I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Indeed, we found quite a few noteworthy points..."

Catching her breath, flapping her animal ears and wagging her tail, the beautiful young woman replied with a tone of great satisfaction, "I saw some opera houses and similar places worth seeing, but unfortunately, we probably won't have enough time this time..."

"So...hehe, I can only regret it and wait and see later."

After chatting with Kaguya about Trinity's "opera" culture and the culture of the ninja series of ancient dramas in the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), Amamiya led them from the station in the Trinity region to their destination—Trinity Academy.

The autumn air was crisp and clear, and the morning light was just beginning to break. Early in the morning, there were quite a few members of the Tea Party, the Justice Committee, the Sisters, and the Knights of the Rescue scattered around the school entrance.

There was no deliberate attempt to put on a grand display for a formal reception, but with so many elites who were clearly different from ordinary students... one could immediately sense Nagisa's caution and welcome.

While receiving Hinata's "confession" service late last night, Amamiya casually sent Nagisa a MomoTalk message.

—The news that the student council president, who is associated with the Classic of Mountains and Seas, came to visit in his private clothes must be quite significant for Nagisa.

Amamiya knew that sending this message would definitely keep Nagisa tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep.

But he had no choice—because given Nagisa's overly meticulous nature, if he didn't express it, Nagisa's mind might become even more active once Hisaki's identity was exposed.

What she will think at that time is something even Amamiya can't predict.

The girl in charge of receiving Amamiya and her party was dressed in autumn tea party attire and had crane wings.

With her wings folded, featuring dark, gradient tail feathers that were still somewhat noticeable to students of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the crane-winged girl with slightly dark circles under her eyes smiled and tried her best to demonstrate the etiquette she had hastily learned from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

“Sensei, and also... the student council president of the Xuanlong Gate of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, welcome to Holy Trinity.”

"Yes, friends are coming from afar..."

Fei Xiao's calm expression changed slightly. Sensing something was amiss, she sized up the crane-winged girl who had suddenly uttered such a classical Chinese phrase.

Clearly, my unexpected visit caused some trouble for the other party.

Furthermore, trying to learn about the culture of the Classic of Mountains and Seas at the last minute is indeed somewhat of a stretch.

"The sect leader of Xuanlong Sect, Longhua Feixiao... Thank you for your hospitality."

She heard someone utter a strange and inappropriate classical Chinese phrase, and her understanding of the Classic of Mountains and Seas was... Fei Xiao sighed inwardly, thinking that it would be better to use her normal speaking style, which she wasn't used to, at Trinity.

Following Hisaki, Kaguya naturally gave a brief introduction: "Also from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the head of the Peking Opera Club, Kaguya Urushihara."

"We've met before, please take care of me."

After an awkward interaction, Amamiya and his group were invited to the headquarters of the tea party by students from various key Trinity societies.

When Amamiya saw Nagisa again, he could still sense a subtle, almost imperceptible, exhaustion in Nagisa's extremely friendly expression.

Even earlier, Nagisa had already begun his eager wait on a bench near the entrance of the main tea party venue.

Upon seeing Amamiya, Nagisa, who had been leaning back in her chair waiting quietly, brightened up and immediately stood up to express her eagerness.

"...It's been a long time, Sensei, how are you?"

"And also, to our distinguished guests who have come from afar from the Classic of Mountains and Seas... as the host of the Holy Trinity Tea Party, I extend my warmest greetings to you."

"On behalf of the Holy Trinity, I extend my greetings to you both."

As expected, despite being prepared and deliberately emphasizing "a visit in private clothes" to Nagisa, Nagisa still reacted somewhat nervously.

If I bring Hisaki here without informing her beforehand, Nagisa might really explode if she finds out.

Amamiya tried her best to maintain a calm, gentle, and comforting smile as she activated "Succubus Mode".

He tried to reassure Nagisa: "We're just here for a trip, Nagisa, there's no need to be so reserved, is there?"

【~???~】(Nagisa, Kaguya)

【~??~】(Feisaki)

'Little...Nagisa?!'

'This nickname is only used by core members of the tea party…'

'Is it a bit... for Sensei to refer to himself like that in such a public place?'

Zhu was taken aback, and then her thoughts began to wander.

Being addressed that way in this context doesn't feel impolite...

Sensei is right.

Although the sect leader of Xuanlong Sect came, it wasn't a public visit, nor was it to discuss important matters of cooperation between the academies; he was really just there to take a look...

My attitude may be very proper, but it's also easy for visitors from the Classic of Mountains and Seas to misunderstand...

"I'm sorry, I was rude..."

Nagisa breathed a sigh of relief, then gave Hime and Kaguya an awkward chuckle.

After leading Amamiya and his party into the tea ceremony and providing them with the highest level of hospitality, Nagisa gradually relaxed.

At the tea table, after much deliberation and feeling that there were no problems, Nagisa cautiously asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time.

"May I ask you two, is there any purpose for your visit to Holy Trinity other than 'visiting'?"

The one who answered this question was Kaguya.

"Oops~"

Having just tasted what seemed to be a classic Chinese tea, but which Trinity had given a fresh twist, she sighed with satisfaction.

"It's because of Sister Mary from the nun's church..."

As soon as she spoke, Nagisa's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly.

The nuns are secretly contacting important figures from the Classic of Mountains and Seas; could there be some unusual activity going on...?

Is it an attempt to start anew, or a protest against the tea party?

"...She asked me about 'idols,' and I thought I'd temporarily work as a dance instructor for a few days, and also experience school life outside of the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' so I came."

Nagisa paused noticeably as she picked up the teacup; her movement, which was originally meant to be brought to her lips as a way to mask her emotional change, became visibly abnormal.

After a few seconds of silence, Nagisa stiffly put the teacup back down.

She didn't ask directly, but her serious doubt about 'what exactly does it mean' was almost undisguised.

...Sakurako and Mina's 'idol project,' could it be that they didn't tell Nagisa about it?

Even though Mika knew it, how come Nagisa didn't?

Amamiya was somewhat puzzling.

Realizing that a 'cross-channel exchange' had occurred, he had to step in to ease the tension.

"About the idol project."

"Don't you know, Nagisa? The Sisters and the Knights of Rescue have joined forces and plan to temporarily 'debut as idols' during this school festival in order to salvage their reputation."

Nagisa became even more puzzled, and then became cautious and even wary.

This happened without my knowledge...

"Sensei..."

She took a deep breath, her expression extremely serious.

Please tell me the details.

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Episode Where the Dazhu Cult Resisted the Most Pressure

"Pfft hahahaha..."

"Nagisa, what's going on here?!"

"You know absolutely nothing about the idol project... *cough cough*..."

Before the pink-haired girl, who was flapping her wings and laughing heartily, could fully express her 'mockery,' Nagisa, with a gloomy face, shoved the Swiss roll in her hand into her mouth.

And so, Wei Hua's mocking expression of "it seems to be a relapse of an old illness" turned into a series of whimpers and coughs as she swallowed a foreign object.

"..."

Nagisa waved his hand to dismiss the tea party members who were carrying trays, his face grim. His gaze quickly swept across the rehearsal room, and he swiftly understood the situation.

Sakurako and Mina, dressed in black idol outfits, who should have been singing and dancing gracefully on stage, now looked either a little resentful or slightly nervous.

Mary, who was temporarily acting as a dance instructor, froze in her movements, holding the script with a slightly awkward and bewildered expression.

"Can anyone tell me... what exactly is going on?"

Ignoring Hizaki and Kaguya's 'watching the show' for the moment, Nagisa's already somewhat tense expression became even more gloomy.

However... facing Nagisa, who had such a gloomy and imposing demeanor, Mina and Sakurako did not show any weakness.

Sakurako seemed to be trying to understand the situation, but Mina glared at her, folded and unfolded her wings, and fearlessly retorted.

"Whether you ask me in your capacity as the 'School Festival Operations Committee Chairperson' or the 'Tea Party Host'... I can answer the same question in the same way—this is none of your business."

Nagisa: "..."

Being bluntly retorted, Nagisa's already somewhat unfriendly expression darkened even further.

She didn't speak, and Mina, with her chest puffed out and head held high, crossed her arms and continued to look at Nagisa with a 'what' look on her face.

The silence continued until Amamiya coughed lightly and broke the silence.

"After all, idol projects shouldn't be among the 'prohibited' items in this school festival's regulations, right?"

So, you see... Kiwatos lacks "communication".

If communication had been done properly, something as significant as the "Eden Treaty" might not have happened.

Many things that have already happened, or will happen in the future, can be resolved peacefully with sufficient communication, even turning hostility into friendship.

Having participated in the entire 'disruption' from the tea party reception area to the secret rehearsal room, Amamiya had only one thought in her mind.

Communication is essential, and it's precisely what Kiwatos lacks most...

While Mina's strong and assertive attitude in firmly refuting Nagisa's questions is commendable and befitting of her position and status as the 'Commander of the Rescue Knights,'...

Communication is an art. You shouldn't show weakness when you need to be assertive, nor should you show strength when you need to show weakness appropriately.

Such indiscriminate and unreasonable assertiveness will ultimately lead to significant losses due to one's attitude.

【~???~】(Mini)

“That’s right… Lord Nagisa.”

Taking a moment to give Amamiya a look that said, "Sensei really understands me," Mina continued to confront Nagisa without backing down: "Sensei made it very clear—idol projects are not prohibited in the planning regulations for this school festival."

"Since it wasn't prohibited in the first place..."

"Lord Nagisa, as the host of the tea party, why are you so 'interrogating' me?"

"Did the Rescue Knights do something wrong? Or do you have doubts about our idol project?"

“If the Knights of Rescue have done anything wrong, you can call us to the conference table and discuss it with each other.”

"If you have any questions about our idol project, you shouldn't adopt an 'accusatory' attitude—after all, 'idol projects' themselves aren't prohibited. And can I interpret your behavior as…?"

"The host of the tea party acted recklessly, disregarding the rules he himself had drafted?"

"Lord Nagisa treats the tea party as his personal fiefdom, arbitrarily issuing arrogant orders to the Knights of Rescue and the Sisters?"

Mina's combo attacks came one after another, leaving Sakurako on stage completely bewildered.

Amamiya, after listening to this series of counter-questions, was already drenched in sweat.

Previously, he did not have a full understanding of the various pressures that Nagisa, as the host of the tea party, would face... Now, he understands the key reason why Nagisa, who is meticulous to the extreme, is still under immense pressure.

This Holy Trinity, although it is more 'peaceful' than Ghenna... is at least more tragic for Nagisa, the one in charge.

As for the higher-ups at the tea party... Seiya hardly gets involved. Mika knows about it, but she probably doesn't think there's anything wrong with the idol project. It's even possible that either Sakurako or Mina informed Mika, so Mika didn't react much...

Then Sakurako and Mina figured, "We've already talked to the tea party, and if they don't react, it means we can do it," so the idol project could finally be put into practice.

'It's hard to imagine... how Nagisa ever withstood this level of pressure before?'

While expressing sympathy for Nagisa's "daily stress management," Amamiya did not speak to ease the atmosphere this time.

Ultimately, this is Trinity's own business... Nagisa, how will you handle this?

Nagisa, initially enraged by Mina's barrage of questions, was left speechless with anger.

In a fit of anger, Nagisa... well, he got angry for a moment.