My wife believes me; how could I be a cuckold?

Actually, when she first heard Asano Makoto talk about Shida Yoichi's high school days, she still harbored a sliver of hope for Shida Yoichi deep down, in a place she herself didn't even know existed.

How she wished her boyfriend wasn't such a scumbag, how she wished Asano Makoto was just deceiving her.

After all, he's been her boyfriend for so many years, and they've had many wonderful memories together, so it's normal to have similar expectations.

However, with Makoto Asano's phone call and what the person on the other end said, her last glimmer of hope was completely shattered.

Despite feeling immense heartache at this moment, and despite my subconscious reluctance to accept reality and my desire to escape.

But Konno Yuuka is an independent and strong woman.

She didn't want to run away; she hoped she could face reality and accept it.

Then, leave that scumbag aside.

If you can't do it yourself, then ask someone else for help.

The words spoken by Asano-kun's classmates were the best help he could receive.

Although the price is the pain of being torn apart inside my heart again and again, it's nothing.

I must break up with that scumbag completely.

On the other hand, after realizing what Konno Yuuka meant by what she said, Asano Makoto couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She's such a strong woman.

Having sensed her determination, Makoto Asano naturally wouldn't refuse her request.

"it is good."

He nodded, said "okay" briefly, then turned to the second page of the booklet, picked up his phone, and dialed the number listed.

So the same process was repeated again, and it was repeated a full five times.

Shocked by Asano Makoto's phone call, she incoherently inquired about his recent situation. After calming down, she apologized to Asano Makoto and, upon hearing his questions, began to recount Shida Shota's sins.

Except for a few who didn't answer the phone, everyone followed the same procedure without any changes.

The meal that Makoto Asano originally planned to treat Hashimoto to gradually turned into a small gathering of high school classmates.

If Asano Makoto hadn't noticed Konno Yuuka's face growing paler and hadn't suddenly heard a notification sound in his mind that he'd never heard before, and hadn't chosen to disobey her request to continue making phone calls, the party would probably have been even larger.

After her request was rejected, Konno Yuuka, who had already taken off her mask, could no longer maintain her strong demeanor and lowered her head to cover her face.

Makoto Asano took this opportunity to open her information panel.

After the system notification sounded, "[Warning: The target's emotions are extremely unstable]", a new attribute appeared on her panel: Stability Value.

This new attribute may sound similar to favorability or moral depravity, but it is completely different.

Because Konno Yuuka's stability value was a full 40 points from the very beginning.

But 40 points is not high at all.

After reading the system's notes on this attribute, Makoto Asano was only worried about the low value.

[Stability Value: Reflects the emotional stability of the target. Once this value drops to 30 or above, the target's emotions are very likely to collapse.]

Clearly, Konno Yuuka is not as strong as she had previously appeared.

Although she appears strong, cheerful, and loves to laugh, she is surprisingly a very fragile woman.

Her beloved boyfriend's years of infidelity and deception had completely shattered her heart.

But she forced herself to accept this fact again and again.

Such behavior is practically like...self-torture.

Upon realizing this, Asano Makoto suddenly understood.

To illustrate, consider this example: Konno Yuuka is currently self-harming.

However, while most people intentionally harm their own bodies, she intentionally harmed her own spirit.

Although I don't understand why she did this, it definitely can't go on like this.

If she isn't guided and comforted in time, Konno Yuuka's mental state will continue to deteriorate, and her stability will definitely decrease until she finally collapses.

But Makoto Asano isn't a psychologist; he doesn't have the ability to guide others with words.

So after thinking it over, he made his choice.

He gritted his teeth, then reached out and hugged Konno Yuuka, who was sitting next to him.

The moment he hugged Konno Yuuka, a pleasant scent filled his nostrils, and at the same time, a notification sounded in his mind: "[Mission complete, reward issued]".

People are most vulnerable when they are extremely depressed and in need of comfort.

But Makoto Asano wasn't that despicable; he wasn't doing this to complete a mission.

He hugged Konno Yuuka, simply wanting to comfort her in a way he knew how.

You should know that sometimes the benefits of a strong hug are immeasurable.

Cognitive neuroscientists believe that the human brain and nervous system have programmed hugging as a pleasurable "sensory experience."

Therefore, the human body continuously synthesizes dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin due to hugging.

All of these substances can instantly produce feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and relaxation.

Therefore, after receiving a hug, a person's stress is released, and negative emotions are gradually replaced by positive emotions.

Simply put, the "touch" activated by an embrace is the most impactful of all the senses.

This is true.

After being embraced by Makoto Asano, Yuuka Konno was slightly stunned, and then began to struggle violently involuntarily.

Still immersed in her disappointment, she had no time to think about what Asano Makoto's actions really meant.

Therefore, her body subconsciously began to resist the embrace of Asano Makoto, a "stranger" with whom she did not yet have a high level of affection.

Perhaps due to regular exercise, she was quite strong, but still no match for Asano Makoto, whose stamina had reached eight points.

At this point, Makoto Asano would absolutely not let go.

Just moments before, at the instant Konno Yuuka began to struggle, a notification sound rang in his mind: "[Konno Yuuka's stability value +1]".

Although the notification sound at the same time was [Konno Yuuka's affection level -1], he couldn't care less about that at the moment.

He felt sorry for her, but he couldn't really let his target have an emotional breakdown and then ruin the Zisha teapot, could he?

Thinking of this, he tightened his grip even more, as if trying to merge with Konno Yuuka as one with her, and held her in his arms.

Fortunately, as time went by, Konno Yuuka gradually stopped struggling and allowed Asano Makoto to hold her tightly.

At the same time, the system gradually became busier.

Hearing the notification sounds of "[Affection +1]" and "[Stability +1]" constantly ringing in his mind, Makoto Asano finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the anxiety that had been hanging over him finally subsided.

Generally speaking, a hug lasting 5 to 10 seconds feels the best, while a hug lasting more than 20 seconds can fully stimulate the secretion of oxytocin.

Although Konno Yuuka subconsciously resisted being hugged by Asano Makoto, her brain didn't care about that.

What? You were hugged?

Damn it! It's like it's secreting hormones!

Yes, that's roughly how it works.

In other words, as her body began to secrete hormones that could relax her, Konno Yuuka's emotions gradually stabilized.

Having calmed down a bit, she realized that Asano Makoto wasn't trying to do anything to her; rather, he was trying to comfort her.

This may be one of the reasons why her popularity has gradually rebounded.

At this moment, being held in Makoto Asano's arms, feeling his broad and strong chest, and smelling his not-too-unpleasant scent, Konno Yuuka felt only peace of mind.

Although my heart still aches a little, it's much better than before.

Because I no longer keep thinking about that person.

Let me hug you a little longer, just a little while, really!

I'll leave as soon as I'm better...

At this moment, Konno Yuuka is like a little girl who is being spoiled.

Although she knew she shouldn't be held in the arms of a "stranger" like this, she couldn't help but crave the comforting embrace.

After giving herself the excuse that "I've worked so hard, it's okay to relax a little, right? I'll leave as soon as I'm rested," she stopped worrying and instead closed her eyes, leaning her head closer to Makoto Asano's chest.

It's no joke that girls who have just broken up are most vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

Although Konno Yuuka hasn't broken up with Shida Yoichi yet, they're practically done with each other, and might even be more so.

So, about three minutes after Makoto Asano hugged Yuuka Konno, her favorability rating rose from 9 to 30.

At the same time, there is a stable value after the rise, and it has now recovered to 55 points.

At this point, the constant notifications in Makoto Asano's mind stopped ringing.

He knew what this meant, but he didn't want to let go of Konno Yuuka just yet.

It's clear that there can't be only one person who craves an embrace.

Weighing 55KG and standing 1.72 meters tall, Konno Yuuka doesn't feel bony when you hug her; on the contrary, because she exercises regularly, she feels quite comfortable to hold.

Although it's not as perfectly proportioned as Eriko Miyajima, nor as soft and voluptuous as Risa Kanno, nor as light and graceful as Yuna Kanno, it has a unique charm that makes it irresistible.

So before Konno Yuuka could tell him to let go, he preemptively asked, "Miss Konno, would you like some snacks?"

Hearing this nonsensical question, Konno Yuuka, though much more sober by now, still didn't react for a moment.

But the next second, out of Asano Makoto's sight, a smile crept onto her face as she asked, "Why would you ask such a question at a time like this?"

Makoto Asano replied in a serious tone, "Because when people are sad, eating is the most helpful thing, especially desserts and fried chicken."

Hearing this answer that perfectly suited her, Konno Yuuka couldn't help but break into a big smile: "You're right, Asano-kun, I'm kind of craving some sweets."

Makoto Asano nodded: "Okay, I'll get it for you in a bit—after you're not so upset anymore."

Upon hearing this, Konno Yuuka felt her heart suddenly tremble.

Logically speaking, I should have recovered by now.