After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

"It's just that Miss Mu seems to have moved out these past few days and hasn't been home recently."

“I know, Mu is with me recently... Sorry to bother you.”

Nodding politely to the servant, Toyokawa Shoko entered the villa, which she rarely visited anymore.

Carrying a backpack that was almost half a person's height, Toyokawa Shoko crossed the courtyard and walked to the front of the house.

Looking at the door that had clearly sent servants to welcome her, yet was now tightly shut, the girl took a deep breath.

The maid who greeted them at the door didn't follow, as if she had been instructed beforehand that a private setting was needed inside the villa for the rest of the conversation.

In the past, when she felt nervous, she would subconsciously place her palm on her chest to calm her slightly racing heart.

And now, without realizing it, she seems to have learned this more discreet way of not letting others notice her state... from Toyokawa Yuu.

"Xiao Xiang, it's been so long! How have you been?"

Turning the bolt, Toyokawa Shoko pushed open the door, and the atmosphere of the feast, mixed with Mori Minami's rather enthusiastic greeting, rushed towards her.

To welcome Shoko Toyokawa's visit, Minami Mori prepared a rather lavish meal.

But the gaze cast from those golden eyes, which were exactly like those of Wakaba Mutsu, made Toyokawa Shoko feel quite uncomfortable.

It was as if, compared to the abundant food on the table, they themselves were the meal being served.

“I am fine, thank you for agreeing to see me, Ms. Minami.”

Across the table laden with food, Toyokawa Shoko sat down in front of Mori Minami.

Although she smiled, it wasn't nearly as enthusiastic as Minami's.

Polite and quiet, like moonlight under the night sky.

Seeing the smile on Toyokawa Shoko's face, Mori Minami's eyes flickered for a moment.

Just now, I felt like I saw an old friend.

"That's too formal. You're Ruihui's child, and you've known Xiaomu since you were little. If she wouldn't even see you, that would be too distant."

By emphasizing the words "Mizuho's daughter," Minami Mori's smile made Shoko Toyokawa feel even more uncomfortable.

It wasn't because Toyokawa Shoko rejected her identity as a mother and daughter, nor was it because Mori Minami was more concerned about being Toyokawa Mizuho's daughter.

Toyokawa Shoko came here today to take advantage of this identity.

only......

Looking at the seemingly malicious smile in Minami's eyes, Toyokawa Shoko felt that her elder, whose relationship with her mother was as good as her own, seemed to have ulterior motives.

Mutsu, Yuu... Is this the kind of Minami you've always been dealing with?

Shoko Toyokawa sighed inwardly, but Minami Mori's voice did not stop because of her thoughts.

"So, Xiangzi, why did you come to see me today? Judging by the time, Yuqiu shouldn't be out of school yet. At your age, you should prioritize your studies."

His words of concern carried a hint of inquiry, yet his confident demeanor suggested he had already guessed the purpose of Toyokawa Shoko's visit.

After all, there weren't many things that could bring the two of them together since her mother, Mizuho Toyokawa, passed away.

"I couldn't concentrate on my studies until Mu came back... Ms. Minami, let me get straight to the point. This weekend, I plan to take Mu out for fun."

Rising up to accept the tea offered by Minami Mori, Toyokawa Shoko did not drink it directly, but held it in her palm before explaining the purpose of her visit.

"Oh my, that's unexpected. You and Xiao Mu have always had a good relationship, but you don't need to ask my opinion about going out together on the weekend. You should just go and talk to Xiao Mu directly."

Upon hearing Toyokawa Shoko's request, Mori Minami's golden eyes, which were identical to Wakaba Mutsu's, widened slightly, seemingly surprised by the request.

As Minami just said, there's absolutely no need to specifically talk to her, the mother, about something as trivial as "going out with friends."

She's not the kind of bad mother who tries to control every little thing her daughter does...

It can't be, it definitely can't be...

With her eyes, which had only widened for a moment, slightly narrowed, Mori Minami pulled at the muscles in her face, raising the corners of her mouth even more.

"However, Xiao Mu recently moved out, so if you want to ask her out, you'll probably have to contact You Yu-kun first."

“This is exactly what Youyu was planning, but I think that no matter what, I should have informed you before taking Xiaomu out at this time.”

His amber eyes met those of Minami Mori, whose golden eyes were a similar color to his own.

Toyokawa Shoko didn't directly reveal the contradiction hidden behind this seemingly simple message, but her eyes already conveyed the meaning to Mori Minami...

"I see. So you're not just hiding behind Yuu-kun anymore... If Grandpa Teiji knew, he might be so happy he'd have a couple more drinks tonight."

She nodded as if pleased, but soon changed her tune, even the curve of her lips disappearing in an instant.

“But no, now that you know that Old Master Dingzhi is behind this, you probably don’t want to put me in a difficult position.”

He used Toyokawa Sadaharu as a shield, just like when Toyokawa Sadaharu questioned why he hadn't been able to restrain Wakaba Mutsumi, he used Toyokawa Yuu.

Why put yourself in a dilemma when you can solve things with a silver tongue and acting skills to feign helplessness?

"It's true that my grandfather's request was correct, but the one who actually carried it out was you, Ms. Minami... Now that Mutsumi has successfully found Yuu, I believe you, Ms. Minami, wouldn't want Mutsumi to be manipulated by others like this..."

"Of course I don't want Xiaomu to be manipulated by others. I would rather that person be me."

Minami Mori interrupted Toyokawa Shoko's seemingly emotional appeal, her eyes displaying a half-smile, but her tone was unusually serious.

"It's a pity that I haven't been able to fulfill this wish yet. First it was you, Xiao Xiang, and then it was You Yu Jun... Even though I am the mother, it seems that my position in Xiao Mu's heart is not very high."

Mori Minami's frank and straightforward words, which expressed her thoughts as a mother who was utterly inadequate, left Toyokawa Shoko in a brief daze.

The fingertips holding the teacup gently clenched.

What exactly do you take harmony for...?

Before you realized this, did you communicate with Yuu with the same mindset, Ms. Minami?

"Are you speechless now, or are you only getting to know me again today?"

"I have to admit that you are at least half right. Perhaps only today have I truly begun to understand you, who had such a good relationship with my mother and who always cared for me so warmly."

She let out a long breath, and even the stiff corners of Toyokawa Shoko's mouth seemed to be pulled into a slight curve as her facial muscles relaxed.

Because of Toyokawa Yuu's presence, Toyokawa Shoko could indeed realize that Mori Minami might not be as kind and warm as her mother's close friend she used to know.

But only after experiencing this side of things in person today did she realize... should she say that she was fortunate to have been prepared?

"Half right?"

Minami Mori didn't pay much attention to Toyokawa Shoko's words.

She knew very well what a good image she had left in front of Toyokawa Shoko. In fact, with her mother, who was as radiant as the sun, present, she had little chance to expose her dark side even if she wanted to.

Now, the image of someone you know has collapsed, which is not something a high school girl can easily accept.

"I was indeed very surprised. I never thought that someone like you would have such a good relationship with Mother. With Mother's keen observation, she should have noticed this... But we are still a long way from being able to talk to each other."

"Your mother..."

When Toyokawa Shoko's mother was mentioned, Minami Mori's expression was no longer as composed as before.

Her relationship with Mizuho Toyokawa is somewhat similar to that of Mutsumi Wakaba and Shoko Toyokawa now.

The two have known each other since childhood and are very close, understanding each other as well as their spouses.

The only difference is that Toyokawa Shoko may not have realized the true nature of Wakaba Mutsumi's heart before.

Mizuho Toyokawa discovered Minami Mori's true nature early on, but this did not affect their close relationship.

That's why Minami Mori emphasized that Toyokawa Shoko's identity was that she was Mizuho's child.

"I don't believe you can maintain the same attitude your mother has towards me in front of your mother for decades, nor do I believe your mother wouldn't be so close to a simple, materialistic person. Perhaps it's just that in your heart, I'm not good enough."

Taking two deep breaths to calm her slightly racing heart, Toyokawa Shoko smiled again.

Unlike when they first entered, when they were polite and courteous, displaying the etiquette of being treated as guests to the fullest extent.

Toyokawa Shoko's smile was gentle and radiant, like sunlight shining through a wall and directly into Mori Minami's eyes.

Although it was somewhat deliberate, as if she was trying to imitate someone, it still irritated Mori Minami.

Looking into those amber eyes that were almost identical to those of Mizuho Toyokawa, Minami suddenly felt uneasy.

"In your heart, perhaps I am far less outstanding than Mother, and since Youyu couldn't reach an agreement with you on interests, I probably can't either, so..."

As Toyokawa Shoko opened the backpack she had brought, Mori Minami realized that it was much larger than a regular schoolbag, as if the contents inside were quite substantial.

With a soft click as the zipper was pulled open, a crack appeared in the backpack that Toyokawa Shoko had brought, revealing a glimpse of white-gold thread-like material, neat and smooth, like carefully styled hair.

Just seeing that one glimpse of color caused a hint of panic to rise in Minami's usually confident eyes.

It seems that Toyokawa Shoko really brought something that he couldn't refuse.

As the zipper was slowly unzipped, Senmina's premonition was quickly confirmed.

An exquisite doll lay quietly in the backpack, isolated by a clean, transparent cover that was as transparent as air.

No wonder Shoko Toyokawa came carrying such a big bag; it wasn't her keyboard for playing instruments, but rather...

“Mizuho…”

Looking at the exquisite doll in front of her, Mori Minami gritted her teeth without even realizing it, and squeezed out that name from between her teeth after a long time.

She truly hadn't expected that Toyokawa Shoko would bring this to her.

They brought... the only keepsake of Toyokawa Mizuho.

"I think Mother holds a much more important place in your heart than I do, and she might be able to persuade you on my behalf."

She reached up and supported her forehead, her palms covering her golden eyes, which had once been described as shining brighter than jewels, and fell into silence.

This is truly someone I find hard to refuse.

If there is anything in the world more concerning than half a body, it is probably the dead half of a body.

"Heh... You actually went out of your way to help someone, you really made a lot of effort. If Mizuho knew, she would probably praise her daughter's growth."

After a long while, Minami let out a complicated chuckle, lowered her fair hand, and turned her golden gaze toward Toyokawa Shoko.

However, his gaze no longer held the same confidence and slight smile as before.

“I can let Xiaomu go out on weekends, or even occasionally once or twice in the future, as long as she doesn’t expose herself too openly to the public. I can help you suppress it, but I have conditions.”

"You can say whatever you want."

Toyokawa Shoko was not surprised; she hadn't expected Mori Minami to agree to her request unconditionally.

Aside from her former parents, only the current Toyokawa Yuu would do such a thing.

"Don't make it sound so easy. Before we discuss the conditions, I need you to answer one question."

Her fair fingertips tapped the tabletop, making soft sounds one after another.

Minami's gaze held a hint of inquiry and questioning.

"You've even brought up Mizuho. Are you trying to help Mu or Yuu-kun?"

"I......"

Wakaba Mutsumi and Toyokawa Yuu...

The names of her half-body and her fiancé swirled in her mind, causing Toyokawa Shoko to pause for a moment.

Undoubtedly, she wanted to help both of them, but if she had to prioritize, at least this time, her answer would be...

"Alright, no need to say anything more, I already have the answer... Xiao Xiang, when you get stubborn, you're just like that guy Rui Sui."

Raising her hand to interrupt Toyokawa Shoko, Mori Minami had no mood to listen to her junior's public display of affection.

Pointing her finger at the doll inside the cover, Minami stated her conditions.

"My condition is... leave this with me."

Chapter 123 Meow Dream: Is this something I should know? (6k)

"It seems the collaboration is going smoothly. The agent's influence really works everywhere."

In the same office, Yutenji Wakana leaned back on the soft, comfortable sofa, which was of much better quality than Ave Mujica's office, and lazily stretched.

The purple-haired girl sank completely into the sofa, her face full of contentment.

When she went out on business with Toyokawa Yuu for the first time, she thought she was going to face countless hardships.

After all, Ave Mujica's situation has not been good lately, and Yutenji Wakana is even worried that this galactic battleship might sink before it has even taken off.

But now it seems that my worries were a bit excessive; the agent was indeed reliable.