After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 82

"Give me......"

However, what came in response to Wakaba Mutsu's gratitude was neither a kind word of comfort nor an attempt to blackmail him.

Instead... a murmur, as if repeating some obsessive thought...

The strange tone interrupted Wakaba Mutsu's reverie, and his golden gaze gradually focused.

It was only then that Ruoye Mutsu realized that Yu Mutsu, whom she had locked in the mirror, had not let go of the hand holding her wrist.

On the contrary, one of her hands was resting on her wrist, and as she pulled her hand out of the mirror, she also pulled it out of the mirror.

"I don't want to..."

Releasing her grip on Ruoye Mu's wrist, Yu Mu placed her hand, which had successfully left the mirror, back onto the frame.

From this point, another hand also reached out from the mirror, and the girl trapped in the mirror was trying to get out.

"I don't want to be locked up."

There were no loud accusations, no shrill cries, only soft murmurs and bodies that began to move before the words were even spoken.

Struggling to squeeze out of the mirror, Yu Mu's movements were even more intense than when she had been tapping the mirror earlier.

If the previous act of tapping on the mirror was merely an attempt to avoid being blocked by it...

She now seems to harbor an extreme resistance to this cage she has meticulously built for herself, as if she wants to squeeze out of the mirror even if it means forcing herself.

It was as if she had suddenly been stimulated by something; she wasn't like this before Wakaba Mutsu asked her to help her with her work.

"Wait... Don't run out on your own."

The papers she was holding scattered on the ground. Ruo Yemu pressed down on Yu Mu's shoulders with both hands, trying to push her back into the mirror.

If Ruo Yemu had previously hesitated about whether or not to release Yu Mu, she has now completely abandoned that idea.

So eager and so stubborn, they don't seem like people you can get along with.

If we just release her like this, it will definitely cause all sorts of trouble.

He spoke rudely to Xiang, and had previously looked at Youyu with a fierce yet complicated gaze.

If she were to truly take control of the body, it would definitely cause Xianghe Youyu more heartache.

"Metis... help me..."

Ruoye Mu felt that she was gradually losing control of her actions of squeezing out of the mirror, and instinctively wanted to summon the shadow again.

The numerous attempts to suppress Yumu had made it clear to Ruoye Mu that without the help of the shadow, it would be very difficult for her to subdue Yumu.

However, seeing Yu Mu's increasingly stubborn gaze, Ruo Ye Mu's fingers tightened, and she gave up on that plan.

Regardless, she had just helped him, and continuing to threaten her with death was simply...

Left with no other choice, Ruoye Mu once again turned to Metis for help.

"Wait, wait, weren't we just thanking each other? How did we suddenly start arguing...?"

Watching Wakaba Mutsu and Amatsu Mutsu arguing again, Metis's brows furrowed with visible headache and helplessness.

However, Ruo Yemu's orders were inviolable to her. No matter how unwilling she was, she had to help the other party push Yu Mu back down, so she could only act while trying to persuade him.

Honestly, Xiao Mu clearly wanted to mediate the relationship between Xiangzi and Mr. Youyu, which is why she thought of asking Yu Mu for help.

But why do I end up having to mediate the relationship between the two of them?

Why... do I have to be caught in the middle, torn between two options?

"Yu Mu, you can't be a bad child. Naughty children will be locked up."

Muttering a reluctant complaint in his heart, Metis helped Wakaba Mutsu hold down Yu Mutsu's shoulders while trying to dissuade the two of them.

"Xiao Mu is the same. Yu Mu helped you just now but you didn't give her a reward. Xiao Mu is a bad child too."

Metis's words seemed to cause Ruoye Mu to waver, and the pressure on Yu Mu's shoulder loosened, her hand sliding down her arm.

Am I... a bad kid?

In the midst of the struggle, Ruoye Mu felt her fingertips touch a cold board.

That was the phone she had given Yu Mu specifically to lure her into locking herself inside the mirror.

Even as she struggled to escape from the mirror, Yu Mu held tightly to the small tablet.

After all, in a sense, that was the only thing in this spiritual realm that she could control.

Metis, who was trying to push Yu Mu back, suddenly felt his hand go empty, and the force that had been resisting him disappeared.

Yu Mu released her hand from the glasses frame, covered her phone with both hands in front of her chest, and watched Ruo Ye Mu warily as she accidentally touched the phone, before shrinking back into the mirror.

Suddenly losing his wrestling partner, Metis felt himself stumble and had to grab the edge of the mirror to keep from falling.

Looking at Yu Mu, who had retreated into the mirror with a wary look in her eyes, and Ruo Ye Mu, who stood outside the mirror and seemed somewhat at a loss, Metis opened her mouth, but the outgoing and sociable girl didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Yu Mu..."

Bathed in the wary and guarded gaze of the person in the mirror, Ruo Yemu felt as if those golden eyes were two steel needles piercing her heart.

An indescribable stinging sensation spread from my heart to my surroundings.

Looking into Yu Mu's eyes, Ruo Ye Mu's gaze slowly moved down, finally landing on the phone that Yu Mu was covering her chest with both hands.

What? That was clearly... something Yuu gave me.

After standing there in silence for a while, Ruoye Mu's eyes changed, but in the end he turned around and picked up his guitar from the sofa again, no longer focusing his attention on this place.

Turning to look at Wakaba Mutsu, who had sat back down on the sofa and whose consciousness was clearly no longer there, and then at Amuro, who was covering her phone and had retreated back into the mirror and could not come out for a while, and did not want to pay attention to anyone, Metis suddenly felt that the mental realm where he had always lived was so empty and so quiet.

Apart from the sounds coming from the outside world broadcast on the screen, it was as quiet as death (Mortis).

He squatted down, hugging his own legs, burying his face between his knees, as if he had lost all his strength and ability, no longer as lively as before.

"Why......"

Even if I can't go out and can't truly live, I still want to know what it feels like to be alive.

Even just having a friend, like everyone else who is alive?

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

"Ugh... I'm finally off work. When I get home, I'm going to turn into a cat and sleep until tomorrow morning."

Downstairs at the agency, Yutenji Wakame looked at the night outside and lazily stretched.

After Wakaba Mutsumi finished handling those tasks, and even exceeded expectations in some areas, Toyokawa Yuu did not keep everyone in the office any longer, but instead announced the dismissal of the group.

Therefore, Yutenji Wakana, who had been sitting on the sofa for a long time, was finally able to come out and relax.

Logically speaking, she could have left work long ago; staying in the office was just to see if there was any chance of promotion.

After all, even though the indenture contract that Yuu Toyokawa had made her sign was enough to ensure she would have enough to eat and wear, and even allow her to live a much more comfortable life than others, who would give up the opportunity to go further?

However, it seems that he has no chance for the time being. For some reason, Wakaba Muku suddenly became able to handle those matters with ease, and even Hachiman Kairin, who was obviously dissatisfied with the loss of her position, could not find any fault with her.

As expected of a young lady from a wealthy family, she has studied everything and can handle this sudden arrangement. I should just continue to collect my fixed salary.

Although it's a bit of a shame, Yutenji Wakame has nothing to complain about for the time being.

During her time in Ave Mujica, she saw things more clearly than she had imagined.

In this band, only Toyokawa Shoko is irreplaceable. The others are practically no different from ordinary people on the street, and their lives largely depend on Toyokawa Shoko's thoughts.

Even Hachiman Kairin, who had always been his manager's assistant, lost her original power in just a few words and was relegated to the sidelines.

A cool evening breeze swept past the girl, making her shiver involuntarily, even though it was summer.

I have a slight feeling of insecurity.

Even though her agent had said there was a contract, Ave Mujica wouldn't give up on herself easily, but who knows what would happen when the time came?

"Even if you don't turn into a cat, you can still sleep until tomorrow morning... Besides, you've already left work. Mr. Yuu didn't actually force anyone to stay in the office."

The slightly indifferent voice that reached his ears made Yutenji Wakana pause for a moment.

She never expected that her self-deprecating remarks, meant to lighten the mood, would elicit a response from Hachiman Kairin.

However, judging from her wording, she was probably trying to exonerate her manager... Even though she's already been stripped of power, she's still so devoted.

Turning her face away from Hachiman Kairin's sight, Yutenji Wakana slightly pursed her lips. She didn't directly refute her words, after all, she wasn't the only one leaving get off work now.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that today was a rare occasion for the entire Ave Mujica to leave work together. Even the manager, Yuu Toyokawa, didn't stay in the office but went downstairs with everyone.

"After all, no one has left, so Meow Dream can only share the joys and sorrows with everyone. I think Hatsuko thinks so too."

Turning the conversation to the guitarist and vocalist standing nearby, Yutenji Wakana noticed that Hatsune Miku was unusually quiet today.

Even the usual daily musings and quotes weren't updated today.

"After all, Xiao Xiang and Mr. You Yu are still working hard."

When Hatsune realized the conversation had turned to her, she belatedly snapped out of her daze and withdrew her gaze, which had been subtly fixed on Toyokawa Shoko.

"Even if I can't help with this kind of thing, I still want to stay by your side as much as possible."

"Your willingness to act as the face of Ave Mujica is already the greatest help you can give, Dolores."

Yuu Toyokawa's voice broke into their conversation.

Taking a quick step forward, Toyokawa Yuu observed the band from the side, noting that the atmosphere was reasonably harmonious, and felt slightly relieved.

He had already thoroughly offended Toyokawa Sadaharu. Although the old man said he wouldn't suspend his sponsorship of Ave Mujica, it didn't mean he wouldn't take other actions.

Yuu Toyokawa wasn't worried that he would lie to her and Shoko about the sponsorship, after all, Ave Mujica was already quite successful, and Shoko Toyokawa's identity wasn't a secret to some people.

Even if Toyokawa Sadaharu stops sponsoring, others will still try to curry favor with Shoko.

After all, as the only legitimate bloodline of the Toyokawa family's main branch, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the place where Shoko is located is the main branch of the Toyokawa family, and Toyokawa Sadaharu wouldn't use such a foolish move as going back on his word.

However, not targeting Xiangzi doesn't mean they won't target other team members, which is what Toyokawa Yuu is more worried about.

Hatsune Miku and Yutenji Wakana are the two people that Toyokawa Yuu is most worried about right now.

The former was held hostage by Toyokawa Sadaharu. If that old man really hardened his heart and ordered her, Hatsune might not have the same resolve to openly resist as she did.

Just like ten years later, if Xiangzi hadn't insisted on giving her the Toyokawa surname and letting her join the Toyokawa family, she probably would still be working as a villa manager on that small island villa by then.

The latter has little affection for the band; she's completely bound by the contract she designed herself. If someone offered enough money to pay her breach of contract penalty and promised greater benefits, whether or not to stay in Ave Mujica wouldn't be a question worth considering.

We need to get everyone closer together; this band really needs some closer relationships than just a business alliance.

After all, while interests are indeed useful for manipulating Yutenji Wakami, others like Hatsune Miku are not people who can be bound by interests alone.

If Toyokawa Sadaharu really chooses to use Hatsune Miku to interfere with Ave Mujica's operations, then at least there will need to be a topic that can provoke her to rebel.

"Speaking of which, although there were some unexpected situations at last night's concert, it was quite successful in terms of the result alone. It may be a bit outdated to bring it up now, but how about we find some time in the next couple of days to hold a celebration party?"

After thinking for a moment, Toyokawa Yuu made the suggestion.

Although probably no one except Yutenji Wakanagi will be focused on celebrating the success of the performance, the celebration banquet after the successful performance is indeed a good opportunity to solidify and develop interpersonal relationships.

"Let's do it tomorrow. The next performance is just a few days away, so it's not appropriate to keep the relaxed atmosphere going for too long."

Shoko Toyokawa spoke softly, and this time, unusually, she did not question or reject Yuu Toyokawa's suggestion.

She could probably guess what Yuu Toyokawa was planning to do.

No matter how optimistic she was, Toyokawa Shoko knew that the band wasn't actually as united as it seemed.

Rather, it would be more accurate to say that the people he gathered, though somewhat eccentric in personality, were undeniably talented.

Even Yutenji Wakana has the ability to transform his skills from a self-taught drummer to a professional level in a short period of time.

Gold always shines. Now that Ave Mujica has provided her with a stage, Yutenji Wakana's brilliance has been seen. If her grandfather is willing to work things out, this cat who is tied up might just jump ship.

Moreover, even without considering Yutenji Wakanagi, Toyokawa Shoko still has to consider the feelings of others.

Leaving aside whether Hachiman Kairin, whom he had just impeached and stripped of power, would harbor resentment, Hatsuka and Mutsuki alone needed to be taken good care of.

Prior to this, Toyokawa Shoko was somewhat aware that these two were willing to join Ave Mujica largely because of their favoritism towards her.

But the fact that Toyokawa Yuu and Wakaba Mutsu disappeared for an entire afternoon today served as a wake-up call for her.

They will be biased, and it's not necessarily just me. I can no longer take their affection for me as my own ability.

Otherwise, even if Chu Hua and Mu were not separated from the band for other reasons, they would eventually be taken away by You Yu.

Mutual... and there are even signs of that beginning.

The hand gripping Wakaba Mutsu's wrist tightened unconsciously, and Toyokawa Shoko couldn't help but feel worried.