Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

Instead, it made her own thoughts obvious, and even Chu Hua, who was hearing such words for the first time, noticed this.

"Hate? Xiao Mu and I are one body, she likes whoever she likes, I like whoever she likes, her half is also my half—but this is completely different from Xiangzi's bad treatment of Xiao! Don't tell me you didn't know, Chu Hua!"

Teacher Metis finally came up with a logically plausible explanation, and even Chu Hua, who had some reservations, had to remain silent because what she said was indeed true.

"Mingming keeps saying that Xiao is special to her, but she's still wavering between him and Xiangzi—this kind of cheating is too cunning! If she doesn't choose a side sooner, she won't get either of them!"

"Um... but this is between me and Xiangzi. I never intended to involve you guys."

Kazama observed the expressions of the two men and interrupted the conversation before Metis's words became increasingly outrageous.

He could tell that Chu Hua was already in a difficult position, which was why he didn't want to use his own needs to morally blackmail her into standing by his side.

"You idiot, Xiao! I'm speaking up for you!"

“I know, I know, that’s why I’m so grateful that you care about me so much, Metis. What would you like to eat or drink after you finish your sandwich? I have coffee and yogurt in my fridge.”

"Um, don't try to change the subject... but you can have some yogurt if you have any."

"Okay, okay, Chu Hua will help me too."

Kazama stood up briskly, grabbed Chuka who was still sitting there looking a little melancholy, and ran to the refrigerator next to the kitchen stove in a few steps.

"That guy Metis probably has ulterior motives, don't take it too seriously."

As he opened the refrigerator and picked up the yogurt container, he whispered words of comfort to Chu Hua, whose expression was filled with anxiety.

"Eh...you have ulterior motives?"

Chu Hua was clearly swayed by Metis's words, and only realized what had happened after receiving the cold yogurt.

“Yes, clearly her interests and those of Mu should be aligned, and the deterioration of my relationship with Xiangzi won't make Mu feel good either—logically, she should act as if she's in a difficult position as you are.”

But this guy kept stirring things up relentlessly, making it hard not to suspect that he had ulterior motives.

"But don't worry, even if this guy has some ulterior motives, he can't do anything about it. He can only show off verbally."

Kazama didn't take it seriously; he had long seen through Professor Metis's facade—a paper tiger with bared teeth and claws.

However, Chu Hua still felt a little guilty because of what Metis had just said.

She took the yogurt without a word and returned to her seat, putting on a fake smile to deal with the atmosphere in front of Metis.

Perhaps Metis really is childlike. After a simple meal of eating, drinking and playing, he curled up on Kazama's bed like a little animal and fell asleep, even stuffing a corner of the blanket into his mouth and hugging his pillow to sleep.

"Phew... I finally got this ancestor to sleep."

Despite never having been a father before, Kazama felt the immense responsibility of being a new dad today. He sat down at the table with a sense of relief, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"What have you been thinking about since the beginning, Detective Hatsuka?"

It was precisely because Metis was now sleepy that he had the time to have a frank conversation with Chu Hua.

This guy had a forced smile on his face from the very beginning, clearly still bothered by what Metis had said.

"I...I was just thinking."

Chu Hua pinched the fabric of the pleated skirt on her thigh, turned her head to look at Metis who had already fallen asleep, and finally dared to let her true feelings slip out of her mouth.

"Perhaps... I haven't been as considerate of Xiaojun's feelings as Metis has been, always thinking about how to achieve the best of both worlds..."

"It turns out that he was conducting a self-judgment."

Kazama raised an eyebrow, but he wasn't at all surprised that Hatsuka would have such a mental journey.

“But I begged Chuhua, you shouldn’t have accepted Xiangzi’s invitation in the first place. You didn’t express your feelings to her because of me, did you?”

“That’s because… I know Xiaojun wouldn’t want to ruin my relationship with Xiaoxiang. But clearly, clearly Xiaojun was really hurt because of this… I just can’t bring myself to stand firmly on your side like Metis said…”

Chu Hua's voice grew softer and softer, and the self-mockery and blame on her face became more and more obvious.

"I'm sorry... if I could have been more decisive and straightforward..."

"The Chu Hua who has been chasing after Xiangzi's shadow is the same Chu Hua I know. There's no need to feel sorry about it."

Kazama was aware of this, yet he still chose to stay with Hatsuka without hesitation.

"So, Chu Hua is actually hesitating between me and Xiang Zi? Well, I'm quite happy about that. It seems my ranking in your heart is skyrocketing, Chu Hua. Is it because I'm your one and only Watson?"

"Yes...that's right, that's exactly it."

Chu Hua, who was initially a little uneasy, nodded, gradually calming down thanks to Kazama's playful yet considerate reassurance.

It's not just about Watson.

However, if those words were spoken, even the relationship between Detective Chu Hua and Hua Shengxiao might not be able to be maintained.

She lowered her head and smiled faintly, temporarily setting aside these girlish, fluttering thoughts.

"So, if I still want to form a band with Xiaoxiang... what does Xiaojun plan to do?"

Chu Hua shifted her body slightly, leaning closer to Kazama. Behind them was Metis's sleeping face, gradually emitting soft snores.

"I know you must have your own plans."

Even just one second would be fine.

Even if it's just to be his companion, and not something more than that—as long as he feels he's someone he can trust, it doesn't matter if it's just for that one second and it's etched in his memory.

"Hmm... I do have a pretty good idea."

Chu Hua liked to see the slight curve of Kazama's eyes when he smiled.

For the time being, she can only keep this feeling to herself.

Of course, Hatsuka, with her head full of girlish thoughts, could never guess what mischief Kazama was up to.

Chapter Thirty-Three: When three people walk together, there will always be a third wheel.

Yawata Kairin initially thought it would just be another uneventful weekend.

Carrying his bass guitar, he arrived at the practice room to meet someone who appreciated his skills, and also to assess the abilities of this potential future teammate.

However, after pushing open the door to RiNG, she met someone she hadn't planned to meet.

"Really, I thought you weren't going to come practice anymore, Kazama... huh?"

That was a long-haired black girl sitting in front of the drum set, clearly having waited for a long time, but deliberately putting on a nonchalant and even somewhat dissatisfied expression.

She had initially been a little impatient—or rather, she had a hint of coquettishness in her expression—but her mood completely changed when she realized that the person who had come was Hai Ling.

"...What are you doing here?"

"Pfft."

Seeing his old acquaintance's comical change in expression, the deadpan comedian Hachiman Kairin couldn't help but chuckle.

"What, you're starting to see me as the person you've been longing for?"

"How could I possibly be obsessed with him—can you stop talking so strangely!"

Compared to Hai Ling, who walked into the room calmly, Shiina Ritsuki was like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger.

"I already mentioned this before, didn't I? It's true that I often mention Kazama to you, but it's all his fault for always doing things that are beyond imagination—can you believe he even got himself into the hospital the other day?"

"Yes Yes."

"Let me emphasize again, I have no ulterior motives towards him! If I had to say anything, it's just that I'm curious about what he might do... Yes, just curious! And stop giving me that look!"

"Yes Yes Yes."

Hai Ling calmly put down the bass case and took out her favorite bass.

"...So why are you here today?"

Of course, her action only aroused Lixi's suspicion.

"We reserved this practice room, and Kazama even mentioned in the group chat that he would be coming today..."

"Oh, so you guys have a group chat. No wonder you thought the person who opened the door was Kazama."

"What? It's one thing to talk to me like that, but why does it sound like you know him really well?"

"Hmm—because that's where I arranged to meet Kazama. What's wrong?"

While adjusting the bass's pitch, Hai Ling casually stated her purpose for coming.

"What—huh?!"

When she looked up to observe Lixi's expression, she realized that he was far from being as calm and composed as she had described.

"Hey, your eyeballs are practically falling off the floor. I'm not going to pick them up for you, go back to your place."

"W-Why do you know Kazama?"

"Huh? Because he's trying to steal my girlfriend."

"Wait a minute—when did you two meet?! How did you get in touch? What does he want from you?!"

“A few days ago, he came to the livehouse where I do part-time boosting and blocked me, hoping that I would consider a long-term cooperation with him... Are these issues really that important?”

Seeing Lixi's unusually panicked state, Hailing felt both surprised and puzzled.

"I remember you only reacted this strongly to that girl named Todori. When did you start caring so much about people other than Takamatsu?"

"This...this kind of thing has nothing to do with you."

Lixi coughed lightly and sat back down in her seat, seemingly realizing that she had indeed been a little out of line.

"………snort."

Hai Ling seemed to understand something, and her grin was seen as malicious by Li Xi.

"why are you laughing."

"Oh my, I didn't know you'd gotten this age."

"Aren't you being a little too cheeky today?"

"Yes, that's right, you're missing someone you've been longing for. It's a real shame, I didn't know you had this connection with Kazama. In that case, I'll seriously consider his suggestion. Since he's someone you know, I can't just give him a perfunctory answer."

"I already said I have absolutely nothing to do with Kazama!"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your bickering, but did someone just mention my name?"

Lixi and Hailing's argument only ended when the center of the conversation—Kazama Akira—opened the door.

"...Hmph, it's nothing."

The girl with long black hair stopped talking, simply sat down in front of the drum set, picked up the drumsticks, and began to gently tap and practice.

"You'll have to ask her about that."

Hai Ling didn't push her luck any further, but her gesture towards Li Xi still carried a hint of amusement.

Well, so that's why these two people keep talking about him.

Seeing the two who had stopped arguing abruptly, Kazama breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lixi...could it be that you..."

"……what."

Shiina Riki pretended to be calm, but the sound of her feet tapping the drum became more and more frequent, and her heart was unconsciously in her throat.

"...Have you been talking badly about me behind my back with Hachiman all this time?"

Boom!

Lixi almost lost control of the force of his foot, and a deafening drumbeat suddenly echoed in the practice room.

"………ha?"

Lixi breathed again, but this time it wasn't her fault.

"Oh dear, so he's the kind of clueless guy who doesn't understand romance."

Hai Ling seemed to be deep in thought, as if she had already made a general deduction about the relationship between the two people.

　er九琦熘韭仪散罢硫群· 聊“胡说，我可很懂情情。

Kazama stood by the keyboard and pursed his lips. If it were Aunt Riki from before, he would certainly be very good at guessing what she was thinking.

But the current Lixi has become quite different from the seemingly strict but actually gentle, and somewhat clumsy but considerate aunt he remembers.