"Calling it a swimming competition was actually just an excuse to do sothing else."
Phoenix Academy Maggie was well aware that the real reason was to find an excuse for the two of them to be alone.
It was a necessary evil.
Every ti she invited Aozawa out, Phoenix Academy Maggie would conjure all sorts of reasons related to the manga club.
The advantage of this approach was that she could hide her true intentions in plain sight.
As long as she didn’t spell it out, no objections could be raised, especially since she had also invited Hojo Tetsuji.
There was, however, a clear downside: she had to constantly engineer opportunities to be alone with Aozawa.
The swimming competition was an excellent idea.
Firstly, Hojo Tetsuji was bound to be teaching Yoshikawa Sayuri how to swim and wouldn’t be able to join their competition.
Secondly, Nomura True Wave was adept at reading the room and could provide a clever assist.
She volunteered to stay put, and thus, the swimming competition naturally beca a private space for just the two of them.
Everything was proceeding according to Phoenix Academy Maggie’s calculations.
The only thing she hadn’t quite figured out was what to say to Aozawa.
Discuss the New York situation? Talk about the recent changes in the consortium?
All those things she had cared so much about before eting him suddenly seed unimportant to Phoenix Academy Maggie now that they were together. She just wanted to fully enjoy her ti with Aozawa.
She kept swimming, on and on, until her limbs grew weary. Only then did she stop chasing Aozawa’s retreating figure and call out, "Let’s stop swimming for now! Ti for a break. We can resu our battle later."
As she spoke, she flipped over. Her golden curls fanned out in the seawater as she relaxed her limbs, floating on the surface and gazing at the cloudless blue sky. It was quiet all around, so quiet that the only sound was Aozawa’s rhythmic strokes.
Phoenix Academy Maggie didn’t need to turn her head to feel his gaze upon her.
Lying like that, her figure was naturally exposed to Aozawa—her pale skin, the dark purple bikini, and the rhinestones glittering under the sunlight.
Phoenix Academy Maggie could easily understand if the combined allure made Aozawa lunge for her.
"Turns out we’ve swum quite far," Aozawa remarked, his gaze shifting to the distant horizon where the island’s outline was no longer visible. He hinted, "If you don’t have the energy to swim back, I can carry you."
"Who are you looking down on?!"
Phoenix Academy Maggie had been taught by her mother for years never to reveal her weaknesses to others. So, her imdiate reaction to Aozawa doubting her stamina was an overwhelming urge to prove him wrong.
She turned over and began swimming back with all her might.
I’m such an idiot!! Phoenix Academy Maggie scread internally as she staggered out of the water, having botched a perfect opportunity for physical intimacy.
She actually swam all the way back...
The price was utter exhaustion; she could barely catch her breath.
Oh no, my head even feels a bit dizzy.
Phoenix Academy Maggie looked towards Nomura True Wave in the distance, and Hojo Tetsuji and Yoshikawa Sayuri practicing their swimming. The sunlight felt particularly harsh in her eyes, and the scenery began to blur.
The thudding of her heartbeat vibrated through her eardrums.
"Maggie, are you alright?"
The voice beside her sounded as if it ca from far away. Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head. "I’m fine, just a bit tired."
"You don’t look ’just a bit’ tired," Aozawa retorted, moving to stand in front of her, about to suggest she sit down and rest.
This is a golden opportunity! Phoenix Academy Maggie suddenly realized.
Being this weak, if I accidentally slip and then ’accidentally’ grab onto Aozawa, that would be understandable, right? After all, I’m very tired.
With a sharp intake of breath, a decisive flicker in her eyes, Phoenix Academy Maggie let her right foot slip, and she pitched forward with an "Oh~"
Her grab appeared haphazard, but her target was clear.
Her left hand went for his swim trunks; her right hand aid to precisely asure.
With his quick reflexes, Aozawa could have easily dodged or caught Phoenix Academy Maggie from behind.
But he didn’t. He pretended he hadn’t reacted in ti, standing there foolishly.
Consequently, Phoenix Academy Maggie’s left hand successfully tugged down his swim trunks, and her right hand achieved its intended goal.
She had expected to fall onto the beach. But, to her utter surprise, it was as if sothing formidable had suddenly stirred. His unyielding, iron-like hardness allowed Phoenix Academy Maggie to brace herself.
Braced? I’m braced?!
Shock flashed across Phoenix Academy Maggie’s delicate, porcelain-like cheeks.
Ti froze at that mont.
Feeling the heat in her palm, she quickly withdrew her hand, exclaiming, "You, you pervert!"
Aozawa looked as if a giant question mark had materialized above his head. Did I pull my own swim trunks down?
Phoenix Academy Maggie, flushed with embarrassnt, covered her eyes and urged, "Hurry up and put them on! Pervert!"
Aozawa pulled his trunks up. He wanted to retort but didn’t know how. "Maggie," he said instead, "is there sothing you want to say to ?"
"I forgive your perverted actions. Don’t do it again."
With her hands lowered and affecting a carefree tone, Phoenix Academy Maggie said, "Alright then, I’m a bit thirsty. I’ll head back under the umbrella for a drink."
As she spoke, she quickened her pace, feeling like an overheating boiler. Her pale cheeks swiftly flushed crimson, even her earlobes turning red.
I was really too bold just now! Phoenix Academy Maggie roared internally. She couldn’t believe she had dared to behave in a manner so unbefitting a young lady.
However, the chance just now had been a golden one; if she’d missed it, waiting for another would be like waiting to win the lottery.
Thinking of this, I again imagined what I saw and felt... no wonder Morimoto...
A tall figure flashed through her mind—the truth revealed by what a woman had mouthed to her that day in the corridor.
The atmospheric pressure around Phoenix Academy Maggie plumted once more.
I’m not the first girl to have seen Aozawa’s body. Compared to Morimoto Chiyoda or Ayatsuki Ayaka, my progress is too slow.
Her face no longer bore a trace of shyness.
Aozawa sensed sothing off about the atmosphere around her. I’m the one who was exposed, so why does she look angry? I can’t figure it out.
Under the shade of a beach umbrella, set up about seven ters from the water’s edge, Nomura True Wave sat on a lounge chair, eyes unblinking, still holding a half-drunk juice.
She watched as Phoenix Academy Maggie approached, her face still filled with astonishnt.
Is the young lady really that bold?
"Maggie, what you did to Aozawa just now..."
"That was an accident! I’m giving you three seconds to forget what you just saw. Otherwise, I’ll have to *physically* help you forget!" Phoenix Academy Maggie clenched her right hand, and the invisible aura she exuded was as if dusa herself had descended to Earth.
Nomura True Wave swallowed nervously and shook her head. "I didn’t see anything!"
"Good." Phoenix Academy Maggie sighed in relief, her formidable aura dissipating instantly, leaving her sowhat at a loss.
She had been so focused on Aozawa that she’d forgotten Makoto was watching from the side. So embarrassing!
The faint crunch of footsteps on sand reached Phoenix Academy Maggie’s ears. Though she appeared calm, her heart pounded, ready for Aozawa if he dared bring up what had just happened.
I’ll put on an expression as if to say, ’You really are a virgin,’ and then remark, ’It was just an accidental slip, nothing serious.’ I won’t even make a fuss about Aozawa staring at my chest. With this confident stance, I’ll handle any questions from Aozawa and turn the tables on him.
In her mind, Phoenix Academy Maggie frantically rehearsed the impending Q&A. She poured herself another glass of juice to calm her nerves.
Yet Aozawa said nothing about the earlier swim trunks incident and smiled. "Shall we play suikawari?"
"Oh, that’s a great idea! You can’t go to the beach and not play suikawari!" Nomura True Wave quickly agreed. Good thinking, Aozawa! she praised him silently. Harping on about that incident now would only make the young lady—who acts indifferent but is actually incredibly innocent—explode on the spot.
Phoenix Academy Maggie breathed a sigh of relief and blurted out, "What is suikawari?"
"Maggie, in school manga, suikawari is a common beach activity. You blindfold soone, and then a partner guides them to the waterlon. There are also pranksters who deliberately give false information, leading the person to hit the wrong target."
"Oh, that ga." Phoenix Academy Maggie rembered. She drained her juice in one gulp and laughed. "Let’s play it then!"
"Little Sayuri, stop swimming and co play suikawari!"
"Coming!" Yoshikawa Sayuri responded. She then turned to Hojo Tetsuji, who was holding her hand. "Hojo-kun, let’s go play suikawari."
"Yeah." Hojo Tetsuji felt dizzy as he reluctantly let go of the girl’s soft hand. Little Sayuri’s hand is so soft!
After swimming a few ters, Yoshikawa Sayuri padded across the sand to the shade of the parasol. She glanced around and asked with concern, "Maggie, you look really tired. What’s wrong?"
"It’s because she raced in swimming until we couldn’t even see the island anymore, and then she stubbornly swam all the way back by herself," Aozawa interjected.
Yoshikawa Sayuri’s face filled with amazent. "That’s incredible! You both swam that far? I can only manage about ten ters."
"That’s fine. For a beginner, swimming that far is already very impressive," Hojo Tetsuji encouraged.
Nomura True Wave carried a large waterlon about ten ters away on the beach, then used her foot to mark an area in the sand. "Who wants to take the first swing?"
"I will!" Yoshikawa Sayuri raised her hand excitedly.
Seeing this, Aozawa handed her a baseball bat.
Phoenix Academy Maggie took out a blindfold, helped Little Sayuri put it on, and spun her around twice. "Okay, Little Sayuri, now head towards your nine o’clock."
"Nine o’clock?!" Yoshikawa Sayuri tilted her head, finding the instruction beyond her comprehension.
"Swing to your left!" Aozawa interjected mischievously.
Without a hint of hesitation, Yoshikawa Sayuri powerfully swung the bat to her left.
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s eyes widened as Aozawa grabbed her hand, pulling her against his chest.
Aozawa spoke with a hint of mirth, "Don’t get distracted, it’s dangerous."
"It’s your fault for giving bad directions," Phoenix Academy Maggie muttered, her cheeks slightly flushed. The warmth of his strong chest made her back and shoulders feel hot. Afraid that lingering would create an unwelco intimacy, she quickly moved away from him. What a bad man!
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