After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 124

She had actually seen her friend's hard work during this period.

The marks left on my fingers from practicing guitar weren't serious; they would disappear in about half a day after I put on a band-aid, so much so that the rest of the band didn't notice them.

But this kind of thing couldn't be hidden from Gao Songdeng, who was not only a band member but also a classmate.

Even the band-aids that Chihaya Aine used were provided by her.

While Takamatsu Akari couldn't fully understand Chihaya Aine's behavior of secretly working hard behind the scenes and even telling herself not to tell anyone, she could guess some of her thoughts.

After all, his friend had been put under pressure by the drummer, who was always strict with everyone, when he first joined the band because his skill level couldn't keep up.

Recently, with her skill level improving, even Li Xi can hardly find any mistakes in her anymore.

When the band holds their next live performance, Chihaya Aine's progress will surely amaze everyone.

Thinking of this, Gao Songdeng also typed his information into the chat box.

tomorin: [Let's practice together.]

However, to their surprise, some people declined to participate in this routine call to action.

It wouldn't matter if it were someone else, but the more important thing is that the person making excuses is Shiina Tatsuki, who has the best relationship with Takamatsu Akari.

Shiina Tatsuki: [Sorry, I have something to do today and can't go to rehearsal.]

Eh?

Riki is absent? Really?

Looking at the information displayed on her phone, Chihaya Aine blinked her gray eyes in surprise, repeatedly confirming that the name appearing in the chat box was "Shiina Tatsuki" and not "soyorin".

Riki, who is always strict and critical of everyone, urging them not to slack off on rehearsals even after the live show, and who can always precisely bring back Rana, who is still wandering around somewhere, with a matcha parfait before each rehearsal...

He was absent!

Nagasaki Sosei would occasionally be absent from these events without a word for some reason, and Chihaya Aine was pretty much used to it, but Shiina Tatsuki...

In her memory, this was the first time the drummer, who also composed music for the band, had missed a rehearsal.

More importantly, if Riki isn't around, none of the others are confident they can find Renai.

Is it okay to buy two more matcha parfaits and put them on the table?

Or you could ask Ms. Rinrinko, the administrator of [RING].

However, since Shiina Tatsuki clearly stated that she would be absent, Chihaya Aine would not force her to change her mind, but simply continued to type information in the chat box.

Anon: [Will Soyorin come? Let's go catch Lone together with the Matcha Parfait.]

Chihaya Aine clutched her phone, a hint of anticipation in her grey eyes.

Riki is absent, and we don't know if Renai will come, so Soyorin can't be absent too.

However, seeing that there were no replies in the chat box, Chihaya Aine's expectant gaze gradually dimmed.

Whether Riki will come or not, Soyorin is probably busy with something since she hasn't replied to messages, and it's unclear whether Renai can be lured with the matcha parfait...

The band originally only had five members, and in the worst-case scenario, three of them might be absent at the same time. How could they possibly rehearse under such circumstances?

What will become of our MyGO!!!!!

For no apparent reason, this worry began to creep into the heart of the usually cheerful and lively pink-haired girl.

However, the considerate girl did not show this small emotion on her face; she knew very well how sensitive her friend was.

She might have considered the worries I might have, and if I showed those emotions on my face, she would become sentimental again.

Chihaya Aine gave Takamatsu Akari a slightly helpless yet still lively smile, teasing her friend in a half-joking tone.

"It seems everyone has their own things to do today, which is unavoidable. How about we go to [RING] to look for Lena first? If she's not there either, let's all go home early today."

After explaining her plans, Chihaya Aine paused, offering a reason that would prevent Takamatsu Akari from feeling responsible for what was essentially an unpleasant ending.

“I sneak off to [RING] every morning for extra practice, but actually I kind of want to take a day off.”

"...Yes, Aine also needs to rest well."

Upon hearing Chihaya Aine's smiling suggestion, Takamatsu Akari hesitated for a moment before silently nodding.

Her short, light gray hair made her look even more somber than before.

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

"Aine is asking about your plans, aren't you going to reply?"

In a café near Tsukimori Girls' Academy, Shiina Ritsuki looked at the gradually quieting group chat, lowered her eyelids to hide her purple eyes, and put down her phone.

Looking at Nagasaki Sase, who was sitting opposite him, holding a cup of Earl Grey tea in both hands, and had already seen all the messages on his phone screen, but did not pick up his phone to reply, he couldn't help but ask.

Although Nagasaki Sase had done this kind of thing before.

But she has rarely done so since that last live performance that brought everyone together.

It's not that she would tell everyone in advance if she wasn't going to participate in a rehearsal; it's just that she hasn't missed a single rehearsal since then, right up to today.

“Aine isn’t that unfamiliar with us. She probably knows what I’m planning when she sees that I’m not replying to her messages. Besides… we can’t both be vague or just lie to everyone, can we? Didn’t you say before that I’m terrible at lying to everyone?”

Picking up the teacup, Nagasaki Sase took a small sip of the clear liquid. His azure eyes held a complex expression, but he ultimately lowered them silently, concealing the look in his pupils.

She invited Shiina Tatsuki here today not to have her join her in self-reproach.

Moreover, some things that have already been done will not change simply because of self-reproach.

“You look pretty rotten right now... So, what did you want to say to me? Is there something you can’t talk about in the open anymore, and you have to hide it from everyone else?”

After muttering something under his breath, Shiina Tatsuki didn't dwell on the topic any further.

Some things have already been done and will not change no matter how much you explain or apologize.

Moreover, he himself had done the detrimental thing by being absent, so there was little to criticize Nagasaki Sasuke's stance.

"I need to ask you for a favor. It's a bit excessive, so I don't want to mention it in front of others, but it concerns Xiao Mu, so I really need your help."

Setting down his teacup, Nagasaki Sase subtly fiddled with his fingertips, his azure eyes seemingly veiled by a thin layer of mist.

However, Shiina Tatsuki, sitting opposite her, did not notice this subtle movement; instead, she was drawn to her words.

"It concerns Xiao Mu, and you're going too far... What are you saying?"

With a slight furrow of his brow, Shiina Tatsuki's expression became somewhat serious.

Ruoye Mutsu, a friend she used to be in the group CRYCHIC with... Although Shiina Tatsuki herself wasn't sure whether they could still be considered friends after they had barely been in contact for a year.

But no matter what, we at least spent some relatively happy times together.

Even if the band eventually broke up on bad terms, it doesn't mean that the happiness during that time was fake, and Shiina Tatsuki wouldn't claim that he really didn't care about his former bandmates at all.

What's more, the name Ruoye Mu has been appearing in front of me quite frequently lately.

First, there was Ave Mujica's concert, then he silently skipped class and disappeared, and before that, he criticized Nagasaki Sase in [RING], and at the time he comforted his band's bassist.

and many more......

As if he had thought of something, Shiina Tatsuki looked at Nagasaki Sōse with a knowing look in his eyes.

Could it be that Nagasaki Sase came to him specifically for help because he had encouraged her in [RING] before?

"Let me make this clear first: I won't do anything that would hurt anyone in the band."

Before Nagasaki Sase could make his request, Shiina Tatsuki drew his own boundaries first.

It wasn't that she was unwilling to help, but since Nagasaki Sase herself had said it might be a bit excessive, she couldn't help but take it seriously.

What's more, the bassist in his own band has a criminal record.

On the contrary, as long as it's not something that would disrupt the stability of the band, Shiina Tatsuki has no reason to refuse.

"Don't worry, Lixi, I promise I won't involve the rest of the band."

Seeing Shiina Tatsuki's wariness, Nagasaki Sousei quickly smiled to reassure him.

She was well aware of how much her band's drummer valued the band and how much he cared for the lead singer, so of course she would never do anything that would harm the band.

Therefore, she never intended for Shiina Ritsuki to do those things.

Seeing that Nagasaki Sase's demeanor seemed genuine, Shiina Tatsuki gradually relaxed, picked up the teacup in front of him, and took a sip.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?"

She was willing to believe that her bandmates hadn't lied to her, but she wasn't someone without judgment either; if Nagasaki Sose's request made her feel uncomfortable, she would refuse.

Seeing that Shiina Tatsuki was willing to agree, Nagasaki Sosei also showed a genuine smile, and even the voice he had been holding back relaxed.

After looking around for a while and making sure no one was paying attention to him, he lowered his voice as if he had done something wrong.

"Lixi, I hope you can wait for Mr. Youyu at the nearest train platform outside his agency tonight, and get on the train with him after he gets off work. After all, Mr. Youyu doesn't seem to have a good impression of me. If we ride on the same train, he might notice me."

"Just remember which station he got off at. Lixi, you don't need to follow him off. Just tell me which station it is..."

Before Nagasaki Sase could finish speaking, her deliberately lowered voice was interrupted by Shiina Tatsuki.

His purple eyes widened unusually, and he almost spat out the tea he had just been holding in his mouth, his pupils filled with disbelief.

Shiina Riki never expected that Nagasaki Sosei's special invitation to meet him was actually to ask him to follow someone.

That person was none other than Toyokawa Shoko's sworn brother, a close friend of Wakaba Mutsu, and to a large extent, their band was able to attend an Ave Mujica concert in the VIP section thanks to that person's help.

From this perspective, while Toyokawa Yuu's kindness to MyGO!!!!! might not be considered a monumental act of gratitude, the favor she received was undeniable.

Nagasaki Sase actually wanted him to follow him, and that was after he got off work late at night.

"What are you thinking? Is this something you should be doing?"

Overwhelmed with surprise, Shiina Tatsuki's voice became somewhat out of control.

Fortunately, she knew she couldn't make things too serious in public, so she quickly lowered her voice again.

"To put it bluntly, this is already a crime."

Shiina Riki wasn't entirely unable to understand Nagasaki Sose's thoughts; she even guessed what Sose was planning to do next.

If nothing unexpected happens, after I tell her that Toyokawa Yuu is getting off at that station, the next thing I do will be for Nagasaki Sase to secretly wait on the platform and follow her home.

After all, just the fact that Wakaba Mutsumi, who was told by Tsukimori's teacher that he was on leave to recuperate due to mental problems, did not stay obediently at home or in the hospital, but instead ran around everywhere with Toyokawa Yuu, is enough to confirm that the two have a close relationship.

He must know the current situation of Wakaba Mutsu from his words.

However, judging from what Toyokawa Yuu said to Nagasaki Sase in the previous episode of [RING], it's not hard to see that the boy actually dislikes the outwardly gentle Nagasaki Sase quite a bit. Even if Nagasaki Sase were to rashly approach him and ask, he would probably be avoided.

so......

Are you planning to go straight to their house and ask them directly?

Shiina Tatsuki was puzzled by Nagasaki Sase's idea, but that did not stop her from being deeply shocked by it.

“Lixi, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t intend to confront Mr. Youyu face to face. I just have some questions that I need to clarify.”

Faced with Shiina Tatsuki's doubts, Nagasaki Sase shook his head slightly, his azure eyes gradually becoming firm.

"Yesterday, after being scolded by Xiao Mu... or perhaps I should call her Metis, I went to visit Xiao Mu's house in the evening to apologize, but..."

Nagasaki Sase paused, then gently bit her lip.

"However, I did not find Xiao Mu there. I only met Xiao Mu's mother, Ms. Mori Minami. She said that Xiao Mu was taken away by Mr. Yu Yu last night and has not been home for some time. Although she believed that Mr. Yu Yu would not harm Xiao Mu because of their social relationship, she did not know where Xiao Mu was."

[Maybe Xiaomu and Youyu are living together now...]

Recalling last night at the Wakaba family villa, Ms. Mori Minami, a famous actress, casually revealed this guess to her over the steam of hot tea.

Nagasaki Sase felt a tightness in her chest, and a strange worry began to linger in her mind.

"I suspect that Xiao Mu might be living with Mr. You Yu..."

For reasons unknown, Nagasaki Sase silently concealed the fact that this speculation actually originated from Wakaba Mutsumi's mother.

Upon hearing this speculation, Shiina Tatsuki couldn't help but frown.

Regardless of the circumstances, she theoretically had no right to interfere with where Wakaba Mutsu lived. Even if she did move in with Toyokawa Yuu and they developed feelings for each other, it was none of her business.

However, based on what I've seen so far, Ruoye Mu's mental state is probably not very good, so is living with Toyokawa Yuu really something she wants?

Shiina Tatsuki was unwilling to judge others' character with malice, but she couldn't help but feel such worries.

Even so, she did not agree to help Nagasaki Sase.

"This is just speculation, and we can't rule out the possibility that we're wrong... Besides, even if it's true, we don't need to worry. Moreover, Mr. Youyu is Xiangzi's sworn brother, and Xiaomu and Xiangzi have such a good relationship. Given this relationship, it's normal for them to get close."

This wasn't Shiina Tatsuki deliberately making excuses; she genuinely believed it.