After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Page 8

Yuu Toyokawa did not answer Shoko Toyokawa's question directly, but looked at Shoko Toyokawa and said.

"Aren't you going to drink it? I specifically picked one that you like."

When Toyokawa Shoko was mentioned here, he realized that he had been chatting with Toyokawa Yuu for most of the day and his mouth was getting dry.

She simply lowered her head and took a small sip; the familiar and long-lost taste instantly made her feel relaxed.

At the same time, she was also puzzled as to why Toyokawa Yuu knew what she liked to drink.

However, a casual remark from Toyokawa Yuu caused Toyokawa Shoko to overlook this detail and suddenly grip the handle of the bone china cup tightly.

"168……"

"What do you mean?"

"Toyokawa Kiyoko was kicked out by Toyokawa Sadaharu."

Toyokawa Yuu didn't say much, but simply stated a fact that caused the blue-haired girl to completely lose her composure.

"I don't want to become the second Kiyoko Toyokawa. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

"..."

After receiving such a startling statement, Toyokawa Shoko seemed to feel that she understood Toyokawa Yuu's logic.

If that's the case, then Father...

A sudden pang of pain welled up in her heart.

Seeing that his words seemed to have fooled Toyokawa Shoko, and that she seemed to have truly believed his claim that he didn't want to get married.

This made Toyokawa Yuu breathe a sigh of relief.

All his talk about not wanting to get married is a lie. He actually wishes he could get married right now so he could have a future in ten years.

However, considering Toyokawa Shoko's personality, going straight to the point might provoke a rebellious attitude.

On the one hand, based on his understanding of his deceased wife's personality, Toyokawa Shoko would most likely not accept being arranged like this.

On the other hand, he needs to maintain sufficient initiative in front of Toyokawa Shoko so that he can gain the upper hand in their interactions.

This led him to immediately betray Toyokawa Sadaharu, as a pledge of loyalty to Toyokawa Shoko.

In this way, Toyokawa Shoko would subconsciously regard him as one of her own, forming a kind of accomplice relationship through their shared secret.

It is a very practical method in psychology for quickly establishing a trust relationship.

He knew very well that Toyokawa Shoko valued Toyokawa Kiyoko highly, and that she would never abandon him even after he had changed like that.

The card he played was enough to convince Toyokawa Shoko of his sincerity.

Strangely enough, when facing Metis, he could put on enough acting skills to test each other with the veteran actor, and when facing Hatsune Miku, he could also find a way to tear off Xiangzi's tiger skin and then cut off his flesh to feed the eagle.

But when he faced Xiangzi, he couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He really didn't know how to deal with this woman who was nominally his deceased wife.

A person who is afraid of death might die again and again in order to save someone who is certain to die... Even Yuu Toyokawa himself finds this absurd.

However, there was no way to stop it. The fact that he had died twice at home ten years later made Toyokawa Yuu realize that it was too late to start making changes from ten years in the future.

The first time I died at Hatsune Miku's hands, the second time at Metis's hands, so who will it be next time? And the time after that?

If they want to survive, they can only start making changes ten years ago, and the most important person in that change is Toyokawa Shoko right in front of them.

As long as she is still alive ten years from now, I will at least be safe from danger.

However, Toyokawa Yuu still doesn't know how Toyokawa Shoko died. She only knows that after Ave Mujica disbanded, she returned to the family, served as the head of the family for a few years, and then died young.

Although Hatsune's half-coaxing, half-deceptive answer was that she had fallen ill due to overwork, Toyokawa Yuu simply did not believe it to be true.

A few months ago, her medical report showed that she could kill a bull with one punch, and she even had the leisure to think about resurrecting Ave Mujica ten years later. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe her as an Ironman.

Therefore, Yuu Toyokawa started by controlling the most basic variables—preventing Ave Mujica from disbanding as originally planned in the world line.

"But if your father's elimination was really orchestrated by your grandfather, what will you do then..."

Noticing that Toyokawa Shoko's expression seemed slightly wavering, Toyokawa Yuu immediately took over the conversation and said solemnly.

"If you trust me, then please entrust your short life to me."

"From now until a month from now, we are in the same boat. I will design a project worthy of Ave Mujica and make it the fastest band in history to perform at the Budokan."

Chapter 14 Meow Dream, You Can Take Off Your Mask

Nine years and three hundred and sixty-four days before Toyokawa Shoko's death, at night.

The management companies are still brightly lit tonight, and the leaders of various bands and idol groups are still working hard for the future of their respective bands.

This is a platform where countless dream-chasing girls can realize their wishes, and a place where shining dreams converge, but at the same time... it is also a vortex filled with dark desires.

A soft sound rang out as the elevator reached the designated floor, and several girls wearing black masks stepped out.

Her confident aura and unconventional attire quickly caught the attention of the other staff members.

After all, this is a band that recently shone brightly at their debut performance, a new band that uses a slightly juvenile small theater to lay the foundation for their worldview, and then shocks the audience with absolutely explosive music.

Ave Mujica.

"Hey, suddenly announcing a gathering like this on a whim, Miss really knows how to order people around. I was planning to take advantage of this rare free time to make a new video."

The purple-haired girl moved with light steps, but her words carried a hint of complaint, as if she was quite dissatisfied with the encroachment on her private time.

Reaching out, she gently touched the mask on her face. Yutenji Wakana pouted, seemingly disliking the feeling of hiding her true self.

"And why dress up like this and wear a mask at the agency? There shouldn't be a performance today, right?"

“Amoris, please don’t gossip about us behind our backs like this. Since it’s Oblivionis’s request, we just need to do it obediently. She will take care of our lives.”

The blonde lead singer gently pressed down on Yutenji Wakana's shoulder, stopping her from trying to remove the mask from her face.

Although this is a talent agency and not a stage, and it's not performance time yet, she will comply with Toyokawa Shoko's request since it is hers.

The other two band members did not comment on the interaction between the two girls around their leader, as this was not the first time.

Furthermore, one of the other two was naturally shy, and the other was indifferent to the matter, so they had even less reason to get involved in this already commonplace event.

"Yes, yes, who knows what kind of wonderful ideas Oblivionis has in mind this time."

Opening the door to the designated office, Yutenji Wakame shrugged at his band's lead singer and complained nonchalantly.

"Face and numbers...aren't they completely useless?"

"If Miss Amoris is eager to show off her perfect appearance as soon as possible, I can actually allow it."

A young male voice came from inside the office, immediately attracting the attention of the rest of Ave Mujica.

Looking into the office, Toyokawa Shoko, now dressed in Oblivionis fashion, sat upright on the sofa, her face covered by a black mask, calmly looking at her companions gathered at the door.

Clearly, she had just heard Yutenji Wakana's criticism of her, but didn't seem to intend to comment on it.

Compared to Toyokawa Shoko, who is the team leader, the members of Ave Mujica were clearly more attracted to Toyokawa Yuu, who was sitting behind her desk.

He looked to be the same age as everyone else, his still-developing body filling out a black business suit, with an enigmatic smile on his face.

The moment they saw Yuu Toyokawa, the expressions of the Ave Mujica members changed subtly almost simultaneously.

Yawata Kairin was surprised that Toyokawa Shoko, who had always maintained an absolute stance on the core ideas of the band, would give up the position of "office host" and sit on the sofa, which symbolized her status as a guest.

Ruoye Mu blinked in confusion. She could sense that Toyokawa Shoko's aura was slightly different from usual, but being somewhat clumsy, she found it difficult to discern exactly what the difference was.

Misaki Miku frowned subconsciously... Was Xiangzi in a room with this man before we arrived?

As for Yutenji Wakamai...

"Really? Oblivionis isn't someone who compromises so easily. That's suspicious."

Upon learning that her long-held wish could finally be fulfilled, Yutenji Wakana was not as overjoyed as one might expect. Instead, she looked at Toyokawa Yuu with suspicion.

Although she had been dissatisfied with Toyokawa Shoko for quite some time, at least for now, she could still tell whose words were more credible.

Judging from his attire, he should be an agent, but she remembered that Toyokawa Shoko had always handled all the band's affairs.

It's hard to imagine that Oblivionis, who dominates other people's thoughts like a band tyrant, would relinquish such important power to someone else.

"May I ask you are……"

Misaki Misaki followed up with a question, saying that Yutenji Wakana was simply born rebellious, and every word she said was shaking Toyokawa Shoko's authority in the band.

As a fan of Toyokawa Shoko, she couldn't let Yutenji Wakana continue this topic in front of outsiders.

Moreover, she was also somewhat curious.

How Ave Mujica should move forward is something only Xiangzi has the right to decide.

Who is this man, and why does he dare to say such things to Xiangzi, without Xiangzi immediately refuting him?

"I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Yuu Toyokawa. From now on, I will be working with the band Ave Mujica as their manager."

"Toyokawa..."

Softly murmuring the surname, Misaki Hatsune subconsciously turned her gaze to Toyokawa Shoko, who was sitting upright on the sofa, a hint of inquiry appearing in the depths of her eyes.

The other members of the band almost all had the same reaction as Misaki Miku.

Despite sharing a room, they maintained a strange, distinct relationship, a close yet somewhat distrustful distance. Even when facing the members of Ave Mujica, Toyokawa Shoko never displayed this attitude.

Moreover, Toyokawa...

"He's my fiancé."

She picked up the Earl Grey tea on the table, took a sip, and then revealed Toyokawa Yuu's identity.

The expressions of the Ave Mujica members, whose faces had already changed slightly, became even more interesting, especially Misaki Miku, whose gaze toward Yuu Toyokawa now carried a hint of disguised hostility.

"For now, he's just an adopted brother. Before the official marriage, his status as a son-in-law will be more that of an adopted son."

Standing up from her office chair, Toyokawa Yuu joked about her identity without any restraint, easing the somewhat awkward atmosphere in the office.

"An adopted son-in-law... There are so many rules in big families..."

With mixed feelings, Yutenji Wakame sighed, but before she could finish speaking, she found that Toyokawa Yuu had already come up in front of her.

"Let's get back to the topic we were talking about. If Miss Amoris really wants to take off her mask, I can agree to your request on behalf of Xiangzi."

Chapter 15: The Pua Golden Retriever's Story Began Ten Years Ago

“You can take off your mask anytime, even during the next performance.”

This permissive attitude makes one wonder whether the new agent is there to help or to cause trouble.

Yutenji Wakana narrowed his eyes, his face, hidden behind the mask, filled with suspicion.

She desperately wanted to achieve success and fame, and dreamed of climbing to the top, to the point that sometimes people felt she might be blinded by greed at any moment.

However, when it comes to matters concerning his own interests, Yutenji Wakame still possesses a certain degree of analytical ability.

For example, she had just noticed from Yuu Toyokawa's indulgent words...

"Is it just me, and not everyone?"

Ave Mujica is currently experiencing a rapid rise in popularity, and its popularity is expected to surge with each new performance in the foreseeable future.

By taking the lead alone at this time, she can naturally capture all the short-term traffic, but she will lose the mystique brought by the masked marketing.

Moreover, Yutenji Wakana is aware of her own popularity to a certain extent. She knows that relying solely on her face without the support of celebrities like Mortis and Dolores, it would be difficult to attract enough traffic.

That's why she wants everyone to take off their masks and then attract attention from other people.

"Of course, we need to be more careful about when the others take off their masks, and this approach of peeling back the layers of mystery like an onion can also more effectively create a sense of mystery for the band members and enhance the loyalty of fans."

In other words, the further back in the mask is removed, the more fans and attention it attracts, right?

Yutenji Wakame swallowed hard; she admitted that she had been a little greedy.

The first person to remove their mask might indeed reap enough benefits to fill their stomach, but after that, she can only watch as the rest of the people share the ever-growing pie, while she can only eat scraps.

A surge in traffic in a short period is indeed what she's after, but the thought of the ever-increasing rewards in the future makes her drool...

"How annoying! How can an ordinary person like me, who has no fame, steal such an important opportunity as a successful start? Compared to me, it's obviously more suitable for a celebrity like Mutsuko or Hatsuko."

With an awkward smile on her face, Yutenji Wakana steered the conversation toward Wakaba Mutsu and Misaki Miku.

Faced with the enormous traffic that could be gained with just a nod, she chose greater greed.

"You don't want to? What a pity. This was originally a project tailor-made for Miss Amoris."

With a helpless shrug, Toyokawa Yuu did not dwell on the topic any further.

Whether Yutenji Wakana agrees or not will not affect the project he mentioned. After all, his goal is not to make this somewhat snobbish girl famous, but to replace Toyokawa Shoko and control the band, which is full of ulterior motives.