It was the first time Phoenix Academy Maggie had ever distributed flyers.

She had thought it would be an easy job, imagining she could hand out all the flyers in her possession in no time.

But she had clearly underestimated the difficulty of the task.

The passersby showed no intention of stopping; perhaps it was a mismatch of expectations.

When she offered the flyers to men, their expressions would first flicker with excitement. Then, upon seeing the content, their interest would wane, and they would walk away coldly.

Adults are just so realistic.

Phoenix Academy Maggie knew they were hoping to see something unsuitable for children on the flyers.

What a bunch of perverts.

Phoenix Academy Maggie thought this, her facial expression unchanging. In her view, putting on a fake smile and feigning pleasantries for such a trivial matter was simply too cheap.

In the business world, deals worth several hundred million yen couldn’t even make her crack a smile. Only long-term collaborations promising profits in the tens of billions were worthy of the young lady’s insincerity.

The summer sun blazed down. Phoenix Academy Maggie walked around the street, yet not a single flyer from her stack had been handed out.

Her only gain was a sheen of sweat.

"Would you like some orange juice?"

Aozawa offered her a can. Phoenix Academy Maggie sat on the edge of a flower bed, placed the flyers beside her, and asked, "How did you do?"

"Not many left."

"Really?"

Phoenix Academy Maggie then noticed his stack of flyers had become very thin. "Aozawa, how did you beg people to take them?"

"Don’t use the word ’beg.’ Who hands out flyers like you, with such a stiff face? You look like you’re handing out paychecks with that high-and-mighty expression."

As Aozawa spoke, he reached out and pinched her soft cheek, gently pulling up the corners of her lips. "You need to smile. That’s how you’ll get your flyers distributed."

"Makoto was right. There really is a scent of perfume."

Phoenix Academy Maggie was more focused on the scent on his fingertips than the sensation of his thumb on her lips.

Aozawa withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged. "What perfume? It’s all in your head."

"Why are you so nervous? It’s not like I’m anything to you, and I can’t meddle in your affairs. I just feel sorry for Ayatsuki, falling for a scumbag like you."

Phoenix Academy Maggie turned her head. She did have a petty streak. She knew Aozawa lived with Morimoto Chiyoda, so it was normal for him to smell of perfume. But if such things came to light, she couldn’t ignore them; she couldn’t pretend she didn’t know.

The jealousy in her heart turned into sharp words that spilled out.

Aozawa picked up the flyers she had set aside and chuckled. "You won’t find another man in the world as responsible as I am. Making everyone happy—don’t you think that’s both a difficult and romantic endeavor?"

"Language truly is incredible. Just by changing the phrasing, even two-timing can be made to sound so righteous."

Phoenix Academy Maggie retorted, snatching half the flyers from his hand. "Let’s keep going."

"As you wish, my Princess."

Aozawa struck a pose like a knight guarding his princess.

「Noontime.」

What was initially supposed to be a cover-up fundraiser had turned into a genuine one.

The donation box was filled with money from passersby.

Yoshikawa Sayuri said excitedly, "Everyone is so generous!"

Aozawa glanced at Hojo Tetsuji behind him. Having removed his sunglasses and fake beard, Hojo Tetsuji looked younger and more spirited, his eyes no longer concealed.

He could imagine it. When Yoshikawa Sayuri excitedly approached passersby with the donation box and they tried to decline, Hojo Tetsuji would immediately stare them down, transforming into an angry lion. Most people would probably give in to their "better nature" and then hurry away.

This wasn’t a fundraiser; it was more like collecting protection money at the mall entrance.

Aozawa thought sarcastically but didn’t voice the truth, not wanting to spoil the mood.

Hojo Shouko was surprised by the outcome. Holding a bento box, she suggested, "Let’s eat."

"Ooh, let me see Shouko’s bento!"

Yoshikawa Sayuri quickly unwrapped it. Upon opening it, she gasped in amazement, "This is incredible! It’s even better than what my mom makes." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It’s just average," Hojo Shouko said modestly.

Yoshikawa Sayuri, beaming, replied, "This is far from average! We can’t cook like this at all."

Phoenix Academy Maggie corrected her, "Little Sayuri, *you* can’t cook. I can still make a few dishes."

"Really?"

Now even Nomura True Wave looked astonished.

Seeing their incredulous expressions, Phoenix Academy Maggie said, a little irritably, "Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens. I’ll make it for you to try sometime."

"Please, we must taste the young lady’s culinary skills!" Nomura True Wave clasped her hands together. Then, a hint of doubt suddenly crossed her mind. "Why would you learn to make Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens?"

"Eh?" Phoenix Academy Maggie was momentarily taken aback.

Lying in front of Aozawa was obviously not suitable, and telling everyone she made it for him was also inappropriate.

After a moment’s thought, Phoenix Academy Maggie said calmly, "Aozawa took care of me previously, so I made Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens to thank him."

"Ohh~" Nomura True Wave drawled, grinning. "Aozawa, how was the Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens?"

"Delicious," Aozawa nodded.

Beside them, Natsuka Yanagimachi suddenly spoke up, "Aozawa-senpai, how was Shouko’s fried pork cutlet?"

Bringing up this topic so abruptly was clearly Natsuka Yanagimachi’s attempt to support Hojo Shouko. She couldn’t let the opposing wingman attack unanswered; her own side’s wingman had to engage and not misfire.

What would have been an ordinary question, coming after the previous exchange, suddenly carried a competitive, almost confrontational, undertone.

Phoenix Academy Maggie pretended not to understand the underlying meaning. She didn’t pay much attention to the answer, like an employee passively listening to a leader during a meeting. Let the leader ramble on; she couldn’t care less. Whether she’d agree or inwardly curse would be decided later.

Hojo Shouko wasn’t thinking about such things. She simply looked at Aozawa with an expectant gaze, hoping for a favorable review.

Natsuka, that little brat, is really asking for it!

Aozawa resolved to deal with Natsuka Yanagimachi later. What should have been a harmonious lunch had its atmosphere changed by her remark.

Even the fried pork cutlet in his mouth seemed to taste of gunpowder.

"Of course, it was delicious," he said, not disparaging Hojo Shouko’s bento.

Nomura True Wave’s eyes lit up, preparing to unleash her ultimate move: asking which dish was better.

Phoenix Academy Maggie snapped out of her "employee" mode. She quickly picked up a meatball and used it to block Nomura True Wave’s mouth, smiling. "This meatball is really tasty. Try it."

"Mm," Nomura True Wave mumbled, chewing. The sauce from the meatball spread through her mouth. She nodded. "It really is delicious."

"Makoto, don’t talk while you’re eating," Phoenix Academy Maggie reminded her gently. She picked up some beef from the bento, chewed thoughtfully, and commented, "It tastes good, but the meat isn’t very fresh. When it comes to ingredients, that’s what limits your cooking skills. To make stir-fried chili beef, you really need Angus beef."

"Ah, I thought the same! As expected of you, Phoenix Academy’s Senior. Even if you don’t cook much, you were able to pinpoint the flaws in my dish with your extensive experience. That’s amazing!" Hojo Shouko’s eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. At home, she rarely had the chance to discuss cooking with anyone. This was her first real conversation about culinary arts.

Phoenix Academy Maggie’s smile stiffened slightly. Was that a compliment? Or was it sarcasm, implying that the young lady, whose hands were unaccustomed to kitchen work, was only good at talking? The words could be interpreted that way, but Hojo Shouko’s expression didn’t seem to suggest it, leaving Phoenix Academy Maggie wavering between annoyance and composure.

"Hehe, we may not be able to cook, but we sure can eat!" Yoshikawa Sayuri declared proudly.

Aozawa, sensing the awkward tension, laughed. "Haha, me too! Mmm, this spinach is delicious! Tetsuji, you dig in too. Don’t eat so slowly."

"Okay," Hojo Tetsuji responded, lowering his head and eating quickly.

Phoenix Academy Maggie suppressed the urge to speak, realizing that Hojo Shouko was also a dangerous individual.

In fact, any girl who had Aozawa’s contact information should be considered an enemy.

The fundraiser continued until three in the afternoon.

Hojo Shouko eventually couldn’t play any longer, and Natsuka Yanagimachi couldn’t keep up either, so they decided to browse around Silver Department Store.

Inexplicably, Natsuka Yanagimachi had boundless energy for shopping.

Hojo Shouko wasn’t as resilient and chose to rest on a bench on the ground floor of the mall.

Phoenix Academy Maggie also excused herself, saying she was too tired to join the others shopping. She sat down beside Hojo Shouko and handed her a can of orange juice.

"Phoenix Academy’s Senior, I should be the one treating you," Hojo Shouko said.

"It’s fine. I can afford a can of orange juice," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied, placing the orange juice on Hojo Shouko’s lap. She then opened her own can, took a sip, and said, "I hear you make a bento for Aozawa every day at noon."

Hojo Shouko nodded. "It’s to thank Aozawa-senpai for looking after Brother. Would you like one too, Phoenix Academy’s Senior?"

"No, thank you. I have a bento from home." Phoenix Academy Maggie declined her offer, her gaze sweeping over Hojo Shouko’s fair cheeks as she pondered.

What could she say to diminish this girl’s affection for Aozawa? After some thought, Phoenix Academy Maggie ultimately said nothing, feeling that such an act would be rather despicable. After all, Hojo Shouko was her friend’s younger sister.

"Phoenix Academy’s Senior, is there something you want to say?"

"No, nothing." Phoenix Academy Maggie leaned back, gazing at the mall’s ceiling.

Hojo Shouko took a sip of her orange juice. "Phoenix Academy’s Senior, you’re a very gentle person."

"Hojo, let me tell you something. Never trust people too easily. Someone who seems nice on the surface might actually have ill intentions," Phoenix Academy Maggie said, tilting her head, her golden hair slipping from her shoulder. "I’m that kind of person."

"Even though Phoenix Academy’s Senior might seem unapproachable, sharp-tongued, and look down on others, you’re actually very gentle inside. Please have more confidence in yourself!" Hojo Shouko encouraged her.

"..." Phoenix Academy Maggie silently tightened her grip on the orange juice can. "I really appreciate that," she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

"You’re welcome," Hojo Shouko replied with a smile.

The two seemed to be getting along surprisingly well...

Aozawa, who had been observing from a distance, slowly moved his hand away from the wall he’d been leaning on. He breathed an inward sigh of relief. It was good they hadn’t started arguing.