CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 467 MAGGIE IS NOT A DELICATE YOUNG LADY_1

THUMP.

The brown baseball bat in Aozawa’s hands came down heavily, accurately striking the top of the watermelon. The force split it cleanly, pieces falling onto the white gravel.

Aozawa pulled off the blindfold, a smile spreading across his face. "Haha, I hit it!" he said. "Pretty strong, huh?"

"So impressive!"

Yoshikawa Sayuri clapped her hands eagerly, fully expressing her excitement and joy.

Hojo Tetsuji felt quite frustrated. He had also tried swinging blindfolded, but he couldn’t find the watermelon at all and only managed to leave a bat-shaped dent in the sand.

Aozawa glanced at Phoenix Academy Maggie, a hint of pride in his eyes, causing her to roll her eyes and huff, saying, "Average."

"The young lady’s standards are certainly high," Nomura True Wave said, spreading her arms and earning a sharp glare from Phoenix Academy Maggie.

Yoshikawa Sayuri rushed forward impatiently, bending down to pick up a slice of watermelon. She took a big bite; the flesh was refreshingly cold, flooding her taste buds with an indescribable sweetness.

Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. "I’ve never had watermelon this good!" she exclaimed.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

A hint of curiosity flashed across Nomura True Wave’s face. She picked up a piece of watermelon, took a bite, and her body suddenly straightened, her chest rising sharply as she gasped, "Delicious!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie tucked a stray curl behind her ear, smiling as she began, "Of course, the watermelon I eat is—hey, at least save some for me!"

Mid-sentence, seeing the two of them devouring the watermelon like locusts, she stopped her explanation and hurried to grab a piece lest they eat it all.

Aozawa tossed aside the baseball bat and also took a bite. Now I understand why Yoshikawa Sayuri and Nomura True Wave were so eager.

The watermelon was indeed very sweet, but not cloyingly so. The flesh was incredibly refreshing. It was so juicy, one bite practically melted in the mouth.

He didn’t fight them for it, allowing them to eat a few more slices.

...

Time quietly approached noon.

The sunshine on the beach grew hotter, and even the seagulls that had been dancing in the sky had disappeared.

The surface of the azure sea felt a bit warm; only beneath the waves could one feel a refreshing coolness.

The group didn’t continue their games, choosing instead to head to the castle for lunch.

Leaving the sun-drenched white beach behind, they entered the cool, verdant jungle, where a path paved with green stones led to the castle.

Tall trees blocked the sunlight, casting only shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze caressed their faces. Yoshikawa Sayuri hummed a tune, striding ahead with enthusiasm, not feeling tired in the least.

She looked around excitedly, observing the trees and the sky, then turned back. "Maggie," she said, "this place looks so clean! There’s not even dust on the path. Do you live here often?"

"No, I might not come here even once a year," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied, her voice less firm than usual, betraying a touch of weakness. "But when I decide to come, I have people prepare everything on the island in advance. It’s not just cleaning; the equipment in the castle also needs to be checked to ensure there are no accidents."

After being busy all morning, she felt as if her energy had been completely drained. Maintaining her composure was the young lady’s last shred of dignity.

"I’m so tired! Why do we have to walk there? Can’t they send a car to pick us up?" Nomura True Wave complained, feeling like her back was about to break.

Despite her sunny and cheerful athletic appearance, Nomura True Wave actually hated sports. Her early development often attracted unwanted male attention during gym class, making her particularly averse to it. Nomura True Wave was practically allergic to all sports and had rather poor physical endurance.

Phoenix Academy Maggie’s eyes lit up. She was about to suggest calling for a car.

Yoshikawa Sayuri turned around and said, "Makoto, you’re really weak. A walk through the jungle to the castle is quite romantic, you know. You should learn from Maggie. Even a young lady like her isn’t as delicate as you are."

"Haha, indeed." Phoenix Academy Maggie could only tearfully abandon the idea of calling for a car. I can’t let Little Sayuri say I’m weak.

Nomura True Wave rolled her eyes and muttered irritably, "What’s so romantic about that? If a bear suddenly appeared in this jungle, I’d like to see you say that then."

Aozawa interjected, "Bear paws... I bet they’re delicious, right?"

"Ugh, why am I surrounded by physical freaks!" Nomura True Wave let out a mournful cry like a small animal. Can’t anyone sympathize with a normal person like me?

Hojo Tetsuji thought for a moment, considering True Wave’s friendship with Little Sayuri, and offered, "Then I’ll carry you to the castle."

"No way!" Yoshikawa Sayuri instinctively rejected the idea on Nomura True Wave’s behalf.

As soon as she said this, the previously exhausted-looking Nomura True Wave suddenly perked up. Sensing the scent of gossip, she smirked and said, "Little Sayuri, why not?"

"Well... this..." Yoshikawa Sayuri fumbled for words. "There’s a difference between boys and girls. How about Maggie carries you?"

"You overestimate me; I can’t carry her," Phoenix Academy Maggie said, spreading her hands, her eyes scrutinizing them. It looks like things between Little Sayuri and Tetsuji are about to blossom. The way Little Sayuri instinctively refused to let Tetsuji carry Makoto shows she has a possessive streak regarding a certain someone. If she didn’t have feelings for him, why would she have such a subconscious, possessive reaction?

"Can’t be helped, then I’ll do it," Aozawa volunteered.

Phoenix Academy Maggie didn’t hesitate for a second. She struck him in the waist with her elbow and said with a forced smile, "No need. Makoto can manage. The castle isn’t far, just through this forest."

"Right, right," Nomura True Wave nodded repeatedly, afraid that if this went on, her two friends might actually draw knives and quarter her.

...

After passing through the dense forest, they faced wide steps leading up to the castle, about twenty to thirty meters across, ascending tier by tier.

At the end stood the majestic castle. Its thick, solid gates, made of iron and bronze, were engraved with exquisite patterns and the Phoenix Academy’s crest. They were at least eight or nine meters tall.

The castle itself was constructed from massive, greyish-blue stones, exuding a heavy sense of history.

The high spires seemed to pierce the azure sky, and the stained-glass windows refracted the sunlight into a myriad of colors.

"Wow!" Yoshikawa Sayuri looked up, her face filled with awe.

Phoenix Academy Maggie patted the back of her head and said, "Don’t delay, I’m hungry."

"Okay!" Yoshikawa Sayuri smiled and hurriedly hopped up the stairs.

Nomura True Wave glanced enviously at Yoshikawa Sayuri’s chest. So this is when having a small chest is an advantage, huh? she thought. It allowed Yoshikawa Sayuri to hop up the stairs unhindered, while she herself had to trudge up slowly, one step at a time.

Aozawa, watching the equally slow Phoenix Academy Maggie ascend the steps, chuckled, "Maggie, do you want me to carry you up?"

"No need." Phoenix Academy Maggie glared at him. It wasn’t that she was trying to act tough; rather, with others present, she felt too embarrassed to let Aozawa carry her.

The mere thought of the potential odd looks from Nomura True Wave and Yoshikawa Sayuri makes my cheeks burn. Darn it, I’m still too thin-skinned about these things, no thicker than a paper napkin! Phoenix Academy Maggie sighed internally.

Seeing this, Aozawa quickly climbed the steps, reaching the castle gate first. He was about to push it open.

However, although the door appeared old, it was actually very new.

The moment it sensed someone at the entrance, it automatically swung inward with a fitting creak.

The main hall inside was Gothic in style—not the dark, gloomy kind, but one of luxurious, light tones.

Colorful light streamed through the stained-glass windows in the ceiling, dappling the carpet below. Ancient weapons, shields, and portraits of the Phoenix Academy family adorned the walls.

Maids in medieval-style attire stood in attendance.

"Welcome back, Master."

"Wow, this is Maggie’s castle!" Yoshikawa Sayuri ran in excitedly, stepping on the soft carpet, then turned and said, "Makoto, quick, take some photos of me."

"Okay," Nomura True Wave responded languidly, finally reaching the top step. She stared at the scene before her, a hint of awe on her face, feeling as if she’d stepped into a medieval royal palace.

And to think, a magnificent palace like this, encompassing an entire island, might not even be inhabited once a year. The destinies of people are truly poles apart, Nomura True Wave sighed inwardly. But I have no intention of trying to curry favor with Phoenix Academy Maggie. No matter how wonderful the things others possess are, they still belong to them. It’s fine for me to look, but there’s no need to dream of having such a life myself. I can recognize reality; I don’t think I could ever achieve this kind of life with my own abilities. As for asking Phoenix Academy Maggie for help, that thought never even crossed my mind. We’re friends, not some hierarchical relationship based on mutual benefit.

Poor Aozawa. The wealthier Phoenix Academy Maggie is, the stricter her mother’s standards for choosing a husband will undoubtedly be. Nomura True Wave thought, her gaze toward Aozawa suddenly softening, sparkling with an almost maternal sympathy.

Aozawa was baffled by her expression.

...

Before eating, they went to freshen up.

However, what the young lady called ’freshening up’ was entirely different from what the other two had imagined.

Nomura True Wave pushed open the door and stared at a bath that was larger than a public swimming pool. I don’t even know what to say to this.

Yoshikawa Sayuri cheered and dived in. "Wow, Makoto, the water’s still warm!" she laughed. "Hurry up and get in!"

"Little Sayuri, you haven’t even used shampoo or body wash yet."

"Oh~ okay, hurry and put it on for me."

Yoshikawa Sayuri dog-paddled back and tilted her head up.

Phoenix Academy Maggie, wrapped in a bath towel, came over and squatted down. She squeezed out some shampoo, lathered it on Little Sayuri’s head, and asked with a smile, "Little Sayuri, do you have a thing for Tetsuji?"

"Huh!? Wh-why would you suddenly ask that!" Yoshikawa Sayuri stammered, hastily denying it. "I—I don’t feel that way! Besides, Hojo-kun already has someone he likes."

Her voice trailed off, tinged with disappointment.

Phoenix Academy Maggie and Nomura True Wave exchanged a knowing glance. Looks like there’s something to this!