After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

"I know, I know. Xiao Mu rarely takes the initiative like this. Was she too hot on the way here? The weather has been quite hot lately."

Carrying two teacups on a tray, Nagasaki Sōse returned to the sofa and placed a cup of tea in front of both himself and "Wakaba Mutsumi".

"The water will be very hot after boiling, so please be careful."

Without hesitation, Yumu picked up the teacup in front of her and looked at the clear liquid in the cup. The color, which came from Nagasaki Sase, seemed to awaken some kind of instinctive fear deep in her eyes.

Yu Mu brought the cup to her lips but did not drink. Instead, she gently blew on it to cool it, and subconsciously conjured up a picture in her mind.

An adult in a suit and white tie gently blew on the liquid in front of him to cool it down, then put it in his mouth...

That wasn't knowledge she had learned, nor was it a memory; rather, it was... an instinctive association that arose in this situation.

Instead of drinking the tea like the man she had imagined, Yumu blew on it to cool it down, then pushed it back to Nagasaki Sōse and moved the teacup in front of her, which she seemed not to intend to pick up, to her own side.

"It's cooled down."

"Eh?"

Nagasaki Sase was slightly taken aback when the golden-eyed girl pushed the cup in front of him, but he still picked up the cup of tea, feeling somewhat reluctant to refuse her hospitality.

"Are you worried it's still a bit too hot...? The temperature is already warm enough to drink."

Taking a sip of tea, Nagasaki Sōsō's friend smiled, only to find that the other was staring intently at him.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Nearly half a minute passed, and the two of them just stared at each other in silence, neither of them saying a word.

After a while, Yu Mu couldn't suppress her doubts any longer and asked the other personality who had just taught her the basic knowledge in her mind.

Metis, I have a question for you.

【What's wrong now, Yumu?】

Metis, who was watching the scene unfold in her mind, replied with some doubt. She was still wondering how Amemu planned to resolve the issue between Amemu and Nagasaki Sosei.

But unexpectedly, this time it was Yu Mu who had the problem first.

However, a child who is diligent and inquisitive is a good child, and the kind-hearted teacher, Metis, will not hesitate to impart knowledge to Yumu.

Metis, soyo... why isn't she dead yet?

【Eh? 】

I'm taking a day off. (Tomorrow's work schedule is...)

I'm taking a day off. I'll update 10,000 words tomorrow.

Glug glug ...

Chapter 183 I've Never Been Happy Because of the Band (6k)

【Eh? 】

【what? 】

【Um? 】

In the mental space, the three personalities looked at each other, and their three pairs of golden eyes could see obvious surprise and confusion in each other's eyes.

Yes, three pairs of eyes.

Shortly after Amemu left the train station, Wakaba Mutsu had already successfully escaped from the mirror.

Although she hasn't been able to summon the shadowy figure since Metis forcibly took her guitar, Ruoye Mu still holds absolute control over this body.

The mirror, which was like a prison to Yu Mu, was not an insurmountable obstacle for her.

However, when she was preparing to regain control of her body, she heard that Yumu wanted to resolve the issue between Nagasaki Sase and Toyokawa Yuu, so she did not take any further action.

Even if she didn't want to admit it, and even if she was wary of Yu Mu's thoughts because of her past and recent behavior, Ruo Ye Mu knew in her heart that this personality modeled after Toyokawa Yuu was even more skilled in interpersonal relationships than Metis.

At least... her advice has never been wrong in matters concerning Yuu Toyokawa, and can even be described as remarkably effective.

Because of Yuyu, Metis dislikes Soyo and is unwilling to help him mend his relationship with her.

So, at least let Yumu give it a try...

At that time, Wakaba Mutsu did indeed have such thoughts in mind, which is why she continued to let Amami Mutsu control her body and did not choose to take back control.

Until she heard Yu Mu ask Metis in the same innocent and confused tone she had used when she nearly threw her entire wallet into the coin box on the train—

Metis, soyo... why isn't she dead yet?

Why... does Yumu think Soyo will suddenly die?

The question, which seemed completely absurd and without any prior cause or basis, made Metis raise a questioning voice, and he didn't even notice at first that Amemu was hostile towards Nagasaki Sōse.

Anyone who watches their friend have a cup of tea with another person and then turns around to ask why they're still alive would probably feel more confusion than anger.

Metis carefully recalled the life tips he had shared with Yu Mu on the way here, and realized he hadn't mentioned anything similar.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that no one would actually attempt to popularize such an absurd way of dying.

As Metis spoke, Ruoye Mutsu also focused her gaze on Yu Mutsu and the guitar in her hand.

Unlike Metis's almost dependent feelings towards Yu Mu, Ruo Ye Mu never truly let down her guard against Yu Mu, otherwise she wouldn't have locked her in the mirror.

Although it's unclear why Yumu would have such a bizarre idea, the fact that she asked Soyo why she wasn't dead yet in such a calm and natural tone means...

Could the "solution" she mentioned back then have meant, like when she was first born, that she harbored murderous intent towards Soyo, just as she had tried to push Metis into the abyss?

Thinking of this, Ruoye Mu's expression immediately became quite serious, and his golden eyes were fixed on Yu Mu's fingertips on the strings.

If Yumu's answer to Metis's question is incorrect, then Ruoye Mu will immediately take back control of the body.

【do not know. 】

Under the curious or wary gazes of Metis and Ruoye Mutsu, Yu Mutsu shook her head calmly, but the confusion in her eyes was no less than that of the other two personalities.

[I just feel like drinking Soyo's tea will kill you... isn't that true?]

As if stating something perfectly natural, the question in Yu Mu's eyes left the other two personalities speechless for a moment.

This wasn't knowledge she had learned from observing Ruoye Mutsu and Metis's behavior during this time, nor was it common sense that Metis had taught her on the way here; rather... it was just her feeling that this was how it would be.

[You can die from being pushed off a building, you can die from being choked, you can die from drinking tea that someone else has personally brewed and handed to you, and... wait?]

Yu Mu rarely reflected on this seemingly innate feeling, but now that she is looking back, she finds that reality has created a very serious conflict with her feelings.

Leaving aside Soyo, who is currently sitting directly opposite him, even Metis, whom he had indeed pushed off the platform earlier, is not dead.

So, will someone die if you choke them?

Being pushed off a building should kill you, being choked should also kill you, and drinking tea...

No, that's not right. It's just boiling water mixed with dried leaves of non-toxic plants. How could that be fatal?

But why...

Or is it that, from beginning to end... only I will die?

In his imagination, after drinking the tea that was supposed to kill him, Nagasaki Sase would not feel the same sense of relief and ease he felt when he pushed Metis down the stairs. Instead, his anxiety and tension grew uncontrollably.

It's just too unfair that only I can die.

Was it because he knew this that he never considered killing them in this way?

Subconsciously clenching her fingertips, Yu Mu anxiously hugged the guitar in her arms.

Even in reality, the body subconsciously reached for the guitar case placed to the side.

If... if what I feel would cost me my life doesn't work, then what about the dangers that Metis just warned me about?

For example, be careful of the railings when leaving the station so you don't bump your head.

If you hit Soyo on the head with a guitar...

[Yu Mu, look at me.]

The usually calm voice now had a rise and fall in tone. Ruo Ye Mu had somehow walked around to the front of the sofa, squatted down in front of Yu Mu, and placed her hands on the back of Yu Mu's hands.

While comforting this usually calm and omnipotent personality that was now in a state of chaos for some inexplicable reason, Ruoye Mu secretly clasped Yu Mu's fingers between her own to prevent her from doing anything out of line.

As the genuine creator of Yumu, she could roughly understand why the other party would have such a thought, which seemed completely inexplicable to her and Metis, and even she herself didn't know where it came from.

Since it wasn't influenced by himself or Metis, the only possibility was that he sensed something from Toyokawa Yuu, who served as the blueprint, and was also the source of Amemu.

But why would Youyu have such thoughts?

Pushed off the building, choked...

Recalling the small details that happened during her time living with Yuu Toyokawa, Mutsuka Wakaba discovered some clues that she had never paid attention to before.

For example, every night when Yuu Toyokawa comes home and finds himself standing by the window waiting for him, he will first pull himself back from the window to the bedside before doing anything else.

For example, when Metis took him to Yuu Toyokawa's house to escape, and the two became friends, and Metis happily hugged him, he instinctively pushed her away.

Wakaba Mutsumi... I think I understand.

[Yumu, please, please help Youyu.]

A sincere voice came from Ruoye Mutsu's mouth. Her golden eyes seemed to have understood something. She released her hands that were restraining Yu Mutsu's fingertips and gently embraced the personality she had created not long ago.

Instead of directly seizing control of Yu Mu's body as he had originally planned, he did not do so.

She could sense that there was a serious disconnect between everything that was happening in reality, the common sense that Metis had taught her, and Yu Mu's own way of thinking.

Yu Mu's actions are baffling to herself because she has not inherited any memories or common sense from herself and is acting solely on instinct and the limited knowledge she has acquired during this period.

So what about Youyu? He's such a clear-headed person. If he actually harbors such feelings in his heart, how much willpower did he use to suppress and endure them until now?

Not only did she become friends with Metis, but she was also able to maintain a peaceful attitude before completely falling out with Soyo.

If Ye Muben thought that this personality modeled after Toyokawa Yuu had learned the other person's way of thinking, which was why it was able to make such accurate judgments about Toyokawa Yuu.

But in reality, what Amuro inherited from Toyokawa Yuu was this instinctive pain.

Yuyu... what did you go through before you came into my world?

Thinking of this, Ruoye Mu couldn't help but feel a little heartache in her golden eyes, and the fingertips that were gently stroking Yu Mu's cheek became even more tender.

It's okay. I'll teach you things you don't know gradually, and I won't let you feel scared and in pain like before.

When Ruoye Mu looked at her with that kind of gaze, Yu Mu's eyes widened slightly. She subconsciously wanted to nod, but then she gritted her teeth and glared at the main personality who had once wanted to destroy her.

However, this resistance and toughness in the face of a glare did not last long and soon softened under the comfort of Wakaba Mutsu.

But... please help Yu-Yu, Yu-Mu. Only you know how to help him.

【What? 】

The question came softly from Yu Mu's mouth.

Clutching the guitar tightly, as if worried that Ruoye Mu might accidentally lock herself back in the mirror, or even summon the shadow to destroy herself again.

Even though Amemu was so wary, she still responded to Wakaba Mutsu's request.

What do you want me to help with?

Nagasaki Sōse, Hatsuka, Sumi... bad people, I hate them.

Wakaba Mutsumi, Chihaya Aine, Mo... Metis, they're all on my side, so I'll accommodate them.

This is one of the few things that Amemu, who was able to interpret Toyokawa Yuu's emotions but was not born with any real legacy, received from his own blueprint.

It's not a judgment formed after actually spending time together, but rather an instinctive impression slowly deciphered from a complex emotion.

[Yuu...you used to hate me and Metis, didn't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have done this to us when you were first born. But...Yuu has accepted me now.]

Gently cupping the face of her other self in her hands, Ruoye Mu had never examined this persona so closely before, a personality she had initially created out of concern for her other half and distrust of Toyokawa Yuu.

His eyes held not only complex pity, but also remorse.

She felt pity for the girl she had created out of selfishness, who had to bear those emotions without knowing why from the moment she was born, and she also felt pity for the source of those emotions—Toyokawa Yuu, whose past experiences she still did not know.

And apology... Ruo Ye Mu always felt a sense of apology in his heart.

Soyo, Xiang, and Youyu are all very important to me. I don't know... how to choose, so... please help me, Yumu. I want them to change their views on each other, just like we did with Youyu.

No, no, absolutely not!

As soon as Ruo Ye Mu finished speaking, and before Yu Mu could even open her mouth, a straightforward and firm voice of opposition echoed in the mental space.

Metis reached out and pulled Wakaba Mutsu directly away from Amemu. Metis's voice was full of resistance, and even a little too agitated.

Xiao Mu is always like this, so greedy, wanting everything. Xiao Mu is a bad child, Yu Mu shouldn't listen to her.