Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week

The moment these words left her lips, all three present were inwardly startled in unison.

Especially Takahashi Saeko, who found that Iroha always managed to take actions that took her by surprise.

She had thought that the timid Iroha would take a very long time to progress in her love life, needing their push from behind. Yet, unexpectedly, Iroha had sped straight to the finish line.

Was she really that bold?

She had made the choice to confess to Aozawa without even consulting them.

Looking at the outcome, it was evidently beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Otherwise, Ayatsuki Iroha wouldn't have that expression of being both troubled and happy.

If the answer wasn't rejection or acceptance of the confession, what was it?

Takahashi Saeko was very curious.

After pondering for a moment, Ayatsuki Iroha truthfully relayed what Aozawa had said to the three of them, "He said he has a girlfriend named Morimoto Chiyoda, but he still likes me and hopes that I can be his girlfriend along with Morimoto Chiyoda. Besides, Morimoto Chiyoda is willing to accept such a relationship. What do you say, should I accept it?"

"Huh, I knew he was a scumbag, but to be this scummy is beyond my imagination."

Tama Chan lifted her hair with her right hand, her expression somewhat speechless. She had never thought that in this day and age, there would still be people choosing to play both ends against the middle like this. To cheat in secret was nothing unusual. Like her, sometimes she'd cheat on her boyfriend, stepping out with a dozen others, simply to see what her limits were. But to be openly upfront about it was still a first for her.

"Someone actually agrees to this? It is true, there's nothing so strange it does not exist in this vast world."

Takahashi Saeko commented sarcastically, convinced that the Morimoto Chiyoda who agreed must have a severe cuckolding fetish. Why else would she consent to such an absurd arrangement unless she enjoyed being cuckolded? It's not like Aozawa was the last man on Earth.

An expression of resignation crossed Ayatsuki Iroha's face as she said, "Indeed, I thought I was the girl who liked Aozawa the most. I never expected her affection to surpass mine to the extent that she could tolerate this kind of situation. What do you think I should do?"

"Just reject him."

Tama Chan answered resolutely. She might mess around with others, but she wouldn't stand for someone messing around with Iroha.

Ayatsuki Iroha said weakly, "But Aozawa really does like me."

"Is that really liking? He's just lusting after your body, despicable."

"Maru, I won't allow you to talk about him like that."

Ayatsuki Iroha pouted. She wouldn't permit anyone to speak ill of Aozawa. In her opinion, the fact that Aozawa had been honest with her and not hidden anything already proved that he truly liked her. It's just that his way of liking someone was different from others – liking an additional person did not mean he was merely lusting after her body.

Tama Chan slapped her forehead and sighed, "It's no use, you're beyond help, just like those guys who still kneel before me pleading, even though they know I'm cheating, begging me to continue being their girlfriend. He'd rather be a backup option. Iroha, please don't do something so spineless."

"Maru, I won't do that. Besides, it's not the same situation; you don't like that guy. But Aozawa likes me," Ayatsuki Iroha offered a weak explanation.

She was aware that her current situation was precarious, her mind swaying between wanting to agree and not wanting to. If Maru and the others were supportive, she might just go with the flow and agree, but they were adamantly against it.

"Cut him off completely!"

The three said in unison.

Including Miyahara Kaoru, who was very determined. If it were just Aozawa cheating on Iroha in a one-on-one situation, or cheating on her without her knowing, Kaoru could have tolerated it. But for him to blatantly seek to play the field was something that Miyahara Kaoru found unbearable. He had laid everything out clearly. Could it still be called being a scumbag?

"Iroha, you have to be firm, say no loudly to a scumbag like that!"

"Even Kaoru says so?"

"Of course, this is about your dignity!"

"I don't think it's that serious," Ayatsuki Iroha's index fingertips touched each other nervously, her timid expression making the three of them want to grab her by the collar and scream some sense into her.

Takahashi Saeko grabbed Ayatsuki Iroha by the ear and commanded sternly, "It is that serious, you hear me? Absolutely do not agree to such an outrageous proposal. As a girl of the new era, how can you regress to being a concubine of old times?"

"I get it, Saeko, you don't have to pull my ear like that, it hurts."

Ayatsuki Iroha took a deep breath and decided to listen to them, to firmly say no to Aozawa. She would never consent to such an absurd request. Unless Aozawa agreed to date only her.

Tama Chan glanced at her sideways, put her hand on her shoulder, and leaned in, saying, "Then send a message to Aozawa now, tell him your stance."

"Can't I do it face-to-face later?"

"Certainly not."

The three vetoed her suggestion simultaneously.

They knew Ayatsuki Iroha too well; given her personality, she might inadvertently say yes in person. Then she would use the atmosphere at the moment or some other excuse. Only with their support could Ayatsuki Iroha find the courage to firmly reject Aozawa.

"With us by your side, don't be afraid. You can always cry on our shoulders afterwards."

Miyahara Kaoru placed her hand on her shoulder.

Ayatsuki Iroha took another deep breath and decided to follow their advice, nodding, "Okay, I'll send a message right now."

As she picked up her phone with both hands, she felt immense pressure from the three pairs of eyes staring at her.

She unlocked her phone, intending to send a message, when Aozawa had already sent one, "Iroha, where are you? I've cleaned the thermos and will bring it to you."

She instinctively replied, "I'm on the bench in the central courtyard."

After the message showed as read, Ayatsuki Iroha looked up and said, "It seems like he's coming over. I'll talk to him in person. You guys go ahead."

Tama Chan smiled and said, "No way, we'll be right by your side."

"Isn't it better to talk about these things one-on-one?" Ayatsuki Iroha weakly suggested.

The trio's gaze turned sharp, saying nothing but conveying everything.

Ayatsuki Iroha maintained her meek facade, sighing internally, Why had things come to this? She had only intended to seek their advice, but the situation had escalated to the point where it seemed like she must sever ties.

…

Aozawa arrived in the school courtyard and instantly saw Ayatsuki Iroha surrounded by her three friends.

The trio also saw him. Even from a distance, their gazes and expressions silently conveyed hostility.

Aozawa didn't consider dispersing them; on the contrary, having them there worked to his advantage.

He approached with the thermos, smiling, "Iroha, I've cleaned the cup for you, here it is."

"Thanks."

Ayatsuki Iroha meekly replied, reaching out to take the thermos.

Her heart pounding, she was unsure of how to face Aozawa. She felt she couldn't be as resolute as they had urged. On the other hand, she didn't quite want to agree either.

She wanted to have Aozawa all to herself. Yet this desire conflicted with Aozawa's unwillingness to let go of Morimoto Chiyoda, leaving her struggling to choose.

For the first time, she realized just how awkward it could be to be with Aozawa. Whereas before, a single word could alleviate boredom and tedium, now even saying another word felt inappropriate.

What an annoying feeling, Ayatsuki Iroha thought to herself.

"Could we talk alone?"

Aozawa's request was like stirring a hornet's nest.

Miyahara Kaoru's face turned icy as she said coldly, "Absolutely not, Iroha has nothing more to say to you. Do you think being upfront about two-timing can cover up the fact that you're a philanderer?"

"Yeah, Aozawa, you're a bit too greedy. Being open about it is indeed more honest than those who hide it. But no matter how honest, it doesn't change the fact you want to two-time," Tama Chan chimed in.

She always preached pure love and said she gave her all to every boyfriend, but that was just a joke. Whoever took it seriously was a fool. She never took such pronouncements seriously, neither in her heart nor in her words. She was very clear about her own status as a playgirl.

On the other hand, Aozawa seemed unclear about his own identity. Does he think being candid means he isn't a playboy? In Tama Chan's mind, Aozawa was a low-tier playboy. A cunning playboy typically does not let his targets realize how despicable he is. Moreover, he's an expert at time management.

"There's no such thing as an easy deal in this world," Takahashi Saeko added slowly.

The three friends made their stance clear. They opposed any further interaction between Ayatsuki Iroha and Aozawa.

Caught in the middle, Ayatsuki Iroha felt increasingly embarrassed. She wanted to refute her friends but feared that such actions would hurt them. After all, they were only saying such things out of concern for her. But if she said nothing, watching Aozawa be berated by her three friends made her heart ache. It twisted her insides, and she couldn't even dare to glance at Aozawa standing before her.

"Iroha, what's your response?"

"Aozawa, there's something else I need to take care of, let's talk later," Ayatsuki Iroha deliberated for a long time and decided to side with her friends for the moment.

She felt she had no choice. They were considerate of her, and she couldn't rebuke their interference.

"Okay."

Aozawa sighed in relief.

Such a response didn't mean that Ayatsuki Iroha had entirely given up on the proposal; it just implied she was still torn. At this moment, Aozawa merely had to show his vulnerability, and it would tilt the scales bit by bit in his favor in Iroha's heart.

Aozawa turned and left.

Ayatsuki Iroha wanted to call out but held back.

Takahashi Saeko and Tama Chan saw this scene and both sighed inwardly. To end the connection between Ayatsuki Iroha and Aozawa completely seemed an almost impossible task. As long as Ayatsuki Iroha found a suitable excuse, she might very well follow it down the slope. The reason was that she had not yet realized what it was like to share a boyfriend with another woman. All they could do was to extinguish that reason.

"Iroha, let's go buy some treats to reward your backbone." Takahashi Saeko rubbed Ayatsuki Iroha's cheek. She decided to distract her with food and then instill in her the concept of female empowerment, to prevent her from yielding to Aozawa.