After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 15

"Wait, Lady Youyu, what's going on...?"

Suddenly, Yuu Toyokawa grabbed her wrist, and the warmth of his hand spread across her skin, causing Hatsune to let out a soft gasp.

Gone was the composure and allure she had displayed the night before when she deliberately seduced Toyokawa Yuu; she now appeared somewhat flustered and flattered.

But she soon realized that her behavior would only attract more strange looks.

Curiosity, disgust, unsurprisingly... all sorts of ill-intentioned gazes began to gather on the two of them, but Toyokawa Yuu showed no intention of letting go.

In the end, having no other choice, Hatsune had to stop resisting and obediently let Yuu Toyokawa pull her away from the funeral hall.

Chapter 29 Contacting Shuangshi, I Want to Drink Black Tea

"Lord Yuyu, what exactly happened?"

Inside the villa's stairwell, Hatsune gently moved her wrists, looking at Toyokawa Yuu with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

In her memory, Toyokawa Yuu rarely lost her composure like this; the force she had just used even left some faint red marks on her wrist.

"I don't think Xiangzi's death was that simple."

Seeing Hatsune Miku still seemed somewhat resentful, Toyokawa Yuu spoke succinctly.

When he returned to ten years ago last time, he accomplished several things.

She refused Mori Minami's invitation to join her in her evil ways, began manipulating the golden retriever in front of her ahead of time, won over Yutenji Wakana and Hachiman Kairin, and instigated Nagasaki Sase to cause trouble for Toyokawa Shoko...

Yuu Toyokawa had already personally experienced the impact of the first two incidents; otherwise, he would have been pushed off the roof by Metis once again and forced to commit suicide for love, and naturally he would not have heard Hatsune call him "Yuu-sama".

As for Yutenji Wakanagi and Hachiman Kairin, he has not been able to contact them yet and cannot deduce what happened.

But only Toyokawa Shoko... nothing he did to her changed at all, whether it was the date of her death or the cause of her death, it was as if she was anchored and remained completely still.

This made Toyokawa Yuu have to wonder if Toyokawa Shoko's death was... no, it was definitely not that simple.

Upon hearing Yuu Toyokawa's words, Hatsune's expression also turned cold.

She also found it difficult to accept Toyokawa Shoko's death, but the reality before her left her helpless, and she could only let the immense grief overwhelm her.

"The doctor said it was a complication caused by a sudden onset of the Toyokawa family's chronic illness. I consulted several doctors, and they all said the same thing, but..."

Hatsune silently recounted the efforts she had made, but as an outsider given the surname "Toyokawa," even though she was the manager of this villa, her authority was largely limited to this villa.

"But the medical businesses of the Toyokawa family have always been personally controlled by Shoko, right? After Shoko died, even we couldn't easily get involved... Maybe other branches have taken advantage of the situation."

"After all, no offspring were left behind, and the legitimate line of the Toyokawa family has ended. In their eyes, we are ultimately just outsiders."

Thinking about this, even Toyokawa Yuu couldn't help but feel an urge to strangle herself.

Ten years ago, I was still helping Toyokawa Shoko control the Toyokawa family's adopted son-in-law. How come now Toyokawa Shoko has almost all the power in her hands, and even after her death, she can't easily take back the power?

Yuu Toyokawa, you bot!

Seeing the indignant expression on Toyokawa Yuu's face, Hatsune's heart stirred, and her initial doubts about him were extinguished.

She had actually suspected that Toyokawa Shoko's death might have been caused by Toyokawa Yuu, who was unwilling to continue being a subservient son-in-law.

But the idea was quickly dismissed in her mind.

Lord Yuyu is someone who has been silently helping Xiangzi for ten years.

Even though most of the methods he used were insidious and extreme, and even though most of the so-called help he provided was actually using what belonged to Xiangzi to make money off others, the emotional value and educational significance he provided during this period cannot be denied.

Moreover, after Ave Mujica disbanded ten years ago, and Shoko decided to take back what was rightfully hers, Lord Yuu readily returned the power, as if everything he did was simply to make Shoko realize his mistakes.

Lord Youyu's heart was truly selfless in his treatment of Xiangzi.

As expected, Yuu and Shoko... should always be together.

A dark desire was spreading deep within her. Hatsune looked into Toyokawa Yuu's eyes, her eyes revealing guilt for her earlier act of resistance.

Do you have any plans?

"The forces within the Toyokawa family are no longer reliable. Although the Wakaba family is an ally, they will likely remain on the sidelines at this critical juncture. We can only seek support from forces outside the Toyokawa family."

Recalling the subtle gazes within the mourning hall, Toyokawa Yuu knew her time was running out.

The widower's status as the head of the household is a protective charm that only lasts until the funeral is over; he must act during this period.

Even if it means being away from the funeral hall for a long time and being seen as having no feelings for his wife and being unworthy to inherit the Toyokawa family, he must start struggling immediately.

Aside from the Toyokawa family, who are now completely unreliable, the only people he could contact were the members of the bands Ave Mujica and MyGO!!!!!, whom he had met ten years ago.

"Hatsune, could you please contact Sase for me?"

After much deliberation, given that Metis had decided to wait and see, only Nagasaki Sose was a suitable target for contact.

Ten years ago, he encouraged her to actively harass Toyokawa Shoko, so that she would distract Shoko from managing the band and ease the tension between the two.

Judging from Sase Nagasaki's speech at the funeral yesterday, she must have at least attended her own wedding with Shoko Toyokawa.

Moreover, as the only former CRYCHIC member besides Metis to attend the funeral, this at least shows that her relationship with Toyokawa Shoko has been restored well.

Tell her I want to drink black tea.

Chapter 30 This is Saki's favorite tea.

“This is Saki’s favorite black tea. Why don’t you try it… But I really didn’t expect that Yuu-kun would take the initiative to come to me.”

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, shattering into stardust, and the crisp sound of a gilded teaspoon touching the rim of a bone china cup broke the silence of the room.

Nagasaki Sase picked up the cup of black tea in front of him and placed flower petals as decorations on the edge of his scones—this was Toyokawa Shoko's favorite way of plating.

Taking a small sip of the liquid in her glass, the noblewoman's gentle blue eyes narrowed slightly, as if a light was surging within them.

Nagasaki Sosei, who had already grown quite well ten years ago, is now even more dazzling.

Her long brown hair, which would normally reach her waist when she was standing, now makes one wonder if she could simply relax her straight spine and let the ends of her brown hair fall to the ground.

Her melancholy demeanor and wistful expression made it hard to believe that this woman, who radiated maternal warmth and could easily be described as a widow from a prestigious family, was actually still unmarried.

If someone were to say that the high-ranking Nagasaki Sase was actually a widow who lost her father in her youth, her husband in middle age, and her son in old age, it probably wouldn't raise much suspicion.

Even though she is only twenty-six years old.

"In this special period, you should try to avoid suspicion, right?"

Gently stirring the black tea in his cup, Nagasaki Sase lowered his eyes, a layer of mist seemingly veiling his melancholy gaze.

"Your beloved has just passed away, and you're already in a room with another woman. If others find out, it will be a loss for both your reputation and Xiao Xiang's."

"I've come to ask you for help, Sosei."

Picking up the black tea in front of her, Toyokawa Yuu did not start eating immediately. Her eyes were fixed on Nagasaki Sase in front of her, and her voice was extremely formal.

It must be admitted that Nagasaki Sase's mother was indeed a hard-working person, and although Nagasaki Sase herself was somewhat sentimental, she perfectly inherited her mother's business talent.

In just over a decade, the Nagasaki family has risen to prominence. Although they are still far from being as powerful as the Toyokawa family, they are no longer to be underestimated.

If Yuu Toyokawa can get help from Sase Nagasaki, then she will have some power to resist the branch family.

At least, it can buy him more time to find a way to revive Toyokawa Shoko.

Even if we can't get help, we should at least try to find out her attitude.

"Please, help me. You're the only one I can turn to now."

"Help!"

Repeating Toyokawa Yuu's words, Nagasaki Sase took another sip of his black tea, a complex smile playing on his lips.

"Even you, who became the head of the Toyokawa family after Xiaoxiang's death, were powerless against such a behemoth as the Toyokawa family. What can a mere Nagasaki family possibly do?"

The self-deprecating tone carried a hint of refusal. If it were merely a matter of self-interest, Toyokawa Yuu's casual request would indeed not be enough to persuade Nagasaki Sase to do something as foolish as throwing an egg against a rock.

Everyone has grown up. We're no longer at the age where, like ten years ago, we would agonize for months over playing a random song at a live performance, constantly thinking about having something to say.

"When it comes to interests, try to talk about work and not feelings. That's what you taught me, Youyu-kun."

"So you want to profit from me?"

Faced with Nagasaki Sase's questioning, Toyokawa Yuu did not feel embarrassed or flustered.

Although he no longer has anything to exchange for benefits, that doesn't mean he has no value.

Emotional value is also value. Since Nagasaki Sase was willing to attend Toyokawa Shoko's funeral, and it wasn't just a perfunctory visit, but a genuine two-day event.

That means that, at least from her personal perspective, there are still some things that can be discussed.

"Is it money, resources, or some project that is in progress or about to be launched, or... the truth about Xiangzi's death?"

The crisp sound of the gilded teaspoon touching the rim of the bone china cup rang out again. Nagasaki Sōse paused in stirring the black tea in his cup, and his gaze toward Toyokawa Yūu gradually changed from melancholy to seriousness.

"How...did Xiangzi die?"

"The doctor said it was a sudden onset of a chronic illness that triggered a series of complications, but I don't believe that explanation."

Setting down the teacup she was pretending to hold, Toyokawa Yuu handed Nagasaki Sase the medical report she had found in the study earlier.

“A few months ago, Xiangzi was still very healthy, which is one of the reasons why we were not in a hurry to have children. Even if the Toyokawa family really had a so-called chronic illness, Xiangzi should have not developed the disease until at least the age when Mizuho passed away.”

Taking the medical report from Yuu Toyokawa, Sakuyo Nagasaki glanced through the data, which showed absolutely no health risks, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Her pupils constricted instantly when she turned the page over and saw a line of small print.

The Ave Mujica revival plan...

The scales that had been gradually tipping in her heart tilted to the other side even more quickly. After ten years of growth, Nagasaki Sase, who had learned to use a melancholy temperament to cover up her emotions and cultivate a calm demeanor, once again revealed a girlish, preoccupied expression.

Seeing Toyokawa Yuu pick up her teacup and prepare to put the black tea in her mouth, Nagasaki Sase moved her lips but ultimately chose not to stop her.

Chapter 31 You won, but I won't lose

[Clang——]

The delicate porcelain cup shattered on the ground, and the clear liquid splashed out, wetting Toyokawa Yuu's trouser legs.

The sensation of having his intestines ripped open spread through Toyokawa Yuu's body, as if countless fine needles were piercing his heart, each heartbeat an ordeal to his nerves and soul.

Visibility began to dim, and Toyokawa Yuu could not even see the mist rising in Nagasaki Sase's sapphire-like eyes.

"Why……"

She tried to prop herself up, but the toxins in the tea quickly disrupted Toyokawa Yuu's nerves, and her trembling arms offered no strength.

With a puzzled look fixed on Nagasaki Sase not far away, Toyokawa Yuu managed to squeeze out a string of syllables with all her might.

"If only you had known this would happen, Mr. Youyu, the psychologist."

Taking a sip of her black tea, Nagasaki Sase opened her eyes and calmly watched the pained expression on her friend's husband's face as he lay dying.

It must be said that Shoko Toyokawa had excellent taste; the black tea she loved most in her lifetime now brought an indescribable sweetness to Sase Nagasaki.

A kind of... exhilarating satisfaction of successful revenge.

"When you persuaded Metis to kill Xiao Mu with his own hands, you should have guessed that this day would come, right, Dr. Youyu?"

Looking at the man in front of her who had once helped her but had also brought her even greater trauma, Nagasaki Sōse suddenly wished that the poison would take effect more slowly, so that she could at least finish drinking this cup of tea.

The demon that drove Xiaomu to her death with the regret of not being able to rebuild CRYCHIC should have died long ago.

Even more outrageous, shortly before Xiao Xiang died, he was still thinking about reviving Ave Mujica.

What reason is there for that band, built on the corpse of CRYCHIC, to exist?

CRYCHIC isn't dead, it's just that nobody comes anymore!

After all, that funeral was never held because of this man...

My share and Xiao Mu's share, finally today this man paid off his debt.

"doctor……"

As he struggled to process those two words, Toyokawa Yuu dared not stop thinking.

Even knowing that the poison would probably kill him, he at least wanted to die knowing why.

I hope you survive, doctor.

On the rooftop, Metis's last words echoed in Toyokawa Yuu's mind, and he suddenly became alert.

So that's how it is. I was the one who picked up that ballet shoe at Wakaba Mutsumi's house.

Moreover, Nagasaki Sase was also present at that time.

No wonder Metis gave up on killing me; it wasn't because I distanced myself, but because Metis did it too.

I bewitched Metis and turned her into my accomplice.