After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 193

"Why are you here? You're not...?"

"It's all thanks to Mana. If it weren't for her, I might still be struggling to find a place for Mutsu... Although Ms. Minami's helplessness will probably only last for one day, at least tonight, the band can finally gather in the office together for the first time in a long time."

Holding Wakaba Mutsu's hand, Toyokawa Yuu led the seemingly shy girl into the long-forgotten office.

Recalling how Minami Mori had just expressed her dissatisfaction yet couldn't bring herself to lash out at her junior, Mana Junta, as a senior in the industry, Yuu Toyokawa, who had been feeling somewhat annoyed by Kairin Hachiman's difficult nature, suddenly felt much better.

It's a pity that Toyokawa Shoko wasn't there, otherwise I really wanted to show her the expression that Mori Minami had at the time.

"Don't even mention it, I regret it now."

Despite being praised so highly by Toyokawa Yuu, Junda Mana showed no joy whatsoever. Instead, she wore a mournful expression, sank into the sofa, and looked utterly dejected.

"Lena, who was out running errands, rushed back to help me deal with it after hearing that I had offended Ms. Minami. They're probably still in Sumimi's office now. I can already imagine how Lena will scold me after I send Ms. Minami away."

As she spoke, Junda Mana cast her lifeless brown gaze at Toyokawa Yuu, conveying a sense of resentment that if she didn't see the sun rise tomorrow, she would drag him down with her tonight.

Leaving the agency in front of everyone while wearing Sumimi's performance outfit, setting a trap for industry veterans like Minami Mori, and the potential misunderstandings and leaks of event information caused by Sumimi's leader appearing in the same frame as Ave Mujica's manager in broad daylight...

Some things, you may be confident when you do them, but when you look back on them, even Junda Mana can't help but admire her own courage.

Hopefully, Ms. Minami won't really pursue the matter for the sake of that person.

"On this point, I think you can rest assured, Mana."

Junda Mana's lingering fear is indeed the kind of worry a normal idol should have, but Toyokawa Yuu doesn't think these things will really affect her.

The fact that someone can reach the top of the popularity charts within a year is not typical of idols. Moreover, since Senmina's target is him and Wakaba Mutsu, she will most likely only hold herself accountable.

not to mention......

"Tomorrow night is the day Sumimi and Ave Mujica will appear on the show together. With Ms. Lena's professionalism, even if she's so angry she wants to kill someone right now, she'll at least wait until the show is over before she draws her sword."

Judging from her tone, it seemed she was going to die anyway, and Junda Mana felt she really needed to take someone down with her before she died.

"Then Mr. Yuyu, please promise me that if the show ends, you will stand in front of me and take the knife for me."

Watching the two who had only met a few times but were already able to joke around with each other so familiarly, Hachiman Kairin quietly clenched her teeth.

However, she also knew that since she knew nothing about this matter, she had no right to join the conversation, so she could only quietly change the subject.

"Speaking of which, tomorrow night is the day we'll be on a show together. You seem quite confident. Aren't you nervous about this?"

“Nervous? Not at all. Xiao Chu and I have participated in this kind of program many times before. Even Xiao Chu didn’t take it too seriously. She hasn’t been practicing with me lately… But Mr. You Yu, this must be Ave Mujica’s first time participating in this kind of program. Are you sure you’re all set?”

As Yawata Kairin steered the conversation toward work, Junta Mana's expression gradually turned serious, abandoning the relaxed demeanor she had displayed while joking with Toyokawa Yuu.

She wasn't worried about Sumimi having any problems. Both she and her partner had experienced this kind of situation dozens of times before, so they were quite adept at it.

On the other hand, from the perspective of a professional idol, Junda Mana felt that Ave Mujica was a bit lax.

It's one thing that Wakaba Mutsumi and Hachiman Kairin don't have to go on stage, but Ave Mujica's captain and the drummer, whose spots on stage were already confirmed, don't seem to feel any urgency.

In fact, Ave Mujica is closed on weekends.

Although this directly resulted in her partner not having any scheduling conflicts on weekends and being able to come to Sumimi all the time, this relaxed attitude made Junda Mana wonder if they would be able to handle the situation.

"The organizers of these kinds of shows love to stir up trouble between two groups. If they can provoke a conflict between the two sides, they will make a fortune in terms of both ratings and buzz."

Of course, Mana Junda had no intention of using Ave Mujica as a stepping stone, taking advantage of their appearance on the show together.

With Sumimi's current popularity, she doesn't need to resort to such despicable behavior; she's confident she can navigate around the traps set by the production team, both overtly and covertly.

She was more worried about whether Ave Mujica would get infected than about herself.

If that really happens, then Xiao Chu, caught between the two groups, will be in a very difficult situation.

Reminded by Junda Mana, Hachiman Kairin, who had been feeling somewhat complicated, immediately abandoned her own thoughts and became nervous.

As a member of Ave Mujica, she was well aware that, recently, Yuu Toyokawa had been emphasizing the band's dire situation.

However, in terms of the actual workload, he did relax everyone's expectations considerably.

Since she didn't have to go on stage and needed to make room for Toyokawa Shoko and Yutenji Wakame to practice, she had been going to the rehearsal room less often lately and was unaware of their practice progress.

"Mr. Yu, should we call Oblivionis and Amoris back...?"

Yawata Kairin cautiously offered a suggestion to Toyokawa Yuu, but was dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Holding Wakaba Mutsu's hand, Yuu Toyokawa helped her sit on another sofa next to the coffee table and poured her a cup of Earl Grey tea. This girl was so stubborn that she planned to wait for him all morning on a roadside bench with only a little shade.

"I don't think we need to worry about that. Amoris is a very ambitious young man and he won't slack off in this area. As for my fiancée, I'm even less worried that she will be provoked."

With a gentle press of her finger against the arm of Wakaba Mutsu, who was about to take the teacup, Toyokawa Yuu brought the cup to the girl's lips and gently tilted the rim to feed her.

Seeing the girl's adorable behavior—wanting to take the cup herself but hesitant to move because she was worried about causing trouble—and only tilting her head back to cooperate with her movements, Toyokawa Yuu couldn't help but smile slightly.

Yuu Toyokawa was indeed a little angry about Wakaba Mutsu secretly going to the vicinity of the agency.

It wasn't that she was angry because her behavior had attracted Mori Minami and made her feel awkward, but rather that she was angry because Mori Minami hadn't even greeted her.

He knew, of course, that Ye Mu would secretly wait for him nearby after get off work if he didn't want to cause trouble for himself.

But now that things have come to this, why would I care about such a small trouble?

If he were truly afraid of trouble, he wouldn't have taken her in on the night Wakaba Mutsumi came to him for help.

This is precisely why Yuu Toyokawa was somewhat angry at Muka's thoughtfulness.

This behavior can be seen as his small act of revenge.

“There was a scheming person who tried to take advantage of my fiancée, but she exposed him without hesitation. I’m not worried that she will fall for that kind of trick.”

Yuu Toyokawa did not believe that Shoko Toyokawa would be so easily provoked.

Rather than blindly stepping into the traps the production team might set, he was actually more worried that his stubborn fiancée, after seeing through such things, might stubbornly refuse to cooperate.

However, such concerns are somewhat difficult to share with outsiders.

"Since Mr. Yuyu says so... then I want to eat donuts for lunch!"

Hearing Toyokawa Yuu's assurance, Junda Mana stopped worrying and instead shifted the topic to an angle that even Toyokawa Yuu hadn't realized.

Seeing that Toyokawa Yuu still didn't understand what she meant, Junda Mana stretched and sat up straight on the sofa, pretending to be smug and putting her hands on her hips.

"I almost offended Ms. Minami while helping Mr. Yuu, so should I say thank you?"

In other words, a meal of donuts would wipe the slate clean.

Yuu Toyokawa blinked, finally understanding Mana Junta's unspoken meaning.

We're all just working professionals. Friendships can be remembered, but it's best to repay favors as soon as possible. And right now, Junda Mana is giving herself that opportunity.

Unfortunately, when it comes to buying donuts, Yuu Toyokawa's decision alone isn't enough.

"Xiao Mu, Mana said she wants to eat donuts."

Turning her gaze to Wakaba Mutsumi, who was being forcefully fed tea by her, Toyokawa Yuu could see a hint of resentment in those calm golden eyes.

Release your fingers and let Wakaba Mutsu hold the teacup herself.

Even though she was a little angry just now, teasing her a bit was enough. Toyokawa Yuu didn't really intend to take advantage of the girl's gentle nature to bully her.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have...

"Youyu's request is acceptable."

Ruoye Mu nodded, and pulled out a black leather wallet from somewhere on her plain green mesh dress.

Without even opening his wallet to take out any money, Ruoye Mu simply shoved the entire wallet into Toyokawa Yuu's hand. It was something Toyokawa had entrusted to him for safekeeping, or rather...

Having confirmed that Wakaba Mutsumi had gained a certain degree of freedom, Toyokawa Yuu had no intention of continuing to confine her at home. So, under the guise of safekeeping, she gave the wallet to her so that she could have money to spend when she went out.

Upon seeing the familiar wallet, Hachiman Kairin paused slightly, her brows furrowing instantly, her emerald gaze becoming somewhat distorted by her lowered eyelids.

She certainly recognized the item; it was the wallet she had given to Toyokawa Yuu, but for some reason, it seemed he had handed it over to Wakaba Mutsumi.

Watching the group chatting and laughing as they planned to buy donuts together, Hachiman Kairin didn't join their conversation. Instead, she quietly clenched each of her fingers until there were no gaps between them.

This can't go on... any longer.

Otherwise, things that don't belong to you will be taken away by others and never be yours again.

.................................................. ................

The lunch break at Haneoka Girls' Academy is a bit more lively than other times.

There will always be students who don't like to eat their lunch from home in the classroom and will choose to find a secluded spot where they won't be disturbed by others, either alone or in small groups.

Chihaya Aine and Takamatsu Akari are also among these students.

As usual, the two girls carried their lunchboxes and prepared to enjoy them at the astronomy club grounds, but the moment they stepped onto the steps, they both stopped in their tracks.

Turning her head, Chihaya Aine exchanged a glance with her friend, and saw a hint of surprise in the other's gray eyes.

"Tomorin, did you hear that too?"

The band's lead singer, with her short, pinkish-gray hair and a gentle, adorable demeanor like a small animal, nodded. She knew what Chihaya Aine was talking about.

A melodious piano tune echoed in every corner of the teaching building, providing the perfect accompaniment during this relaxing midday break.

However, in the memories of Chihaya Aine and Takamatsu Akari, they hadn't heard this kind of piano sound for a while.

The person who plays this kind of music has their own things to do.

And now, that person seems to have returned.

Should we go say hello?

Chihaya Aine could see the hesitation in Takamatsu Akari's eyes. Although Toyokawa Shoko's temper and personality had improved a lot recently, and she had even promised to go to MyGO!!!!!'s next live performance, just like Toyokawa Yuu, this long-lost act of playing the piano during lunch break still inevitably aroused the curiosity of the two girls.

"But, to disturb them like this..."

Takamatsu Akari was clearly interested in Chihaya Aine's suggestion.

However, she had observed Toyokawa Shoko's personality and attitude over the past year. Although things had improved recently, she still hesitated to take the initiative to bother her.

"It's alright, Xiangzi won't be angry. Besides, if you're always hesitant and timid, you'll easily fail at everything. Show me the courage you had when you recited poetry on stage and attracted everyone's attention."

Holding her friend's wrist, Chihaya Aine smiled encouragingly and led Takamatsu Akari, who showed little resistance, toward the music room.

However, the girl's gray eyes did not reflect the radiant smile on her face.

There were certain things she wanted to say to Toyokawa Shoko.

For example, the relationship between the bassist of one's own band and the manager of another band.

Chihaya Aine promised Toyokawa Yuu that she would not interfere with Toyokawa Yuu's attitude towards Nagasaki Sase.

But... we can't just ignore it, can we? Even if we just try to find another way to make sure they never see each other again, that would be good.

Unfortunately, Chihaya Aine did know why her band's bassist was bothering Toyokawa Yuu.

She remembered clearly that when the two first met, it was after Toyokawa Yuu revealed his identity as Toyokawa Shoko's sworn brother that Soyorin began to become enthusiastic.

That feeling... was exactly the same enthusiasm she had shown him when he was searching for people to form a band.

Honestly, I was so relaxed at the time that I didn't even realize it.

If we had noticed it sooner, wouldn't many of the things that happened afterward have never occurred?

He forbade Soyorin from asking Yuyu for help to get concert tickets, and instead of advising Yuyu to have the courage to start over in front of Soyorin.

Ever since that heart-to-heart talk under the setting sun, Chihaya Aine has been thinking about this matter.

But since I can't continue talking to Youyu about this, and I can't talk to Soyorin either, then there's only one option left...

Pushing open the door to the music classroom, Chihaya Aine quickly spotted the figure sitting at the piano, her fingertips dancing merrily in the sunlight.

And coincidentally, just as she pushed open the classroom door, the blue-haired girl finished her song, and the melodious music came to an abrupt end.

Their eyes, one golden and one gray, met.

Seeing Chihaya Aine enter with Takamatsu Todoroki, her face beaming with a smile, but her eyes holding a strange look as if she were hiding something, Toyokawa Shoko tilted her head and asked in confusion.

"Is there something you need, Aine?"

Chapter 177 Xiangzi: Mortis, we should talk.

"Nothing serious, I was just curious so I followed Tomorin to take a look. It feels like it's been a long time since I've heard Xiangzi's piano music at noon."

When confronted with Toyokawa Shoko's question, Chihaya Aine's gaze shifted slightly, and she did not express her desire for Shoko to intervene or resolve the conflict between Toyokawa Yuu and Nagasaki Sase.

She's not completely incapable of lying, but lying to another friend in front of a friend is still a bit...

With her amber eyes reflecting the pink-haired girl's expression, Toyokawa Shoko took in the slight awkwardness on Chihaya Aine's face.

Chihaya Aine, what do you want to say to yourself?