My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 140

Rather than suffer through it all, it's better to take it all on yourself.

A person's regret is at most just sighing.

Ye Shan narrowed his eyes slightly and sighed sympathetically.

"...Would that make things go smoothly?"

"what?"

"If things go smoothly as a result, that's fine. But the fact remains that we're currently stuck in a rut, and if this continues, we'll inevitably collapse soon. And let's not forget, the school anniversary celebration can only succeed; failure is not an option. So it's time to change our approach."

"Well……"

This guy actually spoke with such conviction that I was completely refuted. "Is it some famous black tea producing region?" (Note 48: The original text uses "あっさり" for "completely," which differs from "アツサム" for Assam by only one syllable.) I murmured resentfully, when suddenly someone beside me whispered:

"...That makes sense."

It seems Yukinoshita was also touched on a sore spot. At some point, her fingers stopped typing.

However, Yukinoshita lacks trustworthy companions. If Yuihama happened to be here, that would be a different story.

"...So, I'll help."

That's what Hayama said to her.

"But, how about getting help from someone outside the anniversary celebration organizing committee—"

When confronted by the senior student's attempt to stop him, Hayama responded with a smile:

"No, I was just helping with the coordination as a representative of the school anniversary performance group."

His suggestion was quite appealing. Groups aspiring to participate in the school anniversary performance are different from classes and clubs, which have dedicated leaders and a clear command system. The form and content of each performing group are vastly different, and just thinking about dealing with each one properly is incredibly troublesome.

If the performing groups are willing to provide assistance, it will greatly reduce the workload of the personnel coordination team, which is currently Yukino's burden.

Furthermore, it makes perfect sense for the performing groups to take the initiative in management and coordination.

After hesitating for a while, the senior student finally raised her head and gave an embarrassed smile.

"In that case... great. We're glad to have found people to help."

"how?"

Hayama then asked Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita stroked her chin, considering for a moment.

"...

"Yukinoshita-san, relying on others is also a very important part."

The senior student gently told her.

Whether it was Hayama or Senior Megure, they were absolutely right. It was wonderful, so wonderful that it brought tears to my eyes. It was a beautiful sense of camaraderie.

It's good to be someone who's used to receiving help.

They can rely on others without hesitation.

Working together and cooperating with each other—these sound like the most wonderful things.

However, I will not blindly praise this behavior.

Consider this: although it is a good and wonderful thing for many people to do a job together, does that mean it is wrong for one person to do it alone?

Why should those who have worked hard through their own efforts be denied?

I cannot accept this.

"...Relying on others is indeed important, but from what I see, everyone just wants to rely on others right now. It's fine to use other people's strength, but there are also some guys here who just dump their work on others."

My tone was aggressive, something I hadn't expected.

The senior student's expression turned a little off, so I decided to play a little joke. I felt a little guilty for scaring such a kind-hearted beauty.

"To be specific, um...right, it's those people who dumped work on me, I really can't forgive them. These are extraordinary times, and it's understandable that I can't relax...but it's unforgivable that everyone else is so carefree!"

"You're terrible!"

Senior Xun probably realized I was joking, and her cheerful expression returned.

"I'll help you too."

Ye Shan responded with a wry smile.

Then, Yukinoshita let out a very short sigh.

"I did take on some miscellaneous tasks outside my job scope... I will reconsider the division of responsibilities. And since Senior Cheng Hui's judgment is reasonable, I gratefully accept the suggestion... I'm sorry."

Yukino's gaze never left the computer screen. We have no way of knowing to whom she ultimately apologized.

While one could simply interpret it as her feeling apologetic, I didn't actually speak up for her, so I have no reason to accept her apology. I simply can't forgive someone who pushes work onto others while leisurely enjoying the cool of the day.

It makes no sense that the person who is truly dedicated to their work is the one who gets implicated. I can't stand by and watch her get herself into this mess.

That's all.

Moreover, not only did I not help at all, I also caused new trouble, forcing her to spend energy reassigning responsibilities. There should be a limit to how useless a person can be.

"Then, please give me your guidance."

"I will try to contact the people I can find tomorrow as well."

Hayama smiled at Xun-senpai, who responded with an "Mm" and nodded vigorously.

× × ×

"It feels like... there are even fewer people..."

After a week, the attendance of the school anniversary executive committee was pitifully small. I didn't even need to count the number; apart from Xuexia, there were only the executive department and a handful of other people present.

"Hmm..." Senior student murmured, her head aching. "I've already contacted everyone. I should have clearly told Sagami that her proposal wasn't feasible..."

The senior student, looking apologetic, said that she was referring to Sagami's statement that "class activities are also important."

At that moment, Yukinoshita stopped organizing the documents.

"There are no problems. I have reviewed and approved the applications submitted by each department, and they should proceed smoothly before being submitted to the chairman for final decision."

Whether it was because the redistribution of responsibilities was effective or not, at first glance, everything was being handled very smoothly.

I once learned from a comic or anime that only 20% of ants actually work diligently, another 20% do not work at all, and the remaining 60% work sometimes and don't work at other times.

This data seems to be applicable to humans as well.

Simply put, about 60% of people will decide whether to work or not depending on the situation, in a very superficial way that does not affect others and belongs to both sides at the same time.

Judging from the current situation of the executive committee, the ants that are working diligently are slightly outnumbered.

Others are not explicitly expressing an "unwillingness to work" attitude, but the current trend is that "it's okay not to come to work."

As long as you're human, you'll feel safer being with the majority. The idea that if everyone does it, then it's okay to do it too—that's a valid thought.

To put it bluntly, the current trend is not to "stay in the executive committee and do your job well".

As for myself, I found myself, without even realizing it, joining the minority as usual. Things had progressed to this point, and I began to feel that everything was preordained.

However, some people still worked diligently. For example, the student union officers demonstrated the unity and sense of responsibility expected of the student union, handling their own duties while also busy as executive members of the executive committee.

Under the leadership of the student council, Senior Sister Xun, all student council officers remain united and dedicated to serving their kind but somewhat scatterbrained president.

The senior student also did her best to respond to everyone's good wishes, greeting each member of the executive department and all those present.

"Although there weren't too many people today, quite a few still attended, so we have to do our best. I really need your help!"

"Haha, I'm flattered, I'm flattered..."

She greeted me warmly too. That's great... If the senior student had forgotten about me, I probably wouldn't have come tomorrow.

I put down my bag and checked what work I had for the day. During this time, I've been working tirelessly, like the Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains, slowly tackling the mountain of tasks, and I've now made considerable progress. Just a little more effort and I'll be done.

I continued to bury myself in my work when suddenly someone patted me on the shoulder.

Looking back, I saw it was Ye Shan holding several folders of documents.

While many members of the executive committee rarely come, he is a regular visitor, actively assisting with the committee's work. From my observation, even if he doesn't show up every day, he comes to help whenever he has time.

Hayama is such a good person!

"Sorry to interrupt your work, but could you lend me thirty minutes to help me organize these equipment application forms?"

"Okay..."

He not only clearly stated how much time it would take, but also explained the work details very clearly. This way of delivering the work was not bad, and I had no reason to refuse.

This is exactly the type of boss you want.

And now I've naturally become his subordinate. Ugh... I just want to die!

We were working in silence when the meeting room door suddenly swung open. In the sparsely populated room, the click was particularly noticeable.

The person who opened the door was Ms. Hiratsuka, who waved and said under everyone's gaze:

"Yukinoshita, could you come here for a moment?"

Yukino peeked out from behind the screen on the table.

"Hiratsuka-sensei... I'm a little busy right now. If you're available, I'll come see you later."

After listening, Hiratsuka-sensei thought for a short while.

"Well...it's not something that requires you to make another trip..."

She went inside and gently stood beside the snow.

"You haven't submitted the survey form regarding your choice of arts or sciences yet."

"Sorry, I'm a bit too busy right now..."

Yukino lowered her head shyly, her hands, which had been typing on the keyboard, quietly resting on her thighs.

"Hmm... I understand the anniversary celebration committee is very busy, but you shouldn't push yourself too hard."

"Yes."

Seeing that Yukino hadn't said much, Hiratsuka-sensei smiled gently and offered her some advice:

"Hmm... okay, it's not too late to submit it after the school anniversary celebration. Anyway, you're in the international liberal arts program, so you won't be affected by changing classes. There's still time. Besides, this is just a simple survey of personal preferences, so you don't need to overthink it."

She patted Yukinoshita's head a few times, then waved goodbye and left the meeting room. Yukinoshita tidied her hair somewhat unhappily as she watched her teacher leave.

I was a little surprised that someone like Yukinoshita hadn't submitted her science/humanities preference form yet. I wasn't the only one who thought so; Hayama also looked at Yukinoshita with a surprised expression.

Therefore, Hayama and I both stopped what we were doing at that moment.

"I said... it should be okay now, right?"

If he were quietly engrossed in his work, it would be hard to talk about, but now that his work has been temporarily interrupted, it's the perfect opportunity! I really want to get out of this job as soon as possible!

Hearing my voice, Ye Shan snapped out of his daze and smiled at me, saying:

"Oh, sorry, let's continue."

That's not what I meant... I meant "I think we can finish this job now," not "I think we can continue working now"...

Hayama interpreted my words directly, even smiling, so I naturally couldn't tell him "you misunderstood"; besides, there was still some time left before the agreed-upon thirty minutes... Hmm, it seems I can't get out of this predicament.

I entered the information from the application form into an Excel spreadsheet, creating a list. Just then, a busy senior student nearby asked Yukino:

"Yukinoshita-san, will you choose humanities or science?"

"I haven't completely decided yet..."

"I see... Hmm, I can understand your hesitation. I hesitated myself back then. So, which subject are you better at? Science?"

"...That's not the reason."

Although Yukinoshita wasn't angry, her response was cold, leaving Jun-senpai momentarily speechless. At that moment, Hayama stopped his work again and looked up from his computer screen.

"Yukinoshita, I remember you were also very good at humanities subjects."

"Ah, I see."

He interjected at the opportune moment, allowing the senior student to breathe a sigh of relief.

...So, although I'm not entirely sure, Yukinoshita must be quite good at humanities subjects.

In the entire grade's Japanese literature rankings, I was third, Hayama was second, and Yukinoshita was first. We firmly held our positions in the top three, and if we both chose to major in the humanities, we might continue to dominate the top three.

Furthermore, Yukino reads a lot of books, and judging from her appearance alone, she could indeed give the impression of being a liberal arts student.