"This is the composure of a young lady!" Nomura True Wave's eyes whirled with a plan. She immediately pulled Phoenix Academy Maggie towards the window. "I remember the Guzheng Club is right below us."

"Um, wait, Makoto, what are you trying to say?!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie's composure instantly shattered. She remembered very clearly that Aozawa went to the Guzheng Club every day at noon to get his lunch from Hojo Shouko.

"Haha, don't be afraid," Nomura True Wave called out, leaning out of the window. She immediately spotted the boy below, preparing to get his lunch.

"Aozawa! I have something to say to you!"

"Makoto!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie panicked and tried to stop her, but her hands were locked behind her back by Yoshikawa Sayuri, who chuckled, "Hehe, don't move."

Aozawa looked up at the sound of his name. "What's up?"

From the third-floor window, besides Nomura True Wave, one could see Phoenix Academy Maggie and, faintly, Yoshikawa Sayuri's hands.

You could say they were fearless in their youth, not even afraid of falling.

"Makoto!" Phoenix Academy Maggie urged in a low, warning voice.

Nomura True Wave smiled mischievously, cupping her hands around her mouth like a megaphone. "You're the world's biggest idiot!"

"?!"

Aozawa was completely baffled.

"Haha." Nomura True Wave laughed, then turned her head. "Quick, look, his expression is priceless!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced down and couldn't help but snort with laughter. Indeed, he looked very silly.

"Haha."

"Are you guys nuts?" Aozawa retorted irritably. I'll turn into a British Shorthair later and make Nomura True Wave crave petting me so much that she won't get the chance.

"Hehe." Nomura True Wave laughed and pulled back from the window, blinking. "Wasn't that thrilling? Only a girl with a secret crush gets to experience that~"

"Makoto, you nearly scared me to death." Phoenix Academy Maggie rolled her eyes, yet she had to admit it had been thrilling. It was an emotion she had never experienced before.

「Time slowly passed by.」

The DING-DONG-DONG of the bell rang, signaling the end of afternoon classes.

As the teacher left the classroom, Phoenix Academy Maggie gathered her things. Turning to Aozawa, she said, "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Aozawa nodded. He wasn't planning to attend Kendo club practice. He was curious to see how Phoenix Academy Maggie would handle the special task force, and how they would scrutinize her responses. He was very clear about one thing: in terms of intelligence, I definitely can't match those elites in high society or the special task force. But I have a superpower, so why should I fight them on their terms? I'll choose to cheat. I'll eavesdrop on all of the task force's plans and decide whether to cross my own moral lines based on the situation.

Phoenix Academy Maggie slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and headed out of the classroom.

The moment she stepped out of the school building, the sunlight filtering from the sky seemed to have advanced directly into June, bringing with it the summer heat.

The sunlight merely brushed her skin, yet Phoenix Academy Maggie felt an impulse to duck back into the classroom.

She walked out of the school under the scorching sun, mentally replaying the scenarios she had considered, the possible questions from the task force, and her prepared responses. A series of complex dialogues swirled in her mind.

Her face showed no hint of her inner turmoil as she continued to walk forward.

「Five o'clock in the afternoon.」

A black Honda arrived in Setagaya District and stopped before the gates of the Phoenix Academy estate.

The security guard peered out from behind the iron gate and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

Emily peered out from the passenger seat. Her twin ponytails, seemingly dipped in sunlight, caught a golden glow as she said, "I'm Emily from the task force. I scheduled a time with Madame Kochou yesterday."

"You look as petite as in your photograph," the guard commented, adhering to his orders, then pressed the button to open the gate.

Emily's brows lifted, and she was about to flare up, but Morimoto Chiyoda, in the driver's seat, pulled her back. "Come on," she said, "he was just stating a fact. There's no need to get worked up."

Emily responded languidly, "It seems I need to ask Phoenix Academy about that warehouse kidnapping incident."

Morimoto Chiyoda's demeanor instantly changed. She yelled at the guard outside, "Idiot, are you blind? Team Leader Emily is obviously tall and imposing, and you dare call her small? You unperceptive guard dog!"

After her tirade, she glanced at Emily with a righteous air. "Team Leader Emily, do you need me to scold him more?"

"No need."

Emily wore a smug expression. She had finally found some leverage over Morimoto Chiyoda. This leverage was only valid for today, but it still gave her considerable satisfaction.

Morimoto Chiyoda inwardly cursed Aozawa for his unnecessary heroics. That morning, while searching for details about the warehouse incident in the records room, she found that Ayase Police Station's records of last month's warehouse fire included Aozawa's questioning.

This was standard procedure. But at this critical juncture, Aozawa's name appearing would make things troublesome.

The leaders of the six major financial groups, if they wanted to monitor Aozawa and test him for any anomalies, only needed to say the word. Plenty of people were willing to do their bidding.

Morimoto Chiyoda had no choice but to implore Emily not to discuss the warehouse kidnapping case, to avoid bringing Aozawa to the attention of the six major financial groups.

Emily understood Morimoto Chiyoda's concerns. Ordinary people, when faced with such powerful groups, could only be crushed. So, she agreed to ask only about Iwasaki and the others.

The vehicle entered the Phoenix Academy grounds, driving for a while before reaching the parking lot.

Various luxury cars were parked there, making the Honda seem quite cheap by comparison.

"So this is what it means to be rich." Morimoto Chiyoda sighed as she unbuckled her seatbelt. The pronounced contour previously created by the tight strap vanished.

She got out of the car. Emily and Katerina also disembarked.

Since their interviewee was the young lady of the Phoenix Academy family, Emily, after some thought, decided to exclude Okayama Buji from the team for this visit. Only the three women would call on the young lady.

Butler Miwa came forward and bowed. "You must be Miss Emily, Miss Katerina, and Miss Morimoto. My name is Miwa Kazuki. By Madame's orders, I will show you the way."

"Thank you for your trouble." Though Emily was petite, her voice was not soft, and her presence was quite formidable.

Miwa Kazuki smiled. "It's my duty. Please follow me."

He turned and led the way.

Morimoto Chiyoda curiously observed him; it was her first time seeing a butler in real life. From his posture, Miwa Kazuki appeared ready for combat at any moment, maintaining a safe distance from them—ideal for a counterstrike. His hands are covered in calluses, Morimoto Chiyoda thought. Someone in his position wouldn't get those from farming. It must be from years of martial arts training.

She pondered this as they left the parking area.

The estate's scenic beauty and luxury surpassed her imagination. If this place were open to the public, she thought, it would surely become a top tourist attraction.

The scenery was magnificent, and the environment, free from the usual clamor of tourist spots, was tranquil. Even the breeze felt cooler here. Well-maintained greenery was everywhere.

Occasionally, people they passed by wouldn't interact but would silently continue their assigned tasks.

Butler Miwa led them to the meeting place, then stepped aside. "The Young Lady is waiting for you inside."

He smoothly opened the door with his right hand, revealing a living room decorated primarily in warm, comfortable tones.

Morimoto Chiyoda saw a blonde girl sitting on the sofa, wearing a light yellow sundress. Her features were exquisite.

Even Morimoto Chiyoda, who was typically quite confident about her own appearance, had to admit, This young lady's beauty is easily on par with mine.

Phoenix Academy Maggie was young but possessed a dignified, yet approachable, air.

"Welcome. Miwa, please pour some tea."

"Yes, Young Lady." Butler Miwa closed the door. Under the pretext of serving tea, he naturally remained in the room. I must report everything that happens here to Madame in detail.

Emily knew she couldn't let the other party dictate the pace of this meeting.

She stepped forward and got straight to the point. "Miss Maggie, I'd like to ask: did you reveal the 'game' Iwasaki and the others were planning to any outsiders?"

"Why would I discuss such a matter with anyone else?" Phoenix Academy Maggie offered a faint smile.

Emily studied her. This young lady isn't ordinary, she thought. Her expression is unreadable; it's impossible to tell if she's lying. She looks completely sincere. But whether it's actually the truth is another matter entirely.

"This is strange. Besides the deceased Iwasaki and his group, the only other person aware of this matter was Mitsui Ryuutai, a trusted confidant of the Mitsui family. He handled all the arrangements. The others merely followed Mitsui Ryuutai's orders, completely unaware that Iwasaki's group was masterminding it. If no one leaked the information, then how did Dio learn about Iwasaki and his group's connection to Hirano?"

Phoenix Academy Maggie's eyes sparkled with interest. "I think it must be due to his superpower. Dio possesses a superpower that allows him to perceive any information. Or perhaps it's a kind of danger sense. If anyone harbors ill intent towards him, he immediately becomes aware of that malice and acts accordingly."

"If that's the case, doesn't that make us very vulnerable?" Emily asked.

"Don't worry," Phoenix Academy Maggie said. "Dio probably doesn't consider you a significant threat. Why would someone with superpowers care about mere mortals trying to apprehend him?"

Emily shook her head at Phoenix Academy Maggie's words. "Miss Maggie, you don't understand Dio. He doesn't kill based on whether someone is a threat, but on whether they deserve to die. You were lucky to escape. But I hope you realize your mother is in grave danger, as are the other members of the Phoenix Academy family. It goes without saying, for a company as large as yours, operating in a country like this, how many can truly claim to be clean?"

As Emily spoke, she scrutinized Phoenix Academy Maggie's expression. "Let me ask again, Miss Maggie: have you discussed this matter with anyone else?"

"If you don't trust me, why bother asking again?" Phoenix Academy Maggie replied coolly. Whether I fully believe Aozawa or not is my business. I don't want his name to appear in the record of this conversation. As long as I say nothing, the people from the six major financial groups wanting to know about Aozawa will have to investigate my past. And I'm not just anyone. Unless they have concrete evidence, they won't investigate me casually. That would be breaking the rules. If they start investigating each other, how many among the six major financial groups can guarantee they have no skeletons in their closets?