My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 266

"Besides the initial request, you also conducted Service Club activities without my knowledge. So strictly speaking, it's indeed difficult to determine the overall outcome. However..."

"but?"

Urged on by the snow, the teacher looked around at us and slowly began to speak.

"My criteria for judging the winner is my personal opinion and bias. Therefore, I can distinguish between your relative evaluations."

"I have no objection... What about you?"

Yukino glanced at us sideways.

I had no objection either. Although Yuihama was still a bit out of the loop, she nodded in agreement.

After confirming the three's thoughts, Hiratsuka-sensei nodded.

"Judging solely from the results, Hachiman is currently in the lead; however, considering the process and subsequent developments, Yukinoshita performed better. But regardless, without Yuihama's contribution, none of these outcomes would have occurred..."

These words were a bit unexpected. I didn't expect my teacher to have such a high opinion of me.

Overall, my performance was certainly not ideal. However, it still far exceeded my expectations.

I glanced at the other two, wondering how they viewed the current outcome. Yuihama's face was grim, lost in thought. As for Yukinoshita, her eyes were closed, and she remained perfectly still, sitting upright. After a moment, she asked softly in a flat, cold tone:

"...So, the battle is still undecided?"

That's exactly what I mean.

After hearing the teacher's answer, she continued to ask:

"Since the competition is still ongoing, there's no problem with us disagreeing on how to handle this request, right?"

"Hmm... what does this mean?"

Yuihama hunched her shoulders nervously.

I couldn't decipher the meaning behind the snow either, and quietly waited for her next words.

Yukino glanced at Yuihama only once, then continued without looking at me:

"What I mean is, I don't need to do the same thing as him."

This statement couldn't be more true. From the very beginning, we had no obligation to cooperate in fulfilling the mandate. Given our current relationship, not a single collaboration has gone smoothly.

"That makes sense. There's no point in forcing yourself to cooperate with others."

“…Right.”

Yukinoshita gave only two brief answers and then fell silent. Hiratsuka-sensei listened, considered for a moment, and then sighed resignedly.

"This is unavoidable; do it the way you like. So, what will happen to club activities until this is resolved?"

Yukinoshita seemed to have already thought about this question, and answered immediately without blinking:

"I plan to change it to voluntary participation."

"...Okay, that's fine too."

The teacher accepted Yukinoshita's proposal. At least in the current situation, forcing us to act together is pointless. Since we're now like brothers climbing a mountain, each striving on our own, I don't need to come to the club office anymore. Therefore, I don't object to Yukinoshita's decision.

I picked up my backpack and got up from my assigned seat on the far side.

"Well then, I'm leaving."

"Ah! Wait, wait a minute!"

With a "click," Yuihama stood up and tried to turn her face. I simply pressed her down gently to stop her.

"...You'd better think this through too."

"Huh..." Yuihama stood there, stunned.

I don't know if she understands what I mean. This isn't limited to today's request.

Perhaps we should all think carefully about what path we should take next.

Yuihama couldn't say anything, so I turned around and walked towards the front door.

Just then, a whisper came from behind.

"It's ironic that we two, who hate each other the most, are clearly close to each other..."

I naturally turned to look at her.

A self-deprecating, sad smile graced her face. I couldn't think of any reply, so I simply closed the door gently.

× × ×

I slung my heavy schoolbag over my shoulder and walked down the empty corridor. The entire school building was quiet, and my footsteps made the only sound.

Looking out the window at the campus, the activities of the sports clubs were still ongoing.

People were scattered across the playground; some were packing up equipment, while others were doing their closing exercises.

As I walked, I kept glancing at the figures. Just then, I heard crisp footsteps approaching from behind.

"Hikigaya."

I recognized whose voice it was, so I didn't turn around. I just paused briefly and slowed down.

Hiratsuka-sensei quickened her pace and soon walked alongside me.

"Although asking would probably be pointless..."

The teacher casually brushed aside her long hair and muttered to herself. As expected of a teacher, she really knows the situation.

However, it seemed she couldn't simply remain silent. As we walked down the stairs together, she finally spoke.

"What exactly happened to you?"

"nothing."

I've lost count of how many times I've answered this question.

Some people say that repeatedly telling yourself the same thing will gradually make you believe it. In fact, that's not true at all. Doing so will only make you doubt yourself.

I wonder if Ms. Hiratsuka understands this principle. She suddenly gave a bitter smile.

"Really? Fine. Anyway, I don't think you'll answer honestly."

She didn't ask any more questions. We went down the stairs and continued walking down the corridor in silence. Around the next corner were the faculty offices; if we went straight ahead without turning, we would reach the main entrance.

When we arrived at the place where we were to part ways, just as I was about to say goodbye, the teacher spoke first.

"You are a kind person...and you have saved quite a few people."

"No, no..."

I don't think so. Neither kindness nor salvation came from my hand. I have no power to save others.

No matter what, saving others is not an easy thing. They are merely discovering people who are more miserable than themselves, feeling a sense of being saved, and seeking meaning in the actions of others to comfort themselves.

None of this is because of anything I did.

Just as I was about to deny it, Hiratsuka-sensei blinked slightly, signaling me not to speak.

"Think about what I just said about you."

"...That's because the teacher is giving me too much credit."

Upon hearing my reply, the teacher puffed out her chest and let out a "humph" laugh.

"Don't let the teacher's appearance fool you, I'm actually very biased."

"Is it really okay for a teacher to say something like that?"

"My educational philosophy is to help students grow through praise."

Although she said it with great pride, was that really true...? I don't remember being praised by her at all...

"I really don't think so..."

I shrugged, and Hiratsuka-sensei smiled.

"Of course, I will also reprimand you in return."

The setting sun shone into the school building, which was constructed entirely of glass and designed in the shape of a ship. Although the sunlight was soft in the empty corridors, it offered no warmth.

Hiratsuka-sensei stood on the side away from the light, blocking the sunlight.

I headed towards the main entrance, while the teacher turned towards the faculty office. As we passed each other, the teacher gently patted my shoulder.

"When you encounter someone who truly needs help, your methods will be ineffective."

Click, click—only the teacher's footsteps gradually faded into the distance in the corridor.

Volume 8, Chapter 3: No matter how much one tries to understand, Yukinoshita remains unfathomable.

The bicycle chased its own shadow.

As dusk drew to a close, the tree-lined riverside path fell completely dark. I pedaled my bicycle, leaving the setting sun slowly sinking into Tokyo Bay behind.

The Service Society's activities are temporarily open to all. So starting tomorrow, I won't have to go home so late.

Under the survival competition rules, my approach differs from the other two, so I don't need to force myself to conform. I've already decided on my method. This method doesn't require much effort; I just need to manipulate things a bit on voting day.

Therefore, the only thing I had to do before election day was to avoid hindering them.

More importantly -

Even if I do nothing, as long as they take action, that's enough. They will surely be able to resolve the problem in a more satisfactory way.

I choose not to interfere with each other.

Who says you have to deliberately close the distance between each other and make the relationship dangerous? Finding an appropriate distance and maintaining that distance is also a way of getting along with people.

That's all for now regarding club activities.

But strangely enough, the less humans want to think about something, the more likely they are to let their minds wander to other things.

I had just forgotten about school when things at home automatically filled the void. Then I remembered the unpleasant argument I had with Komachi in the living room that morning.

Is she still angry...?

If Komachi is just throwing a tantrum on the surface, I can simply think "how cute" to myself and let it go. But if she starts ignoring people, it means she's really angry. My dad often goes to my mom to complain because she treats him like he's not there.

My parents will probably be home late today, so it will just be me and Komachi at home.

Normally, it would be wonderful to have only myself and my sister at home. But wait, this situation doesn't seem normal at all.

However, on this particular day, I don't know how to face her.

Let's wait until later, until Komachi's anger has subsided, before going back.

So I turned the handlebars of the bicycle to the right.

After leaving the school, take the national highway on the right; it leads to Chiba. There you'll find cinemas, bookstores, amusement parks, manga cafes, and other great places to kill time.

During my graduation trip, I was constantly on the go and hardly had a chance to be alone. The weekend after returning from the trip was spent idly at home.

Now I can finally break free from these constraints and soar freely. What I truly cherish is time alone.

I started thinking about where to kill time, and my mood calmed down.

With my feet on the pedals and humming "Princess Princess Princess♪", I transformed into a Yayoi Pedal otaku and sped along the long national highway.

× × ×

As the sun almost completely set, Chiba began to come alive. I entered the city from National Route 14, heading towards Chuo Station.

This area has Amway, Toranoana, and a movie theater, so you'll never be bored.

I browsed through several shops, bought a few books, and carefully studied the notice board in front of the movie theater.

If a movie that interests you starts in an hour, why not find a coffee shop nearby, grab a drink, and come back later? The timing should be just right.

There was a Starbucks right downstairs from the movie theater, but unfortunately, I couldn't figure out their ordering system, and I wasn't a fan of those self-proclaimed trendy hipsters, so I decided to find somewhere else. Every time I pass by Starbucks and see that guy sitting inside wearing those hipster glasses and using a MacBook Air, the feeling of dread is indescribable. I really want to smash an apple into his glasses.

Across from the movie theater is a donut shop where you can get refills on your coffee, even the coffee au lait. Ordering a coffee au lait, made extra sweet, makes it even more delightful. That's the Chiba style. A rare afternoon tea time should be fully enjoyed.

I went into the store, ordered an Oufixiang, a Franchi, and a cup of coffee au lait, and went upstairs to the bar.

Wow—reading while enjoying sweets and sugary drinks is pure bliss! Even a high-and-mighty idol would feel instantly happy after eating some sweets when hurt by harsh words. (Note 11: Lyrics from the ending theme song "THE IDOLM@STER" of the anime "The Idolmaster")

I excitedly searched for an empty seat. Just then, I thought I saw a figure looking in my direction from the corner of my eye.

"Oh my, what a rare guest!"

I looked at the woman who had spoken. She took off her headphones, smiled, and waved at me.