I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"Okay, okay!"

The brief conversations coming from the kitchen, along with the aromas of various foods, temporarily brought the girls' daydreams about the future to a halt.

Accompanied by the creaking sound of the cart wheels, the girls peered into the room, their eyes fixed on the young man who had changed into a Chai Guan Ramen uniform, wearing an apron and large-rimmed glasses that were shrouded in a misty haze.

The delicious food tempted their sense of smell, but none of them paid any attention to the spotless car.

My heart started racing involuntarily, and my mind began to wander.

Nomiya: Looking at it closely... Sensei really has... a strange charm that makes you want to pet her...

Serika: Why does he look more professional than me, who is a senior employee... Also, how does he wear the ramen shop uniform so well?

Ayane: This Sensei... looks completely different from the Sensei in the phantom thief's trench coat...

Bai Zi: Looking at Sensei, a strange feeling seems to have arisen in my heart...

Hoshino: Looking at Sensei gives me a sense of fulfillment and peace... but if I can't see Sensei, I quickly feel empty... But thinking about it, the 'heart thief' can steal 'hearts' at will... so this feeling is normal, right?

After the girls on the countermeasures committee tacitly observed each other's reactions, Hoshino, who reacted the fastest, jumped down from her position and, amidst the astonishment of her juniors—"What are you doing, senpai?"—"Why didn't I think of that?!" and the resentment of "Senpai?!"—came to Amamiya's side.

"Hmm... Looking at it closely, Sensei in this state... seems to give people a more approachable feeling."

"Let me help Sensei serve the food..."

After serving all the dishes, which were placed on inverted metal plates, in the rhythm and order of the dishes, Amamiya then walked over to Hifumi, who was also pushing a small cart full of 'dishes'.

With Hoshino's 'predecessor's demonstration', Shirako took decisive action this time, and she arrived next to Amamiya with a 'catapulting start'.

"Sensei, I'm here to help..."

The taste seems a little different...?

Sensing something was amiss, the gray wolf girl narrowed her eyes slightly, her ears twitching, and then she gently sniffed the air.

Cream; sugar; tea aroma; and... a flavor similar to a baked cake...

Amamiya smiled and stopped Shirako, who was about to take the stroller from Hifumi.

"This small cart contains a 'Trinity-style' tea and snack set specially prepared for Hifumi. We took into account the differences in food culture and prepared these especially for her."

Special preparations...

Special preparations were made.

These are perfectly acceptable words to say and do, and could even be described as 'extremely thoughtful hospitality,' but when spoken, they can subtly lead to misunderstandings.

"..."

The wolf's ears, which had been lively, suddenly drooped down. Bai Zi took a half step back without saying a word and did not continue to help.

"Haha... um, that..."

Hifumi, who was being watched with subtle glances by the other four girls besides Shirako, was starting to feel the strain.

She smiled awkwardly, paused for a moment, and then suggested, "If everyone doesn't mind... we can eat together...?"

There was a brief silence.

Hoshino sighed softly, "Well... since this was 'specially prepared' for Hifumi-san, let's be a little more mindful of our etiquette."

She then added with a pointed 'reflection': 'Sigh...when will we be able to receive such 'special treatment' from Sensei?'

The black cat's ears stood up straight, and its tone carried a strange sense of resentment: "The 'specially prepared' tea snacks and pastries... won't they absorb the flavor of these heavy, oily, and salty main dishes...?"

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit stiff, Amamiya coughed lightly and helped Hifumi set out the tea and snacks specially prepared for her, including small cakes, crepes, and other sweet treats like Perolo octopus cake (?), which looked like a 'small tea table' with an aristocratic royal style.

"In short... all the dishes have been served, let's begin today's 'victory celebration banquet'."

After pouring juice to each of the girls to suit their tastes and pouring himself a glass of wine, Amamiya raised his glass.

"To celebrate reclaiming everyone's future, and to celebrate the beginning of an uncertain tomorrow—cheers."

The girls on the countermeasures committee raised their juice glasses, while Hifumi hastily raised her teacup slightly.

"Cheers! []~(￣▽￣)~*（*6）"

"Now, everyone, relax and enjoy the special feast prepared for you—"

"Great--"

"I get to try Sensei's cooking again..."

"I love Sensei the most!"

"Huh? Why is someone taking this opportunity to confess their feelings? Who is it? Hoshino-senpai, do you have any clues?"

"Huh...? Uncle, I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything..."

"Nomiya-senpai?"

"Hmm~ What is Ayane-chan saying?"

"No, don't look at me! I didn't say anything!"

"...?"

"...No, that's unlikely...that voice just now clearly didn't sound like Shirako."

……

at dusk.

"Have you packed everything, Alona?"

"Hmm... Alona has confirmed that all the personal belongings Sensei brought with him have been collected."

Standing on the platform at dusk, Amamiya carried her suitcase and gazed at the 'special train' that was about to arrive.

The AI ​​girl's hesitant, uneasy, and complex voice came from the shoulder bag on her back again: "...So, is Sensei really going to leave without saying goodbye?"

"What's wrong, Alona?" Amamiya shrugged with amusement. "It's just a sudden departure, nothing will happen, right?"

"Besides, saying goodbye would only add to the troubles. Those kids on the countermeasures committee have a lot of lingering issues to deal with lately..."

"The signing of documents regarding regional self-governance, the coordination agreements, and other resource issues... that will keep them busy for quite some time. And these kinds of documents are something I'm not yet good at..."

"Sensei, stop shaking me! Alona's going to get dizzy, waaaaah..."

After being stunned for a while by Amamiya's shrug, Alona paused for a moment before speaking again indignantly, her voice filled with reproach.

“…Mmm! Sensei, do you know…right now, you have that ‘flirt and run’ characteristic of a heartbreaker!”

"Have it?"

After asking a question he already knew the answer to, Amamiya gradually revealed a knowing smile.

Alona, ​​who was stuffed into the shoulder bag, couldn't see Amamiya's expression at that moment, but she clearly heard Amamiya's 'pure voice that seemed to be untouched by emotions,' and immediately said anxiously, "Sensei... do you know... do you know... if this continues, they might evolve into yanderes!"

"He appeared like a prince charming, resolved such a huge crisis, and left a deep impression on them, but then he quietly disappeared without a word..."

"Sensei, you idiot! You heartbreaker who toys with girls' feelings!"

【~???~】

Despite the harsh criticism, the result was the highest increase in goodwill...

[...I felt the care from Alona.]

"I am you, and you are me."

"Here you receive a new covenant."

"As the saying goes, 'Break through destruction to seek the wings of resistance.'"

"Now, you are able to glimpse a fragment of the ultimate mystery of the 'world'."

"The light of hope will become a beacon and a guide."

"I grant you boundless power to advance into the future..."

[Coopetition restrictions have been lifted!]

[Assistant: Alona / The AI ​​Girl in the Box]

Arcana: The World (Damaged)

[Assistance Rating: ★☆☆☆☆]

[Assistant's Profile: After successfully resolving the troubles in the Abydos region, I sensed a clear trust from Alona... What secrets does this seemingly innocent AI girl hold...? And what is her relationship with the Federation Student Council President...?]

'Beep beep—'

The train's arrival whistle temporarily interrupted Amamiya's surprise and contemplation as she 'gained a new bond'.

The thought of her office, which she hadn't been familiar with for very long, and her private room even evoked a slight sense of nostalgia in Amamiya.

As the wind whistled past his ears, Amamiya let out a long sigh.

"Arona, we...'go home'."

Chapter Twelve: Preparations for the "Date" with Wakazama?

Carrying her suitcase, Amamiya got out of the car and looked up at the 'Charley Building' that felt both familiar and strange to her.

After being away for more than ten days, he was a little unaccustomed to the cool autumn weather in Xia Lai, which was described as "pleasant scenery".

With a subtle sense of nostalgia in her heart, Amamiya dragged her suitcase and carried her shoulder bag to Angel 24, and first greeted Sora.

Angel 24 was still open for business, but Amamiya glanced at it and saw that the items on the shelves seemed to have remained largely unchanged. They were either very well maintained or... there were simply no customers here, so they could stay the same without any maintenance.

"Hey, Xiao Kong, long time no see!"

After greeting Sora, who was propping herself up on her arm and holding her cheek with one hand, seemingly lost in thought, Amamiya casually patted the top of the blonde loli's head amidst the girl's shock, which caused her wings to flutter rapidly in surprise.

【~???~】

"sen-Sensei?!"

After a brief moment of shock, the blonde loli girl seemed to suddenly realize something, and quickly straightened her back slightly, raising her eyes with a guilty look.

"Um... I... I... I didn't slack off, did I?"

"What's with this, like a boss checking on his employees' work performance..." Amamiya chuckled, withdrawing her hand amidst Sora's slightly uneasy expression.

"During my absence, did Xia Lai have any other visitors?"

When this was mentioned, Xiaokong seemed to have a strange sense of 'mission'. She nodded seriously and firmly, then pulled out a piece of paper from the cash register that was probably a publication form, and handed the 'record' written in a delicate and childlike handwriting that looked particularly cute to Amamiya.

"These are... some notes I made after Sensei left Xialai, about the students who came to visit Xialai..."

Amamiya took the handwritten list of visitors, which looked particularly 'cute', and then couldn't help but take another look at Sora.

"Your handwriting reflects your personality, it's so cute, Xiao Kong."

【~???~】

The little wings behind her flapped rapidly, but Sora seemed to calm down. After taking a deep breath, she responded to Amamiya's praise in a weak but very firm tone: "It's good that I can... help Sensei."

'Unconventional Negotiation - When dealing with younger assistants, being considerate might be far more important than charm—though charm is still important, as it's a key factor in determining whether someone seems good or bad. If you can make younger people see you as a 'handsome and kind older brother,' you'll gain their trust.'

Switching Persona to the [Sun] attribute, [Bathing in the Warm Sun] and [Malice's Charm & Aura Enhancement] are fully activated, making Amamiya's affability off the charts; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a walking 'humanoid succubus'.

Xiao Kong simply couldn't resist this level of charm.

Although he's officially Sensei... he gives off a more caring older brother vibe...

The blonde loli girl was lost in thought when Amamiya picked up the list and glanced at it briefly.

The list of visitors filled an entire page, and at a glance, there were probably at least several dozen names.

"Tsukiyuki Miyako... a member of the SRT team. Your purpose in coming to see me... is to discuss SRT matters?"

'...'

"Yukino Shichido... a member of SRT Team Fox Team, here to discuss the future of SRT..."

The inconsistent style of these records made Amamiya realize that Sora probably didn't record them based on her own impressions, but rather obtained some basic, general information directly from the visitors.

"Wakamo Kitsaka... is currently active in the vicinity of Trinity... her purpose is to find 'my dear'?"

Why is this big fox still chasing me?

"The Ninjutsu Research Club of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, that's Izuna Hisada... The purpose is to research ninjutsu?!"