I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"...A detective's assistant."

Do you know why we call you 'assistant'?

Fubuki had genuinely never considered such a strange question, and asked in surprise, "Why?"

"That's because your behavior—being in the thick of it yet remaining detached—is remarkably similar to that of the 'assistant' in a detective novel, working alongside the detective."

Fubuki: "...?"

She had expected the shadow to utter some strange and profound theories, but it turned out to be just this?

She glanced at Kirino not far away, then looked down at herself.

Judging from her demeanor and behavior, Kirino is more like a cowboy detective...

Since he lacked that kind of temperament, yet possessed a reasonably good logical thinking ability, he seemed more like a 'detective's assistant' to the shadows.

While Fubuki was pondering, Amamiya curiously observed the shadow that might correspond to a key member under Hanaya in the real-world defense room.

The way the other party moved, like a caterpillar arching, reminded him of the "Siren" under the territory established by a certain active satellite spirit.

Normally I'm just a lazy bum, but when I need something, I can be really useful.

"...Why are you acting in such a strange way?"

"Because... for me, simply learning to move forward clumsily is already the best I can do."

"The hero who rescued me... you should know the unsuppressed ambition of the rebellious temple guard captain."

"In such an environment, simply staying true to oneself is by no means easy."

"Our affairs have long since been swept away by the actions of the rebellious temple guard captain, becoming a current that can never be reversed."

"To avoid being discovered, I can only conceal myself and wait for the right opportunity."

These words from the shadowy figure prompted Amamiya to sincerely praise, "Truly unique."

"Hehe...you jest, hero."

"I am different from heroes like you who have the power to pave the way. You are heroes who cut through thorns and brambles on the thorny path, and though you walk alone, you forge ahead without hesitation."

"And we... are merely followers who are still far from being able to keep up with the heroes."

After expressing his feelings, the shadow encouraged Fubuki, who was deep in thought.

"You, though you lack the ambition of a hero, cannot stop here."

After delivering their gifts and bidding farewell, these vibrant figures, still glistening with dew, came to the bow of the ship, leaped down, and transformed in mid-air into various beautiful mermaids or other magnificent marine creatures before plunging into the unfathomable sea and disappearing in an instant.

As she watched these strange marine creatures disappear into the sea, Fubuki fell into deep thought.

'Assistant'...

It is indeed a unique positioning that fits its self-definition.

Thinking, guiding... these things should be left to the 'detective' who is really in charge.

As an assistant... all you have to do is simply do things within the scope of being an assistant.

A detective has many things to care about... but an assistant only needs to care about the detective.

Following the path of a 'detective' might be considered a special path.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Fubuki felt a sharp pain deep within her brain.

The pain came suddenly and was excruciating, shattering all my previous emotions.

"Ugh...!"

With a muffled groan of pain, Fubuki struggled to maintain her balance as the ship rocked violently.

However, the feeling of almost losing her balance and falling only lasted for a moment. Amamiya calmly caught Fubuki under her armpits, stabilizing her balance in a way that was almost like hugging her.

"Be careful, don't suddenly fall."

Her senses were being gradually stripped away, and Fubuki had no time to feel shy as she heard an indescribable, deep voice in her ear.

Have you clearly defined yourself?

Whether forced or voluntary, you are moving forward.

"If you are determined to go forward, I can accompany you and lend you a helping hand."

In a hazy state, Fubuki seemed to hear the scratching sound of a pen on paper, the continuous clicking of a typewriter, and various other faint but easily distinguishable sounds.

This feeling……

Despite the excruciating pain, Fubuki felt that her mind was very calm.

My perception seemed to be magnified a thousand times in an instant, and everything seemed to become so clear that you could hear a pin drop, yet it did not put any pressure on me.

This 'detailed detail' is presented from a third-person perspective.

"It allows me to record what I see, hear, and feel from the perspective of an 'observer and recorder'..."

"This is not what you wanted."

"You want to be a part of it, but you don't want to be the center of attention."

"In that case... the position of 'assistant' has been waiting for a long time."

From a third-person perspective, Fubuki 'saw' an old-fashioned printer that was gradually printing out a document.

Everything was clear except for the content on the printer, which was completely blurry.

"That is the story you are meant to witness, the story you are meant to write."

The figure sitting in front of the typewriter stood up, revealing a pair of suddenly dazzling eyes.

"I am you, and you are me..."

That's right.

This is the 'self within oneself'.

It's a "persona".

Unaffected by the pain, Fubuki slowly reached out and pinched the mask that resembled a sleep mask on her cheek.

“I am you, you are me”

"—Come on, Watson!"

With a shout, a cluster of brilliant blue flames suddenly rose from her body.

Flames climbed all over her body, quickly dressing her in a unique 'detective' outfit.

Psona Watson (Alcana: Temperance)

[Introduction: Watson, or John H. Watson. Sherlock Holmes' assistant, who participated in and assisted Holmes' investigations as an 'assistant' and 'witness,' compiling and publishing the case-solving process in written form.]

This widely recognized "assistant" wrote over a dozen novels for Sherlock, a contribution that cannot be denied.

[One could even say that without Watson, Sherlock would still be Sherlock, but he would never be as famous.]

Feeling that it was about time, Amamiya released Fubuki and stepped back to a suitable distance.

'In many ways, this also fits Fubuki's personal image very well...'

With a sigh in his heart, Amamiya crossed out the last goal of this hall event.

'A Navi-type personality mask with the attribute of "Temperance"...'

'We'll find out its exact strength when we explore the hall again next time.'

Chapter Seventeen: What does "ordered to conquer" mean?

White Dew is the only one of the twenty-four solar terms named after a color.

The dew condenses and turns white, and the autumn air is crisp and clear.

The moment Amamiya pushed open the door to the Sharai Club activity room, the first thing she felt was a refreshing breeze.

Along with it, there is also a slight 'green apple' scent.

"Sensei..."

The girl wearing green cat-ear headphones was dressed in a brightly colored school uniform with a pixelated logo of the game development department. As Amamiya pushed open the door, she spun half a circle in her ergonomic chair and greeted Amamiya as she turned around.

"Happy 'Autumn'... The temperature in Kiwatos should start to get cooler day by day from today, right?"

"Hey hey hey..."

"Starting this year, everyone in the game development department can accompany you through the golden autumn and the snowy winter."

Without any particular complaints or strange emotional outbursts, the girl, carrying her personal shopping bag that she had placed on the table, nimbly approached Amamiya, tilted her head back, hugged Amamiya, and restrained Amamiya's hands as she was about to do something.

"Um, Sensei, the game development department has a special 'club activity' coming up soon, and we absolutely must invite you to join us..."

Xiao Lü rubbed her cheek against his abs through his thin clothes, her voice muffled and hesitant, but her groping movements were anything but slow—even carrying the air of a 'girlfriend' taking it for granted.

Amamiya: "..."

Every day when I arrive at Xia Lai's office, I'm first "blocked" at the door by the student on duty that day, and then before I can even start doing any official business, I'm forced into all sorts of strange interactions...

Well, I've gotten used to this kind of activity, which is similar to "Martin's Morning" in the series.

Seeing that Midori was acting as if to say, "I'm not asking Sensei, I won't let go until Sensei agrees," Amamiya felt a little helpless.

After letting Midori hug him for a while, and as her grip gradually loosened, Amamiya finally asked helplessly, "...What kind of 'club activity' is it?"

Little Green, seemingly having planned this all along, revealed a key phrase: "I want to go to the 'Fall Back-to-School Special Comic Con' with Sensei."

Autumn...Special Comic Con?

Amamiya really wanted to say that she had a lot of things to do right now and probably didn't have time to go on dates or attend comic conventions.

After all, the exploration of Huaye's palace is only in its initial stages.

Although they obtained the crucial 'naval chart', this was actually just the beginning.

Next, we need to follow the clues and find and infiltrate the Hall of Flower Mirror...

Then, the visit to the Red Winter Federation is still on the agenda...

Of the major universities, only the Red Winter Federation has not yet been visited.

The sooner security measures are established and perfected in the vicinity of "DU", the better...

In the very end, Amamiya actually wanted to visit the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, and ideally, venture into the deep mountains and forests with shrines to see if she could 'bump into' the great prophet of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.

Compared to that... comic conventions are really too small in scale, aren't they?

But to reject Xiao Lü at this point would seem 'cruel'.

After thinking it over, Amamiya decided to ask about the situation first before considering whether to participate.

"What exactly is this 'Autumn Comic Con' that Xiao Lü mentioned?"

He casually sat down on the sofa in the club activity room, then let the girl sit shyly in his lap, and asked curiously.

"The CM convention in Haruhabara is a famous special event of Gewatos, which is held in Haruhabara almost every year in the autumn shortly after the start of the school year."

"This time of day should be a paradise for subculture enthusiasts. Also..."

After considering whether to continue, Xiao Lü hesitated before speaking: "Every year around this time, there are always some strange doujinshi (fan-made comics) for sale. Starting this year, there might be a lot more doujinshi about you, Sensei..."

Little Green's reminder, which was tantamount to giving a 'precautionary shot', made Amamiya twitch the corners of her mouth.

That's indeed...

Since he arrived in Kivotos and gradually gained popularity in various academies, his various works have always been a hot topic.

The pioneers and those who carried it forward... may owe a great deal to Meru and Momiji from the 'Book Front' whom Amamiya encountered when he led Arios's team to Red Winter last time.

Especially Melu.

If it weren't for her personal involvement as a well-known figure in the doujinshi world, Amamiya reckoned that the strange things she would have seen wouldn't have been so numerous or so exaggerated.

"I was somewhat prepared for what Xiao Lü said..."

Amamiya sighed softly, lifted Midori by her armpits and put her down. Then she went to a locked office drawer, took out a key, unlocked it, and took out a treasured doujinshi.