Chapter 344: Chapter 342 The Eldest Miss is Still Very Cautious_1
The flashlight’s beam pierced through the gloomy forest.
The girl’s voice drifted on the wind. "Are we the first to reach the summit?"
"Not sure."
Aozawa cast his gaze in that direction. A short-haired girl emerged from the woods, her lips painted with dark lipstick, her eye makeup smoky, and her eyelashes long.
That was Takahashi Saeko.
She swept the flashlight around, saw Aozawa sitting at the summit, and caught a glimpse of Peter tossing his wooden plaque.
A smile appeared on Takahashi Saeko’s face. "Nomura, looks like we’re late."
"Congratulations on securing first place in the Test of Courage competition," Nomura True Wave stepped forward to congratulate them.
"Of course, we did," Peter ungraciously accepted the praise, a confident smile spreading across his face, leaving Takahashi Saeko unable to tell if his persuasion attempt had succeeded or failed. From his expression, failure seemed completely alien to him.
Takahashi Saeko stepped forward and patted Peter’s hand, signaling for a private conversation by the cliffside.
Peter joined her there, while Nomura True Wave stayed behind to chat with Aozawa. Thanks to Phoenix Academy Maggie, they still had topics to discuss.
"Has Aozawa given up?" Takahashi Saeko inquired in a low voice.
The moonlight was dim, and the evening breeze on the summit was cool. Peter crossed his arms and said, "He gave me a good scolding."
"What kind of deal did you offer?"
"A monthly salary of five hundred million yen, making him the top manager of the Granovsky family’s company in Japan. If he does well, and once I become president, I’ll even transfer him to a significant position in Russia," Peter stated his terms.
It was an offer that would tempt most people in the world. Unfortunately for Peter, Aozawa was among the few who weren’t. Peter could see it wasn’t because his offer was too low, but rather that Aozawa had little interest in power and no desire to manage others. This was a sign of exceptionally strong willpower. Peter didn’t know if this strength came from practicing Sword Dao, but he knew his plan of temptation had failed.
"I brought up the distinguished status of the Phoenix Academy, and he turned it around on me, saying I was the least likely person to marry Phoenix Academy Maggie. The Phoenix Academy wouldn’t allow her to marry out."
"Indeed," Takahashi Saeko nodded. She knew very well that Kochou had always been grooming her daughter as a successor and would never let someone marry Phoenix Academy Maggie, let alone permit her daughter to be shared with other women by one man.
An ’I knew it’ look crossed Peter’s face. "You’re not ordinary either, being able to understand the status of the Phoenix Academy."
Shrugging, Takahashi Saeko said, "I’m Tokyo’s Street Cleaner. If you have any trouble in the future, talk to me. We can negotiate a good price."
Normally, Takahashi Saeko wouldn’t reveal her identity to her classmates. But Peter was a generous client, her favorite type, so she was willing to make an exception for him.
"No problem. But I have to counter you on one point: nothing is impossible in this world. Once Russia moves through the Northern Territories and occupies Japan, the local financial conglomerates will have no choice but to swear fealty to the Northern Bear."
Peter’s words shocked Takahashi Saeko. "Are you serious?" she asked.
"Do I look like I’m lying?" Peter spread his hands wide. His life’s goal was to create the strongest empire that would supplant United States hegemony, eliminate the oligarchs, and eradicate corruption—all to pave the way for this ultimate empire. Currently, Russia’s military is too weak; change must come from within.
"I sincerely hope you never become president," Takahashi Saeko retorted. She wasn’t sure if he could build the mightiest empire, but she knew if he truly did become president in the future, the world would inevitably be plunged into a terrifying conflict. It’s like that certain failed artist who screamed about reviving Germany; such people, full of immature idealism, bring disaster when they reach high positions, regardless of whether they succeed or not. Unlike politicians, they aren’t afraid to wage world wars—in fact, they seem all too eager to immerse themselves in a conflict that would envelop the world.
Soon after, the other teams arrived as well. Tama Chan and Miyahara Kaoru came in third.
A beam of light shot out from the woods, and Ayatsuki Iroha and Phoenix Academy Maggie appeared at the summit. The pain from the fall made Ayatsuki Iroha limp as she walked. Her white, ripped stockings were soiled with mud, making them very conspicuous. Moreover, when Phoenix Academy Maggie let go of her hand upon arrival, Ayatsuki Iroha was left lagging behind alone. This sight instantly concerned Takahashi Saeko. "Iroha, are you alright?"
She, Tama Chan, and Miyahara Kaoru quickly went to Ayatsuki Iroha, inadvertently blocking Aozawa’s path. At the same time, they eyed Phoenix Academy Maggie suspiciously, as she didn’t seem to have a speck of dust on her, ready to defend their friend once they confirmed what happened.
"Haha, it’s nothing. I’m just clumsy. I wasn’t watching where I was going and slipped on the mountain." Speaking of which, Ayatsuki Iroha looked quite frustrated. "And just my luck, there was a pile of sharp stones under the fallen leaves! Thankfully, I was wearing jeans. If I’d been in a skirt, I might have actually started bleeding."
"You should take them off so I can see how bad it is," Miyahara Kaoru said, worried.
Ayatsuki Iroha was about to nod but then suddenly realized what she was implying and retorted, "Kaoru, stop joking!"
Seeing her reaction, Takahashi Saeko and Tama Chan internally dismissed their suspicions about Phoenix Academy Maggie.
"You’re really clumsy!" Takahashi Saeko patted the dust off Ayatsuki Iroha’s jeans, her tone clearly reproachful. "Couldn’t you have been a bit more careful and slowed down?"
"Saeko, you sound like a mother hen," Ayatsuki Iroha teased. She then glanced past the girls towards Aozawa, waved, and said, "I’m fine, really. A good night’s sleep will fix me up."
"Mm." Aozawa wasn’t surprised; based on his observations, the relationship between the two women had eased. At least from Ayatsuki Iroha’s side, there were signs of improvement. Phoenix Academy Maggie’s situation was still hard to say, but he believed that as long as Ayatsuki Iroha took the initiative, she could eventually make her drop that sharp attitude.
"Maggie, thank you for your hard work."
"It’s nothing," Phoenix Academy Maggie replied indifferently, her eyes sweeping over Ayatsuki Iroha, who was surrounded by the others, her expression heavy. She had assumed Ayatsuki Iroha shared her stance and wouldn’t allow *that kind of thing*. But now, it seemed Ayatsuki Iroha might be starting to waver and even agree to *that kind of thing*. Her resolve was too weak. As for Morimoto Chiyoda’s agreement, Phoenix Academy Maggie believed it was more of a strategic move. That woman is clever. She knows that direct opposition is less effective than redirection. She agreed to Aozawa’s request, probably intending to use it to dissuade the other girls. But she overlooked one crucial factor: Ayatsuki Iroha. This girl would indulge Aozawa’s attempt to start a harem. This girl is far more dangerous than I imagined. Phoenix Academy Maggie internally raised Ayatsuki Iroha’s threat level to the highest.
Nomura True Wave came over, a concerned expression on her face. "Strange, why haven’t Hojo, Little Sayuri, and Furusawa arrived yet?"
"Don’t worry. With Tetsuji around, nothing bad will happen," Aozawa reassured her with a smile.
An unusual rustling came from the woods, drawing everyone’s attention to the side. In the darkness, two figures emerged, fumbling their way to the mountaintop.
Seeing them without flashlights, Nomura True Wave was surprised. "Little Sayuri, why is it just the two of you? Where’s Hojo?"
"Don’t even ask," Furusawa Kyoichiro replied, looking dejected. "We ran into a bear on the way."
"Was Hojo eaten?" Ayatsuki Iroha instantly imagined a scene of someone being devoured by a bear.
Furusawa Kyoichiro shook his head. "The bear got beaten up badly. Hojo landed a few punches, and it started wailing."
Aozawa looked surprised. "That bear must be pretty tough to withstand several of Tetsuji’s punches."
"It’s because Yoshikawa wanted to ride the bear. Hojo was holding back so as not to kill it."
Yoshikawa Sayuri, standing behind him, blushed. "I only mentioned it casually! Who knew Hojo-kun would take it seriously and actually chase the bear to try and subdue it? Furusawa and I couldn’t keep up, so we came to the summit to meet everyone first."
Furusawa Kyoichiro sighed deeply. I’m still too weak. I actually thought about using gear to fend off the bear. That shows a weak will. I need to train harder too, until I have the physique to fight a bear barehanded!
"So, do we keep waiting, or do we go down the mountain first?"
"Let’s keep waiting." Phoenix Academy Maggie knew Hojo Tetsuji’s personality well. If they went down first, he’d likely assume they hadn’t arrived yet and would just keep waiting there.
Takahashi Saeko nodded. "Then let’s all take out our snacks and wait while eating."
"Leave the fire-making to me! Starting a fire by friction is a skill I learned from a cannibal tribe," Peter boasted proudly.
Furusawa Kyoichiro directly took out a lighter from his bag. In case of any emergencies while mountaineering, he always carried his all-purpose bag.
Aozawa and the others collected some firewood and gathered dry leaves, then lit them with the lighter. They built a bonfire in a rocky area on the mountaintop and sat around it. Overhead, a crescent moon hung high in a starless sky.
The girls took out snacks from their bags to share. Aozawa received chocolate from Phoenix Academy Maggie, while Ayatsuki Iroha handed him orange juice.
Aozawa sighed inwardly. This is what a harmonious harem should look like. If this were before they teamed up, it would have been two different snacks and two different drinks. Now, one type of snack and one type of drink shows a certain tacit understanding between them.
During the casual chat, Aozawa heard wailing coming from the forest.
"What’s that sound?"
"Sounds like a bear."
"That should be Tetsuji coming back," Aozawa casually remarked, turning to look behind him.
From the dark depths of the forest, Hojo Tetsuji emerged riding the bear. He triumphantly held a bear cub in each hand. "Yoshikawa, you can ride the bear now! I even caught two little cubs. Want to take them home and raise them?"
The large bear beneath him looked utterly dejected. With its cubs held captive, it didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly.
Yoshikawa Sayuri’s eyes sparkled as she rushed forward. "That’s amazing!"
"Tetsuji, it’s illegal to keep bears in Tokyo," Phoenix Academy Maggie explained, then offered, "But I can help you guys take a photo."
Hojo Tetsuji took a deep breath. This is it! A photo with Little Sayuri! The young lady is a genius!