After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

"After all, there are some things that don't need to be written in a diary. Since Lord Qinggao passed away, Xiaoxiang has also stopped letting you participate in the management of the family."

Seeing Yuu Toyokawa looking somewhat worried, Hatsune couldn't help but sigh.

"I never expected that Xiao Xiang's protection of you would backfire at this time."

Protect?

Yuu Toyokawa never expected that Hatsune Miku would use this word to describe her relationship with Shoko Toyokawa.

After all, judging from Toyokawa Kiyoko's diary, Toyokawa Shoko's behavior was more inclined towards domination and control.

However, based on Yuu Toyokawa's understanding of Shoko Toyokawa, she is indeed the kind of person who would do things that seem completely contrary to her inner thoughts with a conflicted expression.

However, Hatsune's words are not entirely credible. As a die-hard fan of Toyokawa Shoko, it is possible that she would embellish Shoko's actions to some extent.

After closing her eyes and disregarding the possibility that Chihaya Aine's actions were motivated by personal feelings, Toyokawa Yuu carefully extracted the information revealed in the notebook.

Hailin has a collaboration with certain members of the Toyokawa family, and it likely began when she entered Starlight Plaza.

Toyokawa Sadaharu's death was not normal, but according to Toyokawa Kiyoko's brief account, Toyokawa Shoko did not seem to have done anything emotionally extreme.

Starting at a certain point in time, Toyokawa Shoko began to strip herself of her power until she could no longer touch the Toyokawa family's influence, leaving only Hachiman Kairin as a back door that was clearly suspicious.

And...that's it?

Yuu Toyokawa frowned, realizing that by only considering the issue from a self-interested perspective, she seemed unable to extract any more crucial information.

However, we cannot get in touch with them.

The Toyokawa Shoko that I know is definitely not some heartless profit-driven machine. She even turns around and strips me of my power, and I even think that she is protecting me.

Even if it turns out that way later, there will definitely be a process.

At least, her emotions were quite evident when the two got married.

A turning point...

Yuu Toyokawa didn't believe anything could directly overwhelm Shoko Toyokawa's mentality. She was the kind of person who could remain unfazed for over a year after falling from a pampered young lady to a life of poverty overnight.

The only way to change her mindset is to start with the people around her.

Think carefully, what else seems abnormal, for example...

Wakaba Mutsumi... lost his guitar?

Yuu Toyokawa opened her eyes, as if she had discovered a blind spot that she had always overlooked.

For Mutsuka Wakaba, the guitar is like an anchor that supports her personality; she could never give up her guitar no matter what.

If Ye Mu had become a doll with almost no emotions, this would be the root of all the strangeness that had occurred since he returned to ten years in the future.

Sase Nagasaki's change of attitude is the root cause of Ave Mujica's disbandment...

Even according to Nagasaki Sosei's account when he first returned, that was the source of everything that led to the tragedy.

Moreover, now that Ruoye Mu is crippled, who is in charge of the Ruoye family's power now?

"Lord Yuyu, what's wrong?"

Noticing the unpleasant expression on Yuu Toyokawa's face, Hatsune immediately moved closer.

Hatsune reached out and gently grasped Toyokawa Yuu's elbow, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's nothing, Hatsune, Mutsumi, right now..."

Just as they were about to ask whether Wakaba Mutsu would be present throughout Toyokawa Shoko's funeral, a light knock sounded beside the door.

The sound is regular and rhythmic, with each syllable falling at the exact same interval.

The dormitory fell silent for a moment, with only the light knocking echoing in the room, like a small hammer striking the heart again and again.

The visitor seemed not to understand the principle of knowing when to stop, and was more like a robot given some kind of command.

The knocking command will continue until the door is opened.

The two exchanged a glance, and Hatsune took the initiative to walk towards the dormitory door.

The door was opened, and a figure in light green stood outside.

A beautiful woman with long, light green hair stood at the doorway, her golden eyes indifferent as water. Her simple attire and her delicate, porcelain-like demeanor were captivating.

"Xiao Mu, what's wrong with you?"

Hatsune seemed relieved to see that the person knocking on the door was Wakaba Mutsu.

It seemed that in her eyes, Ruoye Mutsu had always been a harmless existence.

Ignoring Hatsune's question, the beautiful woman with long light green hair turned her gaze to Toyokawa Yuu.

"Youyu, I've been resting for a long time... and I can't sleep."

Upon hearing Wakaba Mutsu's words, Toyokawa Yuu suddenly remembered that she hadn't seen this doll-like beauty since Hachiman Kairin brought her back that afternoon.

Judging from Wakaba Mutsumi's tone, she seems to have been carrying out Toyokawa Yuu's order to "go rest," and has continued to do so until now.

Only when she could no longer fall asleep and could no longer carry out the command did she come to find Toyokawa Yuu like a puppet.

Logically speaking, Toyokawa Yuu should be happy to have such a meticulous doll that strictly follows her orders.

But at this moment, all he felt was a headache.

It seems that Wakaba Mutsu's condition is more serious than he had imagined.

This is no longer a matter of whether or not one can control the power of the Wakaba family for their own use; in this state, even their ability to take care of themselves is questionable.

Furthermore, Yuu Toyokawa also extracted a piece of information from Mutsumi Wakaba's words.

This girl, who has become indistinguishable from a doll, seems to live in this mansion, and there is even a room where she can rest as she pleases.

"It's okay, Xiao Mu. If you can't sleep, just chat with me."

Looking at the beautiful woman in front of her, who looked like a doll, a thought suddenly popped into Toyokawa Yuu's mind.

Both Toyokawa Kiyotaka's diary and Hatsune Miku's account contain a certain degree of subjectivity.

But the girl in front of us, who is almost indistinguishable from a doll, might be able to provide a relatively objective verification.

Based on current observations, a puppet that is completely obedient to one's orders is unlikely to leak secrets.

"Hatsune, could you please make Mutsu a cup of coffee for me?"

Turning her gaze to Hatsune Miku, Toyokawa Yuu took the opportunity to send the housekeeper away.

The next few questions were not really appropriate for her to be present for.

As the door closed and the footsteps faded into the distance, Toyokawa Yuu turned her gaze to Wakaba Mutsu, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed.

How should I ask questions to ensure that Wakaba Mutsu will respond?

"Xiao Mu, can I ask you for a favor? On the day Xiangzi is buried, I would like you to play a guitar song for her. She should... like your playing."

"I can't play the guitar."

Shaking his head indifferently, Ruoye Mu's reaction was as calm as answering "What does water taste like?", without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

However, this answer made Toyokawa Yuu's eyes become suspicious.

Without a doubt, the Wakaba Mutsu in front of him was definitely not the cheerful Metis.

Whether it's Metis's personality or her acting skills, Toyokawa Yuu has experienced it all and would never be wrong.

It was precisely because the other party had left her with the shadow of death that Toyokawa Yuu was so certain that her shadow was not here.

Furthermore, according to Kiyoko Toyokawa's diary, she could play the guitar, but she had thrown it away.

His words were like those of Metis, yet his tone was even more detached than that of Wakaba Muku...

After a moment's hesitation, Toyokawa Yuu slowly spoke.

"Xiao Mu, how is Mortis?"

The moment the words left her lips, Toyokawa Yuu saw that Wakaba Mutsu instinctively gripped the hem of her skirt.

For this girl, who was like a doll, this was the most intense reaction that Toyokawa Yuu had ever witnessed in her divine presence.

She's dead...leaving me behind...

It was still a light, almost inaudible voice, but it seemed to carry a hint of sadness.

Upon hearing this answer, Toyokawa Yuu's heart stirred.

He had considered several possibilities, such as if Metis Cup Ruoye Mu regained control of his body and could no longer control it.

Or perhaps something unexpected happened, and the person I knew, Ruoye Mutsu, disappeared along with Metis.

But judging from Wakaba Mutsu's answer, it seems that only Metis has disappeared.

At least, judging from Nagasaki Sase's previous reaction, she, who claimed to have harmed Wakaba Mutsumi to this extent, seemed to have no idea of ​​Metis's existence.

Otherwise, when confessing her crimes, she would have mentioned even Chihaya Aine, who had been gone for ten years, and would not have failed to mention Metis's name.

In other words, it's quite possible that Metis died without even having his existence revealed?

With her doubts still lingering, Toyokawa Yuu continued to press the doll in front of her for answers.

They didn't care at all whether this question would reopen old wounds for Wakaba Mutsu.

"Xiao Mu, look me in the eyes and tell me what happened. Is it because I took you to see a psychologist before, or is it because of Ms. Nagasaki Sase?"

Faced with Toyokawa Yuu's persistent questioning, Wakaba Mutsumi's golden eyes revealed a complex expression.

Looking into the man's eyes, the doll's eyes flashed with an emotion that seemed to want to say something but couldn't.

After a moment, Wakaba Muku finally spoke.

"It is... Timoris."

Chapter 73 Ai Yin: I'm not helping him

"It is... Timoris."

The gentle voice reached Yuu Toyokawa's ears, causing her to widen her eyes in surprise.

He never imagined that he would receive such an answer from Wakaba Mutsu.

Yuu Toyokawa wondered if Sōse Nagasaki had said something she shouldn't have, or if she had inadvertently taken advantage of the somewhat introverted girl from ten years ago, or if Sōko Toyokawa's ability to release stress had simply improved.

He even wondered if Minami Nami might suddenly unleash her full power and turn the tables on the "multi-headed monster," something that was almost impossible.

But no matter how he thought about it, he never considered Yawata Kairin as a suspect.

After all, no matter how you look at it, Hachiman Kairin seems to have no reason to do such a thing to Wakaba Mutsumi.

He was now certain that the mental breakdown of the beautiful woman in front of him, who was as indifferent as a doll, began after he took her to see a psychiatrist.

This timing information has been verified from multiple sources and cannot possibly be wrong.

But the day I went to see a psychologist was shortly after I returned to the present from ten years ago.

If I hadn't returned to the present after drinking the glass of ice water that Chihaya Aine gave me, I would have taken Wakaba Mutsu to see a doctor after school that day.

What exactly made Hachiman Kairin think of doing this in such a short time?

Why would she do such a thing?

One question after another swirled in Toyokawa Yuu's mind. He simply couldn't understand why Yahata Kairin, who had just experienced the trauma of the major accident during Ave Mujica's second performance, was trying so hard to prove her abilities and regain his trust in her.

From any perspective, there was no reason for Hachiman Kairin to do that at the time.

Countless mysteries lie ahead, but perhaps this golden-eyed beauty, who answers questions like a doll, can provide the answers.

Reaching out to cup Wakaba Mutsu's cheeks, making her meet his eyes with her inorganic, indifferent gaze, Toyokawa Yuu's voice was somewhat urgent.

"Xiao Mu, come here and look at me carefully. Tell me what happened. I will always be by your side."

The inorganic gaze could not meet Toyokawa Yuu's eyes. Through the veil called curiosity, Wakaba Mutsu saw the essence beneath those eyes—the will to survive.

That familiar gaze, so profound that even after ten years it could not be forgotten, made Wakaba Mutsu subconsciously recall that day.

I will always be by your side... watching over you.

The words that cursed him like a nightmare still echoed in his mind subconsciously.

Looking at Toyokawa Yuu in front of him, Wakaba Mutsu's indifferent golden eyes reflected the image of another person.

In Wakaba Mutsu's eyes, Toyokawa Yuu's eyes, which were so close to him, seemed to have turned into the same gold as his own, and her hair had turned into light green.

Staring blankly at the man cupping her cheeks, Ruoye Mu felt as if her neck was being firmly gripped by two hands.