After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Chapter 34 What's wrong with taking on a side job?

"Really? Is there some kind of grand stage or something that will attract a lot of attention?"

Upon hearing Toyokawa Yuu's words, Yutenji Wakame immediately perked up.

Complaining and joking don't matter anymore at this point. What others say is theirs, and what you can truly eat is yours.

Furthermore, since the plan has been set up to reflect mystery and anticipation by removing masks one by one, the code name should be given sufficient recognition before the masks are removed.

Even if you can't eat the biggest fruit, you should at least make the one that belongs to you plump and juicy.

After learning about Yuu Toyokawa's plan, she became more patient and stopped constantly clamoring to take off her mask.

But at the same time, she also became more anxious.

After all, who can guarantee that Ave Mujica won't be forgotten quietly, lost in the dazzling neon lights, like countless other bands that have fallen by the roadside, before the project reaches the point of taking off their masks?

"Amoris, you're too unconventional."

With a calm voice carrying a hint of warning, Toyokawa Shoko led Wakaba Mutsu through the door, her stern gaze emanating from behind the mask labeled "Oblivionis."

"I can hear your voice even from outside the door. As a doll bearing the name of elegance and love, you must maintain your composure and perfect smile in front of your manager."

The words, carrying a clear warning, made the atmosphere in the office, which had just eased up a bit, tense again. The only one with a normal expression, Toyokawa Yuu, turned her gaze to the door behind Shoko.

How come everyone can hear the noise from outside the door? Maybe we should find a chance to replace it.

"How lofty you are, Oblivionis... Even a doll's heart would yearn for the opportunity to stand on a wider stage, after all, isn't that what the moonlight promised?"

Yutenji Wakana was not intimidated by Toyokawa Shoko's warning at all, and even managed to counter it with ease using the rhetoric of the Ave Mujica worldview.

His composed demeanor showed no trace of the disheveled state he had displayed when he confronted Hachiman Kairin earlier.

“You know what Ave Mujica lacks most right now—time! Even if you love it today, you'll get tired of it tomorrow. That's what the audience expects.”

"The audience's love and applause are the foundation for the band's existence, just like moonlight is the life source of a puppet. Once the moonlight is gone, the puppet dies. Don't you understand?"

A statement so correct that it's hard to refute.

For commercial bands, the biggest pursuit should be profit.

The ability to convert the most attention into tangible benefits in the shortest amount of time is a valid argument that even the team leader, Shoko Toyokawa, cannot refute.

Faced with this questioning, all she could do was remain silent and evade the issue.

"But if the doll runs towards not the bright, flawless moon, but the crimson blood moon, then what it gains will not be a splendid life, but a life bound by threads that will turn it into a complete puppet... Even if it becomes like that, is it alright, Miss Amoris?"

Yuu Toyokawa's voice broke through Shoko's silence. He had already sat back in his office chair, holding a report in his hand.

"What do you mean? There's no such thing as a blood moon in the Ave Mujica universe."

Yutenji Wakame frowned, looking at Toyokawa Yuu's expression, she instinctively felt a sense of unease.

It's a feeling that your behavior—jumping the line without actually violating the rules, but still guaranteed to be criticized—is about to be exposed.

"But it happens in reality."

Yuu Toyokawa brandished a document in her hand, her expression turning serious. A sense of oppression, never before shown to the Ave Mujica group, gradually filled the entire office.

"Amoris, you must have accepted an invitation from a company in Shibuya to play a song from Ave Mujica with their band as an advertisement, right... as the internet celebrity blogger Meow Dream."

In just a moment, Yutenji Wakanagi, who had been holding the upper hand with his irrefutable arguments, became the target of everyone's criticism.

Feeling the questioning or blaming gazes of others, even the mask on her face couldn't hide her unpleasant expression.

"Amoris, is this true?"

Toyokawa Shoko looked at Yutenji Wakana again. This time, her gaze was not only stern, but the serious and oppressive feeling she exuded even seemed somewhat frightening.

“You should know that this goes against the purpose of creating an air of mystery with Ave Mujica. With your highly distinctive double-handed playing style, if you were to play it yourself, there would be a risk of being recognized.”

"So what...? Since I'm not allowed to take off my mask, you can't just stop me from working as an internet celebrity, can you? How could a mere internet celebrity possibly refuse invitations from those big companies?"

His blustering yet cowardly behavior was tantamount to admitting that he had indeed taken on such a private job.

However, Yutenji Wakana didn't think she had done anything wrong.

She might be looked down upon for this behavior, but she did not violate the rule of "not removing her mask and revealing her identity in public".

"After Ave Mujica's premiere, that song has been covered and played everywhere. Now it's a regular song in many bars and livehouses, so there's no need for another Meow Dream."

Seeing that things were starting to get heated in the office, Toyokawa Yuu rested her chin on her hands, hiding the slight upturn of her lips.

The bomb he wanted exploded even faster than he expected.

Chapter 35 Incompatible

Toyokawa Shoko had to admit that she was a little angry.

No, I should say I'm actually quite angry right now.

She had always been aware of Yutenji Wakana's independent and self-willed personality.

Long before Yuu Toyokawa became a manager, during Ave Mujica's debut performance, she caught Yutenji Wakana filming a video on the stage before the show even started.

Pursuing fame and fortune... it sounds realistic, but as a commercial band, these are indeed the qualities that Ave Mujica needs.

However, if short-sightedness is added to this trait, the consequences could very well lead to irreversible damage to the band's planning and development potential.

Before today, Toyokawa Shoko hadn't paid much attention to Yutenji Wakanagi's little schemes.

Although they repeatedly stopped the other party from leaking behind-the-scenes footage, they didn't take it too seriously.

Since you bring people into your life, you should be prepared to accept their flaws.

After all, the commercial value of the Ave Mujica project far exceeds those gossip tidbits.

She also believes that Yutenji Wakame is not so stupid as to not be able to distinguish which side will bring more benefits.

Therefore, before actually doing something, Toyokawa Shoko would try her best to be tolerant and turn a blind eye to it.

She hoped that the members of Ave Mujica would develop a sense of belonging to the band, but why she had this expectation... she herself couldn't explain the reason.

“Miss Yutenji, your blogging career is indeed outside my jurisdiction, but I should have said that if your identity is exposed, Ave Mujica’s worldview will be destroyed.”

With graceful steps, Toyokawa Shoko walked to Yutenji Wakana's side and looked down at the band's drummer sitting on the sofa.

Perhaps out of anger, Toyokawa Shoko did not even use the internal code name Ave Mujica this time.

"Could you please reject this agreement? Revealing your identity in any form is not allowed."

“That’s a rather broad request. You can’t expect everyone to be as free as the young lady, can you, Oblivionis?”

Yutenji Wakana's face also fell. She knew that she was no longer considered a very likable person in everyone's eyes.

However, this is also her only chance to resist.

Doloris had just caused trouble for Toyokawa Yuu because of her relationship with Sumimi, so she didn't want to speak up.

Mortis is not good with words. Timoris seems to have conspired with Yuu Toyokawa, but at least for the time being, he has no intention of getting involved.

Now, all he has to do is deal with Oblivionis. If he lets this matter fester, he will face the unspoken contempt of everyone.

Only by speaking out about Oblivionis now can I have a legitimate reason for doing so later.

“There’s nothing too broad about it. Confidentiality agreements are something all commercial bands are required to have. You should be aware of that, Ms. Yutenji.”

Shoko Toyokawa remained unmoved by Yutenji Wakana's protest.

Ave Mujica is a commercial band, and if they want to make money, they should be aware of this.

"That wasn't mentioned in the original contract!"

Yutenji Wakame slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, looking directly into Toyokawa Shoko's reproachful eyes.

"You expect people to obey things you haven't said? How am I supposed to know how many more demands you'll make later?"

Is confidentiality something that requires a special agreement?

Toyokawa Shoko frowned, not understanding why Yutenji Wakanagi insisted on making a scene here.

“Even if it’s not explicitly stated, it’s an unspoken rule. You’re the one who should know the rules best, Yutenji…”

"enough!"

A sharp shout forcefully interrupted the argument between Toyokawa Shoko and Yutenji Wakanagi, silencing both of them.

Yuu Toyokawa looked at Yutenji Wakana, who was full of resentment, and after a moment, turned to Shoko Toyokawa and spoke.

"Oblivionis, during working hours, please use your job title whenever possible."

Upon hearing Toyokawa Yuu's correction, Shoko's expression faltered slightly, and even Hachiman Kairin turned around to look at him with some surprise.

Although he always maintained a professional attitude in front of everyone, it was obvious to everyone that Toyokawa Yuu was taking special care of Shoko.

At least, in his self-proclaimed "working hours are defined by job title," Toyokawa Shoko is the only exception.

In everyone's memory, this was the first time Toyokawa Yuu had called out Shoko's code name.

"...I misspoke, Amoris."

After a moment of silence, Toyokawa Shoko finally relented, corrected her form of address, and sat down on the sofa next to Misaki Miku amidst her somewhat surprised gaze.

She knew that the newly formed band was not suited for heated arguments, and that continuing to confront Yutenji Wakami would only escalate the conflict further.

It's better to leave this to Youyu, even if his plan seems to require him to start by cutting into himself to increase its persuasiveness...

With her eyes slightly lowered, Toyokawa Shoko tacitly approved of Toyokawa Yuu's undermining of her authority within the band... just this once.

"As for Ms. Amoris... I have neither the right nor the intention to interfere with your work as an influencer, but as your manager, I have the obligation to maintain stability within the band and eliminate any destabilizing factors."

Chapter 36 How Much Do You Know About MyGO!!!!!

"So, what are you planning to do, Mr. Agent?"

With her arms crossed and facing Toyokawa Yuu, Yutenji Wakame no longer had the tough demeanor she had shown before.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that, aside from when she's facing Toyokawa Shoko, she rarely seems to be able to show a strong side.

"I'm not doing anything. As I said, as the manager, it's my responsibility to ensure the band runs smoothly. But your contract is with Xiangzi, and I don't have the authority to overstep my bounds. So... for the next period of time, Amoris's personal activities will be suspended until Miaomengqin finishes her own work and has time to take care of the band. During this period, her personal activities will be jointly handled by Timoris and Mortis."

Ignoring the unpleasant expression on Yutenji Wakana's face, Toyokawa Yuu put away the document in her hand and waved to the others.

"The next group performance is in a few days, so please make sure you are familiar with the music and in top form... Amoris, you should be free then."

"I……"

Yutenji Wakana wanted to argue, but when she met Toyokawa Yuu's eyes, which practically told her to shut up, she gritted her teeth nervously.

There's no use arguing; this is the manager's authority. Besides, Toyokawa Yuu isn't like Shoko, a pampered young lady who gets tongue-tied when it comes to serious matters.

Judging from Toyokawa Yuu's expression, if he continued to argue with her now, the result would probably only be more tragic.

"Now everyone can go to rehearsal. Timoris, stay behind. We still have scheduling to discuss."

By forcefully moving on from the topic, Toyokawa Yuu signaled to the band members that they could leave now.

Watching everyone leave the office one by one, Hachiman Kairin looked at Toyokawa Yuu, who was leaning back in her office chair, eyes closed, pinching her brow as if she was troubled about how to clean up the mess. After a moment, she spoke with concern.

"Is it really okay to just let this go? Amoris seems a bit rebellious. Won't doing this make her rebellious?"

Even Hachiman Kairin didn't expect that Toyokawa Yuu would directly cancel Yutenji Wakanagi's program and activities.

She could see her band's drummer's profit-driven nature, and Toyokawa Yuu's temporary sideline might lead her to give up entirely.

Of course, this does not mean that Hachiman Kairin has any objection to the handling of Toyokawa Yuu. If it were her, she might have considered overstepping her authority and kicking Yutenji Wakana out.

Not long after the band was formed, they started breaking the unspoken rules and even showed dissatisfaction with both the leader and the manager. Regardless of whether they were in a commercial band or not, they were undoubtedly troublemakers.

Having been in over thirty bands and witnessed the disbandment of over twenty, Umiyuki Hachiman knows very well who is most likely to cause a team to fall apart.

No wonder, this morning Toyokawa Yuu specifically asked me to keep an eye on Yutenji Wakana.

She believed that Yuu Toyokawa knew what the most rational and decisive way to handle things was.

Even at this point, the agent in front of him still adhered to the principle of handling matters officially and did not overstep his authority by directly instructing Toyokawa Shoko.

That's why her gaze towards Toyokawa Yuu is now quite complicated.

This style of always adhering to the rules brings her a considerable sense of security; at least working with such a person means she doesn't have to worry about frequent changes in orders, which is conducive to team stability.

However, this same behavior that stabilizes the entire team also allows the biggest destabilizing factor to remain within the team.

Hachiman Kairin was not determined to kick Yutenji Wakanagi out; that was not something she should be considering.

She just felt... that such a companion who was always causing trouble was a bit annoying.

"Amoris's mischievousness isn't the point; she simply couldn't resist the temptation of petty gains. Her single-minded pursuit of profit is easy to solve. The problem lies with Xiangzi..."