Chapter 95 - 94: Killing Two Birds with One Stone_1

Words : 1219 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

The McDonald’s was located on the ground floor of a department store opposite Ayase Station. Aozawa thought it over and decided the quickest way to fill his stomach was McDonald’s. He pushed open the door to McDonald’s, and a refreshing cool breeze met him, driving away the heat from outside. Most of the seats inside were empty. At the order counter stood an employee with the kind of spiky hair often seen on hot-blooded manga protagonists. His eyes were sharp, he sported a mustache, and he was tall. Aozawa was slightly taken aback. This person looks familiar. Looking a second time, he still thought the guy looked very familiar. "Aozawa, what would you like to eat?" "So it’s you, Tetsuji. I almost didn’t recognize you without your sunglasses. Why’d you go and remove your defining feature?" "Don’t just make up settings for me; the sunglasses are just simple accessories." "Haha, why did you suddenly decide to take a part-time job?" "For a thousand Yen an hour." Hojo Tetsuji’s answer was very pragmatic. Aozawa felt a tinge of melancholy. The infamous delinquent, actually working part-time at McDonald’s? He could almost see his friend’s entire life after graduation unfolding before him. "Do you have something in mind you want to buy with the money you earn?" "The pocket money at home is only enough for living expenses; I need money to go on a date with Yoshikawa." Hojo Tetsuji answered honestly. Aozawa fell silent. They hadn’t even taken the first step, yet Tetsuji was already thinking about funds for a date. In this regard, Hojo Tetsuji truly was farsighted. "Alright, since you’re here, I want to ask: is this McDonald’s clean?" Hojo Tetsuji was quite surprised. "You’re eating at McDonald’s and you still care about cleanliness?" Aozawa found himself unable to refute his words. "Then just get me a super-value meal for two." "Okay, pay first." Hojo Tetsuji skillfully operated the machine. Aozawa paid in cash and took the receipt. He turned around and found a seat in the middle of the restaurant. The corner seats were already taken. Aozawa took out his phone and messaged Phoenix Academy Maggie, "I’m at McDonald’s and ran into Tetsuji working part-time." The message showed as read, and she quickly replied, "Tetsuji is actually working part-time? Take a photo for me." Aozawa turned to the side, snapped a photo of Hojo Tetsuji at the counter, and then clicked send. "Haha, without sunglasses, Tetsuji really just looks like an ordinary uncle." "Ordinary uncles don’t have spiky hair," Aozawa typed back. After a bit of idle chat, Aozawa heard Hojo Tetsuji calling him. He got up and went to the counter to get his meal for two. Two burgers, two chicken wings, two colas, and an additional pack of fries. The latter obviously wasn’t included in the meal. Aozawa felt grateful. It really was different having connections. Hojo Tetsuji, his hand on the tray and expression serious, said, "I just thought of a problem: once I’ve earned money from this job, how should I ask Yoshikawa out on a date?" The "son" clearly wouldn’t just spoil the "father" without a reason. Aozawa, motivated by the free fries, thought for a moment and said, "If you rashly ask her out, with Yoshikawa’s personality, she probably won’t agree. You need to slowly build a good image in her mind, inch your way closer, and then you can suggest a date." "How should I do that specifically?" Hojo Tetsuji asked earnestly for advice. Touching his chin, Aozawa mused, "A direct approach probably won’t be very effective. You need someone to speak well of you to Yoshikawa, to make her a little curious about you." Hojo Tetsuji, quite self-aware, shook his head. "I don’t know Yoshikawa’s friends." Aozawa smiled. "You can ask Maggie to join the Manga Club where Yoshikawa is a member. If she becomes friends with Yoshikawa, she could put in a good word for you, right?" He suddenly made this suggestion because Aozawa remembered Phoenix Academy Maggie was often alone after school. He wasn’t sure why she didn’t go home, but the young lady must have her reasons. He couldn’t interfere, so he thought of helping Phoenix Academy Maggie find female friends, so she wouldn’t be lonely at school. Usually, Aozawa couldn’t find a good opportunity to encourage her to make friends. But with Hojo Tetsuji asking for help, he saw it as a perfect chance not only to help Tetsuji pursue Yoshikawa but also to help Phoenix Academy Maggie make friends. Two birds with one stone. "The young lady won’t agree." "Don’t be fooled by Maggie’s seemingly heartless appearance. As long as you sincerely kneel and beg her, she’ll definitely soften and agree." Hojo Tetsuji considered this. To make a good impression on Yoshikawa Sayuri... He decided to try kneeling before Phoenix Academy Maggie. Nodding, he said, "Alright, I’ll go practice my dogeza to ensure my sincerity comes across." "You’re not alone; I’ll cover for you." "Aozawa, you really are my good brother!" Hojo Tetsuji clenched his fists, already envisioning the dreamy scene of a date with Yoshikawa Sayuri by the sea in summer. For that day to arrive, he must work hard at his part-time job and earn money! Aozawa smiled. The happiness of a simple-minded man is indeed that straightforward. He picked up his lunch and turned to walk back to his seat. 「3:40 p.m.」 Ikebukuro, Maid Cafe. Arakawa Reina let out a soft sigh. She felt tired. It wasn’t related to work; she had long grown accustomed to her part-time job at the Maid Cafe. She was confident that at any time, she could put on a sweet smile and cast "love magic" on the customers’ meals. Arakawa Reina’s tiredness was mental exhaustion. Since yesterday afternoon, Arakawa Reina had been constantly simulating in her mind how to respond when Aozawa came, and his possible reactions. And that simulation kept escalating in her mind, but the reality was Aozawa hadn’t appeared. Arakawa Reina remembered sighing in relief when work ended yesterday. But when she started work this morning, the anxiety had returned and persisted. Now, Arakawa Reina had shifted from initially worrying about Aozawa showing up at the cafe to actually hoping he would appear soon! Otherwise, the thought that Aozawa might come would continue to haunt her mind, making her jolt every time she heard the doorbell ring, subconsciously thinking it was Aozawa arriving, only to be disappointed again and again. That kind of feeling was truly torturous. It’s like the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head; not knowing when it will fall is what’s truly frightening. Rather than continue worrying, she wished he would just show up quickly, right in front of her. Wait a second, could this also be part of Aozawa’s plan? Deliberately not coming, creating inner anxiety and panic, then making her, who was originally resistant to Aozawa’s arrival, start wishing for him to appear in the cafe soon. The mind games of a scumbag are too terrifying. Arakawa Reina suddenly took in a sharp breath. DING-A-LING. Once again, the sound of the door opening rang out. Arakawa Reina instinctively looked up to see a familiar face entering from outside the shop. It was Aozawa! Arakawa Reina was certain of it: he was PUA-ing her.

Chapter 95 - 94: Killing Two Birds with One Stone_1

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