My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 204

"Ah, that's true."

Sagami, noticing this after being reminded by Yukino, stood up. The members of the field team had almost finished assigning their tasks, and he needed to quickly inform them that the total workload would change.

"Sorry, the final competition will now be open to all participants. Those who have already chosen to participate in the final competition, please select another event."

Sagami's words caused a stir among the crew. Everyone seemed rather unmotivated, and one could sense a lot of negativity in the noise.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd stopped moving.

Those were Haruka and Yui, who had just finished talking to Sagami. The two whispered to each other, and then nodded, as if confirming something.

As if to coordinate their rhythm, the two of them simultaneously took a step forward.

"Um, Xiao Nan. We oppose this decision."

I couldn't tell who said it, but after one of them finished speaking, the meeting room erupted in noise again.

“Eh…”

The blunt and direct objection left Sagami speechless for a moment. She seemed unable to understand what the other person was saying. In reality, there probably isn't anyone who can perfectly understand the current situation.

"If participation is to be mandatory for everyone, then we probably won't be able to help..."

After the other person finished speaking, Sagami's expression clearly changed.

"Well, this is something everyone agreed on..."

"But everyone has their own club activities... If we don't think of other solutions..."

"We are also troubled if we spend too much time preparing and the burden is too great."

Faced with the two talking one after another, Sagami could only remain silent.

Most of the committee members were sent by their respective sports clubs. They were absolutely incapable of working together with the decision-making group, which was mainly composed of student council members.

The senior student also had a deep frown on her face.

"I understand, this arrangement is indeed very difficult, but could you please help us out and cooperate?"

She said it tactfully. Perhaps because it was difficult to refute a student council president's request in person, Haruka and Yui could only look away and remain silent, but they just wouldn't nod in agreement.

Seeing how insistent the other party was on their own opinion, Senior Xun could only smile wryly.

The temperature difference between the two sides is very obvious.

Even the decision-making team, once "asked" by the on-site team, is unable to continue to uphold its position. This is because a clear hierarchical relationship and command system have not been established.

Therefore, even if someone is the chairman, they are actually just a member of the planning team and have no right to give orders to others. Others are not obligated to obey the chairman's requests.

There are significant flaws in the group's structure.

If there's a relationship of trust between them, the other person might accept the request. That's probably what the senior students, like the one who went on patrol back then, did.

However, there was no such thing between Sagami and those two. No, to be more precise, they had lost that thing between them.

During the school anniversary executive committee meeting, the two sides got along well precisely because they were on the same page. However, in this sports meet operations committee meeting, Sagami was in the decision-making group, while the other two were in the on-site group. Coupled with the obvious burden of club activities and increased workload, the difference in their roles became apparent.

The signs had been there all along.

The whispered complaints about Sagami's words and actions earlier must have come from those two. Sagami had consistently made disrespectful remarks towards the production team, which gradually fueled their discontent.

Now, these grievances have erupted.

Let's stop here.

A strong and powerful voice reached everyone's ears.

Upon closer inspection, all that could be seen was Hiratsuka-sensei quickly opening the meeting room door.

"It's getting late, let's call it a day and continue the discussion another day."

Although the decision-making group and the on-site group have different positions, they are both students. If orders and commands need to be given, it cannot be done without someone at a higher level.

The only person who can handle things is Hiratsuka-sensei.

Yao and Jie exchanged glances, then grabbed their bags and quickly left the meeting room. The members of the on-site team followed them out.

All that remained were the decision-making team, student council members, us, and Sagami.

"Cheng Hui, come here for a second."

"Yes……"

Senior student was called out by teacher Hiratsuka and went out.

Silence fell over the meeting room.

Sagami, who had been standing, collapsed onto a chair to the side as if he had fallen.

The setting sun cast its rays into the conference room.

Facing the dazzling and brilliant sunset, Sagami simply closed her eyes.

× × ×

The setting sun painted the sky a vibrant crimson. Clouds, rising from the sea, blanketed the western sky, dazzling and brilliant like a burning fire. The land side, however, was gradually swallowed by darkness.

A somber atmosphere permeated the conference room.

Since Hiratsuka-sensei adjourned the meeting, nothing has progressed. The rest of the on-site team, including Yui and Haruka, who left the meeting room, have probably all gone back to their respective club activities.

We're waiting for the senior student who was called away by Hiratsuka-sensei to come back.

Zaimokuza let out a long, sullen sigh, probably feeling uncomfortable in the room, and kept squirming. As if signaling a signal, Yuihama and the other student council members also sighed one after another.

Only Yukina remained with her eyes closed, her back straight, maintaining a serious and dignified demeanor.

Everyone present, except for her, couldn't stay still. So, naturally, everyone's attention turned to a certain person.

Sagami South.

Having previously served as the executive chairman of the school anniversary celebration, she now serves as the chairman of the sports meet operations committee, yet she exudes none of the authority befitting her title. Sagami simply keeps her mouth shut, slumped over the table, occasionally tapping her phone screen with her fingernails, making a clicking sound.

Although I couldn't see her expression from my seat, it definitely wasn't very pleasant.

The fact that her friend, who had been with her since the school anniversary celebration, disagreed with Sagami's opinion this time and even clearly showed a diametrical stance weighed heavily on her.

It is precisely because of these bonds that the pain is felt when they are severed.

It's hard to say that it's truly gratifying.

It should even be said that it is pitiful.

The relationship could never have been deep to begin with, yet the parting still inflicted genuine harm on the other person. That's the thorny nature of fluid interpersonal relationships.

I don't know why we became friends. We just know each other. Sometimes when we bump into each other on campus, we might greet each other with a "hey" or exchange a few words. That's the kind of relationship we have.

Unlike the more fixed interpersonal relationships in class or club activities, the school anniversary organizing committee and the sports meet camp committee are typical examples of this type of relationship. This kind of limited friendship seems to be called "yo-you" (or "friends"). Komachi once said to me... "Is this considered a friend?" Isn't the threshold for recognizing a friend too low?

Sagami's miscalculation was that Yu and Haruka, who were "yo-yu" (friends), happened to be present. To be more precise, it was that they attended the meeting from a different position than Sagami.

Sagami was part of the decision-making team, while Yu and Haruka were present as members of the on-site team.

The clear difference in their social standing easily became the spark for conflict. If the three of them had taken the same stance this time, as they had during the school anniversary celebration, they might have been able to maintain a good relationship.

This chairperson is really no good. The work is so tiring. That person only talks the talk but does absolutely nothing. They used to be able to work together happily while venting their frustrations to each other.

The effects of badmouthing and slander on interpersonal relationships are unfathomable.

Through shared experience and understanding, members openly display their negative traits, thereby gaining a mutual understanding of each other's weaknesses and ultimately forming a complicit structure. It is precisely this complicit structure that allows members to unite. Furthermore, gossip and slander can even release stress, making communication among members more tactful.

It's wonderful to talk badly about people behind their backs. Anyone can become friends with someone just by slandering them.

However, for the person who was slandered, this is a pain that is hard to bear.

Friendships built on sacrifice are constantly thirsting for fresh offerings. If the supply is cut off, then offerings must be provided from within the members themselves.

From the very beginning, due to their differing stances, Sagami kept making mistakes and failing. In fact, once the two-against-one situation was established, Sagami was destined to be the sacrificial lamb.

Haruka and Yui must be saying terrible things about Sagami, or even the entire decision-making group, right now.

Thinking about it this way, you realize how pitiful Sagami is. Seeing her still holding her phone, trying to find some emotional support, only amplifies that feeling.

I'm probably not the only one at the scene who sympathizes with Sagami.

Yuihama also stole a glance at Sagami and curled the corner of her mouth into a smirk.

Putting aside the motives for now, it was indeed us who recommended Sagami to be the head of the sports meet's operations. Perhaps she feels a little guilty about it.

"The senior students are a bit slow..."

This statement was probably not directed at anyone present, but Yuihama's words eased the heavy atmosphere in the meeting room slightly.

"That's true..."

Yukinoshita opened her eyes and answered.

"Should we go check on the situation?"

One of the student council officers stood up and asked Yukino a question, but she shook her head.

"They probably haven't finished talking yet, and going there now won't change anything."

Upon hearing the other person's calm and composed tone, the member nodded and sat down.

However, it was also clear that the officers were getting impatient. The conversation between Professor Hiratsuka and Senior Inspector took longer than expected.

When the two returned to the conference room, about twenty minutes had passed.

Hiratsuka-sensei, whose expression was even more serious than usual, and Megure-senpai, who seemed somewhat dejected, returned to the meeting room.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

After saying this, Professor Hiratsuka sat down in the chair at the far corner of the conference room. Senior student Xun then walked to the seat in the center.

After confirming that everyone was looking at him, Hiratsuka-sensei spoke.

"I've already discussed it with Cheng Hui, and the next operations committee meeting has decided to suspend it for now."

"Let's give each other some time to calm down before assessing the situation..."

The senior student added to the teacher's meaning.

This assessment is reasonable. Since the cause of the tense atmosphere cannot be ruled out, we can only wait for time to erode it, or wait for the emotions to fade.

However, I don't think the problem can be solved this way.

"But can I really calm down in just a day or two...?"

Yuihama muttered to herself.

"There's probably no way to..."

Anger is a short-lived emotion. Therefore, giving both parties time to cool down is the right decision.

But even if the anger ceases, the hatred will continue. It will continue to smolder in the depths of the heart, like embers, burning quietly and slowly.

What's worse is that feelings of mockery, ridicule, and contempt can persist for even longer.

It's always easier to belittle someone than to praise them, and if you add a few witty remarks, it can even be considered a form of entertainment. Because this behavior is so easy and enjoyable, people can continue doing it with the feeling of "telling a joke." Unlike hatred and resentment, this behavior is not only guilt-free but can also be repeated over a long period of time.

The time that has passed could very well make things worse.

Even so, it's much better than continuing to hold meetings in the current state.

Perhaps sensing my doubts, Hiratsuka-sensei said very reluctantly.

Indeed, even if the two were to face each other again tomorrow, it would be difficult to produce a good result. Moreover, given Sagami's current state, the outcome is even more uncertain.

I glanced at Sagami briefly; he was just biting his lower lip and remained silent.

"Is this alright?"

Hiratsuka-sensei confirmed with Sagami, who nodded.

"Yes……"

After answering haltingly, Sagami lowered his head again.

"..."

Yukino, who had been observing Sagami from the sidelines, suddenly looked away and turned to face the senior student, Jun.

"...Then, I'll trouble you to contact everyone about suspending the meeting."

"Okay. Then our student council will be responsible for making the contact."

As soon as the supervising senior responded, the officers immediately understood her meaning and quickly began to take action. Whether it was through text messages or morning meetings, I'm not sure what method they used, but judging from how quickly they finished their tasks, they must have had a simple way to contact everyone.