The goal of life is to break up all couples

Matsueda Azusa sighed, "People always add a rainbow-colored filter to the life they haven't experienced, as if they can find happiness by exchanging lives...but the truth is not like that at all."

Yukinoshita Haruno fell silent.

Matsueda Azusa shrugged. "Families with suffocatingly strict discipline, and families that don't care... Why do you have to envy the other extreme? There are so many normal, friendly families in the world, why do you have to single me out? Just because you know me, you think I'm easy to bully, that even if you cheat me, I can't do anything about it? You think I'm a fool who deserves to be toyed with by you?"

"Yukinoshita-senpai, you are such a terrible person."

Matsueda Azusa showed a disgusted expression, "Your attempt to harm me is far from over. I just splashed wine on your face, but that doesn't mean you're sorry."

Yukinoshita Haruno's chest heaved violently, and she took a deep breath. "I will apologize for this matter. But then again... you don't seem to have the right to lecture others about this, Xiaozi."

"I know what you did at school. You hindered and broke up those poor campus lovers. Did they hinder you? Did they offend you? Isn't it because you know them and think they are easy to bully? Even if you break them up, they can't do anything to you, so you are so unscrupulous?"

Yukinoshita Haruno stared intently into Matsueda Azusa's eyes, as if hoping to discern some complex emotion. "In the final analysis, aren't you and I the same? Out of selfishness and envy, we allow ourselves to do things that harm others... Azusa, you and I are just as utterly awful people."

"none of your business?"

Songzhi Zi threw up his hands without hesitation: "I called you a jerk because you wanted to trick me. What's wrong with me scolding you a few times? I didn't hit you, it's good enough. Who are you? What did I do to you? What right do you have to scold me and accuse me? You should have stood down and apologized, but you are scolding me back."

"Besides, I never said I wasn't a bad person, right? Yes, I am a bastard. I hurt others for my own selfish reasons..."

Songzhi Zi curled his lips and admitted: "So I have always been prepared to be put in a sack and beaten up at school. Don't you know what I did in school? Then you should also know that I was beaten into the infirmary by my classmates, but I didn't say anything. I asked for it, I deserved it, so what?"

"I'm prepared for this, but are you? After you've screwed me over like that, do you dare kneel down here and let me give you a good beating?"

Songzhi Zi shook his fist and raised his eyebrows. "If you dare, I'll beat you up and then pretend this never happened. I'll forgive you for harming me. Do you dare?"

Yukinoshita Haruno curled the corners of her mouth.

Although she had an urge to say, "I dare to make this promise, do you dare to hit me?", she finally restrained herself.

Judging from Matsueda Azusa's behavior, he really would hit her. Yukinoshita Haruno thought it would be better not to just go ahead and get beaten up.

"Look, if I tell you that you don't dare, then what do you say?"

Songzhi Zi rolled his eyes. "You're going to cheat people, but you won't suffer any loss. You've already done it all."

He stood up, too lazy to continue paying attention to Yukinoshita Haruno: "Let's go. Stop thinking about these messed up things every day. If you try to target me again next time, I won't just throw wine in your face. I will really hit you if I say I will hit you."

Yukinoshita Haruno looked at herself in a miserable state with bitterness and couldn't help but sigh.

But she really deserved it.

Songzhi Zi pushed the door open and muttered in a voice no one could hear: "Who said...I don't hate myself like this?"

Back in the bar hall, Hikigaya Hachiman was still sitting stiffly at the bar counter. There was no conversation between him and Kawasaki Saki, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward.

Seeing Matsueda Azusa coming out, Hikigaya Hachiman finally couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Minister, you are finally back..."

Hikigaya glanced at Matsueda Azusa and for some reason felt that he was a little depressed. He swallowed what he wanted to say and asked, "Are you okay, Buchou?"

Songzhi Zi's mouth corners curled up slightly.

Well, I'm happier hanging out with these lovely classmates at school. Stop thinking about all those dirty, messy things.

"It's nothing serious, just a little trouble, and it's been perfectly resolved now."

Matsueda Azusa smiled and gave Hikigaya Hachiman an OK sign. "So, how was your chat with Kawasaki-san?"

Hikigaya Hachiman twitched his lips awkwardly when asked about his pain point.

Saki Kawasaki raised her head slightly and replied in a businesslike manner, "This student didn't say anything else except ordering a cup of Max coffee. From a business perspective, he's a good customer."

Hikigaya Hachiman scratched his cheek and argued: "This, this... What I want to say has already been said by our predecessors..."

"I think what the Minister said earlier makes sense, and that's enough. After all, this is Kawasaki-san's family affair, so it's best to let her resolve it herself."

Hikigaya Hachiman convinced himself and nodded confidently: "We have no right to interfere in other people's family affairs, right, Minister?"

Kawasaki Saki muttered, "That's not wrong. This matter itself has nothing to do with you."

Songzhi Zi was not in a hurry and sat down at the bar again. "No hurry, give me a glass of spicy ginger ale first."

Saki Kawasaki was stunned for a moment, but didn't say much, nor did she refuse. Instead, she quickly started to prepare the drink.

Matsueda Azusa observed Kawasaki Saki's skillful technique, supporting her chin with one hand. "That being said, this is indeed a private matter within your own family. However, I think... even if you go back home, I'm afraid you won't tell Taishi the real reason."

Saki Kawasaki's hand movements paused, and she subconsciously looked at Matsueda Azusa, and her slightly surprised expression revealed her thoughts.

"That's true."

Songzhi Zi closed his eyes, leaned back slightly, and couldn't help but sigh and said: "You guys with too much self-esteem really are like cast in the same mold."

Kawasaki Saki frowned: "What do you want to say?"

"Just sighing. I once had a... well, a friend. She did something similar to you."

Matsueda Azusa looked at Saki Kawasaki, but also at everyone else: "She clearly had her own difficulties, but she hid them from anyone close to her and acted on her own, hurting everyone."

"Kawasaki-san, maybe you're doing this for your self-esteem, or maybe you're trying not to worry your family... but keeping everything to yourself and not telling others, especially those close to you, won't do any good."

Kawasaki Saki opened her mouth as if to say something, but Matsueda Azusa continued to speak to herself: "From the fact that you don't want to let Dazhi know that you are working, I think you are making money for him? Or maybe not just for him, but also for your other brothers and sisters and yourself? To supplement the family income or something like that."

"Some would say this is self-sacrifice, that they are unsung heroes worthy of admiration. Yes, this is indeed a good thing in essence, and it shouldn't be condemned in any way..."

Songzhi Zi sighed and said, "But if that's the case, then where can you tell your friends and family who have been helped by you and benefited from your self-sacrifice about the pain they are feeling?"

Kawasaki Saki frowned deeply and was silent for a long time. She handed the prepared ginger ale to Matsueda Azusa and then slowly said, "That's why I kept it a secret from Daishi and the others because I didn't want them to feel guilty about this. If they can live happily like this, it doesn't matter how much hardship I have to endure working part-time."

101

Chapter 101: Home, Family (Please refresh the chapter)

Although he spoke strong words, tears could not stop flowing from his eyes that were full of determination.

Is that really considered being strong? I guess so. But… beneath that tough exterior, my heart is weeping.

According to Songzhi Zi, although she always emphasized that she didn't need others to know everything she had done, and that she did it voluntarily, and that as long as her loved ones could live a little easier, she didn't care...but in fact, no matter how strong a person is, they would hope that someone could understand them and affirm their actions.

After all, even a lonerologist like Hachiman Hikigaya, who believes that being alone is the true meaning of youth and that it is impossible for people to understand each other, is actually subconsciously seeking recognition, isn't he?

"It's useless to speak out. The problem won't be solved. Confessing this to anyone won't make me feel any less stressed. Telling this to my younger siblings will only make them fall into a vortex of pain as well."

Saki Kawasaki's voice trembled. "Venting off your emotions won't solve any problems, and telling your brother about your suffering won't make money appear out of thin air. In any case, if you don't work, you won't get what you want."

"Poverty is such a helpless thing. Matsueda-san, your family is very wealthy, right? You have connections with the student union and the alumni association, and you can easily set up clubs like that... You have enough to eat and wear, so how can you possibly understand my situation... You're so condescending and giving me and my family these meaningless words. Reality is not as simple and beautiful as you think."

Her voice grew softer and softer, until it finally reached a low pitch, almost as if she were speaking to herself. Furthermore, her voice, filled with anguish, sounded as if something had been shattered.

When Hikigaya Hachiman heard Kawasaki Saki scolding Matsueda Azusa, he couldn't help but open his mouth and said, "Kawasaki-san?! This matter has nothing to do with the situation at the Minister's house, right?"

"..."

Kawasaki Saki's voice became low, and she lowered her head again: "So, you have nothing to do with my family, right?"

Hikigaya Hachiman was speechless. If that were the case, then the matter itself was unresolved. If Kawasaki Saki's behavior violated the law or school rules, then the teachers and parents would have to reprimand her, and perhaps the law would have imposed sanctions. But that was clearly not the case. And for outsiders like them, who weren't even her friends, there was no way they could help her.

The only reason that can be used is...

"But Dashi is worried about you."

Matsueda Azusa didn't get angry at Kawasaki Saki's offensive words. Instead, she lowered her eyes and whispered, "Kawasaki-san, do you know... what 'home' and 'family' mean?"

"Even if he knew the truth and couldn't help, even if it would only infect his own heart with pain, even if he could only worry about you... he would definitely be willing to know the truth of all this, willing to share the pain you have endured."

"That's what family is... the most sincere love, unconditional care. Don't you understand how much you cherish your brothers and sisters? Think about it the other way around; they feel the same way about you. If they were in your shoes, they'd work just as hard to supplement the family income and make life easier for their family."

"If it were you, would you rather let your family suffer while you enjoy yourself with a clear conscience, completely ignoring and not caring?"

Kawasaki Saki replied subconsciously: "Of course not!"

The next second, she seemed to realize something and her eyes widened slightly.

"That's the way it is. You don't want to do this yourself, so why do you think it's for Dazhi's own good not to know about this? If you can share the worries of the one you love, even if it's just worrying and praying for her in your heart, then you must be happy."

Matsueda Azusa exhaled, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, "Kawasaki-san, you actually already have what I'm looking for. Life is like this, what you desire is always realized in other people..."

"But, Kawasaki-san, to be honest, although it may sound as absurd as why not eat meat, but..."

Songzhi Zi gently clenched her right hand that was resting on the table. "You will be happy. Or rather, you can be happy right now. I sincerely feel this way, and I wish this for you."

Hikigaya Hachiman looked at Matsueda Azusa with some surprise. He rarely saw Matsueda Azusa speak so frankly about his true thoughts, and what surprised him most was that there was no aggression in his words at all?

As for the minister, as soon as he mentioned the word "family", his aggressiveness immediately subsided.

Even if you know that you are a bad person and act recklessly, you will not have the heart to hurt the pure land in your heart that you cherish and desire the most with bad words.

Kawasaki Saki sighed deeply and stopped looking at Matsueda Azusa with that hostile gaze. Her tone softened a little: "Ah... that sounds nice, Matsueda-san. Although I understand that you have no ill intentions, life is not as simple as you think..."

"My younger siblings' tuition, their tuition for further studies, and even my own... My parents are already straining their bones just to scrape together a portion of it. Under these circumstances, even thinking of sending them to university is simply wishful thinking. Do you know how much it costs, Matsueda-san? It's truly... hard for us to afford."

Saki Kawasaki sighed deeply: "Many things and difficulties in this world cannot be solved or overcome by relying solely on family, love, and emotions."

"that……"

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from not far away.

Songzhi Zi and the others subconsciously looked over there.

To everyone's surprise, the person who spoke was actually Komachi?!

Kawasaki Daishi followed right behind her, and they had no idea how long they had been hiding quietly nearby!

Hikigaya Hachiman immediately panicked. He quickly stood up from the bar and asked hurriedly: "Komachi?! Why are you here! Didn't I tell you to go home a long time ago? It's so late now, it's very dangerous outside!"

"Komachi knows. But compared to that..."

Komachi put her hands behind her back and tilted her head. "Komachi is more worried that idiot Onii-chan can't solve the problem. Without Komachi's support, brother might just pretend he doesn't exist and hide away secretly, right?"

Hikigaya Hachiman took a step back.

Oh no, Komachi was right! As expected, the one who understood him best was his beloved Ichimodo.

Kawasaki Saki held her forehead in distress, "Dazhi, why did you come here..."

Kawasaki Daishi looked up timidly at Kawasaki Saki.

Komachi spoke first: "Komachi, would you mind speaking a word? Komachi wants to tell you a true story."

"Well, the Komachi family has always been a dual-income family, so when Komachi was a child, every time she returned home, she would not see anyone. Even if she shouted "I'm back" to the empty room, no one would respond."

"Komachi hated going back to that house, so she ran away for five days. Later, it wasn't her parents who brought her back, but her brother. And after that, her brother started coming home earlier than Komachi. So, Komachi has always been grateful to her brother!"

Hikigaya was almost moved to tears after hearing such a touching story. "Ahh, Komachi is the best in the world!"

Komachi pointed her finger at her lips and said earnestly, "Even though the actual problem hasn't been solved, and Mom and Dad still have to go out early and come back late, and still need to work very hard to earn money, but... having a brother to accompany me and not having him to accompany me are two completely different situations!"

"Family care and companionship may not necessarily solve problems, nor bring about any tangible benefits, but... it will definitely, definitely allow everyone to feel happy in their hard work and effort. This will soothe the fatigue and fear in their hearts."

"If you keep trying to be tough, there will always be a day when you can't hold on, and then... it will only make everyone more worried. If you don't want to burden your family, then the right thing to do is to explain this to them as soon as possible and share your thoughts."

Komachi nodded affirmatively.

Matsueda Azusa couldn't help but sigh: "What a good sister... Hachiman, I wish I had a sister like Komachi."

Hikigaya Hachiman nodded subconsciously: "Of course, Komachi is the most..."

Halfway through his speech, he suddenly became alert.

Wait? What does the Minister mean by that? Is he planning something bad on Komachi?!

Hikigaya Hachiman quickly put his hands in front of Komachi and looked at Matsueda Azusa warily: "Even if you say so, Minister, I will not give Komachi to you!"

Komachi smiled and patted Hikigaya Hachiman's hand. "That's annoying! Onii-chan, but this sentence is really a plus. It made Komachi shy."

She nodded confidently. "Even though Komachi's brother is useless, he definitely won't let her worry about these things. Just for that reason alone, I feel safe and happy as a younger sister. Family is about being able to trust someone without any worries."

Saki Kawasaki fell silent.

"Hmm... Sister, I think so too. Rather than just blindly enjoying your help, I want to share your worries... even if it's just useless worry..."

Kawasaki Daishi looked at Kawasaki Saki and murmured, turning his blushing face away.

When Saki Kawasaki heard this, she reached out and gently touched Daishi's head, and a gentle smile appeared on her originally tired expression.

"Yeah……"

She finally showed a relaxed expression, her hard exterior seemed to soften, and she lowered her head: "Yeah... This is also good."

Matsueda Azusa stood up. "The matter has been resolved satisfactorily, but... perhaps there is a more satisfactory solution. Kawasaki-san, would you like to hear it?"

He opened his phone and looked at the message from Shizuka Hiratsuka—

【Hiratsuka Shizuka: I'll be there soon! 】