Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

But even as another soul in the same body, Metis also had something to hide from Wakaba Mutsu.

Her desire to pit Kazama and Shoko against each other wasn't solely due to the factors mentioned above, though that's not exactly a lie. However, there was another, more crucial reason behind her instigating a relationship between Kazama Akatsuki and Toyokawa Shoko.

Xiao Mu was willing to let her take control of this body because she was caught in the middle between Kazama and Saki, whose relationship was strained.

If Kazama and Shoko's relationship improves or even reconciles... will Mutsu still let her appear in the future?

Does Xiao Mu still "need" her?

This was a tremendous existential crisis for Metis.

Therefore, we must ensure that the two of them continue to be like fire and water, unable to coexist.

As long as Xiao and Xiangzi continue to dislike each other, Metis can still be allowed to live by Xiao Mu, and continue to survive in this predicament.

"Thank you, Metis."

Xiao Mu was completely unaware of Metis's ulterior motives. She simply took it as Metis putting himself in her shoes and thinking of her best interests, so she looked up and gave Metis a shy but sincere smile.

"It's so good to have you here."

That's the kind of person Ruoye Mutsu is. When she tries to express her emotions, she seems clumsy, but you can immediately sense that she's adorable.

“Xiao Mu…”

Metis was stunned for a moment, but quickly blushed and shook his head like a rattle drum.

"No need to thank me! Xiao Mu's affairs are my affairs. It's great to be able to help Xiao Mu!"

Although she did hide something from Mu, this statement was absolutely from the bottom of her heart.

Thinking about it this way, Metis felt from the bottom of his heart that the decision he had made was absolutely brilliant.

It's easy to make Xiao Mu affirm herself, and it also increases the chances of survival... It's simply killing two birds with one stone without any effort.

Thinking this, Little Metis was already mentally cheering himself on.

"I really don't know how to face Xiangzi and Xiaocai lately... but just now, after listening to what Xiao said, I feel a little better."

However, before she could be happy for long, Mu interrupted Metis's jubilation with stammering but frank and straightforward words.

"Maybe, I'll occasionally want to come back and talk to Xiao."

Mu's voice was very soft, but her words left no room for negotiation.

The reason is simple: she is the true master of this body.

"what……"

Metis's smile froze on his lips.

It seems she can't completely let go of her worries yet.

"Of course, Xiao Mu!"

So despite verbally expressing agreement and compliance, Metis secretly sounded the alarm in his heart.

No, what if Xiao Mu eventually becomes less and less dependent on her presence?

It seems she can't just let her guard down like this—she still has to fight for her survival every second.

Metis took a deep breath and returned to reality from the realm of consciousness.

"—That's right, Xiao must continue to fight against Xiangzi!"

The first thing she did upon returning was to reiterate her views to the boy beside her.

"...Although what I want to do is pretty much the same as what you said, Metis, why does it sound like you're just playing house when you say it?"

However, her high spirits only earned her Kazama's skepticism.

"Ahem... Because I also really like Akatsuki, so I'm very enthusiastic and attentive to things related to Akatsuki. What's wrong with that!"

Qun⑼MiaoliuIV（|%liu）⑺VIII Erba Metis coughed a couple of times, a little embarrassed, to clear his throat.

"Anyway, we've reached an agreement on Xiangzi's matter!"

"Reach an agreement...to confront Xiangzi?"

Xiao and Metis exchanged a glance, confirming their understanding, while Su Shi, standing beside them, seemed completely oblivious, as if she had been kept in the dark.

"If Metis is Xiao Mu's personality... then isn't Xiangzi your childhood sweetheart too?"

"That's what I say, but the only person who's truly important to me is Xiao Mu."

Metis rolled his eyes, showing utter disdain for Su Shi's question.

"Xiangzi always likes to make big promises that he can't keep, and he even hurt Mu and Xiao—even if Xiao Mu doesn't mind, I can't just sit idly by."

Metis swayed leisurely, but in reality, he kept moving closer to Kazama.

She and Mutsu are two sides of the same coin. She will naturally feel affection and dependence on those close to her—moreover, if it weren't for Kazama, Metis wouldn't have been able to take control of this body so early.

"So if Xiao is willing, I'll help too, okay?"

"Xiaojun, are you really going to go against Xiangzi? What exactly are your plans?"

Su Shi panicked a little.

She is indeed gradually learning to let go of her obsession with CRYCHIC and Toyokawa Shoko, but it would be really difficult to ask her to stand on the opposite side of Shoko so quickly, along with Kazama.

"Hmm? It's simple. Of course, we need to completely shatter her untenable idealism and divine theories that only hurt others."

Kazama didn't take it seriously, but Metis, seeing this, waved his little fist with great enthusiasm, his face full of joy and excitement.

"That's it! As expected of Akatsuki~ You completely understand what I'm thinking! I like you, I like you!"

Of course, her "confession" was simply ignored by Su Shi and Xiao as innocent childish talk.

"How do you plan to... defeat them?"

Only Su Shi remained resentful. Of course, she didn't want to see Xiangzi get hurt, but she also had no reasonable reason to stop Kazama from doing so.

After all, a life-saving debt is not so easy to repay.

"Yes... how should we break through?"

Kazama looked thoughtful, but Suze could tell from the smile on his lips that he had already made up his mind.

"Don't worry. Even if I can't figure it out, someone will provide me with a solution, Su Shi."

At first, Nagasaki Motoyo thought this was just another of Kazama's charades.

However, after a while, her doubts were refuted by the facts.

And this is happening just a few days from now in the future.

Chapter Fifteen: Kazama Akira's Dad's Class Begins!

The pleased teacher Metis was proudly surveying his territory.

Okay, actually it's just that he's surveying this territory by looking around and appraising others.

In RiNG's practice room, the band members continued to perform their duties diligently without slacking off for a moment.

The reason Metis was able to appear here was because—

"It's so boring staying at home every day. Xiao and Su Shi, can you take me out to play and get some fresh air? Of course, if you don't take me out, I have other ways to get some fresh air."

After Metis made the request with a grin, Su Shi, feeling a cold sweat run down her back, exchanged a glance with Kazama.

"Alright, I'm really worried about leaving Metis out of my sight and not keeping a close eye on him... Xiaojun, let's temporarily restore our alliance because of this mission?"

Exhausted, Su Shi was like an old mother who had worried about her child her whole life.

Heaven knows if Metis's idea of ​​"breathing in" meant making the Wakaba residence a well-ventilated house.

"Take her out to play, huh? Leave it to me."

Kazama, who doesn't seem to care, is like the unreliable and irresponsible father in the family.

"However, the prerequisite is that you, Metis, have to put away your wicked intentions of destroying the house. Hmm, how about we hide the existence of 'Metis' for now?"

Damn it, Xiao saw through my little scheme, so I can't show my presence in front of Lixi and the others as I please.

Metis was somewhat disappointed, but she quickly cheered herself up.

Cosplaying Mu, right? That's something she's good at.

As always, Su Shi and Kazama kept their word and brought Metis to RiNG, a place that once belonged to her in her memory.

It's not quite accurate to say it's "own"; this actually originally belonged to "Wakaba Mutsumi" territory.

But who cares? Mu's things are her things too, and Mu's former partners can also be considered her partners.

"Why is Mu here... Xiangzi shouldn't have come with her, right?"

When Lixi saw Metis after a long time, she even put down her drumsticks and turned to look at Kazama, who had led her there, with a worried expression.

"Are you so fond of Mu that you want to carry her around in your pocket all the time? You're hopeless."

Kazama, still leaning on his cane, flung it aside with an air of righteous indignation.

"That's right, my love for Mu is as clear as day! If it's for Mu, I'd be willing to become a kangaroo mom... oh no, I mean a kangaroo dad! Lixi, you should exercise more and stop staying up all night practicing the drums. Turn into a muscular kangaroo before you try to fight me for custody!"

"Who wants to fight you for custody! If there were a cure for being love-struck, I'd definitely spend half of your living expenses to cure this lousy habit!"

"Lixi, you're actually willing to go to such lengths for me... Could it be that you actually want to replace Mu and sneak into my pocket?"

"Damn it...! Damn it all!!"

Miss Li Xi, filled with shame and indignation, was speechless and choked with sobs, unable to rise again...!

"No, no, even if I were a kangaroo dad, this spot on my belly is made for Mu! Ah, but the shirt pocket can still fit people. Lixi, do you want to try it?"

"I'm going to stuff the bandage on your leg into your mouth, Kazama...!"

Metis outwardly pretended to be quiet and not participate in the conversation between the two, but inwardly he was constantly ranting and raving.

She's a conjoined twin, but not actually with her lower body glued together. Why do these old friends always associate her, Xiao Mu, and Xiangzi so closely?

Besides, if they were to be conjoined twins by their lower bodies, it would have to be her and Xiao Mu. Two people who have been together since birth should die together in this way to make their deaths most fitting, right?

However, Metis still liked Xiao's silver tongue and his practice of always putting Mu first; he was indeed the man Mu had chosen.

Thinking of this, Metis patted Xiao on the shoulder without saying a word.

The boy, still basking in the glory of his verbal victory over Lixi, turned his head away before he could even shake off his smug expression.

"If it's Akatsuki, it wouldn't be bad for the three of them to stick together."

Metis laughed in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

What a nonsensical and extremely heavy statement!

However, Kazama didn't take it to heart and nodded in agreement.

"Can we not use super glue? I'll stick it on myself."

These two guys are hopeless.

Su Shi, who had never joined the battle from beginning to end, felt extremely tired upon seeing this scene.

If she were to truly raise this family as a mother, she would surely age prematurely.

"Eh...it really is Ms. Wakaba Mutsumi! Looking closer, her face is so cute...! Like a delicate doll!"

Li Xi fled in anger, and as one side finished its performance, the other side took the stage.

A girl as enthusiastic as a big pink-haired puppy came up to him. She must be the one, the one who became obsessed with Akira's guitar skills.

It has to be said that this guy's compliments in social situations are almost on par with Su Shi's. However, if she were praising herself or Xiao Mu, Metis would just proudly raise her chin and nod to accept the praise.

"Mumi... It's been a long time."

Metis also recognized the person standing behind the two who was quietly greeting them.

Ms. Takamatsu Akari, it's been so long and you're still so timid.

"However, Xiao, your conversation with Li Xi just now was quite interesting."

But when she turned to look at Kazama, her eyes shone brightly, something that even Metis found somewhat alluring.