After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

If something so unbelievable can happen between people who have been together for over a decade, practically growing up in each other's sight, what about others?

Are my father and mother hiding something too?

Did my grandfather deliberately hide something from me?

After all, she had Yu Yu, her fiancé whom she had no idea existed a month ago, as a cautionary tale.

So what about Chu Hua? What about Soyo? And... what secrets is Yuu hiding?

If this kind of thinking continues to diverge, it can even easily make people feel uneasy and absurd about living in a false world.

Confusion and fear spread like ink dripping into clear water.

But if it's only this bad, then so be it.

Toyokawa Shoko is not the kind of person who wouldn't allow even the slightest secret in the hearts of those she interacts with.

Just stop those divergent thoughts that serve no purpose other than making you more anxious.

By viewing Metis's existence as an unspeakable secret within her own body and mind, a void deep within her that she herself could not share or bear, a void that was difficult to fill, Toyokawa Shoko was able to convince herself otherwise.

But... what if I'm the only one who doesn't know about Metis's existence?

From Chihaya Aine's words, Toyokawa Shoko was certain that at least five people knew of Metis's existence before her.

Yuu, Chihaya Aine, Soyo, Riki, and... Hachiman Kairin.

For a moment, Toyokawa Shoko's amber gaze was diverted by Hachiman Kairin, who was leaning against the desk. Toyokawa Shoko's dissatisfaction with this technically reliable bassist in her band gradually began to surface.

She didn't really care. She wasn't so distrustful of her fiancé as to not give him that much trust.

Otherwise, he would have been overwhelmed when he learned that his half had been placed in Toyokawa Yuu's house.

But... even Hachiman Kairin knows of Metis's existence, so besides Chihaya Aine's information, how many other people know this secret that has kept them in the dark all along?

After realizing this, the rambling thoughts that had finally stopped could no longer be contained. Toyokawa Shoko's mood at that moment was almost filled with a bewilderment that was hard to describe, and even the anger that had been kept in the dark couldn't be mentioned.

However, this confusion and unease did not last long. Toyokawa Shoko forced herself to calm down and did not let those thoughts, which were even enough to make her doubt her life, continue to spread.

Now that things have come to this, she can't afford to lose her composure. Rather than letting her mind wander aimlessly, she chooses to verify Chihaya Aine's information first.

Perhaps some secrets are kept from even the half-body, but there is one person who will definitely notice them early on—Mutomo's mother, Minami Mori.

Because of the previous transaction involving her mother's belongings, Minami did not deliberately hide this matter from herself.

She talked to me about so many things that I even went to work late.

"Mortis, come out here for a moment, I have something to tell you."

A somewhat cold, enigmatic voice echoed in the office.

Toyokawa Shoko's tone wasn't harsh, but it made Wakaba Mutsu, who was sitting on the sofa, subconsciously shrink back.

She had become quite familiar with this tone over the past year.

It might not be anger, but it easily makes one's heart pound with fear, as if returning to the eve of Ave Mujica's formation, when one agreed to join in order not to let it break down, and was then described by the other party as "truly arrogant."

"Is there something you can't say here?"

Yuu Toyokawa interrupted Shoko Toyokawa's words, sensing that his fiancée's mood was somewhat off.

Rather, it's hard not to notice.

In Toyokawa Yuu's memory, Toyokawa Shoko's way of addressing Wakaba Mutsu was always a more intimate "Mutsu," which was even more affectionate than the "Mutsu" used by others, and the name "Mortis" was only used on stage.

Although the emotions in Toyokawa Shoko's tone were hard to decipher, the implications of her words were very clear to Toyokawa Yuu.

Perhaps what she is calling for now is not this quiet, even somewhat timid, half of herself, but rather the personality that is hidden in Wakaba Mutsu's mind, and who may be looking at the textbook in her hand through her eyes.

Given this, how could Toyokawa Yuu possibly let Toyokawa Shoko and Metis face each other alone? Leaving aside the friction that might arise between the two of them, Wakaba Mutsu, caught in the middle, is probably going to have a hard time.

"Then, Yuyu, come along too."

Shoko Toyokawa did not show much resistance to Yuu Toyokawa's involvement. Instead, she focused half of her attention on her fiancé and called him out as well.

Her brows began to furrow, and Toyokawa Yuu's initial joy at finally being able to have all the band members together tonight gradually faded.

He found it hard to understand what Toyokawa Shoko was up to now, after finally calming down for a few days.

"What are you planning to do now? Tomorrow is the day you go on the show with Amoris and Sumimi. The most important thing right now is to make the final preparations."

"It won't take much time. I have something very urgent to say."

An ambiguous answer came from Toyokawa Shoko, but this response clearly did not satisfy Toyokawa Yuu.

Although he often used such wording to evade other people's questions, it was one thing for him to use it, but quite another for others to use it on him.

Yuu Toyokawa wanted to say something more, but Mutsu Wakaba, who was beside her, had already stood up, gently placed her textbook on the coffee table, and walked silently toward the door where Shoko Toyokawa was, with her head slightly lowered.

With a slight grit of her teeth, Toyokawa Yuu had no choice but to get up as well.

"Amoris, you can go to the rehearsal room first. Dolores can go to Sumimi's place to find Mana. Hailing, I'll leave this to you for now."

With that remark, Toyokawa Yuu quickly caught up with Wakaba Mutsu, and together they followed Toyokawa Shoko as they disappeared through the doorway.

The already quiet office suddenly fell into an even more oppressive silence.

Yutenji Wakana and Hatsune looked at each other, both able to see a hint of speculation and unease in each other's eyes.

"I have a feeling that there's a lot of anxiety in the band lately."

Seeing Toyokawa Yuu leave, it was as if a huge mountain had been lifted from her heart. Yutenji Wakana almost subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief and stretched on the sofa.

Although Toyokawa Yuu had been kind to him ever since he half-forced him to sign the contract, and had even said before that he would help him enter the entertainment industry.

But Yuu Toyokawa's actions back then still made Yutenji Wakana somewhat fearful, so much so that she would subconsciously become obedient in front of this band's manager.

However, now that everyone has left, only the small band group maintained by Hachiman Kairin remains, so Yutenji Wakanagi doesn't have as many concerns.

The three of them are now in the same boat, so they can say whatever they want.

"Perhaps Mr. Youyu and Xiaoxiang are under too much pressure... Now all the pressure on the band is on their shoulders."

With her purple eyes fixed on the doorway, Hatsune was somewhat bothered by Toyokawa Shoko's earlier attitude.

She had also experienced that feeling of finally discovering something, the struggle between disbelief and forcing herself to accept reality.

However, what if Xiangzi finds out about my affair...?

Hatsune hesitated to think further, and Hachiman Kairin didn't give her a chance to continue.

"Don't say things that undermine morale. You have to have faith in Mr. Yuu. Ave Mujica will continue to exist. Neither I nor Mr. Yuu will allow it to disband."

Hachiman Kairin, who had remained silent until now, finally raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping between Yutenji Wakana and Hatsune Miku before finally settling on the blonde girl, a hint of hesitation and struggle flashing deep in her eyes.

But in the end, she made a certain decision.

“Miss Yutenji, you should go to the rehearsal room. I'll take you to Sumimi’s place.”

"No need, I've already..."

Hatsune almost instinctively wanted to refuse Hachiman Kairin's arrangement.

Just as Yutenji Wakana was somewhat afraid of Toyokawa Yuu, she didn't really want to be alone with Hachiman Kairin either, especially after the suggestion that she would be taken to Sumimi's office. It was as if she had something on her face that she was expected to fulfill something.

However, the words of refusal were never uttered.

"...Okay, thank you, Hailing."

No matter how unwilling she was, Hatsune knew that she was currently being blackmailed by Hachiman Kairin.

There was simply no way to refuse the other party's request.

Hatsune could even guess what Hachiman Kairin wanted to say when she contacted her at this time.

The two then set off one after the other, leaving Ave Mujica's office.

For a moment, only Yutenji Wakanagi remained in Ave Mujica's office.

Looking at the now completely silent office, Yutenji Wakana's smile faded, and her pink eyes revealed a worry that she rarely showed on ordinary days.

Can this band really make them successful?

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

"Is this enough, Xiangzi? What exactly are you trying to say?"

Pushing open the door to the rooftop of the talent agency, Yuu Toyokawa looked at the dazzling neon lights of the city and asked the first question.

Originally, Toyokawa Shoko planned to leave the company with Wakaba Mutsu and go to the fountain square not far away to talk, but Toyokawa Yuu intervened halfway and chose this place instead.

There is only one entrance and exit here. As long as you are careful, you will not be overheard, and all conversations will dissipate in the night breeze and moonlight.

"Youyu..."

As she walked to the railing, Toyokawa Shoko didn't look at her fiancé. Instead, she turned her gaze to the neon lights of the city, leaving her fiancé and his half-body with a slightly frail silhouette in the evening breeze.

"......sorry."

The light, airy syllables reached Toyokawa Yuu's ears, but they brought his thoughts to a complete halt at that moment.

He was still wondering how Toyokawa Shoko had learned of Metis's existence and why she had specifically summoned Metis.

He had even prepared himself to have a fight with Toyokawa Shoko right there on the rooftop, in front of Wakaba Mutsu and Metis, since he couldn't possibly let those two girls bear Toyokawa Shoko's calm before the storm.

If Ye Mu would never go against Toyokawa Shoko's wishes, and as for Metis... let alone whether she could get out, even if she could, Toyokawa Yuu would have to worry about Toyokawa Shoko's defenses.

But all these thoughts were put to rest at this moment by Toyokawa Shoko's inexplicable apology.

"what?"

If he weren't so familiar with his fiancée, Toyokawa Yuu would even suspect that she had been replaced by someone else. Was she really the kind of person who would apologize?

Furthermore, you should clearly state why you're apologizing.

Toyokawa Yuu really couldn't understand why Toyokawa Shoko had done anything wrong that required her to apologize for.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that after realizing the band was truly in dire straits, her performance in keeping the band afloat was already quite satisfactory... It's unlikely that Yuu Toyokawa would acknowledge her excellence anytime soon.

"You said you wanted to take Mu to see a psychologist, but I rashly stopped you... I'm sorry."

Toyokawa Shoko turned her head, her words earnest, but her gaze did not linger long on the somewhat confused Toyokawa Yuu, instead turning to Wakaba Mutsu standing behind her.

More accurately, what she wanted to see was Metis, the one hiding in her mind.

Thinking back carefully, it seems that there were indeed some abnormal conditions in my body since Ave Mujica was formed.

At least, changing strategies and acting recklessly on stage without informing anyone was not something someone with Wakaba Mutsu's quiet personality would do.

"And also, Mu... and Metis..."

"I hate you."

His serious tone, filled with unwavering determination, cut off Toyokawa Shoko's unfinished sentence.

The girl with golden eyes raised her head, her light green hair swaying in the night breeze, but her eyes were no longer as obedient as before.

Metis looked at Toyokawa Shoko, who seemed to know something and was even reflecting on the past, but his eyes showed no empathy for her.

Rather, it would be more accurate to say that Toyokawa Shoko's current reflection has precisely hit her biggest sore spot.

You regret stopping Mr. Youyu from taking Xiaomu to see a psychologist back then, you just...

Do you really want me to disappear?

Chapter 179 Yu Mu: So, I made my move.

Metis disliked Toyokawa Shoko.

This idea didn't come about recently; it originated a long time ago, long before Wakaba Mutsumi established his personal status through the guitar, when all personalities had an equal opportunity to perform.

Even before she was Mortis, when she was just one of many [Wakaba Mutsu], she disliked the other half of this body.

If Mutsuya is a child who is well-behaved like a doll and is suitable for a warm family, her quiet personality can reassure her parents, but she will also have conflicts with Toyokawa Shoko, who was just a child like her at the time.

But Metis was different; she was outgoing and sociable, the daughter of an entertainer who was good at winning people over.

Back then, as long as she showed up, she could attract the attention of others, unlike Wakaba Mutsu who remained quiet and unnoticed.

However, in this area where she excelled the most, she always felt frustrated by one person: Toyokawa Shoko, who was equally cheerful and poised, and who garnered more attention than she did.

At that time, Metis could not understand this emotion called jealousy; he simply disliked appearing with Toyokawa Shoko in the presence of adults.

But it doesn't matter. When it's just the two children together, Toyokawa Shoko is still a warm and caring girl, even though most of that time is taken up by Wakaba Mutsu.

Later, as Wakaba Mutsumi became a child star, acquired a guitar, and grew increasingly taciturn, he never had another chance to appear.

During that time, Metis gradually accepted the fact that as a support personality, he might only be able to see the world outside, which was so close yet so far away, in Wakaba Mutsu's mind for the rest of his life.