I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Judging from the current situation, the girls easily thought of the "Eden Treaty" that would be signed soon.

Amamiya nodded gently.

"That's right...it's for the Eden Treaty."

Ichika abandoned her relaxed, squinting expression and opened her eyes, her light gray-blue pupils revealing a deeper meaning: "Sensei... do you think the Eden Treaty will run into problems?"

Amamiya nodded firmly.

Upon receiving Amamiya's response, Ichika did not question or refute Amamiya's "source of information".

Because she knew very well that it was meaningless.

As the "Phantom Thief of Hearts," Amamiya's intelligence-gathering abilities defy scientific definition.

He has detected and resolved potential crises in advance on more than one occasion, and can even steal information directly from the mental world of others...

Since the information came from Amamiya, it absolutely cannot be wrong.

"……so."

"What does Sensei need us [Justice Committee] to do?"

Since it concerns the safety of the entire Trinity region and the Trinity General Academy, Ichika's attitude is noticeably more serious.

After a moment's thought, Amamiya gave his 'request': "I need... everyone in the Justice Committee to increase their interactions with me frequently recently. At least... the frequency of interaction should be high enough to arouse suspicion in the 'mastermind'."

Amamiya did not directly mention the 'mastermind' (Beateritchie)'s name, in order to avoid Beatrice noticing and immediately becoming alert.

'Increase the frequency of contact... to alert the mastermind...'

Ichika pondered the meaning of Amamiya's words.

Indeed, if we only consider combat strength, the Justice Committee is the strongest in Trinity Academy.

If we alert the mastermind... what Sensei means is that the 'mastermind' is currently hiding in the Holy Trinity region, watching its every move?

"understood."

Amamiya didn't directly reveal the name of the 'mastermind', so Ichika wisely didn't ask any further questions.

She knew in her heart that Sensei must have had a deeper meaning in doing this.

As the saying goes, "Curiosity killed the cat."

She was indeed curious, but curiosity was useless—it might even harm herself and the entire Holy Trinity region.

Let's remain rational, do as Sensei says for now, and wait for the decryption process later.

Regarding 'frequency of contact,' if we understand correctly...

Mashiro, who had been silent, spoke up: "Sensei, should we frequently send members of the Justice Committee to your side to deepen our relationship...? Or... should we have our members engage in some interactions with you 'in public' that would appear intimate to outsiders?"

Since it's a "performance" for the mastermind behind the scenes—then it's only natural that the mastermind should be able to see it...

At the very least, the mastermind's 'informants' need to be able to see it.

In other words, it has to happen "in public".

After understanding the Justice Committee's 'goal' through this line of thinking, Mashiro thoughtfully asked, "How exactly should we cooperate with you?"

Amamiya smiled and shook her head at Mashiro.

“If it requires frequently taking up your time… then this ‘small plan’ is putting the cart before the horse.”

"Intimacy can take many forms—besides direct, public contact, there are also various other channels such as public statements."

"For example... you can publicly declare through the Justice Commission's public channels that you have established a cooperative relationship with me and signed a contract... to temporarily establish an [Eden Treaty Security Protection Organization]."

Ichika instantly understood Amamiya's meaning: "Sensei, you want to use this 'fake organization' to alert the 'mastermind' behind the scenes?"

Amamiya composed himself slightly and continued nodding.

In fact... it doesn't matter what this 'temporary organization' is called, and its functions don't need to be defined.

All that is needed is to publicly declare that the reason for the establishment of this temporary organization is to "protect the safety of the signing site of the Eden Treaty and prevent unexpected situations"—that would be enough to alert the "mastermind" (Beateritch).

Once she becomes aware of this, the difficulty of Amamiya's exploration of Beatrice's "palace" will decrease significantly, and she will also be able to generate other "hidden benefits" from the palace exploration.

Ichika didn't reply to Amamiya immediately, but instead turned around to look at Tsurugi, who was trying hard to control his expression in the corner.

After the latter nodded, Ichika carefully replied, "If it's just a 'public statement,' then of course it's fine."

[...I felt the trust from Ichika.]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Zhong Zhengyi (Mediator/Justice) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Amamiya said very sincerely, "Then, I'll leave this matter to you."

After finishing our business, it was already close to 10 p.m.

As night deepened, Amamiya felt it was about time to end the day.

Hasumi hasn't come back yet... she probably won't be back today.

After saying goodbye to Ichika, Mashiro, and Tsurugi, Amamiya left the Justice Committee headquarters.

'A cooperative relationship has been established with the Justice Committee, which will greatly reduce the difficulty of conquering the otherworldly palace.'

'So, the main task next is to also build a good relationship with the Pandemonium, and further alert Beatrice…'

On the way back, Amamiya pondered his next course of action.

To complete the Beatrice Palace raid, the next step will likely be to make contact with Gehenna's Pandemonium.

I wonder what kind of person Makoto Hanuma, the president of the Pandemonium, is.

Will she be like Rion Tsutsuki, whom Amamiya knows and who is also a student council president, possessing the coldness and rationality of the "Black Ruler"?

Or perhaps, like Kirito Nagisa, the president of Trinity and the person in charge of the tea party, he has a mind as fine as silk threads?

Based on his previous interactions with Iroha of the Pandemonium... Amamiya had a feeling that Hanuma Makoto, whom he had never met before, might be quite unreliable in terms of personality, and even somewhat unexpected.

Let's take it one step at a time...

'Rest first, we'll go to the Temple of Ten Thousand Demons tomorrow.'

Chapter Thirteen: The most bitter episode for Alona...?

"JOK~ Time to get up!"

A hazy, swaying sensation roused Amamiya from her dream.

Turning his head to the side in bed, maintaining a calm gaze, Amamiya stared at Sofia, who was standing close to him, for a few seconds.

'Is it just my imagination...? It feels like I'm raising a daughter with Sophia... but ever since she took over my body, she's become more and more like a "girlfriend" type?'

"JOK?"

When Amamiya cast a glance at her, the AI ​​girl, dressed only in a thin nightgown, tilted her head and blinked: "What's wrong?"

"nothing."

After a brief "daily interaction" with Sofia, Amamiya got up and checked on the Shitei no Hako, which was charging by the bedside.

Unsurprisingly... Alona is still asleep.

Amamiya felt that Amamiya had become increasingly lazy lately.

After tapping the screen to wake it up, Amamiya saw an AI girl, like a sea sprite, fast asleep on the desk in the seemingly unchanging "sea-colored classroom."

Amamiya always felt that Alona's sleeping face seemed a little different from before—in the past, Alona's 'sleeping face' would look somewhat energetic and cute, making people want to pinch her and wake her up.

But today... even her usually lively sleeping face looked tired.

After tapping Alona's image on the screen several times with his finger, Amamiya woke Alona up from her sleep.

"Is there anything scheduled by the Federal Student Association today?"

"No……"

Alona's answer trailed off. She glanced at Sophia, who had gained a physical body, a ripple of emotion welling up in her sea-blue eyes.

Why is it that while younger AIs can move freely, while AIs are trapped in cold containers?

So bitter...so bitter!

“If the teacher wants to move around freely…” Alona, ​​who was a little 'lazy', rubbed her eyes, “I will provide navigation and warnings.”

The perceptive Sophia leaned closer to the screen and, mimicking Amamiya's gesture, poked Alona on the screen: "Alona-senpai, you look a bit down... Is something on your mind?"

"Have it?"

Alona feigned confusion at first, then quickly lowered her head in dejection, a dark undercurrent surging in her sea-blue eyes.

"...Arona was just a little envious. She envied that, although they were both AIs, Sophia could move freely in the real world, while Arona could not do that so easily."

Sophia suddenly realized—so, Senior Alona had been feeling down lately because of her?

Since Alona's disappointment was caused by me... I should find a way to resolve it myself!

Sofia pondered for a moment, then turned her gaze to Amamiya: "JOK! Use your methods of comforting girls to help your senior!"

Amamiya rubbed his forehead with one hand: "Which method are you referring to?"

"It's the one that can make all girls happy instantly!"

The AI ​​girl's bluish-brown eyes shimmered with light as she spoke almost pleadingly, "Please, JOK! After all... I'm the one who caused Arona-senpai to become like this, so..."

Alona, ​​still on the tablet, hadn't immediately figured out what kind of riddle Amamiya and Sofia were playing out outside.

The so-called way to "make all girls happy instantly"?

Is it... some kind of special psychological counseling method?

Arona clearly hasn't realized the seriousness of the situation.

She blinked blankly on the tablet, not immediately understanding what it meant, but based on her trust in Sensei over their time together, she answered decisively: "Although I don't know what Sensei is going to do... as long as it's not too outrageous, Alona can accept it!"

"Then I'll take Alona's words as an affirmative answer?"

Alona nodded, seemingly puzzled.

Amamiya said no more, recited the 'secret incantation' of the Shitei Box in his mind, and then entered the tablet in a 'semi-digitalized' form.

In the dilapidated classroom where the sea and sky blend into one, and a gentle sea breeze seems to occasionally drift through, Amamiya walks through the water droplets under her feet, facing the seemingly listless 'sea elf girl' holding an umbrella gun.

With lightning speed, Amamiya bent down slightly, scooped up the slender girl, and pulled her directly into his arms.

"Eh?!"

In an instant, the sea breeze rippling in the sea-colored classroom, the horizon stretching to the horizon, the floating desks... everything inside the Shiting Box seemed to come to a standstill in a moment.

The girl in his arms suddenly froze.

The 'sea-blue AI girl' seemed to gradually realize that something was wrong, her voice trembling with panic.

"Sen, Sensei?"

Before she could respond, a warm touch sealed her lips.

"Ugh...?!"

Alona's pupils contracted slightly, and her pretty, youthful cheeks instantly flushed red.

A strange feeling stirred between their lips and teeth.

At that moment, Amamiya seemed to taste a subtle, milky flavor, like strawberry milk.

Her azure eyes darted around in disbelief and confusion.

【~???~】

The scene of Shiting's Box was coming to a close, and even gradually lost its color—in that instant, all the "computing power" was used to "calculate" the emotions that were being conveyed through the temperature of their lips touching at that moment, and that were lingering around the girl and in her heart.

Sensei's...kiss...

"Hmm...it feels so...strange..."

With a quick slap of his lips, Amamiya gently placed the 'dazed' Alona back on the ground. He stared at the stunned Alona for a while with a half-smile before softly asking.