After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

"You too, things are complicated here, you don't need to get involved."

Shiina Tatsuki gave Toyokawa Yuu a strange look and gestured for him not to get involved.

However, how could Toyokawa Yuu not get involved?

He was originally worried about how to distract Toyokawa Shoko from paying attention to Wakaba Mutsumi, who would be frequently appearing on television programs and social events.

“Friends who used to be in a band, Xiangzi never told me... But if there’s a conflict, why not just go and talk to her directly? Since you were in a band, you should know where Xiangzi goes to school.”

"But Xiao Xiang keeps avoiding me..."

She looked away, somewhat hurt; it seemed she had encountered quite a few setbacks recently.

"Go directly to the classroom to look for them, block the door after school, and keep pestering them..."

After pointing out several things that were clearly not befitting of a young lady, Toyokawa Yuu smiled slightly at the somewhat astonished Nagasaki Sase.

"Sometimes, you have to go to any lengths to achieve your goal."

So, hurry up and harass Toyokawa Shoko offline, keep her busy with work and leisure time, so that I can have an opportunity to take advantage of her.

He gave Sase Nagasaki a terrible idea that could lead to a complete breakdown in their relationship by violating social distancing rules, but Yuu Toyokawa wasn't worried that Shoko would blame him; he had just made a suggestion.

If he succeeds, Nagasaki Sōse will remember his kindness; even if he fails, Toyokawa Sōko will have no reason to vent her emotions on him.

After all, in an objective sense, he really did nothing.

"In short, from my perspective, that's all I have to say. Both Xiangzi and I have our own reasons that are beyond our control, but if possible, I hope that Xiangzi can live happily for at least ten years and have as many friends as possible."

“She and I are bound by fate. I dare not say what will happen in the future, but if she leaves me within ten years, I definitely will not be able to live on my own… You guys still have to rehearse, right? I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Standing up from her chair, Yuu Toyokawa planned to go back to the company to speak with Sumimi's manager and hint that they should put some pressure on the lead singer who shuttles between two bands.

Only by applying enough pressure will the loyal golden retriever develop a dependence on you, and then... gradually become obedient.

"Wait, this is what Hailing left behind as payment for watching over you temporarily. Could you return it to her for me?"

Although she was unhappy with the nonsensical things Toyokawa Yuu said to Nagasaki Sase, Shiina Tatsuki was a person of principle.

She did not accept Hachiman Kairin's request, so naturally she would not accept any payment.

"Also, please tell her that she should keep the musical instrument herself from now on, because trust is not something that can be given away so easily."

This is such a serious topic, I can't get a word in edgewise...

Watching Yuu Toyokawa leave through the gates of [RING], Aine Chihaya shrugged and prepared to call the others to the rehearsal room.

"Lena, haven't you finished eating yet?"

Looking at the half-eaten matcha parfait in Yoro's hand with a puzzled expression, the cat seemed to have a poor appetite today; it would have devoured it long ago.

The ethereal girl, like a Persian cat, didn't reply. Instead, she held her spoon in her mouth, staring intently at Yuu Toyokawa's departing figure, before finally managing to utter a string of syllables.

"A boring man, he never laughs..."

Chapter 27 The Familiar Rooftop

The day after Toyokawa Shoko's death, early morning.

..............................

A familiar breeze swept over her, and the sudden dizziness made Toyokawa Yuu instinctively grab the railing beside her and take a few deep breaths.

The morning mist and cool breeze filled his lungs, and the moist and cold sensation forced his vision, which had been slightly distorted by dizziness, back to normal.

Looking downstairs at the countless figures coming and going like fish crossing a river, each one dressed in a black suit and white bow tie for mourning, but before officially entering the mourning hall, everyone had a smile on their face, more or less.

What could be called the benefits of social interaction, or the strength to put on a brave face, was, in Toyokawa Yuu’s eyes, the scavenger’s call to his friends.

As for why this meaning can be interpreted... it's because Toyokawa Yuu is essentially the same kind of scoundrel.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. The cool morning air and the scene before his eyes convinced him that he had returned to ten years in the future.

I just sat down in my office, and now I don't even have a chance to take a short nap?

Gripping the railing tightly, Toyokawa Yuu turned around and, unsurprisingly, saw a slender figure in dark green.

The now-famous actress Metis was standing behind her at some point, her golden eyes scrutinizing Toyokawa Yuu's back.

His expression was as expressionless as wood, but the emotions contained in his eyes were unusually conflicted, as if he was considering whether or not to do something.

But at least, Toyokawa Yuu could sense that Metis's murderous intent towards him was no longer so intense.

If someone is determined to kill you, then the best opportunity is the moment you turn around, before you can even see what's happening behind you.

With Toyokawa Shoko dead and no one in the branch family in control, strangling Toyokawa Yuu would not arouse suspicion from anyone.

Because no one would seriously investigate the cause of Yuu Toyokawa's death; the scavengers would only rejoice at having another side dish on their table.

Good, let's test whether I've changed anything this time I went back to the past.

"Youyu, you seem to be troubled."

A calm voice rang out, and Mortis looked at Toyokawa Yuu, who seemed to have thought of something in an instant and began to be a little wary, a strange light flashing in his golden eyes.

"Because the most important person to me has already left me."

Instinctively, I moved away from the edge of the rooftop, just as I couldn't stand someone touching my neck with their fingertips.

When she is with Metis, Yuu Toyokawa feels a chill run down her spine whenever she gets close to the edge where she might fall.

As Toyokawa Yuu approached him step by step, Metis glanced at him, remaining noncommittal about his words.

She actually knew that Toyokawa Yuu had been acting all along, starting from yesterday when she mentioned those code names that hadn't been mentioned for almost ten years at the funeral hall.

She also knew that the man in front of her could hardly be said to have any feelings for her dead half of her body.

After all, she herself was pretty much the same in her attitude towards Toyokawa Shoko.

However, even knowing that he was acting doesn't mean those code names wouldn't stir up waves in Metis's heart.

Although she had existed in the body called [Wakaba Mutsu] since childhood as this consciousness, she truly obtained the name [Mortis], which was uniquely her own, from the band called [Ave Mujica].

In a sense, Ave Mujica is the origin of the self for Metis.

Therefore, she did not choose to participate in this chaotic murder plot.

Even if the man in front of her had played a less-than-honorable role in her life and was undoubtedly a scumbag, he had still been there for her during that most important time.

Therefore, she did not intend to push Toyokawa Yuu into the abyss herself, but instead chose the most suitable viewing seat to appreciate his struggle and helplessness as he walked on thin ice in the face of the building's collapse.

"Sometimes I wonder why important people always leave first. Old Master Sadaharu, Lord Kiyoshi, Lady Mizuho, ​​they're all gone... Mutsumi, Ms. Minami... are you doing well now?"

Is she mentally unstable now, or is she already dead?

Upon hearing this name, a hint of disdain instantly surfaced in Metis's eyes, replacing the previous aloofness and indifference.

How dare you mention her?

⑤②⑥⑥⑤②②⑤①

"After that scene was filmed, her mental state was not good. It was probably because the equipment malfunction really frightened her. It's thanks to your timely inspection that a bigger accident didn't happen."

Metis turned away indifferently and prepared to walk down the stairs.

Everyone knows that Toyokawa Shoko had a close relationship with Wakaba Mutsu during her lifetime. At this critical moment when her half-soul has just passed away, it is actually not appropriate for her to spend too much time alone with the widower left behind by her half-soul.

"She never felt comfortable in the nursing home, so she was taken home to be cared for a while. You can go see her when you have time."

...have a good talk about how you betrayed her back then.

"The premise is that you will actually be free at that time."

"I hope you can pull through and survive, doctor."

Yuu Toyokawa watched Metis's retreating figure as he went downstairs, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

It is certain that my past actions have indeed changed what has happened over the past decade.

Judging from Metis's attitude, he no longer participated in the plan to "murder" the wooden man, but he also failed to turn Metis into his own monster.

But that's enough. As long as I know that I have actually changed the future, that's enough.

In any case, given this unpredictable situation, I'm sure I'll die again someday.

Take your time and take your time.

Chapter 28: The Golden Retriever's PUA Techniques Show Initial Success

Returning to the mourning hall that made Toyokawa Yuu feel so uncomfortable, she found that many guests had gathered to pay their respects, and many of them were talking quietly.

Whether they were mourning the death of Toyokawa Shoko or taking this opportunity to gather together and make deals for their own interests, remains unknown.

According to the customs of a large family like the Toyokawa family, the funeral would last for four days, including procedures such as the temporary rest of the body and the burial.

In other words, from now on, Toyokawa Yuu will have to endure this insincere atmosphere for another three days.

Similarly, his period of apparent security is only three days long.

Before the spirit of the former head of the Toyokawa family, Shoko Toyokawa, the hyenas who coveted the legitimacy of the Toyokawa family dared not act too rashly and could only rely on people like Metis to "uncontrollably act on their impulses."

After all, superficial etiquette must be maintained. Everyone wants to become the new orthodox, but no one wants to be overthrown by others after becoming the new orthodox.

However, things might not be so certain after the funeral.

The fact that Toyokawa Yuu and Toyokawa Shoko were unable to have children meant that the "legitimate" lineage had no successor, which essentially gave them a perpetually valid reason to attack them.

At that time, Yuu Toyokawa will face an unimaginably brutal internal family struggle.

It's even possible that they might commit suicide together.

Without making a sound, Hatsune looked around. As the butler, she had already taken on the task of greeting guests when the master, Toyokawa Yuu, was not around.

However, judging from her expression, which clearly showed displeasure but forced a forced composure, she was obviously not comfortable in this situation.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Although, under the strong opposition of the former head of the family, Toyokawa Shoko, she was officially given the surname "Toyokawa" and Mitsu Mitsu Mitsu was changed to Toyokawa Mitsu Mitsu.

But to the rest of the Toyokawa family, she was ultimately an outsider.

When Toyokawa Shoko was still alive, everyone was wary of this true head of the family, so naturally no one would express their emotions too openly.

but now……

"They're clearly not of the same surname, yet they brazenly put on such airs. What kind of behavior is this..."

"Toyokawa Yuu too, how could she be absent for so long from such an important occasion as the patriarch's funeral..."

"It was just a foolish arrangement by Lord Sadaharu back then. It must have been difficult for the head of the family. I heard that Toyokawa Hatsune is actually..."

Whispers reached Yuu Toyokawa's ears, many of them filled with disdainful and malicious thoughts.

These rumors and jeers could be heard even by Yuu Toyokawa, who had just entered the funeral hall, and clearly they couldn't escape Hatsune Miku's ears either.

No wonder her face looked so pale; those bright purple eyes that shone like stars last night were now churning with emotions that were being forcibly suppressed.

Yuu Toyokawa made no attempt to stop these rumors.

In his current situation, he no longer cares much about the criticisms from outsiders behind his back, and what they say is basically the truth.

On the other hand, these rumors could actually strengthen the already close alliance between Hatsune Miku and herself, an alliance that was like cutting off one's own flesh to feed an eagle.

Hatsune Miku may not completely trust Yuu Toyokawa, but she would definitely hate those who spoke ill of Shoko Toyokawa in front of the spirit tablet even more.

As for whether letting these rumors spread will affect the prestige of the head of the family, they dare to say such things. How can we expect them to have any so-called "reverence for the head of the family" in their hearts?

If Toyokawa Shoko is resurrected, none of these people will be able to escape.

As for now...

"Hatsune, come here for a second."

Yuu Toyokawa softly called out to Hatsune Miku, whose brows were growing increasingly impatient, indicating that she had something to tell her.

Upon hearing Yuu Toyokawa's orders, Hatsune Miku, who had been surrounded by rumors, felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She gave a perfunctory bow to the old men and then turned around without looking back.

She had long been fed up with those looks and whispers; those words were like scalpels, precisely cutting open the most vulnerable wounds deep within her heart.

It constantly reminded her that even if she received the surname "Toyokawa," she was still just an illegitimate child given to her as charity, even though these people were merely members of a separate family.

"Lord Youyu, what are your orders?"

It seems that Toyokawa Yuu's discipline of Hatsune Miku ten years ago had some effect.

This time, she addressed Toyokawa Yuu with more respect, even adding the word "sir".

Looking at Hatsune Miku's complicated expression, as if she hadn't fully recovered from the rumors, Toyokawa Yuu didn't speak directly. Instead, she grabbed Hatsune Miku's wrist and left the mourning hall.

"Come with me first, I need to ask you for a favor."