After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Yes, replacement and control.

This is how he continued Ave Mujica's approach, using every means possible to ensure that the band's fate depended not on the members' ideas, but on his own.

In terms of results, at least it's a good start.

Judging from Yutenji Wakana's behavior, she is unlikely to do anything outrageous to disrupt his plans in the short term.

So what's next...?

"Toyokawa-kun, now that a new manager is involved, I think we need to further refine the functional arrangements within the band."

Yawata Kairin glanced at Toyokawa Yuu beside her, then walked straight toward Toyokawa Shoko and stood beside her.

“Previously, you were in charge of negotiating with various investors, while I was in charge of managing the band’s schedule. But now that Mr. Youyu is involved, I hope that this will not cause any disputes over the division of responsibilities.”

In fact, no one was ever designated to be in charge of Ave Mujica's schedule. In the absence of a clear division of responsibilities, theoretically all the work should have been handled by Toyokawa Shoko, the team leader.

However, because Toyokawa Shoko was too busy, the preparations for the formation of the problem had been made on her own initiative by Yawata Kairin before this.

Hachiman Kairin earned the gratitude of everyone in the band for her enthusiastic act of taking on tasks, but only she knew that she subconsciously enjoyed the power to command and manipulate others.

Now, she can feel her power, which was already without any legitimate basis, being gradually eroded.

No, what am I worrying about? It would be perfectly fine to delegate everything to someone else; that way, even if problems arise, I wouldn't have to take responsibility...

Yawata Kairin lowered her eyes slightly, waiting for Toyokawa Shoko's answer.

"I have entrusted all external negotiations to Youyu. As for the internal schedule arrangements..."

Setting down her teacup, Toyokawa Shoko turned her gaze to Toyokawa Yuu, who was standing with the others from Ave Mujica, her eyes showing a hint of approval and gratitude.

She didn't actually fully trust her fiancé yet; she just felt safe enough to be trusted since she had received a pledge of allegiance.

But now, she was able to subdue the troublemaker in the band with just a few words, which made her feel much more at ease about Toyokawa Yuu.

"Let Ms. Timoris continue to handle the internal schedule. Since Xiangzi trusts your abilities, I don't want the band's operations to fall into chaos because of my unauthorized intervention... Of course, I also look forward to the day when you can help me share some of the external work."

When Toyokawa Yuu’s voice reached Hachiman Kairin’s ears, he did not reclaim the power that theoretically should also be under his control.

He knew what each member of Ave Mujica wanted, and he also knew how to play hard to get.

As for Hachiman Kairin, she will definitely want to take over external affairs from my hands.

It had nothing to do with material greed; it was simply because she enjoyed the feeling of dominating and controlling others without having to take responsibility.

In other words, she is a natural-born second-in-command, and she can only feel comfortable sitting in the second-in-command position.

Now, due to the intervention of Toyokawa Yuu, no matter who is in control between him and Shoko, Hachiman Kairin can only be relegated to the third position.

But she couldn't help wanting to switch roles, and when she took over external affairs, that was when Toyokawa Yuu took control of her.

Even a student, let alone a legendary mercenary, could not possibly distinguish between the dual contracts that embody the essence of the Toyokawa family.

"I see. I understand the division of responsibilities. Mr. Toyokawa, you can call him Hachiman or Kairin from now on."

Hachiman Kairin nodded to Toyokawa Yuu, impressed by her amiable personality.

"No, please allow me to call you Timoris. When we're working, I prefer to use your job title as much as possible."

So when you're talking to Xiangzi, you're not in a working state?

Hearing Yuu Toyokawa's seemingly businesslike remarks, no one else had any objections, except for Misaki Hatsune, whose expression became increasingly complicated.

She noticed that Yuu Toyokawa never referred to Shoko Toyokawa as "Oblivionis".

This unique sense of closeness caused her great inner turmoil, with bitterness and sorrow constantly growing within her.

"The rehearsal space has been arranged for you all. If you don't mind the hard work, please put in more effort for the next performance."

Having completed most of the necessary formalities for their initial meeting, Yuu Toyokawa clapped her hands, politely and tactfully indicating to the Ave Mujica group that there was no reason for them to linger any longer, but she called out to Misaki Hatsune Miku.

"Ms. Doloris, please wait a moment. I had some work-related discussions with Sumimi's agent and I need to convey them to you now."

As everyone else left one by one, leaving only Miku Miku in the office, Toyokawa Yuu's businesslike smile vanished, replaced by an extremely serious expression.

For his own safety ten years from now, he should start using PUA (Pick-Up Artist) as soon as possible.

Chapter 16 Run Away, Hatsune Miku!

"These are the responsibilities you will have while serving in both bands, Miss Dolores."

Sitting back in her office chair, Toyokawa Yuu held a folder in her hand and read aloud the information recorded on it in a businesslike manner.

While there was indeed a reason for keeping Miku Miku in the triangle area, the handover details were not just made up.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that after learning that Ave Mujica finally had a real agent, Sumimi's agent immediately came to him to pour out his troubles, even before Toyokawa Shoko.

"At least twice a week, you will be doing idol activities with Ms. Junda Mana as a member of Sumimi, Mitsumi Hatsuka... It shouldn't be this few times, but Ms. Junda Mana seems to be very understanding and has made a lot of concessions."

Closing the folder in her hand, Toyokawa Yuu handed it to Misaki Hatsune, who had been standing somewhat reservedly in front of the desk, indicating that she should take a look and confirm.

Their work-only, business-oriented approach created a sense of distance between them when they were alone, and the desk between them seemed like an invisible, thick barrier.

"Mana..."

Reaching out to take the folder from Yuu Toyokawa, Misaki Hatsune's face showed a complex mix of emotions and guilt, but she quickly suppressed these feelings and returned to her usual expression.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Yu, I will not allow Sumimi's activities to affect the operation of Ave Mujica."

She gave a slight bow to Toyokawa Yuu, while Misaki Miku's gaze kept glancing towards the door.

She had finished discussing official business and didn't want to stay in the office alone with Yuu Toyokawa any longer.

It wasn't that she had any issues with Toyokawa Yuu himself; on the contrary, she actually had many questions she wanted to ask the boy in front of her.

Why would a talent agency that had never interfered in Ave Mujica's internal affairs suddenly assign a manager? Why is this manager's surname Toyokawa? And what's the story behind Shoko's fiancé...?

There are so many questions I want to ask, but when they reach my lips, I have to swallow them back down.

Toyokawa... this surname is an insurmountable mountain in Misaki Misaki's heart.

Towering into the clouds, just standing at the foot of the mountain and looking up at it can make one feel breathless.

Even when standing in front of Yuu Toyokawa, who always maintains a businesslike demeanor, Misaki Misaki feels increasingly small in the shadow of that towering mountain.

Whether it was the extra workload that being a band member and simultaneously managing two commercial groups brought to the manager, or the psychological pressure brought by the other party's status as Xiangzi's fiancé, or even just the somewhat disgusted and resistant look in Toyokawa Yuu's eyes when she looked at him, all of these made Misaki Hatsune wish she could escape from this office.

Does he know something? Does he think I shouldn't even be here...?

Misaki Misaki's inner inferiority complex made her hesitant to look Toyokawa Yuu in the eye, as if even just appearing in front of this boy was a complete tragedy.

Right now, all she wanted was to escape this office as quickly as possible and find a quiet, secluded corner on her way to the practice room to be alone for a while…

Savor this bittersweet tragedy.

Seemingly sensing Misaki's intention to leave, Yuu Toyokawa cleared her throat and stood up from her office chair.

"If Ms. Dolores has no objection to this arrangement, then the handover of work is complete, and you are ready to rehearse with everyone at any time."

Upon hearing Yuu Toyokawa's words, Misaki Misaki felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She even forgot to return the folder in her hand, hugged it to her chest, and turned towards the door.

"However, for some personal reasons, if you don't mind my rambling taking up your time, I have some questions I'd like to discuss with you... Hatsune Miku."

[Crack--]

The plastic casing of the folder fell to the ground with a few crisp sounds.

Miku stood frozen in place, her fair hand just inches away from the office doorknob.

Like a rusty gear, Miku Miku mechanically turned her head to look at Yuu Toyokawa, who was facing away from her and gazing out the window as if looking at the night sky, her lips trembling.

"Why……"

Why do you know this name...?

Misaki Miku pursed her lips, squatted down to pick up the folder that had fallen to the ground, tidied up the messy papers one by one, put it back on the desk, and stood behind Yuu Toyokawa with her head down.

"What...are you going to say to me?"

"...Run away, Hatsune Miku, for your future."

After a moment of silence, Yuu Toyokawa uttered a seemingly random sentence, but Misaki Misaki could decipher its profound meaning.

Yes, I should have run away. I should have run away a long time ago, slinking away from this brightly lit city and fleeing back to the remote island where I grew up.

When I caused Xiangzi's father to be expelled from the family, I no longer had the right to stay here or appear in front of Xiangzi.

"No, no... If I really leave, Xiangzi... will be taken away..."

Her outstretched right hand grabbed her drooping left arm, and Miku's steps became unsteady, as if all her strength had been drained away. She was about to buckle and fall to her knees if she wasn't careful.

"She never belonged to you; you and she are from two different worlds."

The cruel truth reached her ears, and the light words tore away the self-deception deep within Misaki's heart.

Suddenly raising her head, Miku's eyes turned fierce as she stared intently at Yuu Toyokawa's back, the image of herself grabbing the other's neck flashing through her mind.

I instinctively reached out my hand, but then suddenly realized what was happening and didn't actually pinch him.

"Why... are you so determined to get rid of me? I... I won't cause Xiangzi any trouble, and I won't bother you and her..."

"Your very existence is a problem."

Yuu Toyokawa's voice interrupted Misaki Misaki's feeble defense, causing her to lower her head helplessly, unable to utter another word in rebuttal.

She saw Toyokawa Yuu's fist clench quietly as she drew closer.

I suspect that Xiangzi's fiancé actually despises my existence deep down.

Simply turning away, without looking at me with disgust, as someone forbidden and filthy, is already a sign of propriety and kindness.

"Besides, this isn't just for Xiangzi, it's also for your sake..."

The brief silence seemed to indicate some unresolved issue, but in the end, Toyokawa Yuu slowly spoke.

"Your hometown... was the site of a shipwreck, right?"

Seemingly realizing what Yuu Toyokawa was about to say, Misaki Misaki suddenly widened her eyes, as if all her strength had been drained away.

With a thud, he knelt down on the ground, utterly exhausted.

Chapter 17 She is the moon that has drawn me to this evening.

"What...what do you want to say?"

Even the mask couldn't hide the panic in her heart; a jumble of chaotic images flashed through Misaki Miku's mind.

The adoptive father's doting smile, the photo in the funeral hall, and the mother's sorrowful back view...

It was an unexpected shipwreck that completely destroyed the happiness she once possessed that could somewhat soothe her inner inferiority complex.

“I found an interesting record: two years ago, a cargo ship belonging to the Toyokawa family went to that small island.”

"You mean, my adoptive father's shipwreck, and the Toyokawa family..."

No, how could that be? It was just an ordinary shipwreck. My adoptive father was just an ordinary fisherman, a gentle and kind-hearted man. Who would want to harm him?

Even within the Toyokawa family, no one should recognize him, could it be...?

"I don't know. This is all I can find out. I have no idea what secrets are behind this. I just think it's a coincidence."

Yuu Toyokawa didn't lie about this. He didn't know whether the shipwreck of Misaki Hatsune's adoptive father was really an accident. He only knew that the man was indeed dead. He knew nothing about the truth.

As for the Toyokawa family's cargo ships... the Toyokawa family was involved in the water transport industry. Not to mention back then, every year and every month, there were Toyokawa family cargo ships going to that island.

In any case, what Toyokawa Yuu is trying to do now is not to find out the truth; he is just using this method to destroy Misaki Miku's illusions about the Toyokawa family.

Stop fantasizing about the Toyokawa family, fantasize about Toyokawa Shoko, fantasize about me. Only in this way can it be convenient for me...

Instead of delving deeper into topics that might incite hatred, the discussion was steered back to Miku Miku herself.

"So, do you realize how dangerous your situation is right now? The darkness of the Toyokawa family is beyond your imagination. Even Toyokawa Kiyoko, who was a potential successor as the next head of the family, despite being an adopted son-in-law, has already..."

Without saying anything further, Toyokawa Yuu knew that Misaki Miku understood what she meant.

Moreover, he knew that Miku Miku would never leave Tokyo.

Therefore, in this situation, the only person she can turn to for help is herself.

"No, I still can't leave."

After a long silence, a firm voice rang out from behind Yuu Toyokawa, leaving no room for doubt.

"Why? Is there anything more important to you here than safety?"

"...Mr. Yuyu, you should know about the worldview that the band Ave Mujica is building, right?"

Finally regaining some strength, Miku Miku stood up from the ground and walked to the window like Yuu Toyokawa, looking at the moonless night sky.