Yoshikawa Sayuri knew very well that she was just an ordinary girl, not as smart and mature as Nomura True Wave, nor as dazzling as the young lady.
She had an average physique, average looks, and average height.
If she had to say what was different about her from others, it would be that her mind was duller.
Every ti exams ended, she was always a strong contender for the last or second-to-last position in her class.
With such circumstances, mixing with her excellent friends, Yoshikawa Sayuri considered herself the greenery ant to set off the flowers in manga, dood to never have a chance with those outstanding boys.
In her eyes, Hojo Tetsuji was an outstanding boy, a high schooler who could serialize his own manga in a weekly youth magazine.
Compared to herself, who was devoid of any talent, Hojo Tetsuji seed to excel in both letters and martial arts.
"Excel in both letters and martial arts, huh..."
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s expression was a bit complex; she had never imagined that phrase could be associated with Hojo Tetsuji.
But upon reflection, what Yoshikawa Sayuri said wasn’t without rit.
For an ordinary high school student, maintaining a serialization in a weekly youth magazine was indeed no small feat.
Besides, Hojo Tetsuji’s physical condition was incredibly formidable. It was estimated that no one could surpass him in that regard in the future.
Phoenix Academy Maggie threaded her fingers through her black hair and patted her head, saying, "Little Sayuri, you don’t need to be discouraged. You are a very cute girl, and I believe Tetsuji is also interested in you."
"Maggie, you don’t have to say that just to comfort ."
Yoshikawa Sayuri pouted her small mouth, not allowing Maggie to apply the shampoo anymore, and plunged her head directly into the water.
Bubbles instantly surfaced. She rubbed her own hair underwater, then erged, resuming her smile and said, "Okay, you two, stop chatting there and co on in.
Hee hee, I can’t wait to tickle you~"
"Alright."
Phoenix Academy Maggie responded, when suddenly Nomura True Wave pushed her from behind and laughed, "Sneak attack!"
"WAH!" Unable to maintain her balance, she crashed onto the water’s surface, her golden curls gradually sinking in. She turned around and said, "Makoto, you actually sneak-attacked ."
"Hee hee, all’s fair in war, you know! Now, take another one of my moves: the deep-water bomb!"
Nomura True Wave pushed off powerfully with her legs, leaping down from above.
Phoenix Academy Maggie hastily swam away to avoid her crushing weight, then swam back to tickle her.
"HAHA, watch my counterattack." "Underarm attack."
Yoshikawa Sayuri giggled and joined the fray.
The three of them frolicked together in the bath.
...
After tiring of playing, they got out of the water and put on the clothes provided by the Phoenix Academy family.
They were yellow, white, and red dresses.
Just toweling off their hair, they headed into the dining room without further fuss.
The place was resplendent.
In a square building, a circular do had been constructed.
A huge, gold-plated crystal chandelier hung in the center, casting a soft, luxurious glow over the entire hall.
Steaming hot food was set out on the tables.
"Wow, that’s a lot. Can we finish it all?"
"No problem, we can eat a lot."
Hojo Tetsuji patted his stomach.
Aozawa really wanted to point out that it was nothing to boast about, but considering his comnt might affect the mood... He raised his glass filled with orange juice and said, "Let’s have a toast!"
"Cheers!"
Yoshikawa Sayuri was very enthusiastic about this kind of thing, always the first to echo, never leaving the proposer in an awkward silence.
With a clink of orange juice glasses, they all downed their drinks in one gulp and then scattered.
Phoenix Academy Maggie had deliberately arranged the food on different tables. This was so that those who wanted to eat their favorite food would have to go to those specific tables, thereby creating space for them to be alone.
Yoshikawa Sayuri was drawn to the sweets, while Nomura True Wave set her sights on the tender, juicy ats.
Hojo Tetsuji naturally followed Yoshikawa Sayuri.
Aozawa preferred Chinese cuisine and fruit.
Phoenix Academy Maggie stood by, piercing a cut piece of pitaya with her fork and bringing it to her mouth. She chewed a few bites and murmured, "Little Sayuri and Tetsuji are just one step away. Now if Tetsuji confesses, he’ll win Little Sayuri over for sure.
Should I tell Tetsuji this information?"
"Of course, you should."
Aozawa imdiately gave an answer, a smile spreading on his face as he said, "It would be a nice accomplishnt to get those two together on this retreat."
"Yeah."
Phoenix Academy Maggie’s tone was complex. She had wanted to close the distance between herself and Aozawa but had instead ended up bringing Yoshikawa Sayuri and Hojo Tetsuji’s relationship to its peak.
After this sumr break, the next ti they t, the two would be a couple, and she, the guide and motivator, would still be standing in place.
A vague sense of sadness erged in her chest.
Even the taste of the pitaya in her mouth turned less sweet. She shifted her gaze and casually said, "A lot has been happening lately. Tell , why does Dio want to summon a teor to flatten Mount Fuji?
And what’s the connection between the divine occurrences Holy Son David encountered and Dio?
I heard so monsters have run over from the Different World. Do you think those events are real?"
Question after question spilled out of her mouth as her eyes fixed on Aozawa’s face, not missing any flicker of expression.
He looked bewildered and said, "How would I know about those things?"
"Based on your way of thinking, can you guess the motive behind all this?"
"Maggie, don’t make things difficult for ."
Aozawa complained. He hoped to keep this secret not because he didn’t trust Maggie and Chitose; it was simply because n need their own private space for solitary fun.
It’s like social dia circles. So n rarely post because they simply don’t want their private lives to be under the constant scrutiny of family mbers.
He kept his alternate account hidden just so he could have a good ti.
Once admitted, so things would beco especially embarrassing.
Therefore, if he could avoid admitting it, he wouldn’t.
Phoenix Academy Maggie scrutinized the expression on his face and shrugged, "Alright then, we won’t talk about it. Should I bring up the matter with Tetsuji, or will you?"
"I’ll talk to Tetsuji later."
Aozawa replied, and shifted the topic to sothing else, continuing to casually chat with Phoenix Academy Maggie.
...
After a leisurely lunchti, Phoenix Academy Maggie suggested they take a nap and then go diving in the afternoon or hunt in the jungle.
There were rabbits, deer, wild boars, and other ga.
The latter suggestion was naturally vetoed by Yoshikawa Sayuri and Nomura True Wave, as neither of them were the type to enjoy bloody hunting.
Phoenix Academy Maggie had to put aside her idea of hunting and chose the first option. Phoenix Academy Island had an excellent diving spot with colorful corals and large sea turtles, which was very beautiful.
The three girls slept in a large room.
Aozawa and Hojo Tetsuji were assigned a room with two beds and a fruit plate on the end table.
Aozawa peeled a banana and said, "Tetsuji, I have so good news for you."
"What’s the good news?"
Hojo Tetsuji sat on the bed. He wasn’t at all sleepy. His robust physical condition ant he felt no tiredness from the morning’s activities.
Aozawa took a bite of the banana and said leisurely, "From what I’ve heard, there’s evidence that Little Sayuri likes you."
"Huh?"
Hojo Tetsuji blinked in response.
After a mont of shock, his exclamation of "What?!" nearly shattered the glass. Hojo Tetsuji jumped up, gripped Aozawa’s shoulders with both hands, and asked earnestly, "Are you telling the truth?"
If it had been before, Aozawa’s shoulders might have crumbled under the grip.
But now, his physical condition was strong enough to withstand Tetsuji’s firm grip, and he replied calmly, "Of course, Maggie told herself."
"There’s no ti to lose, I’m going to confess to Yoshikawa Sayuri right away!"
Hojo Tetsuji turned to leave the room, but Aozawa grabbed his hand and said with a heavy tone, "Don’t rush it. Think about how you should confess. Such a montous occasion surely can’t just end with rushing over, saying ’I like you!’ and calling it done.
Maggie and I have already planned a romantic way for you to confess. Tonight at seven, fireworks will go off above the castle. We’ll find an excuse to leave, and you and Yoshikawa Sayuri can confess on the castle’s rooftop.
Maggie will even prepare the flowers for you."
"Aozawa, you really are a good brother to !"
Hojo Tetsuji, hearing the well-thought-out plan, contained his excitent to confess imdiately, patted Aozawa’s shoulder, and smiled, "If you ever have a girl you want to woo, just tell , and I’ll definitely help you with all my might!"
"Ha ha."
Aozawa laughed, and suddenly the words Chitose had said, along with Shouko’s sweet face, flashed through his mind.
Yikes! He shivered all over.
It was all because of the strange things Chitose said, leading him to make rather improper associations.
Aozawa quickly shook his head to cast those thoughts out of his mind, smiling, "Sure, if I ever chase soone, I’ll get your assistance."
"No problem."
Hojo Tetsuji gave a thumbs up, then smacked his forehead and asked, "By the way, how’s it going with Ayatsuki?"
Aozawa casually answered, "It’s okay."
"And the class president?"
"How did it turn to the class president?"
Aozawa expressed surprise on his face and casually threw the banana peel into the trash can.
Hojo Tetsuji, also looking surprised, said, "You’re always asking for my howork for the class president. I thought you two had a good relationship."
"We’re just good friends."
"Is it really?"
Hojo Tetsuji’s face showed a hint of doubt, scratching his head, "I thought you were interested in the class president too."
"What do you take for?"
Aozawa rolled his eyes, feeling Tetsuji and Chitose both had deep misconceptions about him, much as people think those who wear gold-rimd glasses are civilized.
Little do they know that underneath their clothes, they could be hiding a wrench.
He wasn’t so charitable as to offer salvation to all.
If he were really that frivolous, he wouldn’t be indifferent to Takahashi and the others.
"I don’t like just any girl."
"I know, you only like girls with big chests."
"Tetsuji, why must you blurt out such truths?"
Aozawa peeled another banana and walked to the window, looking out at the scenery around the castle.
What nice weather.
Reviews
All reviews (0)