After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Even if Ms. Junda Mana from Sumimi is understanding and doesn't stop her from focusing her work on Ave Mujica, the rest of the Sumimi team can't keep giving in forever.

In terms of being a cash cow, Sumimi, the most popular idol group right now, is far superior to Ave Mujica, who just held two concerts.

By bringing Chu Hua into the picture, he was essentially cutting off someone else's source of income. Toyokawa Shoko could even imagine the negative reputation he was receiving from some people behind his back.

If Chu Hua were to take over these matters, she would inevitably have to interact with Sumimi's people in official business, which would only make things awkward for everyone.

As for Yutenji Wakana... Toyokawa Yuu had just suppressed her with that extremely harsh contract not long ago. Now that she's given this kind of power, I'm afraid she'll cause trouble again in a couple of days.

If neither of them is willing to back down, then all the pressure will fall on Mutsuka Wakaba.

The loss of control at the concert made Shoko Toyokawa realize that she had pushed herself too hard.

But at this point, entrusting these matters to Mu is a last resort, at least...

Recalling what happened this afternoon, Toyokawa Shoko lowered her eyes, perhaps this was the best solution at the moment.

"Wait, I have a problem with this... Is Mortis really mentally prepared for this kind of thing?"

Looking at Toyokawa Yuu with a somewhat bewildered expression, Hachiman Kairin's emerald-like eyes were filled with confusion.

She couldn't quite understand why Toyokawa Yuu would come up with such an idea.

Even she could see that if she really wanted to choose a middleman between the two, Ruo Yemu was definitely not the most suitable candidate.

Her relationship with Toyokawa Shoko was so close that everyone knew it. Even though she had disappeared with Toyokawa Yuu for an entire afternoon, Hachiman Kairin didn't think it could compare to their so-called "half-body" relationship.

Mr. Yuu, haven't you been fighting with Toyokawa Shoko for ownership of the band?

This decision, aside from making the sentimental Wakaba Mutsumi feel conflicted when choosing sides, is of no benefit whatsoever to Toyokawa Yuu.

Shoko Toyokawa's demeanor clearly indicates that she intends to intervene in office affairs. Is it really necessary to back down like this?

"...I refuse."

To Hachiman Kairin's surprise, after the two made this proposal, the first person to respond besides herself was Wakaba Mutsumi, who was at the center of the conversation.

Holding her guitar, Wakaba Mutsu raised her golden eyes and looked at the two people arguing with her at the center.

She pursed her lips, and the usually quiet and gentle girl parted her lips slightly, her voice surprisingly firm.

"I won't do it."

She could tell that the two people in the office who were at odds were not really arguing about her, or even about the power they intended to give her.

What truly makes them so stubborn is something more obscure and abstract.

Being caught in the middle will only make them more difficult to get along with.

If this continues, both Xiang and Youyu will suffer greatly.

I... have to do something.

Or rather... there's something you have to refrain from doing.

Noticing the gazes of others focused on her, Ruoye Muxiang gripped the guitar tightly, so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Even so, the usually compliant and silent golden-eyed girl did not lower her gaze again, displaying a determination that was completely different from before.

"Xiao Mu, are you serious?"

Looking at Wakaba Mutsu sitting next to her, Toyokawa Yuu quietly took a breath, restoring her slightly raised tone to normal.

"If you feel that you are not familiar with certain matters, I can ask Hailing to help you."

"Mu, can't you consider it? I really need you to take over these tasks."

Toyokawa Shoko also shifted her gaze to her upper body.

Strangely enough, the two who were arguing just moments ago, and who had only slightly compromised, are now in perfect unison.

Seeing that both Toyokawa Yuu and Toyokawa Shoko were focusing their attention on her, the golden-eyed girl's expression remained calm, as if she were just stating something ordinary.

“I don’t want to be a mouthpiece.”

If I stand between you, it will only make it harder for you to communicate.

As the atmosphere, which had been gradually easing due to the compromise between Toyokawa Yuu and Toyokawa Shoko, stiffened again, Yutenji Wakana, who had relaxed slightly, curled up again and leaned almost imperceptibly towards Hatsune Miku.

It seems that this alone can warm up the cold air.

Although what Wakaba Mutsu said is true in a strict sense, is it something that can be said openly?

It wasn't long before this engaged couple had been working together while also having some disagreements. Yutenji Wakana had noticed this when they argued about their contract last time.

However, some things can't just be said out in the open.

Perhaps because it was the first time that they had been so clearly rejected by Wakaba Mutsu, and something about them had been directly exposed, both Toyokawa Yuu and Toyokawa Shoko fell silent.

Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath and regulated her breathing, which had become somewhat disordered due to the words spoken by the other half of her body.

He lowered his eyes, and his attitude became much tougher.

"Don't whine, this is business. If you refuse, Ave Mujica will become unrecognizable."

Seeing Toyokawa Shoko's sudden agitation, Toyokawa Yuu finally shifted his gaze from Wakaba Mutsu to his fiancée.

He always felt that Toyokawa Shoko had become somewhat strange today.

Was it because I lost contact with Wakaba Mutsu for an entire afternoon and stood her up?

After some thought, Yuu Toyokawa decided not to speak at this moment, relinquishing the power of conversation in the office to Shoko Toyokawa.

"Xiang, I..."

Seeing that Toyokawa Shoko seemed somewhat annoyed, Wakaba Mutsu opened her mouth.

She realized that she seemed to be failing to express herself clearly again.

Every time I speak up, something bad happens.

But I cannot compromise on this matter.

If I were to follow the arrangements of Toyokawa Shoko and Toyokawa Yuu, then my existence would become an obstacle to communication between the two of them.

In the end, facing Toyokawa Shoko, whose face looked rather grim, he could only say a dry, curt sentence.

"sorry."

"If you feel bad, don't refuse me."

After glancing one last time at Wakaba Mutsumi, who seemed frightened by her attitude and remained silent, Toyokawa Shoko turned her gaze to the others.

With an inexplicable sense of oppression, his gaze swept over the members of Ave Mujica before finally settling on Toyokawa Yuu's face.

"That's settled then. If there are no other objections, this concludes our official business. I plan to discuss some personal matters with Youyu next."

Having said all that, Wakaba Muku wanted to say something more, but before he could utter a sound, he was interrupted by Yutenji Wakame's sudden interjection.

"Let's go, Mortis, let's go to the rehearsal room first, so as not to disturb Oblivionis and his agent's serious conversation."

Holding onto Wakaba Mutsu's wrist, and hearing Toyokawa Shoko's voice indicating that the meeting could be adjourned, Yutenji Wakame felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

She could tell that Wakaba Mutsu was somewhat reluctant, and even Hachiman Kairin's expression was rather unpleasant.

But the two people who hold the most power in the band have already made up their minds about this, so there's no point in arguing now.

Even if they wanted to refuse, they shouldn't have said it now. These two are clearly still competing; it would be a miracle if they agreed.

With one hand gripping Wakaba Mutsu's wrist and the other pushing Hachiman Kairin's shoulder, Yutenji Wakamu gave Hatsune a wink, signaling her to quickly leave this troublesome place with him.

“Oblivionis, we’re waiting for you in the rehearsal room.”

Waving to the two people sitting across the coffee table, Yutenji Wakanagi closed the office door, leaving the engaged couple alone in the room.

The atmosphere fell silent again. Toyokawa Yuu and Toyokawa Shoko looked at each other, but neither of them spoke first.

If there are other members of the band present, even if no one speaks, they can still help to lighten the mood. Although they can't speak freely, they won't be unable to speak at all.

But now, when the engaged couple is alone, it seems even more somber than when others are present, and they have to think long and hard to come up with a topic of conversation.

Looking at Toyokawa Yuu sitting opposite her, Toyokawa Shoko hesitated, seemingly thinking about how to start the conversation.

"Mu has never acted like this before. What did you do to him?"

After a moment of silence, Toyokawa Shoko finally spoke, her expression somewhat complicated.

Looking towards the office door, a complex expression flashed in his amber eyes.

Mu, despite being her own half, always felt immense pressure when she was with herself, even to the point of losing control on stage.

However, after disappearing for only one afternoon with Youyu, she returned with an expression that made even herself a little jealous.

In contrast, Mutsu seems to prefer spending time with Toyokawa Yuu.

"She should be...more familiar with me."

Hearing Toyokawa Shoko's somewhat hesitant voice, Toyokawa Yuu seemed to realize something and gave Toyokawa Shoko sitting opposite her a serious look once more.

"...Xiangzi, how long has it been since you paid attention to Mu's thoughts?"

Bathed in Toyokawa Yuu's scrutinizing gaze, Toyokawa Shoko's brows furrowed once more.

“Mu is my other half, and I know her best. Even if we haven’t known each other for long, you should know that she’s not the kind of person who can command others. So why should she be chosen as the person to take over the power?”

Using questions to answer questions seems to be a way to cover up certain thoughts in one's heart.

In her view, Toyokawa Yuu's purpose was not exactly pure.

Mutsu has absolutely no idea how to manage a band. Toyokawa Yuu took her out to relax for an afternoon, and then immediately put her under so much pressure when they got back. She must have some kind of profit-making scheme in mind.

"I'm doing this for her own good. Xiao Mu eventually needs to learn to control some things on her own."

Toyokawa Yuu lowered her eyes, and the image of Wakaba Mutsuki, who was like a puppet and manipulated by others, flashed through her mind ten years later. She subconsciously frowned, and a knot formed between her eyebrows.

"Xiao Mu's phone has been monitored by her mother all along. You probably didn't know that."

Seeing the astonished expression on Toyokawa Shoko's face after hearing the news, Toyokawa Yuu's voice deepened, and her gaze became even more scrutinizing.

“Even her own mother wanted to control her life, but no one can live on someone else forever… I hope she can learn to hold onto things for herself. No one can depend on someone else forever, and no one can be someone’s support forever.”

After saying this, Toyokawa Yuu lowered her eyes.

He himself had personally experienced the consequences of relying too much on someone. Although it was unavoidable, it did lead to a tragedy and almost implicated others...

From a personal perspective, concealing these matters from Toyokawa Shoko would have been a better choice.

I just... don't want the future Wakaba Mutsu to be a useless person who can't even control his own family's power and can't provide me with any help.

That's all.

"This... how could that be? Ms. Mori Minami and my mother are old acquaintances, and I've known her since I was a child. Although she's very busy with work, she shouldn't be..."

After Yuu Toyokawa uttered those words, Shoko Toyokawa's breath hitched.

She and Wakaba Mutsu have known each other since childhood, and their families have a very close relationship.

In other words, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she grew up under the watchful eyes of Senmina Nami. How could such a thing be possible?

"If I told you that a significant part of Mutsumi's mental health issues is related to Minami Mori, would you believe me...? Do you remember that accident at the performance? Comparing the Mutsumi you know, or rather... the Mutsumi you know, and the Mutsumi Wakaba you're familiar with, are they really the same person?"

"what do you mean?"

Toyokawa Yuu's words made Toyokawa Shoko grit her teeth.

Is my understanding of my own body really that shallow?

Thinking back to the more cheerful and smiling Wakaba Mutsuko from her childhood, and then thinking about how she became taciturn at some point.

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly realized that her concern for Wakaba Mutsu seemed to have never been adequate.

If this continues... I will lose Harmony.

This idea began to surface in Toyokawa Shoko's mind.

Mutsukai would always stay by her side; this was something Toyokawa Shoko had always firmly believed.

But it wasn't until this afternoon, after Wakaba Mutsumi and Toyokawa Yuu had been out of contact for half a day, that she realized how fragile the connection between herself and her other half was.

If Soyo hadn't told her, she wouldn't have even known that Wakaba Mutsu had suddenly left the school.

A sense of unease, a feeling of gain and loss, lingered in Toyokawa Shoko's heart from that moment on.

She wasn't sure if she could continue on the path of the band "Ave Mujica" without the support of her own body.

Toyokawa Shoko even foresaw the possibility that her fiancé and half-body would leave her together.

but......