Before class, students often wouldn't take their assigned seats but rather gathered with those in their circle, chatting with each other.
Ayatsuki Ayaka watched Aozawa practice Sword Dao in the Kendo club instead of staying within the Hot Girls Group.
There were only three people in the classroom's Hot Girls Group.
Takahashi Saeko looked at Phoenix Academy Maggie, who had obviously changed her hairstyle, and said with a trace of seriousness on her face, "This doesn't look good; the young lady seems to be planning to make a move."
"She has finally noticed the threat posed by Ayaka, but it's a bit late to take action now."
Compared to her seriousness, Tama Chan, who was not aware of Phoenix Academy's background, seemed carefree. Twirling a tea-colored curl around her right index finger, she said, "As long as we let Phoenix Academy know about Aozawa's interests, she will probably back off."
"Hard to say. She might be harboring thoughts of transforming Aozawa and fighting over him with Ayaka."
Takahashi Saeko frowned slightly, feeling that the plan to transform Aozawa had become risky. If one were to say that Morimoto Chiyoda liked losers, then making Aozawa more accomplished might end up turning her off. But Phoenix Academy Maggie clearly wasn't someone who favored losers; she might be attracted to the strength within Aozawa's heart. This inner strength wasn't about how outstanding one's external conditions were, but about being able to interact equally with people regardless of status or looks, despite unfavorable external circumstances. The phrase "all beings are equal" sounds nice in theory, but in reality, very few people can truly treat others as equals. Those in high positions often feel a mysterious sense of superiority due to their status, while those at lower levels become unconfident because of their own shortcomings. Aozawa was an exception. Hojo Tetsuji was also an exception. Unfortunately, Hojo Tetsuji's looks really didn't compare to Aozawa's. With sunglasses and a beard, he could easily pass for someone in his thirties without question.
"I see."
All of a sudden, Tama Chan understood what Takahashi Saeko was worried about. "Are you afraid that if Aozawa becomes better, it will make Phoenix Academy Maggie even less likely to let go?"
"Yes. Compared to Morimoto Chiyoda, this girl is undoubtedly more troublesome."
Takahashi Saeko showed a hint of concern on her face. In terms of looks and figure, Phoenix Academy Maggie was no less than Morimoto Chiyoda. In terms of personality, she might even be a notch better—not as unpleasant as Morimoto Chiyoda, and possessing more of a young girl's candor and spirit. Most importantly, Phoenix Academy Maggie's external conditions completely outshone those of Morimoto Chiyoda and Ayatsuki Ayaka. Morimoto Chiyoda was just a minor police inspector. Ayatsuki Ayaka was an even more negligible fashion blogger. Phoenix Academy Maggie appeared to be the young lady of the Phoenix Academy family. With the wealth of the Phoenix Academy family, whoever married Phoenix Academy Maggie would have to struggle five hundred years less.
"Haha, isn't it interesting?" Tama Chan showed a smile.
Miyahara Kaoru nodded and said, "Exactly. When Ayaka faces heartbreak, I'll just comfort her well."
"It's *us*!" Takahashi Saeko emphasized.
Miyahara Kaoru, with a smile on her face, said, "All of us are good sisters. Don't you think I'm a better match than those jerks?"
Takahashi Saeko said, "If possible, I still want to let Ayaka understand the advantages of men."
"Women can do it even better," Miyahara Kaoru declared, her face showing a determined expression. Times have changed. Today's technology is sufficient to compensate for what women lack. Not only can perfect replicas be made, but the size can also be chosen at will, and there are even tools that surpass the real thing. The only barrier between them now is the issue of having children.
"We just need to adopt, or go to countries like Ukraine or Argentina, find suitable people, and cultivate the excellent genes we want."
"Have you already thought that far ahead?" Takahashi Saeko looked shocked. Now, Ayaka faced danger from the front and betrayal from behind; even her companions were like wolves in sheep's clothing.
She felt that the difficulty of the situation was beyond her capabilities. If it weren't for Ayaka's matter, Takahashi Saeko might have wanted to give up. She never dealt with things that didn't even have a fifty percent chance of success.
「Class time was approaching.」
Aozawa and Ayatsuki Ayaka entered the classroom together and headed for their respective seats.
Aozawa pulled out his chair. Phoenix Academy Maggie, seated in front of him, suddenly turned around and punched his shoulder.
"Ow! What are you doing?"
Aozawa was somewhat bewildered by her sudden attack.
Phoenix Academy Maggie said expressionlessly, "Can't you tell? I'm punching your shoulder with my right fist."
"I'm asking *why* you're hitting me."
Phoenix Academy Maggie looked straight into his face, scanning his well-proportioned features, slender eyebrows, and his somewhat-enticing collarbone.
"Do I need a reason to hit you?"
Aozawa was left somewhat confused by her blatantly unreasonable response. He initially wanted to object, but as he looked into her eyes, reminiscent of clear autumn waters, he didn't know what to say. He felt as if he might actually be in the wrong. He sighed, "Well, not necessarily."
The moment he spoke, Aozawa figured out a possible reason for being hit and quickly said, "Maggie, your new hairstyle today looks very nice."
"Hmph. Smooth talker." Phoenix Academy Maggie withdrew her hand and skillfully crossed her arms over her chest.
Aozawa let out a sigh of relief, seemingly having found the right answer. He sat down and asked, "Why did you suddenly change your hairstyle?"
"Because I have someone I like." Phoenix Academy Maggie spoke in a calm tone, her eyes not fixed on Aozawa's reaction, as if looking out the window. In fact, she was discreetly sizing up Aozawa with her peripheral vision.
"What?!" Aozawa's expression was full of shock. He could never have expected that this casual topic he brought up would yield such an astonishing answer. It was as if he had run into a friend, complimented them on their good mood, and their response was that they had just dismembered their romantic rival the night before, stuffed the body into a sack, and thrown it into Tokyo Bay—hence the good mood.
"Are you shocked that I said I have someone I like?"
"Uh..." Aozawa gradually calmed himself. Recalling the message Hojo Tetsuji had sent yesterday, his first thought was: Could the person she likes be... me?
"I'm just curious who could capture Maggie's heart," Aozawa tested the waters nonchalantly.
Phoenix Academy Maggie's face showed no unusual expression. She smiled and said, "Guess."
Aozawa took a deep breath. At a time like this, if he guessed himself, he'd likely get a mocking answer. He couldn't help but think of a classic scene from *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*: discussing heroes over plum wine. The Phoenix Academy Maggie sitting opposite him was Cao Cao, and he was Liu Bei. If he answered poorly, he wouldn't lose his head, but he would likely create an embarrassing moment she could mock him for later.
"Do I know the person you like?" Aozawa decided to ask indirectly.
Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced at him but didn't answer. Instead, she countered, "How are things progressing between you and Ayatsuki Ayaka?"
"Uh, well... we're still friends," Aozawa said, abandoning his line of questioning to answer hers first.
Phoenix Academy Maggie was not easily fooled. With a smile, she said, "Oh? So 'ordinary friends' can casually kiss each other on the cheek? By your definition, I could just as well kiss your cheek whenever I want, couldn't I?"
"I wouldn't mind taking a small loss like that."
"Keep dreaming." Phoenix Academy Maggie shot Aozawa a sidelong glance. She didn't just want to kiss his cheek; she even wanted to bite down on his protruding collarbone and suck hard, like slurping a snail.
"You and her are definitely dating."
"No, really, we're not. Our situation is... complicated."
After some hesitation, Aozawa found himself even more conflicted. Should he tell Phoenix Academy Maggie about Chitose? He hadn't mentioned her before. But given the likelihood that Phoenix Academy Maggie might have feelings for him, it seemed necessary to reveal that. Yet he feared revealing it too soon. No, that wasn't right. Phoenix Academy Maggie was different from Ayatsuki Ayaka. With Maggie, even if they couldn't be lovers, they could still maintain a stable friendship. If he didn't disclose it now, and she confessed first, they might not even be able to remain friends.
"Exactly what kind of complicated situation is it?" Phoenix Academy Maggie pressed firmly. She didn't want Aozawa to easily change the subject; she was determined to understand their relationship today.
Aozawa made his decision and stopped hiding the truth. He said in a low voice, "I already have a girlfriend named Morimoto Chiyoda. Although I like Ayaka too, she doesn't seem able to accept being my girlfriend alongside Chitose. So, it's been dragging on, and Ayaka and I are still not officially dating."
"Huh?!" Stunned by this shocking revelation, Phoenix Academy Maggie froze. She could never have imagined that Mike's words, which she had denied just yesterday, would be confirmed today. Perhaps men really do understand other men better. Aozawa didn't just want to two-time; he was trying to do it openly!
Phoenix Academy Maggie rubbed her temples to ease the shock, muttering, "So, this means Ayatsuki Ayaka knows you're with Chitose, but she still hasn't given up on you?"
"It seems she wants me to break up with Chitose, but that's impossible." Aozawa stated his position clearly, emphasizing, "I will *never* give up on Chitose."
"Haha... you're quite devoted," Phoenix Academy Maggie found that, aside from laughing, she couldn't muster any other expression. The whole situation was just too absurd. Although in wealthy circles, it was common for someone to keep several mistresses or male lovers, those situations were usually based on physical desire or losing interest in a primary partner. It was unheard of for someone to maintain feelings for their original partner while also developing genuine feelings for a third party. By that logic, Aozawa's capacity for affection was truly... abundant.
"Maggie, I've told you the truth. Now you tell me yours: who is the person you like?"
"Someone you don't know." Phoenix Academy Maggie, changing her initial plan, wiped the shocked expression from her face and said coolly, "He's the son of a wealthy family."
DING DONG.
"Let's not talk about that. Class is starting." Phoenix Academy Maggie hastily ended the conversation, turned around, and tried to compose herself after the shock.