I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"There's nothing I can do if I don't perk up." Ayane looked up at the sky, silently savoring the coolness of early autumn, and silently added the second half of her sentence to herself.

'After all... we can't always rely on Sensei; we also need to learn to grow and stand on our own...'

Ayane wanted to stand next to Sensei.

It could be done in various identities and in various forms...

But it absolutely cannot be the kind of identity or form where one is 'always cared for but never grows'.

Hoshino suddenly suggested, "In that case, let's all go to the club activity room first."

Chapter Fourteen: Hoshino's Daily Life

"Hoo-hoo—"

Feeling drowsy, I sat up in bed with a yawn. I first lifted the thin blanket and leaned against the window to look at the faint dawn outside. The feeling of 'drowsiness' and 'energization' collided in my mind for a moment.

Listening to the faint sounds of migratory birds outside, Hoshino finally resisted the temptation to go back to sleep.

After all, we've only just decided to become a reliable senior, and it wouldn't do to stumble over something as trivial as taking a nap... That won't do.

After tidying up his equipment as usual, Hoshino began to reminisce about the 'victory celebration' that had started in the evening and lasted until late at night not long ago.

Perhaps it was the atmosphere that enhanced it... or perhaps it was because Sensei's skills were truly superb.

Hoshino always felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking, "So this is how delicious the 'victory celebration' I had with everyone was."

"Speaking of which... Sensei has now resolved the Abydos matter, shouldn't he return to Xialai?"

"If that's the case... then does that mean I'll have less and less time to see Sensei in the future... oh dear... just thinking about it makes me feel so empty..."

After changing out of her 'shark pajamas' and into her usual everyday clothes, Hoshino picked up her weapon and prepared to begin today's activities.

However, at that moment, she unexpectedly found a letter under the butt of her gun.

"This is……"

"Left behind by Sensei...?"

Recalling his experience of returning to his residence late at night, Hoshino narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up the letter from the ground, and opened it.

[A farewell letter to Hoshino-kun who 'want to become a reliable senior, but isn't a reliable senior yet']

"..."

Hoshino tightened his grip on the letter slightly and continued reading in silence.

[Becoming a 'reliable senior'... is no easy task. With Abydos Higher Academy poised for a bright future and likely to garner even more attention from its juniors... Hoshino, you can't give up halfway!]

"Now that I've made up my mind... how can I give up halfway..."

Hoshino's eyes held a hint of nostalgia. Through the letter, she seemed to see the back of the person sitting by the window shrouded in night, writing this letter under the lamp.

Remember the story I told you about the "Phantom Thieves," Hoshino? I can tell you without reservation... that 'high school student' in the story was actually me.

I was elected leader of the Phantom Thieves by my like-minded companions, and I also shouldered the responsibility of being a 'senior'. My companions call me "JOK" and rely on me without reservation.

To become an "ace," a reliable senior... I have quite a bit of experience in this regard.

A true "senior" is someone who never abandons their beliefs, someone who steps up to encourage members when their faith falters, and someone who has the courage to "even take the world."

[Hoshino, I've noticed that you're very gentle with your 'juniors,' but at the same time, you're also quite 'reckless,' neglecting almost everything.]

[You probably learned this from a senior colleague, right? In my opinion... it has both advantages and disadvantages.]

[Your cultivation journey is long and arduous... If you still have any doubts, come to Xia Lai and feel free to consult me.]

[By the way, Hoshino, do you know about "Federal Investigation Department - Sharai"?]

[We haven't started recruiting students yet, but we must still think ahead and plan for the future. Hoshino... may I invite you to join Xia Lai, and to lend a hand when Xia Lai needs it?]

'Uncle, I haven't even asked you for guidance on how to become a senior yet...'

How could I possibly let you leave like this again?

After taking a deep breath, Hoshino pulled out another envelope containing an invitation from Xia Lai.

After carefully reading the instructions on the back of the invitation, Hoshino muttered to himself, "So... all I need to do is sign my name, mail it to a specific address, and wait for a reply, and I'll be officially considered a member of Sharai..."

"In the future, we can visit her through the 'duty officer' role and other identities related to Xia Lai..."

Hoshino found a pen in his room and signed his name on it without hesitation.

If they haven't started recruiting students yet... that means if I'm the first to send out my application and receive a reply...

Is it possible to become the first student to join Charlemagne?

Hehe... I feel a strange sense of 'aura of achievement'.

Let's find that designated address and mail it out quickly...

After putting the envelope away, Hoshino was filled with all sorts of thoughts. She quickly and casually made do with breakfast, tidied herself up a bit, and then prepared to go out to find the mailing address.

It's an area very close to the Federal Student Union in Abydos... Even by car, it takes at least half an hour.

Before the younger generation finds out, hurry and drive there...

If the younger generation asks... just use patrol or something as an excuse to get away with it, that should be fine... yeah.

As soon as he stepped out, Hoshino bumped into Ayane, who had also been out for a while and was walking briskly down the street, looking slightly anxious and eager to do something.

"...Hoshino-senpai?"

Oh my... I didn't expect my junior to get up so early...

Before Hoshino could continue his reflections, Ayane launched into another question.

"Today we still have various handover documents from the Caesar Group to confirm and sign. Regarding the regional autonomy of Abydos Higher Academy… Senior, what is this…"

……Oops!

This kind of thing... definitely can't be known by the younger generation...

"Ah ha ha……"

“Ayane is right… After all, there are many documents that I, as the nominal highest person in charge, need to review and sign today…”

"Oh dear... I really want you juniors to grow up quickly so I can resign and slack off sooner!"

As a senior, he secretly gets close to Sensei behind the backs of his juniors, learning 'the training to become a senior' and such...

It would be too embarrassing to say it out loud.

In desperation, Hoshino could only resort to his previous "if I can fool them, I will" attitude and try to get away with it.

"...?"

Realizing that Ayane's doubts had not been dispelled, Hoshino decisively adopted a counter-strategy.

Hmph... Junior, let me show you the senior's 'psychological tactics'!

After giving him a suspicious look, Hoshino suddenly asked, "What is Ayane-neechan planning to do?"

Ayane replied without changing her expression, "I'm going to the club activity room to prepare for the upcoming document handover and other matters that need to be handled."

There wasn't a single flaw in his plan...

"Oh my~ Ayane looks like she's in a lot of energy..."

Hoshino, having found no flaws, clicked his tongue inwardly and could only try another method to distract Ayane.

"In that case, let's all head to the club activity room first."

Ayane lowered her eyelids slightly, thought about it carefully for a moment, and then agreed, "Hmm... then let's inform everyone."

Chapter 15 Qinxiang’s Daily Life

"I'm sorry... my 'Princess,' I'm a little late."

'My princess...'

'Your Highness...'

'Oh... I didn't expect that Her Highness's awakened persona was also a princess...'

……

"The fog of lies that is hindering everything... eventually needs someone to sweep it away. If no one else will do it, then I will."

"If there is no torch in this world, then I will stand up and become the light for everyone—even if it costs me my life, I am still willing to do it."

"God said: You cannot awaken the masses. The resistance of the ignorant 'fools' is futile, no matter how great it may be."

“But I would say that even the most ignorant ‘fool’ has the right to struggle.”

"God said: If you rebel against this world that everyone hopes for and prays for, you will only be rejected by everyone."

"But I would say that's fine. Even if I am rejected by everyone, I will still pass on the will to rebel and the spirit of resistance."

The intermittent sounds in my mind gradually faded, and were finally shattered by the sound of an alarm clock in the early morning.

The black cat girl, who was 'buried in her sleep,' suddenly had her clever cat ears perk up. Then, as if by reflex, she sat up and turned off the alarm clock on the bedside table.

"Hmm... I had another strange dream..."

Urged on by a sense of urgency, Serika quickly changed into clothes for everyday activities, only to realize that she didn't need to 'work' recently.

After all, Abydos is currently in a critical period of handover with the Caesar Group... Even if he's just working to earn money, he should wait until all the contracts with the Caesar Group are finalized before considering it.

Besides... if another world exists, as long as I can entrust Sensei to go with me... to punish some bad guys in the other world and obtain some loot... the income would be much higher than simply working part-time.

"..."

After tidying herself up at the small desk that had been almost never used and which also served as a dressing table, Qinxiang suddenly noticed that there was something extra on her desk.

No... it seems there's more than one.

"This is……"

After carefully examining the shiny object, a subtle sense of unease began to rise within Qinxiang.

Wait... this is... this is...

The design is clearly the kind of crown worn by princesses in royalty!

Who put it there...? No, it couldn't be...

"sen-Sensei?!"

Suddenly realizing something was wrong, the black cat decisively began searching its room for any other traces.

"...When were you let in?"

After her search proved fruitless, she finally turned her attention to the letter hidden under the 'crown'.

I opened it and glanced at it. It was unfamiliar, but I could immediately tell whose handwriting it was.

[A farewell letter to 'my dearest princess,' 'the tsundere black cat princess,' Serika]

"What the heck is this arrogant black cat princess...?"

A blush rose to her cheeks as Celery muttered angrily to herself.

【Does Celery still remember that 'encounter in the train carriage'? I happened to be on the same train as you, and I accompanied you all the way to the last stop, standing at the Abydos station until late at night.】

From the moment I first met you, I knew that Celery was a determined and strong-willed girl.

[But... isn't it a bit too much to push yourself to fall asleep in the car?]

[Although I know that what I'm writing here might not be of much use... I still want to give you this extra advice, Serika, don't put too much pressure on yourself, don't be overly demanding of yourself... You still have everyone in Abydos to rely on.]

【If all else fails... you can rely on me, your 'prince'... If Serika wants to be 'Cinderella,' I can always prepare 'Cinderella's glass slippers' for you, as well as 'midnight magic' to make Serika even more glamorous.】

Whether it's the glass slipper that lasts until midnight or the midnight magic, although they only last for one night... why not accept it, why not enjoy it... why not have that "princess dream" that every girl this age has?

"W-what nonsense is this..."

Even as she said this, the girl's heart began to beat faster involuntarily, and past scenes gradually surfaced before her eyes.

"Serene, you should know about the 'Federal Investigation Department - Sharai,' right? That's where I work; it's a newly established department. Currently, they're still recruiting students..."