I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"It's only natural to feel tired for a moment."

【~???~】(Flower)

Hanaya paused for a moment, then seemed amused, squinting her eyes and teasing, "Sensei... you really are 'outspoken'."

"Now that things have come to this... are you no longer going to hide the fact that you maintain a 'special relationship beyond teacher and student' with some of your students?"

"If there is enough trust between each other, then there is no need to continue to hide things that should be kept secret."

Amamiya said calmly, "That's a nice, repetitive remark."

【~??~】

...But to be fair, at least for Huaye, these seemingly meaningless words of flattery or to build rapport were genuinely useful.

"Uh-huh……"

Huaye nodded in agreement: "Sensei is right..."

Her gaze swept over the young man's handsome and dashing face, which, though seemingly 'ordinary,' possessed an irresistible charm that those with weak willpower could not resist. After a few seconds of contemplation, Huaye smiled and asked, "Sensei, aren't you going to 'entertain' him?"

"Of course we'll treat you... What would you like to drink, Huaye? Wine? Or coffee?"

"Let's skip the alcohol... I've heard that Sensei lived in a café for a long time before coming to Xialai. There are also many rumors that students raved about Sensei's coffee after tasting it..."

Hua Ye's gaze shifted and landed on the bar.

This peculiar, outdated piece of equipment, which looks like some kind of alchemical experimental apparatus, was probably brought by Sensei when he arrived in Giwatos...

The drip coffee machine is a bit old-fashioned for Kivotos, but it has special sentimental value.

"...So, how about a cup of coffee?"

"can."

Amamiya put down his wine glass and asked in Sakura Sojiro's characteristic friendly and welcoming tone, "What flavor would you like?"

Hanaya maintained a polite smile: "Sensei, don't you have any recommendations?"

When it comes to coffee, Huaye's "understanding" has the classic characteristics of an outsider—it's all about being energizing, bitter, and drinkable.

It's easy to make a fool of yourself if you're not an expert. So Huaye didn't say anything, just shared some basic knowledge she had temporarily found online before coming.

"Huaya doesn't have any special requirements, so anything will do... Let's use these 'Crystal Mountain Coffee Beans'."

"Crystal Mountain...a very strange name."

After pondering for a moment, Hanaya leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand and watching Amamiya's series of smooth, professional, and even somewhat artistic coffee-making movements with curiosity. She couldn't help but ask, "...Why is it called that?"

Coffee trivia: Crystal Mountain coffee originates from a region called "Crystal Mountain." Besides coffee, this region is also famous for its quartz and crystal minerals.

"Crystal Mountain coffee beans typically exhibit a rich, bright green color. The flavor is smooth and even, with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Aromas of fruit and a hint of tobacco blend to create a unique 'sea coffee' flavor."

Listening to the "shop manager behind the bar" share coffee knowledge, I sat at the bar as the only customer, feeling the soft light streaming in through the window...

In a way, it really is a special kind of enjoyment that relaxes the mind.

Hua Ye took a sip of her smooth and creamy coffee, and her eyes lit up.

Perhaps due to the added benefit of 'meticulous craftsmanship', this coffee... is vastly different from all the other types of 'coffee' she has ever experienced, such as canned coffee, instant coffee, cold brew coffee, espresso, capsule coffee, and drip bag coffee.

(P.S.: The author isn't making this up; they've genuinely tried all sorts of coffee. After all, drinking coffee before writing helps them stay alert...)

"A very...unusual feeling."

Setting down her coffee cup, Hua Ye felt relaxed and radiant, her expression softening slightly.

"Crystal Hill" was a name I'd never heard of before... It must have been brought by Sensei when he came to Kivotos...

For Kiwatos, it's like a 'limited-edition luxury item', right?

Sensei is really generous... to treat themselves to coffee beans that are used sparingly...

My heart feels warm.

【~???~Yueyi* Erlin Er Er 1 Neighbor's Dad】(Huaya)

"Um……"

After calming her nerves and finishing the small talk, Hua Yechou composed her words and got down to business.

"Sensei, may I ask you a few questions?"

Amamiya, having anticipated this, calmly and composedly put on a restrained posture.

Adopting a calm expression as if he hadn't noticed Hua Ye's probing, he said indifferently, "Ask away. I'll answer as many questions as I can."

"First of all, the first question... Sensei, I heard that after you came to Kivotos and obtained the authority left by the former president of the Federation Student Association, you transferred most of the authority to the Federation Student Association. As a result, you have become hesitant and constrained in some subsequent actions."

"Sensei... Have you ever regretted 'returning permissions'?"

Meeting Hanaya's sharper gaze, Amamiya chuckled, giving her an amused look as if to say, "What are you asking?": "What's there to regret? Of course, if I don't hand over the authority, I'll become an ignorant person who wields the strategic weapon button without knowing anything."

"This was a very dangerous thing, both for the Federal Student Council at the time and for Kiwatos."

"I see... So that's what Sensei was thinking."

Hua Ye, who had originally planned to have a 'small sip', got a bit tipsy and couldn't resist drinking coffee again.

"Hmm... So, the second question. Sensei, what are your thoughts on Shichigami Rin?"

After thinking for a moment, Amamiya gave a very fair answer: "His administrative skills are average, but it's clear that he's been trying his best to maintain the stability of the Federation Student Association."

【~???~】(Flower)

Having gained favor, Amamiya raised an eyebrow.

He was stating facts, but this 'statement of facts' also contained a certain element of taking things out of context—it was a fact to a certain extent.

First of all, Rin's political skills are indeed mediocre.

But that's in comparison to the president of the Federation Student Council... In fact, Rin's ability to efficiently handle various matters involving all parts of Giwatos as acting president has already proven her basic strength.

Secondly, Rin does have a fatal flaw—that is, her 'office skills' are simply terrible.

This 'office level' refers to the level of 'office struggle' where people scheme against each other.

If Rin had even half... no, a third or even a fifth of Nagisa's level of "fairness," she could absolutely unite all the departments of the Federation Student Council into a cohesive unit, instead of the current state of almost complete 'non-interference' and 'each fighting their own battle'.

Rin's administrative skills are indeed outstanding, but her personal excellence has led to the current state of 'disunity' among the various departments of the Federation Student Union.

In contrast... Hanaya is at the top of the 'office level', but her political skills are far inferior to Rin's.

Similarly—if Hana had even half of Rin's political acumen, she would truly be a 'superwoman' whose approval rating far surpasses Rin's, and who would likely not face any student opposition even if she were to become the acting student council president.

"so……"

Hanaya's tone became slightly lighter, and her expression showed a hint of surprise: "I really didn't expect Sensei to give such an answer..."

"In my personal opinion, Rin's handling of certain matters... such as the resort islands, was indeed terrible."

Amamiya sighed in a friendly tone, "...They left such a huge source of income undeveloped, allowing the financial department's 'sons' to grow bigger and bigger, and they were completely unaware when the Caesar Group tried to take over the island and cause trouble."

"If I hadn't 'ended' the hunting incident at the resort islands in advance, the Federal Student Council probably wouldn't have realized what was happening until after the incident was over, and then they would have been 'furious'?"

【~???~】(Flower)

Shaking the ahoge (cowlick) on her head, Hua Ye covered her lips and chuckled.

“I can tell…Sensei has a lot of complaints.”

"Indeed... that's just how Shichigami Rin is; she's only very perceptive in the areas she's good at. But she's remarkably insensitive to the corners she doesn't notice."

"So... one last question."

Huaye took a deep breath.

"Sensei..."

"If I say I can do better than Shichigami Rin, I will try my best to satisfy you..."

"..."

Looking closely into Amamiya's eyes, Hanaya slowed her speech and spoke in a heavy tone.

"You will recommend me to become..."

"The new president of the Federal Student Council?"

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Hua Ye, what do you take life for?!

"If I could do better than Shichigami Rin..."

"Sensei, will you nominate me as the new president of the Federal Student Council?"

After Huaye finished speaking, the coffee shop fell silent for a moment.

Amamiya remained silent, gradually revealing an expression of surprise, confusion, and bewilderment.

How dare you say that?

After giving Hanaya a rather surprised look, Amamiya chuckled lightly and shook her head slightly, then suddenly became serious: "Haya, what kind of awareness did you have when you said such a thing?"

'So heavy...'

For some reason, Hanaya felt a sense of gravity from Amamiya's words, and she started sweating slightly.

She forced a smile, trying to laugh it off: "It's just a joke, just a joke..."

"I just think I can do better than Shichigami Rin, that's why I asked that question."

Amamiya's face darkened. He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately stopped himself.

First of all, from your position as the head of the defense office... you can't just make jokes like that.

Those in high positions of power should be cautious in their words and actions.

Every word and action you say is subject to excessive speculation. Didn't you ever think about the consequences of your words being spread?

Secondly... you should first have a clear self-awareness before considering comparing yourself to Rin.

Although Rin is not good at office work, she is truly unmatched in the Federation Student Council after the president when it comes to handling political affairs.

Faced with Amamiya's solemn gaze and heavy words, and knowing that the excuse of 'joking' would not change the subject, Hanaya eventually had to straighten her expression and restrain her arrogance.

"As a mere student in one year, it is indeed a bit difficult to talk about 'bearing the burden of other people's lives' or 'managing the Federal Student Association for a lifetime'."

"But if we reach a contract with Sensei, a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation... I will become the president of the Federal Student Council, and then, with the authority of the president of the Federal Student Council..."

"Let Sensei do what Sensei wants to do."

"Just that... I feel that what Rin can do, I can do too, and I can do it even better than her."

"Sensei must have some things she wants to do, but Rin won't allow, right?"

"If Sensei really wants to do something that's inconvenient to tell Rin, perhaps she could consider cooperating with me?"

What is this?

What are her common tactics for winning over subordinates or students from other departments?

Hua Ye... usually uses this method to win over students from various departments of the Federal Student Union to support her?

“I haven’t thought of anything that Rin would absolutely not allow, but I have to do it… something that creates a conflict of ideas.”

He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Ultimately, I am the Sensei of Xialai, existing to guide students' growth and to ensure that the various campuses of Kivotos can 'function' properly."

"Although this inevitably involved 'in-depth exchanges' with students from some colleges..."

"It may also cause various kinds of 'friction', both big and small..."

“It’s even possible that ‘nurturing people’ takes precedence over teaching…”

“But in the end, I am still Xia Lai’s Sensei.”

“I am an adult… but definitely not the kind of ‘adult’ that Huaye recognizes, whose desires for power, status, money… are like chasms, endless and never to be filled.”

"If I say this... Huaye should understand what I mean, right?"

"Hmm... As expected, Sensei isn't easily tempted by words... Is this the self-control of an adult?"

Hua Ye smiled with her eyes narrowed, appropriately displaying an expression of 'admiration' and 'I knew it'.

However, she was very disappointed at this moment.