"Eh? No, don't do that…" Ebina Hina protested, dragging out her words.
But there wasn't much real resistance in her tone.
It was more like—
"I guess I should object here."
Still—
Hikigaya felt relieved.
So did Yuigahama Yui.
"Hey, seriously—this club is pointless, isn't it?"
Just as things were settling down, Miura Yumiko suddenly spoke.
"Isn't this already the Discipline Committee's job? Why did the Student Council even approve something like this?"
"It's completely meaningless."
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
The people around her froze for a moment—
Then quickly followed her lead.
"Yeah, what even is this 'Inspection Department'? Sounds creepy…"
"It's just some loner who can't get a girlfriend trying to feel important. So gross."
"I seriously don't get what the school is thinking."
Atmosphere was a fragile thing.
Easy to manipulate.
Matsueda Azusa didn't respond immediately.
He simply—
Looked at Hayama Hayato.
Someone will step in.
"…Don't say that, Yumiko."
As expected—
Hayama finally spoke.
He smiled gently, though there was a hint of discomfort.
"The Student Council must have had their reasons."
"We're all classmates. There's no need to make things awkward."
To Hayama—
This club was actually convenient.
He knew how Miura Yumiko felt about him.
And if things continued like this—
It would become troublesome.
But he didn't want to change anything.
Didn't want to break the current balance.
So he just kept delaying.
But now—
Matsueda's club gave him an excuse.
Maybe that's why—
Miura seemed more aggressive today.
"…Tch. Fine. If you say so."
Miura clicked her tongue.
"But I don't care what you do—just don't get in my… our way."
"Heh."
Matsueda smiled.
Hikigaya instantly noticed.
A bad feeling.
Wait—President… you're not about to—
"Miura-san, I think you misunderstood something."
Matsueda spoke calmly, pointing a finger to his lips.
"Our club targets couples."
"You're not even within our scope."
"So why worry?"
He said it.
He actually said it.
President… are you trying to start a war?!
Hikigaya immediately shrank into his seat.
Don't notice me. Don't involve me.
"You bastard—?!"
Miura slammed the desk and stood up.
"Oh?"
Matsueda tilted his head.
"Wait… I see."
"So you're planning to pursue Hayama, right?"
"Worried we'll interfere?"
"Relax. We only deal with relationships that actually have a chance."
That's even worse.
Hikigaya silently watched.
This was escalating fast.
The moment he said that—
There was no going back.
As long as it stayed unspoken—
They could pretend.
Maintain the illusion.
But now—
The truth was dragged into the open.
Hayama had to answer.
In other words—
Matsueda just dropped a bomb.
This guy is way more dangerous than I thought.
To be fair—
Matsueda wasn't targeting Miura.
She started it.
But she wasn't the real problem.
The real issue—
Was Hayama Hayato.
The one holding this fragile group together.
To Matsueda—
Hayama resembled Nagasaki Soyo.
As long as the group existed—
Even if it was fake—
Even if everyone wore masks—
Even if it was built on lies—
As long as it continued—
Everything was fine.
Just keep pretending.
Keep patching things up.
But—
There was a difference.
Soyo only deceived herself.
She drowned in illusion.
Chased impossible hopes.
But—
The only one she hurt—
Was herself.
Matsueda didn't judge that.
Everyone had the right to live their own way.
But Hayama—
Was different.
He deceived others.
Especially—
Miura Yumiko.
Even though there was no chance—
He let her believe there was.
Isn't that just playing with her feelings?
Just like—
What happened to Matsueda before.
People don't see reality.
They see what they want to see.
Until everything breaks—
And they regret it.
But the one creating the illusion—
He pretends not to know.
Pretends nothing is wrong.
Believes he's protecting everyone.
Thinks he's sacrificing himself.
Maintaining peace.
How arrogant.
"Are you picking a fight?!"
Miura glared at Matsueda like an angry lion.
Around her—
The group turned hostile.
Only Yuigahama Yui and Ebina Hina tried to calm her down.
"Eh? I'm just thinking about what's best for you."
Matsueda smiled lightly.
Then—
Shifted his focus.
"Don't you want to hear his answer?"
"If I'm wrong—"
"Then let Hayama deny it."
He gestured politely.
"Say it."
"'Of course Yumiko can win me over.'"
"'I've always liked her.'"
"'We'll become the perfect couple.'"
"Go ahead."
"Prove me wrong."
"You don't get to interfere!"
Miura snapped.
But—
Her eyes still drifted toward Hayama.
That contradiction—
Was unavoidable.
The situation had reached a breaking point.
Even if Hayama dodged it now—
This would remain.
A wound.
One touch—
And it would hurt again.
Matsueda understood perfectly.
Hayama's "kindness"—
Was just mutual deception.
Pretending.
Knowing.
Ignoring.
Until everything collapses.
"…I'm sorry. I…"
Hayama smiled bitterly.
He hesitated.
But—
He couldn't say what she wanted.
"I said, that's enough!"
Miura cut him off.
Not looking at him.
She couldn't.
If she saw his expression—
She would break.
She grabbed Matsueda's collar.
"I told you already, didn't I?!"
"This has nothing to do with you!"
"Why are you talking like you know everything?!"
"You look like a pathetic clown!"
Her shoulders trembled.
She had to stop him.
If Hayama finished that sentence—
Everything would end.
"You're scared."
Matsueda said quietly.
"…What?"
"You already know."
"That Hayama won't choose you."
"—!"
"That's going too far."
Finally—
Hayama stepped forward.
He sighed.
"Forcing things like this…"
"Isn't it better to stop?"
"These are our personal matters."
"You're making everyone uncomfortable."
"For everyone's sake—"
"You think you're protecting everyone."
Matsueda cut him off.
"Wearing a mask."
"Hiding your real feelings."
"Maintaining a world where no one gets hurt."
He stared directly at Hayama.
"You think you're the hero, don't you?"
"Sacrificing yourself for everyone."
"How hypocritical."
"Clinging to something that's already falling apart."
"How ugly."
"'For everyone's sake'—"
"How much conviction did you have when you said that?"
Hayama stepped back.
Speechless.
"Don't say things you can't do."
Matsueda said coldly.
"You—"
"Only think about yourself."
Silence.
Hikigaya slowly slipped toward the door.
Nope.
I'm out.
Compared to Hayama—
Who preserved a fake peace—
Matsueda was different.
He would rather destroy everything—
Than let it continue as a lie.
To fight hypocrisy—
He exposed everything.
Brutally.
Too brutally.
This guy is dangerous.
Hayama's face went pale.
He wanted to respond—
But nothing came out.
"Do you know?"
Matsueda spoke again.
"There's a very simple solution."