I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

'Besides Rin, just to be on the safe side, let's contact Aoi sometime.'

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Aoi vs. Yuka, Accountant vs. Accountant

The autumn weather is getting colder.

Even in the afternoon, the heat of midsummer gradually dissipates, and the air becomes cool and refreshing.

After seeing off Hana, this "distinguished guest," Amamiya thoroughly cleaned up Xia Lai's café.

The most "thorough" of these measures was to permanently destroy the tableware that Huaye had used.

Although one shouldn't judge a person based on prejudice... at least for now, Amamiya can't resist the inexplicable irritability, even nausea, she feels when she's alone with Hanaya.

Working remotely from the coffee shop, Amamiya stayed until almost after school let out in the afternoon when the second 'special guest' of the day arrived.

‘Dingling bell~’

The sound of wind chimes rang out with the autumn evening breeze. Amamiya, who was sitting idly behind the bar, raised her eyebrows slightly and greeted the person who pushed open the door.

"Welcome to Xia Lai...Aoi."

【~???~】(Koi)

Wearing a straight-cut uniform of the Federal Student Council that was particularly inconvenient to move in but very dignified, the elf-eared girl, still in the action of pushing open the door, first cautiously and quickly scanned the interior of the cafe before entering.

Although I've seen videos of 'visiting Charlotte's Café' shared by students from the Federal Student Union and various schools on social media more than once...

But seeing it through the shaky camera lens, compared to experiencing such a special environment firsthand... feels completely different.

After thinking for a moment, Aoi twitched her elf ears, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural shyness: "Sorry to bother you."

After her unique opening remarks, Aoi naturally sat down at the bar and placed the documents she had brought on the bar.

She handed over the documents she had painstakingly compiled, and calmly summed up the recent situation in the finance department with a single sentence.

"Sensei, this is the self-inspection result of the finance department... Please take a look."

As Amamiya took the documents and began to peruse them, Aoi gave a concise summary of the finance department's recent situation using 'report' format language.

"First and foremost, it must be said that... this thorough internal investigation of the finance department has uncovered a total of nine members, including those with problematic records, those with suspicious behavior, and those who were involved in or had been working in the defense department for a long time."

"The percentage of people involved is higher than expected, currently estimated at around 3%."

"As the investigation continues, the percentage may increase further."

Aoi gave a brief, nonchalant report on the situation, while Amamiya took the opportunity to look at the document Aoi handed over, which included the students' personal files.

As the 'Chief Accountant of the Federal Student Council', it's clear that Aoi's business acumen... can be said to be on par with Yuka's... no, it might even be stronger than Yuka's.

After all, Yuka only has a thousand years to manage... although a thousand years is still quite a long time.

What Kui is in charge of involves all the financial transactions of the Federal Student Association.

After reviewing these student files, Amamiya discovered an interesting fact that aligned with his own understanding.

—The people involved, without exception, all have physical characteristics similar to Hanaya.

As for 'involved persons' with figures like Aoi or Rin, at least Amamiya didn't see them in this report.

Although this way of thinking may be inhumane, or even taken out of context...

But is this also a manifestation of 'extreme wickedness'?

Dispelling the thought that might unintentionally harm most students, Amamiya closed the file and handed it back, teasing Aoi, "Aoi's ability to find so many 'suspicious people' is truly beyond doubt."

Kui twitched the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile, but couldn't manage to.

Finding herself unable to make a 'smiling' expression, Aoi slowly closed her eyes and sighed, "...I really don't know if Sensei is praising or being sarcastic."

The fact that the finance department was able to find so many "involved personnel" is itself enough to be seen as a sign of individual incompetence, or even extreme inadequacy.

Don't think you're 'feeling good' just because you were able to find out so many people.

Kui is even a little scared now.

She remembered the insect that Kivotos students hated most—the cockroach.

'When you find cockroaches in a room, it means they've spread to every corner.'

If such obvious problems can be found now... what is the real situation in the finance department?

Aoi is a bit neurotic now, and somewhat paranoid.

She really didn't dare to think about it... If the investigation revealed that the finance department's situation was truly terrifying, and to resolve it would require the courage to "peel off the skin and remove the bones" and "scrape the bone to remove the poison"... What should she do then?

"..."

Staring blankly at the documents in front of the bar for a long while, Aoi suddenly spoke with a sense of loss: "I may... have made the same mistake as Rin."

“Sensei, to be honest, I…”

Aoi looked up, her light blue eyes filled with deep unease: "...I don't know what to do."

Amamiya naturally showed sympathy and felt pity for the head of the finance department who had "broken her act and put on a maid outfit to do a series of shameful things".

"If the investigation continues, the number of 'available personnel' in the finance office will likely decrease sharply, and the Federal Student Union, especially the finance office, will find it difficult to replenish its staff... so it will be difficult for quite some time, right?"

In terms of their usual work style, Aoi and Yuka are somewhat similar; when it comes to financial matters, they are ruthless and merciless.

Compared to Yuka, Aoi is not as easily 'emotional'.

But her emotional richness is in no way less than Yuka's.

Aoi tilted her head and blinked rhythmically in a way that seemed almost cute: "Is Sensei concerned about me?"

【~???~】

After displaying a fleeting 'girlish charm', Aoi nodded earnestly.

"Yeah... indeed."

"This 'blow' could be very serious for the finance department."

Moreover... there is absolutely no way the finance department can recover its strength immediately.

According to Aoi's prediction, the Defense Office will be the most affected at that time, and may undergo a complete overhaul.

Secondly, there's the finance department, which inevitably experienced some 'personnel changes'.

In the end... Valkyrie, who is currently under investigation and suspended from school, might actually be fine.

Of course, there is also the possibility of punishment such as 'confiscating equipment obtained through illegitimate channels'—however, even if the confiscated equipment is not used, it will be transformed into 'blood' in another way to supply the Valkyries.

Amamiya made Aoi a cup of coffee, but instead of trying to distract her with 'coffee trivia,' she quietly revealed Aoi's thoughts.

"Upon learning of the finance department's future 'fate,' Aoi must have had thoughts like... 'Slowing down progress for the long-term operation of the finance department,' or perhaps simply giving them a lighter punishment?"

Kui didn't hide anything and nodded—she had indeed had such thoughts.

【~???~】

“Sensei is right… but, I…”

Kui pursed her lips, her thoughts a jumble of emotions, unsure how to express them.

"Such uneasy thoughts...have also arisen in my mind as the Phantom Thieves continue to move forward."

'...Huh?'

Kui blinked blankly, wondering if she had misheard.

She had thought she would learn some profound wisdom from Sensei... but to her surprise, Sensei expressed empathy for her as someone who had been through it all...?

"...The most intense time I ever had such uneasy thoughts was during Maruki-sensei's 'Hall of Fame'."

While immersed in the ethereal 'happiness' Eden created by Takuto Maruki, Amamiya did indeed experience confusion and hesitation more than once.

'I had that uneasy feeling of impending defeat.'

But now, I feel no fear whatsoever.

But in the end... we decided to 'embrace the past and create the future'.

After briefly recounting her experiences during that dreamlike "third semester," Amamiya sighed and repeated, "...Now, I understand and sympathize with the uneasy premonition that lingers in Aoi's heart."

Gathering the fleeting trace of melancholy that had inadvertently escaped, Amamiya smiled.

"But now I have moved past that pain and strengthened my resolve."

"So...Aoi."

Naturally reaching out, Amamiya grasped Aoi's restless, delicate hand and said gently, "...If you feel uneasy, why not try relying on an adult like me?"

【~???~】

A blush crept onto her face. For a moment, Aoi hesitated, unsure whether to pull her hand away, then stammered, "Sen...Sensei..."

(////////)

"..."

"I...I understand, so..."

"Hands, could you..."

Amamiya belatedly uttered an "oh," and was about to let go: "Sorry, when emotions run deep, one doesn't realize it..."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

Aoi was getting anxious. She quickly took off her gloves and then, as if afraid of leaving, hurriedly grabbed Amamiya's hand.

"That way, I'll feel more at ease..."

My bond with Aoi has deepened...

【Kiwi (Strength) ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆】

[★3 Bond "The Financial Officer's Resolute Action" is now unlocked!]

The enchanting atmosphere did not last long.

Because very soon... a new sound rang out in the coffee shop.

“Sensei, I'll help you with today's Valkyrie accounts…”

‘Dingling bell~’

Accompanied by the sound of wind chimes, a blue-haired girl with twin tails, dressed in the uniform of a student at the Millennium Symposium, pushed open the door and entered.

His words, which were originally full of enthusiasm and filled with calm anticipation, were only half-spoken before getting stuck in his throat.

Naturally, as Yuka pushed open the door to the coffee shop, her gaze immediately fell upon Aoi, whose expression was full of confusion, helplessness, and unease, as if she were seeking comfort.

As for Aoi, when she heard the doorbell ring, she looked up at the door with a slightly guilty look on her face—at the same time, she noticed Yuka, who was still pushing the door open and whose face was gradually becoming ashen.

They looked at each other, then fell into a brief silence.

Then, Yuka spoke, her voice so deep it was suffocating.

"Sensei..."

"Please tell me, who is she?"

Chapter Forty: The Incompetent Seminar Accountant

What are your feelings for Xia Lai and Sensei?

This is a question that is difficult to answer even using 'logic and reason' alone.

She tidied herself up a bit, making sure her favorite twin ponytails were in place.

I got up to check if the length of the skirt was correct...

"Yes, today was perfect too."

Using her index finger to hook her dimples, Yuka practiced the smile that Sensei loved most—a smile that was both innocent and aloof—that she would use when they met next. Finally, she picked up the bag containing her usual office equipment, which she had already packed away, and prepared to leave.

The emotions surging within her surged like a tide, gradually eroding the 'logic' and 'rationality' that had previously dominated her daily life and been the guiding principles of the young girl.

Everything involving Sensei becomes illogical and sometimes messes up one's plans... Although a daily life full of variables is tiring, it is more anticipated than a life without any variables.

Thinking about Sensei gradually makes me lose my rationality and easily become 'emotional'. I often think, 'What would Sensei do?' or 'It would be okay to do this for Sensei,' thus making biased judgments...

The most obvious change Yuka has experienced in her life is that the unchanging identity has been transformed into an inequality where every random number is unpredictable.