Chapter 2104 - 2102: Michiru Hyodo’s Indignation (Cooking Is Too Much Hassle When Alone)

Meanwhile, Fang Zheng had also arrived on the stage and was communicating with the staff responsible for the Magical Girl Festival.

"The number of entries is not high right now, so make sure to make good use of the time difference. Don’t let the audience feel that the time is too long, and while heating up the atmosphere, be careful not to overshadow the main event. Is this the band you brought in?"

"Yes, President."

Facing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, one of the staff members quickly answered seriously, and Fang Zheng nodded, looking at the four girls in front of him — hmm, it’s a pity they’re not the Light Music Club.

"They’re Icy Tail, a group with some fame right now, and they have a certain reputation in the circle, plus they’re quite skilled. I think an all-female band will attract attention."

"Hmm, thinking like that isn’t wrong."

Fang Zheng nodded to the four girls, and the four girls also hurriedly bowed nervously in return. Then, the leading purple-haired girl stepped forward and extended her hand to Fang Zheng.

"Hello, I am Michiru Hyodo, the lead singer of Icy Tail."

"Hello."

Fang Zheng shook her hand, feeling that the purple-haired girl looked somewhat familiar, but couldn’t recall where they might have met... oh well, it didn’t really matter, did it?

"I’m looking forward to your performance."

"Please rest assured, Mr. Fang Zheng, we will ensure the success of the performance."

Upon hearing this, Michiru Hyodo breathed a sigh of relief and showed a smile. However, before she could finish her sentence, a commotion suddenly arose from nearby, and then someone suddenly rushed between Fang Zheng and Michiru Hyodo, separating them.

"Get away from her! Get away!"

"Tomoya?"

Seeing Aki Tomoya in front of her, Michiru Hyodo was shocked, while Aki Tomoya glared at Fang Zheng viciously. Having failed his communication with Chumi Hodashima earlier, he had no choice but to return to see Michiru Hyodo’s rehearsal, but to his surprise, he saw that damn man chatting with Michiru!

Seeing this scene, Aki Tomoya’s mind instantly exploded with a "boom".

That damn man, did he have his sights set on Michiru again?

I absolutely won’t let you succeed!

With this thought, Aki Tomoya’s body began to move. He dashed up to the stage, shoving aside staff members, then stood in front of Fang Zheng, glaring at him fiercely. In Aki Tomoya’s view, this man must be using sweet talk to deceive Michiru again, he must stop this and absolutely can’t allow it to happen!

"Who are you?"

Looking at the fat, wheezing man in front of him, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"I, I am..."

"Forget it, I’m not interested in who you are, who let you casually come up on stage? Remove him."

Fang Zheng waved his hand, and several security guards quickly came up and restrained Aki Tomoya, then dragged him away while he continued to struggle, glaring at Fang Zheng and shouting incessantly.

"You bastard, if you dare to lay a finger on Michiru, I’ll kill you! You bastard...!"

Facing Aki Tomoya’s angry roars, Fang Zheng said nothing, merely watched as the security guards pushed and shoved Aki Tomoya off the stage, before sneering and turning to look at Michiru Hyodo.

"Do you know that man?"

"This... I’m really sorry, Mr. Fang Zheng, he’s my cousin... I’m really sorry!"

Saying this, Michiru Hyodo bowed 90 degrees to Fang Zheng, while Fang Zheng said nothing, just shrugged and turned to leave.

"Mr. Fang Zheng..."

Michiru Hyodo wanted to say something more, but by this time, Fang Zheng had already left the stage, and meanwhile, the other three girls gathered around Michiru Hyodo.

"Michiru, this..."

"I’m sorry, everyone, it’s all my fault..."

Seeing the faces of her companions, filled with worry and unease, Michiru bit her lip.

"I will resolve this!"

After saying this, Michiru turned and ran in the other direction. Soon, she left the stage and caught up with Aki Tomoya, who had been expelled from the venue by security. Seeing Michiru Hyodo running out to find him, Aki Tomoya also smiled.

"You came out, Michiru, are you okay? That bastard didn’t do anything to you, right?"

However, to Aki Tomoya’s surprise, the panting Michiru who ran up to him did not respond to his question. Instead, she came directly over and slapped him hard on the face.

"Smack!"

Michiru slapped Aki Tomoya so hard that even his glasses fell off, and Aki Tomoya held his slapped cheek, staring at the girl in front of him in a daze. After slapping Aki Tomoya hard, Michiru Hyodo glared at him and shouted angrily.

"What were you thinking! You idiot!!"

"I, I just wanted to protect you..."

Faced with an enraged Michiru, Aki Tomoya was at a complete loss.

"Protect me? What do I need protection from? I was just greeting the organizer of this event, but you ruined everything!"

Saying this, Michiru Hyodo clenched her fist angrily. She had just learned from the staff about Fang Zheng’s identity, knowing he was the organizer of the event. She came over looking for an opportunity to create an impression, but to Michiru’s dismay, it turned into a scene. In fact, moments earlier after chasing out, she received a call from the event director, informing them to halt their rehearsal.

This was also understandable, since they were just a small band invited to liven up the atmosphere, and they had inexplicably offended the sponsor. Even if Fang Zheng said nothing, those below wouldn’t just do nothing!

Thinking about this, Michiru grew even more furious.

"You, listen to me, Michiru, that man is dangerous, he’s tricked lots of women, Eiriri, Megumi, and Hodashima all got deceived by him..."

Aki Tomoya tried to explain, but Michiru coldly interrupted him.

"Tomoya, do you know how hard our band worked to get this opportunity?"

"Eh?"

"To secure this opportunity to perform, we—myself, Xiaoshi, Rui Zhijia, and Lanzi—worked very hard to reach an agreement with the organizers. After that, we’ve been practicing tirelessly for today’s performance, practicing late into the night every day before heading home. Do you know what this performance means to us? We’ve reached an agreement with the company, and if this performance is successful, we might pursue further collaboration, maybe even formally debut with the agency..."

"..............."

"But you ruined everything! I just got a call from the organizers asking us to pause the rehearsal and wait for further notice. Our months of hard work... gone to waste!"

"I’m sorry..."

Upon hearing Michiru’s words, Aki Tomoya bowed his head.

"I’m sorry, Michiru, I didn’t mean it, but that man is really dangerous. We can find someone else to cooperate with. I believe in your strength, Michiru, you can surely..."

"Don’t you understand, Tomoya?"

Michiru looked at Aki Tomoya and interrupted him.

"This isn’t just my dream; it’s the dream of all four of us in Icy Tail! What have you taken our dreams to be? Don’t you understand why Zemura-san and Misty Hill-san have left you? Because to you, only your dream matters—everyone else must serve you unconditionally, follow your orders. But we have our own thoughts too, okay?"

"But, but I’ve also helped them..."

"Ultimately, it was only for your own sake, wasn’t it?"

At this moment, Michiru’s tone grew much colder.

"Everyone knows this, but back then, we were high school students. Doing silly things without considering gains or losses is understandable. But so much time has passed, Tomoya. People grow up, only you remain immersed in that unrealistic dream. Besides, what does your dream even mean? You’ve worked hard until now, but what have you gained?"

"I......"

"You say I’m talented, but so what? I’m not the same person I used to be. I know that I’m not the only one with talent; there are people with even more talent than me! I need opportunities; otherwise, no matter how talented I am, what good will it do? If I can’t get an opportunity to showcase myself, then all of this is meaningless. I’ve finally gotten an opportunity, but you ruined it!"

".........."

Faced with Michiru’s words, Aki Tomoya was left speechless. But he clenched his fists in silence.

"Come with me and apologize to Mr. Fang Zheng."

Michiru didn’t say anything further, grabbing Aki Tomoya’s hand. But upon hearing this, Tomoya reacted as if burned, hurriedly shaking off Michiru’s hand.

"Why should I apologize to him!?"

"Because it’s your fault to begin with; are you going or not!"

"I’m not going!"

Upon hearing this, Aki Tomoya immediately shouted angrily, while Michiru simply stared at him. After a moment, she took a deep breath.

"Fine, leave! Get out now! I never want to see you again!! From now on, I have nothing to do with you!"

After saying this, Michiru turned and headed back to the venue.

"Michiru!"

Seeing Michiru leave, Aki Tomoya hurriedly tried to catch up to her, but he was quickly stopped by security. He could only helplessly clench his hands, watching Michiru’s back, biting his teeth.

Why? Why don’t you understand me? I’m doing all this for you, Michiru!!

Of course, Michiru couldn’t hear Tomoya’s inner cries—she wasn’t a Superpower User and didn’t have Mind Reading Technique, how could she know Tomoya’s inner thoughts?

The most important thing for Michiru right now is...

"I’m truly, truly sorry!"

Seeing Michiru bow and apologize again, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"I don’t care, and if anyone should apologize, it shouldn’t be you. After all, this has nothing to do with you from beginning to end."

"No, I’m responsible too. Please, Mr. Fang Zheng, forgive us..."

"There’s nothing to forgive; let’s leave it at that."

Fang Zheng shook his head, as if not intending to say much more, just gesturing to Michiru to leave. Truth be told, he’s a bit annoyed too. Luckily, Flandre was tired and went to sleep; otherwise, who knows what might have happened with such a scare!

"So about the performance..."

"Coordination with the committee is up to you."

"This... "

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Michiru’s heart sank. Clearly, Fang Zheng wasn’t inclined to get involved in their situation, yet Michiru knew that without his intervention, all their hard-earned efforts would be in vain!

Ultimately, if she hadn’t brought Aki Tomoya along, none of this would have happened...

Thinking this, Michiru clenched her fists, biting her silver teeth.

"I’m willing to do anything, so please, Mr. Fang Zheng, help us by explaining to the committee. I’m begging you!"

Saying this, Michiru deeply bowed to Fang Zheng again.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Michiru’s plea, Fang Zheng glanced at her. Initially, he had no particular intent, but seeing her willingness...

"You know what your words mean, right?"

"......... "

Michiru didn’t speak, only nodded.

"Hmm.......... "

Seeing the girl whose face had reddened to the ears, Fang Zheng was silent for a while.

"Alright, I’ll give you a chance then."