My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 183

"...Otherwise, what will you do? If it were you, what would you do?"

What I do is completely unimportant.

If it were me, I would definitely do that—but such thoughts are useless. After all, I am not Hayama, much less the Minister of Revenue.

What I do is completely irrelevant; the problem won't be solved that way. Therefore, I don't want to touch on this issue.

"Simply put, you don't want to change the status quo, right?"

"...Yes, that's right."

It took Ye Shan a lot of effort to squeeze out those few words. Judging from his usual demeanor, I found it hard to imagine that this person could also be anxious and troubled.

even so……

I can understand his reluctance to change the status quo.

Yes, I understand.

Sometimes, conveying your meaning and frankly expressing your thoughts is not necessarily the right answer.

Some relationships cannot be crossed, cannot be traversed, and cannot withstand destruction.

In comics or TV series, characters always effortlessly step into others' worlds and ultimately achieve a happy ending. However, in real life, things aren't that idyllic. Reality is often much colder and more cruel.

What is truly important is irreplaceable; once you lose something irreplaceable, there is no way to get it back.

I can no longer blame Hayama for being weak, nor can I look down on him or mock him for being cowardly.

Whether they choose not to take a step forward or to remain in a comfortable environment, I can't think of a way to refute their conclusions, nor can I find anything wrong with them.

I could neither deny nor refute it. Eventually, Hayama gave up and sighed softly.

"You're right... this was just my own selfishness."

He laughed forlornly.

That smile made me very unhappy.

"Yayama, you'd better not underestimate me. I won't believe what others say so easily."

I have a terrible personality; I always try to interpret things as if they are hidden in someone else's words.

"Therefore, I don't believe you when you say it was just your own willfulness."

"Hikigaya..."

Ye Shan's face was full of astonishment, but there was really nothing surprising about it.

That's probably someone else's wish as well.

There must be others like me.

For example, a girl who uses lies to disguise herself in order to protect everything.

Hayato Hayama didn't want to hurt anyone. The reason he couldn't do anything this time was that if he took that forbidden step, others would be hurt and other things would be destroyed.

Who can deny the struggles of those who strive to protect all of this? And who can deny the principle of righteousness in not encroaching on the territory of others?

Our high school career is extremely limited, which goes without saying.

The world we live in is ridiculously narrow; our time on earth is so short it's almost frustrating.

Is there anyone who can criticize us for treasuring these things?

You don't have to wait until you lose it to understand this.

I've already decided what I should do.

Hayato Hayama possessed too much, and each item was incredibly precious. Therefore, he had no choice.

Hachiman Hikigaya had no choice from the very beginning; he only had one path to take. Therefore, he had no room for maneuver.

Ironically, Hayama and I have nothing in common except that we "have no choice".

I don't understand what Hayama wants to protect.

It's okay if you don't understand; that's precisely why I have the means to act.

I turned and left the riverbank, and Ye Shan's voice came from behind me.

"The last person I want to ask for a favor is you..."

Idiots, we're all the same.

Everyone praises love and celebrates friendship, but only to the victors.

No one will listen to the lament of a loser who has lost everything.

Then, I will listen and I will sing.

This is a tune hummed by a prisoner on his way to execution, trying to appear calm; it is also a requiem for those who suffer unrequited love and can only pretend to be strong.

Volume 7, Chapter 9: Neither he nor she conveyed their confessions to anyone.

The bamboo forest path is lit up with lanterns.

Every few steps, a white lantern illuminates the verdant bamboo grove. The sun has completely disappeared, and the moon hangs high in the sky, its soft glow enveloping the surroundings.

If we were to concretize "gentleness," it would probably look like this.

A scene that is a mix of chance and deliberate arrangement, carefully designed, embellished, and beautifully packaged—what else could it be but gentleness?

This stage was specially prepared for the Ministry of Revenue.

To complete this performance, everyone told a little lie.

Yuihama made up a reason to find Ebina's room and brought her here.

Ooka and Yamato probably had their own plans. They weren't simply supporting their friend; they also had a bit of a "let's see what happens" mentality, but they obediently put on a serious face and suppressed those feelings.

Although Miura herself wasn't present, she must have known what was going to happen next. Instead of asking questions or stopping it, she pretended to know nothing.

Ye Shan wanted to support the Ministry of Revenue but couldn't, yet he still came here.

Everyone lied.

There was one exception; Yukinoshita's expression was colder than usual.

We waited for Ebina to arrive at the deepest part of the bamboo forest road.

Hayama, Ooka, and Yamato didn't disturb Hobe, standing silently to the side. Hobe took several deep breaths, staring anxiously ahead. When I went to call him earlier, he was almost impatient, his whole body tense and stiff.

Ministry of Revenue.

"Compare to penguins... Ouch! What should I do? I'm so nervous right now!"

He looked at me with a forced smile.

"I'm asking you, what would you do if you got dumped?"

"Huh? You're asking this before I've even confessed? Isn't that a bit too much... Ah, I don't seem so nervous anymore. Oh, I see, you're trying to test my resolve again with that trick, aren't you?"

"Stop rambling and answer quickly, Ebina is almost here."

This is not the time for jokes, and my tone became serious. The Minister of Revenue noticed this and adopted a serious expression.

"...Of course I won't give up."

He looked towards the other end of the bamboo grove.

"I've always been a very easygoing person, and I've been casual about dating other girls before, but this time I'm very serious."

That's enough for me, and I'll speak my honest opinion without any pretense.

"...I understand. Then, you must give it your all until the very last moment."

"Wow! You really are a good person!"

"No, you idiot."

"I'll talk to you," Hobu patted my back. I brushed his hand away and went back to where I was waiting. This was right at the bend in the bamboo forest path, making it difficult for people coming from the direction of Ebina to see us.

After I returned, Yuihama and Yukinoshita spoke to me.

"Actually, you have your strengths too."

"What's wrong with you today?"

They smiled, their tone playful and teasing.

"Don't joke around, I'm serious. At this rate, the Ministry of Revenue will definitely be rejected."

Upon hearing my response, their expressions darkened slightly.

"That's certainly possible."

"Yeah, that's right..."

I had already prepared myself for that moment.

"There is now a satisfactory solution."

"What method?"

Yuihama asked, puzzled. But to be honest, I really didn't want to say it. Yukinoshita, seeing my reluctance, sighed softly and gave a faint smile.

"...Alright, it's yours."

Yuihama nodded in agreement. It was fortunate they didn't press the matter further.

At that moment, I saw Ebina's figure appear on the other end.

We escorted the Ministry of Revenue out from around the corner.

Ebina approached this place by passing through lanterns that were spaced at equal intervals.

The Ministry of Revenue stood in place, waiting anxiously.

"that……"

"Um……"

He spoke first, and Ebina followed suit.

Just looking at it from a distance makes my chest ache.

If Hubu confessed his feelings, he would definitely be rejected. There was no doubt about that.

After that, they would start looking away in the classroom, and even if their eyes met, they would only laugh awkwardly. Then they would start paying attention to each other, gradually creating distance, and eventually, naturally, they would stop interacting altogether. Until the class change, Hubu probably wouldn't give up, but no matter how hard he tried, I didn't think he could change the outcome.

However, if we stumble now, things may change in the future.

The Ministry of Revenue should understand that possibility, and the risks of abandoning existing interpersonal relationships.

I think he was actually quite prepared.

But what about the others?

The Ministry of Revenue was not the only one who cherished existing interpersonal relationships.

Those surrounding them were all in the same boat.

Therefore, she made a request to the Service Society.

That's why he was so distressed.

All three parties' desires ultimately lead to the same conclusion—"not wanting to lose." Although the arrows point in different directions, their clinging to the idea of ​​"not wanting to lose" remains the same.

"Um, I..."

"..."

Ebina remained completely silent, her hands clasped gracefully at her waist, quietly waiting for the Minister of Revenue to continue. A transparent, emotionless smile graced her face.

Ah...just as I imagined.

At this stage, if you want to fulfill the entrustment, there is only one way to get out of this predicament.

To prevent Hobe from being rejected, to preserve the friendships within the boys' group, and to maintain a good relationship with Ebina and the others... thinking about it this way, there really is only one way to get out of this predicament.

The key lies in timing and the impact of a long period of preparation.

We must now drop a bombshell from the outside of human consciousness to completely turn everything around. What could instantly alter the atmosphere, capture the most attention, and seize control...?

I can't stand it. I hate that when things get really tough, all I can think of is this despicable tactic—the same one that Timber Stander used on me a while back. The thought of actually having to thank that guy makes me want to vomit.

"Actually..."