So all of that was real.

Someone really can be so strong, punishing any who defy them nonstop for hours.

"Wow! No wonder Aozawa-senpai can juggle several girls, he's really like a manga protagonist, exceptionally gifted!"

Natsuka Yanagimachi was full of admiration, unconsciously squeezing her legs together.

However, that empty feeling wasn't filled by this action; instead, a tickling sensation like electricity surged through her heart.

It made her fingers itch with restlessness.

Even her pants felt a bit wet.

"Shouko, you're in for a treat in the future."

"But what about Aozawa-senpai?"

Hojo Shouko was more concerned about Aozawa's experience than her own.

She slightly furrowed her brows, eyes full of worry, and said, "I can't satisfy Aozawa-senpai.

Last night, I wanted to discuss with Ayatsuki-senpai about whether we could team up.

But Ayatsuki's response left me puzzled, saying that as a novice, my level was too low to compete with her in bed, fearing I'd get hurt.

Natsuka, what do you think this means?"

Natsuka Yanagimachi understood immediately, Ayatsuki-senpai was just making excuses.

"Shouko, it's Ayatsuki-senpai subtly telling you she doesn't want to do that sort of thing with you.

In comics, not everyone can handle a threesome on their first try."

"Oh."

Hojo Shouko nodded, a touch of lament on her face: "My relationship with Ayatsuki-senpai isn't as close as I imagined.

I thought if she wasn't willing, she'd directly reject my suggestion."

"Shouko, I feel it's not like that, but that such things shouldn't be proposed by you.

According to my theoretical knowledge, these things require the male lead to 'conquer' them first."

Natsuka Yanagimachi offered her theoretical experience, analyzing the situation for her friend, "Or unless it's a very assertive older sister type.

Like Miss Morimoto.

If she intrudes forcefully when you're halfway with Aozawa-senpai,

with your personality, you'd probably go along with it and choose a threesome.

Still, can you endure Miss Morimoto getting handsy with you?"

"Why would she get handsy with me?"

Hojo Shouko was puzzled, in her mind they should be fully focusing on serving Aozawa-senpai.

Natsuka Yanagimachi reluctantly pulled up a cherished website, showing her what a threesome really entailed.

It's not just about pleasing the man, the two women have to interact too.

After all, a sword can't rest in two scabbards simultaneously.

The other scabbard can't just stay empty, right?

Hojo Shouko fixated on the phone screen, feeling she learned something new, and realizing just how forward her earlier words were.

Ayatsuki-senpai wasn't being distant with her but was thinking ahead.

For someone like her, such things are probably a piece of cake, but the real challenge is the psychological barrier.

She can accept Aozawa-senpai, but Ayatsuki-senpai getting involved is unacceptable to her.

This matter needs more deliberation.

The road to a threesome is not easily traveled.

...

As class time approached, Ayatsuki Ayaka didn't stay to chat with her three friends and chose to leave the Human Observation Society's activity room.

Their daily chats, while having differences, remained fundamentally the same.

In daily life, changes often happen in little things, but overall, not much shifts.

For instance, their fondness for discussing fashion.

Under this broad topic, there's always more to discuss, sharing opinions on fashion, proving whose style is the most stunning.

Or listening to Takahashi Saeko and Tama Chan talking about their newly acquired boyfriends.

Sharing the bizarre things their boyfriends did is an ever-popular topic among girls.

Ayatsuki Ayaka was no exception.

She also sometimes complained about the inexplicable things Aozawa did.

They were chatting and walking towards the club building's exit.

The sound of footsteps echoed behind them, and Hojo Shouko rushed forward, calling out: "Sister Caiyu, good morning!"

"Oh, Shouko, good morning."

Ayatsuki Ayaka turned and greeted her.

Hojo Shouko bowed and said, "About what you told me last night, I'll strive to improve my level.

I doubted Sister Caiyu's words before, I'm truly sorry."

"Hmm, ah, it's fine."

Ayatsuki Ayaka's tanned cheeks flickered with confusion; she completely didn't understand what Hojo Shouko had come to realize, feeling out of sync with this sudden apology.

Could just a year's difference create such a generational gap?

Ayatsuki Ayaka felt bewildered, but mindful of her senior status, she refrained from asking.

Watching Hojo Shouko run back to Natsuka Yanagimachi's side, she couldn't help asking those around: "What do you think she's imagining?"

"Not sure."

All three replied in unison.

Lacking their insights, Ayatsuki Ayaka had to bury her confusion deep down.

Overall, it seemed like she managed to maintain her 'big sister' image in Hojo Shouko's eyes.

That's good enough.

...

Classroom of Second Year Class C.

The autumn wind swept over barren branches, where Phoenix Academy Maggie sat in the second to last row.

The window wasn't fully closed, and a gust of autumn wind blew over her neck.

Today, Phoenix Academy Maggie was sporting a single ponytail, with no hair on the sides to shield her neck from the autumn breeze, her pale neck fully exposed, glowing with a jade-like sheen.

The zipper of her school uniform jacket wasn't done up, just draped over her shoulders, making her tensed chest seem to stand out even more.

After four rounds of strengthening, Phoenix Academy Maggie's physical endurance had noticeably improved, making her less fearful of cold than before.

While not able to bare her arms in the dead of winter, she didn't have to zip up her jacket in the fall.

She sat there, ignoring the occasional admiring glances, staring at her textbook, while her mind was already set on the door.

It was almost class time.

Phoenix Academy Maggie lowered her head, vision heavily obstructed.

But her eyes seemed to pierce through the mounds, focusing on the beautiful watch box in the drawer.

All gold, adorned with dragon patterns on the surface.

This was an inspiration she coincidentally came upon during her work last night.

The cause of her burst of inspiration was a murder case.

It happened in the Meguro District.

The killer's motive was quite simple, thinking his ex-girlfriend never bought him a birthday gift while they were dating.

Yet she bought one for her current boyfriend.

Unable to stand it, he killed his ex-girlfriend in a fit of rage, trying to disguise it as a scene of a Different World creature's murder to evade justice.

Unfortunately, his little scheme attracted higher-up attention, leading to a special investigation into the matter.

The conclusion was reached easily.

It also inspired Phoenix Academy Maggie to give a gift to Aozawa to strengthen their relationship.

Would he like a watch?

Phoenix Academy Maggie wasn't entirely sure.

Gift-giving is a bold step.

If Aozawa doesn't wear it daily, it would make her gift seem trivial.

The more Phoenix Academy Maggie thought, the more she felt maybe not giving it was better.

But hearing approaching footsteps from behind, she steeled herself to make this meaningful gesture.

Perhaps, she'll be the first woman to give Aozawa a watch!

Taking a deep breath, she turned around.

Aozawa greeted her with a smile: "Good morning, Maggie."

"Mm, good morning."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded, casually placing the watch box on the desk: "I accidentally found a nice watch, which should suit you well.

If you like it, wear it.

If not, you don't have to wear it every day. It's fine if it just gathers dust in a drawer."

Clearly, she wanted him to wear it daily.

Aozawa looked at the girl in front of him, her doll-like face blushing slightly, eyes dodging to the side, "Forget it, I'll take it back."

"Maggie, gifts once given can't be taken back. I'm very happy to receive your gift, and I'll wear it every day."

Aozawa held her hand back, stopping her from retrieving the watch box, smiling brightly.