My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 116

Please, someone come and marry her! If no one does, I'll have to take her in myself. Anyway, hurry up and send someone!

× × ×

August is almost over, but when I walk around outdoors, I still feel the oppressive heat, and the sun makes my skin feel hot and stinging.

Fortunately, this area faces the coastal road, and the sea breeze can still make it somewhat cool.

Thanks to the sea breeze, we didn't feel unbearably hot while queuing at the store entrance.

It looks like we'll have to wait a while before we can get into the store. Luckily, I'm good at killing time, so it's not a problem. Other things I'm good at include embarrassing people and popping bubble wrap. If we go a step further, I might also be good at bullying newbies when I get a job, but that would be too pitiful for them, so I would never go for a job.

The guy in front of me had been talking loudly the whole time, I don't know what he was so excited about; the two guys behind me looked like college students, they seemed like a couple... I first observed the customers in line around me, and after getting tired of it, I started to fantasize: "If I opened a ramen shop and became very famous, how should I answer media interviews?"

In short... when you're tossing the noodles, you have to toss them up, down, left, and right with force. This move is called "Flying Swallow Returning to its Nest," and it's our family's secret technique—I might as well just answer like that. If that shop becomes even more famous, I can even open a ramen training class and extract tuition fees from guys who aspire to escape the life of an office worker and want to open their own shop.

Just as I was thinking about these random things, I suddenly heard a soft sigh that sounded like laughter.

"……how?"

I glanced at the person who made the sound, namely Hiratsuka-sensei.

Hiratsuka-sensei said to me with a wry smile:

"I'm just surprised. I thought you hated being with a lot of people or standing in long lines."

"Of course I hate being crammed in with a bunch of chaotic people. As for queuing, don't you see everyone is quite orderly? Although there are still a few idiots cutting in line."

In fact, I don't dislike queuing. The reasons people dislike queuing are nothing more than the belief that it's a waste of time, the dislike of having nothing to do, and the awkward silences that can arise when queuing with others. If we reconsider the urban legend that "couples who go on dates at Disneyland break up," it's not hard to see that the reason lies in the fact that both parties are in a state of anxiety while queuing, which highlights their differing values.

For these reasons, I have an abundance of time and an overflowing capacity for thought, so I won't find it boring. Besides, I usually prefer to be alone, so simply waiting in line won't shake my iron will at all.

However, I can't stand being crammed with a bunch of chaotic people. It's always full of unruly and impolite people, and I can't stand looking at them, let alone letting them get close.

"I didn't know you were a germaphobe."

This is what Professor Hiratsuka said after hearing my explanation.

"That's not really obsessive-compulsive disorder, besides, I'm not good at keeping things clean."

To be honest, my room is so messy that if it were exhibited in a museum after I die with titles like "Urbanization" or "The End of the Earth," it would definitely receive high praise.

"I'm not referring to cleanliness or hygiene, but to your perspective on things. But frankly, it's just a self-centered perspective."

Are you indirectly saying I'm willful and self-centered?

"I'm praising you. It's a good thing to develop your own rigorous set of judgment standards."

Hiratsuka-sensei smiled at me, leaving me unsure how to react, because I hadn't meant anything by it. So I turned my head to the side and murmured:

"I just don't like noisy guys..."

Who are those people trying to tell when they say things like "We're so happy" and "This is our most shining moment"?

To someone who enjoys reading quietly alone or playing video games at home and understands the pleasure in these activities, the kind of "happiness" they constantly emphasize always seems somewhat hollow.

The measure of happiness has absolutely nothing to do with how loud you can make a sound or how many people are gathered together. I despise people who get this wrong. Moreover, they seem more energetic in crowded places or during events, as if they've found the perfect opportunity to shine. I cannot tolerate those who are pretentious and self-deceiving.

Why can't we prove the happiness we feel and the truth that belongs to us on our own?

A person cannot stand tall because they lack self-confidence. Presumably, in their hearts, a calm voice is asking, "Do you really feel happy?" To dispel this doubt, they use words to emphasize "I'm so happy," "I'm having so much fun," "This is the most wonderful moment," "I'm so high," and desperately shout at the top of their lungs.

I don't want to associate with that kind of guy, and I don't want to become a hypocrite who only knows how to deceive.

"But judging from this, you probably won't be going to the fireworks display, right?"

Hiratsuka-sensei's words interrupted my thoughts.

"A fireworks display?"

"Yes, it's the fireworks display at the observation tower. You probably know about it, right? Are you planning to go?"

It was only after the teacher mentioned it that I remembered the fireworks display at the port observation tower was a quintessential summer spectacle in Chiba, and I had gone there when I was a child. However, I didn't really care about the fireworks; at the time, I was only focused on the stalls lining the road.

That said, people living in this area can watch the fireworks displays at the stadium during nighttime games, and there's also a Disneyland nearby that has fireworks almost every day, all year round, so they don't find fireworks shows anything special.

"I don't plan to go. Will the teacher go?"

Upon hearing my question, the teacher let out a deep sigh.

"This is my summer job. It's less about watching fireworks and more about finding people."

I didn't understand what the teacher was saying, so I looked at her and asked her to explain in more detail.

"Actually, it's just to check on the students' safety. I guess they're worried about accidents happening during the holidays. Whenever there's this kind of work that requires being out and about, it's always the younger ones who get called in. Sigh... I'm just helpless against them. What can I do? I'm still young! Hahahaha~"

"Why are you so happy...?"

Ms. Hiratsuka was in a great mood and didn't hear what I was whispering about at all, and continued talking on her own.

"If some students go too wild, I'll have a real headache. Besides, the fireworks display is organized by a local government and there will be important people in attendance."

"Oh? An important person?"

"Yes, the Yukinoshita family will probably go."

That makes sense. The Yukinoshita family is quite prominent in this area, holding a position in the prefectural council and owning local businesses, so they would likely participate in co-organizing the fireworks display. Therefore, it's not surprising that they were invited to the event.

"By the way, Yang Nai was one of your students, wasn't he?"

"Hmm? Oh, her. She was the one who graduated from Soubu High School the year you came in. I have a strong impression of her."

When we entered Soubu High School, Yono had just graduated, so she's three years older than me, currently around nineteen or twenty. Turns out she graduated two years ago…

"She always maintained the top grades, and she did a great job with any task assigned to her. In addition, with her looks, almost all the boys in the school regarded her as a goddess."

I think this description sounds a lot like someone else, but that person isn't a goddess at all; "witch" would be a more fitting description. However, perhaps the goddess and witch originally referred to the same person, only to be divided into good and evil personalities due to different religious views. Applying these two images to them would be a perfect match.

"But……"

Hiratsuka-sensei paused for a moment, then put on a bitter expression.

"She wasn't a gifted student."

"Wasn't she performing exceptionally well?"

"She is indeed excellent, but only in terms of grades. She is very noisy in class, never wears her uniform properly, and is always present at fireworks displays or celebrations. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she's a lazy bum. That's probably why she has made so many friends."

Well, judging from her behavior, it's not hard to imagine. Her cheerful and easygoing personality is sure to attract a lot of people.

"However, those are all..."

The teacher was momentarily speechless, so I continued the conversation for her.

"Is it all just superficial?"

"Oh? You noticed that too?"

The teacher's lips curled into a smile that was more like a mischievous grin than one of admiration.

"It's obvious at a glance."

"You have excellent taste."

No, that's thanks to my dad's elite education system, specifically designed to cultivate scumbags.

"However, Haruno's outward appearance is also part of her charm. Those who realize this will begin to love her mischievous yet tough attitude."

"So-called 'mass charisma,' right?"

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded.

"The school anniversary celebration when she served as the president of the executive committee set a record for the highest number of participants in history. And it wasn't just students; even teachers were pulled in to help. I was also dragged into playing bass."

When she talked about it, her face scrunched up; it clearly wasn't a pleasant memory. But now that the teacher mentioned it, her hairstyle does resemble that of a certain bass player, reminding me of the ○ section…

"Judging from this, those two sisters are worlds apart."

If Yukinoshita is a graduate student buried in research, then Haruno is a college student with a strong sense of self (laughs).

By the way, "strong self-awareness," "receptive to stimulation," and "dragging everyone down" are all words I dislike, but in reality (laughs), these are exactly what I like. However, don't use too strong words when you speak, or you might come across as weak.

Master Hiratsuka nodded, and the practitioner pondered for a moment.

"Hmm... but I wouldn't say it's a good thing to become like Haruno. That child can actually work hard to develop her own strengths."

"advantage……"

"Didn't I tell you? She's both gentle and understanding."

I remember now, Hiratsuka-sensei once commented on Yukinoshita, saying that because of this, she might have a hard time living in this world that is neither gentle nor understanding.

In most cases, Yukinoshita is quite reasonable, but whether she's truly gentle or not remains a question to this day. While she may not be very likable, that doesn't mean she isn't gentle.

It's okay if she doesn't have to be gentle, but could she at least be kinder to others? If you're going to say that "strictness is also a form of gentleness," I'd much rather not agree.

Wait, so that's what she was thinking...?

I suddenly realized this, glanced at Hiratsuka-sensei, and found that she was looking at me gently.

"And then, you will too."

She smiled gently at me, but I didn't understand what she meant.

"Am I the same as what?"

"You are gentle and understanding, but you are incompatible with Yukinoshita."

This is the first time I've heard someone say this about me, and I'm not happy at all. No matter what, I always firmly believe in my own gentleness and understanding. So, so, people aren't happy at all!

"Aren't contradictory concepts of being reasonable but incompatible? Didn't Conan also say that there's only one truth?"

"What a pity, I'm not a detective, I'm a future boy (Note 37 refers to Hayao Miyazaki's work "Future Boy Conan")."

Seeing that I was trying to hide my embarrassment, Ms. Hiratsuka brushed it off with a blank smile.

I'm serious, how old is the teacher exactly?

× × ×

After waiting in line for quite a while, it was finally our turn to go inside and order from the vending machine.

Based on the principle of ladies first, I let Professor Hiratsuka order first. When visiting a dangerous or unfamiliar place for the first time, it's only natural for women to go first to ensure safety, right?

Without a second thought, Ms. Hiratsuka pressed the "Tonkotsu Ramen" button, her every move exuding masculinity, almost making me swoon. After buying the meal ticket, she didn't put her wallet away but turned to look at me. Okay, okay, you've bought it, can you please step aside now?

What would you like to order?

It turns out the teacher was planning to treat us... I started to think about calling her "Big Brother." I was happy with the teacher's kindness, but accepting her hospitality was definitely not the best solution.

"No, no need, I can buy it myself."

"No need to be so polite."

"No, no, no, it's not a matter of being polite; it's that I have no reason to accept the teacher's invitation."

Upon hearing this, Hiratsuka-sensei turned her head to the side in confusion.

"Hmm? I always thought your views were like rotten garbage, that you took it for granted that women should pay..."

That's a really harsh statement.

"That's a gigolo... My ambition is to be a stay-at-home dad, not a gigolo!"

"I...I can't tell the difference..."

The teacher looked completely bewildered.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what the difference is. Anyway, "stay-at-home dad" sounds much better than "gigolo." Besides, it doesn't seem like a good thing for a teacher to only invite a specific student, so it's best to politely decline here.

After I ordered the same tonkotsu ramen as Mr. Hiratsuka, we sat down at adjacent seats at the counter. Then, Mr. Hiratsuka took out his order slip and asked about the firmness of the noodles, and I followed suit.

"I just need to cross the water."

"Ah, then I'll have the 'iron wire' (Note 38: Hakata ramen comes in six firmness levels, from hardest to softest: 'rinsed,' 'iron wire,' 'very hard,' 'hard,' 'soft,' and 'very soft.')"

Wait a minute... Would a typical woman order food this coolly when she comes to a ramen shop?

A beautiful and charming woman dining at a ramen shop is quite an interesting sight.

Despite the curious glances from some customers, the teacher remained unfazed, cheerfully donning a disposable paper apron and checking the placement of pepper, white sesame seeds, pickled mustard greens, and red ginger. Hey, this woman is taking this way too seriously…

The noodles we ordered didn't need to cook for long, so they were served quickly.

"I'm starting."

"I'm starting."

Take a sip of the broth first. The oil film on the surface is as smooth as white porcelain and has a creamy texture. The spice aroma is well removed, and the flavor is rich. This is exactly the taste of broth made from pork bones.