Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week

The next day, early morning.

Phoenix Academy Maggie woke up on time but didn't get up immediately. Instead, she continued to lie in bed, counting to five in silence to savor the comfort of laziness before swiftly getting up.

She walked towards her wardrobe in her slippers, taking big strides. Pushing the door open, she faced a small square space filled with various clothes. There was a full-length mirror that stretched five meters high and vertical stairs that allowed her to climb up and take down clothes from the top. Phoenix Academy Maggie didn't keep track of how many clothes she had, but she could always know the amount she owned through the numbering of her clothes.

Today was Saturday, so there was no need to pick out special attire; she just needed to change into her uniform.

She slipped off her nightgown, revealing a body as white as tofu, adorned with golden legendary equipment.

She liked shiny gold.

Though in the eyes of others, gold was associated with the nouveau riche and tackiness, to Phoenix Academy Maggie, those who could truly master gold were the genuinely wealthy. Like the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, who paired sparkling gold with mysterious runes or patterns incomprehensible to others, thereby giving the gold a special charm.

Noble and mysterious.

Standing in front of the mirror, she looked at her devilishly curvy figure and smiled.

During the summer break, she would invite Aozawa and Little Sayuri to the Phoenix Academy family's private beach. She planned to use this swimsuit to conquer Aozawa's heart; after all, it was only on the beach that bikinis were considered normal attire for women.

Phoenix Academy Maggie thought about the summer holidays as she quickly put on her sailor suit and skirt, then her pale gold knee-high socks, the right one snugly fitting her calf.

She turned, walked out of the wardrobe, put on her shoes, and stepped out of the bedroom. Miwa Kazuki was already waiting outside with the maids, who greeted her in unison, "Good morning, Miss."

"Mm."

Phoenix Academy Maggie gave a brief reply and headed to the dining room, brushing her teeth, washing her face, and combing her hair as she went.

Outside the dining room, another maid bowed and said, "Good morning, Miss." The maid then opened the door.

Seated in the dining room was a dignified and elegant lady.

"Mother."

Phoenix Academy Maggie was somewhat surprised as she swiftly approached. "You're up early today."

Kochou waved her hand at Miwa and the others, gesturing for them to wait outside. With a smile, she said, "There are some things I wanted to discuss with you personally."

Phoenix Academy Maggie pulled out a chair and sat down. "What is it?"

Kochou picked up her knife and fork. As she began to cut the cake, she said, "The decisions on the Police Director's appointment and dismissal have been made. The new director will take office tomorrow. He is taking a private plane and will likely arrive at the Phoenix Academy family's helipad around three in the afternoon. You will receive him on my behalf."

Phoenix Academy Maggie showed surprise on her face. "The new Police Director is American?"

"Strictly speaking, he's an American who has taken Japanese citizenship—the eldest son of the Morgans Group, Ponte Morgan. When you receive him, don't be too disrespectful." Kochou specifically advised, "Our overseas business is closely related to the Morgan Family."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded, then asked curiously, "The Cabinet actually agreed to let a foreigner serve as Police Director?"

"It's not easy for the Cabinet to select a new Police Director." Kochou explained the intricacies to her daughter. It wasn't that there weren't qualified candidates from each family, but it was very difficult to choose someone from among those talented individuals who could satisfy everyone. The previous Police Director was chosen based on lineage and seniority. The advantage of this was that ability wasn't a factor, avoiding intense competition; everyone just needed to wait their turn. No one had objections.

But now the Cabinet wants to use ability as the criterion to select a new Police Director, and the competition will be unusually fierce. Everyone with ability thinks they could serve as Police Director. In that state of intense competition, no one was willing to concede to another, ultimately leading to the decision to let an outsider take on the role. This decision allowed the elite to believe it wasn't a matter of their ability falling short, but rather that their family background and status were inferior to an outsider's.

"Don't they find that even more embarrassing?" Phoenix Academy Maggie scoffed.

Kochou speared a piece of the soft cake and shook her head. "To them, they would rather attribute failure to the country's incompetence than admit their own inadequacy. You must never learn that kind of insecurity."

"Yes. No matter who I face, I must achieve an overwhelming Victory to silence everyone."

"Against me too?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing Phoenix Academy Maggie's reply, Kochou smiled. She didn't dislike her daughter's desire to surpass her; on the contrary, she welcomed being surpassed by her daughter. It was only when the new generation surpassed the old that a family could flourish more.

She swallowed the cake and proceeded to brief her on other matters: regarding the domestic economy, the takeover of the Takizawa Group was progressing, and it was expected to be completely absorbed, effectively erasing it from the domestic scene by mid-month; some personnel changes within the government.

Then there were the major events happening around the world. Rumi Yoshizawa's short videos had an impact greater than Phoenix Academy Maggie had imagined. Distant places like Africa and South America, where coups were as common as eating and drinking, needn't be mentioned. Closer to home, in India, some people were using religion as a pretext, claiming they wanted gods to govern Manipur, and were opting for independence. The situation on the ground was unclear because the region had resorted to the most primitive form of blockade: simply cutting off the internet.

For those unsure how to find a righteous banner under which to rebel, Rumi Yoshizawa's video forcing Yasuda to resign had certainly opened their eyes. It made them instantly understand how to legitimately seize power. As long as they weren't leading in name, it had nothing to do with selfish desires; it was purely following Heaven's mandate.

"This is just the beginning," Phoenix Academy Maggie sighed. If there was one success, she knew, more people would try that path.

Kochou nodded. "The world is becoming more and more unstable. It's not easy to preserve one's strength and ride the waves in this unprecedented upheaval. You need to brace yourself."

"Please rest assured, Mother." Phoenix Academy Maggie replied with a smile. She still knew how to put on a convincing facade.

...

At Brilliant High School's Kendo club, Ayatsuki Ayaka no longer leaned against the wall but stood up, the crisp shouts of a young man seemingly still echoing in the air.

The door to the changing room opened, and Aozawa came out after removing his gear. His hair was slightly damp, as if he'd just washed it and hadn't had time to dry it.

"Aozawa, this is your vegetable juice."

"Thanks, Iroha."

Aozawa took the insulated cup from her hand, his fingertips registering its smooth texture. It wasn't the first time he'd held her hand, yet Ayatsuki Ayaka still felt a thrill, like a deer leaping in her chest. She smiled and said, "We don't need to be so formal. What do you want to eat for the picnic at Sheron Park this weekend?"

"Anything is fine; I'm not picky." Aozawa knew the word "anything" could be detrimental to someone preparing food, but he genuinely meant it; he couldn't think of anything specific he wanted to eat. "I'll like any bento you bring."

"Hehe, then I'll have Maru prepare a super tasty meatball bento~" Ayatsuki Ayaka blurted out the truth subconsciously, then immediately realized she shouldn't have said that. Maru had repeatedly reminded her to pretend she could cook.

Darn it, my mouth works faster than my brain, she chastised herself internally.

"Eh, I remember the bento at our last picnic was made by Maru, right? It looked delicious. I'm really looking forward to it."

"Yes, Maru's bentos are very tasty." Ayatsuki Ayaka couldn't help but boast about her best friend to him, unlike those who speak ill of their friends behind their backs. She always liked to praise her friends' virtues, sometimes even exaggerating them. Of course, some of the virtues she touted Aozawa saw as not much different from flaws. But Aozawa wouldn't correct or remind her about it; there was no need to let such a trivial matter affect the relationship between Iroha and him.

The pair chatted away, walking from the club building to the academic building and then to the classroom.

As class time neared, most students were already in their seats. Only Hojo Tetsuji's seat, along with the seats in front of and beside Phoenix Academy Maggie, remained empty; their occupants wouldn't take them until the class bell rang.

Ayatsuki Ayaka, smiling broadly, noticed a sharp gaze fixed on her.

At the seat by the window, a blonde girl's sidelong glance radiated nobility and a chilling beauty, as if the austere sky outside was merely a hairpin for her.

Feeling that scrutinizing gaze, a wave of annoyance surged in Ayatsuki Ayaka's heart.

Don't underestimate me!

She glared back, feeling it was necessary to let Phoenix Academy Maggie know she wasn't someone to mess with.

Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes darted for a moment, then, on tiptoe, she lightly bit Aozawa's cheek.

This sudden attack halted the step Aozawa was about to take. The firmness of her teeth and the softness of her lips lingered, imprinting themselves on the side of his cheek.

And in his line of sight was the young lady—Phoenix Academy Maggie—leaning against the wall.

SNAP. The pencil Phoenix Academy Maggie had been twirling broke in her hand. The murderous intent that flared in her heart for that instant sent a chill through the air.

The smugness swelling inside Ayatsuki Ayaka deflated under that piercing gaze, collapsing as rapidly as a punctured balloon. Unable to muster the courage to return the stare, she quickly averted her eyes and scurried to her seat, like a scolded mutt slinking away with its tail between its legs, hugging the wall.

It wasn't cowardice, just a tactical withdrawal, Ayatsuki Ayaka consoled herself; she wasn't afraid of Phoenix Academy Maggie suddenly pulling out a fruit knife for a kidney stab, but simply didn't want to drive the latter into a criminal abyss. Even as a rival, she didn't wish to see Phoenix Academy Maggie behind bars.

As these rationalizations filled her mind, a chill ran down her spine, and her stomach felt cold. She somewhat regretted her earlier provocation, having forgotten that the other girl was fierce enough to carry a knife.

Tama Chan, Takahashi Saeko, and Miyahara Kaoru all silently gave her a thumbs-up for her actions, praising her bravery.

Aozawa walked to his seat, the air around him thick with an icy tension.

The sleeping Hojo Tetsuji was jolted awake by that murderous aura; he didn't dare lift his head and continued to feign sleep.

Aozawa inhaled the tart, chilly air. Mustering his courage, he said, "Maggie, good morning."

His greeting was met with nothing but silence.