Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

1. A lifetime...?

"Don't, don't try to paint a rosy picture for me like that."

While Shiina Tatsuki verbally maintained that the anti-addiction system was still in effect, she was secretly pleased that Kazama could see through her thoughts and frankly provide enough reassurance.

This, in turn, gave Ms. Hachiman Kairin the illusion that she was the third party who had come between the two of them.

"Do you all speak in such a heavy tone?"

Hai Ling remained silent, expressing her bewilderment at the phrase "a lifetime" that was constantly on her lips, and kept her head down, adjusting the bass tone.

"Speaking of which, now that things between you and Shoko have come to an end, we should have a practice session with Nyanmu and Hatsuka tomorrow. Our debut is just around the corner, and we don't have much time to get to know the team."

Hai Ling, who seemed nonchalant, relaxed, and unreliable, offered a reminder that she had actually been keeping Mujica's matter in mind all along.

"However, there are only a few instruments that can be used for performances... Kazama-kun, have you really decided who you want to replace and who you want to take the place of?"

Hai Ling's concerns are actually quite reasonable.

　The band Mujica's established style is unchangeable, and their pop-metal music style limits the number of instruments and members that can be performed on stage. Performing with all six members would feel somewhat crowded.

If Kazama were to take the stage, it would mean he would have to choose a girl from the band to replace him—that's what Kairin actually meant.

Moreover, she seemed to already know very well who Kazama would kick out.

It's just...

"I have a different idea."

Kazama smiled, his slightly narrowed eyes curving upwards into a beautiful yet intriguing angle.

Of course, if he, who has devoted himself to the development of the entire band, knew who was eyeing him, he probably wouldn't be able to laugh.

Chapter 82 It's over! Surrounded by women from other cultures!

Kazama's idea was very simple.

Now that Chu Hua has sided with her, and Metis has used harsh words to dissuade Xiangzi, it's time for this young lady of the Toyokawa family to admit her inadequacy and back down.

It's time to hand over control of ave mujica to him.

After all, when most of the band members were recruited by Kazama, and Shoko's abilities were limited to the band's style and concept, she could no longer confidently say things like "I am the central figure of this team" as before.

"Oh? The team has already been formed, and you plan to debut sometime? I understand. I will keep my promise."

After receiving firsthand information from Kazama, RiNG's owner, Ms. Shifune Tsuzuki, agreed to provide support to the new band mujica as previously agreed—including but not limited to necessary promotion and sponsorship of performance venues.

"Even so, you didn't completely kick Xiangzi out... Hmm, I understand. It seems you've been quite lenient with her. Our Toyokawa family will naturally provide the assistance that those who respect the family deserve."

When Toyokawa Sadaharu called after hearing the news, he made his stance clear—that, considering Kazama hadn't acted too hostilely towards Shoko, he would still provide Kazama with financial assistance as agreed.

In conclusion, with extensive preparations and the support of two reliable adults, there's no doubt that Ave Mujica will have ample exposure and traffic.

This can be considered as fulfilling the wishes of my mother and aunts.

However, Kazama himself did not actually intend to debut with the current girls.

After all, he never intended to replace Xiangzi and continue on with everyone. Under the probing of Teiji and Tsuzuki Shisen, he only expressed one opinion.

Kazama didn't want to be a full member of Mujica—instead, he wanted to be involved in concept planning and songwriting, roles that didn't require him to be in the spotlight but allowed him to have more control over the band.

Teiji was quite satisfied with his decision, although what he wanted most was for his granddaughter to obediently drive the Maybach back to inherit the Toyokawa family—but if Kazama undermined Shoko's confidence too much, he, as her grandfather, would not stand on the side of outsiders.

"Hey, are we really going to continue going on stage like this?"

Backstage, as Ave Mujica prepares to make its stage debut, Miss Meowme lazily touches up her makeup while subtly probing Kazama's thoughts.

"Xiaojiang, you've secured sponsorships, negotiated venues, and even taken care of publicity. It seems there's no place for me, a blogger with such a wide influence, to shine."

"........."

Sitting silently in the corner, Toyokawa Shoko's fingers trembled slightly as she applied her makeup, after all, this was originally her responsibility and obligation.

"I always feel it's a bit of a shame that he's not performing on stage. After all, a handsome face in a pop metal band is definitely a selling point, isn't it?"

Miao Meng shifted her gaze to Xiangzi, who remained silent, with a half-smile, while simultaneously probing Xiangzi's thoughts.

"Considering Xiaojun's great contribution, it wouldn't hurt to have one more masked dancing puppet, right, Xiang-chan?"

“Li Yi Jiu Ling Liu ⑷ 6 Qi Ba Ren Er �$………”

Toyokawa Shoko remained with her back to the two men, offering no response.

After suffering repeated setbacks at Chuhua and Mumu, she had already considered giving up on the project and quitting—but her innate resilience and unwillingness to admit defeat kept her going.

After all, once she quits, the control of Mujica will rightfully fall into Kazama's hands.

No, she was not about to give up so easily.

"If Kazama-kun wants to perform on stage, I will consider giving him a role in the band."

Xiangzi finally turned his head to look at Miaomeng and Kazama, who were now closer.

There was a hint of bluff in Xiangzi's tone, after all, this was the last bit of confidence she had as the concept planner.

Or perhaps... this could be the starting point for her and Kazama to make peace.

After all, we are already teammates, and unity and concerted efforts are the top priority.

"No need, I don't plan to perform on stage with you."

However, Kazama not only failed to appreciate her gesture, but also ignored her blatantly obvious provocation.

"At the very least, I don't want to perform on stage with you guys as a full member who's tied down by a contract. So for our first appearance later, it'll be the five of you on stage."

—This guy really won't budge, no matter what.

Just as Xiangzi twitched his lips and withdrew his right hand, which he had been about to extend to shake hands, the remaining members of Mujica also pushed open the door to the lounge and arrived late.

"Sorry, the work on Sumi's side has been delayed until now—let's hurry up and rehearse! Our debut is coming up soon, isn't it?"

The first one to arrive, panting but full of energy, was Chu Hua, her face slightly flushed, who had jogged all the way.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiangzi, she very naturally sat down next to Kazama—forming a pincer movement with Miss Miaomeng.

"Oh dear, am I somehow getting in your way?"

Miss Miaomeng looked left and right, teasing the two teenagers with her words while also giving them a slightly malicious look.

"No, no, that's not true! Actually... I have some personal matters I want to discuss with Xiaojun alone..."

Just as Chu Hua stammered a denial, and Kazama sensed something was amiss, the door to the lounge was pushed open again.

"Good afternoon—I've arranged everything for my part-time job. You can rest assured that you'll be handling today's work. You'll need to wear a mask when you go on stage later, right?"

Hailing also arrived quietly after Chuhua. She still seemed to think that working at Mujica was just a more long-term part-time job.

"Toyokawa-kun is here too. That's good. I thought this group would flop at the beginning because of the personnel changes caused by the creators of Glass Heart. It seems I was overthinking it."

"Well……"

Although Hailing is indeed a straightforward person, her words still hurt Xiangzi's pride, who was already proud and arrogant.

What surprised everyone the most was the green-haired girl who was the last to arrive backstage.

"Ah... Mutsu...!"

The first to notice Mu's arrival were Xiangzi, who exclaimed in surprise, and Xiao, who remained calm and silent. The girl simply pushed open the door in silence, nodded to everyone, and then went to her seat to begin preparations.

But this spot has already been taken by Chu Hua.

Mu walked straight past everyone's gaze and quietly came up behind Chu Hua.

"Xiao Mu, you're back to normal? That's wonderful—hmm?"

Then, she gently placed her hand on Chu Hua's shoulder, who looked completely bewildered.

"Um, this is my seat."

Then, Mu fired the first shot of the battle with a blank expression.

"……Eh?"

Chu Hua looked down and realized that Mu wasn't just referring to the seat she was sitting in.

Something is about to explode.

Chapter 83 Mother vs. Daughter-in-law? (3k)

"This is my spot."

The air in the lounge seemed to freeze instantly.

Chu Hua's smile froze, and for the first time, a clear look of astonishment and disbelief flashed across her eyes, which were always filled with gentle starlight.

She subconsciously turned around and looked at the expressionless green-haired girl standing behind her.

The person before him was not the arrogant and easily understood Metis, but the genuine Wakaba Mutsu.

Then the nature of the words that came out of Mu's mouth completely changed.

Chu Hua lowered her head slightly, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the spot she had occupied and the boy standing close to her.

Even though he was sitting to my left, he kept staring at Xiao Mu standing behind me.

"........."

Chu Hua withdrew her gaze and fell into a brief silence.

Finally, she smiled faintly, tilted her head back, and made a choice she would never normally make—

"I was here first, Xiao Mu."

That means remaining unmoved, without the slightest intention to yield.

The usual Triangle Chuhua would never be like this.

She is a girl who knows how to make the group atmosphere more harmonious by making concessions, even if it will harm her personal interests, she can swallow her anger and pretend that nothing happened.

But this time she didn't budge an inch, not even moving her body slightly.

"If you need 8 seats, this is fine too, isn't it?"

Chu Hua smiled and patted the empty seat on her right, while Kazama, sitting to her left, glanced at Chu Hua and then at Xiao Mu, inwardly gasping for breath.

He wasn't some clueless idiot who couldn't read the room. Although the two hadn't spoken openly, the tense atmosphere between them was already burning him, who was watching from the sidelines.

Why are these two suddenly acting like they've had a long-standing grudge against each other?

Or did Metis's scheme to sow discord actually succeed—now even Mu and Chu Hua are having some unpleasantness?

Mu remained silent, her gaze calmly passing over Hatsuka's shoulder and landing on Kazama Akatsuki. Her eyes weren't fiery, but they carried an undeniable focus and…possessiveness.

"dawn."

She placed her hand on Chu Hua's seat again, but her gaze remained fixed on the slightly bewildered boy.

I want to sit here.

Mu ignored Chu Hua and instead passed the problem on to Kazama.

...Metis must have said something.

Kazama couldn't help but lower his head and press his slightly throbbing temples.

Even his mother, Mu, and Aunt Chuhua had a day when they didn't get along... What was he supposed to do?

"Oh dear, this is quite a welcome sight."

"Don't make a sound, Hailing!"

Not to mention, Hachiman Kairin and Nyanmu were whispering amongst themselves nearby, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Mu...Chuhua, you..."

And Miss Xiangzi, completely unaware of what had happened, stared blankly at the two of them, as helpless and powerless as a husband witnessing his wife's jealousy and rivalry with Huang Mao for the first time.

As Mu's childhood friend, she could certainly sense the signals and possessiveness emanating from Mu's brief words.

Yes, Mutsumi has such a strong possessive desire towards Kazama.