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Page 526
Mana looked at Hanami with a pitiful expression. The boy's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "As expected of a Japanese doll girl, she always starts with 'Oh no!' when something happens."
“Since Mana-chan, your boyfriend can’t show his face, how about we find someone to play your boyfriend?” Hatsune said.
“Uh…” Upon hearing this, Mana subconsciously looked at Hanami.
Hatsune seemed to sense something as well, and looking at Yanami, she quickly said, "I...I wasn't talking about Yuu-kun!"
How could Yuuki pretend to be Mana-chan's boyfriend?
Mana thought that this idea might not be a bad one. After all, if she dated Toyokawa-kun, no one would suspect Hatsune, which would be a cover for them.
But Banami complained, "What a terrible idea! Do you guys even want your idol careers anymore?"
For idols like them whose popularity is rising, getting involved in a relationship is a recipe for disaster, unless they've already reached the level of singers.
Hearing this, the two understood, but Hatsune looked troubled: "What Yu-kun said makes sense, but... isn't our relationship already exposed?"
At this moment, Mana gradually realized the seriousness of the situation, and her face turned pale. She loved the stage and Hatsune Miku very much, but now, it seemed that she was about to lose them all.
Seeing Mana like this, even Hachiman felt a little sorry for her.
Suddenly, Mana seemed to have thought of something and said, "If, if Hatsune-chan and Toyokawa-kun had been discovered yesterday, what... would you have done?"
Hatsune thought for a moment and said, "Uh, if it were me and Yu-kun, it would be easy. We could just say that I'm his aunt, that we're family, and that occasionally lying on each other's laps is part of our family relationship. It's... very normal, right?"
"Normal my foot," Banami thought to herself, "but this explanation is somewhat plausible."
Suddenly, Mana seemed to realize something as well, her expression turning strange. She said, "Hey, Junda Mana, you wouldn't be thinking of..."
"Oh my god, Toyokawa-kun, let me, let me be your aunt, okay?"
No, you wanted to be my mom yesterday, and today you want to be my aunt. Why do you always only think about yourself?
Hatsune's eyes widened in surprise, and then she heard Mana explain, "Just as Hatsune-chan said, as long as you say I'm Toyokawa-kun's aunt, it's believable that he's lying on my lap. It has nothing to do with a romantic relationship, and the fans and the agency can explain it away."
Mana became more and more convinced that the method was feasible, but Hatsune quickly said, "No... it won't work."
"W-why?" Mana asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Uh..." Hatsune simply denied it at first, but she hadn't thought of a reason yet.
But that's not difficult. Hatsune quickly said, "Of course not. After all, Yu-kun's family relationship is public knowledge. I am her aunt. And Mana-chan, your family relationship is also public knowledge. This kind of lie can be found out with a simple investigation."
"It seems...that's how it is." Immediately, Mana became dejected and even began to sob softly.
Seeing the girl's appearance, Banai couldn't help but glance at Hatsune Miku, thinking to herself, if it weren't for that blond guy's antics back then, Junta Mana wouldn't have made such a blunder in response to the situation.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly and said, "Your method isn't entirely unworkable, is it?"
"Huh?!" Hatsune Miku's eyes widened as she looked at the boy next to her.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Mana-chan is definitely still Xiao Chunu
"That's how it is. This person next to me is my nephew, Yana Miyu. There's a big age gap between my sister and me. Xiaoyu and I were born the same age."
Therefore, we were practically childhood sweethearts who grew up together.
At the clarification meeting prepared by the agency, Junda Mana blushed slightly and held up a series of identification documents.
This proves that she has an older sister and a nephew of the same age, namely "Yana Miyu" next to her.
Upon hearing her words, the group of fan leaders and entertainment reporters gasped softly. Surprisingly, no one doubted her, and it seemed that no one could recognize that the person next to them was "Toyokawa Yu".
Mana didn't know how the other person did it, nor did she know what the "identity card" he mentioned was, but things really did develop as the boy had said.
The news that "SUMIMI's lead singer, Mana Junda, has a secret boyfriend, and photos have been released" spread like wildfire, first causing a stir among fans, then gradually spreading outwards, and even becoming a headline in society for a time.
The reaction within the fan groups even became more intense.
Meanwhile, Hanami instructed the agency to issue a statement indicating that the boy in the photo was actually Junda Mana's relative, her nephew who was the same age as her.
As if it were only natural, no one believed the news at first, and some fans even started to hurl insults, thinking that SUMIMI really thought they were fools.
Soon, people began to investigate Mana Junda's family background and discovered that she actually had an older sister and a nephew of the same age. Some people even visited Mana's hometown and found that neighbors could testify that the two children grew up together but were of different generations.
After the news had been brewing for a while, Banami instructed the agency to hold this clarification meeting.
Just then, an entertainment reporter raised his hand and said, "So, the person in the photos that night is this Hanami-kun?"
Before Mana could speak, Banami interjected, "Yes, I came from my hometown by car. Because the journey was long, I was very tired when I arrived in Tokyo. My aunt saw that I looked sleepy, so she let me sleep on her lap."
Actually, we've always been like this since we were little. Although she's my aunt, we're more like childhood sweethearts; I've always treated her like a younger sister.
Mana seemed a little unconvinced and said, "I'm clearly the aunt, I'm the older sister, Xiaoxi, really!"
Mana's adorable appearance perfectly matches her usual cute and innocent demeanor, bringing a knowing smile to everyone, including her fans.
Although it seems ridiculous, it does have a full set of identification documents. More importantly, what was photographed was not a kiss or anything, but just a lap pillow.
After all, they are fans of their idol. As long as they don't see their idol being stuffed into a puff pastry with their own eyes, the fans will forgive her.
"As expected, Mana-chan is indeed pure!"
"I knew it! Mana-chan is definitely still Xiao Chunu!"
"SUMIMI is wings for a lifetime!"
"Those of you who spoke ill of Mana-chan yesterday, step forward!"
The fans, who had been feeling frustrated all day yesterday, are now launching a counterattack.
Although it was just a misunderstanding, the fans were happy, the entertainment reporters were happy to get their fill of traffic, and the agency, although sweating profusely, at least managed to protect SUMIMI and could still manage a wry smile.
Only Misaki Miku, the other member of SUMIMI, who was sitting in the front row, looked rather unwell.
I'm the one who's supposed to be Xi-jun's aunt. I should be the one telling the fans, "Although I'm nominally Xi-jun's aunt, we actually grew up together. We're childhood friends, and I've always treated him like a younger brother!"
These are the words that I should be saying! It was me, it was me!
But now everything is gone; her status as an aunt has been "stolen" by Mana.
Although in everyone's eyes, the current Yu-kun is "Yanami Yu" who came from the countryside, rather than "Toyokawa Yu" of the Toyokawa Group.
But just as the same move is ineffective against Gold Saints.
Now that things have come to this, Hatsune Miku can no longer use the "aunt" identity as a selling point, otherwise it would be too coincidental and similar, and fans and reporters are not fools.
Looking at Mana sitting there, the smile on her face, the intimacy between her and Banami, it was more like... lovers than childhood friends and family.
Hatsune's face immediately turned ashen.
I should be the one being photographed, and the person sitting up there right now should be me, Miku Miku.
But why...?
However, Mana, who was smiling knowingly at that moment, did not notice the change in her favorite partner's expression, and was instead immersed in her own identity.
Moreover, she didn't want to use the identity of "aunt" as just a tool to get through the difficulties. She suddenly thought of a way to correct the twisted relationship between Hatsune Miku and Toyokawa-kun.
Her idea of replacing Toyokawa's mother and giving him maternal love wasn't wrong, but she couldn't compete with that rival, Nagasaki Motoyo, who was simply too strong.
But if you think about it a little more, why can't she take the place of Hatsune Miku's aunt and then use that identity to give Toyokawa-kun love, gradually shifting his attention from Hatsune Miku to her?
She's just so incredibly smart!
***
By the time the briefing ended, the fans in attendance had already started chanting SUMIMI's name.
"Thank you everyone, thank you for your support! I will work hard to perform in the future to repay you all!" Mana shouted excitedly.
But when she returned behind the scenes, she saw Hatsune Miku already waiting there impatiently.
"Xi...Xi-kun, it's all over now, let's go home quickly." As long as she stayed here, she and Xi-kun were complete strangers, a situation that made her very uncomfortable.
But when Otoko first took Banami's hand, Mana was also taking Banami's other hand.
"Not now, Hatsune-chan."
"Huh?!"
Hatsune's eyes widened slightly; she had never seen Mana so assertive before.
"The president told me that in order to solidify the impression in the hearts of fans that Toyokawa-kun and I are family, I will go out and play with Toyokawa-kun for the next few days and then take pictures and send them back to the agency."
Mana thought to herself that she was the one who brought this up with the president, and the president thought it made a lot of sense, so he agreed.
And she took advantage of this time to completely win over this mama's boy CEO and steal Hatsune's aunt's place in his heart.
Thinking of this, Mana regained her strength.
The girl looked deeply at her partner and silently vowed in her heart, "Hatsune-chan, I will definitely protect you!"
Chapter Twenty-Six: My Lover is Pure and Immaculate
The next morning, the Toyokawa family's dining room was warm and cozy, with a delicious breakfast laid out on the table, and it was as lively as ever.
Banami sat at the dining table, her face full of contentment—she had finally escaped Junta Mana's clutches last night and slept soundly next to Shoko. Now she was eager to enjoy this belated and comforting breakfast.
Compared to the big golden retriever and Donut, even Xiao Xiang looks so normal and considerate.
Just as he picked up his fork and was about to spear a fried egg, a maid walked quickly into the dining room with a strange expression. Her face showed some hesitation and inquiry. She walked up to Banami and said in a low voice, "Young master, there is a girl outside who claims to be your 'aunt'. She says... she says she's here to ask you out on a date."
"puff--"
The maid had barely finished speaking when Banami, who was drinking juice, suddenly spat it out. The orange-yellow juice sprayed squarely onto Hatsune's face, who was sitting next to her. The juice slid down Hatsune's cheeks, wetting her bangs and collar, creating an extremely awkward scene.
Startled, Banai quickly grabbed a tissue from the table and hurriedly wiped the juice off Hatsune's face, her voice full of apology: "I'm so sorry, Hatsune, I didn't mean to! It was an accident!"
Hatsune lowered her eyes slightly, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice was as soft as a feather: "It's...it's okay, Yu-kun."
It was...it was juice with Xi-kun's saliva on it that sprayed onto my face, *squeaks*...
After wiping up the juice, Banai breathed a sigh of relief, then looked awkwardly at Xiangzi and the other girls at the table, and explained with a forced smile, "Uh... everyone, don't misunderstand, this is what I told you yesterday about Junda Mana, it's not what you think."
He was screaming inwardly: You little brat! You're coming after me to kill me, aren't you?
But when he turned to look at Xiangzi, he found that the other party's expression was unusually calm. He was still holding his knife and fork, slowly cutting the pork chop on his plate. His movements were elegant and composed, and his tone was calm without any ripples: "Nan Xi, you should go and greet them. After all, they are Hatsune's partner. Don't neglect them."
Hatsune's eyes widened instantly, staring at Shoko in disbelief, her voice filled with confusion and unease: "SAKI-chan, you... how could you..."
She swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue, but the panic in her eyes was impossible to hide.
When Banai saw his wife, he couldn't help but twitch his lips, but he didn't say anything and quickly followed the servant out.
Watching Banami's hurried departure, Hatsune grew increasingly uneasy and couldn't help but ask in a surprised tone, "SAKI-chan, is...is this really okay? Mana-chan was just yesterday..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiangzi put down his knife and fork, raised his head, and retorted in a righteous tone, "What's wrong, Hatsune? Don't you believe in Xi-kun's character?"
“Uh…” Hatsune was speechless for a moment, a troubled look on her face—how am I supposed to answer such a question? She really couldn’t guarantee Yu-kun’s character… but looking at Shoko’s firm eyes, she could only nod with a bitter face, “I…I believe you, of course I believe in Yu-kun.”
"Or is it," Xiangzi raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone still calm but with a hint of barely perceptible teasing, "that you don't trust your partner and think that Ms. Mana is the kind of woman who would fall for a married man?"
"No, no, no!" Hatsune waved her hands hastily, a sheepish look on her face, her voice becoming somewhat hesitant. "Mana-chan... she's not that kind of person... right?"
The last word was spoken so softly it was like a mosquito's buzz, and even she herself was unsure of its utterance.
Xiangzi smiled faintly, a sly glint in her eyes, her face seemingly radiant with a saintly glow: "Isn't that all? I believe in Xi-kun's character, and I also believe in Miss Mana's conduct. It's just a matter of getting through this difficult time."
Don't overthink it.
Looking at Xiangzi's righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, Hatsune could only nod through her tears, repeatedly reassuring herself: Yes, that's right, my lover is pure and innocent; my partner is unparalleled in loyalty; I haven't been cuckolded, absolutely not...
Seeing Hatsune's frustrated and uneasy expression, Xiangzi felt increasingly relieved, and her smile deepened. She didn't truly believe in Banami's character; she simply felt that only by letting that bastard interact more with these extraordinary people could he truly understand and cherish how precious he, a normal person, was.
win!
***
On the other side, as Bana followed the maid through the corridor, her face grew increasingly grim. She had already made up her mind—she absolutely could not let that idiot Mana Junda lead her by the nose again today!
What do you mean by "naturally cunning"? If he doesn't teach her a lesson, she'll change her surname to Xiangzi from now on!
But when he pushed open the door of the Toyokawa family's house and saw the figure standing there, all his fierceness and anger vanished instantly, and he was stunned.
The young woman at the door wore a light blue dress that reached just to her knees, outlining her slightly immature yet full figure. A thin belt cinched her waist, emphasizing her slender waist. She wore a white, wide-brimmed hat, similar to those worn by adults, the brim tilted slightly, obscuring most of her face except for her beautifully shaped jawline and slightly flushed cheeks.
Junda Mana had clearly dressed up on purpose, trying to make herself look more mature than her actual age, but her youthful shyness was still undeniable. Her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, and her eyes darted around, making her look both innocent and alluring, exceptionally captivating.
"Good morning... good morning, Xiaoxi." Her voice was soft and melodious, like a clear spring, slowly flowing into people's hearts, making them feel exceptionally comfortable.
Banai was instantly stunned, her mind filled with doubt: Wait, what do you mean? Yesterday you were still a naive young girl, how come you suddenly changed your style today and are even making a special move on Banai? How did you know I like mature women? Or this kind of young mature woman who is like a green apple, both immature and full?
Perhaps sensing the doubt in Hanami's eyes, Junda Mana slightly raised her head, her doe-like eyes beneath the brim of her hat brimming with tears, a mixture of shyness and earnestness in them, and softly explained, "Well... um, after all... I'm Yuu's aunt, so... so I have to dress more maturely so that others won't misunderstand that I'm your... girlfriend..."
After she finished speaking, she quickly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed red, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, looking both shy and nervous.
Seeing her like this, Banai's heart started pounding wildly—how could this girl be both cute and familiar, and so good at hitting his sweet spot?
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