The spacious office suddenly felt somewhat cramped, and the chilled air from the air conditioner seemed to solidify, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

Jack didn't know what expression to show.

Even if he was slow on the uptake, he realized that John's promotion to branch chief wasn't just because of the intelligence he provided—there were likely more significant factors at play.

Those factors were probably related to what Morimoto Chiyoda had done.

"I see. Then come back once you're done with the matter," John said. Having been in a position of power for a long time, any loss of composure on his part was momentary. He quickly suppressed it, ending the conversation in a mild tone.

In his view, Morimoto Chiyoda wasn't qualified to bear his wrath.

"No problem."

The call was abruptly terminated.

John's face, already so dark it was expressionless, now held an even more ghastly, icy gloom.

Jack sat down, hands on his knees, like a student bracing for a teacher's punishment.

Every move he made exuded obedience.

"Your subordinate is quite capable," John said, his face stern, the words seeming to be ripped from his throat. "I had already worked out the terms with Lord. Now that the FBI has stepped in and arrested him, it's tantamount to a death sentence for his political career."

"Morimoto is clueless about the severity. I'll be sure to reprimand her harshly later!" Jack exclaimed, fire in his eyes but a thrill in his heart.

That bastard Lord was the superior who cuckolded him, wasn't he? That damned pair... After he started thriving, he hadn't forced the woman to give up her assets and marry some random man. His excuse was that his power fell short of Lord's—not any magnanimity on his part. If he ever got the chance, he'd love nothing more than to destroy Lord, and that bitch too.

John glanced at him and nodded. "You don't need to be too harsh. The task force is, after all, a meritorious department. We need her to do her job."

"Yes, I will follow your orders in all matters," Jack quickly backtracked. He had never intended to punish Morimoto Chiyoda in the first place.

John moved on to the main topic. "I have already recommended you for the position of chief of the CIA Japanese Branch."

"Chief, I will always remember the guidance you've provided me!" Jack said, rising to his feet. He had finally reached the position he had longed for.

John's expression remained grave as he said solemnly, "There's word from headquarters that the KGB has sent Bruno to Japan to covertly expand its influence."

"That traitor? I promise I'll catch him and avenge Chief Keith!"

John shot him a sidelong glance.

Jack faltered, then quickly corrected himself, "I mean, to erase that disgrace for our CIA."

John smiled. "As branch chief, you'll have many responsibilities. Among them, the Dio matter is paramount; no mistakes will be tolerated. Also, keep a close watch on the Takamagahara Project. After we've dealt Japan such a heavy blow, they might not be willing to swallow this indignity quietly."

"Please be assured, Chief, I'll make them understand how to be a good dog," Jack said, thumping his chest in assurance.

John nodded. "It's getting late. I'll transfer some relevant materials to you. There are also some people I need to introduce you to."

"Yes."

Jack opened the door attentively. If he had a tail, it would be wagging hard enough to beat a drum.

「...」

After about an hour and a half of meticulous selection, Phoenix Academy Maggie finally chose outfits for the two of them.

The moment they stepped out of the mall, Hojo Tetsuji looked up, feeling an urge to cry.

"Finally, freedom!"

Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced at him and said irritably, "Is it really that dramatic?"

"Of course! I can't imagine why buying a shirt and pants would take so incredibly long!"

Hojo Tetsuji hadn't felt this tired even when building a raft on an uninhabited island. It wasn't just physical exhaustion but mental fatigue as well; he felt like a puppet, or a doll in a playhouse, constantly being dressed up. Sometimes, even when he thought an outfit was fine, she would veto his choice. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Aozawa, I'm amazed you can stand it."

"You don't appreciate how lucky you are," Aozawa said with a smile. "The line of guys wanting Maggie to help them pick out clothes would stretch from Ayase to Shinjuku. What do you have to complain about?"

His feelings for her made even this tedious shopping trip meaningful. He loved watching Phoenix Academy Maggie meticulously pick out clothes for him, and the smile that lit up her face when she found something she liked. She was doing this for him; he had no reason to complain.

Phoenix Academy Maggie's eyes crinkled, her heart feeling as if it were filled with sweet honey. She patted Aozawa's shoulder and muttered, "You and your silver tongue. No wonder you swept Ayatsuki off her feet and left her completely disoriented. Playboy…"

Then, glancing at Hojo Tetsuji, her tone became firm. "Saturday afternoon, remember to shave your beard and take off those sunglasses. This weekend, wear the clothes I picked for you, and I guarantee Little Sayuri will be smitten."

"Really?" Hojo Tetsuji touched his beard, feeling a little insecure.

Aozawa said reflexively, "Don't worry, Little Sayuri won't call you cute."

Phoenix Academy Maggie's eyes reflected a hint of confusion. "Is being called cute a bad thing?"

"For guys, it's a terrible word!" Hojo Tetsuji retorted loudly, slapping his forehead. Though his sunglasses hid the doubt in his eyes, they couldn't conceal it in his voice. "Aozawa, do you know something?"

"I don't know," Aozawa said, spreading his hands.

Their exchange only fueled Phoenix Academy Maggie's curiosity. "What on earth are you two talking about?" she asked.

"It's nothing! Haha, I'm heading back first!" Hojo Tetsuji quickly changed the subject and bolted.

Phoenix Academy Maggie gave Aozawa a sidelong glance. "You better come clean," she demanded.

Aozawa shook his head.

Phoenix Academy Maggie pinched the skin at his waist between her thumb and forefinger. She didn't apply pressure, just rubbed lightly through his clothes, as if contemplating something mischievous.

"I'm a man of principle," Aozawa stated first, then continued with a knowing look, "I would never reveal a friend's embarrassing past. However, I did hear about a little boy once, so adorable that his mother and sister tricked him into wearing girls' clothes. He was adored by adults outside the home. Until one day, his kindergarten classmates found out and dubbed him 'the Little Prince in a Pink Skirt'."

"Haha!" The mere thought of Hojo Tetsuji in girls' clothes made Phoenix Academy Maggie burst into laughter. "No way! Tetsuji actually wore girls' clothes?"

"Maggie, I never said that boy was Tetsuji."

"Hahaha, I get it! You're so wicked!" Phoenix Academy Maggie shot him a playful, reproachful look.

Aozawa feigned injury. "And who do you think pressured me into revealing such a thing?"

"I have no idea," Phoenix Academy Maggie hummed, crossing her arms behind her back, and walked towards the train station with a cheerful stride.

Aozawa followed her. "Don't you want to shop a little longer?" he asked with a smile.

"No, I have to be home on time." Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head, then glanced at the shopping bags. "Remember to toss these in the washing machine when you get back. Wash and dry them thoroughly. You absolutely must wear them this weekend."

"Don't worry." Aozawa nodded. His gaze swept around. "It's so hot today. Let me buy you a milk tea."

Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced over; the milk tea shop wasn't crowded. "Okay," she nodded.

"What flavor do you want?"

"Anything," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied vaguely.

Aozawa scanned the pictures of milk teas and pointed to one. "Then how about this tiger stripe brown sugar milk tea?"

"Hmm, I think that might be too sweet," Phoenix Academy Maggie said, shaking her head.

Aozawa felt the weight of the word 'anything.' He turned to see Phoenix Academy Maggie stifling a laugh. She poked his cheek with her forefinger. "Did you just feel the pressure?" she teased.

"No. If you don't like it, we can pick another one."

"I said anything is fine! The tiger stripe brown sugar milk tea it is. I was just teasing you," Phoenix Academy Maggie said, laughing triumphantly, pleased she had managed to fluster Aozawa. She was certain that, for a moment there, he had been utterly bewildered.

"You two are so close," the clerk remarked with obvious envy.

Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't comment.

Aozawa ordered a pineapple Calpis tea, tacitly acknowledging their closeness.

「...」

They each took their drink and went outside the station.

Aozawa had already finished his drink. Now, he held the empty cup, fruitlessly searching for a trash can.

Phoenix Academy Maggie's milk tea still looked about half full.

"Alright, you can head back from here. See you tomorrow." Phoenix Academy Maggie waved, then playfully poked his forehead with her finger, emphasizing, "And remember, don't be late for class again tomorrow!"

"But I *am* a good student!" Aozawa replied ambiguously.

Phoenix Academy Maggie narrowed her eyes, discerning the subtext in his words. She gave a cold snort and, without another word, turned and walked into the train station.

As she waited on the platform for the train, a tall foreigner materialized behind her, moving as silently as a ghost. "Young lady," he said, "you and that young man aren't dating, are you?"

"Mike, don't speak out of turn." Phoenix Academy Maggie's smile vanished instantly. She reverted to the aloof young lady, her demeanor a clear 'strangers keep out' sign.

She enjoyed laughing, but her laughter was reserved for her friends, for Aozawa. In front of strangers, Phoenix Academy Maggie maintained her usual cold, tight-lipped expression.

"Understood." Mike shrugged. He didn't need a direct answer; the shift in her attitude from moments before made their relationship abundantly clear.

What surprised him was that this young lady, for all her astuteness, was also so clearly smitten. Coming from humble beginnings, Mike knew all too well the insurmountable gulf between financial conglomerates and ordinary people. Only naive teenagers believed love could bridge such a chasm. Indeed, even the brightest young lady is still, at heart, a young lady. The madam is truly the most captivating woman in the world, Mike mused with a sigh.

Phoenix Academy Maggie stood on the platform, taking a sip of her milk tea. The sweet sensation spread from her tongue to her mind. Her thoughts drifted with the breeze as she eagerly anticipated seeing Aozawa tomorrow, hoping he wouldn't be late again.