After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 109

Her once sensitive gaze quickly cooled, and as her expression cooled, the soft, gentle quality that had even impressed Takamatsu Tōki a year ago vanished from Toyokawa Sachiko's body.

Like a bubble in the sunlight, it leaves no trace after it bursts.

"Take a bite yourself first..."

With these soft murmurs escaping her lips, Toyokawa Shoko rubbed her face and smiled again.

"There's nothing to be angry about. After all, even Yuu has the freedom to make friends... right?"

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

Inside the office of the management company, Ave Mujica.

Yuu Toyokawa opened a box of soda crackers, took out two or three crackers, and without even looking at them, threw the thin crackers into her mouth and chewed them mechanically.

As she pressed the power button on her computer, Yuu Toyokawa waited for it to boot up while using her other hand to open another stack of files on her desktop.

He rarely arrives at the agency this early; it's common for him to stay up all night in Ave Mujica's office.

Strictly speaking, I've watched the sunrise from my office chair more often than I've been woken up by the sunlight in my bed at home.

But things are a little different now. The whole band took a day off yesterday to celebrate Ave Mujica's victory party, and this office was empty for the first time since it came under Ave Mujica's ownership.

But the fact that band members can take a break and rehearse again the next day doesn't mean that the manager won't have work piling up.

Even if she doesn't come to the office, there will still be a constant stream of work piling up at Toyokawa Yuu's place.

Collaborations, endorsements, program invitations, and negotiations with other teams for internal company resources...

Before letting her deputy arrange the schedules of each member, these are all things that Yuu Toyokawa needs to handle in advance.

Originally, Toyokawa Yuu planned to go straight to the company after leaving the celebration banquet and take care of some of the work first.

However, after delivering the packed food from Hachiman Kairin home and washing up, Yuu Toyokawa forgot about it when she saw the makeshift bed that Wakaba Mutsu had laid out.

Consider this payment for yesterday's momentary laziness...

With this in mind, Toyokawa Yuu began browsing the numerous files that had piled up on her desktop, and prepared herself to spend the entire day working overtime at the company.

After all, tonight is the first time that Ruoye Mutsu will truly start working remotely as the office assistant. In order to avoid causing trouble for the band's operation, he must first filter out those tasks that are too difficult for her.

and......

Yuu Toyokawa raised an eyebrow as she recalled the plush toy that had been placed next to her pillow when she opened her eyes that morning.

I can't sleep so soundly anymore; I didn't even notice someone touching the headboard of my bed.

Just as she was pondering this, Toyokawa Yuu suddenly heard the sound of the office door being opened.

Turning my head, I saw Hachiman Kairin walking in, wearing the uniform of Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy, carrying a bag that looked rather heavy.

"Does Hanasaki Kawa's class start this late? I've never seen you come to the company this late before."

Upon seeing Hachiman Kairin enter through the door, Toyokawa Yuu frowned immediately.

In his memory, this was the first time that Yawata Kairin had come to Ave Mujica's office at this time.

"Bringing you breakfast, given your current financial situation and the added responsibility of taking care of Wakaba, a decline in your quality of life is inevitable. I don't want you to collapse at your post due to malnutrition, as that would affect the normal operation of Ave Mujica."

Hachiman Kairin placed the bag she was carrying on the coffee table and took out the food items one by one.

Perhaps because she wasn't sure of Toyokawa Yuu's specific tastes, Yawata Kairin prepared almost all the more common breakfast items.

Rice, miso soup, grilled fish, soft-boiled egg, bread, milk, sandwiches...

Each item wasn't particularly large, but when all of them were added together, it clearly exceeded the amount a normal high school student would eat for breakfast.

"Come and have breakfast."

His tone was concise and to the point, but it lacked the respect and attentiveness he usually showed when speaking to Toyokawa Yuu; instead, it carried a slightly commanding air.

If Yahata Kairin were wearing her usual black leather jacket, her cool and aloof tone might have made many boys her age look at her differently.

Unfortunately, Toyokawa Yuu had even met the successful Hachiman Kairin ten years later, whose aura was much stronger back then. This rebellious deputy in front of him couldn't intimidate him at all.

"You came in dressed like this? When we were dealing with Amoris, I told you that Ave Mujica wasn't ready to reveal his identity yet."

Without getting up from her office chair, Toyokawa Yuu continued browsing the documents in front of her.

There wasn't much of an accusatory tone in his words; rather, it seemed more like he was eager to get rid of the person.

"Besides, my breakfast is already prepared. You should hurry back to class. I don't want rumors to spread about the band members having poor grades."

"If Mr. Yuu is really worried about my grades, then come over and eat these. Hanasaki River's management system isn't as strict as Haneoka's. I have plenty of time to spend with you here."

Arriving at Toyokawa Yuu's desk, Hachiman Kairin saw the box of soda crackers placed in the corner of the desk, and then looked at the breakfast she had prepared, and frowned.

"Besides, most of my classmates know that I work part-time in several bands, and a few of those bands have connections with this agency. So it's not strange that I'm wearing my school uniform. As for this..."

He reached out and snatched the box of soda crackers from Toyokawa Yuu's table, even the boy's attempt to stop him was a beat too slow.

"Eating this so early in the morning is bad for your health, so it's confiscated."

Chapter 104 Sumimi's Donut Lady (6k5)

My breakfast, which I had just taken two bites of, was snatched away by Hachiman Kairin.

Looking at her assistant standing in front of her desk, dressed in Hanasaki River's school uniform but with an expression that was nothing like that of a student, Toyokawa Yuu couldn't help but feel a little tired.

In the past, he had to spend the most time and effort to appease Hachiman Kairin, but in terms of actions, she was also the least troublesome to deal with.

But now...

"Hailin, you suddenly said so many strange things last night, and then you came all the way here this morning. I don't understand when our relationship became so weird."

That's true. When Hachiman Kairin suddenly said last night that she was also starting to act willfully, Toyokawa Yuu was really confused.

Toyokawa Yuu had a general idea of ​​what this girl, who had been betrayed by her teammates and had been a mercenary for a long time, longed for.

They want to gain trust, and they want a place where they can feel safe and involved.

But didn't I give her these things?

From the very first day I joined the band, I made sure she felt fully involved.

Although there were indeed some ulterior motives, hoping to win her over to their camp in various ways, they even tacitly approved of the trap that Senmina set for her at the concert.

He had tried to win over, scheme against, and even reprimand Hachiman Kairin, but he had also given her all the care he was supposed to. He took full responsibility for the performance accident himself.

Even if Xiangzi impeached Yawata Kairin as a result, and her power was transferred to Wakaba Mutsu, didn't I still arrange for her to contact Wakaba Mutsu, who was working remotely, in the office?

Having been a mercenary for so long, Toyokawa Yuu couldn't believe that Yawata Kairin didn't know the principle that a local official is more powerful than a distant one.

Even last night on the overpass, when faced with Hachiman Kairin's concern, he didn't hide his reasons for not giving in, frankly admitting that he also had a certain stubbornness.

It just doesn't explain where the stubbornness comes from—it's not something that can be shared with others, especially ten years ago when there's probably no going back.

He believed he had given Hachiman Kairin enough.

So Toyokawa Yuu just doesn't understand, she's done everything she can, what is it about Hachiman Kairin that she's dissatisfied with?

This capricious nature is even comparable to what it will be like ten years from now.

“I should be the one asking that, Mr. Youyu. When did our relationship become so distant?”

She pulled a soda cracker from the box and popped it into her mouth. The simple yet slightly stimulating flavor of shallots and MSG immediately spread across Hachiman Kairin's tongue.

She said it was unhealthy to eat this kind of thing so early in the morning and that's why she confiscated it, but when Hachiman Kairin started eating it herself, she didn't hesitate much.

Swallowing the chewed biscuit in her mouth, Hachiman Kairin rarely ate such simple snacks in the past. The taste of the broken words and dried green onions baked on flour until dehydrated was slightly unpleasant to her.

If she absolutely had to use something to soothe her stomach and alleviate the feeling of hunger, Hachiman Kairin would most likely choose to mix egg white powder with boiling water, which has little flavor.

“We had breakfast at [RING] just a few days ago, but now they won’t even accept the food I brought over specially.”

"That's not the same thing..."

Yuu Toyokawa was at a loss for words when it came to how to respond to Kairin Hachiman's statement. The way she asked the question was so direct that it was difficult to change the subject.

He couldn't very well say that he had died many times, and that one of those deaths was even closely related to Hachiman Kairin.

Some things are secrets that must never be shared, otherwise even the last bit of room for maneuver will be discovered or even taken away.

"Of course it's not the same thing. Mr. Youyu is indeed very special."

After sealing the box of confiscated cookies and putting it into her schoolbag, Hachiman Kairin didn't seem to have any intention of returning it to Toyokawa Yuu.

"If it were anyone else in the boss's shoes, they would probably have accepted it with pride and satisfaction when faced with such obsequiousness from their subordinates."

Looking at Yuu Toyokawa, who was sitting in her office chair with no sign of getting up, Kairin Hachiman also felt quite exhausted in another aspect.

Although he made that declaration last night, saying that he would maintain the stability of the band in his own way, at least to ensure that Yuu Toyokawa, who is the glue that holds the band together, would not collapse under the pressure.

But to be honest, Hachiman Kairin didn't have a specific impression or concept of how to do it.

So after returning home, she specifically searched online for some workplace tips.

Whether it's proactively bringing breakfast to your boss or occasionally wearing less professional attire in front of them, it's all learned online.

However, the results do not seem to be very good.

"Where exactly did I go wrong? Was I not flattering enough? But that's what people online are really suggesting."

Hachiman Kairin's brows furrowed slightly, and her emerald eyes revealed a youthful awkwardness between confusion and bewilderment. She looked like a student who couldn't solve a problem by following the formula in a book, but the words she uttered made Toyokawa Yuu feel a little sweaty.

Toyokawa Yuu felt she still had some self-respect, wanting to at least avoid being utterly disgraced by a high school girl fawning over her.

"Don't look at those weird things. At least there's no such rule in Ave Mujica."

At least in this band where the manager and leader have minor arguments every two days and major arguments every three days, and the members occasionally provide unexpected surprises, there is really no basis for a relationship based on flattery and fawning.

"I know you care about me. Go back to class. Leave these things here, I'll figure something out."

With a helpless sigh, Toyokawa Yuu softened her tone towards Hachiman Kairin, changing from telling her to leave to coaxing her away.

After all, you can't exactly start arguing with someone in the office first thing in the morning. Toyokawa Yuu had already experienced firsthand the poor soundproofing of her office door.

Yuu Toyokawa had already learned his lesson, and he didn't want to become the talk of the town in the entire agency first thing in the morning.

In particular, the discussion topics involved team members flattering and fawning over him.

Anyway, once you've gotten rid of the people, you can decide how to handle these things.

Seeing Toyokawa Yuu's seemingly resigned tone, Hachiman Kairin finally smiled slightly.

Although this might seem somewhat arrogant, based on Hachiman Kairin's experience, Toyokawa Yuu's attitude is never too forceful unless it involves official business.

Most of the arguments between Toyokawa Shoko and Toyokawa Yuu were related to official matters within the band.

Or rather, even if something is originally unrelated to official business, they will unknowingly become involved in official matters.

"There's really nothing I can do. Speaking of which, how was the food last night? Although I don't know exactly where Mr. Youyu lives, it must have gotten a bit cold by the time I brought it back. Did it suit your taste?"

"Actually, it's alright. Xiao Mu ate everything, which made cleaning up the mess much easier."

Seeing that Hachiman Kairin's attitude had softened, Toyokawa Yuu immediately nodded obediently, wanting only to coax this increasingly disobedient little ancestor away as soon as possible.

There was a lot of work piled up yesterday, not to mention that in addition to his work with Ave Mujica, he also had matters related to Wakaba Mutsumi to attend to.

Even if the other person can avoid the risk of being sent to the hospital by staying in your home temporarily, it does not mean that you should let that girl stay in your home indefinitely.

Not to mention that if Ruoye Mu is also unable to participate in Ave Mujica's work, as a commercial band, Ave Mujica absolutely cannot tolerate members' long-term absences, which means that one of the band's most important businesses—commercial concerts—cannot be carried out normally.

It was already difficult enough for just two people to squeeze into that rented room. Toyokawa Yuu's place wasn't big to begin with; it was barely enough for one person, but for two people to live together, it felt a bit like an urn.

Once Toyokawa Yuu's futon is laid out, it takes up almost every available foothold in the room, making it inconvenient to walk around.

It's truly frightening to find something extra next to your pillow every morning when you open your eyes.

Therefore, even if it's just to get his own bed back as soon as possible so he can get a better night's sleep, he won't let Wakaba Muku stay in his house indefinitely.

But how can we resolve the troubles surrounding Ruoye Mutsu and allow her to return to her former freedom?

Thinking about this gave Toyokawa Yuu a headache.

To achieve this, either Toyokawa Sadaharu or Mori Minami need to win over at least one of them.

Needless to say, Toyokawa Sadaharu had already openly refused Shoko's orders. In that old man's eyes, he had probably become a rebellious teenager who followed Toyokawa Shoko in her nonsense and made her waste her time on meaningless things like the band.

If he doesn't voluntarily admit defeat and return to the Toyokawa family to await their fate, he probably won't let it go easily.

But how could I possibly return to the shadows of that mansion? Would I ever see the sun again?

As for Minami... that old woman has shown me goodwill more than once, indicating that she is willing to cooperate, and the conditions she has offered are objectively quite generous.

Even though he had so clearly rejected her yesterday, Senmina Nami's attitude still didn't completely shut her off.

To outsiders, his repeated refusals might seem ungrateful, making a top-tier movie star repeatedly turn her back on him.