Mygo, are you all yanderes?

Seeing that Toyokawa Shoko turned around and stared directly at her with those intimidating eyes that she could use whenever she wanted, Ruoye Mu lowered her head timidly and pressed her right hand against her left arm, trying to ease her tension.

Wakaba Mutsumi thought, "If only Kusano Akira were still here."

When Kusano Akira was still there, Wakaba Mutsu was also a little scared of Toyokawa Shoko in this state, but with Kusano Reimei in front of her, she felt okay.

Now that Kusano Akira is gone, she is left alone to face Toyokawa Shoko, and Wakaba Mutsuki's heart begins to tremble uncontrollably.

It's like trying to fight Safi'jiiva alone with a defense team without a Palico. How do you even do that?

Even though Mutsuka Wakaba and Shoko Toyokawa have known each other for about 10 years, she shouldn't be so afraid of her childhood friend.

Even when Toyokawa Shoko hid her soft inner self due to family factors and only showed a hard shell to outsiders, Wakaba Mutsu never felt afraid.

However, Wakaba Mutsu felt that Toyokawa Shoko standing in front of her at this moment was somewhat different from before—not just somewhat different, but completely different.

Although Toyokawa Shoko had gradually begun to act tough due to family reasons and her own personality, Wakaba Mutsu, who knew her very well, knew that it was just a facade that Toyokawa Shoko was putting on.

No matter how much she pretends, she's just all bark and no bite; she can't change the gentle nature of Toyokawa Shoko.

So at that time, Toyokawa Shoko worried Wakaba Mutsu, but she wasn't scary at all.

But the Toyokawa Shoko standing before her now was completely different from the one Wakaba Mutsu had imagined.

Although her appearance and attire were exactly the same as before, the subtle movements she made subconsciously confirmed that this was indeed Toyokawa Shoko herself. Even the strong sense of weariness and fatigue that had recently appeared on her was still there.

But those are just outward appearances.

The current Toyokawa Shoko gives off a very strange feeling, and she completely fails to evoke the moonlight-like aura that Wakaba Mutsu once possessed.

Even her eyebrows and eyes no longer had that hazy, soft feeling they used to have; instead, they became sharper than before, along with a strange quality.

Needless to say, his sharp edge is a far cry from his previous bluster; now, Toyokawa Shoko genuinely appears aggressive, as if he has truly been tortured and thus grown.

But that oddity is hard to say.

If Momo couldn't describe the strangeness in words, she could only sense that Toyokawa Shoko was frantically suppressing herself.

As for what she was suppressing, she couldn't tell, since she couldn't read minds.

However, just like Kusano Akira, she could also see through Toyokawa Shoko's performance.

After all, Toyokawa Shoko's acting skills weren't particularly advanced. Even Kusano Akira, who learned to disguise himself through online videos, could tell that Toyokawa Shoko's current appearance was an act. So how could Wakaba Mutsumi, whom her mother Mori Minami described as a natural-born actress, not see it?

It's worth noting that Wakaba Mutsu grew up in a family with two actors, so while she may not be self-aware of her own acting skills, she is confident in her ability to analyze the acting of others.

But precisely because of this, Wakaba Mutsuka saw Toyokawa Shoko more clearly than Kusano Akira.

If Kusano Akira had seen Toyokawa Shoko's gentle side before and could see that she was just putting on an act, then Wakaba Mutsuki, who grew up with Toyokawa Shoko and knew her even better, saw things much more deeply than Kusano Akira.

If Ye Muku truly saw through Toyokawa Shoko's cold facade, it was an act, but the emotions she displayed were not something Toyokawa Shoko imagined out of thin air.

The chill that occasionally emanates from Toyokawa Shoko is genuine—especially when she looks at Wakaba Mutsumi.

Although Toyokawa Shoko just said that Kusano Akira should leave, Wakaba Mutsu felt that Toyokawa Shoko's emotions were directed at Wakaba Mutsu, not Kusano Akira.

But it seems that it wasn't just Wakaba Mutsu; it was as if there was a fourth person present, and Toyokawa Shoko was speaking to a fourth person.

In short, after sensing the true nature of Toyokawa Shoko's coldness, Wakaba Mutsu really understood that if Toyokawa Shoko was still a hedgehog that didn't let anyone get close to her until last night, then approaching rashly would result in getting pricked.

Shoko Toyokawa is like a sharp knife wrapped in cotton candy. You might think she's harmless just by looking at her, but once that soft outer layer disappears, the sharp blade will be exposed.

Toyokawa Shoko is in real danger right now, especially for Wakaba Mutsu, who doesn't know why she's being glared at or why she's being treated coldly by Toyokawa Shoko.

Wakaba Mutsu felt fear towards the current Toyokawa Shoko.

"Since it's just the two of us, let's have a chat."

Toyokawa Shoko took out her phone, opened Wakaba Mutsu's chat history with her, and gestured to Wakaba Mutsu.

"It's about what happened this morning, which is why you came to see me, right?"

Even after Kusano Akira left, Toyokawa Shoko did not drop her cold facade in front of Wakaba Mutsuki. She still held her chin high with pride, her brows furrowed, and looked at the very uneasy Wakaba Mutsuki with almost indifference.

Actually, Toyokawa Shoko looked up just now in an attempt to find an opportunity to look down at Kusano Akira, but unfortunately Kusano Akira was more than 20 centimeters taller than her, so she couldn't even look at him at eye level, let alone look down at him.

Even when she secretly tiptoed, she could only look up at Kusano Akira.

Now, facing Wakaba Mutsumi, who is about the same height as her and is intimidated by her, Toyokawa Shoko can finally look down on others.

In her incomplete memory, Toyokawa Shoko was always overshadowed by Mortis after he went completely insane, and she had to be restricted by Mortis in everything she did—although she had always swallowed her anger because she felt indebted to Mortis.

Now that everything has been reshuffled, and feeling that she doesn't owe as much anymore, and not intending to continue to submit to Mortis, she finally has a chance to turn the tables—although it's just by bullying the current innocent and kind-hearted Wakaba Mutsumi.

But who says that a victory in one's mind isn't a victory?

"That's how it is..."

"Xiang, why did you say that during the day..."

When Toyokawa Shoko brought up the topic, Wakaba Mutsu mustered up her courage and whispered.

Toyokawa Shoko's eyes were constantly glaring, causing Wakaba Mutsu to not dare to look directly at her.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Wakaba Mutsu read both concern and anger—two emotions that should not coexist—in Toyokawa Shoko's eyes.

There are still clues to why she cares. Although Toyokawa Shoko is scary now, she is still Wakaba Mutsu's childhood friend, so Wakaba Mutsu can understand her feelings.

7. But she had no idea why Toyokawa Shoko was looking at her so angrily.

Masaruha Mutsu doesn't remember ever offending Toyokawa Shoko.

Did she accidentally offend Toyokawa Shoko with her words again without her knowledge?

That's probably the only explanation; otherwise, what could have been the coldness she felt from Toyokawa Shoko earlier?

"I've already made the reason very clear in the chat history, haven't I? 'Getting close to me will bring unhappiness.'"

Toyokawa Shoko swept her sharp gaze across Wakaba Mutsu's body. Although she maintained a calm tone, her left hand was secretly pinching her thigh hard, trying her best to suppress her anger.

Although she knew in her heart that what would happen in the future had nothing to do with the innocent Wakaba Mutsu in the present, and that Wakaba Mutsu's mistakes were not as big as hers—that's what she thought.

Before Wakaba Mutsu came looking for her, she kept telling herself that she couldn't lose her temper with the current Wakaba Mutsu, and that she had to use the most efficient and quickest way to nip Wakaba Mutsu and Kusano Akira's feelings in the bud.

But whenever she saw that familiar face, Toyokawa Shoko would think of everything that had happened, and her anger would inevitably resurface.

She could have had a happy ending, but everyone was getting in her way, including Mortis.

She admitted that she had made some mistakes in decision-making in the past, so she did feel sorry for Mortis, but that did not mean that Mortis had necessarily treated her well.

In her state of mind, overwhelmed by anger, resentment, and regret, Toyokawa Shoko made the wrong judgment about one thing—that she, Kusano Akira, and everyone else should never have any contact with each other.

They should be three parallel lines that never converge.

So just as Mortis guessed, although Toyokawa Shoko said on the surface that she wouldn't affect Mortis and Wakaba Mutsu, she was convinced that nothing good would happen if Kusano Akira reconnected with everyone. So Toyokawa Shoko would do everything in her power to destroy Kusano Akira's relationships with herself and everyone else.

This may not achieve the best outcome, but it certainly won't be wrong.

Anyway, everyone can be friends with Kusano Akira even without her. The only person that Toyokawa Shoko has wronged is probably Kusano Akira.

If she succeeds, Kusano Akira will most likely be alone again.

However, Toyokawa Shoko believed that even if she was alone, it was still better than being locked in a basement and constantly being hurt until she died.

SouSUO: 倛死—〈溜。 (奺∧?⊙§·临丰川祥子 has always been someone who only runs in one direction.)

Once she has firmly established a belief in her heart, Toyokawa Shoko will charge headlong in that direction without looking back, and no one can stop her.

This time, she absolutely, positively wants to protect everyone—and also because she doesn't want to see Kusano Akira with anyone else again.

"That's why I don't understand..."

Despite feeling timid, Wakaba Mutsu still mustered up the courage to ask Toyokawa Shoko the question.

"Xiang, has something happened?"

If Ye Mutsu firmly believes that something bad must have happened to Toyokawa Shoko, otherwise she wouldn't have become like this.

"That's not your concern. All you need to know is to stay away from me."

"..."

Seeing Toyokawa Shoko's cold eyes and emotionless voice, Wakaba Mutsu's face turned deathly pale.

She was somewhat at a loss and tried to grab Toyokawa Shoko's hand, but Toyokawa Shoko dodged away.

Wakaba Mutsumi knew that the possibility that Toyokawa Shoko was simply too proud to apologize, as Kusano Akira had mentioned to him, no longer existed.

If Ye Mu could sense that Toyokawa Shoko was serious, he would understand.

She truly wanted to part ways with Ruoye Mutsu and never contact him again.

If Mutsumi Wakaba hadn't been chased away by Shoko Toyokawa, then Akira would definitely have been able to find a solution.

She was too clumsy and had no idea how to handle the situation.

"However, it's not necessary to do it this way."

Seeing Wakaba Mutsu's face turn deathly pale, and her helpless gaze drifting towards Kusano Akira, Toyokawa Shoko realized that her decision was somewhat wrong and took back what she had just said.

The relationship between Wakaba Mutsumi and Kusano Akira has far exceeded Toyokawa Shoko's original expectations.

When faced with this situation, Wakaba Mutsumi's first reaction was to search for Kusano Akira, which is definitely Mortis's doing.

From this perspective, even if Mortis doesn't return to Wakaba Mutsu's body, he still has ways to influence Wakaba Mutsu.

Since that's the case, Toyokawa Shoko can no longer hold onto her previous idea that Mortis is just a doll body and that as long as she can't return to Wakaba Mutsu's body, she can't cause any trouble.

Since Wakaba Mutsumi and Kusano Akira have such a close relationship right now, letting them go will not do any good for Toyokawa Shoko.

She had to change her strategy and actively interfere with them instead of simply cutting ties.

Toyokawa Shoko could imagine that if she really said something to Wakaba Mutsu here, Wakaba Mutsu would definitely go to Kusano Akira next.

Whether she went to Kusano Akira for comfort or to ask him to change Toyokawa Shoko's mind, it was not good news for Toyokawa Shoko.

Since that's the case, let's put the separation of Wakaba Mutsu into the future. The primary goal now is to sever the relationship between Kusano Akira and Wakaba Mutsu, thereby reducing the possibility of Mortis returning to Wakaba Mutsu's body.

Therefore, from now on, she not only cannot be separated from Wakaba Mutsu, but also needs to stay with Wakaba Mutsu even more closely than before, and pay close attention to Wakaba Mutsu's condition at all times.

"Eh?"

Wakaba Mutsu had already figured out how to explain everything to Kusano Akira, but unexpectedly, Toyokawa Shoko changed her mind again.

She paused for a moment, then her face returned to an expression of unease.

In general, this situation doesn't mean things have actually gotten better; on the contrary, it's highly likely that the other party is going to propose an even more unacceptable condition.

Judging from Toyokawa Shoko's tone, this is most likely not a good thing.

"Xiang means...?"

Seeing Wakaba Mutsu's cautious demeanor, Toyokawa Shoko turned her body towards the corner entrance.

“I can take back what I said to you during the day, and we can act like nothing happened, but there’s a condition.”

Toyokawa Shoko pointed in the direction of Kusano Akira, her body still facing that spot, but her head turned around, her eyes slightly narrowed as she looked at Wakaba Mutsumi.

"Mumu, I want you to never contact Kusano again."

Author's Note:

Sad 4k

This chapter was so-so; I'm feeling down today.

Goodnight

Volume 1: Chapter 33 (Thirty-Two): The Forum of the Lonely

"...?"

When Ayakawa Shoko heard what she said, Wakaba Muku was really shocked, and even forgot to breathe for a moment.

She simply couldn't understand why Toyokawa Shoko suddenly mentioned Kusano Akira's name, and why she immediately said something like Wakaba Mutsu and Kusano Akira should stop contacting each other.

Could it be that Kusano Akira offended Toyokawa Shoko in a way she didn't know? But judging from his tone, he seemed to get along quite well with Toyokawa Shoko during the day.

Judging from Kusano Akira's expression, he didn't seem to be lying to her; he genuinely felt that his relationship with Toyokawa Shoko was going well.

Could it be that Kusano Akira, like Wakaba Mutsumi, is the type who unconsciously offends people without even realizing it? Thinking about it this way, Wakaba Mutsumi felt that her acquaintance with Kusano Akira was simply destined.

Speaking of Kusano Akira, did the ice around Toyokawa Shoko melt a little when we were talking about him? Or was it just my imagination?

"Why... Xiang, do you say that?"

Wakaba asked with a puzzled look, still unsure of Toyokawa Shoko's motives for saying that.

Even if we don't rule out the possibility that Kusano Akira unintentionally offended Toyokawa Shoko, Wakaba Mutsu doesn't believe that Kusano Akira is really capable enough to make Toyokawa Shoko take things to this extent.