The time for the afternoon classes was drawing near.

Aozawa returned from sunny and pleasant Okinawa, touching down on the ground. He promptly used his catalyst sensing ability to verify that no one was around.

His body shifted from semi-transparent to solid.

He stepped out of the small grove and headed directly for the school building, changing into indoor shoes.

Upon reaching the classroom door, Aozawa sensed that something was off. Perhaps it was the unusually oppressive silence.

He entered the classroom through the back door. His gaze swept around, searching for the source of the stifling air. After scanning the room, his eyes settled on Phoenix Academy Maggie, who was seated by the window.

The blonde girl sat upright, her delicate, doll-like face tense, as if covered with a layer of frost.

Her eyes, sharp as unrivaled swords drawn from their sheaths, were intimidating to the point where one dared not look directly at them.

Aozawa, who usually chatted normally with Phoenix Academy Maggie, had only ever thought of her as beautiful, proud, and kindhearted.

However, when he stripped away the identity of a friend and considered her from the perspective of a complete stranger, he realized that Phoenix Academy Maggie exuded an unapproachable aura.

When she was angry, this feeling was even more pronounced, as if she had established an absolute territory that warned strangers to keep out.

Aozawa stepped forward.

Phoenix Academy Maggie heard his approach and turned her head. The sharpness in her eyes slowly faded, as though she was sheathing a sharp sword, bringing a slight relief to the tense atmosphere of the classroom.

"Who made you angry?" he asked, full of curiosity.

Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head. "It's nothing. I just felt as if someone was provoking me."

Aozawa was surprised. "Someone dared to provoke you to your face?"

Phoenix Academy Maggie said with a complicated expression, "Maybe I'm just being too sensitive, overreacting a bit."

"Who was it?" Aozawa just wanted to know which of his classmates had the guts to be so brazen.

Phoenix Academy Maggie replied with a half-smile, "Who walks in through the back door with you every day, shoulder to shoulder?"

"Iroha?!"

Aozawa was astonished and turned his gaze toward Ayatsuki Ayaka's seat, only to find her lying on the desk, stealing glances in his direction.

The moment their eyes met, she swiftly looked away, embodying retreat in her every movement.

How had Iroha gotten into conflict with Maggie?

Aozawa was at a loss for words. With sympathies for both sides, he felt it was inappropriate to take one. So, he shifted the topic to Hojo Tetsuji nearby. "Tetsuji, don't sleep now, class is about to start."

Hojo Tetsuji, woken by his call, lifted his head, somewhat confused. "Shouldn't I just continue to sleep in class?"

"You're right. I forgot you usually sleep during class. Sorry, go on and sleep."

"Aozawa, what are you up to, huh?" Hojo Tetsuji complained and then lay back down to resume his nap.

Phoenix Academy Maggie looked at him, saying nothing.

Aozawa, feeling doubly awkward, said, "There must be some misunderstanding here. I'll speak about it later. It's time for class; let's take our seats."

"Mhm." Phoenix Academy Maggie turned around, no longer looking at him.

The first afternoon class was Japanese history.

Ayatsuki Ayaka couldn't concentrate. What preoccupied her mind was how frightening Phoenix Academy Maggie was!

It was merely upon entering the room that Ayatsuki Ayaka had glanced directly at Phoenix Academy Maggie.

The look in return had been like a sword piercing a balloon, deflating her inflated courage rapidly and even causing the air in the class to feel heavy.

She felt sorry for everyone; she shouldn't provoke others being so timid.

Ayatsuki Ayaka lay there, with no mind for the lesson, her thoughts a messy tangle of considerations.

Upon recalling how the formidable presence of Phoenix Academy Maggie had softened when Aozawa entered, she, no matter how slow, understood that Saeko was right.

What should she do now?

Phoenix Academy Maggie was prettier than she was, better at studying, and had more grace. Even their families seemed to be wealthier!

The more Ayatsuki Ayaka thought about it, the more she felt that her chances of winning were slim.

She was annoyed with herself for not confessing her feelings earlier. And look at how things turned out now.

But on second thought, even if she had confessed, facing a powerful rival like Phoenix Academy Maggie, she probably would have had him stolen away. Then, wouldn't being cheated on be even more humiliating?

Ayatsuki Ayaka thought for a long time. She simply couldn't think of any factor that could lead her to victory.

The gap between their circumstances couldn't be bridged by mere strategizing. In every aspect, she was no match for Phoenix Academy Maggie.

The only area where she might have an edge was in love.

With that thought, Ayatsuki Ayaka clenched her hands into fists.

That's right! This is Japan, after all!

She would bet that her love for Aozawa surpassed anyone else's!

The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. She turned her head, casting her gaze diagonally towards the second-to-last row by the window.

The sky outside was azure, not a cloud in sight.

The masterfully beautiful blonde girl sensed the unusual look and glanced back.

This time, Ayatsuki Ayaka didn't back down. Her wheat-colored cheeks puffed up as she fiercely glared back, as if to say, "I'm not afraid of you."

Phoenix Academy Maggie was somewhat surprised, but she didn't care much. Just as she was about to look away, she felt that moving her gaze away prematurely would make her seem guilty.

Actually, she needed to focus on the class and didn't have time to bother with Ayatsuki Ayaka. However, Phoenix Academy Maggie found her tolerance for Ayaka's provocations surprisingly low—so low, in fact, that she couldn't help but want to meet the challenge head-on.

This was a very wild act, like a tiger not allowing another tiger to trespass on its territory.

She didn't like this wildness but couldn't move her gaze away, determined to ensure her own aura remained dominant over Ayatsuki Ayaka's.

She returned the gaze coldly.

Ayatsuki Ayaka felt tremendous pressure, but still bit her lip and continued to glare. She had a feeling that if she backed down now, she would never be able to muster the courage to face Phoenix Academy Maggie again.

The gazes of the two clashed fiercely across the other students.

Tama Chan, who was nearby, saw this and a smile appeared on her face.

Iroha wasn't just a simple coward; if she were nothing but weak, she wouldn't have earned their affection.

When facing something she wanted, Ayatsuki Ayaka would often burst with great courage, a far cry from her usual timid state.

This contrast made them very fond of her.

"Phoenix Academy, you answer this question." The teacher on the platform interrupted their gaze. Phoenix Academy Maggie, however unwilling, had to stand up and was forced to look away.

As she shifted her gaze, she saw Ayatsuki Ayaka's face break into a smile, one that suggested victory.

How childish, thinking she had won simply because the teacher had called on her, Phoenix Academy Maggie thought, aware that sometimes luck is a form of strength.

How annoying!

Phoenix Academy Maggie's eyes became exceptionally sharp. The teacher on the stage sweated nervously on his forehead and asked tentatively, "Would you like someone else to answer?"

"No need," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied coldly, having already regarded Ayatsuki Ayaka as an enemy worthy of serious attention.

A strong desire to win drove her to resolve to win Aozawa over, not let Ayatsuki Ayaka have him.

However, how to win him over was another big question.

Her biggest weakness was that she had no free time on rest days.

She needed to deal with the complex studies at home and could only meet Aozawa at school, completely unable to go on dates like a regular girl.

Phoenix Academy Maggie was unclear on how to solve this problem and decided to consult with Nomura True Wave. In matters of love, Makoto was far stronger than her.

When she encountered something she did not understand, she wouldn't pretend to be an expert but humbly sought advice from the true experts.

A leader doesn't need to be omniscient and omnipotent. They only need to know to ask the right person when they don't understand something; that is the quality of an excellent leader.

「After school.」

Aozawa headed to the club building. As he was approaching the door of the Sword Dao club, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder.

"Aozawa~" He stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and his cheek was prodded by a wheat-colored index finger.

Ayatsuki Ayaka giggled, standing behind him, her other hand hidden behind her back, gripping tightly, worried that Aozawa might find this action a bit distasteful.

"Iroha." He smiled, wishing to be prodded a few more times. "Is there something you need?"

"Didn't I say before? I'm a member of the Human Observation Society, and recently the department head has organized a club activity. We're supposed to observe male student behavior, and I was thinking, could I come to the Sword Dao club and observe how you train?" Ayatsuki Ayaka gathered her courage to speak these words.

She had thought it over; she must compete with Phoenix Academy Maggie in every aspect. She couldn't be satisfied with just the morning vegetable juice chat time; she also wanted to spend the afternoon in the Sword Dao club watching Aozawa practice.

She just didn't believe Phoenix Academy Maggie could do the same as her—station herself in the Sword Dao club to watch Aozawa.

As long as she increased the opportunities to be with Aozawa, she was adding to her chances of winning, little by little.

"No problem." Aozawa didn't bother to consider whether it was a lie. He didn't mind Ayatsuki Ayaka observing the training. "It's just that I have to ask the department head about it," he added.

"No problem!" The Sword Dao club's Department Head Kenji Kojima immediately burst out, his face alight with excitement, as if welcoming a visiting dignitary. "Ms. Ayatsuki, you can stay here and watch for as long as you like! The head of the Human Observation Society and I are good friends. Her business is my business!"

The other members of the Sword Dao club looked at Kenji Kojima with disdain mixed with a hint of jealousy.

It wasn't until then that they realized the position of Sword Dao club leader could actually be useful. At least, when someone wanted an outsider to stay in the Sword Dao club, they usually had to clear it with the department head.

Takahashi Saeko's way of 'clearing it' was evidently a date.

Kenji Kojima knew that Takahashi Saeko was a demon playing with his innocent soul.

But for a boy like him, even being toyed with by a demon was a rare experience.

Not everyone gets the opportunity of having a hot girl pursue them.

Thinking this, Kenji Kojima's gaze towards Aozawa began to change.

Jealous as he might be, he still hoped that Aozawa could continue to bring him such good opportunities, allowing him to be toyed with by Takahashi Saeko a few more times.

I really have no self-respect! Kenji Kojima clenched his fist, cursing inwardly, yet he was still looking forward to his date with Takahashi Saeko.

To add a glorious memory to his miserable high school life.

"Iroha, you don't have to stay if it's hard for you. The Sword Dao club can really stink when it's hot."

"No problem!" Ayatsuki Ayaka was full of excitement. She didn't mind Aozawa's smell at all; she could take it even if it was stinky.