After Xiangzi died, I inherited her harem.

She had just vowed to help the other person overcome their psychological trauma, but almost made things worse, which made her more cautious about choosing topics to talk about.

Moreover, Chihaya Aine was also a little rushed.

She had already gotten up late today, and had just spent some time trying to help Yuu Toyokawa overcome her psychological trauma. If she didn't finish her breakfast quickly, she would be late for class.

Time passed slowly, and after Chihaya Aine put the last piece of pastry into her mouth, Toyokawa Yuu slowly raised her head, looked at the pink sun in front of her, and spoke softly.

"Speaking of which, Aine, I heard you say before that Miss Nagasaki Sase seems to be planning to talk to Mutsu during the lunch break today. Could you please help me persuade her to give up?"

Seeing the slightly puzzled look in Chihaya Aine's gray eyes, Toyokawa Yuu patiently explained.

"To be honest, Xiao Mu's performance on stage last night wasn't entirely for the sake of the show... This is a trade secret, and I hope you can keep it a secret for me... I've already made an appointment for her with a psychologist today, and until then, I hope Xiao Mu won't suffer any additional mental stress."

Yuu Toyokawa recalled the information she had gathered ten years before her last death.

It has been confirmed that Ruoye Mu's autism began within a short period of time before and after I took her to see a psychologist.

During this period, besides himself, he only had contact with Yawata Kairin, the psychologist he asked Yawata Kairin to make an appointment with, and Nagasaki Sōse and Wakaba Mutsumi.

It is unclear which of Wakaba Mutsu's personalities these individuals came into contact with.

In that case, the best course of action is to prevent these people from having any contact with Wakaba Mutsu until I can find out the personality that caused all the trouble on stage last night.

Both Yawata Kairin and the psychologist are easy to deal with, at least for now. The bassist, who hasn't become the company president yet, is still somewhat obedient to me.

The only one who is difficult to control is Nagasaki Sasuke.

I have no subordinate relationship with her and have no way to control her behavior.

Moreover, given Nagasaki Saseyo's personality, and considering that he had previously taken the blame for Wakaba Mutsumi's unusual behavior at Asukayama in order to protect Toyokawa Shoko, he was also aware of the implications.

Whether the other party believes his rhetoric about conquering the country or not, they probably won't easily comply with his wishes.

Therefore, asking Chihaya Aine to stop Nagasaki Sase has become the best option for Toyokawa Yuu now.

"Although Xiaomu is not good with words, she is delicate and sensitive. When Ms. Nagasaki Sase, a former bandmate, goes to see her, it will inevitably bring up some past events, and I am worried that she will be subjected to some additional stimulation."

With her hands clasped together, Toyokawa Yuu adopted a pleading posture in front of Chihaya Aine.

"Besides, you know what I said to Ms. Nagasaki Sosei last night. She probably won't trust me about Mutsuko... Please, Aine."

"Well... I can help you with this, but if I can't tell Soyorin the details about Xiaomu... which means I'll have to lie to her, right?"

Instinctively, Chihaya Aine didn't want to lie to her friend.

However, Toyokawa Yuu was also his friend, and his reasons were quite reasonable, and he wasn't even acting for his own sake.

From both a personal and rational perspective, it seemed that she had no reason to refuse him.

For the first time ever, Chihaya Aine felt a sense of being caught between two friends, caught in a dilemma.

"Aine, please help me. You're the only one I can ask for help right now."

Seeing the conflicted yet clearly wavering expression on Chihaya Aine's face, Toyokawa Yuu knew he was close to convincing her.

"Since you've put it that way, how can I refuse? I'll help you, but I can't guarantee I can persuade Soyorin. Although she seems gentle, she's actually quite stubborn."

Hearing Toyokawa Yuu's earnest request, Chihaya Aine sighed and nodded somewhat helplessly.

Toyokawa Yuu breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that her little scheme, achieved through high-sounding words, had not been seen through, and the smile on her face became more genuine.

However, Chihaya Aine's next words caused the smile on his face to freeze slightly.

"However, I always feel that there's something different about Youyu."

With one hand supporting her chin, Chihaya Aine carefully examined the boy in front of her.

Seemingly feeling that this wasn't enough, Chihaya Aine also took out a pair of black-rimmed glasses from her bag and put them on, making her look quite like a detective.

"What... is different?"

Seeing Chihaya Aine transformed into her detective form, Toyokawa Yuu was startled.

Could it be that she has already discovered my little secret?

"Your way of addressing Xiao Mu... seems a bit more intimate now. Even though you were calling Soyorin 'Mortis' last night when you were face to face with her."

So it wasn't discovered after all...

Yuu Toyokawa secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but Chihaya Aine's words did indeed put him into a brief period of contemplation.

The nickname "Xiao Mu" was originally just a deliberate, feigned nickname used ten years later to increase the credibility of her facade.

But now, it seems I've unconsciously brought that title back to the present.

It's just that... I haven't been able to change my habits yet.

"After all, the atmosphere was special when I was facing Ms. Nagasaki Sosei last night, so it would be better to use a more formal title. Besides, Mutsu is my... my teammate, and also half of Shoko. How could I not care about her?"

Silently swallowing back the words that almost slipped out, Toyokawa Yuu's smile became more genuine.

"Then, Aine, I'll be waiting for your good news."

Chapter 78 Taking Wakaba Mutsu Off to Skip Class (6k5)

The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class, and the teacher left the classroom with steady steps.

But girls of this age always have inexhaustible energy. As soon as the teacher left the classroom, bursts of conversation filled the room.

Most of them are related to Ave Mujica's explosive performance last night.

In the past, Chihaya Aine would probably have discussed various new things with others, after all, her energy was among the most abundant even among high school girls.

But today, Chihaya Aine was unusually seated in her seat, fiddling with her phone, looking somewhat worried.

The chat window for the contact named [soyorin] has been open for a long time, but not a single message has been successfully sent.

She typed and deleted words in the input box, but Chihaya Aine still couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer.

She had promised Toyokawa Yuu not to let Nagasaki Sosei go to Wakaba Mutsu, but since Wakaba Mutsu's mental state was, in a sense, a trade secret of Ave Mujica, she felt it was necessary to keep this a secret for Toyokawa Yuu.

After all, agreeing to help him once, only to potentially cause even bigger trouble, doesn't seem reasonable no matter how you look at it.

However, if I can't tell Nagasaki Sase the truth, I'll have to make up a reason.

Chihaya Aine would never want to deceive her friends.

After glancing at the time, the pink-haired girl couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

It's lunch break now, and she still hasn't come up with a suitable reason.

If this continues, Soyorin will go to find Wakaba Mutsu, and the thing Yuu asked me to do will fail.

Is there any way to prevent Soyorin from going to see Wakaba Mutsu without having to lie to her?

"Aine, are you alright? You've been spacing out all morning."

When Chihaya Aine heard some of the introverted voices, it wasn't hard to detect a hint of worry in them.

After class, Gao Songdeng did not immediately leave her seat. She turned around and looked at the student behind her, her pink eyes filled with concern.

Some girls with eccentric personalities but sensitive hearts had already noticed that something was wrong with their friend. For the entire morning, Chihaya Aine did not show her usual sunny and even somewhat cheesy smile. Instead, her face was full of struggle.

Even during breaks, he unusually didn't leave the classroom, instead sitting motionless in his seat, staring blankly at his phone.

It wasn't like this when we first met this morning. If I had to pinpoint what happened during that time, it seems the only thing that came up was her promise to go with me to find Toyokawa Shoko during lunch break.

Is this the reason she's in a difficult position?

After all, Ai-yin and Xiang-zi didn't seem to be very close. It was understandable that she would be reluctant to be dragged to discuss such a personal topic with Xiang-zi, especially since it involved members of the band CRYCHIC.

Some of the girls, who were sensitive but unaware of the truth, misunderstood the situation and habitually blamed themselves for the mistakes, causing their short, pinkish-gray hair to suddenly appear somewhat dull.

"If Aine finds it difficult, I can go find Xiangzi myself."

"How could I? I already promised to go with you, Tomorin, of course I wouldn't back out at the last minute. I was just thinking about something else..."

Realizing that her unusual behavior seemed to have caused concern among her friends, Chihaya Aine immediately smiled and reassured the sensitive girl who was prone to taking problems very seriously.

However, as soon as she uttered the words of comfort, Chihaya Aine realized something.

The reason that allows me to avoid lying to Soyorin while keeping her from looking for Wakaba Mutsu is right in front of me all along, isn't it?

Tomorin and I really did plan to go find Xiangzi; that's not a lie.

Although Soyorin had talked to Xiangzi last night, the conversation, which ended unhappily because Youyu interrupted it, was definitely not satisfactory to Soyorin.

"Tomorin, you're a genius, love!"

With an excited sigh, Chihaya Aine immediately lowered her head and began writing furiously in the chat box.

All that was left was Takamatsu Akari, who had been inexplicably praised, tilting her head in confusion. But as long as Aine is alright... right?

No time to care what Takamatsu Akari was thinking, Chihaya Aine had already lowered her head and sent the first message to Nagasaki Sase from under her desk.

Anon: [Soyorin, are you free at noon today? Could you come over to Yuu-oka?]

After sending the message, Chihaya Aine nervously tapped her phone case with her fingertips.

The class schedules of several high schools are synchronized. I just hope that Soyorin won't be in such a hurry to find Wakaba Mutsu and will still have time to reply to my messages.

At least don't just read and not reply.

Fortunately, Chihaya Aine didn't have to wait too long this time.

soyorin: [What is it?]

Looking at the reply in the chat box, Chihaya Aine finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that Soyorin is not in a hurry to take immediate action.

Anon: [Tomorin mentioned that she was concerned about what happened at yesterday's concert, so we arranged to meet up with Xiangzi.]

Anon: [But you know lamps can't talk. I've tried talking to Xiangzi several times before, but I couldn't get things clear. I'm not familiar with Xiangzi, so I probably wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise.]

Anon: [Could you come and help her?]

Looking at the string of messages she had sent, Chihaya Aine pursed her lips, her gray eyes filled with hesitation and conflict.

It's quite unlike me to give such a long explanation; doesn't this kind of news seem like an attempt to cover something up?

But at this moment, Chihaya Aine is not the only one caught in a dilemma.

In a classroom at Tsukimori Girls' Academy, Nagasaki Sase looked down at her phone, shutting out the sound of her classmates leaving the classroom.

Nagasaki Sase narrowed his azure eyes slightly as he looked at the message from Chihaya Aine, then turned to look at Wakaba Mutsumi, who had already stood up from her seat and was walking towards the classroom door, a conflict flashing in his eyes.

It wasn't that she wasn't in a hurry, but some topics weren't suitable to be discussed in a public place like the classroom. She was waiting for Ruoye Mu to leave the classroom.

But now, another choice is presented to Nagasaki Sase – the opportunity to speak with Toyokawa Shoko again, completely undisturbed by Toyokawa Yuu.

Although the distance between Tsukinomori and Haneoka is not far, the school's designated lunch break time is not very long.

If I want to get there in time, I must set off immediately.

As a result, the plan to have a proper talk with Xiao Mu fell through.

Xiao Mu, Xiangzi...

The two names swirled in his mind, and Nagasaki Sase couldn't decide for a moment.

While Nagasaki Sose was struggling with her dilemma, Chihaya Aine's mood began to turn worried.

Looking at the unread messages on her phone screen, the pink-haired girl felt increasingly uncertain.

Could this reason be related to Soyorin, or has she already seen through it?

After thinking it over, Chihaya Aine still urged him once more.

anon: [soyorin?]

soyorin: [I didn't say I wouldn't go.]

Grabbing his bag, Nagasaki Sase left his seat.

As she passed through the corridor, she saw Wakaba Mutsumi standing in the small vegetable garden, staring blankly at her withered cucumber vines.

With a distinct furrow in her brow, Nagasaki Sase's azure eyes shifted from conflict to determination as she turned and walked toward the school gate.

She understood Wakaba Mutsu's personality; there were some things she would never say if she didn't want to or couldn't say them.

Since that's the case, we might as well ask Toyokawa Shoko again.

This time, she was determined to get Xiangzi to speak.

Seeing the clear reply from Nagasaki Sase on her phone, Chihaya Aine finally breathed a sigh of relief, but soon another problem followed.