My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 110

Volume 5, Part 2: As expected, Kawasaki Saki had long been forgotten.

On a summer afternoon, the tram was less crowded than usual.

I got off at Tsudanuma Station, a few stops away, walked through the ticket gate, turned right, and walked straight into the sparse crowd.

Sasaki University's Tsudanuma branch offers a summer intensive camp for second-year high school students. Students who are serious about the university entrance exams begin studying hard from this period onwards.

However, after all, they were still high school sophomores, so they still carried a sense of composure.

Once students enter their senior year of high school, the atmosphere will likely become much more tense, with some students even being kicked out of class for dozing off. I've seen online that someone was kicked out of class and then taken to a meeting room-like place, where they were not only scolded by the teacher who was teaching the class, but the homeroom teacher also hinted that they should "transfer to another class."

The private elite university class, which tutors high school sophomores, appears quite relaxed.

This course is divided into five-day sessions. Five days are spent reviewing English and Chinese, and the other five days are for choosing one social studies subject.

I have already finished the social studies course, and today I will begin the English and Chinese sections.

No one in the classroom noticed me come in, so I chose a seat in the front row closest to the door.

Basically, the back seats are always VIP seats, reserved for the largest groups. Sitting in their section is quite unpleasant, so I always choose seats in the very front or middle rows. The left and right sides of the front row are prone to blind spots, so lone wolves should definitely choose those areas. Although you might not be able to see the blackboard very clearly during class, it makes it easier to concentrate—in fact, no one will come to talk to me, so I can only focus on the lesson. Thinking about it that way, it's actually a good thing.

After I took my seat, I immediately prepared my teaching materials and notes, rested my chin on my hand, and waited for class to start.

Groups of friends who had come to class were chatting and laughing happily.

By next summer, that harmonious atmosphere will likely have vanished without a trace.

The same thing happened when I took the high school entrance exam in the past.

People speak ill of those who received recommendations behind their backs, and curse those who are certain of getting into university—I'm almost certain this will happen again when everyone enters their senior year of high school. And then, four years later, when everyone starts looking for jobs, they still can't escape this cycle. Whether it's three years, or even seven, human nature will never change.

Let's put the past aside for now and focus on the present. My primary goal is to pass the university entrance exam.

Those who start preparing early will be in the college entrance exam battle plan this summer, ready to press the button at any moment. The current goal is the National Center Test (Note 9: a test administered by the Japan University Entrance Examination Center, held annually in January). Focusing on the goal, pressing the button… focusing on the goal, pressing the button… focusing on the goal, pressing the button… Just as I was simulating the college entrance exam with empty eyes, a figure appeared in a corner of my vision, instantly snapping me back to reality, as if I'd been angrily shouted at: “Idiot! The smoke from the explosion has obscured the enemy!”

This person had her long, dark hair, reaching her back, tied up in a ponytail. Her slender figure was captivating. She wore a three-quarter sleeve T-shirt, paired with denim shorts and leggings, a backpack slung over her shoulder, and dragged her sandals listlessly across the ground.

She suddenly stopped as she passed by me. I sensed the unnaturalness in her movements and turned my gaze towards her.

"...You're here for class too?"

The other person spoke to me in a tired voice and gave me a cold look. There was a mole under their unfriendly eyes that looked like they were about to cry.

This person looks vaguely familiar, but who is it...?

"Let me thank you first."

I had absolutely no idea why she thanked me, but she was certain she hadn't mistaken me for someone else. Because unless it's something extremely important, people usually don't approach Lone Rangers to talk.

"Thanks to your advice, I got a scholarship, and now I'm getting along quite well with Dazhi."

Hearing the name Taishi, a feeling of both disgust and familiarity welled up inside me. I flipped through my "Never Forgive My List" and compared it to others, finally finding the name "Kawasaki Taishi." Oh, isn't this the pest trying to get close to Komachi?

So, is this person in front of you related to Dazhi?

I glanced again at her long, dark hair tinged with blue, and then I suddenly realized—

It's a blue wave! Kawa... Kawagoe? Kawashima? Kawaharaki... Never mind, her name doesn't matter, as long as she's called something like "Kawa"!

That long hair was a truly deep blue, and I couldn't help but think of Gagaga Bunko (Note 10: The covers of all books in Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko series are blue)...

"It's nothing, you earned that scholarship on your own merit."

For now, I'll stick to the topic and use this time to remember that the other person's name is actually Kawasaki Saki.

"That's true, but Dazhi keeps talking about you... Oh well, I've already thanked you anyway."

Kawasaki seemed to be fulfilling some kind of obligation; after saying those words, he simply left.

Although she appears aloof, that's exactly the kind of girl Kawasaki Saki is. She doesn't actively make friends, chooses to be alone, and exudes a slightly rebellious vibe.

In my opinion, the fact that someone like that would take the initiative to strike up a conversation already shows a significant softening of their attitude. I was curious about Kawasaki's change and couldn't help but watch her receding figure.

She walked to three rows behind my seat, and as soon as she sat down, she took out her phone and started typing. Judging from the way she looked, she was probably sending a message.

At that moment, Kawasaki suddenly smiled.

...Oh, so she can make that kind of expression too. She's usually so lazy, yet so aggressive—or rather, so domineering—I'd never see her like that at school. But then again, I don't really remember her from school. The basic rule among loners is to not interfere with each other.

I looked at her a little longer, feeling like I was discovering something new, and then our eyes suddenly met.

Kawasaki blushed and glared at me fiercely. Good heavens! This guy is terrifying! My shoulders completely stiffened.

I twisted my neck with difficulty, trying to escape Kawasaki's gaze.

No way, that guy hasn't softened up at all! You're even in cram school now, you better be a little more tactful! Hurry up and smooth out that rigid mind of yours! (Note 11: This passage is also the name of a Japanese test bank.)

× × ×

After the English class ended, there was a short break. I went downstairs to the vending machine to buy a can of MAX coffee to sip slowly before returning to the classroom where I had the class.

The other students in the classroom were either playing on their phones, reading books, or staring blankly at the modern Chinese textbook they would be using in the next class.

Most students were alone. This scene, dominated by loners, was quite different from the usual campus atmosphere.

At the same time, it is completely different from the cram schools we had in my country.

To be frank, the tutoring centers back then were just an extension of the school. People who didn't feel a sense of belonging in school still had to accept the same treatment in tutoring centers. Even during class time, that interpersonal relationship continued, which made me extremely irritable.

For this reason, I decided to strive to get into a higher-level class. As the classes I joined became more advanced, the classrooms became quieter, and the course content and the students' overall quality improved.

Looking back now, I even think they hung out with a group of people just to find a reason to settle for lower-level classes.

Such people use friendship as an excuse to give up their efforts and choose a comfortable environment for the sake of friendship. A typical example is a middle school student in love who says they want to get into the same high school and lowers their own school aspirations to match their partner's academic level.

When I heard those sweet words in the classroom, I couldn't help but shiver.

If you truly care about the other person, you shouldn't hinder or spoil them. They've only chosen the easy path to indulge in a lazy, servile lifestyle.

If I heard that the couple broke up less than two months after entering high school, I would not only burst out laughing, but I would also laugh so hard that I would roll on the floor, and even wonder if I had peritonitis.

Hmm? You'd say it was youthful arrogance, and then affirm that action?

Having witnessed many such cases from an outsider's perspective, I have no faith in superficial friendships and love, nor do I trust the deceptive tenderness that uses self-sacrifice as an excuse to indulge in self-deception.

From this perspective, cram schools for college entrance exams are a good system.

This place completely excludes anything unrelated to studying, and students maintain a healthy distance from each other to achieve the best possible results. In the cram school I attended in middle school, both the instructors and students tried to be friendly, which resulted in a lot of suffering for me… The teacher addressed most students by their first names, but only by my surname…

Furthermore, if students wish to develop a close relationship with the instructors at the college entrance exam prep center, it's possible. There's a mentorship system, but frankly, it's just university students working at the center, providing students with various forms of assistance, not just academic problems, but also one-on-one tutoring on future career paths. If you're looking for a heart-wrenching, tear-jerking mentor-student soap opera centered around university exams, this is definitely the place to go.

Basically, the atmosphere in college entrance exam cram schools tends to be reserved and serious, and may even feel cold, which is a very comfortable environment for me.

Nevertheless, groups like Hayama's still exist. Those high school students probably come to class together as a group, and they chat noisily and happily until the teacher comes in.

In reality (laughs), these creatures are everywhere. If you made a distribution map of them, it would be as spectacular as a pill bug or sea cockroach. They're everywhere; I really don't understand why anyone would want to emulate them.

Seriously, it's so annoying... Summer is their most active season, which is very similar to insects. For someone like me who hates insects, summer is a very unpleasant season.

× × ×

When class ended, a feeling of exhaustion, typical of those who finish a tutoring session, washed over me, which meant I had been quite focused during the 90-minute lesson.

The fatigue after studying is different from the pleasant fatigue after exercise. After finishing studying, you feel like your brain is shrouded in a thick, sticky fog. If your brain's glucose is depleted and you don't quickly replenish it with MAX coffee, the consequences could be dire. Tone Coca-Cola (Note 12: Coca-Cola bottling company, sales area: Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki prefectures) should consider launching exam-related merchandise; they could probably make a lot of money!

After today's classes ended, I quickly packed my things and prepared to go home.

This is when the Maverick is at his most energetic during the day.

Fortunately, Tsudanuma is a thriving area for its size. It boasts numerous bookstores and video game arcades, ensuring that high school boys will never be bored.

Just as I was mentally planning where to go on my way home, someone knocked on my table.

I turned towards the source of the sound and saw Kawasaki Saki looking displeased. "What's wrong? If you need something, just say so. Are your parents woodpeckers?"

"……What's up?"

Kawasaki exuded an aura of "Listen carefully," so I decided to listen to her obediently. Kawasaki sighed softly, as if hesitating whether to speak. What's wrong? If you don't want to talk, then don't come to me! Are you going to talk or not?

"I'm asking you, do you have anything else to do?"

"Next...it's not very convenient."

I subconsciously resort to my usual phrase when refusing others. Whenever I receive an invitation, I always play it safe and decline first. It's almost become an instinct for me. This principle, like "don't answer calls from unknown numbers," is basic common sense in today's society.

In eight or nine out of ten cases, upon hearing my reply, the other person will say, "Oh! Is that so?" and quickly back down. However, seeing how readily they back down makes me think they were simply making the invitation out of social etiquette. Honestly, when they heard me refuse, they seemed relieved. So please remember this: I believe people sometimes need the gentleness of "not making an invitation."

However, Kawasaki Saki's invitation didn't seem to be based on social etiquette. To be more precise, I don't think she possessed that kind of social etiquette. Even when facing Yukinoshita and Hiratsuka-sensei, she didn't back down at all, always speaking her mind frankly.

Kawasaki squinted his tired eyes.

"What's inconvenient?"

"No, it's just... something's come up with about my sister..."

I had no choice but to use Komachi as a shield. Kawasaki nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"Oh, I see. Perfect timing! Could you come with me?"

"What?"

I demanded an explanation from Kawasaki, but she only gave a lazy reply:

"I don't have anything to ask you, but Taishi has some questions for you. He's in Tsudanum right now."

Oh... I see, so she was texting Dazhi earlier. And the way she suddenly laughed like that halfway through typing, does that mean she has a brother complex? Hmm, she definitely seems to have some kind of obsession with bras. There's nothing cute inside a large-sized bra, that's what my flat-chested sister says!

"Sorry, I have no reason to waste my time on your brother."

"But your sister is with him too."

"Hey! Where are we going? Is it close? Within five minutes on foot? Or should we run?"

Wouldn't it be better to say this sooner?

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Kawasaki gave me a "I give up" look, but I didn't care at all. I stood up and walked out of the classroom without saying a word, with Kawasaki following behind me.

"Do you know the Saizeriya tutoring center after the cram school?"

"Don't underestimate me. I know all about Salia along the Sobu Line very well."

I even know exactly where the original store was. Saizeriya was founded in Hon-Hachiman, and although that store is no longer in operation, the sign still stands. By the way, Toranoana's office and logistics center are also in Hon-Hachiman, just to add to your information.

As soon as I stepped out of the tutoring center, I felt the oppressive heat of the street. The air was stagnant, and the sunlight streaming down from above was distorted by the humidity.

Now, during the breaks between classes, people coming and going between tutoring centers and the station are intertwined, causing the population density in this area to increase significantly.

Kawasaki and I didn't talk much on the way; we just weaved through the crowds. I mostly act alone, so I'm quite adept at choosing quiet spots to walk in. Now it's time for my hidden little rascal to shine (Note 13, from *Saki*).

Komachi and that pest are in Salia, who lives nearby.

Perfect timing! There's a knife and a fork there—no weapon needed. If necessary, I can just throw a piping hot Milanese gratin in his face like I would a pie, and then add a caption like "※These dishes have all been consumed by the staff"—no problem. Everything I've done should be forgivable. I can then smear some spicy roasted chicken sauce on his wound.

I can definitely feel my soul gem gradually turning black. Oh no, this won't do, if this keeps up I'll turn into a witch. I should think of something more pleasant... Isn't "Magical Girl☆Aya" ready yet?

I stood at the intersection waiting for the light to turn red, suppressing my impatience. Kawasaki, standing a step behind me, said:

"Oh right, speaking of which, Yukinoshita also attended the summer intensive course a while ago."

"...Oh, I see."

Upon hearing that name, my reaction paused for a second.

As far as I can remember, Yukinoshita wanted to apply to a national or public science school, and Kawasaki probably applied for the same course as well.

It's actually quite normal not to have decided on a university by this point in time. It's just that my math skills are so terrible that I decided to apply to a private liberal arts school a long time ago. As for my future, I was destined to become a stay-at-home dad long ago.

"That woman is indeed very difficult to approach."

Who gave you the right to say such things...? You always exude a terrifying aura; not only girls, but more than half of the boys are afraid of you...

Why are you looking at me?

"nothing……"

She squinted her lifeless eyes and looked over, so I quickly looked away.

I imagined Yukinoshita and Kawasaki in the classroom. They easily attracted everyone's attention, yet they never let anyone get close. Although their actions were similar, their inner nature was completely different.

Kawasaki's aggression stems from her inability to communicate effectively, making her a typical example of someone who is poor at expressing herself, lacking communication skills. This can be somewhat observed in the love she pours into her younger brother.

On the other hand, Yukinoshita doesn't intend to attack, although her mere existence is enough to provoke a certain kind of aggression. Exceptional people are dazzling enough to be blinding, which can trigger feelings of inferiority and jealousy in others. Therefore, she is isolated by those around her and becomes a target of malicious attacks. Given Yukinoshita's personality, she directly confronts those attacks and troubles, defeating them one by one.

If Kawasaki used intimidation as a defense, Yukinoshita took absolute retaliatory measures.

At this point, the red light turns green.