After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

The image transmitted from the camera opened an extra window on the screen. Ruoye Mu watched as the other end of the camera had taken control and was handling the work that was supposed to be assigned to her, Toyokawa Yuu.

The girl with light green hair opened her mouth, but she couldn't speak loudly.

Although it was just a small task, it was one of the few things I could do to help Yuu Toyokawa.

"These are things that agents should do, but I was too busy to handle them before, so they were separated out. Thanks to the recent situation, I have some time now."

Instead of backing down because of Wakaba Mutsu's soft-spoken accusations, Toyokawa Yuu found it quite amusing to watch her somewhat impatient yet difficult-to-express appearance on the other side of the screen.

At least, this girl is no longer like before, looking no different from a puppet to be manipulated; she has even begun to learn how to actively fight for things.

Thinking of this, Toyokawa Yuu's fingertips paused slightly as she typed on the keyboard.

Why would I be happy about something like this? If I really wanted to make Wakaba Mutsumi "something that belongs to me," the ideal situation would be to make her capable but lacking in assertiveness.

However, this struggle did not last long, and the boy's fingertips quickly returned to their previous rhythm.

Let's just say we can't have our cake and eat it too. After going through so much, I should understand that things can't always go as smoothly as I expect.

Separated by a screen and her belly, Ruo Ye Mu naturally couldn't know what Toyokawa Yuu was thinking, but that didn't stop her from having a similar struggle in her mind.

[Hey Mu, I don't have any work to do right now, could you let me out to chat with Mr. Youyu?]

Another voice echoed in his mind, making Wakaba Mutsu slightly agitated.

Since moving into Toyokawa Yuu's house, my other self has become increasingly talkative.

Unaware of Ruo Ye Mu's little opinion, or perhaps even if she knew, she wouldn't care much, Metis continued to sway her mind.

[Anyway, you usually have Yu Mu do the chores for you during this time of year, and you don't really control your own body, so let's just say I'm taking Yu Mu's place today.]

This kind of statement, which was less disrespectful and more like a deliberate offense, made not only Ruoye Mutsu himself, but also Yu Mutsu, who had been sitting in the mirror, look up at Metis, who was lying on the floor in the mental space hugging a bunch of plush toys.

After hanging out with Yuu Toyokawa, this personality has become increasingly bold. Is this some kind of strange chemical reaction?

The girl in the mirror tilted her head, a strange glint flashing in her golden eyes.

[Metis, don't be stubborn. Yuyu is working; don't disturb him.]

Almost subconsciously, Ruoye Mu rejected Metis's request. She couldn't say whether she didn't want to bother Toyokawa Yuu or to prevent her increasingly restless self from doing something outrageous.

【How could we possibly bother Mr. Youyu? We can handle this kind of work; it's a piece of cake for Mr. Youyu.】

What do you mean by "we can do it all"...?

Although what he said was true, it still sounded somewhat unpleasant, and Ruo Yemu's dissatisfaction intensified.

Not only her, but even Yu Mu, who had been sitting in the mirror the whole time, gently tapped the mirror surface, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied.

[And Xiao Mu is too cunning. Every day after Mr. Youyu comes home, you monopolize him. I can't even play with his stuffed animals. Now you won't even let me video chat... Xiao Mu is a bad guy, a selfish devil.]

The girl with long, light green hair frowned slightly. Although she tried her best to remain calm, her displeasure was obvious.

"Xiao Mu, what's wrong?"

Yuu Toyokawa wasn't fully focused on her work; instead, she would occasionally glance at Mutsuka Wakaba on the screen, naturally taking in the strange expression on her face.

Could she be angry? Perhaps Xiao Mu actually values ​​this job a lot...?

Looking at the not-so-complicated work in her hands, Toyokawa Yuu began to consider whether she should take on the role of Hachiman Kairin today and act as Wakaba Mutsumi's secretary.

Metis, I'm lending you my body.

Yuu Toyokawa noticed the subtle expression on his face, and Mutsuka Wakaba felt his heartbeat falter for a moment.

She wasn't angry at Yuu Toyokawa, but she was worried that the more she explained, the more likely it would cause a misunderstanding.

I have to admit that Metis is much better at easing the tension than I am, who is not good with words.

Although somewhat reluctant, Ruo Yemu ultimately chose to replace Metis.

[Before Youyu goes home, give me back my body.]

[Okay, okay, Xiao Mu, go back to Shafa to watch TV. I'm going to chat with Mr. Youyu.]

After casually giving Ruoye Mu a few perfunctory words, Metis took control of the body and soon a bright smile appeared on his face.

"I'm not Xiao Mu, Mr. Youyu, guess who I am?"

Metis spread his palms out in front of him, seemingly intending to cover the eyes of Yuu Toyokawa on the screen, but quickly realized that even so, the boy on the other end of the computer could still see his expression.

If you really want to play the "Guess Who I Am" game, you should cover the camera with your finger.

Metis, who had been staying in the mental space, rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with such things, and for a moment he was even a little flustered.

"Metis, why are you out here?"

Looking at the somewhat adorable girl frantically trying to do something on the other end of the screen, Toyokawa Yuu easily called out her name.

With such a lively tone, and the polite yet warm address of "Mr. Yuu," it was impossible for Yuu-Toyokawa to forget this friend who had taken her out for a whole day.

"Because Mr. Yuyu finally seems to have some free time now. After Mr. Yuyu goes home, it will be Xiaomu's time, so I can only come out now."

Metis picked up a plush toy from beside the computer desk, tugged at its ear, and puffed out its cheek, looking a bit sulky.

Clearly, Metis was quite resentful that he hadn't had a chance to come out since the last time.

"Mr. Youyu, when will you take me out to play again? I want you to teach me to play the guitar."

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to get some fresh air and reconnect with Yuu Toyokawa, Metis quickly suggested acting cute.

As another personality of Wakaba Mutsu, she was certainly aware of the current situation of her primary personality.

Although she still considers Toyokawa Shoko's needs in everything she does, she will not refuse some of Toyokawa Yuu's requests either.

If we don't settle this now, who knows when we'll be able to play guitar with Yuu Toyokawa again?

Metis, don't be stubborn, we can't go out now.

Upon hearing Metis's remarks, Wakaba Mutsu almost jumped off the sofa in fright.

It's not that I care about Metis asking Yuu Toyokawa out to play... well, I do care a little, but that's not the point.

The key point is that now, their going out is just causing trouble for Toyokawa Yuu.

[Didn't Xiangzi say that Minami has agreed to let us go out, as long as we don't come to the company or go to the concert?]

[Minami's words... cannot be trusted.]

Hearing Metis's reckless idea, Ruoye Mu almost wanted to forcibly take her body back.

Doesn't she know who Senmina is?

They always readily agree, but they always manage to find a clever excuse to circumvent the rules.

She didn't know what price Toyokawa Shoko had paid to get Mori Minami to give in, but Ruoye Mu simply didn't believe her mother would let it go so easily.

It's one thing for Toyokawa Shoko not to understand the reasons behind this, but should Metis, as another version of himself, deliberately turn a blind eye?

【I don't care, I want to go out and play with Mr. Youyu. Every time, Xiaomu, you're the one who secretly watches Mr. Youyu sleeping in bed with your guitar. I want to create beautiful memories with Mr. Youyu too.】

While refuting Wakaba Mutsu's words in his mind, Metis knew perfectly well who Mori Minami was, but so what?

At worst, I can just go and perform myself. I don't hate performing.

Anyway, I can't play the guitar, so I'm useless in the band.

If I really went along with Minami's arrangements, would Mr. Yuu prefer the me who shines on screen, instead of the alternate personality who only comes out by begging and has to make an appointment in advance to play with him?

【Mortis!】

With a clear shout in his mind, Ruoye Mu was about to take back control of her body.

She realized that her supportive personality was even more disobedient than she had imagined.

However, before Wakaba Mutsu could actually start grabbing the body, Toyokawa Yuu's voice, readily agreeing, came through the computer screen.

"No problem, how about we put them together on the weekend?"

The shadow that was gradually spreading around Ye Mu's feet suddenly stopped, and then quickly contracted back into its own body. In the end, it did not choose to cover Metis.

【snort--】

With a soft complaint, Ruoye Mu jumped off the sofa, hugged all the plush toys on the Metis floor, and finally sat back down in front of the television, watching everything happening outside.

Metis had seen Ruoye Mu's act of stealing her things, but she didn't care about such a trivial matter at the moment.

His golden eyes seemed to be shining as he stared intently at Toyokawa Yuu behind the screen, listening to his next steps.

"I'll go see Ms. Nagasaki this morning to finish my work, and then I'll go see Aine this afternoon. I promised to let Mutsu teach her to play the guitar. You can also listen to Metis. Tonight, we'll go to [RING] together."

"Great! I fully support Mr. Youyu's wise guidance."

Metis, of course, had no objection to Toyokawa Yuu's arrangement and immediately gave his full approval.

In her opinion, where to go is not important at all, and even whether or not to play the guitar is not important. As long as she can go out and have fun with Toyokawa Yuu, that is something to be happy about.

After all, Toyokawa Yuu was the only true friend she had.

So, it seems that Ave Mujica's predicament isn't so bad after all.

At least, Mr. Youyu now has time to play with me and chat with me, doesn't he?

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

In the elevator of a luxury high-rise apartment building in Tokyo, Ms. Nagasaki held her not-so-thick briefcase in her arms, watching the elevator's floor markers slowly climb.

The seemingly perpetually energetic urban career woman leaned against the elevator, looking somewhat tired.

Outside, she is a highly regarded and rapidly promoted career woman; at home, she is a single mother who single-handedly supports her family.

Whether at the office or at home, she always seemed to be in control and full of energy. Only in this elevator, where she was all alone, could she release some of the true weariness deep inside.

Fortunately, although things were terrible in the past, I've been blessed with good fortune in recent years.

Soyo has always been very sensible, and even the mess she just took over that seemed hopeless has turned around.

Patting the briefcase in her arms, Ms. Nagasaki couldn't help but smile slightly on her tired face.

It wasn't that there was anything very valuable in her briefcase; rather, to avoid letting the fatigue she accumulated at work affect her children at home, she almost never brought work home.

What truly brought a smile to her face were the several autographed photos stored inside.

Soyo seems to have started playing in a band again recently, and she always seems to keep up with fashion trends; the crossbody bag she uses to go to school is the latest model.

That child would probably be interested in these things.

As she was pondering this, the slight sound from the elevator reminded Ms. Nagasaki that she had arrived at her designated floor.

The brief period of dejection unique to adults was over. Ms. Nagasaki quickly composed herself, replacing the tired expression on her face with a bright smile as she opened the door.

"I'm back?"

"Mother?"

Hearing that familiar and bright voice, Nagasaki Sase, who was sitting on the balcony pondering what to do next, looked up.

Compared to the surprise of the last time, this time her azure eyes held more astonishment and confusion.

She knew all too well just how busy her mother was.

During the busiest period, I lived alone in this big house for two whole months, and could only communicate by phone occasionally.

Now, my mother seems to be coming home more often.

It's certainly a good thing that his mother can spend more time with him, but this also inevitably makes Nagasaki Sase feel a sense of worry about his mother.

This is really unusual. Could it be that he's having some difficulties at work?

"Is work going well?"

Before her confusion had fully formed, Ms. Nagasaki, who seemed carefree and couldn't keep anything to herself, had already eagerly taken out those autographed photos from her briefcase.

"Of course it went smoothly, Soyo. Let me tell you, Mom's luck has really turned around lately. She just took on a new project and met a benefactor. The partner is a promising new commercial band with a great background, and they also have a close relationship with a popular idol group. They quickly helped Mom break through the deadlock."

Seemingly genuinely feeling that her luck had recently turned around, Ms. Nagasaki even unusually chatted with her daughter at home about the details of her work.

"Soyo has been playing in a band recently, right? She mentioned going to a concert with her friends last time. You might have heard of this band."

Ms. Nagasaki even looked a little proud as she placed the autographed photos in front of her daughter.

"Ta-da! Autographed photos of Ave Mujica and Sumimi members."

Ave Mujica......

When the name came from her mother's mouth, Nagasaki Sase felt her heart skip a beat.

Mr. Youyu, you've even gotten involved with your own mother? Does that mean...?