Chapter 313: Chapter 311 A Real Man Must Cross the Asura Field_1
In the small space between them, the air became oppressively heavy and continued to spread outward. It was a strange sensation. It allowed Aozawa to hear the voices in the classroom gradually subsiding, unrelated to the upcoming class. Before the bell, the classroom would never lose its usual boisterousness. Instead, the silence was because the girl before him was in a terrible mood. When Phoenix Academy Maggie wore a stern expression, those who glanced her way, whether intentionally or not, would perceive a grave aura. Consequently, they felt it was not the time for loud chatter, leading to the current silence. It was like during an exam when the academic dean stood behind the window, scrutinizing the students’ every move.
Aozawa swallowed, raised his hand, and patted Phoenix Academy Maggie’s shoulder. "Maggie, why are you ignoring me?"
Phoenix Academy Maggie turned sideways, her expression remaining tense and unsoftened. "I’m just afraid Ayatsuki might misunderstand our relationship. You and she are already that close. If I talk to you, wouldn’t I be affecting the deep bond between you two?"
These words, laced with explosive undertones, brought a bitter smile to Aozawa’s face. Beyond that smile, he didn’t know how else to react. This was the trouble one must face when starting a harem.
"Don’t worry, Iroha isn’t that petty," Aozawa assured.
"I see. So you’re saying I’m judging a noble person by my own petty standards. I truly am a narrow-minded villain."
Phoenix Academy Maggie couldn’t suppress the surging jealousy in her heart. Ever since Aozawa had mentioned wanting to start a harem, she had known what kind of path lay before her.
Even so, upon seeing Ayatsuki Ayaka’s provocative actions, Phoenix Academy Maggie was still so enraged she momentarily lost control, an instantaneous urge to eliminate them both surging within her. She managed to suppress it afterward, but it was the first time in her life she had truly, from the depths of her heart, wanted to kill someone.
Phoenix Academy Maggie detested such impulses. Even more, she hated her own inability to solve problems, instead wanting to eliminate the person who posed them.
Ayatsuki Ayaka wasn’t wrong; she just wanted to hold onto the person she liked. Aozawa wasn’t wrong either. Even if his talk of starting a harem was outrageous, as long as someone is serious about pursuing a dream, no matter how absurd, others shouldn’t mock it. And her? Of course, she wasn’t at fault; she was just purely incompetent.
At that moment, she felt a furious powerlessness, stemming from her inability to exclusively possess Aozawa’s heart. Phoenix Academy Maggie loathed her own incompetence.
"Of course not, Maggie! How could you be small-minded?" Aozawa naturally couldn’t agree with her words. He spoke earnestly, "In my heart, you are an exceptionally kind-hearted young lady, different from other decadent elites. You radiate a diamond-like brilliance, inside and out. Your concern about these things simply stems from your kindness."
Phoenix Academy Maggie gazed into his eyes—those pitch-black orbs shone like pebbles scattered in a clear stream.
This was precisely what frustrated her about him.
"Really now... Since you’ve put it so flatteringly, I won’t dwell on it anymore." Phoenix Academy Maggie let out a breath, her tense expression finally softening. "But not considering Iroha’s feelings? You really are a jerk, Aozawa."
The gentle emotion in the girl’s expression surged like a tide, flooding Aozawa’s heart. It almost suffocated him, yet he didn’t find it uncomfortable at all.
"For being born human, I am truly sorry," Aozawa managed a bitter smile. He offered no defense against her accusations, nor was any defense possible.
Of course, this wasn’t him admitting he was a scoundrel who toyed with affections only to abandon them; his self-definition was that of a passionate young man. But at this moment, correcting her on such a point was clearly unwise. His current goal wasn’t to debate with Phoenix Academy Maggie whether he was a jerk, but to diffuse her anger and make her forget the recent incident.
Ayatsuki Ayaka’s kiss, though not on the lips where it might have been sweeter, was more thrilling than any before. He had nearly seen the glint of blades and the shadow of swords.
It made Aozawa realize that such scenes would become more frequent in the future as these relationship lines continued to intertwine. They were going to twist him into a knot.
Even so, Aozawa had no intention of giving up. If he couldn’t overcome something like this, how could he even talk about starting a harem and bringing happiness to everyone? A true man must pass through the trials of the Battlefield to achieve a happy ending for all.
The classroom’s atmosphere eased, no longer as suffocating as before. The mountainous weight vanished, unrelated to the ringing of the class bell or the teacher’s arrival.
Arakawa Reina knew the change was due to the girl in the second-to-last row by the window, whose face no longer bore that heavy expression.
Why had she looked so burdened earlier? Arakawa Reina was very clear on this, replaying in her mind the scene at the classroom’s back door: Ayatsuki Ayaka biting Aozawa’s cheek. Clearly, Phoenix Academy Maggie had witnessed it too. The reason for her anger was probably that she also had feelings for Aozawa.
Morimoto Chiyoda, Ayatsuki Ayaka, and now Phoenix Academy Maggie too... Is Mr. Aozawa really going to be okay? Arakawa Reina mused, slightly distracted, but quickly refocused on the teacher. She had to concentrate on her studies.
To ensure she wouldn’t get sidetracked, she decided to remind Aozawa after class. She would tell him that in the future, it would be best not to appear too close to Ayatsuki Ayaka in front of Phoenix Academy Maggie. Otherwise, Arakawa Reina genuinely feared that one day, while Aozawa was in the Akizuki Residence’s kitchen, Phoenix Academy Maggie might burst in and stab him. Such crimes of passion weren’t uncommon in manga or even in real news. Especially from those with dark, "yandere" personalities—their methods were even more brutal.
After her first class, Arakawa Reina remained seated, carefully took out her phone, and swiftly sent Aozawa a message.
"Mr. Aozawa, is there something going on between you and Ms. Phoenix Academy?"
Aozawa’s expression didn’t change upon receiving the message; he had long since set his phone to vibrate. No sound would betray an incoming message. For instance, he could now chat with Phoenix Academy Maggie while simultaneously taking out his phone to sneak a peek at who had messaged him. During this, his eyes never flickered downwards, which would have alerted Phoenix Academy Maggie to his divided attention.
Aozawa directly used his Catalyst sensing ability, making the desk his eyes to view the message on his phone. Then, his right thumb began to type a reply.
"Class Rep, why do you ask?"
Tapping send, Aozawa leaned against the wall again and asked Phoenix Academy Maggie, "Is the new Police Director from the United States?"
"Yes, Ponte Morgan, the eldest son of the Morgans Group from the United States. His coming here is naturally related to Dio. His noble status allows him to better integrate the Metropolitan Police Department’s resources and bring the Public Security Division under his jurisdiction."
As Phoenix Academy Maggie spoke, she leaned on her crossed arms again, staring at the boy before her. "What do you think Dio’s opinion is of the new Police Director?"
"Not sure."
"Guess, based on your own mindset."
"He probably doesn’t care."
Aozawa replied casually as his phone vibrated again. A new message from Arakawa Reina.
"Wasn’t Ms. Phoenix Academy really angry before class? I’m worried there might be some conflict between you two. And... I think you should try to reduce overly intimate actions with Ms. Ayatsuki in the classroom."
"Class Rep, thanks for the reminder. By the way, are you going to your part-time job at the Ikebukuro Cafe this afternoon?"
"I am."
Arakawa Reina replied, then asked, "Are you coming this afternoon?"
"I’ll go at lunchtime. I’ll eat there," Aozawa replied. Today, Morimoto Chiyoda didn’t have the day off. Although the new Police Director wouldn’t officially take office until tomorrow, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t make a surprise inspection of the special task force in the afternoon to get acquainted with the situation. If someone from the task force were on leave then, it would easily give the new Police Director an impression of laziness. Therefore, Morimoto Chiyoda’s leave for today and tomorrow had been postponed. This meant Aozawa could go out for lunch.
He had originally planned to eat Thai hotpot, but Arakawa Reina’s message made him change his mind. He decided to go to the Maid Cafe for a bite to eat instead, and seize the opportunity to experience being treated as a "Master."
"Oh, okay."
Arakawa Reina was slightly startled but still typed her reply, feeling a bit flustered. Doesn’t this mean they’ll take the train to Ikebukuro together, enter the Ikebukuro Maid Cafe together, and be misunderstood by the seniors again?
As these thoughts raced through Arakawa Reina’s mind, she quietly glanced behind her. Outside the window, cotton-candy-like white clouds drifted across the sky, bright sunlight illuminating dazzling blonde hair. The girl had her back to Reina, chatting with the boy in the row behind.
A flicker of confusion crossed Arakawa Reina’s mind. How exactly is Aozawa managing to chat with Phoenix Academy Maggie while simultaneously typing replies to her?
Curious, Arakawa Reina sent another message.
"Mr. Aozawa, to avoid anyone misunderstanding, should we go to Ayase Station separately? Or should we stay back and go to Ayase Station together after a while?"
Arakawa Reina hit send, her gaze fixed on Aozawa. The boy’s eyes and expression didn’t change in the slightest; there was no indication he was typing. Just when Arakawa Reina thought it would take a while for a reply, her phone screen lit up.
"You’re right. It wouldn’t be good if people misunderstood you, Class Rep. Let’s go to Ayase Station separately then."
Reading the message and recalling Aozawa’s unchanged expression, Arakawa Reina inwardly marveled. Mr. Aozawa really has the potential to juggle several relationships at once! This ability to multitask isn’t something just anyone can do. How can someone type exactly what they want without looking at the screen? No wonder Mr. Aozawa wants to start a harem; he actually has some skills for it!
As Arakawa Reina was pondering this, a friend beside her spoke up, "Arakawa, this is rare. Are you chatting with your boyfriend?"
"Huh? Oh, no, just a regular friend," Arakawa Reina replied with a quick smile, hiding her phone.