Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week

After school.

Aozawa didn't head to the Kendo club; today was his turn for duty.

His classmates left the classroom one by one.

He opened the cabinet behind his seat, which contained the cleaning tools for students on duty.

"Mr. Aozawa, I don't have club activities today, so take your time. If you want to train, you can go to the Kendo club."

A gentle voice sounded from behind him; it was Arakawa Reina.

At that moment, her attire was demure. Two thick, pitch-black braids rested on her shoulders, and she wore large, old-fashioned, black-framed glasses, her bangs covering her eyebrows.

But her figure was incredibly voluptuous. If she hunched over, she could hide it somewhat. However, if she straightened her back, the neckline of her sailor suit looked as if it were about to burst open—a startling visual impact.

Her skin was like cream, so smooth it felt as if a single touch would glide effortlessly across it.

"It's okay. How could I let the class president do such heavy work alone? I'll go get the water; you wait here for me," Aozawa said, picking up two buckets and heading outside.

Arakawa Reina's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out. She wasn't very strong but could still lift a bucket of water. But if I do that, it'll be difficult to hide my figure by hunching over, and I don't like standing straight in the summer, she thought. Then, Arakawa Reina suddenly stepped forward and grabbed the bucket in Aozawa's right hand, saying, "Um, Mr. Aozawa, let's go together. I still have some strength."

Aozawa looked down, feigning surprise. "Class President, you're so bold! Grabbing my hand like that?"

"Ah!" As if electrocuted, Arakawa Reina quickly withdrew her hand. A faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks as she tried to explain.

Aozawa smiled and said, "Alright, I was just kidding. If the class president really wants to go, then take it."

"Mr. Aozawa, don't make such jokes, really," Arakawa Reina muttered. She hated dirty jokes the most. She took the wooden bucket from Aozawa's hand, took a deep breath, and walked outside.

Aozawa looked at her determined expression and curiously asked, "Class President, don't you dislike standing straight in front of others?"

"It's okay." Arakawa Reina exhaled. Recalling the scene of someone standing with an umbrella in the rain, she smiled and said, "If anything really happened, Mr. Aozawa would surely come and save me, right?"

Usually, she dared not draw attention to herself at school, simply out of fear of encountering bullies. The school's rooftop, the storeroom for sports equipment, the teachers' office, the school bathrooms, the corridors, and so on.

But with Aozawa around, Arakawa Reina felt a bit more secure, believing that he could definitely prevent such situations.

He would, right?

A sudden flicker of insecurity crossed Arakawa Reina's heart. It seems that it's precisely when someone trustworthy appears that people encounter events that drag them into an abyss of depravity. Even though I'm thinking of a certain someone, my body's reactions still show those expressions that are on the verge of breaking down. Just imagining it makes me a little scared. What if Aozawa causes some trouble next, and I have to be the one to apologize...

"Haha, I like that phrase, Class President. Don't worry," Aozawa said, his smiling face and refreshing voice dispelling Arakawa Reina's fantasies like bursting bubbles.

"Yes." She nodded firmly, pushing aside those thoughts, and walked shoulder to shoulder with him to fetch water.

Their pleasant conversation was observed by a blonde girl.

She stayed at the corner, secretly watching, jealousy so intense it felt like a tangible, feathered cloak draped over her shoulders.

"Maggie, aren't you going to the Manga Club? What are you watching here?"

"Watching the class president and Aozawa."

"Do the class president and Aozawa have something going on?" Yoshikawa Sayuri asked in surprise.

Phoenix Academy Maggie retracted her murderous gaze and nodded. "Yes, among his five female contacts, the class president is one of them."

Yoshikawa Sayuri laughed. "Don't worry, the class president isn't as pretty as you, Maggie."

"Neither is Ayatsuki," Phoenix Academy Maggie retorted, then added with a serious expression, "But don't underestimate the class president. She usually gives off an inconspicuous, almost transparent vibe, yet her chest is even bigger than Makoto's."

"Eh, no way! I can't even tell," Yoshikawa Sayuri said, shocked.

Phoenix Academy Maggie spoke gravely, "According to my observation, she should be an E."

Nomura True Wave teased, "Aozawa can't resist girls with big chests. Don't tell me he's obsessed with them?"

Phoenix Academy Maggie sighed. "It's very possible."

"Maggie, it's not easy for you either."

"It's more interesting this way, isn't it?" Phoenix Academy Maggie swept the gloom from her face, her fighting spirit reignited. She was determined to sweep all those women away from Aozawa's side.

Love is like conquering a realm; the Tenshu-kaku only needs one Conquer Barbarian General, she resolved.

"As long as you're happy," Nomura True Wave shrugged.

If it were me, I would definitely not get involved in such an exhausting contest, Nomura True Wave thought. In fact, as someone who enjoys matchmaking for others, my own interest in romance is practically zero. In my mind, the most beautiful love stories only exist in fantasy.

「…」

After the Manga Club activities ended, Phoenix Academy Maggie began her journey home.

Utilizing the free time, she texted Aozawa. They chatted about things she saw on her way, topics discussed with Nomura True Wave and others at the Manga Club, and what the next step for Hojo Tetsuji and Yoshikawa Sayuri's relationship should be.

It's a classic case: those involved can't see clearly, while onlookers can, Phoenix Academy Maggie mused. Since Hojo Tetsuji's love life has nothing to do with me, I can strategize from a third-person perspective. But once I'm the one involved, thoughts like 'this plan isn't very good,' or 'that plan is a bit risky,' keep getting vetoed in my head. I want to pursue the best strategy, yet, as Nomura True Wave said, there's no such thing as a 100% successful love strategy in this world. Every strategy is a gamble, and pursuing perfection only means I'll keep treading water. Knowing this, yet still striving for perfection... perhaps that's just human nature, always desiring what isn't ours. Especially for someone like me. If love were easily attainable, it wouldn't ignite such an intense desire for possession in my heart.

"I suggest that on Sunday, you get Tetsuji and yourself, along with Makoto and Little Sayuri, to go to the amusement park. Along the way, create opportunities for him to be alone with her."

Phoenix Academy Maggie tapped her index finger and sent the message.

She watched the message quickly turn to 'read' status and smiled. I know how he'll respond, she thought.

This move is called 'advancing by retreating,' she mused.

"Or, let's meet up after school tomorrow and go to Ayase Amusement Park together."

"Eh, won't that affect your training?" Phoenix Academy Maggie hit send. Even before sending the first message, she had been certain Aozawa wouldn't leave her out, yet she still feigned thoughtfulness.

"No worries, Tetsuji's matter is more important."

Seeing this reply, the corners of Phoenix Academy Maggie's mouth lifted slightly. She replied, "Then it's settled. I'll tell Makoto and the others, and leave contacting Tetsuji to you."

"OK, I'm home now. Talk later."

"See you tomorrow."

She sent her reply and received a waving hand emoji from Aozawa.

After finishing this chat, she quickly switched over to the Manga Club's chatroom.

Here, of course, her excuse wasn't to matchmake Hojo Tetsuji and Yoshikawa Sayuri.

"Makoto, Little Sayuri, tomorrow our Manga Club is having an after-school activity. Let's go to Ayase Amusement Park. I've invited Aozawa and Tetsuji to mask our true intentions. Makoto, you're in charge of inviting Kyoichiro, so we'll have three guys and three girls. You know what to do."

With that, Phoenix Academy Maggie sent a rabbit emoji with a scheming smile.

Her message was quickly read. Yoshikawa Sayuri replied with a knowing rabbit emoji, followed by: "Don't worry, I'll handle Hojo. I'll make sure it won't affect your alone time with Aozawa~"

"As for Kyoichiro..." Nomura True Wave began to type, wanting to suggest someone else, but she hesitated mid-word.

If I replace Kyoichiro, who else could I invite? Nomura True Wave wondered. If we don't have three guys, it'll be three girls and two guys. The atmosphere would be a bit off, and it would make me look rather pathetic, wouldn't it?

After pondering for a while, Nomura True Wave deleted her typed words and replied, "Got it, leave it to me!"

After sending this message, she walked to the window, opened it, then picked up a piece of paper from the table, rolled it up, and tossed it at the window of the second floor of the house next door.

THUMP. The paper ball hit the window's surface, making a crisp sound.

The window quickly opened, and the spectacled Furusawa Kyoichiro stood there. He said sternly, "Makoto, stop throwing your trash over here! If you have something to say, message me. Why do you always resort to this? Who do you think cleans up the paper balls you throw into the yard?"

"Don't be so fussy." Honestly! Nomura True Wave was most irritated by his constant nagging. As if picking up a paper ball would make his marathon-runner body collapse from exhaustion! Besides, she'd been calling him this way since they were kids; it was a habit. Changing it now would feel weird. Tossing something at Kyoichiro's window to get his attention was just what she did.

"Clear your schedule for me tomorrow afternoon. I need to create an opportunity for Aozawa and Phoenix Academy Maggie. The Manga Club is heading to Ayase Amusement Park."

"Are you joking? I've got baseball club training. I'm not idle like you," Furusawa Kyoichiro refused outright; his sights were set on the summer Koshien.

Nomura True Wave remained unfazed, pulling a tiny paper ball from her drawer. She said seriously, "If you go, I'll give you this."

You've used that trick more than once. You think I don't know that's just a paper ball? Furusawa Kyoichiro thought, adjusting his glasses. Although he couldn't see clearly, based on past experience, it was likely just a paper ball, not what he actually wanted.

"You should know, I have the limited edition Super Mini Magical Girl," Nomura True Wave said with a smug look.

After a moment's hesitation, Furusawa Kyoichiro reluctantly agreed, "Fine. Don't trick me this time."

"Trust me," Nomura True Wave replied. He falls for it every time. If I don't trick him, who would I trick? she thought.