After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Whether as the villa manager of the Toyokawa family mansion or as another personality of Wakaba Mutsu, she could not refuse such an occasion.

For her, aside from expressing to Toyokawa Shoko that she didn't actually feel much grief, the more important thing was that it could serve as a place for openly exchanging benefits.

The thought of having to deal with a group of people insincerely made Mortis even more displeased, and his expression toward Senmina became much gloomier.

However, considering that Yuu Toyokawa, being a widower, would definitely be attending, the occasion didn't seem so unbearable.

"Don't say that, my lovely daughter. I have complied with every single request you, as the head of the family, made to me."

Despite being treated this way by her daughter, Mori Minami was not angry at all. She didn't even have the idea of ​​turning around to give a proper response. She continued to cook breakfast in the pot with her back to the two of them by the stove.

Instead of rushing to maintain your image in front of Youyu, why don't you sit down and have some breakfast first? It's something Mom has prepared carefully for you.

"Who wants to eat your food? We have to rush back to attend a funeral."

Ignoring Minami's attempts to befriend him, Mortis showed no interest in improving his relationship with his mother.

Even if she reluctantly stayed at her house for one night yesterday because of Toyokawa Yuu, it doesn't mean she wants to continue living under the same roof as this old hag.

"Is that so? That's a real shame. I was planning to tell Yu-kun something at the dinner table, something... something that's about to happen to you. But since my lovely daughter has said so, let's just forget about it."

His flippant tone and playful attitude suggested he felt no anger whatsoever because of his daughter.

"After all, even if I don't say it now, it won't be long before you all find out."

Mori Minami's words made Mortis, who was about to pull Toyokawa Yuu out the door, pause in his tracks.

The grogginess and willfulness he felt upon waking completely vanished, and his golden eyes gradually turned cold.

She has grown up and matured, and knows what she can be willful about and what she cannot act impulsively.

She would be accommodating and compromising towards Toyokawa Yuu as he had been taking care of her ten years ago, but in her heart, she did not enjoy the kind of treatment that Toyokawa Yuu could give her.

Mortis knew that even though he had asked her to retire and live a quiet life at home, Mori Minami still maintained contact with some people, including Hachiman Kairin.

She is indeed more informed than I am in terms of some information channels, so these words cannot be taken as mere teasing or amusement.

However, if they don't send Toyokawa Yuu back soon, once those guys have all gathered at the mansion, they might be watched by a group of people when they return, and then they won't even have a chance to cover it up.

"Youyu, we..."

Mortis was conflicted, but fortunately, Yuu Toyokawa had already made the choice for her.

As he pulled the beautiful woman with golden eyes to sit down at the dining table, Toyokawa Yuu's attitude was self-evident.

"Sit down and have breakfast first, I'll feed you... Ms. Minami, now you can tell me, where did you get this exclusive report from?"

While placing some of the prepared side dishes on the table into Mortis's bowl, Toyokawa Yuu turned to look at Mori Minami by the stove, her tone even more direct than Mortis's.

“You’re as decisive as ever in this matter, Yu-Yu-Jun. My daughter has been trying to learn from you all these years, but she still hasn’t quite mastered it.”

Having inadvertently belittled her daughter once again, Mori Minami didn't bother to hide it any longer. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, she brought the soup that had already been cooked in the casserole to the table and sat down on the other side of Toyokawa Yuu.

"Hachiman Kairin plans to take you away at Toyokawa Shoko's funeral and then forcibly send you away from Tokyo... Given her track record of action over the years, I don't think she's joking."

For reasons unknown, Mori Minami betrayed her ally without hesitation, and just last night she even betrayed Toyokawa Yuu and her daughter by letting her stay overnight at her house.

However, Toyokawa Yuu had no idea what Mori Minami had done last night, but the news she had just revealed was enough to make him start to think.

"She thinks she can succeed? With so many people gathered at the funeral?"

After a moment's thought, Toyokawa Yuu asked Mori Minami a question.

Yesterday's conversation revealed Mortis's deep dissatisfaction with Hachiman Kairin, a topic that only Mori Minami is truly qualified to address.

"Who knows? Ever since you broke up with Xiangzi's childish band, she's been on a winning streak. If it were me, I might want to give it a try... to see if luck will continue to favor me."

As Minami Mori's somewhat meaningful words fell, Yuu Toyokawa also fell into thought and silence.

Unlike the two whose atmosphere gradually became heavy, Mortis's expression remained relaxed as always. She even had the leisure to eat the breakfast that Yuu Toyokawa had put on her plate while battling with another version of herself in her mind.

In her opinion, Toyokawa Yuu's thoughts were completely unnecessary, and Mori Minami's reminder was also unnecessary. She had no way of letting Hachiman Kairin take Toyokawa Yuu away.

Yuu Toyokawa is only safe under his watchful eye; as for Kairin Hachiman's so-called plan...

What could an outsider like her possibly know?

As she put a piece of fish into her mouth, the golden-eyed beauty suddenly bit harder, the sound of her teeth clashing echoing in her mind, and her fingers holding the chopsticks trembling slightly.

—This is breakfast that Youyu made for herself, Xiaomu, you're not allowed to take it.

Chapter 142 Yamana Kairin's Elopement Plan

"Ruomai, the third day of the funeral ceremony should be starting soon. You should set off."

The third-rate artist, who appears dignified and highly skilled on the outside, now looks languid and颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it conveys a sense of listlessness, decadence, and apathy) like a female college student giving up on her career.

In what used to be Ave Mujica's office, Hachiman Kairin looked at Yutenji Wakanagi, who was lying on the sofa fiddling with his phone and showed no intention of moving, and couldn't help but urge him on.

Today is the day of Toyokawa Shoko's burial, and also the best opportunity to take Toyokawa Yuu away.

The coffin containing Shoko Toyokawa's remains will be moved from the funeral hall to the Toyokawa family's ancestral cemetery for burial, where it is said that Shoko Toyokawa's parents and even her maternal grandfather are buried.

When you get there, the cemetery will be more crowded than the funeral hall set up at the Toyokawa family mansion.

After all, when a funeral reaches that stage, its core is no longer just mourning, but also a display of social status and family power.

Not to mention Yutenji Wakanagi, who had already received an invitation but hadn't gone before, even Hachiman Kairin, whose relationship with him wasn't considered particularly good but with some business dealings, could have easily gotten in if she really wanted to.

With so many people around, it's the perfect time to make a move.

However, Hachiman Kairin did not intend to go there herself. Instead, she chose to have Yutenji Wakanagi bring Toyokawa Yuu out, while she waited for them at the agreed place.

I know many people in the Toyokawa family... If I just go there openly like this, people will be wary.

As soon as Yuu Toyokawa arrives, I will take him away from Tokyo immediately, even if it goes against his wishes, I will have to use force.

Only the living have the right to be dissatisfied; if you die, then you have nothing left... just like Toyokawa Shoko today.

Of course, it would be even better if Yu Yu wouldn't be dissatisfied with her. In any case, she still hoped to maintain her image in his mind as much as possible.

Unfortunately......

Yawata Kairin took out her phone, but Chihaya Aine still hadn't given her a reply, seemingly indicating that she didn't intend to continue getting involved in matters related to Toyokawa Yuu.

Sitting in the office chair that Yuu Toyokawa had used just yesterday, Kairin Hachiman raised her hand and pinched her brow.

To be honest, even though she was quite confident in herself, she could sense how difficult the situation was at that moment.

No matter how optimistic I try to be, I have to admit that taking Yuu Toyokawa away is a very difficult thing.

The power struggles within the Toyokawa family are only one aspect; another crucial point is that many members of the Toyokawa family harbor considerable resentment towards Toyokawa Yuu.

She had betrayed Toyokawa Hatsune's identity and tricked Toyokawa Sadaharu into successfully squeezing into this circle, allowing her to get close to Toyokawa Yuu again. But because of this, she brought what could be called the darkest period of her life to the person she cared about most.

Having risen to power hastily, Toyokawa Shoko could never be as shrewd as Toyokawa Sadaharu. In the end, some of the things that offended people fell on Toyokawa Yuu's shoulders.

Strictly speaking, the inescapable danger that Toyokawa Yuu is currently facing is actually of her own making.

That's why she was determined to take Toyokawa Yuu away no matter what.

If the most important person in her life were to die because of her, Hachiman Kairin truly didn't understand how she could find the courage to continue living.

"What's the rush? Going there now will only mean watching them move the body. Besides, I didn't go there for the past few days. Doesn't it seem suspicious to rush to someone else's house now?"

Her fair fingertips tapped on the phone screen. Compared to Hachiman Kairin's impatience, Yutenji Wakamu showed no intention of leaving immediately, and even muttered something to herself.

"I'll find an opportunity to go in once they've arrived at the cemetery. There will be a lot of people around then, and many people I'm not usually close to will take the opportunity to get close. That suits my current situation, doesn't it?"

As if completely unconcerned about the fact that she had been working hard for so many years and was still unknown, Yutenji Wakanagi's words left Hachiman Kairin with little room for rebuttal.

"Speaking of which... Hai Zi, you could actually attend the funeral, right? Even if Mu Zi and Mortis didn't send you an invitation, you have quite a few connections with the Toyokawa family, don't you? And if you really went, would Yuu kick you out?"

Seeing Hachiman Kairin's impatient yet helpless sitting there again, Yutenji Wakame's purple eyes flickered slightly, seemingly quite interested in the conflicted mindset of his ten-year friend.

Of course, she wasn't interested in Hachiman Kairin's feelings for Toyokawa Yuu—his feelings for the current widower were common knowledge in a certain circle comprised of two bands.

When another guy in the same band, who was also a drummer and a friend of Hachiman Kairin, found out about this, he gave her a look that said, "I didn't expect you to be this kind of person."

What she cared more about was Hachiman Kairin's opinion of Toyokawa Shoko.

You should know that back then, Hachiman Kairin really screwed over the Toyokawa family a lot in order to squeeze into their circle.

If a list of victims were compiled, even Yuu Toyokawa would only rank second; the deceased Shoko Toyokawa would be the biggest victim.

So Yutenji Wakana is really curious. When it comes to Toyokawa Shoko's passing, besides the joy of "finally having a chance," did she have no other thoughts?

"Hey Hai Zi, you wouldn't... be too scared to see Xiang Zi, would you?"

"...There is one thing, I am actually...a little afraid of her."

Despite the inappropriate question posed by Yutenji Wakanagi, Hachiman Kairin did not choose to avoid it.

As the other party said, there is still a little time before it starts, so it's not impossible to have a short chat.

“I have never truly beaten her. I couldn’t beat her when she was alive, and I can’t beat her now that she’s dead.”

Recalling what Yuu Toyokawa had said to her in this office yesterday, Kairin Hachiman couldn't help but feel somewhat discouraged.

That dead man, I can never compare to him no matter what.

But among the remaining survivors, can I really be sure of victory?

Yuu Toyokawa's care for Mutsumi Wakaba has been evident for the past ten years; last night, she even took her to her house to spend the night...

Yawata Kairin can only be thankful that Chihaya Aine seems to have rejected her invitation, and that another, even more formidable opponent has not intervened.

Although... I shouldn't be happy about an outcome that might make the plan even more difficult.

"Besides, as for Xiangzi... it's nothing, just some old stories. It's more important to take Youyu away first."

With her eyes closed, Hachiman Kairin recalled an incident that had occurred in this office.

It's a thing of the past, but it wasn't that long ago; it was just a few months before Toyokawa Shoko passed away.

【Hailin, let's talk about something we've always avoided, about Youyu... Don't look so surprised. I have no intention of letting you have anything to do with him right now, unless I die someday, there's no possibility between you two... But if I really die...】

Even now, Hachiman Kairin still can't understand what Toyokawa Shoko meant when she specifically sought her out to say those things.

It's almost like embarking on a high-stakes gamble, fearing you'll lose everything, so you entrust your most important possessions to yourself beforehand.

Yawata Kairin preferred to interpret it as meaning that if Toyokawa Shoko died, then Toyokawa Yuu would belong to her.

It sounds like the person most important to them was entrusted to them as some kind of legacy in a rather vulgar way, but that's the only way Hachiman Kairin can understand it now.

But why would Toyokawa Shoko tell me all this beforehand? She should have already established herself and started enjoying her power as the head of the family.

He couldn't understand why, after doing that kind of thing, which should have been considered a break with Toyokawa Shoko, she would personally come to his door.

He couldn't understand why Toyokawa Shoko had died so mysteriously just a few months after saying those words to him.

Hachiman Kairin dared not investigate what was hidden behind this, nor even dared to think whether Toyokawa Shoko was really dead. Now, all he could do was one thing—take Toyokawa Yuu away.

If I can take Youyu away, I can get rid of these long-standing ridicules and the guilt I feel for causing my beloved to fall into such a state over the years.

It wasn't because possessing Toyokawa Yuu would make the guilt in his heart disappear, but rather...

I finally have the chance to make it up to him for the rest of my life. I will do everything I can to make up for all the pressure and injustice he suffered.

Thinking of this, Hachiman Kairin felt her heart race.

"I've gone to the agreed-upon place to prepare. After you bring Yu-Yu there, I'll take him away from Tokyo immediately. After we leave... Ruo-Mai, can I entrust my businesses in Tokyo to you with peace of mind?"

Standing up, Hachiman Kairin turned and walked towards the door.

Even though she knew it wasn't the best time to act, she couldn't stay there any longer and preferred to do some preparatory work first.

Before leaving, Hachiman Kairin turned her head and looked at Yutenji Wakanagi, who was still lying on the sofa fiddling with her phone.

Although she seems unreliable, she is indeed one of the few people I can count on now that Chihaya Aine is unwilling to join.

Moreover, she doesn't need to worry about the other party not taking it seriously, since she has been supporting her all these years, and the two of them are already in the same boat.

Moreover, after leaving with Toyokawa Yuu, he had no intention of returning to the city.

If Yutenji Wakana can bring Toyokawa Yuu out, it wouldn't be a bad idea to leave all these businesses to her.

Do you think I know these things?

Upon hearing that Hachiman Kairin had made such an arrangement, Yutenji Wakame took his gaze away from his phone for the first time and looked at the woman in a suit who was already standing at the door.

Over the years, she has been trying to become famous, whether in music, acting, or other fields, she has dabbled in them to some extent, but she has never gotten involved in business matters.

She knew absolutely nothing about how to run a company; if you put that in her hands, she might mess it up in no time.

"It's okay if you don't know how. I can help you arrange people to manage the company, or if you're worried, I can help you sell off those people's businesses. Anyway... after taking Youyu away, I probably won't come back here."

"...Since you've already said all that, what else can I say but wish you a safe journey?"