent once again.

Then, Nomiya smiled and took out two brand-new train tickets from his bag.

"This is a 'Luxury Express' ticket specially ordered for Sensei."

"Are you really not planning to stay any longer?"

Fubuki didn't take the thing Nomiya handed her.

'Every gift of fate comes with a hidden price.'

These luxury VIP tickets, which don't specify a departure date and clearly indicate that passengers can ride at any time, must be quite valuable.

So, what is the price?

Considering that accepting "good intentions" indiscriminately might implicate Sensei, Fubuki decisively refused.

"According to Sensei, there is also a 'combat meeting' that must be attended today."

Fubuki didn't know whether the Abydos Five knew anything about the otherworldly palace, so she could only give vague answers.

Upon hearing this, the five members of the Abydos group felt even more ashamed and embarrassed.

Behind the group of five, Ayane murmured softly, "Eh... is this a bit too harsh on Sensei...?"

'That's true, but Ayane-neechan does it without hesitation.'

'I am... sob sob~'

'Hoshino-senpai, weren't you the most diligent one back then?'

'Hmm~ Is that so?'

'Hmm, according to my last record before I lost consciousness, Hoshino-senpai, you…'

"Hey, wait a minute, Shirako-neechan, don't say anything out of line, someone might hear you..."

Fubuki: "..."

Having vaguely understood what had happened, she felt a slight pang of sympathy for Sensei.

But at the same time, there is also a sense of schadenfreude.

She flaunted her charm recklessly... and here comes the consequences.

And, as expected...

Even Abydos's students had special feelings for Sensei...

Fubuki kept her eyes down, pretending not to hear the whispers of the girls from the Countermeasures Committee.

This matter cannot be investigated further... nor do I want to.

Fubuki secretly rubbed her wrinkled fingers, which looked like they had been soaking in water, and waited for them to finish their conversation.

Finally, Hoshino spoke.

Smoothing her swaying ahoge (cowlick) on her head, she smiled awkwardly with a hint of apology: "Since Sensei still has 'otherworld activities' planned, then we won't bother them any longer..."

"But speaking of which... otherworld activities usually start in the evening, right?"

"Until then, let Sensei rest for a bit."

……

Amamiya didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky, exhausted.

Urged repeatedly by Alona, ​​Amamiya picked up the Shitei no Hako, which served as an alarm clock from the bedside table, and sat up while rubbing her messy hair.

Only now... has Amamiya gained a clear understanding of the average endurance and athletic ability of the Abydos population.

Aside from Ayane, whose physical strength is relatively average... there's Serika, who often works part-time to 'supplement the family income'; Shirako, whose daily activities include cycling for exercise; Nomiya, who can run around carrying a heavy machine gun; and Hoshino, whose physical constitution is beyond that of ordinary people...

Their endurance is astonishing; they could even be described as endurance monsters.

A battle of endurance... is not going to work.

Therefore, Amamiya could only adopt a 'quick and decisive' strategy.

First, she calmed down Ayane, who had the least stamina, then she subdued Serika, who was easy to coax, and then she engaged in a fierce battle with Shirako, Nomiya, and Hoshino...

Let's leave the specific details aside for now; it's not the time to reminisce about that.

Through the screen, Amamiya poked the AI ​​girl in the Umiiro classroom.

"Arona, the message should have been sent out as promised, right?"