Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

"So, Mortis..." he began softly, "Why do you have to listen to her?"

"You share the same existence and should have equal dignity and rights, right?"

This question was like a carefully crafted key, precisely inserted into the long-locked door in Mortis' heart. With a slight turn, the dusty thoughts behind the door slowly flowed out like a trickle of water.

Kujo Renji watched the complex emotions that flashed across Mortis's face—confusion, surprise, hesitation, hope—and knew he had touched upon the core.

He deliberately slowed down his speech, allowing each word to create ripples in the other person's heart like a drop of ink dropped into clear water.

"In the world you share..." His voice was like a demon's whisper: "identities and roles are never fixed."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes so sincere that they seemed to see through the soul:

"You share the same body and have the same rights and responsibilities. If Ye Mu takes the lead, it is just... a convention, a habit, not a law that must be followed."

"But I can't..." Mortis' voice trembled, as if he was fighting against a belief that had been ingrained in him for many years. "If there was no Xiao Mu, there would be no me..."

Jiujo Renji's voice became more bewitching and penetrating, as if it could reach the depths of one's soul:

"Even if parents create a child and give life to him, it doesn't mean that the child will always belong to them, right?"

His analogy was so apt, so natural, that Mortis couldn't immediately object.

Jiujo Renji saw a flicker of hesitation in Mortis's eyes, and his long-held belief in Ye Mu's absolute authority began to waver. So he continued to delve deeper, his tone filled with sincere understanding:

"What you long for is to be treated as an equal, to be genuinely respected, to be truly...seen."

When he said the word "see", Mortis' eyes widened slightly, as if he had spoken her deepest desire.

"Mortis, the same could be Wakaba Mu."

These words fell on Mortis' ears like a spell.

She found that her resistance was gradually crumbling, like ice and snow melting in winter.

.

PS: This chapter is three-in-one, with 6,500 words.

Chapter 49: Put it on and kneel down. (5 in 1)

Jiujo Liansi lowered his eyes slightly, tapping the armrest of the bench with his fingertips. He appeared calm on the surface, but a series of thoughts were surging in his heart.

The unexpected discovery of split personality explained many of Wakaba Mu's abnormal behaviors - her judgment that was sometimes sharp and sometimes dull, the strange feeling of being "playing herself", and even her unpredictable changes in behavior.

But a key question remains unanswered: Why did Ruo Yemu approach him?

From the chance encounter in the coffee shop, to the previously hesitant stares, to now sending another personality to follow him - none of this is accidental. Wakaba Mu has obviously noticed something and is determined to find out the truth.

But how did she notice that something was wrong?

Was it a mistake in a detail? A flaw in a sentence? Or was it a certain temperament he unintentionally displayed?

It is impossible for a normal high school student to doubt a person's identity based on intuition alone.

If Ye Mu's acumen is far beyond that of ordinary people, this kind of insight itself is worthy of vigilance.

She must have some clue, some trace that he had not yet discovered.

And this is exactly what he needs to know most now.

"Back to the original question, Mortis...why did Wakaba Mu ask you to follow me?"

The direct question caught Mortis off guard.

She hesitated for a moment, and her light green hair fell on both sides of her cheeks as she lowered her head.

"Because Xiaomu found that something is wrong with Xiaoxiang now."

She finally spoke, her voice more relaxed than before, but still cautious:

"Then... she created a personality of yours into the mental space."

"create?"

Kujo Renji's brows raised slightly, and a hint of surprise appeared in his tone.

—Creating… a personality profile?

Mortis nodded, his golden eyes twinkling, as if he had finally found an outlet to express himself:

"Yes, based on Xiaoxiang's words and actions, I created an image of you in the mental theater. But that personality..."

Her voice dropped. "That personality suddenly lost control."

"out of control?"

Kujo Renji frowned.

"Yeah, that's her! Getting very...very dangerous!"

Mortis recalled the scene and shrunk his shoulders involuntarily:

"Xiao Mu realized that you are definitely not the same Xiao Xiang as before, so he asked me to follow you to find out what happened."

Kujo Renji suddenly felt a little absurd.

No wonder he couldn't figure out what Wakaba Mu was trying to do. What the hell... He has the ability to shoot more than ten episodes on the Conan set next door. Who could have guessed that?

He recalled his first few interactions with Ruoye Mu, the feeling of being scrutinized, those probing questions, and the action of directly asking about his identity in the restaurant - everything was explained.

No wonder Ruoye Mu was acting so strangely. She wasn't just guessing, she was confirming. By observing his mannerisms, tone, and reaction patterns, Ruoye Mu was able to construct a projection of "Kyujo Renji" in her own mental space.

This is no longer simple sharpness or intuition, but an almost supernatural ability.

So, when did she first start to doubt him? And which detail betrayed him?

Renji Kujo recalled every contact he had with Mutsu Wakaba after taking over Shoko Toyokawa's body.

Maybe it was already decided when we met at the first rehearsal.

The subsequent meeting in the cafe should have been an opportunity to enhance trust, but it became a way for Wakaba Mu to collect evidence of his abnormal behavior.

Perhaps, if Ye Mu’s goal from the beginning to the end was to find the real Toyokawa Shoko?

If she really has such powerful abilities, why doesn't she seek more professional help, but choose to face a person she has confirmed to be "dangerous" alone?

So stupid.

However, this is actually a good thing for Kujo Renji.

If Ye Mu could really "profile" personalities, then this ability would be of infinite value in his plans.

A tool that can accurately read the minds of others, a weapon that can predict reactions and behaviors - this is far more useful than a simple source of intelligence.

However, the most important thing now is to confirm what information Wakaba Mu has already obtained and how to turn this potential threat into a help.

And the personality in front of him, who calls himself Mortis, may be the breakthrough.

There was a barely perceptible eagerness in Kujo Renji's eyes, and his thoughts were surging like a tide.

——If Ye Mu had such an ability, in a sense, he could even be said to be "mind-reading". If he could use it to his advantage...

No, this girl belongs to me!

Jiujo Renji sighed: "Xiao Mu, and you too, must have suffered a lot because of this incident."

Hearing the other party's gentle comfort, Mortis also grew bolder. She seemed to have finally mustered up the courage, and her golden eyes looked directly at Jiujo Renji:

"So...can you tell me who you are?"

This question seems to be hanging in the air, heavy.

The wind blew through the park, bringing with it a hint of early summer coolness. Kujo Renji didn't answer immediately, but instead looked up at the sky, where a cluster of stars was faintly visible.

"The relationship between Xiaoxiang and I..."

He finally spoke, his voice soft and magnetic:

"Just like the relationship between you and Xiaomu."

Mortis' eyes widened. Although she had already guessed it, she was still a little surprised to hear the other party admit it himself:

"You mean, you guys also...share a body?"

Jiujo Renji smiled:

"In a sense, yes. It's just that our relationship is more...special."

His smile seemed to possess the power to bewitch people, and every word he said seemed like a carefully designed bait:

"Don't you think Xiaoxiang is better now than before?"

better...?

Mortis blinked.

“More confident, more decisive, and more in control of my own destiny.”

Jiujo Renji's voice became increasingly gentle, yet it contained an undeniable power:

"Xiao Mu is just like Xiao Xiang. They both have many shortcomings, more or less... and we exist to make up for these shortcomings."

These words reminded Mortis of Wakaba Mu's always quiet and introverted personality, his often ignored presence, and his powerlessness in the face of pressure.

And now the "Xiaoxiang" in front of him has indeed shown a stronger side.

"You mean..." she began hesitantly, uncertainty in her voice, "You're here to...complete her?"

"To be precise...it's us."

The girl's amber eyes held something Mortis couldn't understand:

"We are not invaders, Mortis. We are evolution, ascension, a part of who they are."

The blue-haired girl came closer, her voice deep and powerful:

"Imagine what it would be like if you could help Xiao Mu, make her stronger and more confident, and no longer be ignored or looked down upon by others?"

Mortis's breathing became rapid, and his golden eyes flickered with a mixture of hesitation and hope.

"You can definitely do that."

Kujo Renji continued, his voice like the whisper of a devil.

"Just like I helped Xiaoxiang. You can help Xiaomu become a more perfect girl, one who can control her own destiny."

Every word the girl said resonated in Mortis' heart:

"Imagine standing center stage, the center of attention, no longer a supporting role hiding in the shadows. That feeling... must be wonderful, isn't it?"

Mortis' eyes lit up, as if he saw some unprecedented possibility.

Kujo Renji's words touched upon the long-suppressed desire deep in her heart - to be seen, to be valued, to be the protagonist rather than a permanent supporting role.

"Can I...can I do this?" Her voice was uncertain yet full of anticipation.

"Of course... I can teach you how to do this if you'd like. We can work together, Mortis."

"Cooperation..." Mortis murmured the word, as if savoring its meaning.

"Yes, cooperation."

Kujo Renji smiled, a smile as warm as a spring breeze, but hidden beneath his amber eyes was a bottomless shadow:

"We all have our own goals, and by working together, we can achieve them faster. You no longer have to be dominated by Xiao Mu, and you no longer have to do things that scare you. Instead, you can gain more freedom, more... control."

Mortis' eyes sparkled with excitement, and her long light green hair swayed slightly as she nodded:

"I can...Xiao Mu, can I really become a better version of myself?!"

"Not only that."

Jiujo Renji's voice was filled with fatal temptation:

"You can become the person Wakaba Mu never thought you could be. Strong, confident, and no longer ignored or looked down upon by anyone."

These words were like sweet rain that poured down upon Mortis's heart, which was thirsty for recognition. Her expression gradually changed from hesitant to determined, and finally even took on a hint of fanaticism.

"I am willing!"

She almost blurted out, with an unprecedented determination in her voice:

"I want to be a better version of myself! I want Xiaomu to see that I'm more than just a tool she created!"

Kujo Renji nodded with satisfaction, a barely perceptible smile on his lips.