The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the beach, and the drop in temperature brought more visitors to the seaside.

Morimoto Chiyoda lost interest in continued frolicking and glanced at Aozawa, who was as energetic as a Husky.

Youth really is boundless energy, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Alright, stop splashing water. Let's go ride the Ferris wheel."

"The Ferris wheel?"

Aozawa's hands were already scooping up seawater. Imagining scenes from movies that featured Ferris wheels, he hurriedly poured the water back into the sea.

He felt a surge of excitement. On the Ferris wheel... if it reaches the highest point, maybe I can share another French kiss with Chitose!

Thinking of that wonderful feeling, even though a few hours had passed, Aozawa could still feel a passionate heat surging inside him. Every pore on my body is crying out, wanting to experience it again!

Morimoto Chiyoda narrowed her eyes slightly, fully understanding the reason behind his flushed face.

What a pity. I'll probably have to disappoint him. I don't plan to engage in a French kiss on the Ferris wheel. To be precise, I won't consider kissing deeply for some time.

Morimoto Chiyoda knew. People always take for granted what they can easily attain. No matter how desperate they are to get it before they have it, they might cherish it for a few days after getting it. But as time goes by, it becomes a norm, taken for granted. Like a new pair of shoes, at first, people are always careful not to step on anything, but after a few days, they don't care as much about whether the ground is clean. That's human nature for most people.

I'm willing to provide Aozawa with occasional excitement to maintain our relationship and ensure it doesn't grow cold. But I will never let such stimulation become a daily occurrence.

Morimoto Chiyoda knew that such methods would make her seem more controlling. But I'm ten years older than Aozawa. Should I act like a little girl and let him arrange everything? A sixteen-year-old girl's ignorance can be called naive romance. But at twenty-six, if I still understood nothing, that could no longer be called the innocence of a girl; it could be described with a simple and harsh word: stupid.

Morimoto Chiyoda didn't consider herself a stupid woman. So naturally, I have to take the lead in the relationship and not let Aozawa, ten years my junior, do as he pleases. I have to draw a line.

...

After the ride on the Ferris wheel, the two strolled around for a while and arrived home at exactly nine o'clock.

From the timing, it was apparent that Morimoto Chiyoda had a detailed plan for the date, ensuring everything was under control from start to finish.

She turned on the living room lights, smiling. "Let's continue going out tomorrow. I'm going to take a bath first."

"We don't have to be so formal. Let's bathe together," Aozawa teased as he moved closer, only to be flicked on the forehead by Morimoto Chiyoda's index finger as she said coquettishly, "In your dreams."

"Nighttime is the perfect time for dreaming, though," Aozawa murmured softly, closing the door behind him, and then asked, "Where should I put the clothes we bought?"

"Just throw them all in the washing machine and wash them. Draw a bath for me while you're at it."

"As you wish, Queen," Aozawa replied casually, entering the bathroom to start filling the tub with hot water. Then he went to the washing machine and tossed in the new dresses they had bought along with his T-shirt and sweatpants.

Sometimes, when Morimoto Chiyoda bought herself clothes, she would pick up a few items for him too.

Aozawa closed the washing machine, turned it on, stepped out of the bathroom, and went to the bedroom to gather clothes for laundry.

Then, he sat down on the floor and checked his phone for messages.

He had been too busy playing with Morimoto Chiyoda earlier and hadn't had time to reply to any messages.

Upon opening his phone, he found quite a few messages.

Ayatsuki Ayaka, Phoenix Academy Maggie, Arakawa Reina, and Hojo Tetsuji had all sent messages.

Aozawa looked at each message in turn, starting with Ayatsuki Ayaka's.

She had sent two messages. One was a selfie showing her and Saeko and the others picnicking on the grass at Sheron Park.

"Look, this is our bento!"

At face value, Ayatsuki Ayaka seemed to be showing off their pretty bento.

But the angle of the shot, intentionally or not, also captured a glimpse of the scenery down her neckline.

A guy's first glance wouldn't possibly be at how nice the bento was. Such a pose definitely must have had some expert advice. A casual shot couldn't have captured such a perfect angle. That hint of a tease... I really want to dive into the photo to see if that line of darkness is due to the angle of the light or the fabric.

After staring for a while and internally praising the skill, Aozawa's curiosity was piqued.

His eyes swept over Saeko, Maru, and Kaoru. It has to be either Saeko or Maru's coaching, he confirmed.

"Sorry, I haven't been free. The bento looks cute."

Aozawa glanced at the bento, replied, and then opened Phoenix Academy Maggie's chat.

She too had sent a photo, apparently practicing archery, dressed in a Kyudo uniform with her hair tied in a ponytail, looking spirited and valiant.

She took a shot of herself, then one of the target in the distance.

"Hit the bullseye from sixty meters away!"

"Impressive," Aozawa responded and then clicked on Arakawa Reina's message, curious what she wanted.

"I'm really sorry about last time. Are you coming to the Maid Cafe today? I'll treat you."

"Sorry, I'm busy this week. I'll come next Saturday."

Aozawa sent the reply and then moved on to Hojo Tetsuji's chat.

It was all manga drafts he had drawn, hoping Aozawa could give some advice.

Aozawa wasn't nearly as polite to him, simply replying, "This Emperor is tired. We'll talk when I have free time."

DING. He heard the notification sound from his phone. Exiting the chat interface, he found a message from Ayatsuki Ayaka: "Hehe, the bento was prepared by Maru. Her cooking skills are great; the meatballs are awesome!"

Aozawa smiled. She must be smiling radiantly. He typed a reply.

...

「Akizuki Residence.」

In Iroha's bedroom, unlike the smiling face Aozawa imagined, Ayatsuki Ayaka's expression was especially twisted.

Why did he only get back at 9:09:34 p.m.? But if I ask, it might pierce through a cruel reality... Even if I don't want to face it, I have to admit Aozawa and Phoenix Academy Maggie were on a date until now. But really, what kind of date goes from daylight to after nine at night before you return?

Ayatsuki Ayaka frowned and muttered, "They must have been shopping around, buying clothes. At most, they just went to the park to ride the Ferris wheel and see the night view, nothing too over the line."

She tried to comfort herself.

But Saeko said... if a date goes beyond seven in the evening, it usually means they get a room outside…

Ayatsuki Ayaka imagined Phoenix Academy Maggie and Aozawa holding hands, walking side by side into a pink-signed hotel. Then in a single room... facing each other honestly... Fireworks!

"Ah!"

Ayatsuki Ayaka immediately clutched her head, rolling back and forth on her bed, trying to dispel such images.

But the more she tried to deny that scene, the clearer it became in her mind.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

Ayatsuki Ayaka, unable to contain her anger, put down her phone. She grabbed the plush cat Aozawa had won for her from the table and beat it fiercely. She wouldn't dare hit her master, but the doll was fair game.

She landed several furious punches, flattening the stuffing of the plush cat until it looked pitiful.

Ayatsuki Ayaka softened, gently patting its face as she said, "Hmph, blame Aozawa for this, not me. Why did he stay out so late? Could they possibly have that much to talk about or do? They're just high school students; they shouldn't even be thinking about those things not suitable for children."

As she spoke, her cheeks gradually flushed, and she added with a touch of grievance, "He never suggested going to a hotel when he was out with me. What a jerk, a hypocrite! I'm done with you! Dummy! Dummy!"

A DING sounded from her phone. Ayatsuki Ayaka tossed aside the plush cat and swiftly picked up her phone, eager to see Aozawa's reply.

I'm so weak-willed! But I just love chatting with Aozawa. Even a simple sentence without any significant meaning makes me exuberantly happy.

"Who would have guessed, Tama can actually cook? I thought it was you who made it."

"I'm terrible at cooking."

Ayatsuki Ayaka hurriedly typed a reply. After idly chatting for about fifteen minutes, she decided to get to the point and asked, "By the way, are you free tomorrow?"

"I'm busy tomorrow."

"Haha, then I'll see if Saeko is free to help me with some math problems."

Ayatsuki Ayaka sent this cheerful message, then sniffled, her expression almost breaking into tears.

Phoenix Academy Maggie is just too domineering! She's monopolizing all of Aozawa's free time! Who goes on dates two days in a row? This way, their number of consecutive dates will equal mine, but the time they've spent far exceeds it. This doesn't bode well. Booking for next week is too early; I haven't even decided where to go.

Ayatsuki Ayaka's forehead broke into a cold sweat, unsure of how to strike back at her rival.

"Not chatting anymore, I'm going to take a bath."

"Okay, I'm also off to sleep," Ayatsuki Ayaka replied.

She collapsed onto the bed.

Sleep? How can I possibly sleep now?! If I close my eyes, I can almost hear Phoenix Academy Maggie's triumphant laughter.

Ayatsuki Ayaka took a deep breath, determined to reclaim her ground next week.

Relying on myself is hopeless. I'd better discuss strategies with Saeko and the others tomorrow.

With all those messy thoughts running through her head, Ayatsuki Ayaka gradually fell asleep.

...

「Next day, nine in the morning.」

Ikebukuro Maid Cafe.

Arakawa Reina wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Without Aozawa, Ayatsuki Ayaka actually brought her classmates to the Maid Cafe?! She's so audacious! This is a Maid Cafe, for crying out loud! And those three Hot Girls—shouldn't they have refused such an absurd meeting place? she grumbled inwardly.

Ayatsuki Ayaka pointed with her right hand and said, "Let's take table three."

She liked to stick to what she knew; last time she had service from maid number three, and this time she wanted the same.

"Nashi, come take care of our four patrons," the maid at the door, also a little stunned, said, nevertheless fulfilling her duty.

Arakawa Reina had no choice but to approach with a smile.

Ayatsuki Ayaka nudged Takahashi Saeko's shoulder and laughed, "Hey, look, doesn't she look like someone we know?"