The teacher lectured on stage, while the cries of cicadas came from the trees outside the window.
Phoenix Academy Maggie's eyes were cast down. She opened her notebook but wasn't taking notes on the lecture.
She was silently transcribing a famous quote from "The Prince" in English.
"Because the lion cannot protect itself against traps and the fox cannot defend itself against wolves, a prince must be a fox to recognize the traps and a lion to frighten the wolves."
This was Phoenix Academy Maggie's habitual way of contemplating. When troubled by something, she always liked to write down these famous sayings.
Then, in her mind, she considered how to deal with the problems that vexed her.
And right now, the most vexing problem for her is undoubtedly the boy sitting behind me.
Aozawa's old-fashioned ideas had clearly disrupted Phoenix Academy Maggie's initial expectations.
It also confirmed for her that the last female contact in Aozawa's phone was indeed Morimoto Chiyoda.
Thinking of this name, Phoenix Academy Maggie casually circled the words "fox" and "lion" in her notebook, then continued writing.
Just by looking at her expression, neither the teacher nor the students beside her would think she was doing anything but paying close attention, never suspecting her thoughts had drifted far away.
After some reflection, Phoenix Academy Maggie realized that in the future, she needed to be wary not just of Ayatsuki Ayaka and Morimoto Chiyoda, but also treat the other two as hypothetical competitors.
Initially, I thought the likelihood of those two being involved wasn't great.
But given Aozawa's amorous nature, if they made a move, they might also join the competition.
Phoenix Academy Maggie wrote down maxims, her train of thought gradually becoming clearer.
For now, those two are only minor, insignificant issues.
There are two formidable enemies.
One is Morimoto Chiyoda, whom Aozawa would definitely not give up on.
How should I deal with that woman?
Phoenix Academy Maggie really wanted to emulate the wealthy young ladies from TV dramas: produce a blank check, tell that woman to fill in any amount she desired, and then take the check and leave Aozawa forever.
But right now, my funds are clearly insufficient to issue that check.
Mother would never allow me to do such a thing. It's a satisfying fantasy, but it can only remain that—a fantasy.
I should try to extract more information about Morimoto Chiyoda from Aozawa. That way, I can judge what kind of person she is and take appropriate measures.
Then there's Ayatsuki Ayaka.
This girl clearly has strong resilience, willing to pursue Aozawa even though she knows he has another girlfriend.
Wait a second… Phoenix Academy Maggie's pen paused. It was at this moment that she realized the issue.
This resilience, to put it nicely... isn't her behavior exactly what people call being a mistress?!
Does Morimoto Chiyoda know about it?
Phoenix Academy Maggie thought briefly. She must know.
The fact that Aozawa was willing to say such things to Ayatsuki Ayaka indicates that he has already communicated with Morimoto Chiyoda.
Morimoto Chiyoda tolerates his actions.
Phoenix Academy Maggie profoundly realized just how formidable the woman she was up against was.
A sense of powerlessness also surged within her.
Competing individually can improve oneself, but if everyone is in this rat race, it will only enlarge Aozawa's appetite.
Now there are three of them. Later, there might be four, or five.
If there are no limitations, I truly fear Aozawa's appetite will inflate endlessly.
Phoenix Academy Maggie felt a little hesitant about whether she should join the competition.
It can't be denied that being a girlfriend is different from being married; this means I still have a chance to compete.
However, changing Aozawa's mindset will undoubtedly be quite a challenge.
Morimoto Chiyoda has already stooped so low as to not mind Aozawa having another girlfriend, dragging the baseline down to rock bottom, and has even received Aozawa's explicit assurance that he wouldn't give her up.
But that doesn't mean there are absolutely no options.
People always like to set goals they claim they'll never give up on, but in the end, they abandon them all.
As long as I play my cards right, there's still a chance.
The question is, is it necessary for me to get involved?
Phoenix Academy Maggie fell into deep hesitation. To back down just like this... I feel too unwilling.
If that fool Ayatsuki Ayaka can persevere, why can't I?
As Phoenix Academy Maggie reached this conclusion, she suddenly realized another problem: the status gap.
If Aozawa is related to Dio, the outcome will become very unpredictable.
Powerful Superpower Users, rarer even than major corporations, wanting to establish a harem in modern society... it doesn't seem so excessive after all.
At least, compared to the ambition of conquering the world, establishing a harem is already the wish that would cause the least harm to the world.
In the past, I hoped Aozawa was Dio, or at least closely connected to him.
Now, however, I hope the two of them have absolutely no connection. Only then can I hope to have Aozawa all to myself.
This is something to keep in mind.
She casually circled another word and continued to think.
...
DING-DONG.
The pleasant sound of the bell signaling the end of class rang.
Phoenix Academy Maggie's notebook was already filled with three pages of famous quotes. Many words were deliberately circled, and only she knew what they represented.
She closed her notebook.
Aozawa patted her on the shoulder and asked curiously, "Maggie, why did you fall for that rich young master?"
Aozawa always had his doubts about what Phoenix Academy Maggie said. Love at first sight didn't seem like something a lady of her status would do.
He wanted to judge whether she was lying by asking for details.
Turning around, Phoenix Academy Maggie revealed a smile and said, "Next time I'm in the mood, I'll explain that romantic encounter to you."
"Hey, you can't just pique someone's interest and then not tell them! That's too sly. I tell you everything."
Hearing this, Phoenix Academy Maggie tapped Aozawa's forehead with her notebook and said irritably, "No objections! I'm just that domineering!"
With that, she put her notebook back into her school bag.
Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't stay at her seat. Instead, she got up and walked over to Yoshikawa Sayuri and Nomura True Wave.
She urgently needed to share with her friends the situation she was currently facing.
Keeping certain things bottled up inside without talking about them was truly unbearable.
Phoenix Academy Maggie pulled Yoshikawa Sayuri and Nomura True Wave out to the corridor outside the classroom.
Seeing this, Takahashi Saeko also walked over to Ayatsuki Ayaka, sat in the empty seat at the desk in front of her, and said gravely, "Ayaka, about improving Aozawa's grades, let's not do that."
Ayatsuki Ayaka looked up, her eyes bright and sparkling, her wheat-colored cheeks as smooth as a peeled hard-boiled egg. She said happily, "Saeko, you've finally realized that grades can't be forced!"
"That's not it."
Takahashi Saeko replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice, "Haven't you noticed there's something off about Phoenix Academy Maggie's hairstyle?"
"Saeko, don't underestimate me; her hairstyle is called a bun perm."
A trace of smugness appeared on Ayatsuki Ayaka's face as she fished for a compliment.
Seeing such obtuseness made Takahashi Saeko so aggravated she wished she could write 'IDIOT' across that face with a pen. Instead, she rolled up a textbook and knocked Ayatsuki Ayaka on the forehead. THUMP.
"Saeko, you don't need to add sound effects; my head is not that hollow."
Takahashi Saeko sighed. "Haven't you realized yet? Phoenix Academy Maggie is ready to make her move on Aozawa, and not in that hesitant, lukewarm way she was before.
"Her change in hairstyle obviously represents some kind of resolution she's made.
"If we keep improving Aozawa's personal abilities, we're undoubtedly just pushing him towards Phoenix Academy Maggie.
"I was careless before. I was so focused on guarding against Morimoto Chiyoda that I didn't notice this young lady was also about to make her move."
Ayatsuki Ayaka said with a laugh, "It's okay. As long as Phoenix Academy Maggie knows Aozawa's intentions, she'll definitely back down."
"If even you haven't backed down, how could she possibly back down."
Takahashi Saeko shook her head. Ayatsuki Ayaka always tended to look on the bright side, never considering that things could go wrong.
Yet her resilience was strong. Even if things didn't go as she imagined, Ayatsuki Ayaka could calmly accept reality. Takahashi Saeko found this very impressive.
If it were her, any development different from what she had imagined would make her anxious.
"You need to understand, your current situation is that Morimoto Chiyoda and Phoenix Academy Maggie will both become your enemies. Facing both of them, your chances of winning are very slim.
"Forgive my bluntness, but they're down to thirty percent."
"Wow, there's actually thirty percent."
Ayatsuki Ayaka was visibly shocked, then couldn't help but say with some smugness, "It seems our advantage is still quite large then.
"Saeko, you don't need to worry too much. Just do your best.
"No matter the result, I won't blame any of you."
"Ayaka truly is magnanimous. Her breadth of spirit is unlike others," Tama Chan said with a smile.
Ayatsuki Ayaka's face lit up. "Of course!"
Continuing, she patted Takahashi Saeko's hand and said with a laugh, "Saeko, you don't have to feel so pressured. I'm not like my older sister; I wouldn't think of hanging myself just because of a failed romance.
"The world is so beautiful! I wouldn't do such a foolish thing."
A bitter smile crossed Takahashi Saeko's face. She feared that despite Ayaka's emphatic words now, if faced with such a situation, Ayaka might end up crying hysterically and wanting to hang herself.
"It's best you don't end up like that."
"Don't worry about it."
Ayatsuki Ayaka waved dismissively, not at all worried about encountering such a situation. In her heart, she had already made a decision that would surprise Saeko and the others: when things truly became impossible... perhaps there was no need to stick to her bottom line.
Her current way of interacting with Aozawa wasn't so bad, she mused. Plus, she could often reward him.
Thinking about Aozawa's profile, Ayatsuki Ayaka let out a soft giggle. Even the memory of his sweat seemed exceptionally sweet...