My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 159

Upon hearing this, Yukino pursed her lips unhappily.

"Here we go again, no need to be so modest~"

The voice that said those words suddenly sounded a little unlike hers.

I looked at Yukino, and she shook her head to indicate that she didn't speak. A few seconds later, she realized something:

"...Sister, why are you still here? Please go back quickly!"

Yukino Yukinoshita and Heizuka-sensei appeared from beside the entrance of the gymnasium.

Hiratsuka-sensei held a cigarette in one hand, while Haruno, having changed back into her usual clothes and packed her belongings, was ready to go home and seemed to be chatting with her teacher at the door.

Yang patted my shoulder.

"Oh my, Hachiman, you're amazing! I heard what everyone's been saying! I really admired your performance on the rooftop—it feels like such a waste to pair someone like you with Yukino."

"Talking to you here is a real waste of time. Go back now."

Yukinoshita was indeed no pushover, responding to Haruno in this way. Haruno exaggeratedly put on an injured expression.

"Yukino, you're so heartless... We were partners in a performance, and even best friends..."

These words struck a nerve with Yukinoshita, and she raised her eyebrows angrily, saying:

"You really dare to say that. Who do you think was cooperating with you when you were acting so recklessly on stage?"

"Don't you think it's great? The atmosphere is so lively. Right, Hachiman?"

"Yes, the audience was definitely super excited."

When she heard me say that, she blinked several times.

"...You're watching too?"

Yukino probably thought I wasn't there. When I returned to the stadium, the performance was almost over, so it's normal that she didn't notice me. Besides, you can't see the audience clearly from the stage.

"I only saw the very end... but the performance was excellent, I... really admire it."

Their performance deserves much praise, but unfortunately I can't think of a way to express it, so all I can manage is this naive thought.

She turned her face away after hearing my completely unprofessional comments.

"Thank you... Ah, but that performance was far from perfect. I myself made more than one or two mistakes, and played it terribly. I was able to get away with it because the audience was so enthusiastic. If you listen carefully, that kind of music would only hurt your ears. Lack of practice is certainly a big factor, but the real reason is that there wasn't enough discussion beforehand, and we didn't reach a consensus... That being said, I didn't play my leading role well as I was in charge of the main melody, and as a result..."

"Wow~ I'm so shy~ Yukino is so cute~"

Yang interrupted, and Yukino coughed lightly, glaring at her fiercely.

"...Sister, aren't you going back right away?"

"Okay, okay, I'll head back now. Goodbye then, I had a lot of fun! If I told Mom what happened today, she'd be shocked...right?"

Faced with Haruno's tentative smile, Yukinoshita's expression instantly froze. Haruno, seeing this, turned and took a step forward. I don't know how Yukinoshita views that last sentence; to be honest, I still know nothing about what happened between them.

After Hino walked away, Hiratsuka-sensei rolled up her sleeves and checked her watch.

"...The class meeting is about to start, so you should all hurry back to the classroom."

"Yes, then I'll be going."

After returning to normal, Yukinoshita bowed slightly to Ms. Hiratsuka to say goodbye and walked back to her classroom. I followed suit.

"Well then, I'm leaving too."

"Hikigaya..."

Just then, the teacher called me back in a heavy voice.

I turned around and saw her smiling helplessly.

"How should I put it... From deciding on the slogan for the school anniversary to the Sagami incident just now, in terms of the outcome, you actually did a lot of work. The executive committee started to function normally because of you, and then, tomorrow you became Sagami's scapegoat."

The teacher paused here to prepare for the next sentence. This preparation wasn't for the teacher's own sake, but for mine.

"But I really can't bring myself to properly praise you."

The teacher reached out and gently touched my cheek, making it impossible for me to look away.

"Hachiman, helping others is not a reason to harm yourself."

The air inside my nostrils smelled faintly of cigarette smoke, and the gentle fingertips on her face were unbelievable to be those of the same person. Her moist eyes seemed to see right through me.

"No, this level of injury wouldn't hurt me..."

"...Even if you've gotten used to that pain, it's still the same. After all this time, you should understand that some people will still feel heartache when they see you hurt."

She patted me on the shoulder.

"Preaching time is over, go back to the classroom."

"Um……"

I mumbled a reply and walked towards my classroom.

Even after I turned the corner, I could still feel that gentle gaze watching me from behind.

× × ×

The festive atmosphere of the school anniversary celebration had not yet subsided, and the classroom was still noisy.

The class meeting before school ended was just a formality. After the class monitor gave his final remarks, everyone started discussing how to celebrate the victory.

So, what happened next was no longer my concern. I even felt a silent pressure, a message that said, "You'd better not come."

If someone were to invite me out of sympathy later, I wouldn't have the heart to refuse them, so I quickly packed my bag and left the classroom.

Wait, speaking of which, I wonder if Sagami will attend the celebration banquet hosted by the class or the executive committee? This question suddenly came to my attention.

Walking down the corridor, you can still see the remnants left behind by the burning friendship and passion of students from each class.

Tomorrow is Sunday, no need to come to school. Monday the day after tomorrow is a make-up holiday for the school anniversary celebrations. Tuesday morning will be dedicated to cleaning up and tidying up for each class. Until the cleanup is complete, the remains will remain in their original places, serving as relics of the school anniversary celebrations for people to remember. After everything is over, we will step forward and enter another brand new celebration of youth.

The shield of the school anniversary executive committee only lasted until today; the cleanup work on Tuesday morning... I probably...

You have to participate obediently.

...Although I have stepped down from my position as an executive committee member, there are still some miscellaneous tasks to handle.

I put my backpack back on my shoulder.

My bag was stuffed with records of the miscellaneous tasks for the group, which were the necessary documents for writing the formal report. My final task was to compile the records written by the other group members and turn them into a formal report. Before I even opened my computer and started typing, I had to filter through everyone's notes and draft a well-organized outline.

If I brought my work home, I bet I would just throw it aside and go straight to sleep; and if I went to a family restaurant, it would be packed with people on Saturdays, and I might run into classmates who were killing time there and waiting to attend a celebration party, so I don’t want to write reports in those kinds of places.

As a result, I naturally went to a place where I could concentrate without being disturbed.

Walking down the corridor of the special building, I felt the temperature drop and the autumn atmosphere grow stronger.

I've been walking through this corridor to the community office for the past six months.

I arrived at the Service Society's office and was about to turn the doorknob when I realized I'd forgotten to get the key. Usually, someone else arrives before me, so I've never thought about the key. But today, that person might not come to the office.

I dismissed the idea, released the doorknob, and prepared to turn and leave.

Hmm? That's strange, the door doesn't seem to be locked.

I turned the doorknob forcefully.

This is still an ordinary classroom, no different from before the school anniversary.

The reason why I felt something was unusual was probably because of the girl sitting inside.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, she quietly picked up her pen and wrote furiously.

The scene before me was like a painting, and I even had the illusion that even if the whole world were destroyed, it would still remain the same.

Seeing this scene, my body and mind stopped functioning.

I found myself engrossed in watching it.

Yukino noticed that I was standing frozen at the doorway, so she stopped what she was doing and placed her pen on the table.

"Oh, welcome, the most hated person in the whole school."

"Are you trying to start a fight with me...?"

"What happened to the victory celebration? Why didn't you go?"

"Isn't the answer obvious? Don't ask such detailed questions on purpose."

I used this sentence instead of an answer, and Yukinoshita smiled happily, then, with that lovely smile, asked an even more hurtful question.

What would it feel like to become a truly obnoxious person?

"Ha, isn't it a good thing that everyone acknowledges my existence?"

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita sighed, pressing her temples as if she had a headache.

"Should I be surprised or helpless... You really are a weirdo, although I don't dislike your affirmation of your own weaknesses."

"Yes, I not only don't hate myself, I actually like myself this way."

Yay! Hachiman is the best! Even if he's annoying, he still does his job well. I'm so cool—if I don't motivate myself like this, my heart will be very hurt.

I took out my notes from my bag and started compiling them. I had almost forgotten what I was supposed to be doing at the club office.

Wait, why is Yukinoshita here?

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

"I need to submit the survey forms for arts and sciences as soon as possible. I've been so busy preparing for the school anniversary celebration that I haven't had time to deal with this at all. Now I can finally write them properly."

After Yukino answered, she picked up her pen again, but instead of continuing to write, she asked me the same question.

"What are you doing here now?"

"I want to find a quiet place where I can concentrate on compiling the report."

I answered while busy with my own things, while Yukinoshita stared at my hand.

"Oh...it seems we think the same thing."

"After all, there aren't many places to choose from. This is the result of convergent evolution (Note 91: Two animals that are not closely related develop similar organs in appearance and function because they have lived in similar environments for a long time), and it's not because I'm the same as you."

Yukinoshita and I coincidentally came here at the same time, just to find a quiet place. Since our areas of activity are small and our social circles are roughly the same, this coincidence happened. In fact, we live not far apart, but we almost never bump into each other on the street; it's only because we're on campus that we met like this. That's all.

Although we are both the type to prefer being alone, we are worlds apart.

—That's right, I don't resemble her at all.

Perhaps that's why I always find conversations with her fresh and enjoyable.

The lingering warmth of the celebration seemed to still reside within me. The answers, confirmed and rediscovered once again, had already led to a clear conclusion.

So……

So, me and her...

"I said... Yukinoshita, do you want to come with me—"

"Sorry, that's impossible."

"Ugh... I haven't finished yet!"

Yukinoshita flatly refused, then chuckled softly. What's so funny about that?

"Didn't I say before? I can't be friends with you."

"Right……"

"Yes, I'm not one to lie."

You're quite good at making slips of the tongue and being sarcastic, aren't you?

However, I couldn't ignore what she said.

I have made up my mind never to impose my ideals on others again. Now is the time for Yukino and me to break free from this constraint.

"Actually, lying is no big deal. I lie all the time too."

I not only lie often, but I also lie beautifully, elegantly, clearly, and triumphantly, making every day and every year seem like a dream, reaching the pinnacle of goodness!

"It's okay to say you don't know when you know. The problem is when you can't accept that and insist on it."

At this point, Yukinoshita should understand that I am referring to that incident from that day.

—The morning of the entrance ceremony.