My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 292

"Have you touched your hair enough?"

I gently pushed Yuihama's hand away, but she stood behind me for a while longer before smiling softly and moving a chair to sit down next to me.

I couldn't look at her face properly; I could only look elsewhere.

At this moment, Yuihama spoke up loudly.

"You're working very hard!"

"What did you suddenly say?"

I instinctively turned my head away, and she nodded "Mmm," then repeated it loudly.

"You're really working hard!"

"Stop talking, I didn't do anything."

To be honest, I was just a keyboard warrior, and occasionally navigating relationships with Issei. But none of that was productive. In fact, my goal was to hinder other people's productivity.

Yuihama seemed to sense my remorse, nodding weakly and offering a feeble smile.

"Hmm... in the areas we can see, they really haven't done anything."

I simply nodded in agreement. However, Yuihama disagreed. She shook her head and said:

"But if people see it, they might think you're doing something really annoying. Because what you're doing is probably not something you can change just by wanting to."

She probably knows exactly what I did, or is aware of those fan club accounts. In short, this kind of tactic is absolutely not commendable. In terms of its underhanded nature, it's perhaps even more cunning.

However, as long as no one discovers or verifies their identity, there will be no problem.

"If you didn't see it, how could you know if I did something?"

So this matter should end here. It's time to let it fade into the past.

That's exactly what I meant.

But Yuihama was still looking at me.

"But even if no one actually sees it, and no one is blamed, you'll still keep it to yourself, won't you?"

"No, that's impossible—"

"Guilt will not go away."

She interrupted me before I could finish speaking.

Ah, Yuihama is right. That feeling won't just disappear on its own.

No matter what I do, I'm always uneasy, worried that I might have made a mistake.

Therefore, I cannot get rid of the guilt.

"Me... even though I didn't accomplish anything... I can't help but wonder if what I did was right. So, you must feel this way even more strongly."

Yui spoke gently, a slightly sad smile on her face. Even so, she was still worried about me.

This tenderness only makes my heart ache more. What I least want is to see her hurt. Why can't even such a simple wish be fulfilled?

"We...didn't do anything wrong, did we?"

Even though he knew perfectly well in his heart, he just couldn't bring himself to say the answer.

Seeing that I couldn't bring myself to speak, Yuihama asked again with a sorrowful tone:

"Will everyone be able to go back to how things were before soon?"

"……I have no idea."

I really don't know the answer.

The words spoken under the snow still echoed in my ears.

Believing that the other person understands you is just an illusion, like a gentle haven that makes you forget yourself; once you're deeply trapped, it's hard to escape. To abandon everything and surrender yourself to it—I wonder how comfortable that would be.

"Mutual understanding" is an illusion, a cruel illusion.

The sense of loss must be quite intense when one comes to their senses after being caught in the illusion.

Any slight sense of unease or doubt can become thorns and barriers, eventually destroying everything.

I should have realized it sooner.

What I crave is not a close relationship.

What I yearn for is something purer.

We understand each other without words, we know each other without actions, and we remain whole no matter what happens.

What I truly crave is this beautiful fantasy that transcends reality, reaching a ridiculous level.

This is what she and I have been pursuing.

Volume 8, Chapter 9: That clubhouse no longer exudes the aroma of black tea.

As December arrives, the atmosphere of the year drawing to a close grows stronger, and the speed of time seems to be increasing.

There are only three weeks left in the year.

In this atmosphere, the student council election, which was significantly delayed compared to previous years, was solemnly launched the day before, albeit not in a grand manner.

Isshiki pestered Hayama for help with his election speech, and even used Yukinoshita's political views as the content of his own speech. According to the vote count that day, Isshiki successfully won the student council president's vote of confidence.

The new student council began operations today.

However, this has little to do with the average student. For most people, it's just another ordinary day.

The same applies to me. I live my life just like any other, sitting in the classroom listening to lectures.

Before we knew it, it was time to leave school.

After the class meeting, I walked out of the classroom.

It's winter now, and looking out the corridor window, it seems cold outside under the gloomy sky.

I walked down the stairs and turned into the corridor, where I saw people bustling in and out of the student council office. After all, it was their first day on the job.

Isshiki Iroha was among them.

When she saw me, she gave me a gentle smile and waved lightly at me in front of her chest.

I nodded slightly in acknowledgment and continued on my way.

"Senior~~"

Her coquettish voice came from behind.

I know, I know, the next scene is going to be another one where you think the person behind you is calling you, but when you turn around you find that they are calling another senior, right?

So I ignored it and went my own way. Then I heard footsteps behind me, "pat-pat," getting closer and closer. I turned around and saw Isshiki catching up with me, his cheeks puffed out.

"Senior, why are you ignoring me?"

"I thought you were calling someone else... So, have you officially started work today?"

When I asked her, she proudly puffed out her chest.

"That's right~ Although I had no idea what to do at first..."

She started off full of confidence, but gradually lost her momentum. It was understandable; she had been encouraged by others to become student council president, so it was no wonder she felt uneasy and even made many mistakes.

However, Isshiki will definitely have a chance to start over and make up for her mistakes. So she doesn't need to put too much pressure on herself. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but smile with envy.

"It's okay. Nobody has high expectations of the student council, so you can relax and do it."

"I don't think this statement is a bit excessive..."

She rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the back of her head. But to be honest, I didn't have any expectations for her myself... Nevertheless, it seems I should still say some words of encouragement and wish her well.

"...Next year, my younger sister will be attending this school."

"Huh? Wait a minute, isn't the big exam still going on?"

Isshiki waved his hand dismissively, giving him a "what's this guy saying?" look. Ugh, Komachi's definitely going to get into this school. I'm the boss!

"So, help me turn this place into a good school."

"..."

Iroha opened her mouth wide, speechless, but she didn't blush or feign shyness. After a long while, she reached out her hands and gently pushed my words back.

"What does this mean? Do you want to pursue me, senior? I'm sorry, you're being too clingy and making me very uncomfortable. You should give up."

...Is your reason for refusing different from last time?

"You should speak normally... Hayama probably prefers that type too."

"Wow, really? Where did you hear that, senior?"

Upon hearing this, Isshiki's eyes immediately lit up. Actually, this wasn't just some gossip. Generally speaking, people don't have a good impression of overly pretentious people. That's all. But I was too lazy to explain in detail, so I simply gave a brief reply and quickly left the scene.

"This is just my personal feeling. Anyway, good luck."

"Oh, wait a minute! We're currently renovating the student council office, would you like to come and take a look, senior?"

Remodel? Remodel it to look like a student council office?

Isshiki grabbed my sleeve and pulled me towards the office. "Hey, are you planning to drag me along to help you...?"

Well, there's nothing urgent coming up anyway. Besides, I was the one who convinced Isshiki to become student council president, so it's only right that I lend a hand now.

As I walked with her to the office door, I was lost in thought. Just then, someone's voice came from inside.

"Iroha—where should I put this? Iroha—"

The voice sounded familiar... I peeked out and was surprised to find that the Ministry of Revenue was also there.

It was freezing cold, yet he was only wearing a T-shirt on his upper body and a towel tied around his head. I remembered; the guy who worked at the ramen shop always dressed like that. He was clutching a small, box-like object, searching everywhere for Ichiro. Upon closer inspection, the box-like object turned out to be a refrigerator…

"Is this okay?"

I turned to Isshiki and asked. She gave me a cute look and answered readily:

"From today onwards, this will be my office, so of course I'll decorate it according to my own preferences!"

"Oh, I see..."

My question isn't about whether it's appropriate to put the refrigerator there, but rather whether it's okay to leave the Ministry of Revenue there... He's already called you several times...

"Iroha - Where should the heater be placed?"

The call from the Ministry of Revenue came from inside again. I peeked out again and saw that he was carrying a halogen lamp heater.

"Isshiki, are you sure everything is alright?"

I asked again. This time she held her own hands, as if trying to warm them.

"Because I'm afraid of the cold~"

"Oh, I see..."

Whether you're afraid of the cold is none of my business. I just wanted to remind you to take care of the Ministry of Revenue... Well, since it's the Ministry of Revenue, then forget it.

But at the same time, I also started to worry whether such a student council president was really okay...

"Iroha—"

Unable to find anyone at the Ministry of Revenue, they finally peeked out to look.

"Huh? Penguin, you're here to help too?"

No, I was just passing by.

"Oh yeah~ Hey, Hayato, hurry up and come over, we're going to run out of manpower~"

After a series of incomprehensible conversations, Isshiki interrupted.

"Ah, senior, the refrigerator isn't there, it needs to be inside. And the electric heater needs to be placed next to the desk."

"Oh, okay...that's exactly what I wanted to ask you..."

The Minister of Revenue's expression froze a bit, but after Isshiki smiled and said "Thank you for your trouble," he still reluctantly adjusted his position.

Then, Isshiki turned to look at me and said on a whim:

"Oh, senior is helping out too~"

"No..."