Chapter 337: Chapter 335 Ayatsuki Provoked and Countered by the Young Lady_1
Sophia was discharged from the hospital ahead of schedule. Her constitution was different from ordinary people’s, so it was inevitable that judging her condition by normal human standards would lead to misdiagnosis.
Leaning on her crutches, she stood at the classroom podium, her sharp gaze sweeping over the students before resting on the back of a head belonging to someone asleep at their desk.
Her right hand, gripping the crutch, suddenly tightened—not from anger, but from an instinctive fear that had nothing to do with willpower. Sophia’s body had just experienced that terrifying attack. Seeing the person who had caused the harm, it was inevitable that some stress reactions would occur.
Tetsuji Hojo, sensing the killing intent, quickly looked up and saw Sophia on the podium.
Feeling guilty, he buried his head back onto the desk and whispered backward, "Aozawa, do you think she reported us to the police?"
"Don’t worry. Judging by her expression, she probably wants to handle it herself," Aozawa whispered back.
Tetsuji Hojo’s heart settled, and he scoffed, "The princess is really overthinking things."
Phoenix Academy Maggie, who had been sitting bolt upright, shot him a sidelong glance, her aura alone silencing Tetsuji Hojo.
On the platform, Peter and Sophia introduced themselves, then, guided by the teacher, moved to the back of the classroom.
However, they didn’t sit next to Aozawa; instead, they chose seats near the windows along the corridor.
"Alright, let’s continue with the lesson," the teacher said once the two newcomers were seated.
「...」
After class, the two new students naturally became a topic of discussion among their classmates, though no one dared to approach them.
The pair made no move, silently observing the group dynamics within the classroom.
"That woman is so tall. Are all Russian women that tall?"
"She came to school on crutches. Did she get into a fight? Or a car accident?"
"She and Peter have the same surname. Are they siblings?"
The students whispered amongst themselves, sharing their opinions on the sudden arrival of the transfer students.
There were also some conversations not focused on the newcomers.
"Tsk, Phoenix Academy Maggie and Aozawa are really close. There’s definitely something going on between them."
"Their hands even touched! Phoenix Academy Maggie has never been that warm to other guys."
Iroha Ayatsuki lay on her desk, listening to the gossip without any visible reaction. She continued to stare at the eraser standing upright in front of her, as if she were a professor scrutinizing her research subject.
Seeing no reaction from her, Saeko Takahashi, Tama Maru, and Miyahara Kaoru, who had been feigning casual conversation, stopped teasing her.
Saeko Takahashi knocked over the eraser in front of Iroha Ayatsuki and laughed, "Iroha, why aren’t you saying anything?"
"If I said anything, I’d fall right into your trap," Iroha Ayatsuki replied, sitting up with an annoyed tone. "You all just love to tease me."
Saeko Takahashi shrugged. "I’m not teasing you.
"According to my informant in the Sword Dao Club, Aozawa fought an unarmored Sword Dao match against Peter, the new transfer student, for Phoenix Academy Maggie.
"You should know, in a Sword Dao match without protective gear, getting hit is no joke."
Iroha Ayatsuki quickly glanced behind her. Aozawa was chatting with Phoenix Academy Maggie.
He seemed unharmed on the surface, and during morning practice, he hadn’t appeared injured either.
She said gleefully, "I knew it! Aozawa definitely won."
"Iroha, the point isn’t that he won. It’s about how Aozawa defended Phoenix Academy Maggie. Ordinary friends wouldn’t do something like that. It indicates an unspoken understanding between them," Saeko Takahashi couldn’t help but remind her, her expression serious. "She’s more trouble than Morimoto.
"She definitely won’t share Aozawa with anyone. You wouldn’t even get a chance to surrender if you wanted to."
"Saeko, what nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly surrender?" Iroha Ayatsuki’s face flashed with alarm as she shook her head quickly, wanting to affirm her resolve to her friends.
Saeko Takahashi rolled her eyes. "Don’t pretend to be brave. Do you think we can’t see through you?
You’ve been thinking of giving up if you can’t win from the start. You have no backbone."
"Coward Iroha," Tama Maru added, landing another blow.
Miyahara Kaoru giggled. "It’s okay. Even a cowardly Iroha is still very likable to me."
"Hehe~"
An embarrassed smile appeared on Iroha Ayatsuki’s face, like a Golden Retriever caught by its owner mid-blunder. She whispered, "So, you all knew."
"We just found out from you saying it," Saeko Takahashi said, her face immediately turning stern, her eyes icy. "We’re working so hard to help you, and you’re actually thinking of surrendering?"
Iroha Ayatsuki’s presence seemed to shrink, like a newly bought puppy in a strange home. She said timidly, "Sorry."
"Haha, you actually believed that? Don’t worry, we knew all along," Saeko Takahashi laughed again, then reached out to ruffle Iroha’s hair, her eyes full of affection. "Sigh, with your smarts, how are you going to compete with them?"
Iroha Ayatsuki could only manage a sheepish "hehe"; she didn’t know what other expression to make.
Saeko Takahashi withdrew her hand. "You’re outmatched by them in other areas. Only hard work can bridge the gap."
"Yes, yes."
Iroha Ayatsuki nodded fervently. She was also very clear in her heart that to vie for Aozawa with Phoenix Academy Maggie and Morimoto, she could only have a slim chance by following the advice of Saeko and the others.
Saeko Takahashi patted Iroha’s shoulder with a satisfied expression. "Very good. Now, go ask Aozawa if he’s free this weekend.
"On behalf of our club, tell him we’re planning an overnight stay at the Glacier Camping Site in Okutama Town this Saturday."
"Okay," Iroha Ayatsuki subconsciously nodded, then suddenly realized something was amiss and looked up. "Eh?! Now?"
Saeko Takahashi lowered her head, smiling. "That’s right. Right now."
Iroha Ayatsuki glanced at Phoenix Academy Maggie and Aozawa, swallowed, and said, "Wouldn’t it be easier to invite him by phone?"
"Don’t be afraid. Phoenix Academy Maggie definitely won’t have time to go. Go on, be bold and invite him. Assert your claim on Aozawa," Saeko Takahashi urged her forward.
After looking at her friends and receiving their encouraging gazes, Iroha Ayatsuki felt courage swell in her chest.
She wasn’t fighting alone! She had Saeko and the others behind her; there was no need to fear Phoenix Academy Maggie.
Iroha Ayatsuki took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and strode towards Aozawa.
「...」
"Speaking of manga, I saw one..."
Phoenix Academy Maggie was about to share an interesting manga she had found with Aozawa when she suddenly sensed something odd in the air.
She didn’t turn her head; it was an almost instinctual detection that someone of the opposite sex was approaching.Girls have a mysterious intuition among themselves, like a male lion patrolling his territory, always able to sense another male lion invading.
She stopped speaking, turned her head, and saw Iroha Ayatsuki striding over.
Her tanned skin, like ripe autumn wheat, had an appealing glow.
Beneath her white sailor uniform, her figure showed a maturity beyond that of ordinary girls, pushing her black bow tie high.
Her attire was no different from the other girls in class—the standard school uniform. However, she wore a pentagram sticker beneath her right eye, her colorful hair was styled in a fishtail braid, and a flashy silver ear cuff adorned her visible left earlobe, giving her a very fashionable look.
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder.
Hojo Tetsuji continued to feign sleep.
Aozawa couldn’t feign sleep, so he had to pretend not to notice the scent of gunpowder in the air. He turned his head with a smile. "Iroha, what’s up?"
The tension Iroha Ayatsuki had initially felt suddenly eased. With Aozawa here, Phoenix Academy Maggie wouldn’t dare stab me on the spot, would she?
She smiled and said, "Aozawa, the Human Observation Society is planning a camping trip this Saturday at the Glacier Valley in Okutama Town. Do you want to join?"
Aozawa thought for a moment; he had no plans for the weekend. He nodded. "No problem."
Iroha Ayatsuki didn’t leave immediately. She glanced at Phoenix Academy Maggie, who was still seated, and asked with a smile, "Phoenix Academy Maggie, would you like to come along too?"
Phoenix Academy Maggie smiled faintly. "No problem."
Normally, she wouldn’t engage in such a petty rivalry, but Iroha Ayatsuki’s deliberately provocative question irked her.It was a blatant provocation; one didn’t need to be a genius to see that.If she refused the camping trip, it would be like admitting she was afraid to be in the same place as Iroha Ayatsuki.This was something Phoenix Academy Maggie couldn’t tolerate. She never shied away from any challenge.
Her mother had already flown to the United States, anyway. She could easily find an excuse to deceive the butler and spend a night in the Okutama region. She couldn’t back down from a rival’s challenge.
"Haha."
Iroha Ayatsuki smiled, but on the inside, she was nearly in tears. Why isn’t this going as Saeko said? Wasn’t she supposed to be busy?The thought of her delightful camping trip being spoiled by the unwelcome presence of Phoenix Academy Maggie made Iroha Ayatsuki want to back out.
But she didn’t let any fear show on her face.
Timid or not, she absolutely couldn’t lose her composure.
"That’s great then. Let’s meet at Shinjuku Station at two in the afternoon."
Iroha Ayatsuki smiled. Feeling that if she stayed any longer, her awkwardness and discomfort would only intensify, she said, "That’s settled then. See you."
Turning around, her expression immediately crumpled.
What should I do now?
Takahashi Saeko could clearly read the question on her face.
"Saeko, that was a terrible idea of yours."
"I’m surprised too. I didn’t expect the young lady of Phoenix Academy to actually have time to go camping with us on a weekend." Takahashi Saeko shrugged; this development was not something she had anticipated.
Her original plan was for Iroha Ayatsuki to go provoke her a bit and then return triumphantly.
She had never imagined Phoenix Academy Maggie would agree.
"Still, this turn of events is pretty interesting."
A smile crept onto Takahashi Saeko’s face.
Tama Maru also smiled.
Miyahara Kaoru too showed a curious expression. Only Iroha Ayatsuki wore a pained look.
Peter, at the back, scanned the classroom, stroking his chin as if he had witnessed a fascinating scene.
There seemed to be some history between that girl, Aozawa, and Phoenix Academy Maggie.He hadn’t rushed to engage them earlier because he understood the importance of strategizing before making a move.
Now, he’d found his opening.