Emily strode out of the Phoenix Academy mansion.
Vehicles were parked on the road outside the gate, and fully ard SAT mbers stood there, looking impressive.
Okayama Buji walked up to her and asked, "How did it go?"
"I didn't get any useful information."
Emily shook her head and climbed into the car.
Okayama Buji waved his hand, signaling the team to disperse.
At this ti, the possibility of Dio committing another cri was basically eliminated, and there was no need for them to continue their vigil.
Okayama Buji opened the car door, sat in the driver's seat, and asked, "Was the eting between Dio and Kochou accidental?"
"Perhaps."
Emily uttered this uncertain reply, then shrugged. "But we have to treat it as such."
If it were an ordinary person, the special investigation team could implent surveillance asures until Phoenix Academy Kochou was cleared of suspicion.
But Phoenix Academy Kochou was clearly no ordinary person.
To conduct comprehensive surveillance on her would require authorization from higher-ups.
Yet Emily believed that the higher-ups would not approve this request.
The reason was simple.
If I'm not mistaken, Phoenix Academy Kochou will report certain details directly to the higher-ups, bypassing the special investigation team.
Phoenix Academy Kochou was the kind of woman who appeared very gentle and approachable on the surface but was incredibly proud at heart.
She simply looked down on the special investigation team.
"This is really frustrating."
Emily knocked on the window irritably with her small fist and then said, "We still need to discuss with experts and scholars in related folklore to see if we can figure out how Dio intends to reach Paradise."
"I've already relayed this matter to the higher-ups, but I haven't received a reply yet," Okayama Buji replied.
Emily sighed and turned her gaze to the car window, the dejection on her face quickly replaced by a fighting spirit.
As long as we can determine the conditions Dio needs to reach Paradise, we can predict his next moves and make preparations in advance.
Although we might not be able to stop Dio's actions, such efforts could increase my chances of eting him.
Judging by Dio's attitude towards , I believe I still have a fair chance of gaining his favor.
She clenched her fists. Hard tactics won't work against Dio; I can only use soft ones.
「A night passed in silence.」
The morning air was a bit cool. Long eyelashes fluttered as Phoenix Academy Maggie awoke, her eyes, as clear as expensive gems, showing a trace of confusion that quickly focused.
She saw the woman standing by her bedside and said, her face full of surprise, "Mother, what are you doing here?"
Kochou looked at her surprised and sowhat bewildered expression, a soft light flashing in her eyes. She touched her blonde hair and said, "I just suddenly rembered it's been a long ti since I've seen you wake up."
"Maggie, I've been so busy these years. You don't bla , do you?"
"Of course not."
Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head, speaking earnestly, "Mother, you've been so busy for the family business and for the livelihood of our employees. How could I bla you?"
"It's good that you understand. Get up and change your clothes; we'll have breakfast together today."
Kochou withdrew her hand, once again suppressing the emotions in her heart, and turned to leave the room.
Phoenix Academy Maggie was very surprised.
I can't rember the last ti I woke up and saw Mother. It seems like it was the sumr I was seven, when I returned from England for the sumr holidays.
The ti was 2:30 PM on August 13th.
Alright, I admit I still rember it very clearly.
How strange. What happened to make Mother choose to stand by my bed?
A flicker of doubt passed through Phoenix Academy Maggie's mind. She didn't linger in bed but quickly got up and put on her Brilliant High School uniform.
A sailor suit paired with a pleated skirt.
The simple attire already highlighted her subtly superior genes, surpassing even her mother's.
Phoenix Academy Maggie looked down. It seems I've grown again. Next ti, I'll have to order a new size.
Thinking this, she walked out the door. Maids surrounded her, helping her wash her face and brush her teeth. By the ti she reached the living room, she was in the complete form of a high school girl.
Kochou looked at Phoenix Academy Maggie with satisfaction. This is the perfect daughter I've created.
I had thought I would have more ti to witness her growth, but it seems I might not have that much ti to focus on Maggie.
Dio's words, "You're different," still lingered in her mind like the Sword of Damocles, its fall uncertain.
The re thought filled her with a sense of panic.
Kochou could calmly face any business crisis or financial storm, including dark plots and sches; she was confident she could withstand them all.
Those were things she was familiar with.
But concerning Dio's scrutiny, she felt a sense of helplessness, as if nothing could be done.
Or rather, everything that could be done had already been done. Now, it was just a matter of waiting to see if fate would be kind.
Plots and sches ultimately have their limits. For a person to succeed, they must have the blessing of destiny.
"Mother, did anything happen last night?" Phoenix Academy Maggie asked as she sat in her chair, a touch of concern on her face.
Kochou smiled and said, "Nothing's wrong. It's just that as one gets older, one's thoughts inevitably beco more lancholic."
"On reflection, you were such a little girl before, and now, looking at you, you've beco such a graceful young lady."
"It makes sigh—ti flies so fast!"
"No matter how ti passes, Mother will never get old."
"Haha, once you're over thirty, you have to accept the reality of inching closer to death each day."
Kochou laughed and beckoned, "Let's eat."
"Yes."
Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded. I'm well aware that sothing indeed happened last night.
However, if Mother doesn't wish to speak of it, I shouldn't press the issue.
In the Phoenix Academy household, everything still revolves around Mother's will, whether it's the Butler or the Servants.
No matter how I might try to pressure her, it would be useless if Mother doesn't want to reveal sothing.
This is an unfortunate situation.
After all, I'm only sixteen and can't participate in decision-making for so matters.
I can only do what I'm capable of to reduce Mother's worries.
「After breakfast」
Phoenix Academy Maggie and Mike took the car to Setagaya Station, and from there, they headed to Ayase Station in Adachi District.
Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced at Mike, who was keeping his distance. After a mont's thought, she moved closer and asked, "Mike, did sothing happen last night?"
"I'm not sure."
Mike shook his head. His job was to protect Phoenix Academy Maggie, not Kochou.
Although Mike had sensed sothing was going on with Kochou, he had no intention of getting involved.
The reason was simple: if he had gone to check and sothing had happened to Phoenix Academy Maggie, he wouldn't be credited for his efforts but blad for negligence.
Mike didn't want any mishaps in his job.
Phoenix Academy Maggie glared at him. "You're a bodyguard, aren't you? Didn't you notice anything at all?"
Mike spread his hands. "There was a little commotion, but it settled down quickly."
"You know, I've just joined the Phoenix Academy family, and I'm not familiar with many people yet."
"Humph, not familiar? You think I don't know about the flirting between you and Chieko? Do I need to tell you that she has a husband?"
A hint of embarrassnt flashed across Mike's face as he touched his nose. "Miss, I'm not that close to Chieko. It's just that late at night, when her husband isn't around, I... help her experience the happiness a married woman deserves."
"There are so things that the Lady of the House forbids us to talk about, and she wouldn't tell those things either."
"You must be well aware of how strict the Phoenix Academy household's rules are."
"Gossiping can get you fired."
"No one wants to lose such a well-paid job because they can't keep their mouth shut."
"If you're that curious, you can ask the Lady of the House directly."
"If I could get an answer, I wouldn't be beating around the bush with you here."
Phoenix Academy Maggie rolled her eyes, deciding to drop the subject.
With Mother's ability, I'm sure all issues can be resolved.
She let out a long sigh. I hope so.
「Later, at school」
PITTER-PATTER.
A light drizzle started to fall outside the window.
Phoenix Academy Maggie looked at the rain. I'm sowhat relieved I arrived rather early.
Although I have an umbrella in my backpack and won't end up drenched, the roads get slippery when it rains. It's distracting, and I could fall.
If my socks get wet, it makes terribly uncomfortable.
It's only when I'm inside the classroom, watching the rain outside the window, that I can feel a sense of relaxation.
Phoenix Academy Maggie was watching the courtyard outside the window when she heard approaching footsteps. She turned her head to see Hojo Tetsuji yawning as he entered the classroom.
"Good morning, Tetsuji."
"Oh, good morning, Miss."
Hojo Tetsuji yawned again, looking like he hadn't had enough sleep.
Phoenix Academy Maggie said, exasperated, "Did you stay up all night again?"
"Can't help it. Inspiration only strikes late at night."
Talking about his manga, Hojo Tetsuji beca spirited. He pulled out a stack of manga drafts from his bag and handed them over. "Miss, can you take a look at this?"
"The editor said if I keep it up, I might beco this year's dark horse and win the newcor's award!"
"Keep up the good work."
Phoenix Academy Maggie took the manga drafts and said with a smile, "When I have ti, I'll arrange for you to visit the manga club and share your creative process with Little Sayuri."
"Oh! Is that okay?" Hojo Tetsuji's face lit up with surprise.
Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded and smiled. "Of course. Makoto and Little Sayuri are very interested in why a delinquent high schooler like you wants to create manga."
"Although Makoto initially felt your manga's plot had a retro style, she was impressed by its quality once she found out you were the artist."
"Haha, I see! I misunderstood her. She's actually quite nice," Hojo Tetsuji said, scratching the back of his head, visibly excited.
This was the very reason he drew manga.
"Makoto is a great girl," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied. Then she cautioned, "Don't express your feelings too directly, or you might scare Little Sayuri. You need to take it slowly, step by step."
"Right, right."
Hojo Tetsuji nodded repeatedly. He admitted he was clueless about romance and was open to guidance and advice from anyone. "What exactly should I do, Teacher!"
"You need to figure that out."
Phoenix Academy Maggie grumbled internally. If I knew the answer, I wouldn't have been strategizing so ineffectively against Aozawa for this long!
Thɪs chapter is updated by novel·fiɾe·net
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