After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

But given Nagasaki Sase's understanding of Toyokawa Shoko's talents, he knew that whatever she did, she would surely achieve remarkable success, and it was impossible for her to remain so unknown.

Moreover, the timing of the formation of the band Ave Mujica was also quite coincidental.

The coincidental timing of the establishment, the fact that Xiangzi's close sworn brother personally acts as his manager, the performance style where everyone is masked to conceal their identities, the blue-haired keyboardist, the green-haired guitarist...

Nagasaki Sase knew that this was probably just him overthinking things; many bands were formed every day, and they would try all sorts of different performance styles.

What kind of job Yuu Toyokawa chooses is his own business and may not necessarily be related to Shoko.

As for the performers' hair color, it varies greatly, and it's not surprising that there are coincidences.

However, some speculations, once they arise, linger in the mind.

Could Xiangzi be connected to the band Ave Mujica?

No, Xiangzi must be in that band.

After discovering that Yuu Toyokawa was Ave Mujica's manager, Sosei Nagasaki specifically found the band's playlist and repeatedly studied the keyboardist's tracks.

Although Xiangzi had never demonstrated that playing style in front of her, she wouldn't mistake that technique, that way of playing that seemed to want to vent all the emotions in her heart through music.

But if Xiangzi really is the keyboardist for Ave Mujica, then... what is that band?

So what about that band?!

With my eyes closed, the words spoken that night at Asukayama Park, so blunt and piercing to my heart, still echo in my ears.

Looking at the photo of the band members on her phone, Nagasaki Sase bit her lip hard, using the slight stinging sensation to make up her mind.

Nagasaki Sase, her fingernails lightly scraping against her phone case, pressed the send button on the screen with her eyes closed.

Xiangzi, if you say you no longer care about the band, then...

What about that band called Ave Mujica?

【ding dong——】

The sound of the text message being successfully sent made Nagasaki Sase breathe a sigh of relief, and he raised his eyes to look at his phone.

[Mr. Yuu, this is Nagasaki. Do you have some time? I'd like to ask you for help with something.]

Looking at the text message that had already been sent on his phone, Nagasaki Sase had a bitter smile on his face.

There's no turning back now that the arrow has been released; there's no going back. The sense of helplessness of having no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end actually brought a sense of relief to Nagasaki Sosei's heart.

But contacting Mr. Youyu so late at night will surely annoy people, right? How should I express my apology?

Just as she was still struggling with how to express her apology for disturbing her so late at night, Toyokawa Yuu replied even faster than she had expected.

【Can. 】

Chapter 39: The Speculation Gradually Being Confirmed

Nine years and three hundred and sixty-three days before Toyokawa Shoko died, at night.

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

Returning to her home after a long absence, Toyokawa Yuu sat at her familiar desk, fiddling with her phone.

After Nagasaki Sase accepted his business card this morning, Toyokawa Yuu was certain that the other party would contact him.

CRYCHIC's funeral has not yet been held, and the girl with a motherly temperament is a sentimental person; sooner or later, she will be unable to hold back her emotions.

However, he did not expect that the girl, who deliberately used a gentle tone and was kind to everyone and could be described as a charming and tactful person, would contact him at this time.

Can't you hold back any longer?

As the image of being killed by a cup of poisoned tea not long ago subconsciously flashed through her mind, Toyokawa Yuu's fingertips trembled involuntarily.

Although he knew it was just his own malicious speculation, his emotions still made him inevitably make connections in a certain direction.

Do you think your own feelings don't need to be taken into consideration?

Setting down her empty water glass, Toyokawa Yuu looked at the message from Nagasaki Sase and replied with only two simple words.

【Can. 】

Since the other party is asking for your help, there's no need to be overly enthusiastic, otherwise you might be suspected of having ulterior motives.

Although I admit that my motives were not pure.

How to keep Toyokawa Shoko alive, how to control Toyokawa Shoko, and even control other powerful people ten years later.

This is a question that Toyokawa Yuu began to ponder after her first death.

The former, due to the fact that the cause of Toyokawa Shoko's death remains unknown, has not been able to obtain effective reasoning or answers.

When Nagasaki Sase poisoned himself, Toyokawa Yuu had already devised a countermeasure.

Those people, those who killed him, were undoubtedly all emotional beings.

There is no trace of any self-interest at play, so before truly revealing murderous intent, it is difficult to logically judge whether the other party will suddenly kill them in various strange ways.

After all, who would have thought that this group of people could actually hold a murderous grudge for ten years over something they didn't even know had happened?

Moreover, there are some things that even Yuu Toyokawa herself hasn't figured out.

According to Nagasaki Sōse ten years later, he had instigated Metis to kill Mutsumi.

But do I have a reason to do this?

It's true that I want to control Metis, and I do want Metis to become the permanent personality that controls the body of [Wakaba Mutsu].

But what reason did he have to deliberately harm Wakaba Mutsumi? He even encouraged Metis to kill Mutsumi with his own hands.

Rather, what I should have done was to further exacerbate Wakaba Mutsu's personality disorder and then use Mutsu to control Metis.

What could possibly happen in the future that would lead someone to do something that harms others but doesn't necessarily benefit themselves?

However, judging from the changes in Metis's attitude towards her, Toyokawa Yuu has also learned some tricks to keep these people in check.

Having been single for ten years, I find it difficult to offer enough benefits or maintain a stable relationship.

But the crimes committed together as a group of accomplices will not fade with time.

Some secrets, once you grasp them, can sustain you for a lifetime.

Metis and he became accomplices, and Metis did not lay a hand on him for ten years, and there was even a possibility of them cooperating again.

Therefore, he carefully arranged charges against these people and fabricated accusations to prevent them from harming him in unexpected ways or even using him for his own purposes.

Now, Toyokawa Yuu plans to accuse Nagasaki Sase of... betrayal.

Is it about Xiangzi?

Seeing that the chat box remained silent for a long time, seemingly struggling to find the right words, Toyokawa Yuu sent another text message.

[Partly, but mainly related to Aine.]

Nagasaki Sase gently bit her lip, looking at Toyokawa Yuu's blunt text message that immediately exposed her thoughts. Her azure eyes even welled up with tears from her inner turmoil.

She couldn't get straight to the point like that, otherwise it would seem too deliberate.

The other party is Xiao Xiang's sworn brother. If he knew his true thoughts, he would probably do everything he could to prevent Xiangzi from having any contact with him.

Not to mention, it was that kind of irritating questioning.

Aiyin is very interested in the up-and-coming band Ave Mujica and has been wanting to take the band members to their concert, but she only managed to get two tickets.

It seems I've taken advantage of that pink sun again...

Struggle and guilt surfaced in her deep blue eyes, but Nagasaki Sase had no intention of stopping.

The pale fingertips pressed repeatedly on the phone screen, weaving a lie word by word from objective reality.

I don't want to disappoint Aine, so I apologize for bothering you at this time.

[As Ave Mujica's manager, do you have any way of getting tickets to Ave Mujica's concert? I'm willing to pay double the price.]

This isn't just about wanting to see the demo; going to the concert together is also a necessary step to strengthen the bond between band members.

...right?

If Xiao Xiang is really on Ave Mujica, I'll take this opportunity to ask him directly.

If I'm just overthinking it, then it's just a team-building activity to strengthen relationships with everyone.

Is it really?

Looking at the information that appeared on her phone screen, Toyokawa Yuu raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected that Nagasaki Sase would contact him in the middle of the night not to inquire about Toyokawa Shoko, but to ask for a few concert tickets.

Moreover, she even found out that she was Ave Mujica's manager.

Although it's not exactly a secret—just check the agency's official website and you'll find your own headshot prominently displayed after the five masked girls.

But what really surprised Yuu Toyokawa was... that these girls, who were so engrossed in their band relationship, actually knew how to use the internet?

Based on his understanding of Nagasaki Sase, whenever she starts actively gathering intelligence, it's when she's about to unleash her extraordinary wisdom.

Whether it's intelligent or not is unknown, but it's definitely astonishing.

But for me, this is indeed an opportunity.

If Toyokawa Shoko appeared in front of MyGO!!!!! as Oblivionis, what kind of expressions would those girls who had close ties with her show?

And what kind of gaze will Nagasaki Sase, who organized all of this, be under?

"No problem. As Ave Mujica's manager, a few concert tickets are nothing to me. Besides, I'm planning to take Xiangzi to see one anyway."

So, Xiangzi will go too?

Upon seeing Toyokawa Yuu's reply, a dark glint flashed in Nagasaki Sase's eyes.

She also remembered that back when CRYCHIC hadn't disbanded, she had suggested going to a concert together.

However, Xiangzi showed little interest at the time, and ultimately, due to Deng's somewhat shy personality, the matter was dropped.

Is his willingness to condescend to attend the concert now out of consideration for the feelings of his sworn brother and Ave Mujica's manager, Yuu Toyokawa, or...?

Was her identity forcing her to go?

Some of the speculations are being confirmed step by step, which makes Nagasaki Sase smile involuntarily.

Thank you so much.

Remember to call your companions, and also that girl named Ai-yin; I haven't thanked her for that glass of iced water yet.

Seeing Toyokawa Yuu's reply, distress quickly replaced her smile and climbed onto Nagasaki Sase's face.

How can she convince others to go to the concert with her?

Chapter 40 Aine's Expectations

Nine years and three hundred and sixty-two days before Toyokawa Shoko's death, in the afternoon.

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

"really?"

A joyful shout rang out from one of RING's rehearsal rooms. The energetic voice was as warm as the sun, and just by listening to the voice, one could imagine the smile on the owner's face.

"Everyone's going to Ave Mujica's concert, soyorin, have you changed your mind?"

Chihaya Aine was so happy to see her companion suddenly agree to go to the concert with her, and even plan to bring everyone along. She almost jumped up with her guitar.

As an ordinary girl with a little vanity, Chihaya Aine certainly wouldn't dislike lively places.

While chasing trends, it's common to have thoughts like, "I wish I were that radiant person on stage."

However, while she may have a touch of vanity, Chihaya Aine is also fully aware of her own talents or rather, her personality.

It would be a little difficult to get someone with her personality to dedicate a lot of time to tedious practice.

It's better to just watch those people perform on stage and fantasize about it from the audience; it's not illegal to fantasize.

However, going to a concert alone would definitely seem strange, right? Of course, it's more fun to go with everyone and cheer together in the audience.

To her dismay, when she first made the suggestion, everyone was rather unenthusiastic.

That's why she's so excited now that she sees Nagasaki Sase agreeing with her original idea and even wanting to invite everyone to go together.

"After all, there aren't any live shows coming up, so it's not a bad thing for everyone to go and relax together."

With a gentle smile on her face, as if even the sunlight would soften it, Nagasaki Sase simply responded to Chihaya Aine's surprise before turning her gaze to Takamatsu Akari, who was holding a small notebook.

She knew that Chihaya Aine would definitely not refuse such a lively occasion, and if the remaining three could persuade Takamatsu Akari, it would be equivalent to persuading Shiina Tatsuki.