My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 233

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

Seeing that he was trying so hard to find topics to talk about, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

"I didn't do anything, I just came to buy things."

Since the other party has raised a question, I should answer it properly. It's basic courtesy. The Minister of Revenue seemed to have found a topic in my answer and happily leaned closer.

"Buying things? What are you buying? Tell me quickly! But I didn't expect you to go shopping too~"

Wait a minute, I'm a human being, of course I'll come out to buy things... What do you take me for...?

What should I do now? I really don't think the conversation can continue, and I don't have anything to talk about with him... Just as I was racking my brains about this, someone stopped nearby.

"Hachiman, what are you doing?"

"It's you, Yukinoshita. I just happened to run into Hobe."

It was almost time to meet, and Yukinoshita appeared at the agreed location. Hearing the name of the Minister of Revenue, she turned her head to the side, a puzzled expression on her face. "Hey, hey, hey, it's that Minister of Revenue. What's so surprising? Don't you know him?"

As for the Ministry of Revenue, he also tilted his head, looking me and Yukinoshita up and down with an even more surprised expression.

"Huh? Eh? Yukinoshita? What are you two doing shopping together... Ah! Oh~~"

"Hey, what's the meaning of that blank space in the middle? Is there some new discovery...?"

Before I could even speak, he had already drawn a conclusion in his mind, looking as if he knew everything, and stared intently at us.

Unable to bear his curious gaze, Yukinoshita shifted uncomfortably.

"...You seem to have misunderstood something. It's not like that, you think..."

She spoke earnestly at first, even glaring back forcefully, but then her voice gradually weakened, becoming a jumbled mess that was completely incomprehensible. The Minister of Revenue, without letting her finish speaking, came over and patted me on the shoulder.

"Oh, well, it's easy to just say so~ We'll be super sensible at Disneyland that day~"

"No, that's really not true..."

I roughly sensed what the Ministry of Revenue was thinking, so I quickly denied it. However, he still wouldn't listen.

Yukinoshita began to feel unhappy.

"...Can I leave now?"

"Hmm? Oh, sure. But you weren't the one who spoke first?"

I used this opportunity to ask Yukino if there was anything else, but she suddenly shut her mouth, turned her face away, and mumbled:

"...Indeed...because Mr. Tobe was dressed as Santa Claus, I didn't recognize him, that's why..."

Yukinoshita's voice trailed off mid-sentence. Yuihama walked towards them from ahead. Yuihama noticed us and waved.

"Autistic boy, Yukino, what are you doing—ah, it's the Ministry of Revenue."

She also noticed the Minister of Revenue standing next to me, who also looked surprised.

"Huh? What? You're coming too... Oh~ Oh~~"

"So, where exactly are you thinking...?"

Hubu pulled at his hairline and slapped his forehead hard.

"Wow! You're so cool, Penguin! You actually went shopping with two girls! So awesome! You're a real-life 'lively penguin'! From now on, I'll call you 'Lively Penguin'!"

"I don't understand what you're saying, and besides, my name isn't Penguin."

Needless to say, he still wasn't listening, and just kept muttering to himself. At that moment, Yui spoke to him.

"Minister of Revenue, are you working here? We're here to buy things for our Christmas party."

"Oh, what is it...?"

He then understood the situation and nodded repeatedly. Next, Totsuka and Komachi arrived on time for the meeting.

"Ah, it's Mr. Hubu."

Wow—long time no see!

When the Ministry of Revenue saw several familiar faces, he perked up and raised his hand in a rock gesture.

"Oh—Totsuka Kazupi's little sister! Hey—"

"What kind of greeting is that? It's so annoying."

"Ah, haha... because it's the Ministry of Revenue..."

Yuihama looked like she "couldn't do anything with him," and Yukinoshita stared at him as well.

"Is this some kind of tribal greeting... I have absolutely no idea what they're saying."

"Right? I can't understand it at all."

I rolled my eyes at the Ministry of Revenue, but he didn't seem to care at all.

Merry Christmas! Hey—

"Hey, stop barking again..."

Before he could finish speaking, Komachi greeted him in the same way.

"Hey—Merry Christmas!"

Seeing how naturally Komachi acted, I hesitated for a moment before deciding to join them.

"Hello..."

"Hello--"

"Huh! Why are you starting too?"

Ah! Oh no! I actually shouted it out unconsciously... No, but if it's with Totsuka or Komachi, it seems pretty okay.

Seeing so many people respond to his greeting, Totsuka happily looked around at everyone.

"Wow, a large group really does make things more exciting—wait, why is even Otakuya here? Otakuya, hey—"

Who is Takumokuza...? Oh, I know, his name is Zaimokuza. When did that guy appear? It's impressive that Tobe noticed him. I looked at Zaimokuza, who seemed a bit flustered after being suddenly spoken to.

"Hello? Hello? Hello—"

"Tsk, people who like to feed their pets should all die."

"Brother, your reaction is too obvious."

Komachi, even though you say that, it doesn't change the fact that it's really annoying. Zaimokuza, too, couldn't figure out the source of this irritation and kept talking to himself.

"Hey, hey, eight...eight man? In Japanese, that's Hachiman?"

"Um?"

"Who is that man? What's his name? Who is he?"

"Oh, he's from the Ministry of Revenue, which is in my class. He's annoying, but basically a good person. He's just really annoying."

I gave a brief and concise introduction, and the woodworker nodded repeatedly.

"That makes sense, that makes sense. That person is indeed quite annoying. Especially his voice and long hair, and he likes to act like we're close."

"Do you realize you're contradicting yourself...?"

All of the above points apply to you as well...

"Speaking of which, how did he know my name? And what code name did he use... Ah! Could he have been sent by the organization?!"

"Yes, he is indeed different from you. He belongs to his own organization, so it's correct to call him an organization member."

"That's right, that's right, no organization has ever been willing to take me in—hey, hey, hey! Hachiman, what are you talking about?!"

He was halfway through talking about the timber base when he suddenly tapped me on the chest. Was he playing dumb before making a sarcastic remark?

"I see, you really are the more troublesome one..."

Thinking about it this way, I increasingly felt that the Ministry of Revenue's nagging wasn't so bad. As for the Minister of Revenue himself, he seemed to have thought of something and spoke up:

"So, Yui, you guys are having a Christmas party?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Hey, how about buying a cake? It's a shop owned by a senior's family. He asked me to help out, and it'll be terrible if I can't sell them all—"

"Hmm—a cake...should we buy one...?"

Yuhihama was hesitating when a loud shout suddenly came from outside, echoing throughout the entire shopping center.

"I heard your entire conversation!"

"Huh? Hiratsuka-sensei?"

There was no wind indoors, yet the teacher's coat kept fluttering. When she appeared, Tobe was immediately stunned. Then, Ms. Hiratsuka, her high heels clicking loudly, walked up to Tobe.

"You're really bothered that your cakes aren't selling, right?"

"Yeah, it's a real headache—"

Kebu looked at the mountain of Christmas cakes, and Hiratsuka-sensei followed his gaze, then nodded vigorously, her eyes softening.

"I understand... I'll take care of them all... It's very lonely to feel unwanted."

"Please wait a minute, don't get emotionally attached to the cake, okay?"

"Minister of Revenue, don't take that statement seriously."

Yuihama was worried that the teacher would actually buy all the cakes, so she quickly reminded her.

"Even if we bought them all, we wouldn't be able to finish them all."

"However, if we only buy one, it won't help either."

After hearing what Komachi and Yukinoshita said, Tobe became depressed and asked us for help.

"But what if we really can't sell them all? My senior will be furious—what's that called? Power harassment? So, could you help me think of a solution?"

Upon hearing this, Totsuka asked:

"Would you like to find a way to help you sell all the cakes?"

"However, there's not much we can do to help right now."

As soon as I thought that, Yuihama raised her hand with a bright smile.

"I've got it!"

"Come on, Yuihama, please speak."

"Discount!"

"Great idea!"

This method was simple and clear, and the Ministry of Revenue nodded in approval. Immediately afterward, Cai Muzuo also had an idea, and confidently cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Let's make customers feel like they're getting a great deal with the bonus! Just include a novel I wrote—"

"impossible!"

The Minister of Revenue raised his hands high, his exaggerated gesture resembling that of an American. Although I was a little annoyed, this was offset by Totsuka's serious expression of thought. This time, it was Totsuka's turn to make a suggestion.

"How about we imitate birthday cakes and write the customers' names on them?"

"Hmm, that's one approach."

Yukino nodded after hearing the other people's proposals.

"Promoting under the guise of limited-edition products."

"That's a good method too."

The Ministry of Revenue immediately accepted everyone's opinions. Could it be that he didn't think about it at all and thought that anything was acceptable? ... On the other hand, although there were several opinions on the spot, these were not within his control.

"Wrong, none of these methods are very feasible. Part-time students have very limited authority. Since you hate being harassed by those in power, why not just give up?"

"You're so mean, Penguin—we can't let this go to waste! Please help me think of a good solution, please!"

He had already pleaded with his hands clasped together, and if I were to refuse again, my conscience would be tormented. So, I looked at the shopping cart full of cakes and wondered if there was anything the Ministry of Revenue could do. There was a stack of stickers on the counter… Right, it's about time.

"Hmm... Ah, how about this? Your store should also have half-price promotions, right? There are half-price stickers over there, should we start a little earlier?"

For some reason, it wasn't the Ministry of Revenue who reacted to this statement first, but rather Professor Hiratsuka.

"Ugh! Half price... Yeah... After the 24th, it'll be half price, and after the 25th it'll be a fire sale..."