A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

"Ah, yes."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded in confusion, then asked:

"Any other instructions?"

【…】

There was no answer from the other end of the phone. It was unclear whether he was thinking or was just too lazy to say anything more to Toyokawa Shoko.

Miscommunication was to be expected.

But there was nothing that could be done about it. After all, in the previous ten years of her life, Shoko Toyokawa had never been able to establish any harmonious relationship or dialogue with her mother.

But even so, there was still one thing she had to tell her——

"Regarding matters between me and my father, there is no need for you to interfere any further."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"Whether it's the source of the funds or the aftermath, Tetsuya-kun and I will take care of it."

【……What? 】

As if someone hadn't heard clearly, a rather suspicious question came from the other end of the phone.

"You mean, have you thoroughly investigated your father's affairs?"

"Yes."

This is not something that can be easily dismissed through bluffing and capriciousness.

"I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to you specifically to report this."

Toyokawa Shoko's tone was extremely firm.

"When the joint exhibition is held in two months, you'll understand."

【…】

After hearing Toyokawa Shoko's words, the other side of the microphone fell silent for a moment, and then said:

[I heard that you dropped out of school on your own without your father's presence.]

"Yes."

[The document confirming the withdrawal should require a parent's signature, right?]

"In special circumstances, a third party can be hired. So I asked Yamabuki... an adult who taught me a lot, to sign for me. I've already signed the documents for next year's enrollment at Filia."

Toyokawa Shoko said truthfully:

"Please rest assured. Since I have decided to leave, I will definitely not cause any trouble to our family... Is there anything else you need?"

【……there is none left.】

"Okay, then please take care of yourself in the future. Goodbye."

As if to get rid of the heavy pressure as quickly as possible, after finishing the last sentence of farewell in one breath, Toyokawa Shoko pressed the hang-up button very decisively.

"Huh... that should be all right."

After that, she put away her phone and said to the others:

"I'm sorry for the slight delay. Let's continue rehearsing."

"Uh……"

Looking at Toyokawa Shoko's expression, Yutenji Wakami tilted his head with a complicated expression, and then asked in a slightly worried tone:

"Xiangzi, you... really don't need to rest for a while?"

"Have we rested long enough?"

"No, because you look like you just finished a super tough exam..."

Although Yutenji Wakami didn't know what exactly happened between Toyokawa Shoko and her mother, the words "dropping out of school", "funds" and "main family" that ordinary high school students would never use still made her feel a heavy meaning.

"Don't worry, I'm really fine."

In response to Yutenji Wakami's worries, Toyokawa Shoko shook her head calmly.

"Rather, I'm in a better state for rehearsal now than before."

Should I say it's all thanks to my mother? Her uncontrollable excitement at the good news Tetsuya-kun brought her was instantly calmed down as if a bucket of ice water had been poured down upon her after hearing that flat tone.

Yes, it’s not over yet.

Until the joint exhibition is over, until the deal between her father and Di Yeqing is completely completed, until Tetsuya-kun and Jean completely defeat [NozAK!], she cannot be considered to have completely left the Toyokawa family.

Her happiness is certainly within reach, but the closer it is, the more she should not get carried away.

"Anyway, let's continue rehearsing. I'm sorry for making a fool of myself."

"..."

After hearing this, Hachiman Kailing didn't say much, but just picked up the bass silently.

Faced with this obvious family conflict, as an outsider, she didn't intend to say anything. For this mercenary who had played for dozens of bands, she was already accustomed to observing other people's unspeakable secrets from an outsider's perspective.

On the other hand, the other two who already knew that Toyokawa Shoko had a bad relationship with her family also picked up their instruments and prepared to overcome the delicate atmosphere through rehearsal.

And so, with Shoko Toyokawa's piano playing having cooled down again, Ave Mujica once again began rehearsing their new song...

……

"That's it..."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother put down her cell phone, and a hint of exhaustion appeared in her calm tone.

"Even if her father isn't around, for something as important as dropping her out of school, doesn't my signature need to be signed?"

"You know Xiangzi wouldn't contact you for something like this, right?"

Minami Mori, who was sitting in front of her, said:

"Putting aside the relationship between you two, will you really agree to her application to drop out of school?"

"First... I need to know what kind of school this 'Filia' she's talking about is."

As Shoko Toyokawa's mother spoke, she wrote down the name on her mobile phone.

"Then, find out who the person who signed on your behalf is."

"Forget it. Doing so will only make the frustration you already feel worse than before."

Mori Minami couldn't help but shook her head.

"Instead of that, didn't Xiangzi just say... that she and Chihaya Tetsuya planned to deal with that man alone?"

"Yes."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother gave a positive answer.

"From what Xiangzi said, it seems that he has figured out the whole story and has already figured out how to deal with it."

"Really? So powerful?"

Minami Mori expressed her first impression very directly and frankly.

"Even though you haven't figured out what exactly happened, the two of them have already come up with a solution."

"...To be honest, I still can't quite believe what Xiangzi said."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother frowned slightly.

"That level of money is simply not something that man can afford. As for the young man named Chihaya Tetsuya, it's even worse."

"I advise you not to underestimate them."

After hearing this, Mori Minami raised her objection again.

"You should have already investigated that kid named Chihaya Tetsuya. Although he doesn't have a huge background, his achievements and connections are remarkable. As for Xiangzi... that kid is now closely tied to Chihaya Tetsuya."

Recalling the day when Toyokawa Shoko and Chihaya Tetsuya expressed their opinions in front of her, Mori Minami couldn't help but sigh:

"If I had to say it, that kind of trusting relationship probably surpasses that of most couples in this world, right?"

Having said this, she paused for a moment before continuing:

"Although I shouldn't need to remind you at this point, if you dare to question their relationship in front of Xiangzi, it will only make Xiangzi more resistant to you."

"..."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother's expression once again showed a hint of helplessness.

Looking at her like this, Mori Minami couldn't help but sigh.

"I'm telling you... can't you just choose one side more readily? You're going to give up sooner or later, stuck in this situation where you have to be on guard against your family and can't open up to your daughter."

"...If I hadn't intervened, how could Xiangzi and the others have escaped from their family safely?"

Toyokawa Shoko's mother said:

"Besides...I should at least leave a way out for Xiangzi when she has nowhere else to go, right?"

"What about you? If Shoko and Chihaya Tetsuya completely get rid of the Toyokawa family's debt, then you will no longer have any reason to restore your relationship with her?"

"……maybe."

Toyokawa Shoko's mother remained silent on this.

"But at least until then, I will always be Xiangzi's last choice when he has no other choice."

"Your family..."

Knowing that she couldn't convince the other party, Mori Minami shook her head helplessly.

An unrealistic father, a stubborn mother, and a very opinionated daughter.

If a family like this wants to reconcile, it would probably be much more difficult than repaying the debt, right?

Looking at the guy in front of her who lowered his head slightly, not knowing what he was thinking, Mori Minami sighed deeply.

126

Chapter 126: Sharing also has a priority.

Amidst the busyness of the crowd, time flies by quickly.

With the theme and goal set, Chihaya Tetsuya's design began to progress more smoothly. Meanwhile, driven by various emotions, Toyokawa Shoko also made considerable progress in her band activities and costume design. Furthermore, the new song by [MyGO!!!] had completed the final polishing, and [SummerZodiac]'s catwalk was practiced to a level comparable to that of a professional fashion model.

While everyone was moving forward in an orderly manner, only one person encountered a problem that he could not easily overcome no matter what he did.

"Well, so why on earth didn't you agree to join us?"

Chihaya Aine supported her chin with both hands and looked at the guy in front of her who was doing stretching exercises at home in pajamas with a puzzled look.

"Obviously, our interests should be completely aligned now."

"The interests are aligned...does that mean we can make it a done deal and make Zhe afraid to attack anyone else?"

Hoshino Ai sneered:

"I thought Toyokawa Shoko would come up with some good ideas, but in the end she still had to use force on Zhe."

"I'm also surprised that the mature and calm Xiangzi classmate would come up with the same idea as you..."

“I won’t do the same thing anymore.”

"Ah, yes, yes~ After all, I've already lost someone once, so it's really hard to muster up the courage again."

"What did you say?!"

Faced with Chihaya Aine's sarcastic tone, Hoshino Ai's expression instantly became displeased.

In response, Chihaya Aine simply shrugged calmly.

"Anyway, at least I've been convinced by her. Instead of waiting for my brother to get involved with more girls before making up his mind, it's better to take him down sooner rather than later, and then slowly train him to be a man who is more loyal to his desires."

"So, which side is loyal to desire?"

After hearing this, Xingye Ai couldn't help but shake her head and complained:

"Also, putting aside Toyokawa Shoko for now, that girl named Nagasaki Motoyo... I remember her being a relatively stable person. How could she agree to such a reckless plan?"

"Well... even though Sushi doesn't say it, she must have accumulated quite a bit in private, right?"