After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

If Ye Mu noticed that the other person wasn't paying any attention to him at all, but was instead staring intently at his mother, like a farmer wary of a wild beast, afraid that if he wasn't careful, the other person would bypass him and rush into the fragile cucumber field to trample it wantonly.

Mori Minami looked slightly dazed, though her sunglasses concealed her somewhat lost gaze.

Being so casually teased by Toyokawa Yuu wouldn't have caused Mori Minami to show such an out-of-control look.

But the boy's protective attitude towards his daughter, and the intimacy with which he held her hand without feeling impolite or uncomfortable, made Minami foresee some unpleasant developments.

She did see Toyokawa Yuu, and she even remarked that if her daughter had a fiancé like him, she might not have needed to go to such lengths to bring her daughter into the entertainment industry.

Minami knows her daughter's personality well; in order to become someone worthy of her partner, she will find ways to become more outstanding and distinguished.

However, it wouldn't be funny if that idea actually became a reality.

Not to mention that Toyokawa Sadaharu, who is already highly sensitive to matters like "adopted son-in-law's infidelity" for certain reasons, might overreact to this.

She had even been urged and warned by Toyokawa Sadaharu several times about her daughter living with Toyokawa Yuu.

More importantly, Senmina herself couldn't accept this kind of thing.

It's one thing for one's own daughter to have been someone else's shadow since she was little, but to be the shadow of the future head of the Toyokawa family is not shameful at all.

But if it means having her daughter not only follow her around like a shadow, but also becoming the other woman's husband's mistress, Senmina Nami simply cannot accept such a thing.

It's not that I can't accept my daughter doing such a shady thing, but... it's not in line with business ethics.

She accepted Toyokawa Shoko's doll in exchange for a portion of her daughter's freedom, but that was all the terms of the deal. She didn't want to actually sacrifice her daughter for it.

I didn't have this concern before because I didn't think Toyokawa Yuu would do something so foolish. Even if she confronted me in the clothing store, it was more about protecting her interests than about any feelings or possibilities.

But now, Senmina is a little unsure.

"Yuyu-kun's words are as sharp as ever, but if we're talking about fouls, no matter how you look at it, Yuyu-kun is at fault first."

The smile on his face became somewhat dangerous, even carrying a hint of taking advantage of the situation.

"I did give Xiangzi a break, but I also made it clear that school and workplace are places Xiao Mu absolutely cannot set foot in. Otherwise, if Lord Dingzhi catches me doing something wrong by making an exception, it will be very difficult to deal with."

"The weekend a couple of days ago, you took Xiao Mu somewhere to do something for Ave Mujica's work, right?"

Mori Minami naturally had her own reasons for daring to appear in front of Toyokawa Yuu.

If we really have to argue about it, she would be the one in the right.

Even so, not allowing one's daughter to go to school or work is not a reasonable thing in itself.

“Yuyu-kun, the reason I didn’t go to you directly was because I was thinking of you. I didn’t want to bring up such an embarrassing thing in front of you until you came up with a reason that could convince me.”

Yuu Toyokawa's expression gradually darkened.

He wanted to rebuke Minami, but it's normal that she would feel embarrassed.

If she truly wanted to remain completely untouched, she shouldn't have given Wakaba Mutsu the chance to sneak out to find her in the middle of the night in the first place, let alone make that deal with Toyokawa Shoko afterward.

She wants a lot, so naturally she has to bear the risk of things being difficult to get done. However, it's clear that the other party wants to transfer that risk onto her.

He didn't say these words aloud not because he couldn't find a way to refute them, but simply because... he still had some reservations about matters related to Minami.

This time, it wasn't for Wakaba Mutsu and Metis, whom he was protecting behind him, but because of... Toyokawa Shoko.

The doll left to Toyokawa Shoko by her mother is still in the hands of Mori Minami, and Toyokawa Yuu wants to help her get it back.

It wasn't out of affection between an engaged couple who had gone through thick and thin together, but rather... he didn't want to owe her anything, and Toyokawa Yuu was worried that she wouldn't be able to repay it all in the future.

However, if you don't find a reason to refute it, you'll be led astray by the other party's words and end up in a stalemate.

After careful consideration, what else can I do...?

"Mr. Youyu, please wait for me."

Her voice was lively, yet tinged with a hint of resentment at having just been abandoned.

The popular idol, still wearing his rather unassuming Sumimi performance outfit, was panting as he tried to catch up with Yuu Toyokawa.

"Mr. Yuyu, you're really too concerned about your members. Couldn't you have waited for me a little while?"

Arriving beside the group, where a tense atmosphere was already brewing, Junda Mana's lively voice slightly dispelled the awkwardness between them.

Her brown eyes swept over the group of people present, and finally, Junda Mana's gaze settled on Mori Minami, who, in terms of both physique and temperament, was more like an adult, practically a grown-up version of Wakaba Mutsumi.

"Speaking of which, this lady looks somewhat familiar. Could it be that you are...?"

"Miss Junda Mana, you can't say that."

In front of this outsider, Minami Mori couldn't continue using that threatening tone. Instead, she put a finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture to signal Mana Junta not to make a big fuss.

His voice carried a deliberately teasing ease, as if a kind and approachable industry veteran was using this slightly playful way to remind his juniors to pay attention to the qualities a professional artist should have—to travel discreetly.

"I don't really care, but if Ms. Junda Mana shows her immature side in public, it will cause trouble for Ms. Lena."

"Eh, Sen... Auntie, is it really me? And you even know Lena?"

Realizing that she had indeed lost control of her volume and even attracted the attention of the few pedestrians around her, Junda Mana quickly adjusted her volume and even made her way of addressing people less specific.

However, this adjustment seems to have made the actress somewhat dissatisfied.

Even through the sunglasses, Toyokawa Yuu could vaguely sense the change in Mori Minami's gaze.

It was a little awkward, but I was too embarrassed to argue with my junior, so I could only force a smile.

"Of course I know you. After all, I also have high hopes for Ms. Junda Mana. If the opportunity arises, I was originally planning to invite you to act in a play."

"Really? I really have the opportunity to act with you... No, no, we should keep a low profile in public now, right?"

As if taking Minami Mori's polite words seriously, Mana Junda was once again excited, attracting the attention of many people around her.

Regardless, it's quite remarkable that a popular idol, without even changing out of his casual clothes, casually walked up to two women and a man in his signature performance outfit—which wasn't flashy but was definitely iconic—near his agency, displaying such excitement.

Not to mention Minami Mori and Yuu Toyokawa, even Mutsu Wakaba could vaguely sense that tomorrow... no, tonight, this popular idol would be appearing on the cover of some gossip magazines.

There's never a shortage of gossip reporters around talent agencies looking for a big story.

Whether Junta Mana's voice was heard or not, her excited expression had already been seen; writing based on images is a basic skill for those people.

Sensing the gazes gathering around her, Minami knew she couldn't stay there any longer.

Unless she wants to appear on tonight's gossip news with Junta Mana and Toyokawa Yuu, along with her daughter, and incidentally kick Junta Mana out of the middle.

"Of course it's true, but this isn't really the place to chat. Let's go inside and talk... but I have other plans for today, so I probably won't be able to stay for too long."

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Minami prepared to leave, but instead of turning around and walking away, she headed towards the entrance of her agency.

Turning around and leaving immediately would be too obvious. Getting out of the sight of certain gossipers first, and then having someone drive you away from the underground parking garage, would be a more discreet approach.

But if this happens...

Minami Mori carefully examined Mana Junda with a meaningful look behind her sunglasses for a while before turning her gaze to her daughter.

She seemed to have just emphasized to Yuu Toyokawa that her daughter should not be allowed to enter the workplace.

But now, in order to quell the unnecessary attention drawn by Junta Mana, it seems he has to take the initiative to break the rules with his daughter.

Do you remember, Junda Mana...? She shouldn't be this clueless.

Watching the actress walk silently into the agency, Junda Mana and Toyokawa Yuu followed behind Mori Minami, quietly tugging at the sleeve of the young man beside them, signaling him to turn his gaze to them.

She winked playfully at Yuu Toyokawa, the popular idol looking somewhat smug, even a little boastful.

"I told you, there's a way to bring her in..."

Chapter 176 Chihaya Aine in Action

"Phew, I'm finally saved."

A lively voice, tinged with melancholy and weariness, drifted from outside Ave Mujica's office.

As Yuu Toyokawa sat in her office chair, Kairin Hachiman, whose fingers were constantly tapping on the keyboard, paused.

She recognized the voice, or rather... it was hard to forget.

Mana Junda is currently the most popular idol, and perhaps the only one. Her agency, Sumimi, has a relationship with Ave Mujica that is half cooperative and half competitive.

However, Hachiman Kairin was able to remember the other person's voice not because of their fame or singing voice, but more because...

[Hailin-chan, interfering in your manager's work without permission is causing them trouble...]

A light and cheerful voice flashed through Hachiman Kairin's mind, almost shattering her self-perception within Ave Mujica.

If there's one person in Hachiman Kairin's current social circle that she absolutely doesn't want to face, then that spot definitely belongs to Junda Mana.

In this band where none of the members were particularly mature, my confidence in my reliability and competence seemed insignificant compared to theirs.

That innocent yet enthusiastic expression revealed that all her previous help was, in essence, an overreach of authority that brought even greater risks to her agent.

Even though Yuu Toyokawa didn't mind these things, she still entrusted many secretarial tasks to herself and Mutsuka Wakaba, and then handed them over to her again after Mutsuka Wakaba was unable to come to work.

Even when comforting herself with words like "Ave Mujica and Sumimi's situations are different, other people can't interfere in our internal affairs, so don't worry about it," Hachiman Kairin still couldn't forget what Junda Mana had said to her back then.

How could I not care? If it weren't for Mr. Youyu taking such good care of me, I probably would have been too ashamed to stay in this band.

Hachiman Kairin knew very well how to stop caring about Junda Mana's words: turn what the other party denied into reality and make it irrefutable.

She has decided that after some time, once Ave Mujica has overcome her current difficulties and her ability to handle band affairs has been further honed, she will try to obtain the qualifications to become a real band manager.

Only in this way can I stay in the band with a clear conscience, as the undisputed second-in-command of Toyokawa Yuu.

She carefully reviewed all the rules of the agency and found no rule that the bassist and the manager's assistant could not be the same person.

As long as the parties involved, the agent, and the band leader all agree, there won't be any problems. After all, Ave Mujica is a special band within the management company, and the company can't interfere too much in the band's internal affairs.

Yawata Kairin was certain that Toyokawa Yuu, with whom she had recently grown closer, would not refuse her proposal; all she needed to do was persuade Toyokawa Shoko.

That's why I need to use interpersonal relationships to keep Ave Mujica under control.

So for now, don't think too much. Junda Mana is probably just passing by. Just do what Mr. Yuu asked you to do.

Looking at the attendance system on the computer, Yawata Kairin clicked the "Make-up Sign-in" option under Wakaba Mutsu's name without expression, maintaining a perfect attendance record for her who hadn't been to the company for a week.

In the absence of major events these days, all she can do are these trivial matters that are not difficult, but which will make people unconsciously frown.

I feel a little nostalgic for the time when I was able to help Mr. Yu Yu with the backstage setup for his first concert after he joined the company.

Unconsciously, the pressure on her fingertips increased as she clicked the mouse, and Hachiman Kairin began to reminisce about the heyday of Ave Mujica.

But before she could immerse herself in her memories, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and the girl she had just defined as someone she "absolutely did not want to face" walked into this office that did not belong to her.

"Good morning, Hailin-chan, I've come here to escape for a while."

After exchanging a familiar greeting with Hachiman Kairin, Junta Mana walked straight to the sofa next to the coffee table and threw herself onto the soft leather cushion.

Just as Hachiman Kairin was about to stop this behavior, which made her feel like she was at home, she saw Toyokawa Yuu also walk into the office, showing no intention of stopping Junta Mana's behavior either.

Clearly, this popular idol's actions had his approval.

"Mr. Youyu..."

Hachiman Kairin opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

She knew that Yuu Toyokawa had gone to Sumimi's office, but something unexpected seemed to have happened that she didn't know about.

So much so that this incredibly popular idol used the word "escape" when he first entered the room.

"Let her rest for a bit, Hailing. Mana has been a great help to me today."

It was a huge help...

This kind of evaluation, which even Toyokawa Yuu had never received, was now being used so naturally on Junda Mana, and a sense of unwillingness to compete began to grow.

"What happened?"

Blinking her emerald green eyes, Hachiman Kairin couldn't help but ask a question.

She felt a little jealous, but even she couldn't help but wonder what Junda Mana had done to earn such praise from Toyokawa Yuu.

If I could do the same thing, I could also be with Mr. Yuyu from time to time...

“Something really has happened… Hailing, look who this is.”

By tilting his body slightly to the side as he stood outside the door frame, Toyokawa Yuu pulled the golden-eyed girl, who was in Hachiman Kairin's blind spot, into the house.

Then, as expected, he saw astonishment and speechlessness in those emerald eyes.

"Wakaba-san?"

"Gui'an, Hailing."

Holding her guitar case, Ruoye Mu stepped into the agency after a long absence. Standing outside the office, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar room, she felt somewhat uneasy.

After giving a traditional Moon Forest greeting to Hachiman Kairin, Wakaba Mutsu immediately shrank back behind Toyokawa Yuu, refusing to step into the office before the boy in front of him.