Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week-Chapter 572 - 570: The Young Lady Puts Shouko in Her Place

The scorching sunlight directly hit the streets of Nishiikyo, making the road so hot it seemed you could cook an egg on it.

Outside the store it was unbearably hot, but inside, thanks to the air conditioning, it felt exceptionally cool.

Ding ding~

The doorbell rang, and Phoenix Academy Maggie pushed open the cake shop's door. The incoming cold air made the sweat on her forehead feel icy and refreshing.

Her eyes swept across the store, and various styles of birthday cakes were displayed in the glass window against the wall.

The square glass showcase housed a variety of exquisitely decorated cakes and breads.

The sweet aroma of baked cakes and bread lingered in the store. The owner of Osada Cake Shop, a woman in her forties wearing a white apron, had an ordinary figure and appearance.

Seeing the two young girls enter, the shop owner's eyes showed a hint of intrigue.

Nomura True Wave had already briefed her—whenever a shiny blonde girl walks in accompanied by a black-haired boy, she should jest about them being a couple.

Playing matchmaker was something the shop owner enjoyed doing.

But things didn't go as Nomura True Wave had planned; the blonde, princess-like girl indeed appeared, but beside her wasn't a boy but a black-haired literary girl with a similarly strong presence.

One shone brilliantly like a flame, and the other was like a stream in the mountains. What was happening here?

The owner didn't think that the boy suddenly went to Thailand. Something unexpected must have happened to the original plan.

Did the quiet girl disrupt Nomura True Wave's original plan, and are the two of them competing fiercely for a boy?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but become curious about the boy capable of creating a sense of competition between two beautiful girls.

"Ma'am, could you please bring out the birthday cake Nomura True Wave ordered?"

"Sure."

The shop owner agreed and called inside, "Honey, bring out the cake True Wave ordered."

"Alright."

Upon being called, the muscular owner emerged from the back carrying a large, three-tier cake.

He glanced around, noticed the two pretty girls standing inside, and said with composure, "This cake is a bit big. Should I deliver it to True Wave's house for you?"

His eager attitude stirred some jealousy in the shop owner.

Whenever she lifted heavy objects, she never saw him show such macho behavior. She said with a wry smile, "You really are strong!"

"I can't just let young girls carry something so heavy; what if they drop it?"

The owner's expression became even more righteous. He genuinely wanted to show his manliness in front of the young, beautiful girls and had no ulterior motives.

A simple compliment like "Uncle, you're amazing" would be enough to satisfy him.

That's how easily men find joy.

"No need, we can handle it."

Phoenix Academy Maggie declined his offer with a smile, earning a look of envy from Hojo Shouko. She would have refused too, but her rejection wouldn't have been nearly as forceful or commanding.

Her refusals always sounded soft, lacking conviction.

"Alright, let me at least pack it for you."

He settled for the next best thing, promptly grabbing a bag to package the cake and even added an outer layer to prevent it from tearing.

The shop owner continued smiling, though her teeth were nearly clenched to pieces.

She had never seen such meticulous care extended to her before.

Oh no, back in their youth, he used to be this attentive, missing not even a crack.

Now, once a month is a blessing.

Tonight, she was determined to squeeze every bit out of this strong owner!

The shop owner resolved firmly in her heart.

When the owner handed the cake to the two girls, he unexpectedly felt a chill at his waist, shivered, and escorted them out of the cake shop. Only then did he notice the shop owner's predatory gaze directed at him.

Feeling a shiver run through his spine, he thought, "I'm doomed."

...

The birthday cake was quite heavy.

The two of them each held onto one side.

Phoenix Academy Maggie walked ahead.

Upon leaving the store, she felt the heat outside again. The cicadas' song drifting from someone's yard couldn't, as usual, make her want to enjoy the summer symphony leisurely.

The quiet atmosphere was something Hojo Shouko was well accustomed to.

Phoenix Academy Maggie, however, felt uncomfortable.

If they kept going like this in silence, they'd eventually just reach True Wave's house.

She hadn't gone out only to take over the task of picking up the birthday cake from Aozawa.

Thinking for a moment, she said without looking back, "Shouko, why are you attending this birthday party?"

The sudden question drifting over, like the cicada's song in the wind, left Hojo Shouko dazed.

She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Lying wasn't something she wanted to do.

"Phoenix Academy's Senior, do I have to answer that question?"

She didn't give a direct answer, yet it was enough for Phoenix Academy Maggie to guess that Hojo Shouko's thoughts were likely due to hearing about Tetsuji and Little Sayuri's matchmaking efforts.

So she intentionally stirs trouble?

No, it doesn't feel like that.

But irrespective of the reason, the sisterly bond seemed unlikely to continue beyond this.

Even if it's a friend's sister, wanting to compete with her for Aozawa is impossible to do without emotions involved.

When facing an enemy, one must unsheathe their sword.

This is the principle Phoenix Academy Maggie has always been taught.

How should she unsheathe her sword?

Phoenix Academy Maggie thought about these things in her mind.

To directly explain Aozawa's criteria for choosing a partner to this person feels a bit dangerous. Ayatsuki Ayaka could accept that seemingly absurd suggestion, couldn't Shouko not?

This person isn't the assertive type either.

She could see that Hojo Shouko's feelings were very reserved, and she probably hadn't yet made that step to express them to Aozawa, only holding onto a vague notion.

If she were to break this sense of vagueness herself, it might lead to even worse results.

"There's no need to answer. You should know about me and Aozawa from Tetsuji, right?"

"Yes, Brother wants to match you with Aozawa-senpai."

Hojo Shouko answered softly.

Phoenix Academy Maggie stopped in her tracks and turned around. Her eyes became extremely sharp, like an unsheathed sword scraping against Hojo Shouko's cheek.

The silent gaze put pressure on Hojo Shouko.

"If you know, that's even better. You're Hojo's sister, and I hope you can also be my sister, not anything else, understand?"

"Yes."

Hojo Shouko's tone was somewhat disappointed.

She understood that she could not compete with the flashy young lady in front of her; their dazzling personalities were vastly different.

Seeing her like this, Phoenix Academy Maggie's heart was like stone, without any sympathy, and she nodded, "It's good that you understand. Let's go, we shouldn't keep them waiting too long."

"Okay."

Hojo Shouko continued to follow her forward.

Phoenix Academy Maggie turned around, breathing a long sigh of relief in her heart.

She was really afraid this person would be like Ayatsuki Ayaka, fearless due to ignorance. Being able to press things down like this could be considered the best outcome.

If they revealed everything, it would become a bit difficult.

Given Aozawa's personality, Phoenix Academy Maggie could easily imagine that he wouldn't mind going from three boats to four.

She really fell for an incredible guy.

But, after all, he's an Angel Envoy, and the customs of the Different World are somewhat different from here.

Yet, he forgot so many things from the Different World, except for the clear memory of being able to marry several wives.

Ha, men.

Phoenix Academy Maggie sneered internally.

...

Time passed, the three-layered birthday cake was finished, and everyone played for a while longer. It wasn't until 4 PM that they all went home.

Phoenix Academy Maggie never got a chance to be alone with Aozawa. Although she enjoyed playing with everyone, she missed the pleasure of having private conversations with just the two of them.

There was no helping it, since she used the excuse of a birthday party to gather everyone, the world for two that she could have enjoyed was inadvertently disrupted by Hojo Shouko.

The biggest achievement of this birthday party was discovering a potential love rival and successfully suppressing it.

Phoenix Academy Maggie sat on the train back to Chiyoda District.

Her phone chimed softly, and she opened it to find a message from Yoshikawa Sayuri, "I'm sorry, Maggie, it was all my fault for being too stupid, the sweet scene with you and Aozawa failed."

"It's okay, I had a lot of fun today as well."

Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't mind her mistake; instead, she thanked her, "Little Sayuri, I'm really glad you thought of this for me, truly, thank you."

Even though things went wrong this time, Phoenix Academy Maggie could imagine how much effort Little Sayuri and Tetsuji put into it behind the scenes.

But given their personalities and way of thinking, accomplishing something without any mishaps was still a bit challenging.

However, ignoring their feelings just because of a mistake would clearly be a very foolish thing to do.

Phoenix Academy Maggie's expectations for friends and subordinates were completely different.

Mistakes from subordinates need to be harshly criticized.

But for friends, making mistakes is acceptable.

"Yes! I'll keep trying next time!"

"Regarding this matter, I think it might be better for you to relax a little."

Phoenix Academy Maggie truly feared that Little Sayuri's help would always backfire and assist the rival instead.

That kind of reverse stab, once is okay, but if it happens repeatedly, she couldn't handle it.

A sad rabbit emoji was sent over.

Seeing the emoji from Little Sayuri, Phoenix Academy Maggie quickly comforted her, "Little Sayuri, everyone has things they're good at and capable of doing.

For me, standing firmly on my side and cheering me on is your biggest support.

So, just cheer for me loudly!"

"Yes! Maggie, I understand what you mean, keep fighting!"

"I will do my best!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie sent back a blazing flame emoji, feeling relieved.

Leaning back, her thoughts turned to health checks, hoping they would detect any anomalies.

She didn't miss the panda but missed that feeling of flying power.