Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

The rain dripped against the window frames of the apartment, interweaving with the dull air inside, adding a bit of depression.

Sanjiao Chuhua stood at the entrance, the cold rain dripping down her hair and soaking the fabric on her shoulders.

She didn't even bother to wipe it with a towel, letting the coldness seep into her skin, as if only in this way could she slightly numb the dull pain in her chest.

The door of the apartment closed behind her with a click, isolating her from the outside world but also completely imprisoning her in her own chaotic thoughts.

She didn't turn on the lights, letting the dim light stretch her figure out, just like her feeling so heavy that she couldn't move.

She recalled the anonymous email she received a few months ago.

"Do you think the current Shoko Toyokawa is still the Shoko Toyokawa you knew?"

Yes, Xiaoxiang now...

It's not that she didn't notice something was wrong.

The Xiaoxiang who used to reveal his fragility and dependence inadvertently seems to be becoming blurred little by little.

In her place is a calm, almost cruel, powerful, and perfect Toyokawa Shoko who is so...unlike a real person.

This is certainly a good thing. Xiaoxiang has become stronger, and Ave Mujica has achieved unprecedented success under her leadership.

But...why, there was always a sense of inexplicable panic and loss in her heart?

Chu Hua didn't want to believe it, nor did she dare to think too deeply about it. She was afraid that the answer hidden in her heart would completely overturn her understanding of Xiao Xiang and the figure she had been chasing for so long.

However, the anonymous sender did not give up.

In the subsequent email, the other party claimed to have more inside information about Toyokawa Shoko's "changes", but the prerequisite was that Chuhua must cooperate with him and conduct some "tests" on Toyokawa Shoko during daily rehearsals and interactions.

"Temptation"...what a vile word.

Chuhua's intuition told her that Xiaoxiang was indeed different now.

That change was not simple growth or maturity, but something deeper that made her feel unfamiliar.

So, driven by the condemnation of her conscience and irrepressible curiosity, she began a secret action that was almost self-abuse.

She would deliberately bring up little things from the past that only the two of them knew, full of warm memories, to observe Xiaoxiang's reactions. She would secretly pay attention to Xiaoxiang's subtle expressions when they were alone, trying to catch a glimmer of true emotion from behind that perfect mask.

She would even ask some indirect questions about the recent situation of the Fengchuan family, even though she knew that this might touch Xiaoxiang's sore spot.

However, every "test" was like a punch on cotton.

Xiaoxiang's responses were always so appropriate, so impeccable. She would smile as she addressed memories of the past, her tone gentle, yet without a trace of genuine emotion. Even when she was alone, she maintained her composure, as if her world had long since given up on joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Nothing at all.

There are no flaws, no abnormalities, only breathtaking perfection.

This secret spying and betrayal of "Xiao Xiang", as well as every email exchange with the anonymous person, were like a blunt knife, repeatedly cutting Chu Hua's heart.

She began to hate herself.

She hated herself for doubting Xiaoxiang, the man who had once illuminated her life like a beacon; she hated herself for behaving in such a sneaky, rat-like manner; and she hated herself even more for the contradictory feeling of loss and relief she felt in her heart after each unsuccessful "test."

This is a betrayal of Xiaoxiang, an unforgivable betrayal!

But what happened to Xiaoxiang? Why did she become like this?

That strong desire to explore tightly wrapped around her like a vine, making it impossible for her to escape.

Plus...the pressure from the Toyokawa family.

Although Xiaoxiang never mentioned it to her, how could she not feel the invisible, heavy pressure? Xiaoxiang was carrying too much, and she seemed unable to do anything besides supporting him musically. This feeling of powerlessness made her hate her own weakness and incompetence even more.

The inner torment, the disgust towards herself, the confusion about the truth, and the heavy, inexplicable pressure, were like a huge net, tightening around her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Finally, after another communication with the anonymous person, in which the other party hinted at some even more disturbing possibilities and asked her to make further "cooperation", the string in Chu Hua's heart completely broke.

She can't go on like this.

She could no longer tolerate this betrayal of Xiaoxiang, nor could she endure this endless self-torture.

Leaving may be the only option.

"I'm sorry...Xiaoxiang..."

PS: I went to the hospital and had sinus arrhythmia

Although it's not a big deal, I guess it will be difficult to make 10,000 yuan a day recently. Alas, I'm really sorry. It will take at most a week for me to adjust my work and rest schedule and then I can start making 10,000 yuan a day again.

Chapter 131 Xiaoxiang also fell.

The air in the apartment was a little depressing, just like Shoko Toyokawa's mood at the moment.

To be honest, Sanjiao Chuhua still doesn't understand why he said that and why he chose to leave.

It's not that she hadn't thought of various possibilities, but each one seemed untenable.

Chuhua is not the kind of person who gives up easily, especially when Ave Mujica's career is booming.

She sat in the chair, her fingertips tapping her knees unconsciously, her beautiful brows tightly furrowed.

She vaguely suspected that the root of this matter might still be related to "Kujo Renji".

"Is there a possibility..."

Finally unable to help herself, Toyokawa Shoko asked Kujo Renji in her mind, her voice filled with uncertainty:

"Did she choose to leave Ave Mujica because she doubted our identities?"

"What do you mean by doubting our identity?"

Kujo Renji's voice sounded in her mind, with a bit of casual confusion.

"that is..."

Toyokawa Shoko organized her words and tried to express her thoughts clearly:

"Weren't you the one who controlled my body before? Chu Hua...is there a possibility that she sensed something strange and knew that the previous 'me', or the 'me' at certain times, was not the real me, so...that's why she chose to leave?"

The more she spoke, the tighter her brows furrowed, and her eyes revealed a hint of thoughtfulness.

She tried hard to recall every detail of her time with Chu Hua, trying to find some clues to confirm her guess.

Chu Hua's almost unconditional trust and dependence on her, if the foundation of this trust is shaken, it is indeed possible that she will make some unexpected moves.

After listening to her analysis, Jiujo Liansi chuckled in her mind with an ambiguous meaning, and felt that Xiaoxiang's imagination was indeed quite unique.

"If that's the case."

There was a hint of joking in his voice:

"Shouldn't she have stayed, trying to observe, verify, or even try to expose me as a fake and save you? She just chose to leave. What kind of move is that?"

Kujo Renji's tone was relaxed, as if he was commenting on a illogical play.

After hearing his question, Shoko Toyokawa was speechless.

Indeed, according to normal logic, if Chu Hua really realized that she was "possessed" or "controlled", given how much she valued herself, she would more likely find a way to help her rather than choose to escape.

"Then...then why?"

Toyokawa Shoko found it difficult to explain her vague intuition, and in the end she could only mutter something with a sad face, her tone full of frustration.

She knew that Kujo Renji had plenty of ways.

Influenced by him, she also roughly understood some of the rules of business operations, as well as the techniques of binding people tightly through contracts, interests, and even some less glorious means.

However, asking her to use these cold, calculating methods on her friends, especially on Sanjiao Chuhua...

She still couldn't do such a thing.

No, it can't end like this in such an unclear way.

She still needed to know why Sanjiao Chuhua suddenly chose to leave, so that she could make the most appropriate response based on the specific situation.

Was it a misunderstanding? Was he being coerced? Or was there some other reason he couldn't let go?

But how do you know the reason?

A series of operational ideas that gradually became "professional" under the influence of Kujo Renji flashed subconsciously through Shoko Toyokawa's mind.

Looking for a trustworthy private investigator?

Or... secretly follow her? Investigate her recent whereabouts and the people she'd come into contact with?

Use big data to analyze her online traces?

Infer her true thoughts based on her statements before and after she left?

Even...is it possible to use some psychological knowledge to analyze the motivations behind her behavior?

These thoughts swirled in her mind, but she soon realized a realistic problem:

Where could she find someone who was both reliable and skilled in this field to help her?

There doesn't seem to be such a person in her own circle of contacts.

"that..."

After hesitating for a moment, Shoko Toyokawa decided to ask for help from the "all-powerful" guy next to her.

She asked Jiujo Renji cautiously in her mind:

"Do you... do you know any... um, people or teams that are good at tracking and investigating?"

She tried to make her tone sound more natural, not as if she was planning something shady.

Jiujo Renji was about to speak, seemingly wanting to directly recommend a few of his "professionals", but when the words came to his lips, he seemed to suddenly think of something very interesting, and with a barely perceptible malicious smile in his tone, he said:

"Haha, Ms. Toyokawa, don't you know someone who is talented in this field?"

"Eh?"

Upon hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa was stunned and a little confused.

Does she know herself?

When did she know this kind of "professional"?

She thought carefully about the people she knew, from her classmates in Tsuki no Mori to her friends in CRYCHIC, and then to the members of Ave Mujica, and it seemed that no one had a skill point in "tracking investigation".

At first, she didn't realize the deep meaning of Kujo Renji's words.

Until Jiujo Renji gently uttered a hint of a name in her mind with a tone that was a bit playful and suggestive.

Only then did Shoko Toyokawa suddenly realize who Kujo Renji was talking about.

——Ms. Nagasaki Suyo.

correct!

If he revealed his identity, the one occupying his body would actually be "Toyokawa Shoko" instead of "Kujo Renji". This would not only prevent Nagasaki Suyo from being threatened by Kujo Renji, but would also allow the other party to help him.

Simply kill two birds with one stone!

As if he had guessed what Toyokawa Shoko was thinking, Kujo Renji sneered.

"Ms. Fengchuan, you'd better not think about those nonsense. If you want her to help you, you might as well force her directly."

"Just like I coerced her before."

Having her thoughts guessed, Toyokawa Shoko felt a little guilty and immediately retorted:

"I wouldn't do anything to coerce my friends."

"is it?"

Kujo Renji didn't say much, just chuckled.

This made Shoko Toyokawa feel a little guilty.

...

To the girl's surprise, Nagasaki Suyo responded quickly and agreed to meet.

The meeting was held in an elegant coffee shop. Sitting by the window, one could see the drizzling rain outside.

Nagasaki Suyo arrived a few minutes earlier than the agreed time. She was wearing the Tsuki no Mori school uniform, a beige knitted cardigan, and her hair was meticulously styled.

She sat there quietly with a cup of steaming black tea in front of her, her eyes drifting out the window from time to time, as if she was thinking about something.