The goal of life is to break up all couples

We could talk to each other normally until yesterday, but after one night, we suddenly became distant and haven't spoken since then; for example, the letters we used to exchange frequently suddenly stopped one day.

If the situation is better, at least both of them can force a smile and tell each other "I don't take it to heart, and we can still pretend to be good friends."

Any attempt to challenge the atmosphere would come at a price, which was why everyone in the group was struggling and cowardly. But now, there was a method that would have almost no consequences - at least, even if it failed, it would not harm their group...

For a moment, Hayato Hayama was really moved.

However, no matter how I think about it, I feel that there are some dangerous consequences behind it that I cannot figure out for the time being.

He shook his head with difficulty: "No, it's still..."

"Okay, forget it then."

Matsueda Azusa didn't continue to persuade him as he expected. Instead, he easily gave up, as if he had never intended to do so. While drinking his drink, he asked, "Then how do you plan to solve the problem of Tobu and Ebina?"

Facing Matsueda Azusa's questioning, Ye Shan clenched his fists.

"I've advised him several times to give up the idea. It's impossible for Hime to be interested in the current Tobe... However, I don't know what the future will be like. So I don't want him to jump to conclusions."

He sighed deeply, "After all, for some things, it is more important not to lose them than to gain them."

"Nonsense. What you are about to do is just as meaningless as what you are saying."

Songzhi Zi rolled his eyes. "After all this talk, the bottom line is that you don't know what to do. You're still avoiding the subject. Do you think the problem will be solved if you just sit back and watch and keep hoping? Then why not go find a Buddha and pray?"

224

Chapter 224: Songzhi Zi Sanbing's Talk (Annoyance)

Honestly, it wasn't that Matsueda Azusa couldn't understand Hayato Hayama's obsession. Sometimes, conveying one's meaning, speaking one's heart out, isn't necessarily the right answer. Some relationships can't be crossed, can't be breached, can't be destroyed.

Even when he chose to quit Crychic, he struggled for a long time, and finally made the decision under the guidance of Yamada Ryo.

Whether it's not taking a step forward or continuing in a comfortable environment, there's nothing wrong with wanting to do so. Matsueda Azusa, while not accustomed to this, isn't about to inexplicably interfere. The problem is that Hayato Hayama wants to remain content with the status quo, yet he doesn't take any action to protect it. Furthermore, he opposes others helping to maintain it.

This puts Matsueda Azusa in a difficult position after accepting the commission.

Forget it, at worst if something goes wrong I can just put the blame on Hayato Hayama - no, that's not putting the blame on him, it was originally his fault.

Matsueda Azusa rubbed his chin. Wait, now that I think about it… Anyway, Miura Yumiko was more inclined to make a genuine friendship with Ebina Himena. As for what Tobe would do and what would happen to the clique, that should probably be put on the back burner, right? In that case, if the clique fell apart, it didn't matter, right?

Rather, it would be better to blow it up. Now that Ebina Hina is no longer in the group and doesn't need to maintain this relationship, there's no need to keep wearing a mask. In this case, wouldn't a one-on-one friendship with Miura Yumiko be more casual and genuine?

Hayato Hayama looked at Matsueda Azusa's slightly changing expression, and inexplicably felt that this guy was probably planning some conspiracy in his mind again.

He couldn't help but question, "Matsueda-san, why are you always so concerned about our affairs? This matter actually has nothing to do with you, right? Even if you want to break up couples for club activities, Tobe and Ebina are not really considered couples right now... Compared to other real campus couples, your Supervisory Department has no need to intervene..."

Huh? Matsueda Azusa thought Hayato Hayama had come to him to bring up the matter because he knew about Ebina's request to the Inspection Department.

I didn't expect it wasn't true? Didn't Ebina and Miura tell Hayama about this? That's right... after all, he probably wouldn't want anyone else involved.

He probably noticed Matsueda Azusa and Ebina Himena talking privately earlier, so he guessed that the Supervisory Department's club activities were related to Ebina. So, Hayato Hayama was actually wary of Matsueda Azusa all day long.

I feel like I'm being treated like a thief.

"Ye Shan, you are really wishful thinking and you don't understand anything."

Azusa Matsueda yawned, raised a finger, pointed at Hayato Hayama, and interrupted him: "You know, unless someone gets angry, I usually don't meddle in other people's affairs. In this situation, you still treat this as a club activity. Don't you understand why? Of course, it's because someone asked you to do it."

Hayato Hayama was stunned when he heard this: "Someone... asked me to do something?"

Songzhi Zi snapped his fingers: "Of course. Not everyone is like you, clearly not wanting something to happen, yet hesitant to do anything, and can only pray that it will inexplicably not happen. Unless the god you pray to really exists and hears your prayer, but while you kneel down to pray, others have already chosen to become their own gods."

After a pause, Matsueda Azusa added, "This matter was commissioned by Ebina herself. So are you going to disregard her own wishes?"

"Don't you like to obey everyone's wishes and agree with everyone's ideas? So, facing this situation, are you going to support Tobe's love affair, or obey Ebina's resistance?"

Matsueda Azusa spread his hands and spoke as if giving a speech: "Who represents 'everyone' this time? Whose ideas should be supported? Who should we support to cause the least harm? Who should we oppose to protect this group? Who should we identify with? Who should we abandon?"

Hayato Hayama's expression subconsciously revealed a hint of panic. "How could I possibly... abandon it? Why must I do this? There must be some way to have the best of both worlds..."

Hayato Hayama didn't want to hurt anyone. The reason he couldn't do anything this time was that if he took the forbidden step, others would be hurt and everything else would be destroyed.

"There's no such thing as having the best of both worlds. If all of you had the same goal, you could certainly have the best of both worlds, but Tobe and Ebina's expectations are fundamentally opposed."

Matsueda Azusa threw the empty drink can into the trash can and put his hands in his pockets. "In the end, either one of them will get hurt, or they'll transfer the hurt to someone else to solve the problem."

"And I've already proposed a highly feasible method, but it will transfer some of the damage to you and me, but you don't want to."

If Hubu confessed his feelings, he would definitely be rejected. There was no doubt about that.

After that, they would start looking away in the classroom, only exchanging awkward smiles when their eyes met. Then they would start paying attention to each other, gradually distance themselves, and eventually, naturally, no longer interact with each other. Tobe might not give up until the class change, but no matter how hard he tried, Matsueda Azusa didn't think he could change the outcome—something Hayato Hayama should have understood well.

The Ministry of Revenue should have understood that possibility and the risks of abandoning existing relationships. He was actually quite prepared.

But what about everyone else? The people around them are all in the same boat. They've already become a whole, and any single move can affect the entire body, so there's no way to have the best of both worlds.

Matsueda Azusa raised an eyebrow and looked at Hayama Hayato, curling his lips. "You say you want to protect everyone's expectations and prevent anyone from getting hurt, but in the end, it's just talk. In fact, you haven't done anything at all. You've just been hesitating, right? In fact, you know what to do, but you just don't want to hurt yourself."

Yes, in fact, the solution to the problem is very simple. Even if we don’t adopt Matsueda Azusa’s method, there is a simpler and more direct way - as long as Hayato Hayama confesses to Himena Ebina in front of everyone in the small group, it will be fine.

The reason why the rejection of Hubu's confession led to the above results is that he did so sincerely. His confession was sincere, and Ebina's rejection was also sincere, so this incident became a permanent thorn between the two of them.

But if Hayato Hayama had done the same, this wouldn't have happened. Because this confession was completely false, Hayato Hayama knew it was false, and Ebina knew it was false, too. So the awkwardness that resulted was only temporary; neither Ebina nor he would take it to heart, and it would all be over in time.

But Hayato Hayama would never do that.

"Selfishness isn't a quality that should be despised. I'm selfish too, and I admit I'm probably even more selfish than you. But at least don't be selfish without realizing it, and claim it's for the good of others."

Matsueda Azusa finally concluded: "A person who protects everyone for his own satisfaction is of course a hero, but a person who says he will protect everyone for his own satisfaction is just Hayama."

Hayato Hayama's face turned pale, and the can of drinks in his hand made a slight "cracking" sound. He couldn't help but ask: "What about you? What you did is..."

Songzhi Zi threw up his hands righteously, "Isn't it obvious? Of course I am hurting others for my own sake."

Hayato Hayama was speechless and at a loss for words.

He has said so, so what else can we do?

But at the same time, a big hand covered Songzhi Zi's head, "Although you are a selfish guy, you also have a heart that protects others."

Hey, why does this description sound so much like a skirmisher?! Songzhi Zi felt a little nauseous after hearing this.

Huh? But now that I think about it... although he was indeed betrayed three times.

Oh no, is he really a straggler? This, this can't be right. It's better to just die alone...

Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had reappeared here at some point, put her arm around Azusa Matsueda's neck and said, "Stop talking about these annoying morals, Elbow! The teacher is treating you two to ramen!"

225

Chapter 225 I got you, delicious kid.

"Hiratsuka-sensei."

Hayato Hayama nodded to Shizuka Hiratsuka and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but my friends are still waiting for me to bring back some drinks. Since Mr. Hiratsuka has something to ask Matsueda-san, I'll take my leave now."

He bought a few more drinks from the vending machine and turned to leave.

Hiratsuka Shizuka thought about it but didn't call him, "It's nothing..."

Songzhi Zi secretly slandered him, "Hey, Xiaojing, Ye Shan is obviously a problem child too! Why don't you correct his twisted personality?"

"He's different from you and Hikigaya. He's not a problem boy in the secular sense."

Shizuka Hiratsuka reached out and flicked Azusa Matsueda's forehead. "In fact, society might actually welcome this kind of 'problem teenager'."

"Wow...Xiao Jing, your criteria for judging rescue are a bit too realistic."

Matsueda Azusa couldn't help but complain: "There are so many troubled teenagers in Sobu High School who need to be saved, why do you always focus on me and Hikigaya?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka winked at Azusa Matsueda and pulled him out. "Although I'm a teacher, people are close to each other. I have a better relationship with you guys, so of course I care about you more."

Songzhi Zi smiled: "Wouldn't it be better if you said that earlier? I like to hear that."

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a figure hiding in the corner.

Matsueda Azusa asked Hiratsuka Shizuka, "So, if we go out for ramen, Shizuka will treat us, right?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka glanced at Azusa Matsueda in surprise. "Huh? Of course, I'm the one treating, Teacher. But when did you become such a money-grubber?"

Songzhi Zi shook his head: "That's not the case. I just want to ask - Xiaojing, do you mind if I catch another child?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka was a little confused: "I don't mind, but that guy Hikigaya just slipped away from me. Can you still call him over?"

"Hikigaya? A child I don't know. I'm talking about this kid."

Azusa Matsueda walked to the corner, reached out and picked up a timid guy - Chika Komari.

After all this time, this guy still doesn't seem to have made any progress at all. It's supposed to be a school trip, but he couldn't find any friends to chat and play with, so he ended up having to spend his time alone in this dark corner.

Where did Yukinoshita go? Why did he leave his own members here alone? They look so pitiful.

“Ugh!!”

Xiaoju Zhihua was frightened and jumped around violently as she was grabbed by the collar and yelled, "Don't eat me!"

Matsueda Azusa threatened with a smile: "If you make any more noise, I'll throw you into the group of girls who are happily chatting together."

"..."

Xiaoju Zhihua shut up instantly, angry but not daring to speak.

That kind of situation was pure hell for her! Especially since she hadn't been able to fit in and had just slipped out on her own. If she was thrown back in... she might as well just jump off a building.

Matsueda Azusa carried Xiaoju Zhihua and walked towards Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Let's go, Xiaojing."

Hiratsuka Shizukyū narrowed his eyes: "Why do I feel like I've become an accomplice in child trafficking?"

Xiaoju Zhihua shrank her neck and asked cautiously: "Hello, Mr. Hiratsuka, what...what are we going to do..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked and said, "Let's go out and eat ramen."

Xiaoju Zhihua's eyes widened: "This is not allowed?!"

Songzhi Zi patted her shoulder: "It's okay, even if something happens, Xiaojing will take the blame."

Upon hearing this, Shizuka Hiratsuka couldn't help but give Azusa Matsueda a slap on the face: "Hey! You little bitch!"

Just as the three of them were arguing at the hotel entrance, a figure suddenly pushed the door open and walked out from the stairwell nearby.

She has shoulder-length black hair and wears red-framed glasses. Behind the thin lenses are a pair of clear eyes. Her facial features and body are slightly small - she is Ebina Hime.

She smiled and said, "It's offensive to say this, but... could you take me with you? I have something I want to talk to Matsueda-san about. I'll pay for the ramen myself."

Shizuka Hiratsuka held her forehead and sighed, "Matsueda, you really are a busy person. Even going to eat ramen with you can still lead to so many side quests."

Songzhi Zi shrugged: "Isn't this what you expected, Xiaojing?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka scratched her head and said, "Hmm...that's true."

"But... come to think of it, you actually had the time to come out here by yourself?"

Matsueda Azusa looked at Ebina Hime with some confusion, "Since when did you start hiding here?"

"You found me. I finally found a chance to separate from Yumiko."

Ebina Hina said frankly, "She's watching me closely, like she's taking care of a child. As for when you started hiding here... well, at the beginning? I was planning to talk to you, but Hayato got there first."

"Wow……"

Matsueda Azusa complained: "You guys were playing together, and suddenly a bunch of people ran away...Wouldn't the others find it weird? We couldn't even play the game anymore!"

"Shh~"

Ebina Hime winked at Matsueda Azusa, "So we have to leave quickly, otherwise we might be caught by them."

Soon, the group quietly left the hotel and headed towards the ramen restaurant.

The night was gloomy, and the ancient temples and shrines in the distance were looming in the darkness, their outlines outlined by soft lights, and the wooden buildings exuded a warm glow under the light.

The surrounding green trees and stone paths complement each other beautifully. The occasional chirping of night birds makes the place seem extremely quiet.

Chika Komari was held in front of Shizuka Hiratsuka and asked all kinds of questions. She looked like she was about to melt. She kept looking back at Azusa Matsueda for help, but it didn't work at all.

Azusa Matsueda and Hime Ebina followed slowly behind.

"Since you've been hiding there and listening since the beginning, you should have heard the method I mentioned, right?"

Matsueda Azusa clasped his hands behind his neck and looked up at the sky. "That guy Yeshan doesn't agree. But what do you think?"

"..."

Ebina Hina was silent for a moment: "Actually, I think it's a good idea, but if Hayato himself doesn't agree, then there's nothing we can do."