After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

Somewhat weary, Hachiman Kairin closed her eyes and raised her hand to shield them from the light.

In her career, she has indeed achieved success in the literal sense, but in Hachiman Kairin's heart, these have never been the most important things, but rather byproducts that she had to accomplish while achieving her goals.

Unfortunately, all the things she sincerely wanted to do have not been accomplished to this day.

【Timoris...what do you think I am?】

In Hai Ling's memory, the whispers of that green-clad person from ten years ago still echo in her ears. Whenever she recalls the other person's eyes and tone, Hachiman Hai Ling feels suffocated by the oppression.

It was because of that whisper that Hachiman Kairin chose to always stand by Toyokawa Yuu's side and never had the thought of betraying him.

Sometimes, even Hachiman Kairin herself would reflect on whether she had been more responsible in following up on Wakaba Mutsumi's psychological issues back then.

Out of sight, out of mind.

【Jingle Bell--】

A piercing shriek reached her ears, pulling Hachiman Kairin back from the turmoil of the sea of ​​thoughts.

Opening her eyes, Hachiman Kairin's emerald-like eyes regained their usual sharpness and competence as she turned her gaze to her desk.

A slightly old-looking landline sat on the desk, making a noisy noise.

In this day and age, few people use such things for communication; they mostly serve a decorative purpose.

Even Hachiman Kairin herself doesn't usually use such an old-fashioned device for communication, but if this landline rings, it means something unusual has happened.

Seemingly anticipating what would happen next, a hint of annoyance flashed in Hachiman Kairin's eyes. Instead of holding the receiver to her ear, she simply pressed the speakerphone button.

【Hachiman Kairin, you've crossed the line.】

A stern female voice came from the landline, carrying an aggressive and demanding tone.

“You are the ones who have overstepped your bounds. The head of the Toyokawa family has just died and you are already so impatient. Guess how many incriminating evidence you will leave if you really make a move... You should thank me for helping you preserve your most basic dignity.”

Faced with the harsh criticism on the other end of the phone, Hachiman Kairin showed no sign of backing down and even retorted.

It sounds like she's quite familiar with the people on the other end of the communication line.

This lukewarm attitude seemed to have greatly displeased the person on the other end of the line.

[Don't pretend to care about us. Just as you know what we want to do, we know exactly what you want to do, Hachiman.]

The voice coming from the landline changed, becoming a slightly aged but powerful voice.

Clearly, the person communicating with Yawata Kairin is not one person, but a group of people.

After the patriarch's untimely death, did you also want to protect him?

The aged voice sounded far less aggressive than the previous female voice, and even carried a hint of kindness.

Even Hachiman Kairin's sarcastic expression softened slightly after hearing that voice.

However, her attitude remained unchanged.

"Otherwise, are you expecting me to just stand by and watch you scheme to kill him?"

Yawata Kairin turned her gaze to a photograph placed on the table, a "commemorative" photo taken ten years ago when Ave Mujica disbanded.

The smiles on everyone's faces were extremely forced, and Toyokawa Yuu, who still looked like a boy, had a dark look in his eyes, as if he was brewing something.

Looking at the photo, Hachiman Kairin's gaze did not soften because of that time that could barely be described as carefree; instead, her emerald eyes became even more resolute.

"Or do you expect me to believe such nonsense as 'we'll let Yuu Toyokawa go as long as he's willing to give up everything and leave the Toyokawa family'?"

[How could we possibly let him go? Lord Sadaharu's judgment has finally improved for a while. Unlike Kiyoko, Toyokawa Yuu is indeed the kind of person who is capable of anything. The things he has done have even reached the point where the head of the family has to confine and protect him.]

When this topic was brought up, the old voice, which had been somewhat kind, inevitably became ruthless and angry.

Clearly, the group on the other end of the phone never considered "letting Toyokawa Yuu go" from the very beginning.

But soon, the figure reverted to its original benevolent disguise.

We just feel sorry for you, Hachiman. Your abilities are more than enough to warrant greater achievements. Our previous collaborations have always been pleasant, haven't they? There's no need to fall out over someone who's all alone.

"You don't need to worry about that. It's my freedom to do whatever I want. If you want to stop me, feel free to do so."

Despite repeated attempts to dissuade her and her invitation, Hachiman Kairin remained unmoved.

However, being all alone... is indeed a fitting description.

Unlike Hachiman Kairin's slight sentimentality, the people on the other end of the line seemed to be angered by this indifferent attitude.

Clearly, Hachiman Kairin's attitude was beyond their expectations.

Those people really didn't expect that this already successful and beautiful woman in a suit would actually intend to protect Toyokawa Yuu to the death.

Suddenly, several voices came from the landline at the same time, and the quiet office became noisy.

Do you really think Toyokawa Yuu still trusts you? What you've done all these years is no different from sucking his blood...

Do you really think he'll approve of your actions? There's a limit to wishful thinking; you've probably been used by him from the very beginning...

Is it worth it for someone like Toyokawa Yuu, whom you barely see anymore? Don't forget who helped you achieve your current success...

[Hachiman, calm down. Even if you're doing well with Starlight Plaza, there's no need to make enemies of all of us. You know you can't win...]

Yawata Kairin remained silent, waiting for the silence on the other end of the phone to subside.

They completely ignored the sounds coming from inside.

"The help you're talking about was already repaid back when I let you divide up Mr. Qing's property. There was even a surplus. Do you need to carefully calculate the accounts from back then?"

Once the voices on the landline finally quieted down, Hachiman Kairin spoke again.

But this time, her voice turned completely cold, even carrying a hint of threat.

"As for being enemies... you're right, Starlight Plaza can't be enemies with all of you, but replacing one or two of you should be enough."

As the communication seemed to fall silent as if threatened, Hachiman Kairin's lips curled into a smile.

"I wonder if you all, united in your hatred of the enemy, have decided who will be the one to add two side dishes to this feast with me."

There was no more sound coming from the landline; only a few faint breaths could be heard.

If Hachiman Kairin isn't mistaken, those guys are probably having a secret meeting behind her back right now.

After hanging up for a while, Yawata Kairin, who was about to hang up, finally heard the last sound from the other end of the phone.

【We apologize, Ms. Hachiman. Tonight's conversation has caused you considerable discomfort. As an apology, we have decided to provide you with some information free of charge.】

Her unfamiliar yet polite attitude had already made it clear to Hachiman Kairin that she was in the right place.

Without even bothering to find out the other party's so-called intelligence, Hachiman Kairin doesn't think that her so-called apology is sincere under these circumstances.

According to our information, Toyokawa Yuu plans to visit a person named Chihaya Aine tomorrow to retrieve a guitar... This information might be useful to you.

Just before I pressed the hang-up button, two familiar names came from the landline, causing my fingertips, which were already planning to hang up, to pause before I finally pressed the hang-up button.

I need to ask Chihaya Aine for a guitar...

It didn't take much effort for Hachiman Kairin to understand what the other party was referring to.

Kairin Hachiman actually knows perfectly well where the guitar that Mutsumi Wakaba once used is now.

After all, she had done her part in helping Ruoye Mutsu choose to throw away that guitar.

But why did Yuu Toyokawa choose to take back that guitar at this time? Could it be that Mutsumi Wakaba has begun to return to normal?

Does that also mean...?

A girl's gaze flashed through Hachiman Kairin's mind; her golden eyes had lost all emotion, leaving only a pure will to survive.

"We do this simply to continue existing... nothing more."

Gritting her teeth, a hint of resentment appeared in Hachiman Kairin's eyes. Whenever she recalled the back of that green-clad figure as he turned and left, she would subconsciously clench her fingertips.

She wanted to help her, but at the time she didn't understand the meaning of those words. She just watched the other person leave inexplicably until she saw Wakaba Mutsumi, who could no longer stand in the spotlight, and then Hachiman Kairin realized that it was all too late.

But soon, the emotions in Hachiman Kairin's eyes returned to calm. Now she was no longer easily swayed by her emotions, nor would she readily believe what others said.

Putting aside why Wakaba Mutsu suddenly wanted his own guitar after so many years, it's highly unlikely that Toyokawa Yuu would go to Chihaya Aine.

He had no reason to do such a thing for Wakaba Mutsu. That doll-like beauty had long lost control of the Wakaba family, and even if he were to rescue her, she would not provide any value.

Yuu Toyokawa has no reason to risk leaving the Toyokawa family mansion for something like this.

Moreover, there's no way to verify the authenticity of this information; we can simply wait until tomorrow and see if Toyokawa Yuu calls us.

After today's events, Toyokawa Yuu should understand that if she wants to go out, informing me in advance to accompany her is the best option.

Leaning back in her office chair, Hachiman Kairin would sometimes close her eyes to rest, but would frequently open them to look at the "memorial portrait" of the band Ave Mujica on her desk, waiting for her phone, which was placed on the table, to ring.

Or rather... I hope my phone doesn't make a sound.

Time passed slowly, until the neon lights of the night went out one by one, and the morning sun rose on the horizon.

Yawata Kairin opened her lowered eyelids and looked at the still quiet phone on the table. The slight worry in her heart finally dissipated.

Picking up her phone from the table, Yawata Kairin was about to get up.

Last night's communication has essentially severed ties with certain people, and there are some things that must be prepared immediately.

However, just as Jun Yawata was putting his phone away, a call suddenly came in.

【Youyu】

Looking at the name on the screen, Hachiman Kairin suddenly had a bad feeling.

But in the end, she still chose to press the answer button.

"It's me, Hailing, Youyu. What do you need me for?"

[Hailing, I need to talk to Aiyin about something. Could you come with me?]

Upon hearing the voice from the other end of the phone, Hachiman Kairin subconsciously clenched her fingers.

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

It was early morning, three days after Toyokawa Shoko's death.

At the side gate of the Toyokawa family mansion, Hatsune stood in front of a black sedan, watching Toyokawa Yuu carefully help Wakaba Mutsu into the car, her purple eyes filled with worry.

"Lord Yuyu, are you really going out in person? Your secret departure yesterday has already started to cause controversy."

Although Yuu Toyokawa went out yesterday, she always entered and exited through the side door, so it didn't cause much of a stir at the time.

At least in theory, he has not left the area of ​​the Toyokawa family's funeral. Even if many people know that he has left, as long as it is not made public, it can only stir up some unspoken rumors.

However, it's still not appropriate to be too blatant about such things.

"If it's just about getting the guitar back, I could probably go myself. But for you to go personally, and bring Xiao Mu along, is really..."

"After all, this concerns Xiao Mu's health, and I still hope that she can get that guitar as soon as possible."

Reaching out to gently stroke Wakaba Mutsumi's light green hair, Toyokawa Yuu carefully tidied up her slightly messy ends, her movements as gentle as if she were protecting some fragile porcelain.

The beautiful woman, who had briefly regained some vitality last night, has now returned to being like a doll, dignified but lifeless.

“Xiao Mu is Xiang Zi’s other half. Now that Xiang Zi is gone, I have a responsibility to take care of her no matter what… If I were Xiang Zi standing here, I believe she would make the same choice.”

Seeing Hatsune's somewhat resistant expression, and even her reluctant action of opening the door, Toyokawa Yuu spoke gently, but the reason she gave made it difficult for the blonde butler to voice her objection.

If you want to shut this loyal golden retriever up, the name Toyokawa Shoko is always the best scapegoat.

"But... at least we should wait for Hailing to come. You've already contacted her, haven't you? Let her take you and Xiaomu there. It's safer than you taking Xiaomu there by yourself."

Seemingly out of a sense of duty as a butler and concern for Toyokawa Yuu's safety, Hatsune wanted to make one last argument.

However, even such a suggestion was rejected by Yuu Toyokawa.

"Time waits for no one. You said yourself that this kind of thing is not suitable to be done openly. The longer it drags on, the greater the chance of it being discovered."

Just kidding, how could Toyokawa Yuu possibly wait for Hachiman Kairin to come knocking on her door before setting off?

Regardless of the reliability of Toyokawa Kiyoyuki's notes, at least one thing is certain.

If Mutsuya had become what he is today, Kairin Hachiman would definitely have been deeply involved.

After all, this information was identified by him personally.

Even if it were just to ensure Wakaba Mutsu's mental stability so that the information she revealed later would be clear and truthful enough, Toyokawa Yuu should try to avoid letting Hachiman Kairin and Wakaba Mutsu come into contact.

However, it's definitely not an option to secretly take Wakaba Mutsu to Chihaya Aine's place without Hachiman Kairin's knowledge.

Yesterday's experience has proven that Hachiman Kairin definitely has a way to track my whereabouts. I reckon she'll receive the message the moment I step out the door.

Yesterday's allies, who were so confident in each other, could very well develop rifts because of this... or amplify any existing rifts.