The Ferris wheel is really nice.

It's also because the right person is with me on the Ferris wheel.

When I'm with Aozawa, I don't need to think too much; everything is so peaceful and comforting.

When I think about Aozawa two-timing, it doesn't really affect my daily interactions with him.

If I don't reflect on it later, I wouldn't even feel that Aozawa is two-timing.

The emotional value is maxed out.

It seems I can accept being with Morimoto Chiyoda, Ayatsuki, and others...

Such thoughts briefly flash in my mind, only to be extinguished by Phoenix Academy Maggie.

But not entirely extinguished, leaving a small flame burning in my heart.

With this experience of Aozawa two-timing not affecting my interactions with him, slowly, I might truly change.

Thinking of how I might change in the future, I can't help but recall my past resolve.

In a trance, Phoenix Academy Maggie feels like she's standing at a crossroads.

The past self shouts loudly, "Do not give up, do not have regrets."

Her life and love must be 100% perfect, unlike the ordinary masses.

The future self seems to say, "That's life, nobody can achieve 100% perfection.

Even she cannot escape a life with regrets."

Phoenix Academy Maggie becomes deeply thoughtful, unable to make a decision for a long time.

The car stops.

Miwa Kazuki glances back at Phoenix Academy Maggie, hesitates for a moment, and then says, "Miss, we've arrived at the North Wing of Honmaru Palace."

"Hmm?"

Phoenix Academy Maggie snaps back to reality, suddenly realizing something is off, and asks in confusion, "Why are we here?"

Miwa Kazuki gently reminds her, "I should have told you earlier that Madam asked you to attend a meeting."

"Oh."

Phoenix Academy Maggie pats her forehead, showing an apologetic face, and says, "Sorry, I was distracted just now and didn't catch what you said at all."

"No problem."

Miwa Kazuki quickly gets out of the car, opens the door for her, and lowers his eyes to his toes, thinking, the young lady was so lost in thought that she didn't hear.

What on earth is troubling her?

It must be love.

He is surprised that even someone like the young lady could fall into love troubles.

But then, thinking that a teenage girl getting entangled in such matters is nothing unusual.

Phoenix Academy Maggie is unaware of the little drama Miwa Kazuki has conjured in his mind as she enters the North Wing of Honmaru Palace.

The officer waiting at the door leads her all the way to the meeting room.

Upon reaching the door, the officer opens it.

The meeting inside falls momentarily silent, as pairs of eyes glance over.

Phoenix Academy Maggie walks in and glances over at them too.

The people in the meeting room are all close aides of her mother.

Among them are Takeda Eijiro, Minister of Labour of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Sugihara Yasunobu, commander of the First Division, Kozakai Kaito, Minister of Finance, and five others.

Kochou sits at the head, without much chitchat, just a glance that invites her to sit by her side.

This familiar attitude makes Phoenix Academy Maggie slightly startled.

She doesn't know what happened but is delighted to see her mother revert to this unpretentious stance.

Compared to fake friendliness, this genuine aloofness suits her better.

Of course, she's not inclined towards masochism; it's just that she finds a more comfortable attitude between the two.

If her mother could sincerely express warmth, she wouldn't find it uncomfortable.

Phoenix Academy Maggie walks forward and sits in her seat.

The meeting on-site continues.

Sitting in, Phoenix Academy Maggie more or less understands what's going on; Dio has actually found her mother.

And talked about the Subspace issues.

After learning this, she somewhat understands where her mother's change in mood stems from.

Probably because Dio's backing makes her mother feel her position is rock-solid, with no wavering.

Phoenix Academy Maggie breathes a sigh of relief; she truly wants to thank Dio for turning the tide between her and her mother.

However, the cost is that the negative energy of the Subspace might give birth to a Demon God.

Which is not a good thing either.

Phoenix Academy Maggie feels heavy-hearted but does not comment on the matter.

Mainly because those present have brought up all the issues she can think of, and there are solutions for all that can be resolved.

As for unresolved issues,

No one can deal with them.

Even Dio can only use methods like governing the nation to delay the birth of the Chaotic Demon God.

Others are even less capable of eradicating the Chaotic Demon God from the root, only reducing negative emotions through state governance.

But the state's matters can't be cleared up in a short time.

They've made a good start, but it will take years, even decades, to implement good policies effectively at the grassroots level.

It's not that once a policy is set, it can immediately take effect, allowing everyone to live a good life.

Time is needed.

But will the Chaotic Demon God give them time?

This is the doubt troubling those present.

Perhaps only the high and mighty Dio knows.

...

Ring ring ring. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Ikebukuro Section 3, the sixth floor of a luxury apartment.

A blonde woman rests her feet on a stool, wearing a black and red Gothic dress, monitoring a nearby izakaya via surveillance.

The phone on the round table rings, and Emily, not paying much attention, focuses on the screen; she picks up the phone and slides her thumb, "Hello, what do you want?"

"Emily, I have important information to tell you."

A soft and charming voice comes from the other side of the phone, making Emily's face light up with excitement; she pulls her feet off the stool and says, "Have you found any clues related to Institute No. 47?"

Though she has already captured the whereabouts of a suspected relevant suspect, this monitoring task requires patience and time.

Emily is not without patience; she once laid in wait for a target for three months.

But if she could achieve her goal without needing patience, Emily would naturally choose the latter.

To hell with patience.

"No, it's about Dio."

Hearing this answer, Emily slightly frowns; she hasn't completely dismissed the suspicion of Aozawa being Dio.

Yet in her heart, she is 90% sure that the obedient child has little to do with Dio.

The lack of complete dismissal is a detective's quality.

One needs to see evidence.

But her current understanding still stands that Dio ascended to Paradise.

"What could He be up to?"

"Just now Dio met with Kochou to discuss the Subspace issues, and the excess negative emotions might lead to the birth of a Chaotic Demon God, more terrifying than monsters."

"Huh?"

Emily is instantly drawn to this piece of news, diverting her attention from the surveillance footage, "Tell me the story in complete detail."

On the other side of the phone, Morimoto Chiyoda explains the entire affair, and meanwhile, Emily doesn't idle — she pours herself a cup of aromatic black tea, savoring it leisurely.

The sugar absorbed by her tongue helps her better contemplate the matters Morimoto Chiyoda is explaining.

"I see, I understand now."

Emily puts down her black tea, crosses her legs, and says, "This really is troublesome, involving two worlds.

Whether Japan is truly a crucial node, who can tell if Kochou is lying?"

"Indeed."

Morimoto Chiyoda sighs.

If it's just about Japan, countries would naturally contribute funds to greatly improve the lives of Japanese citizens.

But since it concerns the world, countries naturally wouldn't choose to do such a thing.

Regarding Kochou's claim that Japan is a pivotal node, they might not necessarily believe it.

"We also need to be cautious of anyone who might want to accelerate the birth of the Chaotic Demon God."

"Uh-huh."

Morimoto Chiyoda agrees with Emily's statement.

Dio's ascension left few beneficiaries.

Those who want to change themselves, upon learning of the Chaotic Demon God's existence, may desire to achieve merit by aligning with such power.

After all, it's the Chaotic Demon God.

Perhaps its power isn't much weaker than Dio's after ascending to Paradise.

"You prioritize those things; I'll continue handling my matters."

Emily doesn't want to give up her current target.

She also believes her help would be limited regarding such matters and prefers not to involve herself in that chaos.

Morimoto Chiyoda laughs softly and says, "I'm just informing you, I'll hang up first."

"Goodbye."

Emily hangs up the phone and continues watching the surveillance.