I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

This is a sporty girl with a small band-aid on her nose, her cheeks slightly flushed, and a clean and refreshing smile, who probably bears some resemblance to Sumire.

The oversized baseball uniform and the thigh-high hoodie, along with the knee-high socks and sneakers, gave her calves a beautifully sculpted look due to her frequent running and movement.

However... the various types of bandages covering her calves and above, presumably to conceal her wounds, added a touch of unsettling unease to her otherwise neat and clean appearance.

Amamiya was slightly surprised; she truly hadn't expected... that in a school like Millennium, where 'science girls' were absolutely dominant, it would be possible to have Sumire at the same time, and also...

Noticing Amamiya's gaze, the orange-haired girl temporarily removed her baseball cap, naturally suppressing her brief awkwardness, and waved across the fence to greet her: "Hello! I'm Nono Masashi from Millennium Tech Academy, the fourth batter for the Akawa Daisai baseball team—nice to meet you!"

Furthermore, there's Rei, a 'sporty girl' whose style would be quite unique even in a non-sports academy like Kivotosne Academy, let alone in Millennium Technology Academy.

Amamiya nodded and greeted them through the fence, while simultaneously observing the other person with her [Third Eye].

[Assistant: Masahiro Nono / Millennium Academy's 'Baseball Ace']

【Arcana: V.The Chariot】

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'really……'

Upon seeing the tarot card hanging high above the other person's head, a card that could only be seen with the "third eye," Amamiya understood.

They are assistants who are 'qualified' in certain specialized fields.

…A sporty girl with a cheerful personality, a bit oblivious to unexpected events, and a strong athletic aptitude is often associated with the arcana of 'chariot' or 'fortitude/strength'.

The only difference is that the title of baseball ace was put in quotes...

According to Amamiya's understanding, the quotation marks generally indicate that it should be interpreted in the 'opposite direction'.

The fourth batter... According to Amemiya's own knowledge of baseball, this position is often occupied by the best-performing batter on the entire baseball team.

Such a 'team ace' usually has a batting average between 0.250 and 0.300.

The ace of ace can push the batting average to over 0.400.

So, what exactly does this "baseball ace" in quotes mean?

After exchanging greetings, Amamiya raised his bat and got into a hitting position.

The ball-serving machine began its fixed serving process of 'firing at intervals, five consecutive serves'.

Under Rei's astonished and surprised gaze, Amamiya once again delivered a series of smooth, fluid, and even artistic hits, achieving a spectacular record of four consecutive home runs.

"Watching the coach's movements...it inexplicably gives me the feeling of observing art..."

Sumire, standing close to the railing, stared intently at Amamiya's body, which, while not exactly muscular, was certainly rugged, like a finely sculpted marble.

A single-layer shirt that's easy to wear for hitting practice perfectly highlights this naturally artistic physique, where everything is just right.

Jin was so engrossed in watching that she gradually slowed her breathing, but her heartbeat became unusually fast.

I didn't feel anything when I was training with the coach, but now, standing on the sidelines watching him sweat it out, I inexplicably feel something...

Is this feeling... 'heart-fluttering'?

Li, standing to the side, was completely stunned.

However, the direction she stared at was different from Sumire's—she was stunned by Amamiya's exaggerated accuracy in hitting the ball.

Such incredible accuracy in hitting the ball...

Even more impressive is the perfect control over one's own strength and the angle of the shot.

After finishing another round of batting, Amamiya stood at the batting stand and let out a long breath. Then, carrying the bat in one hand, he opened the gate and went to the outer rest area.

"When Sumire introduced you, she told me that Rei was the fourth batter... which means 'ace'?"

[The vitality of an athletic girl] This bond skill, which can increase the negotiation favorability of 'athletic girl', naturally takes effect, and Amamiya instantly becomes more naturally cheerful and sunny.

"It's a pleasure to meet... the 'ace' who was temporarily transferred from the baseball team to the training team."

"Ah ha ha……"

When asked about Amamiya's nickname "ace," Rei simply smiled awkwardly but politely.

“I heard that Sensei has been taking care of the training department recently… so I temporarily transferred from the baseball team to the training department.”

"However... as for the title of 'ace,' I feel like I'm not qualified to be called that in front of Sensei... especially by Sensei."

Upon hearing Rei's explanation, Amamiya immediately understood.

Although he can project a cheerful and sunny personality that naturally makes sporty girls more likable, it doesn't mean he has to always maintain the 'rough and carefree' look typical of sporty types.

If Li said that, it means that her batting average should be below the '.0.250' average for fourth batters.

His grades were excellent in the baseball team, and he was considered an ace... but he had a kind of "the tallest among the short" feeling.

Amamiya responded with an understanding smile, refraining from using the term "ace," which, while a compliment, might actually have a slightly derogatory connotation towards Rei.

"So... Li, you temporarily transferred to the training department for...?"

Rei took a deep breath, then said firmly, "The Akawa Grand Festival is coming soon, and I will participate in the baseball event..."

"I hope Sensei can help me develop a training plan."

Thinking about the training plan, Amamiya frowned and thoughtfully said, "If we want to see significant improvement in a short period of time, we might need 'intensive training'..."

Li Man said firmly, "...I am prepared to continue facing this."

Noticing Azuko's condition, Amamiya changed his mind at the last minute: "Let's set a time then, it's already very late today."

"Mmm! I'm looking forward to the practice plan Sensei has prepared for me!"

[A deal has been made with Li.]

Coopation is now unblocked!

【Nano Masahiro (Chariot) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

After exchanging contact information with Rei, Amamiya bid farewell to the two girls from the sports club and left the training club with Akiko, who was getting increasingly sleepy from exhaustion.

Stepping outside, the summer night breeze immediately dispelled much of Ajinko's drowsiness.

But she still maintained a confused and bewildered expression, 'swaying' as she followed beside Amamiya, tugging at Amamiya's clothes.

Amamiya stopped and turned her head slightly to meet Akiko's slightly glowing red eyes. She heard a soft, coquettish voice whispering in her ear as the girl's lips parted slightly.

"Huff...Huff..."

'I'm tired. I want Sensei to hug me...'

Breaking free from the constraints of an ambiguous relationship, the girl's behavior becomes more natural and proactive.

Without hesitation, Amamiya turned around and hugged Azuko, stroking her light purple hair that was fragrant with hyacinths.

"You must be very tired today."

"Remember to get some rest when you get back."

Chapter Forty-Seven: Xia Lai's "Fluffy War"

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As July drew near, it was gradually becoming a time of sweltering heat yet also a time of relaxation and leisure for the girls of Givotos Academy.

As per usual practice, Amamiya started preparing breakfast early in the morning for the members of the Arios squad who were currently active in Xialai. While waiting in the kitchen, Amamiya was looking at the stove and scrolling through her phone when she suddenly noticed a message that caught her eye.

[Your attention: "Girl's Ninja Scroll Xiaoman" has achieved verified popularity - 100,000 followers.]

Your follower has achieved the special milestone of "one million views for a single video".

[Your follow updated with a video 10 hours ago: "Girls' Ninja Scroll Special Trip Episode: Xia Lai & the Fluffy 'Little Animals'"]

Ten hours ago...

That is, the video was updated around 9 pm last night.

Is this video only being edited now?

Amamiya scrolled down the webpage to look at the video data, and was even more surprised.

Amamiya had completely expected Xiaoman's new video. However, she truly hadn't anticipated... that the video would be released so late, and that it would reach a million views in such a short time...

Thinking back to the way the Ninja Research Club filmed back then, and after being surprised by the data, Amamiya immediately had a bad feeling.

After briefly checking out momotalk on my phone, a chilling sense of danger shot through me.

[Ruozao: Darling, you actually like fluffy things...]

[Wakazama: Hehe~ Wakazama will take good care of her big tail~]

[Wakazama: Wakazama will definitely protect my dearest... most beloved...]

[Wakazama: "Tail image.jpg"]

'...'

[Mary: Sensei really likes animal ears...]

[Mary: The way the video was filmed is somewhat...]

[Mary: If Sensei doesn't mind, I can let him touch my ears a little more during the confession...]

'...'

[Yuriko: Sensei's quirks are really peculiar.]

[Yuriko: But I can understand... After all, Sensei is a hot-blooded adult.]

[Yuriko: I have both animal ears and a tail. Sensei can touch them anytime he likes.]

'...'

[Shengya: Sensei, I saw the video.]

[Saintia: Mika and Nagisa are both worried about whether the wings are also a 'fluffy' feature that Sensei likes.]

【Sensei: Should I reply for you, Sensei?】

[Shengya: Also, Sensei can touch both my ears and my tail.]

[Saint Ya: I'm sure there are more than one student with a 'fluffy' feature sending this message right now, right?]

'……' (II) 亿邬究翏氵栮逡

[Serissa: I have that fluffy look too... Even though I don't have a tail, Sensei can still touch my ears...]

...Looking around, all the messages were from students with 'fluffy' features.

Some were suggestive, others were completely uninhibited, some wanted to "bring their families along," and others were slightly annoyed because the person being touched wasn't themselves...

Amamiya clicked her tongue and simply gave up on replying to the message.

The video produced by the Ninjutsu Research Club received an unexpectedly large response...

This even prompted a considerable number of the 'fluffy' students to take the initiative to contact each other.

If this matter is not handled properly, it could easily escalate into some strange "fluffy war".

Although being surrounded by the students' animal ears and tails would feel very comfortable and unique... but considering the various battles that might occur before this 'final ending' arrives, Amamiya decided against it.

The ending of the 'Fluffy War' will definitely be good... but whether the process is good or not is another matter.

After preparing breakfast, Amamiya had just called the girls from Arius's squad to eat when Xia Lai was greeted by three more 'uninvited guests'.

"Brush brush..."

"Swish, swish, swish..."

"Ta Tata..."

With his own ambiguous and slightly chuunibyou-esque 'ninja movement sound effects,' three 'fluffy' ninjas with different appearances and personalities appeared from the gate.

Saori, who had just sat down, immediately became alert and reached for her gun, but was signaled to relax by Azuko beside her.

As the true soul of the 'Alios Squad,' Azuko reassured the rest of the squad and observed with great interest the 'ninjas' who walked through the door and into the room with a puff of smoke.

The girls in the Ninjutsu Research Club were completely unaware of the near-fire that had just occurred. They immediately formed a three-person formation and struck a strange, ancient-style group pose.

"Your Highness Sensei, we've come to find... (sniffs)... It smells so good!"

Before she could even utter a single word, Xiaoman was drawn to the enticing aroma wafting from the dining table. Her raccoon ears and tail swayed happily, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. She abruptly stopped herself from giving her introduction.

Xiaoman, sniffing the aroma of the food, soon noticed the members of Arios's team gathered around the same table, watching her and her group with all sorts of subtle glances.