CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 392 THE ELDEST MISS CAN’T RESIST THE SUGAR-COATED SHELLS_1

Reality often differs from imagination.

Ayatsuki Ayaka came to understand this once again.

The cicadas outside the window were noisy, and the ceiling fan overhead whirred, sending a breeze downwards as if it had come from the Arctic.

She stared at the blonde girl who had stepped into the club room, her mind a complete blank. The young lady’s features were as flawless as white jade, her expression indifferent, the sailor uniform accentuating perfect curves. In this respect, Ayatsuki Ayaka felt confident she could compare. However, considering their overall attractiveness and aura, she felt outmatched by the blonde.

"Aozawa, what’s going on?" she asked quietly as she stood up. What happened to the one-on-one review session we had planned?

Aozawa replied with a smile, "I thought about it and realized that, with my limited ability, I couldn’t help you improve in the shortest time, so I asked Maggie to tutor us."

It was an excuse. He was merely looking for an opportunity to get Phoenix Academy Maggie and Ayatsuki Ayaka to spend more time together, hoping to bring them closer.

"Oh."

Ayatsuki Ayaka nodded, turning to send a hopeful glance toward Takahashi Saeko and the others.

The usually rock-solid sisterly bond crumbled in that moment, as fragile as a potato chip.

They simply gave her a thumbs-up and a silent cheer with encouraging smiles, then left the room.

"Iroha’s in your hands~"

Only the club president, who had the authority to refuse, nodded and smiled.

So much for loyalty!

Ayatsuki Ayaka cried inwardly as her eyes moved back to Phoenix Academy Maggie in front of her.

Maggie spoke calmly, "First, I need to get an idea of your strengths. What subject are you best at?"

Gulping, Ayatsuki Ayaka swallowed nervously and obediently sat on the stool. She placed her hands on her knees, pressing down her short skirt, and said weakly, "I’m not particularly good at any subject."

Maggie was prepared for this. Expecting a girl who had forgotten that finals were tomorrow to have a strong subject was clearly unrealistic.

"Let’s start with your grades then."

"I haven’t passed a single one."

Ayatsuki Ayaka hung her head, her voice even softer, her rose-colored fingernails gently touching each other.

The corners of Maggie’s mouth twitched. She had known that Iroha’s grades weren’t good, but she hadn’t expected them to be *this* terrible—not a single subject passed?!

Maggie took a deep breath, wishing she could just grab her bag and walk away.

"Let’s start with history."

Maggie didn’t expect Iroha to pass every course, so she decided to choose the ones that would be easiest for her to pass with targeted tutoring. History was just such a subject—memorization was often enough to scrape by.

"Sure."

Ayatsuki Ayaka nodded.

Aozawa nodded too.

Ten minutes later, Maggie thought Iroha might be salvageable. Twenty minutes later, she thought, She’s hopeless. A lost cause. Half an hour later, Maggie just wanted to strangle Iroha with her bookbag from behind.

Could there really be someone this foolish in the world? Less than four hundred words, and after I’ve taught her over and over for so long, she still can’t memorize them!

Maggie imagined violently swinging her bookbag in a 360-degree arc to smash its corner into Ayatsuki Ayaka’s head, or prying open her skull with the blade of a pencil sharpener to see what her brain was filled with. Water, probably! Or even worse, polluted wastewater! she grumbled internally, though her expression remained unchanged.

"I’m sorry, Phoenix Academy," Iroha said, her face filled with guilt.

She didn’t know why, but the more she tried to remember something, the easier it was to forget. Maybe it was due to nerves. After reciting once, she’d forget several words halfway through the second time.

"It’s alright."

Maggie smiled gently. She understood that Ayaka wasn’t just trying to humor her; she was genuinely trying to learn. As long as Maggie remembered that, she could remain patient. No matter how much Maggie cursed Ayaka out in her head, she wouldn’t show anger on her face, choosing instead to display a false smile to keep Iroha from getting nervous. Especially at times like this, patient teaching was crucial.

She somewhat understood why Aozawa had dragged her along. That guy definitely anticipated this situation, which is why he chose to have me share his rising blood pressure!

"Maybe we should try a different approach. Interest-based reading. We could associate various historical events with things you like. For example, if you like tangerines, we can call him ’Tangerine Kariyasu.’ Just remember, ’tangerine’ equals Tokugawa."

Maggie patiently laid out her solution while, out of Ayaka’s sight, her hand clasped Aozawa’s neck and twisted hard.

With his current strength, Aozawa only needed to exert a little force to make his muscles turn into an armor-like defense to stop her from choking him. But he didn’t do that. He knew that Maggie was nowhere near as calm as she appeared and that her anger needed a vent. As the one responsible for pulling her into this mess, he was naturally a good target.

"That’s a great idea!"

Ayatsuki Ayaka’s eyes lit up. She struggled with these texts because they were just too dull. Her brain resisted every dull word, but if those words were associated with Aozawa, they became enchanting.

What did Aozawa Kariyasu do? What did Aozawa Nobunaga do? Just the thought of it filled her heart with an urge to understand Aozawa.

"Phoenix Academy, let’s get started!"

Her hands clenched into fists, her tan cheeks reignited with fierce determination.

Phoenix Academy Maggie wanted to ask Ayatsuki Ayaka what favorite thing she had incorporated to gain such determination. But on second thought, it was better not to ask questions that might end up upsetting herself.

After all, why am I here tutoring my romantic rival? No matter how I think about it, it’s just weird.

Phoenix Academy Maggie’s memory rewound to after the second class in the afternoon. Having seen Ayatsuki Ayaka chatting with Aozawa after the first class, Maggie had indirectly tried to probe into what they were talking about. Then she was dragged into this trap, all because Aozawa flattered her so much that she was swept off her feet. She wasn’t the kind of person to be easily deceived by sweet-talk, yet she found it so hard to resist the sugar-coated bullets Aozawa sent her way.

That damn Aozawa!

Phoenix Academy Maggie grew furious just thinking about it. The more patient she acted towards Ayatsuki Ayaka, the stronger the force she applied with her hand.

Aozawa was grateful that his physical condition was much better now than before. To him, such an attack felt like nothing more than a spa massage.

「After a long while.」

Phoenix Academy Maggie stepped out of the Human Observation Society’s gate, releasing a sigh of relief. She no longer needed to continue tutoring Ayatsuki Ayaka.

That girl is too much trouble—troublesome as a rival in love, and even more so when tutoring her. Those calls of ’Aozawa Kariyasu,’ ’Aozawa Nobunaga’—wasn’t she subtly flaunting their relationship to me?

Phoenix Academy Maggie had the feeling of shooting herself in the foot and felt emotionally drained. If I had known it would turn out like this, I never should have suggested that study method.

"Phoenix Academy, thank you so much for today! I feel confident about passing now!"

Ayatsuki Ayaka clenched her fists. For the first time in her life, she felt knowledge being stored in her brain, filling her with confidence for tomorrow’s final exams. As long as it was Japanese history, she definitely had the ability to pass.

Then, Sister Ayaka could no longer call her a failure. Ayatsuki Ayaka was also eager to slap Sister Ayaka’s face with a passing exam paper to wipe away past humiliations.

"Hmm."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded. If others talked about just passing, she would scoff, thinking it was nothing remarkable. But Ayatsuki Ayaka passing sounded like an amazing feat.

"I need to catch my train, so I’ll leave first."

Phoenix Academy Maggie didn’t want to stay and watch them being lovey-dovey, so she hurried forward.

Ayatsuki Ayaka watched her leaving figure, hesitating. The demon Saeko and the angel Iroha were at odds in her mind. The former suggested she needn’t mind Phoenix Academy Maggie and should take the chance to chat with Aozawa. The latter thought it would be better to have Aozawa see Phoenix Academy Maggie off. After all, Maggie had gone to great lengths to tutor her. The last person who had tutored her, Sister Ayaka, had ended up raging on the spot, nearly turning into a King Kong roaring right there. But Phoenix Academy Maggie tutored her without raising her voice once, showing great patience. Even though the two were romantic rivals, if the other party could treat her like this, couldn’t she be a little more generous?

"Aozawa, I still need to find Saeko and the others. Could you see Phoenix Academy Maggie off for me?"

"Since Iroha asked, I’ll definitely do it."

Aozawa pinched her nose, sighing inwardly. Ayatsuki Ayaka was making progress in getting closer to Phoenix Academy Maggie, and he believed her sincerity would be enough to melt the young lady’s heart. That would bring closer the day they could all sleep under one big quilt.

"Go ahead."

Ayatsuki Ayaka waved her hand with a gallant expression, feeling sour inside. I’m such an idiot...

Aozawa jogged to catch up.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Phoenix Academy Maggie slowed down. She was secretly delighted but maintained a calm expression as she asked, "Aren’t you going to stay with your girlfriend?"

"Firstly, Iroha and I are not officially dating. Secondly, she asked me to see you off."

Aozawa didn’t hide the fact that Ayatsuki Ayaka had asked him to accompany the young lady.

Phoenix Academy Maggie’s inner joy vanished instantly. She pursed her lips and said, "I see. That makes sense. You wouldn’t have escorted me if she hadn’t asked."

"Maggie, don’t dwell on ’what ifs.’ Iroha asked me to see you off, and that’s a solid fact," Aozawa replied with a smile. He then asked, "Do you have any plans for this summer vacation?"

"Yes, my family has a private beach in Kanagawa, and the manga club plans to hold a training camp there. Would you like to come over and be a handyman?" Phoenix Academy Maggie’s invitation carried a hint of sharpness, as the anger in her heart had not completely subsided.

Aozawa smiled. "It would be my honor to serve as the young lady’s handyman. Please, allow me to accompany you."

"Hmph, always so smooth-talking. I wouldn’t dare ask you to do anything." Phoenix Academy Maggie’s pursed lips curved into a slight smile; she inwardly enjoyed such words.

"When is it?"

"We’ll have to see." Phoenix Academy Maggie was uncertain. Her mother’s schedule wasn’t in front of her, so she didn’t know which day she would be free to relax. Hopefully, it would be soon.