Third floor, Manga Club.

The afternoon tea party was held as scheduled. Although called a tea party, it actually involved the three of them each bringing out snacks and pairing them with juice from the vending machine, munching on snacks while chatting.

Even though they had just eaten lunch not too long ago.

But snacks are called snacks precisely because people still have the appetite to eat even after a meal.

Senbei, spicy strips, potato chips, and pastries as exquisite as works of art were the post-meal snacks provided by the three, showing the difference between Phoenix Academy Maggie and the other two.

This was still Phoenix Academy Maggie choosing the most ordinary kind, considering the family situations of the other two.

She considered single-handedly providing all the desserts for the tea party but was rejected by the other two.

It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

If they didn't pair their ordinary snacks like spicy strips and senbei, and only ate the exquisite pastries and desserts provided by Phoenix Academy Maggie.

They might not have the confidence to continue enjoying their own snacks afterwards.

After all, they weren't from the same kind of family background as Phoenix Academy Maggie.

For rich people to eat cabbage, it's called health maintenance.

For ordinary people to eat cabbage, it's called being poor.

Phoenix Academy Maggie is able to enjoy the snacks they choose because she always has the ability to eat something better.

It's not because she can only eat those snacks.

Occasionally, being downwardly compatible isn't a difficult thing.

"Maggie, you made a strong move today. What do you plan to do next?"

Nomura True Wave put down the orange juice in her hand, asking out of curiosity.

This question had been on her mind all morning, she hadn't asked until now to avoid anyone eavesdropping.

Yoshikawa Sayuri beside her also looked expectant.

Their reactions left Phoenix Academy Maggie a bit dumbfounded, so she said honestly, "I just wanted to give Aozawa a gift, there's no plan for the next step."

"Eh~"

Nomura True Wave looked surprised and said, "I thought you wanted to send a watch to declare your sovereignty, to let Morimoto Chiyoda and them know you gave a gift to Aozawa."

"You've overthought it."

Phoenix Academy Maggie waved her hand, she simply thought about it while working on a case, realizing she hadn't given any gift to Aozawa, so she wanted to give a watch.

Her thoughts were focused on choosing the watch and Aozawa's reaction, wondering if he would like it, without considering Aozawa wearing the watch.

She hadn't thought about how Morimoto Chiyoda and others would view the watch, or if it would start a gift-giving competition.

However, Phoenix Academy Maggie thought, even if she explained she had no such intention, Morimoto Chiyoda wouldn't believe her.

When that woman sees the watch, she'll definitely assume it's a challenge.

That's not bad either.

Phoenix Academy Maggie slightly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled, "Makoto, your words reminded me.

I imagine her face will change significantly when she sees the watch, heh heh."

"Sometimes, I really admire your optimistic spirit."

Nomura True Wave sighed deeply.

In her view, Phoenix Academy Maggie was the type who could lose everything but still be pleased with a single leaf.

What powerful optimism that is!

"Nonsense!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie could hear the sarcasm in her friend's words, blushed, and retorted, then to cover her embarrassment, she took a sip of orange juice from the can and changed the topic, "How are things developing with Furusawa Kyoichiro?"

"No progress at all, I've always said we're just childhood friends."

Nomura True Wave reiterated this point again.

Yoshikawa Sayuri's gaze swept back and forth between the two, suddenly having a moment of enlightenment, she exclaimed joyfully, "In terms of relationships, it looks like I'm way ahead of you guys."

The two fell into silence upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Yoshikawa Sayuri became more animated, "You know, you should stop spouting all those grand principles and theories, and start putting some into practice."

Given her close relationship with Hojo Tetsuji, there was nothing much they could refute about what she said.

The one originally seen as the least adept ended up having the most successful love life.

Phoenix Academy Maggie couldn't help but ponder if she should strike while the iron is hot.

Hmm, maybe find some time on Saturday or Sunday to ask Aozawa out, see when he's available.

Phoenix Academy Maggie thought about these things, then mentioned a new topic, no longer discussing things that made her feel awkward.

Starting today, she vowed to catch up earnestly.

...

Time quietly passed by.

The sound of the school bell echoed around campus, and Natsuka Yanagimachi didn't plan to follow Hojo Shouko to the Guzheng Club as usual.

Hojo Shouko didn't mind, but Natsuka Yanagimachi felt awkward.

She didn't like being silent and not talking when with acquaintances.

The problem was the current situation made it hard for Natsuka Yanagimachi to come up with interesting topics to discuss with Hojo Shouko as usual.

This lady's suggestion was like a devil, clinging tightly to Natsuka Yanagimachi's mind.

So much so that she couldn't focus on the afternoon classes.

Although Natsuka Yanagimachi usually didn't pay much attention to learning during classes, this time her distraction was definitely not her own fault, it was all due to Hojo Shouko's difficult proposal.

"Shouko, I'm heading back today."

"Mm."

Hojo Shouko nodded, knowing well that her friend needed some time to think it through.

She also believed the other would eventually agree.

No girl in this world could resist the charm of Aozawa-senpai!

That was a fact Hojo Shouko firmly believed in.

Of course, it's not easy to accept the reality of Aozawa-senpai having several love interests simultaneously.

Hojo Shouko carried her bag, and together with Natsuka Yanagimachi, they walked to the shoe cabinet area, changed into outdoor shoes, and both stepped out of the teaching building. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Guzheng Club usually consisted of the two of them.