After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to care too much about her nervousness.

"It's nothing, I should go now. When Xianghe and Youyu come back later, please tell them I'm going back first."

After taking down the guitar hanging on the wall, Yu Mu didn't sling the strap over her shoulder. Instead, she simply held the somewhat irregularly shaped object in her arms and left the office.

She could sense Yutenji Wakana's tension and fear, but it didn't matter; all she needed to know was where Dolores and Timoris were.

Starting a few days ago, Toyokawa Yuu's resentment and fear of the two women grew stronger, so... she was a threat.

Hopefully they've separated by now. I don't seem to have the ability to take on two opponents at once, a lesson I learned after being defeated by Wakaba Mutsu and Metis together last time.

"What is this for?"

Watching Wakaba Mutsu's retreating figure, who left in a hurry without turning back, exchanging only a few words, and whose indifference seemed more akin to his usual coldness, Yutenji Wakamu's doubts deepened.

"I need to go to the rehearsal room too. How can I wait here? If my manager comes back and finds that I'm slacking off, I'll get scolded."

However, facing the door that had already been gently closed, Yutenji Wakana's complaints were destined to be nothing more than empty words.

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

Standing side by side with a popular idol and guitarist, Hachiman Kairin and Hatsune Miku walk together toward Sumimi's office.

Neither of them spoke until they reached a corridor where few people passed by, at which point Hachiman Kairin spoke first.

"Hatsune..."

Instead of using the more widely known name or the other party's code name within the band, they used the name that the other party saw as nothing short of a threat.

However, Hachiman Kairin only managed to utter those two words before Hatsune Miku interrupted her.

"Hailin probably wanted me to make a mistake on purpose when I represented Sumimi on the show."

Her purple eyes turned to look at her companion, colleague, and the person who was also blackmailing her with secrets. It was hard to say whether her beautiful, jewel-like eyes were more dazzling than the neon lights flashing outside the window.

Faced with that gaze, Hachiman Kairin instinctively wanted to look away, knowing that she was indeed in the wrong.

However, she has no intention of changing her mind.

"Hmm... In terms of popularity and experience in handling those kinds of situations, Ave Mujica is currently no match for Sumimi, not to mention that Miss Yutenji is the kind of person who chases fame and fortune and is easily misled. As for Shoko..."

Hachiman Kairin didn't continue speaking, but her attitude was self-evident.

"...Is it necessary? Mr. Yuyu has not expressed any concerns in this regard, and I don't think Ave Mujica is much worse than Sumimi. In the end, these are all just your own conjectures."

Biting her lip gently, Hatsune knew that sooner or later she would be coerced into doing things she didn't want to do, ever since Hachiman Kairin used a secret to blackmail her into siding with her.

But is it really necessary in this kind of situation?

Furthermore, the promise made before was to support her within Ave Mujica, so there was no way they should have targeted Sumimi.

"Hailin, don't you trust Mr. Youyu?"

"This has nothing to do with whether I trust Mr. Youyu or not!"

As if provoked by a certain word in Hatsune Miku's words, Hachiman Kairin's tone became somewhat agitated, and even her voice rose slightly.

However, she quickly regained her composure.

Yawata Kairin knew that she didn't need to argue with Hatsune Miku about this matter.

Although the other party resisted, they were not that determined. Since that was the case, there was no need to waste words when it was possible to use coercion.

“Mr. Yu’s worries have never stopped. He just cares too much about everyone in the band, so he chooses to believe after doing everything he can. As the second-in-command, I have to make up for this oversight, so... I need you to do this.”

"I......"

This is already quite a blatant threat, and it seems to leave no room for refusal.

Hatsune gritted her teeth and stared at Hachiman Kairin, but she didn't know how to make her give up her idea.

There's no other way, is there? If I listen to her, she'll...

Just as Hatsune was caught in a dilemma, crisp footsteps came from behind the two of them.

Realizing someone was approaching, both of them straightened up and turned around at the same time.

The girl with golden eyes was holding her guitar in her arms, but her posture was a little strange.

Holding the guitar neck with both hands is like lifting a heavy object; this is a very uncomfortable way to exert force and can easily damage the strings.

Given Wakaba Mutsumi's guitar skills, he shouldn't have made this mistake regarding carrying the guitar.

"Xiao Mu? What are you doing here? I remember you were taken by Xiangzi..."

It was strange that Wakaba Mutsu would appear here at this time, but Hatsune shrank back before she could finish speaking.

The other person's gaze made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Are you... coming together?"

Temporarily withdrawing her gaze from Hatsune's neck, Yumu quietly tightened her grip on the guitar neck. The fact that Hachiman and Hatsune were still together was not good news for her.

With Hachiman Kairin by his side, he didn't have the chance to grab her by the neck like he had when he pushed Metis off the balcony.

And then there's Yahata Kairin... wait, how should I treat Yahata Kairin?

The corresponding method did not naturally come to mind. Yu Mu tilted her head, her golden eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

But this gesture was interpreted by the other two as a sign of curiosity and inquiry.

"I need to take her to Sumimi's office. As for Wakaba, our conversation just now..."

Yawata Kairin asked somewhat tentatively.

"I won't tell Youyu and Xiangzi."

There was no chance...

Yu Mu shook her head in disappointment. She knew the distance from Sumimi's office to here, and the two of them wouldn't be going to stop traveling together anytime soon, so she had no chance to make a move.

Even if we wait for Hachiman Kairin to return, there isn't enough time.

Not to mention when Wakaba Mutsu will leave the mirror, Toyokawa Yuu will come looking for him then.

The plan is not feasible, so we need to change our target to one that Toyokawa Yuu won't be able to find in the short term.

Having figured this out, Yu Mu lifted the guitar in her arms higher, no longer just holding the neck, but embracing the amplifier.

"Wait, Wakaba-kun."

Seeing that Wakaba Mutsu had only left such a short sentence before turning to leave, Hachiman Kairin was immediately flustered.

She didn't think the quiet girl in front of her would lie, but given the relationship between Wakaba Mutsu and Toyokawa Shoko, she really couldn't feel at ease.

Moreover, the personality of Metis still exists in the other party's mind. Even if Ruoye Mu agrees to keep it a secret, what if Metis tells Toyokawa Yuu about it?

"Youyu trusts you, so I trust you and won't do anything wrong."

Undeterred by Hachiman Kairin's call, Amuro didn't even turn his head. As if by instinct, he effortlessly mimicked Toyokawa Yuu's attitude towards his deputy, easily silencing the other party.

It's difficult to make a move against Hatsune Miku and Hachiman Kairin right now, and I don't even know how to deal with Hachiman Kairin.

Time was of the essence; she needed to find her last target, and Yu Mu knew how to deal with her.

Watching the golden-eyed girl's departing figure, Hachiman Kairin remained silent.

The other person's purpose seemed to be just to say this to me, and they seemed to intend to leave as soon as they finished speaking, regardless of whether they had heard the previous conversation.

But why would she do this? Is it because her recent behavior has been too obvious?

"Hai Ling..."

The corridor fell silent again after Yu Mu left, and after a while, Hatsune's voice rang out again.

"Don't try to persuade me. I have no intention of changing my mind. Some things can't be solved by trust alone... Rather, it's precisely because Mr. Youyu trusts me that I'm even more determined to fix these oversights for him."

"No, that's not what I meant. I agreed to your request, and I'll play it by ear. But... Hailing, you wouldn't actually have fallen for Mr. Youyu, would you?"

Hatsune shook her head, not continuing to dwell on the previous topic, but instead looked intently at Hachiman Kairin's complicated expression.

Although, everyone in the band could see how attentive she had been to Yuu Toyokawa during this time.

However, it was only because of Wakaba Mutsu's reaction to Toyokawa Yuu that Hatsune gradually realized that Hachiman Kairin seemed to be serious.

"How could that be? I was just repaying Mr. Yu's trust. Besides, Ave Mujica is different from other bands. I've poured my heart and soul into it, and I don't want it to disband. How could it be for such a reason? I have absolutely no feelings for Mr. Yu... absolutely no feelings..."

Her voice trailed off, and Hachiman Kairin found herself unable to utter those words of denial.

Her emerald-like eyes grew increasingly confused.

No...it shouldn't be like this. I clearly don't want the band to disband.

With Mr. Youyu's support, I finally managed to emerge from the shadows of the past and begin to trust and have expectations for the band again.

If this band breaks up again, Hachiman Kairin isn't sure if she'll still have the courage to form a band with someone again.

But I like Mr. Yu Yu. How could that be? I've just been repaying his trust.

Moreover, Mr. Yuyu is the core of the band, so it's only natural that I would stay by his side, and everyone else should do the same.

No, do I really want others to treat Mr. Yuyu the way I treat him now?

Hachiman Kairin couldn't lie to herself; her current attitude towards Toyokawa Yuu was indeed somewhat ambiguous.

I had been subconsciously avoiding this issue before, using the band as an excuse to avoid thinking about it. But Hatsune's words just now undoubtedly tore away the last layer of self-deception.

Seeing Hachiman Kairin begin to fall into confusion and contemplation, Hatsune Miku's purple eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of sympathy and empathy.

She could understand this feeling; it was the conflict between the rationality instilled by her long-term education and the involuntary thoughts arising from her inner emotions.

But emotions and reason begin to entangle and torment each other, and even the stirrings of the heart can turn into a sin.

Even knowing it's wrong, I still can't help but want to try and explore it.

Did Xiaomu sense something, which is why she said those things to Hailing?

"Hailin, think it over carefully. Mr. Youyu will definitely not accept you, but if you don't want to change your mind, I will wish you well."

Hatsune raised her hand, hesitated for a long time, and finally gently patted her companion's shoulder, just like Yuu Toyokawa often did when comforting people.

She knew very well that Hachiman Kairin's feelings would inevitably come to nothing.

Although Mr. Youyu and Xiaoxiang always argued, they never thought of leaving each other.

Moreover, even if Mr. Yu Yu's attitude softens, there will definitely be someone to stop him before he takes that step.

His own... Xiangzi's maternal grandfather, the current head of the Toyokawa family, would not allow him to have an extramarital affair.

But if Hachiman Kairin really wants to persist, then there is nothing else I can do but offer my blessings to this person who shares my plight.

And what if... what if Hailing really succeeds?

Leaving the pensive Hachiman Kairin alone, Hatsune Miku walked alone towards Sumimi's office.

She also needs to consider how she should... hold back the show tomorrow night.

However, before she could even step into Sumimi's office, her phone beeped softly—it was the sound of a text message.

As Hatsune Miku took out her phone, her purple eyes suddenly narrowed. Just moments before, she had been looking at Hachiman Kairin's pupils with an almost empathetic feeling, and now they trembled slightly.

Father: [Hatsune, how have things been lately? Give me an update on how things have been this month.]

Looking at the message on her phone, Hatsune's eyes showed a hint of confusion.

The monthly situation report was a rare form of contact and care from the biological father, and it was also the standard by which he judged whether he could continue to stay in the city.

That person may have wronged me, but without a doubt, in his eyes, I am not the kind of person who is very important and absolutely cannot make a mistake.

In fact, it would be best if such a stain didn't exist at all.

Do I have the right to say that I'm not doing well?

Hatsune: [Everything is fine. Sho and Yuu Toyokawa are working hard on Ave Mujica, and Sumimi is also operating steadily... Please take care of yourself, Sadaharu-sama.]

Chapter 182 Why Aren't You Dead Yet? (5k5)

Amuro could roughly guess what kind of inner struggle Hachiman Kairin went through after he left, but he didn't care.

If there's no chance this time, there probably won't be many more in the future. If Ye Mu isn't so easily fooled next time, she'll be able to switch into the mirror.

She even doubted whether she would ever have the chance to meet Hachiman Kairin and the others again.

Even now, Yu Mu could hear the ripples on the mirror surface, which was incredibly solid to her and could only be traversed by Ruo Ye Mu in the blink of an eye.

time is limited.

Clutching her guitar, Yu Mu hurriedly left the agency without saying goodbye to anyone, only asking Yu Tianji Ruomai to relay a message as she went to retrieve the guitar.