When a chicken is in front of you, if you don't eat it, it'll end up in someone else's mouth.
The image shows it's read, and the line below it too.
Then there's no response.
When Arakawa Reina wanted to send another message, it quickly displayed: (You are suspected of posting inappropriate XX content, banned from chatting for 24 hours.)
"Eh?!"
Arakawa Reina's eyes widened.
She looked at the photo she sent.
All the other parts were cropped, except for the stamp of Aozawa on the left side of the neck.
Could she have really complained successfully?
Arakawa Reina wanted to complain but then thought of the other person's mood, probably wishing she could just grab a knife and kill her.
...
"Bastard!"
Phoenix Academy Maggie roared, raising her fist high up, then putting it down gently, finally sparing the life of the desk.
The anger caused the buttons of her shirt to burst open.
They hit the computer screen in front of her, then rolled down onto the keyboard.
Huffing, Phoenix Academy Maggie took several deep breaths, finally suppressing that anger.
Even though reporting Arakawa Reina successfully improved her mood a bit.
But it's only a 24-hour mute.
That's too lenient, it should be at least seven or eight days.
Phoenix Academy Maggie decided to buy this chat app and then tighten the regulations.
Anyone sending such images should be immediately banned.
No lewdness allowed.
Phoenix Academy Maggie thought about these things and leaned back.
She had no interest in dealing with the work in front of her, her mind was full of the relationship with Aozawa.
Arakawa Reina got in first; will it be Natsuka Yanagimachi's turn next?
Feeling utterly defeated.
If Nomura True Wave knew the current situation, they'd definitely make such an assessment.
Phoenix Academy Maggie chuckled self-deprecatingly and closed her eyes again.
Can't get first, can't get second, can't get third...
For her life, this kind of thing is extremely rare.
Could it be that I'll end up last?
Phoenix Academy Maggie thought of such consequences, anxiety welled up in her heart.
It made her want to take vigorous action.
But she wasn't someone easily swayed by emotion.
Thinking calmly, is there really any point in competing for second to last or last place?
The difference between the two isn't significant.
Phoenix Academy Maggie figured this out and sat upright again.
Somewhat like a failing student who, after realizing their grades can't be saved, chooses to slack off for comfort rather than strive ahead.
After all, bombing the exam is an unavoidable fact, so why force oneself to do well?
Getting caught in a cycle of internal friction.
Once the idea of lying flat sets in, worldly burdens feel lighter.
Phoenix Academy Maggie achieved a long-lost sense of inner peace, no longer anxious about those problems, her mind calm.
Knock, knock, a knocking sound came from the door, and Phoenix Academy Maggie looked outside: "Come in."
The door opened.
Takahashi Saeko stepped into the office, glancing around and noticing something odd with Phoenix Academy Maggie's shirt.
Phoenix Academy Maggie remained calm, picked up the button, and pretended not to notice her gaze, asking, "Is there something you need?"
"According to the latest information we've received, a sudden fire broke out at Institute No. 47, causing related documents to be destroyed, and several people perished in the flames.
The leads there are completely cut off."
Takahashi Saeko paused, then added: "Emily discovered that the death of the director at Institute No. 47 might be related to the KGB.
She's currently investigating the whereabouts of Bruno.
Sanjushi Tera has handed over family control to his wife, choosing to become a monk at Sensoji Temple.
Information from Israel, however, lacks specific details."
A string of heavy news prompted Phoenix Academy Maggie to rub her forehead. After a brief respite, she gave an order: "Go fetch me a shirt."
There's a chance she might have to meet others later, so naturally she couldn't wear such an indecent shirt.
"Should we custom order a larger one?"
Takahashi Saeko thoughtfully suggested.
Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head.
Takahashi Saeko realized it wasn't because the size abruptly became unsuitable, it must have been caused by vigorous activity.
Emotional reasons?
Sure enough, the lady is still bothered by the matter with Natsuka Yanagimachi.
Takahashi Saeko laughed inwardly, exiting the office.
She didn't have the ability to see the lady's truly exasperated expression.
But once she knew this person's mood indeed changed, she felt the excitement of witnessing drama.
Should she share it with Iroha?
Maybe just a word.
Takahashi Saeko decided to tell Iroha about the lady's setbacks, to cheer her up a bit.
...
Next day, the sky was hazy.
Before the sun penetrated the clouds, students had already arrived at the school gate.
Ayatsuki Ayaka left the disciplinary committee's reprimands far behind, running to the club building but not entering it.
Instead, hiding nearby.
Takahashi Saeko and others said nothing, continuing to walk into the building.
People came and went, even as Aozawa passed by, Ayatsuki Ayaka didn't pop out to greet him.
Without her stepping out, Aozawa wasn't comfortable approaching for a greeting.
Though he couldn't understand why she was squatting there so early in the morning, given she didn't call him over, she obviously had her own business.
Aozawa decided to respect her odd idea.
Ayatsuki Ayaka hid behind a tree like a predator waiting for prey.
Until that dazzling blonde hair appeared in her view.
She quickly leaned out, waving, "Maggie, come over here, I have something to say to you."
Phoenix Academy Maggie paused, unclear why she was suddenly being approached but still told her two friends, heading toward the lawn.
Yoshikawa Sayuri and Nomura True Wave sneaked a glance, whispered to each other, curious about why Ayatsuki Ayaka was looking for Phoenix Academy Maggie.
The two couldn't stay to eavesdrop, so they entered the club building, planning to inquire later.
"What's up?"
Phoenix Academy Maggie walked forward.
Ayatsuki Ayaka examined her expression, her porcelain-white face showing no sadness.
Her eyes bore no dark circles, clear and without traces of staying up crying.
Whew, good.
"I just wanted to tell you not to worry about Natsuka, Aozawa still likes you."
Listening to this sudden comment, Phoenix Academy Maggie slightly frowned, immediately guessing that Takahashi Saeko disclosed her state from last night.
And likely exaggerated a bit.
"You don't need to say it, I know all of this."
"Hehe."
Ayatsuki Ayaka giggled, pulling a cat doll out of her bag, "This is a cat doll Aozawa gave me from the claw machine, for you.
I know.
At first, things like this are hard to understand.
But if you think differently.
Aozawa's ability to make us feel nothing unusual, isn't that nice?
When everyone's free, we can still gather, like one big family having fun."
"Look at the sky."
Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't answer her question, pointed at the sky to shift Ayatsuki Ayaka's focus.
She raised her head, seeing that the sky was no longer dim but blue.
Ayatsuki Ayaka was a little puzzled, "What's up?"
"The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the moon brightens and stars get sparse, these are all natural laws."
Phoenix Academy Maggie spoke from the feelings of last night, earnestly, "Human emotions are the same.
Don't rush, be patient, go with the flow, all about being natural.
When it's time to accept, it'll naturally be accepted.
When it can't be accepted, it can't be accepted, none of this can be rushed.
You don't need to persuade me, goodbye."
With that, she took the cat doll from Ayatsuki Ayaka's hand, turning towards the club building.
Phoenix Academy Maggie thought it through clearly, knowing her tangled feelings must be dissatisfaction.
If she's dissatisfied, why force herself to accept?
Might as well hope for a natural state.
Ayatsuki Ayaka watched Phoenix Academy Maggie's departing figure, her head tilting back and forth, pondering what kind of déjà vu this was?
After contemplating for about five minutes, it hit her, wasn't that just how she felt about math exams the night before?
"But, Maggie actually accepted my gift, hehe, it's a good start~"
Ayatsuki Ayaka laughed a bit, believing that sooner or later, she and Phoenix Academy Maggie would become sisters.
At that time, she'll be the runner-up!
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