Anime, but the Phantom Thieves of Heart

If that wasn't the case, why was Lan Ke so nervous before?

But at this moment, Lan Ke suddenly spoke, and Fujimura Taiga, who was not good at thinking, immediately put it behind his mind.

"I don't know what you misunderstood, Mr. Fujimura, but I was actually sparring with my senior in the dojo after school that day."

"Discussion?"

"That's right, but it's a little different from usual. We both adjusted our strength to be roughly the same before sparring. By the end of the sparring, I used my 'physical advantage' to basically exhaust the senior's stamina..."

As Lan Ke finished speaking, Fujimura Taiga instinctively recalled what he had heard that day when he was hiding, and his originally stern face could no longer hold back...

Chapter 8 The 'Scorching Sun' That Burns People

The thing she feared most in this world was sudden silence, especially when Fujimura Taiga looked at Lan Ke with expectant eyes but only saw a smile and calmness, she almost couldn't help but find a hole to crawl into.

Fortunately, Lan Ke didn't want to talk too much about this issue. After all, although what he said was the "truth" and just lacked some key information, it was not easy to deceive a swordsman like Fujimura Taiga.

So he coughed lightly to attract Fujimura Taiga's attention and then bowed to him respectfully.

"Teacher Fujimura, thank you very much for your care during this time."

Although Fujimura Taikawa caused him a false alarm, his gratitude to the other party came from the bottom of his heart.

After all, he was able to survive the clutches of his own shadow and awaken his personality thanks to the guidance of the other party.

It was also thanks to his help that he was able to take advantage of the club's 'guidance' without having to participate in mechanical training.

Even Emiya Shirou was known through the other party's relationship. After all, Lan Ke might know Emiya Shirou well enough, but the other party's willingness to trust him and join the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts" was also due to Fujimura Taiga's credit.

Maybe the other person was not as obvious as other people who helped Lan Ke, but it is undeniable that the other person gave Lan Ke a lot of help.

As for this misunderstanding?

The other party was only doing it for his own good from the beginning to the end, how could he still be angry?

Lan Ke's sudden thanks caught Fujimura Taiga off guard and made her temporarily forget the previous embarrassment.

"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I didn't find out the truth before I asked you to come to my office."

"Why are you apologizing, Mr. Fujimura?"

"Ok?"

This time it was Fujimura Taiga's turn to be a little surprised, and it seemed that he didn't understand the logic.

Logically speaking, since I misunderstood the other person, shouldn't I apologize myself?

"Teacher Fujimura, weren't you privately asking me questions just to verify your own suspicions? You didn't spread rumors recklessly, nor did you presume I was the 'wrongdoer.' Your intentions were for my own good. So why are you apologizing, Teacher Fujimura?"

Looking at Lan Ke explaining seriously, Fujimura Taiga couldn't help but be a little surprised.

This was not only because of Lan Ke’s words, but also because Lan Ke’s words reminded her of something.

Fujimura Taiga is undoubtedly a swordsmanship genius, and even in the thousand-year history of Japan, she is one of the most talented swordsmanship geniuses. It's a pity that she was born at the wrong time and the "swordsmanship" in the era she lives in has been shelved. But it is undeniable that relying on this swordsmanship and her "strong family background", Fujimura Taiga has really not suffered any setbacks since she was born.

Except... the 'sin' she committed when she first became a teacher.

After all, with her current strength and status, the only one who can hurt her is herself.

Having just graduated, she was a typical "athletic" type of person. Her fiery enthusiasm was like the midday sun, "burning" others invisibly.

Strictly speaking, no one did anything wrong that time, but it has always affected Fujimura Taiga.

She seemed to have a good relationship with almost all the students she had taught in the school, but in fact she kept a certain distance. This time, because it involved Lan Ke and Busujima Saeko, two "young people" that she both had high hopes for, she couldn't help but take the initiative to speak.

But what she didn't expect was that Lan Ke didn't seem to blame her, which made her a little at a loss.

The office fell into silence again, and it was a long time before Lan Ke spoke again.

"Fujimura-sensei, if there's nothing else I'm going to the dojo."

"Um……"

Fujimura Taiga didn't know what to say for a moment, so he simply signaled Lan Ke to do what she should do. However, what she didn't expect was that Lan Ke, who had already opened the office door, suddenly bowed again.

"Teacher Fujimura! I hope you will continue to teach me next semester!"

Looking at Lan Ke's disappearing back, Fujimura Taiga, who was feeling a little amused, couldn't help but mutter something in a low voice.

"Bad boy!!"

But for some reason, there was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, and it seemed that her mood had improved a lot.

But what she didn't know was that Lan Ke actually felt relieved after leaving the office.

His gratitude to Fujimura Taiga was sincere, but so was his nervousness about almost being exposed.

"Fortunately, we've always reminded everyone not to discuss anything related to 'stealing hearts' in the 'material world'. Even if we do discuss it, it's best to use 'jargon' that only they can understand."

Lan Ke originally set this rule simply to prevent the stupid thing of "plotting loudly" in the original work from being repeated, but he didn't expect that it would almost be repeated. He couldn't help but feel a lingering fear when he thought about it.

While quickening his pace, he headed to the 'Dojo' to participate in the 'Kendo Club's' first club activity after the exam week and the last before summer vacation.

During this process, Lan Ke also began to think about the solution to the current problem.

Since Busujima Saeko was able to detect his abnormality based on his moves, Fujimura Taiga could probably also do so. The only lucky thing is that the two sides have not fought each other yet.

"Learning a new skill is absolutely urgent..."

Just when Lan Ke was thinking about what to do next, Busujima Saeko on the other side saw that most people had arrived, so she started explaining the holiday arrangements of the "Kendo Club" to everyone.

Fortunately, the time is almost the end of the holiday, and it seems that this method is intended to help those who have neglected their health during the holiday to recover.

What surprised Lan Ke was Busujima Saeko's attitude.

Even though she had just made such shocking remarks in front of the other party yesterday, Busujima Saeko seemed to be completely unaware and was still doing her job as president as usual.

If it weren't for the smile that flashed in Busujima Saeko's eyes when the two of them met, Lan Ke would even have the illusion that he was just "fantasizing".

Everything was normal until Lan Ke arrived in the 'cognitive world'.

Compared to his "irritability" when "at work", Shirou Emiya still maintains his usual personality and style under normal circumstances.

But he is different today.

Although he was still leaning against the wall in the corner with his arms folded, it was not known if it was Lan Ke's illusion, but rather than not wanting to attract attention, he seemed to be resisting something.

Lan Ke, who kept speeding up his pace, soon saw the "truth inside the venue".

Busujima Saeko, with a smile on her face, and Lucy, with a cool expression on her face, were looking up at each other.

Although nothing happened, Lan Ke suddenly understood why Shirou Emiya tried hard to reduce his presence.

He wants it now too!

Unfortunately, Lan Ke seemed to have forgotten one thing: the two people currently facing each other had their eyes fixed on him...

Chapter 9 Codename Oni.

After leaving the Kendo Club, Lan Ke did not go to the 'cognitive world' immediately.

Just like the previous rules of 'not discussing matters related to stealing hearts directly in the outside world' and 'not talking about each other's real identities in the 'hall' and 'impression space'', Lan Ke also made a rule of 'not getting together casually in the outside world' just in case.

After all, the more people there are, the more attention they will attract and they are likely to become targets of suspicion by the police.

Being arrested for this reason is really ridiculous.

Therefore, the gathering point is set at the entrance of the "Impression Space", which is one of the rare safe areas in the entire "cognitive world".

At the same time, because everyone had some things to deal with, Lan Keding had more time to gather.

But Lucy had already arrived... or, to be more precise, after parting with Lan Ke in the morning, she came to the first floor of the "Impression Space" to start killing monsters and leveling up, but she returned to the meeting point early when the time was almost up.

But no one expected that the second person to arrive at the meeting point would be Busujima Saeko.

After all, although Busujima Saeko and Lan Ke left the dojo at the same time, unlike Lan Ke who walked around and even kept using the "other-dimensional navigation" to try to lock onto the halls of "Miyano Shiho" and "Yashiro Hideto", Busujima Saeko was actually full of expectations for the "cognitive world".

Yesterday's sparring with her shadow could be described as a 'brief taste'. The thought of fighting various monsters made her blood boil. She rushed to the cognitive world almost immediately after finishing her business.

Then Lucy, who had been waiting for a long time, met the excited Busujima Saeko.

Saeko Busujima, who had just arrived in the 'cognitive world', looked around like a curious baby, and when she noticed Lucy leaning against the 'impression space entrance' with her arms folded, her eyes lit up.

Although she didn't dig up the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' like Lucy did, she had been following the Phantom Thieves of Hearts since before the 'heart theft' and still recognized the other party as the famous 'Phantom Thief V'. After all, even without the 'Phantom Thief Mask', the other party's 'Phantom Thief Suit' was still very conspicuous.

Seeing this, Busujima Saeko almost instinctively walked towards the other person and greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Miss V."

Facing the well-mannered Busujima Saeko, Lucy did not respond immediately, but looked at her carefully.

Lucy actually doesn't care about the new members joining the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'. After all, she herself joined the Phantom Thieves later, but the problem lies in Lan Ke's attitude.

She had gone through a series of tests before gaining Lan Ke's approval and joining the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'. Why was the other party able to join directly?

That's right!

At least that's what she thought!

But looking at Busujima Saeko, who looked like a Yamato Nadeshiko, and the hearts of people who were much older than hers, she felt more and more irritated.

It's just like a stray cat that has just been picked up and meets a carefully dressed domestic cat in the other family, and its fur instinctively wants to stand up.

It was not until then that she truly realized that her hostility towards the other party was actually not complicated at all. It was purely because the other party had something that she did not have, and more importantly, he had a better relationship with Lan Ke.

Compared to calling her "Lucy", even though she is already a "member of the Phantom Thieves", Lan Ke still calls her "senior". This unique address makes Lucy instinctively envious.

Her biggest wish now is naturally to repair the 'broken chip relic', and besides that, it is to 'help Leader fulfill his dream'.

To her, Lan Ke was like the "sun". She longed to get more "light" from Lan Ke, and naturally she also instinctively hated those who shared the light with her.

But Lucy is a rational person after all. Faced with Busujima Saeko's proactive goodwill, she still used the most basic social etiquette.

"good afternoon."

After saying that, Lucy stood aside silently without saying a word, and the atmosphere on the scene suddenly became a little awkward.

And Busujima Saeko also noticed something unusual, or rather, she sensed Lucy's hostility towards her.

Obviously, although Lucy thought she had hidden it well, it also depends on the person.

Busujima Saeko was a little confused at first. Could it be because of her interception last night?

Initially, she was indeed trying to satisfy her own desires while helping out, but after truly gaining the power of the "Personality Mask", she realized how terrifying Lan Ke's strength was. Even without her help, the other party could easily escape the encirclement.

But then she felt as if something was wrong, because this hostility seemed to be based on personal grudges?

But the problem was that she didn't know him at all before today, and the only connection was...

In an instant, Busujima Saeko showed an expression of sudden realization, and then asked a question in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Narukami-kun?"

This sentence may sound meaningless to others, but Lucy's body instinctively trembled slightly, as if a cat whose tail was stepped on. Then she looked up at the smiling Busujima Saeko in surprise.

Although Busujima Saeko didn't say a single extra word, Lucy felt deeply terrified as if her thoughts were seen through and instinctively started to question her.

"what are you saying?"

But as soon as she said it, she realized something was wrong, because speaking at this time would be the same as admitting it.

As expected, as she spoke, the smile on Busujima Saeko's face became even brighter.

Lucy, who had always been wary of Busujima Saeko, felt even more pressured.

Facts have proved that although Busujima Saeko is obsessed with kendo, the education she received since childhood has made her far superior to others in some aspects, such as "communication" with the same sex.

Neither of them said anything, but as they stared at each other, the atmosphere became a little strange, even causing Shirou Emiya, who was watching on the side, to hold his breath unconsciously.

That's right, Emiya Shirou also arrived not long ago.

Although he didn't need to participate in the club training, he needed to send his sisters home and then rush to the gathering under the pretext of 'working'. This resulted in him being a little late even though he had a convenient means of transportation like the 'Ghost Chariot'.

But it was also because of this that he saw an extremely 'wonderful' scene.

It was clearly just a few simple words, but with the help of eye contact, tone of voice and each other's thoughts, the two were able to complete rounds of 'attack and defense'.

Shirou Emiya, who was enjoying eating melons, naturally tried hard to reduce his presence, fearing that the two people present would temporarily stop because of him.

In fact, the two of them did ignore his existence until Lan Ke arrived.

The moment he saw Busujima Saeko and Lucy confronting each other, Lan Ke almost instinctively turned around and wanted to run away.

After all, the atmosphere at the scene was really weird.