After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 59

But the tone of his voice softened considerably without him even realizing it.

"Soyo-san, I know you've always been thinking of everyone, not the kind of person who only thinks of yourself. So you've always blamed yourself for what happened ten years ago, but it really was just my own fault. I'm just... tired."

Nagasaki Sase watched Chihaya Aine pack her things, opened her lips, but could no longer utter a sound. A bitter feeling of guilt began to spread in her heart.

It's always... these kinds of things.

You've clearly stated that no one is at fault, so why do you always blame it on yourself?

She zipped up the last bit of the zipper, glanced one last time at Nagasaki Souse who was standing there dumbfounded, and left the LiveHouse without saying anything more.

Looking at Chihaya Aine's resolute back, it seemed that she really didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore.

The hope that had finally appeared after a ten-year wait was shattered, leaving Nagasaki Sase feeling as if all his strength had been drained away, and he slumped down on the sofa in the private room.

The mist in her deep blue eyes dissipated, leaving only confusion and disorientation.

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

Standing on the vending machine in front of the LiveHouse, Chihaya Aine selected a bottle of iced water and was about to insert coins when she discovered that someone had already paid for her.

Turning her head, she came into view holding a bass box that looked slightly out of proportion. With her long black hair and emerald eyes, she looked like a sophisticated and capable woman in a suit.

She recognized the person; although they hadn't had much contact, he was at least a member of a popular band she used to follow.

Upon closer examination, it seems the other party had once served as a mercenary for his own band.

"Ms. Hachiman Kairin? I didn't expect to meet you here."

Chihaya Aine recalled that Soyo-san had said she had found her through a friend, and that friend was probably Hachiman Kairin standing in front of her.

"I didn't expect you to still remember me. This makes communication much easier."

Even Hachiman Kairin was somewhat surprised to see that Chihaya Aine still remembered her.

After all, even ten years ago, the two had very little contact.

"Ms. Chihaya Aine, what I'm about to say is entirely due to my personal request. I know it's impolite, but I still hope... that you can leave Tokyo immediately."

"what?"

Nagasaki Sase, who had been speechless and was thinking about how to start a conversation to persuade Chihaya Aine, suddenly looked up.

She never expected that Yahata Kairin, who was entrusted by her to find Chihaya Aine using methods that normal companies do not employ, would say such a thing.

"What's the reason?"

Although she said it was an unreasonable request, Chihaya Aine could clearly sense that Hachiman Kairin was firm in her attitude.

It's not hard to imagine that if he didn't agree, the woman in the suit in front of him, who had once been a mercenary in his band, would probably not mind becoming even more assertive.

However, Chihaya Aine remained calm, and she even guessed what Hachiman Kairin's reason was.

“Youyu is probably facing the most difficult setback of his life right now. At this time, he needs to be down-to-earth instead of having false illusions about certain people. Since you are not willing to help him, then stay away from him instead of becoming his weakness.”

That's the reason, isn't it?

Listening to Hachiman Kairin's words, which were neither a word of advice nor a threat, Chihaya Aine shook her head inwardly.

Back then, this mercenary seemed completely obedient to Youyu, but now... he seems a little different?

"Let me leave Tokyo... Yuu definitely doesn't have that intention. This is your own decision."

"This is entirely due to my personal, unsolicited request."

Repeating her previous statement, Hachiman Kairin looked directly into Chihaya Aine's eyes without flinching.

She did not communicate with Yuu Toyokawa about this beforehand.

But now, letting Chihaya Aine stay in Tokyo is certainly not a wise choice.

"Completely out of personal considerations, yet under the guise of doing what's best for Youyu... It seems you haven't communicated with Youyu about this matter. He'd be angry if he knew."

A cool evening breeze brushed past the three of them, carrying Chihaya Aine's slightly teasing voice into Hachiman Kairin's ears.

“He won’t. Although he probably won’t make such a decision himself, Youyu knows very well that this is the right choice... He will approve of my approach.”

Yawata Kairin admits that it was indeed her own idea to persuade Chihaya Aine to leave Tokyo.

However, she did not think there was anything wrong with doing so.

Since Chihaya Aine is unwilling to help, then she shouldn't stay here and cause trouble.

If someone is interested in investigating, some past events are not secrets that cannot be uncovered.

Staying in Tokyo was not a wise decision for either Yuu Toyokawa or Aine Chihaya herself.

Therefore, Hachiman Kairin did not think it was necessary for her to notify Toyokawa Yuu in doing so.

My approach was correct, and even Toyokawa Yuu couldn't find any reason to refute it.

Rather than letting him reluctantly make a decision after much deliberation, it's better to act without informing him first.

Now that things have come to this, Toyokawa Yuu can only rely on herself.

“Wait, Ms. Hachiman Kairin.”

Finally realizing he shouldn't have been so listless in the private room, Nagasaki Sase caught up with them and overheard their conversation.

He had not yet achieved his goal. He had not received a clear answer regarding whether Chihaya Aine would accept his apology or whether he would take her to meet the members who had once belonged to MyGO!!!!!

At this moment, how could they let Hachiman Kairin drive away Chihaya Aine, who had finally agreed to step into this city after ten years?

“I can help Yuu-kun and things like that, so why are you in such a hurry to drive Aine away?”

Turning around and blocking Chihaya Aine's way, Nagasaki Sase was already standing opposite Hachiman Kairin, protecting his old friend.

"There is no direct causal relationship between your willingness to help Yuu and your desire for Chihaya Aine to leave, and you should know that in your heart. Following my arrangements is the right thing to do."

Her trading partner, who had just stood shoulder to shoulder with her, was now standing opposite her, yet Hachiman Kairin showed no displeasure whatsoever.

From the beginning, she never considered Nagasaki Sose a reliable ally. As long as the promised rewards were fulfilled, she didn't care about the other party's stance.

Moreover, she was confident that she could persuade Nagasaki Sase, since the correctness of her plan was undeniable in the current situation.

Having no intention of continuing the argument with Nagasaki Sase, Hachiman Kairin turned her gaze to Chihaya Aine.

"I can assure you that my attitude is sincere enough and my plan is absolutely correct. So, what is your reply, Ms. Chihaya Aine?"

"It really looks like it..."

However, facing Hachiman Kairin's gaze, Chihaya Aine did not give a direct answer. Instead, she looked meaningfully at the woman in the suit in front of her with her gray eyes.

“In your tendency to do things your own way, you and Yuu... no, Ave Mujica are exactly the same.”

"If Xiao Mu hadn't had that accident back then, you guys probably could have been in a band for life."

After saying that, Chihaya Aine picked up her guitar, turned around, and walked towards the night, seemingly having lost all interest in continuing the conversation.

Now, she fully understands what Yuu Toyokawa meant when she told her in the coffee shop that "other people are not trustworthy".

No wonder he was so eager to meet me and ask for my help.

These people really can't help him.

Dealing with people who are exactly like him all the time, it's impossible for him to trust others.

You must be having a really tough time, Youyu.

"Wait, you haven't given me a clear answer yet, Ms. Chihaya Aine."

Seeing that Chihaya Aine seemed to be planning to leave, Hachiman Kairin quickly followed.

Chihaya Aine has not yet given a reply to her suggestion; she dislikes such ambiguous answers.

“Ms. Hachiman Kairin, it is my freedom to go wherever I want, but you… let me give you some advice.”

Chihaya Aine paused in her steps, turning her body slightly to the side. A sense of oppression even emanated from her gray eyes, causing Hachiman Kairin to stop in her tracks.

It wasn't some kind of oppression like a threat or terror, but rather something more like—thorough understanding.

It was as if the other party had seen through his thoughts, and no matter how he embellished his words, he could not hide the fact that he had been seen through.

It was as if, under the sun, all shadows had nowhere to hide.

Even though the sun has long since set.

"Trust is mutual. Stop being so self-righteous. If you don't trust that your plan will be approved by Youyu, then he will lose trust in you sooner or later."

Having said that, the pink-haired beauty ignored Hachiman Kairin, who was standing there dumbfounded, and walked into the evening breeze with her guitar on her back.

Chapter 72 Is Mortis really dead?

Inside the bedroom of the Toyokawa family mansion, as Hatsune Miku placed her hands on Toyokawa Yuu's shoulders once again, the atmosphere in the room gradually shifted to a stiff and ambiguous one.

Feeling the arms that were gradually hooking around her neck, Toyokawa Yuu's heart began to beat faster, her breathing became heavier, and even her muscles showed signs of tightening.

Although this was a dormitory, not a study, the scene of being killed by Hatsune Miku still began to create hallucinations in his mind.

If circumstances allowed, Yuu Toyokawa even considered simply shaking Hatsune's hand off her.

However, he restrained himself and simply reached out and gently pressed Hatsune's hand.

"This is different from what Lord Qinggao's diary says."

Turning around in Hatsune's arms, and looking at the housekeeper who was now very close to her, Toyokawa Yuu handed the notebook in her hand to her and took a step back to create some distance.

"Of course Lord Qinggao wouldn't understand. After all, Lord Youyu and Xiaoxiang have been bickering since they were still in Ave Mujica."

Taking the notebook from Yuu Toyokawa, Hatsune released her hand from the man's shoulder, but did not let him escape her control.

With a light turn, Hatsune looked at the notebook in her hand while putting her arm around Toyokawa Yuu's shoulder in a rather ambiguous manner.

The black dress rubbed against Toyokawa Yuu's suit, Hatsune's attention was completely off the notebook in her hands.

She had already browsed through all of these things in the year that Toyokawa Kiyotaka passed away.

"When Lord Qing passed away, Xiao Xiang had read through these notes, but after reading them, he asked me to move them into the basement instead of putting them in the study."

Looking at the worn-out handwriting in her hand, Hatsune's expression was somewhat ambiguous.

"Perhaps Xiao Xiang feels that even Lord Qing Gao cannot casually comment on the relationship between you and her. Xiao Xiang has always... cared about you a lot."

Are you concerned about taking back the assets under my name?

Yuu Toyokawa clearly remembered the almost twisted desire for control revealed in the descriptions between the lines of the notebook.

You are also something I control...

Suddenly, she recalled what Toyokawa Shoko had once told her. It was undeniable that after inheriting the position of head of the Toyokawa family, she did indeed have sufficient power.

But what is the purpose of doing this?

If Toyokawa Shoko wanted to completely turn herself into a useless person, then she shouldn't have given herself the opportunity to continue her relationship with Hachiman Kairin.

She may have indeed taken back the assets she had in her hands, but Starlight Plaza, which was the core of her business, was also successfully handed over to Yawata Kairin.

Unless... Xiangzi feels that it doesn't matter if Starlight Plaza is handed over to Yawata Kairin?

Recalling the notes in Toyokawa Kiyoko's book, in which Hachiman Kairin clearly had some unknown transactions with certain people, Toyokawa Yuu's heart gradually sank.

Previously, if one only needed to be wary of Hachiman Kairin's personality and psychology...

Now, Toyokawa Yuu has to consider a variable called profit.

Is Yawata Kairin still trustworthy these days?

Was she really just there to save the day at the coffee shop?

More and more doubts arise. If what Toyokawa Kiyoko said in his diary is true, then is Hachiman Kairin still considered one of his own? And what about Toyokawa Shoko's strange attitude towards her, which is almost one of indifference?

"It's not just Xiao Xiang, Hai Ling also cherishes her friendship with you. There are really not many people who are still willing to support you at a time like this."

Hatsune handed the notebook back to Yuu Toyokawa, her expression somewhat wistful, as if admiring the friendship that had lasted for ten years without changing.

But in Toyokawa Yuu's eyes, this loyal golden retriever was either smuggling or entrapment.

According to Toyokawa Kiyoko's diary, Hachiman Kairin definitely had a problem.

and......

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Yuu Toyokawa always felt that Hatsune was comparing Hachiman Kairin's friendship to her own marriage with Shoko.

"I've known Hailing for ten years, so I know her well, but now is not the time to talk about these things..."

Taking the notebook Hatsune Miku returned, Toyokawa Yuu subtly broke free from her embrace and returned to the bedside.

"I thought I could find some ways to deal with those people in Lord Qinggao's notes, but now it seems there's no useful information."