I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Hoshino let out a long sigh and rejected Serika's suggestion in a relaxed tone, almost like an old woman.

"If someone investigates later, it will be easy for them to trace it back to us..."

"That's right..."

Serika, whose suggestion had been rejected, scratched her hair and sat back down, her expression becoming somewhat distressed. Noticing that Hifumi hadn't spoken yet, she asked her a question.

"Does Hifumi have any special suggestions?"

Hifumi, who was listening in, made a blank "Eh" sound, seemingly not having considered that she, as an "honorary alumna," could actually be included in this group and give some advice.

"Hmm... as for suggestions..."

After reviewing the negotiation methods of the 'Miss Trinity' in her mind, as well as some things she had seen and heard in her life, Hifumi chuckled dryly and gave a suggestion that she was unsure whether it would be useful.

“Sending it directly to Caesar’s base in the black market… that should work, right?”

In her view, perhaps the simpler the task, the less likely it is to go wrong.

"Everyone's suggestions are very constructive and feasible, and they can complete part of my plan..."

Amamiya spread the whiteboard, which was already covered with writing, on the table and began to explain his plan.

First of all... the announcement should definitely be made as big as possible, that's for sure.

While escalating the situation carries some risk, it also helps Amamiya try to find clues about the mysterious organization 'Shukujutsu' and thus thoroughly trace the source of the danger.

Secondly, regarding the method of releasing the announcement letter... while maintaining an 'elegant and luxurious' style befitting a phantom thief, it also needs to be widely known...

Therefore, Amamiya's choice of 'announcement method' is on par with [Shido Masayoshi's] level of treatment.

The entire network was broadcast, and advertising airships that dropped the announcement letter roamed the black market before temporarily taking over all the advertising devices with screens and internet access in the black market and starting to play the 'announcement letter content'.

"So...you mean you're planning something big...?"

After hearing Amamiya's announcement, which was almost like saying "I want it all," the girls felt a mix of approval and worry.

"But... wouldn't Sensei's identity cause a lot of trouble?"

The obedient Ayane has already begun to consider the follow-up to Amamiya's suggestion.

She examined the small card with the notice over and over again, remaining silent for a long while before speaking with a complex tone: "After all, once it gets involved with the identity of a 'phantom thief,' who knows how many strange consequences will result..."

“It’s alright,” Amamiya smiled. “As long as we don’t say anything, the ‘method of the crime’ remains ‘unknown.’ Even if those people at the head of the Caesar Group really want to forcefully link the ‘phantom thief’ and my identity together and use that to their advantage… what can they do?”

"I won't admit it if I can't produce evidence. If I can produce evidence... then let's consider the credibility and other strengths of the Caesars Group."

In any case, with Ravenda watching over them, it's probably impossible for any 'bad guy' to actually come into contact with and try to exploit the cognitive world.

Of course, if it really is true, Amamiya would simply comment: Have you eaten? If not, how about taking one of my [Great Sin Armor-Piercing Bullets]?

It was caused by not having time to be hit by the armor-piercing bullet.

They'll behave themselves after taking a hit from a high-powered armor-piercing round.

If that doesn't work, then try again.

"Moreover……"

Amamiya glanced around at the girls in the office, all of whom seemed somewhat nervous, and suddenly smiled.

He smiled and said, "...I have given you everything I have. At this point, you wouldn't betray me, would you?"

【~??Yingling cried and sneezed??Jiu?〉Sneezed?Pa?~】

“Of course, we wouldn’t betray them…” Ayane pouted slightly, mustered her courage, and stared intently at Amamiya. “Sensei has helped us so much… If Sensei can really help Abydos resolve its current crisis… We’d be too grateful to betray Sensei!”

【~???~】

"From now on, we will stand firmly by Sensei's side. Yes."

Bai Zi's statement remained calm as always, yet it was inexplicably convincing.

【~???~】

"This is a crucial step in defeating the 'Evil Demon King'~ But that doesn't mean the end of the hero's journey—well, as a 'priest,' I'll stand by Sensei's side~"

After deliberately highlighting her distinctive physique as a 'priest,' the flaxen-haired girl spoke earnestly.

【~???~】

Celery tilted her head slightly, turned her nose up, and gave a soft hum, followed by a somewhat reluctant expression.

"No matter what... Sensei is our 'benefactor,' so surely no one would do something as foolish as 'betraying their benefactor after gaining benefits,' right?"

The black cat princess's crimson eyes finally settled on Amamiya, and her tone of voice softened.

"If it's Sensei... I will stand firmly on the same side as you."

'After all… you stole my heart… Mr. Phantom Thief.'

【~???~】

Hoshino nodded in satisfaction after receiving a positive response from his juniors.

"Yes, yes, that's the kind of spirit I want!"

Ignoring the surprised looks from his juniors and their astonished expressions of "What's wrong with Hoshino-senpai today?", Hoshino then turned his gaze to Amamiya.

"Then... I'll leave the matter of issuing the announcement to Sensei."

The collapse of the tower

Chapter 1 Xiaoyu: Upon hearing Sensei's voice, she couldn't help but hum softly.

Look, in that distant, thousand-year-old academy of science and technology, something wonderful is happening...

"It's time to show."

"Evything we got (the fragments we rediscovered called 'truth')"

"Haah...haah..."

Her breathing grew heavier as the pale-yellow-haired girl, wearing headphones and completely focused on refining subtitles and adjusting audio, tapped her clear, jade-like fingers rapidly across the keyboard.

"To find a way out from this fake mirage (and the path we have found to escape from your blind and illusory Eden)."

"Our life is happening in front of you now."

"Right now (it's spinning in front of you again)"

Listening to the loud and resolute vocals coming from the professional studio-grade monitoring headphones, Xiaoyu subconsciously leaned slightly towards the screen, becoming increasingly focused.

"It's time to seize it!"

"...So that's the meaning behind the song 'I Believe'."

"I feel like I understand Sensei's state of mind better now..."

"Unfortunately, the recording wasn't timely, and we only have an incomplete sample of the verses. The recording equipment left in Xia Lai was also destroyed, so the data couldn't be transmitted back..."

The thought that she had secretly placed the entire song on Xia Lai's recording equipment using a drone, but could not send it back because it was damaged, made Xiao Yu feel a pang of heartache.

After letting out a deep sigh of regret, Xiaoyu rallied her spirits and clicked on the audio recording data that she had recently and cautiously obtained from the device hacked by Takanashi Hoshino, the member of the Countermeasures Committee.

"The data has been decoded. Let's see what Sensei has to say..."

After clicking 'play', Xiaoyu heard that captivating, almost chuunibyou-esque, yet indescribably magnetic voice again, thanks to the high-end headphone amplifier of the studio-grade monitoring headphones.

"Maruki Takuto, you pray for the happiness of everyone."

"In the end, he committed the grave crime of fabricating a reality that he believed to be correct."

"But we will not indulge in false happiness, but choose to move forward beyond pain."

"Therefore, we cannot accept the 'salvation' you advocate and have decided to take away your desires."

"We want you back our future."

The heartfelt words, seemingly whispered right next to her ears, sent a jolt through Xiaoyu's earphones, making her feel as if she were being electrocuted.

'Gurgle...'

Realizing that she had almost made some strange noises because her voice was "too beautiful," Xiaoyu quickly covered her mouth with both hands and looked around nervously.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief when she found no one else from Beritas behind her.

This, this is...

What Sensei said when he announced the "Phantom Thief's Announcement"...

It felt like... it was filled with a kind of shining, dazzling "belief" that was hard to look directly at.

The 'ultimate reproduction' brought by high-end Digital-to-Analog Convt (DAC decoder) equipment made Xiaoyu feel as if she were actually there.

The girl narrowed her eyes slightly, exploring the atmosphere created by the audio and trying to imagine the occasion when the 'announcement letter' would be sent.

...That must be a coffee shop at night.

Amidst trepidation, the protagonist solidified his belief, determined to continue on, no matter what the world was like, until the end of the story.

Suddenly, the protagonist's teacher, who had become a god, pushed open the door and saw the protagonist who had been waiting there.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the protagonist's 'teacher' smiled with relief: "I knew you would make this choice... As expected of you, Amamiya."

The protagonist calmly took out a small black and red card from his jacket pocket and solemnly handed the notice to his teacher...

And he said what he had said at the time.

'Well……'

'It feels like my brain is being massaged...'

'Just hearing words like that gives me a feeling of being inspired and empowered...'

'Listen to it one more time...just one more time...the last time...'

'...Listen to it again...'

'This is really the last time…'

She didn't know how much time had passed when the voice saying "device analysis complete" woke her from her reverie.

No, I can't take it anymore... If I keep listening, I'll eventually succumb!

Xiaoyu was startled and clicked on the latest parsing result transmitted by the decoder.

"You don't know what to do, right?"

"……Um."

“It’s understandable to not know what to do… Everyone has periods of confusion like this. Ayane, what you should do at this time is not ‘think more,’ but to think.”

"If you only think, you will be imprisoned by the temple of thought."

"What a person needs is not just the characteristic of 'careful thinking'. They also need the characteristics of acting spontaneously and having the courage to do things."

"Exceptional rationality; unwavering conviction; ever-growing hope for goodness; a yearning for the meaning of existence; a determination to protect others; trustworthy commitment..."

"These are all noble qualities that shine brightly within Ayane, qualities that I can easily see."

……

"No more hesitation, no more confusion, I've made up my mind to face everything head-on..."

"Be braver, be even braver, Ayane."

"As long as you have courage, even with broken wings, you can embrace the sky, fly, and realize your dreams."

After automatically replacing all the "Ayane" fields in the original audio with her own name, Xiaoyu squinted her eyes in enjoyment, feeling an overwhelming and tender care washing over her.

'Gulu...'

After unconsciously swallowing, the girl subconsciously pressed the "replay" button, and suddenly this thought popped into her mind:

If... Sensei were to start selling ASMR, I... I'd probably become their most loyal paying customer...

The incredibly soothing sensation, as if it were directly massaging the cerebral cortex... is truly indescribable...

No, no...

My soul is trembling... I can't listen anymore!

With immense perseverance, Xiaoyu finally took off the monitoring headphones and let out a long sigh of relief.

For some reason... I have a feeling as if I have just been freed from the 'temptation of the devil'.