September 19th, Tuesday.
The sound of a ringing phone alarm chid from the bedside table, like a fishing line cast into the depths of consciousness, pulling Morimoto Chiyoda up in one swift motion.
She inhaled deeply.
Like a mighty wave surging over the ocean, Aozawa's head was jolted by the sudden impact, only to fall back down.
Morimoto Chiyoda pushed with her right hand but didn't manage to push Aozawa off the bed.
The bed in the presidential suite was so large that even five people could roll around without falling off.
She propped herself up, familiar aches stretching across her back and waist. After slight movent, she lowered her head again.
Like a silver armor covering her chest.
She realized she'd committed the grave sin of arrogance once more, proving again that though the sea may dry, the stone would not crumble.
Damn it, this punk never really gave his all.
Morimoto Chiyoda sighed in her heart, wondering if she and Ayatsuki Ayaka combined could ta this ferocious dragon.
The doubt flashed through her mind before being quickly suppressed. At this stage, she wouldn't act like that.
After all, this matter not only depended on her wishes but also on Ayatsuki Ayaka's consent.
Morimoto Chiyoda got up and walked off the bed.
Aozawa wrapped himself in a quilt like a child sleeping alone at ho on a Sunday, "Chiyoda, not going to sleep a bit more?"
"If I sleep any longer, you Monkey King will wreak havoc on the Eastern Sea."
Morimoto Chiyoda rolled her eyes, her soft voice adding magical charm to the words.
Aozawa responded imdiately, grinning, "Anyway, if there's nothing to do, why don't we explore oceanography together?"
"Does knocking out make you proud?"
Morimoto Chiyoda's delicate face suddenly turned icy, her eyes coldly fixed on him, seemingly piercing the chill into his soul.
Aozawa was confused, not understanding her sudden change of face.
Seeing his dazed expression, Morimoto Chiyoda giggled and pinched him, saying, "Scared you, didn't I, punk?
If you dare to show off again, see if I won't snap you!"
She tapped Aozawa and then turned to walk toward the kitchen.
The presidential suite was equipped with all kinds of facilities, more convenient than Morimoto Family's duplex mansion.
You could make your own breakfast or have the hotel staff bring it over.
From Chinese to Western cuisine.
Any dish available in Tokyo could be bought by the hotel staff.
Even fresh ingredients from abroad could be ordered by phone.
Park Hyatt Hotel, under Hyatt Hotels Corporation, has chains worldwide.
As long as you pay enough, the enjoynt in the presidential suite ensures a treatnt grander than a president's.
...
In the early morning, Hojo Shouko didn't set any alarm, but out of habit, she still woke up on ti.
Looking at the soft big bed beneath her and the luxurious decor of the bedroom, a trace of bewildernt flashed through her large almond eyes as she murmured, "So it's not a dream."
She lifted the duvet and stepped off the overly spacious bed for one person, slipping on bunny slippers on her jade-like feet.
She headed to the bathroom.
The luxury hotel living experience was more comfortable than at ho.
Yet Hojo Shouko still missed everything from ho.
She wasn't the type to abandon the old for the new. Instead, she preferred to sort and keep things, even if they were no longer useful.
Toys, notebooks, textbooks from childhood were all neatly stacked in boxes, placed in the bedroom cupboard.
The seemingly long period of childhood, when organized, really amounted to just three boxes.
Standing before the half-length mirror, her short black hair was sowhat ssy, even sticking up in parts.
Hojo Shouko leaned closer, noticing no eye discharge, proof of a good night's sleep.
She turned on the tap and began brushing her teeth.
Yesterday her parents ssaged, saying they'd been promoted at work. They were a bit busy lately and couldn't co ho to rest.
The specific reason for the promotion, Hojo Shouko naturally understood.
People's fate can indeed change in an instant.
Hojo Shouko rembered her parents saying they'd diligently worked at the company for twenty years but never received a promotion, remaining as ordinary old employees.
But the seemingly endless days without promotion were broken yesterday when they got the long-dread-of supervisor positions.
Yet all of this had nothing to do with their efforts, only because she and her brother were chosen to participate in a trial.
If she failed, would her parents be demoted back to their original jobs?
Hojo Shouko thought about it; there was a possibility of her failing, but her brother failing seed unimaginable.
Unlike her, her brother was suited to survive in chaotic tis.
Unparalleled combat talent and strength.
In this trial, he was definitely soone who could persevere to the end.
Aozawa-senpai too.
Hojo Shouko spat out toothpaste water and thought of Morimoto Chiyoda, who was far prettier than she appeared in Douyin videos.
She t all of Hojo Shouko's fantasies of a mature woman.
Her choice was indeed correct.
Hojo Shouko washed her face, brushed her hair neatly, and once again buried all emotions in her heart.
She didn't think she had any advantage in competing against Miss Morimoto and Phoenix Academy's Senior.
As long as she silently stayed by Aozawa-senpai's side, as a friend's sister, as a cute underclassman, that way she could just protect him.
I wonder when the trials will end?
By that ti, she would have a chance to make a bento for Aozawa-senpai.
For Hojo Shouko, that kind of thing was more important than the trials.
She left her room, and there were other participants of the trials outside in the corridor.
Those people were animatedly talking, their words filled with excitent.
Hojo Shouko didn't join them, remaining silent, she walked to Brother's room door and pressed the doorbell.
Ding dong~
...
Shortly, the door opened.
Hojo Tetsuji stood there with a buzz cut, still in his school uniform, yawning, "Shouko, do you need sothing?"
"Brother, you've stayed up late again."
"Yesterday, I suddenly thought of a great plot."
Hojo Tetsuji explained why he stayed up late.
He's a man who sees things through to the end, even more so because this manga embodies the heart and soul of him and Little Sayuri, how could he possibly give up easily.
Hojo Shouko didn't say anything further, she warmly said, "It's ti for breakfast."
"Wait a mont."
Hojo Tetsuji turned back into the room, casually washed his face, rinsed his mouth, and then walked outside the room.
He had no intention of changing clothes, apart from dating Little Sayuri, he didn't care what he wore the rest of the ti.
The siblings walked together to the elevator, the restaurant was on the fifty-second floor.
Upon entering the restaurant, Hojo Shouko saw the magnificent Tokyo skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The city's outline was distinctly visible in the morning light, with towering buildings shimring under the sunlight, radiating an enchanting glow.
Inside, the restaurant's decor was elegant and cozy, creating a relaxing and pleasant dining atmosphere.
Many people gathered here, forming small groups and exchanging discussions; the topic was when today's trials would begin again.
Hojo Shouko and Hojo Tetsuji headed to the buffet area.
For convenience, the restaurant switched breakfast to a buffet style, but with very high quality.
Australian lobsters, Kobe beef steak, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, dishes nad from various countries were laid out here for everyone to enjoy.
Many people were tasting such gourt food for the first ti, and they filled their plates full.
Hojo Shouko also took a plate, piled it with lots of ats and vegetables, paired with a cup of freshly squeezed juice, and found an empty seat in the restaurant to sit down.
The two sat on the sa side.
Soone approached, speaking kindly, "Excuse , is anyone sitting here?"
Hojo Tetsuji looked up, the person was over 1.9 ters tall, with naturally golden short hair, blue eyes, and chiseled features.
He wore a simple t-shirt paired with casual pants, looking sunny and handso.
"No one."
Hojo Tetsuji replied.
The person smiled and sat down, introducing himself, "I'm Lanny Fink, an exchange student from the United States, in Bethel, Alaska State.
May I ask what are your nas?"
Hojo Shouko lowered her head to eat and chose not to respond.
In such situations, she usually let Brother talk with others, she just had to be a wallflower.
Unless the person speaking was Aozawa-senpai, then she would feel the urge to speak.
Hojo Tetsuji furrowed his brow, impatiently said, "What does your identity have to do with us, there's no reason for us to know you."
With that said, he completely ignored Lanny in front of him, picked up the roast lamb leg, and took a bold bite, tearing off a piece of lamb at, munching heartily.
Hojo Tetsuji understood well, his intelligence wasn't enough to get involved in those overly complicated matters, yet he could rely on instinct to discern whether a person was good or bad.
The guy in front of him clearly wasn't coming with kind intentions, so he didn't need to regard whatever he said.
Lanny's face remained smiling, but a hint of anger flashed in his blue eyes.
He is the eldest grandson of the Fink Family, sent by his grandfather to Tokyo, Japan to study, in order to succeed his uncle Connie Fink, who died along with Tokyo Electric Power Company executives.
At first, Lanny didn't know the cause of his uncle's death, only later realized it might be related to the Different World.
It was just yesterday, after the trials ended, that Lanny learned many relevant things from his grandfather.
His grandfather's requests were clear: to make alliances with those who might survive to the end.
The nas included Aozawa, Hojo Tetsuji, Hojo Shouko, Sunaga Takashi, and others.
Even Morimoto Chitose could be tried to contact.
Grandfather's idea was to let Lanny group with powerful people as much as possible to ensure he would win in the end.
Lanny originally planned to do so, but the attitude of the Hojo siblings was clearly unacceptable to him.
"I hope you can make it to the end."
Lanny gently said this, then carried his food away.
Those selected, were they not all blessed children?
What's more, before being selected, his background was already distinguished; how could he possibly give his warm face to soone else's cold shoulder?
Hojo Tetsuji ignored him and continued to enjoy his breakfast.
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