My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 210

However, I can't keep peeking from the side. Now Yui is starting to notice me too, glancing this way frequently, isn't she?

I'd better finish lunch quickly and head to the library as soon as possible.

× × ×

I walked out of the classroom, and the corridor was noisy during lunch break.

Perhaps it's because I don't often participate in outdoor activities, but today felt even noisier than usual. Although it wasn't to the point where I saw some clueless students playing hide-and-seek in the hallway, I could still feel the lively energy emanating from the students coming and going.

As I passed by the doors of all the second-grade classrooms, I could feel countless eyes glued to me. All the students were trying to suppress their laughter, and that laughter, mixed with a damp, unpleasant atmosphere, was unbearable.

Once someone has been a target, everyone can openly shoot live ammunition at them. It seems that all the students in this school have this distorted mindset. Being the center of attention is a sin, and this sin is something that must be discriminated against with all efforts.

If you find yourself in this situation, the most important thing is not to beg for mercy or submit. As long as you don't admit defeat, you haven't truly lost; if you don't see the problem as a problem, it's not a problem.

The moment defeat is acknowledged, attacks will come from all directions with all their might. When the concept of "the victor is king" becomes established, the loser is inevitably seen as evil. Combating evil is the duty of all people.

These are the rules of the game set by schools and society.

Those at the bottom of the school hierarchy, those who have failed, those who have been ostracized—all deserve to be attacked. The so-called school is a court of perpetual absenteeism (Note 40: In a trial conducted in the absence of the defendant, the plaintiff's opinion is often fully accepted).

Everyone is both a plaintiff and a defendant. The prosecution, lawyers, and juries are all represented by everyone. And then, the judge who delivers the verdict is also an all-rounder. In this way, everyone is continuously bound by the concept of "everyone."

The day when we can be freed from this is probably never coming.

It's possible that those materialistic people are going on trips with others to avoid attending so-called trials in absentia. I'm increasingly convinced that this is actually a strategy to prevent people from talking badly about them behind their backs.

I ignored the stares glued to me and kept walking, occasionally glancing back to glare at people in a threatening manner, until I reached the vending machine on the first floor. Before heading to the library, I needed a can of coffee after my meal.

Just as I reached out and pressed the button without thinking, I heard light footsteps behind me. It seemed someone else wanted to buy a drink, just like me.

I took the M can from the retrieval slot and immediately stepped aside. I'm very confident that I won't block anyone's way.

However, the footsteps stopped, showing no intention of moving forward.

What's going on? Doesn't the other person want to come any closer to me? I turned to look at them.

What came into view was Hayama Hayato's seemingly troubled, wry smile.

After confirming that I wasn't going to say anything, Hayama nodded slightly to me and then walked towards the vending machine. His fingers hesitated between the buttons before finally selecting a can of black coffee. Wow, daring to buy coffee other than MAX in front of me, this guy's got guts.

With a "pop," accompanied by the sound of the can lid being opened, the words that came out of Ye Shan's mouth were also very bold.

"...It seems things aren't going very smoothly."

"what?"

His words, teetering on the edge of ambiguity, left it unclear whether he was being provocative or simply offering advice. However, anyone familiar with Hayama's character would understand that he was genuinely worried for the other person. His principle was to avoid causing trouble. Perhaps he was referring to the sports meet. As the liaison between the organizing committee and Sagami, it wouldn't be surprising if he knew some inside information.

"Isn't it natural that arguments will arise when there are many people?"

For me, no, and probably for Hayama as well. Especially in a group like the executive committee or camp committee that's formed overnight, it's rather rare for members to get along well. I gave Hayama a disdainful smile as I answered his question, but he just looked serious.

"I wasn't referring to that; I was talking about what's happening in the class."

I thought he was going to bring up the sports meet organizing committee, but it seems that's not the case. The class matter, I guess, refers to Sagami. Does he care about Sagami as much as Miura does?

"The same principle applies to that matter."

At their core, the essence of these two issues remains unchanged. The key lies in whether people can maintain good relationships. After all, interpersonal relationships are a very complicated matter. Whether viewed from a macro or micro perspective, there is almost no difference between the two.

Therefore, no matter what you are referring to, I can answer with the same sentence.

"Once interpersonal relationships deteriorate, they can never be restored to their original state."

Hayama seemed unable to accept my answer, holding his untouched coffee and staring at me with a reproachful look.

"……is that so."

"Of course."

I said those words and turned to walk back to the classroom, but then I heard a voice behind me.

"I'm really sorry about what happened at the sports meet."

"What?"

When I turned around, I saw that Ye Shan's eyes were slightly lowered.

"Because I recommended Sagami-kun too hastily..."

"No, we had already decided to appoint her as the chairperson. Even without you, we would have secured the position through other means long ago. In fact, you were a great help, saving us a lot of effort. So this matter has nothing to do with you."

If a conflict occurs before his eyes, he'll inevitably intervene—that's Hayama Hayato's habit. This time, we simply took advantage of that. Hayama really has no reason to apologize to us.

"However, I also agree, so please let me know if you need anything."

"Okay..."

That being said, the disturbances now are no longer at the level of "if needed".

Just as I was about to retort, Hayama understood what I was going to say and laughed heartily.

"I've also heard a little about the sports clubs."

Alas, the secret had indeed been leaked long ago.

However, judging from Hayama's words, the situation is more serious than imagined.

The soccer club, somewhat influenced by its president's personality, is already considered a relatively mild-mannered club. Even the soccer club led by the absolutely charismatic Hayama has become like this.

If this is the case, the situation in other groups will likely be even worse. Members will probably become even less willing to cooperate in the future. Slander can unite people and solidify opinions. Through the approval of others and the will of all members, their beliefs will become more steadfast, even to the point of rigidity and fanaticism.

Playing the trump card named Hayama at this time is certainly an option.

If Hayama, or even the entire soccer club, can guide public opinion, the sports meet should proceed smoothly.

However, doing so would only enhance Hayama's reputation, without helping Sagami's evaluation. This approach would be like Yukino, as the de facto chairperson, showcasing her shrewdness and competence at the school festival—the result would remain unchanged… although Sagami would probably be very happy to have Hayama's help.

However, if Hayama gets close to Sagami, it will inevitably provoke Miura even more. If Sagami continues to hold back because of Miura's concern, the atmosphere in the classroom will plummet. It would be troublesome if it led to a conflict between the two…

No, wait a minute? From the perspective of the operations committee, Sagami, with Hayama's help, will definitely become even more troublesome. At that time, the members' resistance to Sagami will inevitably become more intense...

Whether it's Hayama or Yukinoshita, the timing for using these two Joker cards is extremely difficult to predict. This time, regardless, we must center our strategy around Sagami Minami.

As I simulated people's actions as if solving a shogi endgame, a confused voice came from beside me.

"What's wrong?"

Ye Shan stared at me with surprise as I suddenly fell silent.

"Ah, it's nothing... Anyway, there shouldn't be any problem, so don't worry about it."

“…I see.”

"I'll let you know if I need anything. I'm off now."

After saying that, I turned and left. Hayama seemed to want to say something, but seeing that I had no intention of listening, he silently raised his hand and waved.

I walked quickly down the corridor.

Hayama is an excellent trump card when facing both Sagami and the committee's on-site team; however, this trump card cannot be used on both sides simultaneously. In a conflict between Sagami and the committee's on-site team, Hayama's tendency to seek a peaceful resolution might not be fully utilized, and could even sow new seeds of conflict.

First, we must find a way to resolve the friction between the model and the field assembly.

I've already figured out how to resolve this issue at today's meeting. The preparations are mostly complete.

However, even so.

Once interpersonal relationships deteriorate, they can never be restored to their original state.

The words I had just said kept swirling in my mind.

× × ×

One by one, the members entered the meeting room, their steps as heavy as ever.

If you think back to what happened before the last meeting ended, it all seems perfectly natural. Even after a few days, the feeling of disgust doesn't disappear; instead, it seems to brew in your mind, growing stronger and stronger.

Therefore, the number of attendees was even lower than last time, and quite a few people were late.

The start time of the meeting was therefore delayed by about five minutes.

The senior student kept her eyes fixed on the doorway, glancing at the clock every now and then. Then, she spoke to Sagami.

"Sagami-kun, it's almost time to start... but could I borrow a little time before then?"

"……good."

Although Sagami answered, he hesitated to stand up from his seat.

"Ah, then I'll join you too..."

Yuihama seemed to stand up to urge Sagami on, but was silently stopped by Yukinoshita. With her hand pulled back, Yuihama could only reluctantly sit back down.

That's it.

What Sagami is about to do can be described as a preparatory ritual. It's best for outsiders not to get involved. If what happens next were to be witnessed by others, it would be an unbearable disgrace for Sagami.

Sagami let out a deep breath, as if making a decision, and stood up from her seat. If this continued, one of us might catch up. She probably wanted to avoid that. That sense of pride—no, perhaps more accurately, vanity—was truly remarkable.

Sagami rose slowly, but her steps were surprisingly quick. She moved toward the back of the conference room, where the on-site team members were sitting.

Haruka and Yui were sitting there too.

All the members turned their gazes to Sagami as he approached. Their eyes held a mixture of disdain, mockery, and perhaps simply confusion.

The reason Sagami moved here was explained by Sagami himself.

"Excuse me, could I borrow some time?"

Haruka and Yui, facing Sagami's question, turned to look at each other. They quickly finished their discussion with a glance and then looked up at Sagami.

"Yes, it's okay... now?"

"Can't we talk about it later?"

Faced with the question thrown his way, Sagami observed the atmosphere around him while adjusting his breathing.

"...It's better now."

After Sagami finished speaking, the two of them avoided eye contact and gave their immediate answers.

"Then... please."

"The meeting is about to start, let's talk over here."

“…Huh?”

Upon hearing the additional conditions, Sagami was momentarily speechless.

Then, soft chuckles came from among Haruka and Yui's group.

On the other hand, the other members present tried their best to remain silent. They simply listened quietly and attentively.

This is what is known as the preparatory ceremony, and at the same time, it is also a sanction.

Surrounded by onlookers, Sagami felt a wave of shame wash over her ears, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Even so, she still spoke each word carefully.

"Um, I'm sorry... I only considered what would make me happier..."

Sagami offered words of apology.

Haruka, Yui, and the other members listened quietly to her slow and soft voice.

This is practically a public execution.

However, once a target is placed there, it's meant to be attacked; being the center of attention and the target of everyone's criticism is only natural. Whenever something negative happens, the most conspicuous person deserves to be attacked and ridiculed—that's the rule of society. That's why the two women demanded that Sagami issue a public apology on the spot.

It's unclear whether Sagami's words just now satisfied their desires.

One of the two seemed somewhat troubled, fiddling with his fingers as he spoke.

"...It's okay. We were also wrong to only think about club activities."

People from other sports clubs seemed to share the same opinion, with subtle but clear expressions of agreement heard from the scene, such as "yes" or "um".

Perhaps because of these words, Sagami's tone gradually became smooth again.

"Well, I... still want to make the sports meet more exciting, so I hope everyone can cooperate... Ah, of course, I will try my best not to make the workload a burden on everyone's club activities."

Sagami raised her head and said firmly. On the other hand, some members of the on-site team turned their faces away.

Even so, it seems that Sagami's idea was successfully conveyed, so the other party's reply came through.

"...Yes, we will do our best to cooperate."