My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 158

I let out a very deep sigh.

...The closing ceremony is about to begin.

I sent a text message to the timber company, briefly informing them that "it has been resolved," and then struggled to lift my heavy body off the school building roof.

× × ×

I unconsciously quickened my pace and returned to the gymnasium.

This has nothing to do with what happened a few minutes ago. To be honest, I really don't care at all what happens to Sagami.

It was simply because everyone's attention and thoughts in the corridor were drawn to the stadium.

The heavy bass echoed down the corridor, prompting students and visitors to search for the source of the sound. Then, as if hooked, they automatically stepped towards the gymnasium.

The low, low-pitched sound traveled almost throughout the entire school building, presumably produced by the bass and bass drum.

I felt a shaking in my lower abdomen, which meant it wasn't just from the vibrations of the musical instrument.

There was also cheering from the audience.

Everyone clapped and stomped their feet together, creating a vibrant rhythm.

The vibrations of musical instruments and the stirring of people's hearts created a rhythm on campus.

There are not many people left in the school buildings now.

Most of the students and teachers gathered in the gymnasium to prepare for the closing ceremony.

I reached out and opened the gymnasium door, and in that instant, a torrent of music and lights poured out.

The searchlight beams shone excitedly in all directions, while the Disco ball overhead emitted dazzling light.

I saw that group of girls in the vortex of light.

Beth howled with hunger and greed.

The drumbeats leap and bounce as they please, to assert their presence.

With each instrument playing its part to its fullest, the guitar uses precise and meticulous plucking to control the entire piece, achieving a restraining effect.

Finally, there was a light and bright vocal performance. The lead singer occasionally jumped up and down, but still managed to sing every note and every lyric.

The guitarist stepped closer to the center of the stage and stood next to the lead singer. They were wearing matching T-shirts, which they had somehow changed into, and leaned on each other as they sang the song together.

Among the audience, some swung their arms back and forth, some shook their heads; some waved their phones, which emitted a faint glow, like a sea lily; and some were so excited that they jumped into the crowd from above, making everyone lift them up.

This professional-level skill... no, it's precisely because it's an amateur performance that it generates such fervor.

The drummer issued a challenge, speeding up the tempo, and the guitarist accepted, plucking the strings forcefully. Just as the melody was about to crumble, the bassist delivered a timely rebuke with a 90-degree slapping (a type of string striking technique).

Then, the lead singer stretched out his hands and began to sing, as if embracing everything.

Between songs, the lead singer interacted with the audience, leading them in cheers one moment and then running from right to left in a wave-like dance the next. The audience emitted glow sticks of various colors, resembling countless twinkling stars.

At this moment, everyone in the darkness became one.

No one noticed me walk in.

Of course, those performing on stage are even less likely to notice.

In the oppressive heat, I leaned against the wall alone.

Everyone was scrambling to get to the front of the stage, so the space behind became quite large, and there wasn't a single person near me.

This is the last program of the long school anniversary celebration; everything is finally coming to an end.

Oh right, I'm in the miscellaneous tasks team, so I have to write things down.

I probably won't forget this scene, and I never will.

Although I am not on that glamorous stage.

Although I didn't squeeze in with the excited audience.

Although I was just standing alone at the very back, silently watching all of this.

However, I will never forget it.

Volume 6, Chapter 10: He and she finally found the right answer.

The closing ceremony proceeded smoothly.

However, Sagami's speech was still atrocious.

It's easy to imagine that she made a lot of mistakes, but what's worse is that she performed without a script and even forgot to announce the winning group.

Whenever something went wrong during Sagami's speech, Yukinoshita would calmly present the prepared text.

Finally, she couldn't hold back her tears.

In the eyes of the students in the audience, those were probably tears of emotion. Everyone cheered for her, shouting "Go for it!", "That's great!", and "Thank you!"

I don't believe her tears at that moment were out of gratitude. They must have been tears of regret for realizing how useless she was and lamenting how things had gotten to this point.

However, the tears she shed after her speech and final review were genuine tears of emotion.

When my spirits were at rock bottom, hearing everyone's encouragement and support was more touching than anything else. Although it was I who caused her spirits to plummet, I personally feel quite guilty about that.

When Sagami walked off the stage and backstage, her makeup was smudged from crying, and she looked extremely exhausted. She resembled a marathon runner who had finally reached the finish line, and her family and friends immediately rushed to greet her.

"Are you okay?"

"If that guy hadn't said those things, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

"No wonder you're acting strangely!"

It seems that what I did has spread far and wide at an extremely fast pace, and the executive committee members are all casting unfriendly glances at me.

Moreover, it seemed that not only the members of the executive committee, but also the students in Class 2-F were aware of it, as they all whispered among themselves when they saw me.

I felt as if my back was riddled with arrows.

Amidst the rustling sounds, I also heard several familiar voices.

"Right? It's really going too far compared to penguins, just like during our summer camping trip!"

Ministry of Revenue, you bastard...

"...Sigh, he certainly has a sharp tongue. But if you talk to him nicely, he's not really like that."

"Hayato is such a good person..."

"Hayama is speaking up for Penguin-kun... Yesterday's enemy is indeed today's ally... Waaah!"

"Ah, Ebina! Didn't I tell you to pretend? Look, your nose is bleeding again. Hurry up, exhale forcefully through your nose!"

Yuihama smiled wryly from beginning to end, while Totsuka looked at me with a worried expression.

I smiled back at Totsuka and told him that this was nothing at all, while watching my classmates leave.

All the students left the gymnasium, but the executive committee's work was not yet finished.

Next, there's the cleanup work to do, including tidying up the stage, backstage, sound system, and projection equipment. The last task for today will be carried out by all the executive committee members together. From what I've observed, everyone really does seem like a team now. However, since I'm also an executive committee member, saying "observing from the sidelines" feels a bit strange.

"Hey, all committee members, assemble!"

With the cleanup work nearly complete, Atsugi, the physical education teacher in charge of the school anniversary celebrations, called out loudly, and everyone gathered in front of him.

"Everyone, although there are still some things to finish, I'd like to say thank you for your hard work. Of all the school anniversary events I've seen, this year's was a great success. If you're having a celebration banquet later, remember not to go too wild and cause any trouble! See you later!"

The teacher called everyone together with such great force, but the words she said to us were very considerate.

Cheers and applause erupted as everyone said "thank you for your hard work" to each other, and they hugged each other tightly, immersed in the final moments of emotion before the end.

Senior student Xun gently nudged Sagami, who was standing to the side.

"Come here, Chairman."

"Huh? But I..."

The senior student probably wanted her to say something to everyone, and Sagami understood this, so she hesitated and didn't dare to step forward. She stumbled as soon as she took on the role of chairperson, made a mess of the committee in the middle, and then completely abandoned it in the later stages, failing to even wrap things up properly at the end, so her hesitation is understandable.

"You're the chairperson, right?"

Yukinoshita coldly told her this fact. Sagami had already tasted the setbacks and regrets that the chairman must bear, so he was also entitled to receive glory and praise.

"……Um."

She gritted her teeth and nodded slightly.

"Um... I'm so sorry for causing everyone so much trouble. I'm so glad that this year's school anniversary celebration went smoothly... Thank you all so much for your hard work."

"Thanks for your hard work!"

The committee members gave a final, orderly salute and then dispersed. The girls excitedly hugged each other, the boys high-fived each other, and Sagami bowed slightly to Yukinoshita.

it is finally over……

I left the circle of executive committee members and let out a long sigh.

On the way back to the classroom, everyone chatted happily about the celebration party tonight, but I probably wouldn't be invited. Even if someone, out of kindness, felt it wasn't right to leave anyone out and invited me out of courtesy, I'd just have to eat there anyway, there wouldn't be anything else to do…

A strong sense of weariness washed over me, making every step I took feel heavy.

Others kept surpassing me.

When Sagami and her friend passed by me, they immediately stopped talking, staring intently ahead, refusing to look at me no matter what I said.

Sagami, you're still too green. True disregard means ignoring others without even realizing it.

I saw Senior Sister Xun in the crowd.

The senior student noticed me and came over.

"……Thanks for your hard work."

"Thanks for your hard work."

Her expression was gloomy when she looked at me.

"You're really not serious at all, and you're terrible."

Did Senior Megure learn about what happened from Sagami or her friends? Well, even if that's not the case, Senior Megure couldn't possibly have a good impression of me anyway, so when I heard her say that, I couldn't refute anything. The only thing I could do was apologize.

"sorry……"

"...However, I'm very happy. It's wonderful that the school anniversary celebration ended successfully. Thank you."

A warm smile appeared on Xun's lips as she waved goodbye to me and left.

This was the last school anniversary celebration she attended in high school, and from the student council president's perspective, there were indeed some things she couldn't compromise on. Even so, at least no major problems occurred externally, which was a good thing.

I felt a little bit of redemption.

"Is this alright?"

My answer to the question posed by someone behind my back is quite obvious.

"Yes, that's enough."

“Is that so…?”

Misunderstandings can't be resolved, but we can pose new questions. Although the answer obtained through further confirmation may not be correct, at least it's the answer I like. So, that's enough.

I slowed my pace slightly.

Inside the stadium, where the crowd had almost completely dispersed, the sound of equally spaced footsteps gradually drew closer.

Yukino Yukinoshita walked up to me.

"...You really will save anyone, no matter who they are."

"What?"

I didn't understand what that sentence meant, so I asked again.

"Logically speaking, Sagami-san abandoning her responsibilities and choosing to run away from them is clearly unforgivable. But when she came back, she became the victim hurt by unintentional words. Not only her friends, but even Hayama-san testified to this. She completely became the victim."

"You're overthinking it. I didn't even consider that far ahead for her."

"Really? But that's exactly how it turned out, so it's not an exaggeration to say that you saved her."

No, that's not it. There's nothing to endorse about it, it shouldn't be tolerated or praised, and it should even be condemned and criticized.

As I reached the stadium exit, I finally figured out how to respond.

"Even if that's true, none of this would have happened if Hayama hadn't been there, so it can't be attributed to me."