A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Although she's not in debt like me, she's been deeply influenced by Ms. Minami, causing her social skills and independent thinking to remain immature. So... I really can't make the decision for her.

"That's right."

Chihaya Tetsu was also unable to come to any clear conclusion.

But from his personal point of view, even if it was just a short break for Ruoye Mu to get some respite from that suffocating high-pressure environment, it would still be better than standing by and watching...

……

“…Xiangzi.”

【What's wrong? 】

"Your father...still no news?"

[Well, there is no news.]

Toyokawa Shoko said calmly:

[It was as if the entire person had disappeared from this world. Even the phone call was unavailable.]

"..."

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya didn't know what to say for a moment.

While Toyokawa Shoko's departure from her family wasn't entirely due to her father, the debt she now carries is entirely due to her father's incompetence. If he were truly a responsible adult, even if he couldn't help Shoko, he wouldn't have been a burden to her.

"I know you, Xiangzi, are someone who values ​​self-respect and is unwilling to bow down to anyone, but at least...if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Chihaya Tetsuya said sincerely:

"Even if it's just a small matter, I don't want you to force yourself into a lonely place."

He was really worried that this strong girl would push herself into a desperate situation because of her stubbornness.

[Yes, I know.]

In response to Chihaya Tetsuya's kindness, Toyokawa Shoko's tone softened a little.

"Ever since I designed that dress for Sushi with your help, I've realized I'm no longer alone. In fact, part of the reason I suggested Mu leave the Wakaba family was because I wanted her to be a source of strength for me."

"Eh?"

After hearing this, Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but reveal a rather curious expression.

"If it's Wakaba-san...is there anything I can do to help you?"

Her guitar skills are quite advanced, on par with those of professional musicians... Although it's a bitter talent forced upon her by extreme oppression, if she can make good use of it, it can also become a force that helps her find new life.

Toyokawa Shoko said:

【And next, I am planning to make use of her guitar skills.】

"what……"

Chihaya Tetsuya was stunned for a while after hearing this, and then he asked in an uncertain tone:

"Since you're going to use your guitar skills, does that mean... you're going to have to pick up your piano skills as well?"

[Right now, I just have a rough idea. I haven't made a formal decision yet on whether to form a music group with just the two of us or continue recruiting members to form a band.]

Toyokawa Shoko said:

[It just so happens that there is still a year left before I enroll in Filia. This one year of preparation is enough time for me to do a lot of things.]

“Shoko…?”

After hearing Toyokawa Shoko's plan, Chihaya Tetsuya immediately showed a shocked expression.

"Are you planning to do both your design and music work?"

【Well, that's it. 】

"That's too hard!"

Chihaya Tetsuya couldn't help but frown.

"Well, Xiangzi, if it really doesn't work out, you can put the designer's work aside for now and come back when you've finished what you want to do—"

[I don’t want to! ]

This time, Toyokawa Shoko's attitude was no longer as gentle as before, but extremely tough.

"Zheya-kun, the reason I'm telling you about my upcoming plans isn't to elicit your sympathy or to reduce my workload. On the contrary, I simply want to prove my abilities to you. Even if I truly can't balance both, I'll definitely give up music."

"Also, I don't think I'm forcing myself. Up until now, it's been Tetsuya-kun who's been unilaterally guiding me in fashion, and I think it's time for you to see what I'm capable of."

Toyokawa Shoko said this with an extremely confident tone:

Please look forward to the "Summer Zodiac" Live this time.

[The song Chuhua and I created together will definitely make you understand that I am also someone you can rely on! ]

——There is still one week left until the [Summer Zodiac] May Live.

17

Chapter 17: The doll girl breaks free from the strings.

Wakaba Mutsu has respected Toyokawa Shoko since he was a child.

Although she was also born in a high-pressure and complicated family, Xiangzi did not become as weak as her. His strength of never giving up no matter what difficulties he encountered, and his pride of holding his head high even if he had to give up everything, are also the strength she has always longed for, but it is difficult for her to reach.

However, it is precisely this strength that makes Shoko Toyokawa bear a burden so heavy that it makes it difficult to breathe.

She did not get happiness as a result of her strength. Instead, she was tortured by her self-esteem and was forced to give up everything.

This also led to Ruoye Mu just watching her back from a distance instead of following her immediately.

Accustomed to obedience, she couldn't even imagine what her life would be like when the chains that had bound her since birth were removed. Without her mother's control, would she still be able to find her own direction? Without the support of the Ruoye family, would she become a useless person with no achievements?

The hardships and bitterness of the past made her want to pack up her suitcase and leave right now, but doubts about the future and even herself made it difficult for her to take the first step.

jingle.

Just then, her phone suddenly received a new message.

When she took out her phone and looked at the message, she suddenly felt an indescribable warmth welling up from the bottom of her heart.

[Mu's room has been cleaned up. You can come over anytime if you decide.]

Nagasaki Suyo also sent a photo of the empty room.

Even if you don't want to stay long, you can still come and visit for a few days.

"Su Shi..."

Before resolving the misunderstanding a year ago, Ruoye Mu had always had indescribable complicated feelings towards her.

On the one hand, he felt guilty. On the day CRYCHIC disbanded, he had said very cruel and hurtful words to Toyokawa Shoko in order to help her cover up her lie.

On the other hand, she is curious. For Wakaba Mutsu, whose emotions have become indifferent under heavy pressure, Nagasaki Suyo's cherishment of [CRYCHIC] is something she can never understand or do.

However, it was precisely because of Nagasaki Motoyo's cherishment of [CRYCHIC] that she suffered from loneliness far more cruel than others.

Her cherishing did not help her keep anyone, but only made her have a relationship that was unequal to everyone else and the disappointment brought by unfulfilled expectations.

Before this, Ruoye Mu always felt that he was a very pathetic person.

Everything she had gone through made her unable to identify with her family, who were admired by others, while the two people she longed for did not get their own happiness.

She had always believed that she would probably have to continue to live a life dominated by her mother, while watching the two people she had longed for step by step towards an unfortunate future.

Until Chihaya Tetsuya appeared.

He first extended a helping hand to Xiangzi when she was about to despair, and showed her a path that would lead her to hope.

Afterwards, he intervened in the relationship between Xiangzi and Su Shi in an extremely forceful manner, resolved the misunderstanding between the two, and gave Su Shi a new home.

Wakaba Mu had never seen such a powerful adult.

Every decision and action he made could guide things in the best direction, and those goals that he originally thought he could never achieve were easily achieved by him one by one.

Even Xiangzi and Su Shi, who are better than him, have already embarked on their own paths under the leadership of Chihaya Tetsuya, so... can he also solve his confusion as handsomely and easily as before?

"...Sushi is currently living upstairs from Mr. Chihaya."

In other words, if I move there... I will be able to see the powerful Mr. Chihaya every day just like Suze.

Finally, this sense of anticipation broke her original hesitation and allowed her to successfully take the first step.

And then, after opening the door, the bright sunny day outside made her move forward without any hesitation.

This girl, who has always been like a doll, finally has a destination of her own.

……

"Ah, forget about that."

When Nagasaki Suyo, who had been contacted in advance, saw Wakaba Mutsu struggling to get out of the taxi with an oversized guitar case on his back and a suitcase in his hands, Nagasaki Suyo immediately slapped her palms.

"Wait a moment, Mu, I'll go get some help!"

Then, before Wakaba Mutsu had time to say hello, he saw Nagasaki Suyo hurriedly walk into the apartment building again, and then after a while, she directly pulled Chihaya Aine down.

"Wow! What a big guitar case!"

After Chihaya Aine went downstairs, her first reaction was to look behind Wakaba Mutsu with a look of surprise.

"What model is Wakaba-san's guitar?"

"…SCHECTER's [EX-24-7st], a seven-string guitar."

If Ye Mu answered truthfully:

"There's also the pickup I use regularly..."

"Wow! This is the first time I've seen someone use a seven-string guitar!"

After hearing this, Chihaya Aine ran to her side excitedly and took the guitar case from behind the bewildered Wakaba Mutsu.

"I'll help you carry it up, Ruoye-san. Please let me see how you play the seven-string guitar later!"

"Eh……"

"Look, Mu just moved in. No matter how you think about it, you should pack your luggage first, right?"

"That's right."

Chihaya Aine stuck out her tongue.

"Then I'll take the guitar up first. You can help Wakaba-san with the suitcase!"

After saying that, Chihaya Aine immediately ran into the apartment building excitedly with her guitar case on her back.

"Oh... I really can't stand her."

Looking at the hurried figure's back, Nagasaki Suyo couldn't help but sigh.

"Sorry, Mu, this is an old apartment building and there's no elevator, so we'll have to carry the suitcases up together."

"……kindness."

Wakaba Mu nodded, then put away the lever, while Nagasaki Suyo came to her side and lifted the handle on the side -

"I know you must have a lot of thoughts that you haven't figured out yet, but it doesn't matter. As long as that guy is here, all these problems will be solved."

Looking at Wakaba Mutsu, who seemed a little dazed, Nagasaki Suyo said:

"Let's go, Mu."

"……kindness."

Although many confusions and worries in her heart had not yet been resolved, the moment she felt the weight of the suitcase was reduced by half, she no longer had the idea of ​​looking back.

The puppet girl who broke free from the strings finally arrived at the stage she had chosen.

18

Chapter 18 The intersection of vertical intersections.

Since Wakaba Mu basically only brought clothes and books, the process of packing his luggage did not take too much time.

However, even so, Nagasaki Suyo couldn't help but intervene in the sorting work -