After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

She was not the creator of Yu Mu, and even if she could share Ruo Ye Mu's memories, her understanding of Yu Mu might not be as deep as hers.

But since Yumu would say something like "Why isn't Soyo dead yet?", it must be because she, like Mr. Youyu, dislikes Soyo.

Why force her to associate with people she dislikes?

Why can't you hear me, Xiaomu? Don't you understand that this only makes Mr. Youyu suffer more?

Besides, why should I help Soyo and Mr. Yuu reconcile? Wouldn't that mean Mr. Yuu would pay less attention to me?

Friendship is finite; if you give more to others, you'll get less for yourself.

However, even if Metis pulled Wakaba Muku away from Amemu, it wouldn't change anything.

I can help you. I know what to do.

[Yumu... thank you.]

Watching Yumu waver amidst the chaos, and ultimately choose to accommodate him like Toyokawa Yuu, Wakaba Mutsu's gaze softened even more.

That's wonderful. It was truly a great thing that I created Yu Mu in the first place.

"Xiao Mu, what's wrong? You've been spacing out. Didn't you say you were thirsty? The tea has gone cold."

He stretched out his fair hand and gently waved it in front of the golden-eyed girl, a hint of worry in Nagasaki Sosei's azure eyes.

Although, in the past, Wakaba Mutsu was also taciturn, and his behavior even gave people a dull feeling. He could even stand motionless for an entire afternoon in front of the cucumber vines he had planted himself, holding a watering can.

But Nagasaki Sase had never seen her like this before, with her eyes unfocused as if she were lost in her own world.

Even the way the other person repeatedly expressed his thirst in front of their teacups didn't seem like the style of the Wakaba Mutsu I knew before.

Recalling the scene where she was left speechless by the criticism of the girl in front of her at [RING], Nagasaki Sase cautiously probed.

"Could you be Metis?"

As if awakened by Nagasaki Sase's call, the golden-eyed girl's calm, even somewhat empty eyes finally began to ripple again.

"I am not Metis."

Yu Mu gently shook her head and withdrew her fingertips from the guitar case.

Yu Mu picked up the teacup in front of her, her fingertips trembling.

Even though she had seen Nagasaki Sase drink the tea and nothing happened to her, the clear liquid still evoked her instinctive resistance.

It's okay, I'll do it.

In the eyes of Nagasaki Sōse, who had been watching Wakaba Mutsu, the girl's trembling fingertips suddenly calmed down after she picked up the cup. She blew on the steam in the cup and drank the tea, which was a little cool but should still be sipped slowly, in one gulp.

"what--"

She let out a soft breath, exhaling the hot air that lingered on her tongue. Once the burning sensation in her mouth had lessened, Ruoye Mu surrendered her body to Yu Mu again.

A slightly burning heatwave flowed through my mouth and down my esophagus.

This time, Yu Mu, who had been forced to take control of her body, almost subconsciously frowned and felt a wave of nausea. However, in front of Nagasaki Sase, she gritted her teeth and swallowed the feeling.

Instinctive fear made his heart race at that moment, but just like Nagasaki Sase had been unharmed before, the situation that Amemu was worried about did not happen.

On the contrary, the warm sensation that rises from the lower abdomen after the tea flows down the esophagus is somewhat real.

Composing himself, Yumu looked at Nagasaki Sōse, who was sitting opposite him with a mixture of confusion and worry in his eyes, and slowly began to speak.

"I've come to see you. I need something."

Recalling Ruoye Mu's request, Yu Mu's golden eyes revealed a troubled expression.

She certainly knew Toyokawa Yuu, but she didn't know Nagasaki Sase in front of her.

It was just out of the instinctive aversion inherited from the model that I knew what the other person should do to make me dislike her less.

What I need to do is get Nagasaki Sosei to do those things to Toyokawa Yuu.

"Could you go find Youyu?"

Upon hearing this request, Nagasaki Sase raised an eyebrow and unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Although her tone still maintained that deliberately restrained gentleness, the words she spoke were no longer as attentive as when she welcomed Wakaba Mutsu into the house, but rather carried a hint of deliberate resistance.

"Xiao Mu told me not to go looking for you and Mr. Youyu anymore, right? Now you're suddenly thinking this again. Has something happened?"

Although he is kind to everyone, and even subconsciously accommodates classmates he doesn't know well, Nagasaki Sase doesn't want to bow down to Toyokawa Yuu when it comes to him.

The inexplicable and unprovoked disgust, the reason for which was completely unknown, suddenly revealed that Toyokawa Yuu, who had always been polite and mature in front of him, harbored considerable malice towards him.

Was it because when you organized the MyGO group to go to Ave Mujica's concert, it was too much trouble to ask them to help you get tickets?

But he himself had clearly stated that he was willing to pay a premium, yet he lavishly claimed it was none of his business.

Even if it was just out of social etiquette and personality at the time, and it was inconvenient to refuse but also not easy to show dislike for oneself, then what about Aine? Going to the concert together was clearly Aine's wish in the first place.

Even though it was Toyokawa Yuu who asked them to do that thing together, why was she so friendly to Chihaya Aine?

Inexplicable disgust, unwarranted favoritism... It's no wonder they're engaged; they're just like Toyokawa Shoko when she suddenly announced her withdrawal from CRYCHIC.

Even Nagasaki Sase didn't want to experience that feeling again.

The essence of compromise is to fit in and avoid being abandoned. If someone doesn't intend to accept you from the beginning, why should you be so shameless?

"Besides, even if I wanted to go to Toyokawa Yuu, he probably wouldn't want to see me."

In front of his good friend, Nagasaki Sase did not directly show his impatience, but his way of addressing Toyokawa Yuu, who was not present, became quite impolite.

"Youyu... is very jealous of you."

Instead of arguing because of Nagasaki Sase's tone of resistance, Amuro simply continued to state his own views.

She had never learned how to persuade others; all she had ever done was present her viewpoint, and Ruoye Mu and Metis would readily obey.

Because what I said was exactly the information they needed.

“What does he have to be jealous of me? Not only do I have Xiangzi and Xiaomu with me in his band, but I’m also a young man who’s already the band’s manager. And I have such a close relationship with my mother. She probably sees me at the company more often than she sees me at home recently.”

Thinking about how she had prepared dinner for the evening, but her mother suddenly said that she had to work overtime to cooperate with Yuu Toyokawa, Nagasaki Sase felt increasingly indignant.

Why should I? That guy who started hating me for no reason not only stole Xiangzi and Xiaomu from CRYCHIC, but he also took away my mother's few days of rest at home.

Clearly, it should be me who is jealous of everything he can do so easily.

“Youyu has never been happy because of the band.”

His resolute words, as if affirming some truth, left Nagasaki Sase stunned in place.

The band he runs with his fiancée is thriving right from their debut, with a promising future clearly visible... Yet, Toyokawa Yuu is surprisingly unhappy.

Fortunately, Amuro is not like Wakaba Mutsu, who expresses his thoughts only halfway through.

Most of the time, she is able to express her views clearly and logically.

“Yuyu has never smiled because of the band. Even when the concert was a great success, he just frowned and silently handled the backstage work. Ave Mujica has always been a burden to him... He doesn’t like the band.”

Chapter 184 Yamana Kairin's Seduction Fails

Even so, what does it matter? The positive and uplifting band, the close and inseparable relationship... these things that he longs for are even a burden to him... Isn't this just showing off to himself?

His fingertips clenched quietly, and Nagasaki Sosei's azure eyes grew even colder.

What Toyokawa Yuu's attitude towards the band is none of my business. Isn't he a reliable adult? Adults can't do things just because they like. Isn't it normal to do things well even if you have to compromise?

Otherwise, what about my mother who often works overtime and doesn't even have time to go home?

"Moreover, Yuu has never received any care from his family, and he looks envious when he hears Ms. Nagasaki mention you."

"So what?"

Nagasaki Sase tilted her head slightly, looking at Wakaba Mutsumi, who seemed to be explaining something, and interrupted for the first time while the other was speaking.

A slight sense of smugness welled up inside me.

The boy who had always been far superior to me in both interpersonal relationships and problem-solving skills was surprisingly lacking in something that most people would take for granted.

Although, I don't receive much care from my family.

Or rather... it's that my mother, amidst her busy work schedule, still had some spare time to give me, but not much.

Although it might sound like a stalemate where neither side can laugh at the other, Nagasaki Sase believes he has won in this respect.

“Youyu has always longed for a safe haven where he can relax, where no one will ask him to do anything, where he can let himself wallow in despair without restraint, in peace and quiet, without any danger… That’s all he wants.”

With her gaze somewhat unfocused, Yu Mu's mind raced, not trying to weave a lie, but rather trying to continue interpreting her impressions of the blueprint.

The unease of being threatened is the first emotion I perceive, and it is what constitutes my very essence.

But why didn't he take immediate action because of this unease?

He has more common sense than I do, and knows how to... kill those who make him uneasy.

“There’s something he wants that Xiang can’t give him, and neither can I… It’s like there’s something missing in his heart. He appears calm on the surface, but he’s stubborn and obstinate inside.”

Why hasn't he made a move yet? Given the trust the band members have in him, he could have had many more opportunities.

Besides the resentment and unease that he could easily read himself, what else was in his heart?

Unaware that the golden-eyed girl before him was both convincing him and questioning herself, Nagasaki Sosei's gaze gradually calmed down as Amemu spoke.

Wanting a safe harbor is a euphemism; isn't that what home is all about?

This thing broke down a long time ago and has never been whole again since.

But so what? Just because someone shares my pain doesn't mean I should easily change my opinion of them.

"That's enough, let's not continue this topic. He and I are not in the same boat. I still have my loving mother to rely on."

Realizing that he might be having second thoughts about someone, Nagasaki Sase changed the subject in a serious tone.

Before she went to her mother's company to try and get close to Toyokawa Yuu, she had already used some methods that even a high school student could use to investigate some things, such as the fact that the Toyokawa Group had lost 168 billion yen and the main person in charge had been dismissed from the group, which had made the news.

In addition, when we were in the CRYCHIC group before, we learned that Xiangzi's mother, who was theoretically Yuu Toyokawa's adoptive mother and mother-in-law, had already passed away.

Nagasaki Sōse knew that, strictly speaking, Toyokawa Sōko and Toyokawa Yūu no longer had anyone truly close enough to rely on.

That boy's maturity could be described as a necessary growth in the face of adversity.

So what? Just because you have one thing in common with the other person, are you going to let your emotions run wild again and pretend to be sorry to someone who seems better and more comfortable than you in every way, saying, "You're so pathetic."

There should be a limit to how nonsensical things can be. If I really want to act like that, I'd have to wait until that guy loses everything before I have a reason to do so.

“It’s getting late. I’m not a night owl, so I should rest… It’s not safe for you to go back alone at this hour. I’ll have Yuu Toyokawa come pick you up. You can come downstairs when he arrives.”

After saying that, Nagasaki Sose ignored the golden-eyed girl sitting on the sofa who seemed to be deep in thought and returned to her bedroom alone.

Looking at Nagasaki Sōse, who seemed a little angry, Amemu, still holding the teacup that Wakaba Mutsu had already drunk dry, tilted her head in confusion.

Did I mess up?

[Yes, yes, Yumu, you messed up this time. Never listen to Xiaomu again and have anything to do with Soyo. Mr. Youyu's gaze only needs to be on us.]

The moment this question arose in her mind, Metis's voice rang out in her head, as if urging her to stop listening to Ruoye Mu.

To Metis, the idea of ​​reconciling Nagasaki Sase and Toyokawa Yuu was utterly absurd.

Even Chihaya Aine understands the simple truth that a friend's friend may not necessarily become a friend.

She knew Ruoye Mu was stubborn, but there was absolutely no need to drag Yu Mu into it.

Yu Mu only needs to care about Mr. You Yu's affairs, just like herself, and then copy her homework when necessary.

No, Yumu... you succeeded.

Ignoring Metis's commotion, Wakaba Mutsu also watched Nagasaki Sose walk back to the bedroom through the mirror before speaking after a moment.

Although it may sound like boasting, Wakaba Mutsu actually... knows Nagasaki Sase quite well.

Over the past year, the other party's sweet talk in trying to get the whereabouts of Toyokawa Shoko from me has never succeeded once.

【That's good. 】

Amemu didn't seem to care much about whether she had fulfilled Wakaba Mutsu's request.

After handing the guitar back to Wakaba Mutsu, Yu Mutsu walked back to the huge full-length mirror and gently tapped the now hardened surface.

[Yu Mu, you don't need to go back anymore. You can have half of my sofa.]

Seeing that Yu Mu seemed to intend to return to the mirror on her own, Ruo Ye Mu tried to dissuade her.

This time, the other party's appearance did not cause any trouble at all; in fact, it helped him a lot.

Both emotionally and rationally, Ruo Yemu felt that he should not lock her back in the mirror.