After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

These words were not only spoken to Metis, but also to Wakaba Mutsu, who was still in suspense about regaining control of her body.

Toyokawa Yuu didn't want to wake up every day to see that face that had almost scared her heart out of her throat.

"Precisely because we live together, we need to be even more careful, and..."

Having emphasized it again, Toyokawa Yuu gave Metis no more chances to explain and began strumming her guitar.

A smooth melody flowed from the strings. Although the technique was not as good as that of Wakaba Mutsu, who was good enough to enter the professional industry, it was much better than that of Metis.

Clearly, Toyokawa Yuu is not a beginner at all; she has at least a considerable foundation.

As the simple musical score came to an end, Toyokawa Yuu stopped playing.

This time, the corners of his mouth turned up more genuinely, as if Metis's obviously surprised gaze had provided him with considerable emotional value.

"It's not like I haven't learned guitar before..."

"Why didn't you tell me that Mr. Yuyu could play the guitar? I thought I could learn with Mr. Yuyu."

Staring blankly at Toyokawa Yuu in front of him, Metis found it hard to accept for a moment.

Although Metis can't play the guitar, she listens to it a lot.

While Yuu Toyokawa's skill level is far from reaching the professional level of Mutsu Wakaba, it is still quite solid, and she is perfectly capable of teaching beginners.

However, he had never demonstrated this ability before.

"Is it really necessary to be so surprised? It's quite reasonable for a manager of a commercial band to be able to play some songs."

The fingers gripping the guitar relaxed slightly, and a hint of emotion flashed in Toyokawa Yuu's eyes.

He had indeed studied guitar before, and even learned pieces like "Spring Shadows," but he never imagined that the skills he learned out of hobby and to show off would one day be useful in this kind of situation.

"Yes, that way I'll be the only one who doesn't know how to play an instrument... I don't care, I want Mr. Youyu to teach me the guitar, or I'll hold you and never let go."

Seeing the somewhat indifferent expression on Toyokawa Yuu's face, Metis was so angry that he gritted his teeth, made a series of grumbling sounds in his throat, and clenched his hands tightly.

"In that case, I'll be the only one who doesn't know how to play an instrument. I don't care, Mr. Youyu, you have to teach me, or I'll cling to you and never let go."

With her arms outstretched, Metis made a move to pounce on her, forcing Toyokawa Yuu to immediately throw the guitar she was holding into her arms.

"Don't be so naughty, I'll teach you."

Reaching out to support Metis's head, preventing her from lunging at him and letting her experience the feeling of her heart racing again with those hands, Toyokawa Yuu felt as if she vaguely understood why she and Toyokawa Shoko had not had any children ten years later.

Taking care of children is just too much trouble.

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

As time passed, the blazing sun hanging in the sky gradually sank westward.

Nagasaki Sase sat at the reception table of [RING], his fingers occasionally touching the phone placed beside him to check the time.

After class, she arrived here early to wait, even earlier than Shiina Tatsuki, who had a duty shift today.

As time goes by, the agreed time for Yu Li is getting closer and closer.

Nagasaki Sase took a deep breath to calm her somewhat uneasy heart.

The person she invited was somewhat special.

It wasn't because the other person was some unapproachable high-ranking official or dignitary, but rather because, from the band's perspective, meeting her would make the atmosphere at the venue slightly awkward.

After all, back when he hadn't given up on certain fantasies and was even planning to abandon his current band, almost breaking ties with his bandmates, the other person was the one brought in to replace him.

Although none of those things ultimately happened, thanks to Takamatsu Akari's persistence, Chihaya Aine's attempts to persuade them to stay, and the understanding and timely reminder from the person she had arranged to meet that day, the band, which was already on the verge of collapse, was saved.

But now, it's still inevitable to feel nervous when you take the initiative to ask to meet the other person.

Even Shiina Tatsuki, the intermediary he had asked for help with, looked suspicious when he heard his request.

"You didn't need to come so early; the tea's already cold."

A crisp and capable tone entered Nagasaki Sase's ears. When he looked up, he saw a pair of purple eyes staring at him.

Shiina Tatsuki placed a new Earl Grey tea cup in front of Nagasaki Sōse, and took away the cup of liquid on the table that hadn't been touched as it gradually cooled down.

"If we don't do anything, people will doubt the quality of our [RING] tea and snacks."

"Sorry, Lixi, I was just thinking about something."

Picking up the new Earl Grey tea, as if to prove that he didn't dislike the tea and snacks here, Nagasaki Sase took a small sip.

"After all, meeting the person who almost replaced me back then still makes me a little nervous, even if it's just to thank her for encouraging me back then."

It was a passable explanation, but Shiina Tatsuki found it full of holes.

It wasn't from Nagasaki Sase's words that I found anything suspicious, but simply from the way her fingers unconsciously twisted together after she put down her teacup.

"I didn't tell Lamp and Aine about what happened today."

After gazing intently at his teammates, with whom he had already formed two bands, Shiina Tatsuki suddenly uttered a seemingly random sentence.

However, Nagasaki Sosei, who had already had a heart-to-heart talk with MyGO on his own balcony that night when they took a group photo, could understand what Shiina Tatsuki meant.

The smile on his face became somewhat forced, and even his gentle tone seemed a little deliberate because something he had touched on had been touched upon.

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up? It wouldn't be a big deal to tell Akari and Aine about this, and I never intended to keep it from them anyway."

However, Shiina Tatsuki did not take Nagasaki Sase's explanation seriously.

“Actually, I know what you’re thinking. Even if that band has disappeared, you still can’t let go of the people you met there, which is why I’m helping you. But don’t think things will go smoothly.”

Shiina Riki turned around and looked at the door of [RING], where no familiar figure had yet appeared.

“I know that girl. She’s very capable, but she often doesn’t understand people’s hearts. What happened last time was already an exceptional performance for her… In a way, she’s quite similar to you.”

"You don't understand human nature... That's a harsh accusation, Riki."

Nagasaki Sase was slightly taken aback by Shiina Tatsuki's words, then a hint of helplessness and relief appeared on his face.

I don't know if they don't want to argue about it or if they simply acquiesce to it.

"No, I don't mean you don't understand people's hearts, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to fool us all back then... It's just that you always only have your own goals in mind, so even if you know that some things will hurt others, you will still do them."

Her blunt words were like a steel knife, piercing Nagasaki Sase's heart and tearing a crack in the facade she had carefully constructed.

She couldn't change the subject; even changing the topic was difficult.

Fortunately, Shiina Tatsuki didn't dwell on this topic for too long and took the initiative to pull her out of her slightly gloomy state.

"Anyway, I won't tell Akari and Aine about this on my own initiative, but if they ask, I won't hide it from them... They care about you a lot, so don't let them down again."

Seeing the familiar figure already at the entrance of [RING], Shiina Tatsuki left a word of advice and then carried the now-cold tea back to the counter.

Watching Shiina Tatsuki's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Nagasaki Sōse took a deep breath and quickly composed himself.

She had to admit that Shiina Tatsuki was largely right, but now that things had come to this, some things had to be done.

Just as Shiina Tatsuki said, even though the band has disappeared, the relationship they once had has not been completely severed.

There are some people I just can't bring myself to be indifferent to.

Composing herself, Nagasaki Sase slowly raised her head. A figure wearing a black leather jacket and a similarly colored pencil skirt was already standing by the table.

"Nagasaki Sasuke-kun, it seems I've kept you waiting."

With her emerald green eyes fixed on the brown-haired girl before her, Hachiman Kairin's gaze held a hint of doubt and wariness.

She never imagined that this person would ask to meet her.

Something unusual must be going on, and she had to be on her guard.

Even though it was inconvenient for her to refuse Shiina Tatsuki's request to go on the date, she was still quite wary.

"No, actually I just arrived recently. Would you like some drinks, Hachiman Kairin?"

Looking at the bassist in front of him, who in a sense could be considered a part-time support bassist in MyGO!!!!!, Nagasaki Sase raised a polite smile.

"No need. I have other band activities to attend later. I hope we can get straight to the point. If you want me to provide bass support, please let me know a week in advance so I can arrange my schedule."

After somewhat coldly declining Nagasaki Sosei's order, Hachiman Kairin got straight to the point.

The highly efficient communication method allowed Nagasaki Sase to understand the legendary mercenary's style of doing things for the first time.

And that was precisely her purpose in arranging the meeting.

"This is a bit of a problem. Besides thanking you for your guidance on the lamp, I would like to ask you for a few more things."

Nagasaki Sase took a sip from the teacup that Shiina Tatsuki had just replaced, using it to mask his slight nervousness, and slowly began to speak.

"I've heard that Hachiman's bass skills are quite outstanding, and I'd like to ask you to be my teacher to improve my skills... This will take up a lot of time, and may even require you to turn down some other band gigs. Of course, I'll try my best to make sure you're satisfied with the compensation."

Upon hearing Nagasaki Sase's request, Hachiman Kairin subconsciously frowned.

She's been a band mercenary for quite some time now, so occasionally taking on a band gig isn't difficult for her.

However, as a bass tutor, she has no relevant experience and is likely to have a significant amount of her time consumed, just as Nagasaki Sase said.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I have enough teaching ability, and my schedule is already full, so I'm afraid I can't squeeze out that much time."

With her eyes slightly lowered, Hachiman Kairin no longer looked into Nagasaki Sōse's eyes.

She planned to decline the commission.

However, this rejection was within Nagasaki Sase's expectations, and she had prepared a corresponding explanation.

That was her purpose in inviting Yawata Kairin today: to occupy as much of her time as possible, preventing her from focusing her energy on the band Ave Mujica, and thus slowing down the band's activity frequency.

Even if it's still unclear what Yuu Toyokawa did to Mutsuka Wakaba in the band, at least he should stop her and stop making Mutsuka perform such painful things.

And this is only the first step in her plan.

Although Wakaba Mutsu is now saying that she has a mental illness and needs treatment, it is highly unlikely that Toyokawa Yuu would force her to participate in Ave Mujica's activities.

But who can say for sure? After all, Wakaba Mutsumi's mental problems occurred at a concert managed by Toyokawa Yuu, who was her manager.

Who knows if that man, who always wears a suit and seems perpetually in a working state, might really be that ruthless?

After tidying up her prepared remarks, Nagasaki Sase was about to speak when a familiar voice reached her ears, causing her to freeze in her seat, the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

"You're so cunning, Mr. Youyu. I was about to play it, but you said something like 'the time is almost up'."

Two familiar figures descended the stairs from the upper floor of [RING]. "Wakaba Mutsumi," with her long light green hair, was carrying a guitar that Nagasaki Sase was quite unfamiliar with. Her lively, almost coquettish tone made Sase wonder if she had misheard.

Compared to her previous understated dark dress, "Wakaba Mutsumi's" new outfit appears much more vibrant.

Despite having taken a long leave of absence and supposedly staying in the hospital for treatment due to "mental illness," "Wakaba Mutsumi" is slowly walking down the stairs.

Standing next to her was Toyokawa Yuu, dressed in a suit and tie.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, Nagasaki Sase turned his gaze to Hachiman Kairin in front of him and found that she had also noticed the two people coming down from upstairs.

Her emerald-like eyes were fixed intently on the boy.

broken......

Nagasaki Sase suddenly realized that his plan seemed to be about to fall apart at the very first step.

Chapter 97 Soyo only thinks of himself (6k5)

"Xiao Mu?"

"Mr. Youyu?"

Two slightly puzzled voices came from the two people, but the names they called out were different.

Hachiman Kairin looked at the boy with her emerald-green eyes, the one she had just told her attitude and stance when they parted at the station last night. Her expression was a little strange for a moment, as if mixed with panic and embarrassment, and her words became somewhat polite.

"I never expected to run into you here."

Although it's no secret within the bands that while he's in charge of Ave Mujica's activities, he's also working part-time for nearly ten other bands.

Having served as a support bassist at a professional level for so long, Hachiman Kairin is quite well-known as a legendary mercenary. Indeed, the contract that Toyokawa Shoko signed for her did not restrict her from working part-time in other bands.

From a band procedure standpoint, it wouldn't be a problem for her to seamlessly walk into the office next door after leaving Ave Mujica.

But theory is one thing, and she had just pledged her loyalty to someone last night. Today, she was caught talking to others about work outside of the Ave Mujica band. Even Yahata Kairin would feel a little awkward.

So much so that the mercenary momentarily overlooked the unusually lively "Wakaba Mutsumi" standing next to Toyokawa Yuu.

However, just because Hachiman Kairin might overlook this in a moment of embarrassment doesn't mean Nagasaki Sose will ignore it.

Although she knew the moment Yuu Toyokawa suddenly appeared that her plan to interfere with Ave Mujica's activities through Umiru Hachiman had failed.

Hachiman Kairin was already reluctant to accept her request, and now, with Toyokawa Yuu in front of her, she had even more reason to refuse.

However, now that Ruoye Mu is standing right in front of him, it seems that even if his original plan fails, it's not a big deal.