My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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"what?"

Miura was surprised by Hayama's answer and found himself unable to speak.

"Hayabusa, Hayato...do you already have any plans?"

"...Yes, something came up at home."

Hayama waved away the gloom on his face and put on his usual warm smile.

"Um……"

Miura averted her gaze from Hayama, feigning indifference, and resumed playing with her long hair. She must have some question she desperately wanted to ask, but was refusing to voice it.

After their conversation ended, the boys' group and the girls' group naturally split into two groups and started discussing club activities during the winter break and plans to go shopping together for Christmas.

The Minister of Revenue was dissatisfied with this development. He swept his hair back, raised a finger, and looked around at everyone.

"Then...how about a New Year's shrine visit?"

It seems he still wants to discuss the previous topic. I forget when, but Hayama mentioned that he's the one who livens up the atmosphere within the group, and it seems that's true. At first glance, that guy doesn't seem to be thinking about anything, but he's actually very observant of his surroundings. Another possibility is that he instinctively senses that the rift between them shouldn't be allowed to widen further. Tobe always lives in his feelings and the atmosphere around him; no wonder he's so perceptive.

"Hmm... I'll probably spend the New Year with my family."

Ebina easily dismissed the suggestion, and the Ministry of Revenue, seeing his efforts go to waste, slumped his shoulders in disappointment.

The next moment, Ebina pressed his fingers against his cheek and made a "hmm" sound as he thought.

"However, it would be nice to go out and have fun together outside of the New Year period."

When Miura heard her deliberately emphasize "everyone," he quickly raised his face.

"Ah, great idea!"

"yes."

Yuihama also expressed her approval, and Yamato and Ooka nodded in agreement. "Right? Right?" Tobe excitedly confirmed with everyone one by one, and Hayama smiled when he saw this.

"……yes."

"I knew it! So, which day should we pick? Oh right, Hayato, when are you free? I'm free anytime."

"Don't forget club activities..."

Hayama, unsure what to say, sighed helplessly. Hearing this, Miura, standing nearby, asked indifferently:

"So, when? I'm basically available anytime."

Although Miura acted nonchalantly, even holding her hand up to the light to examine her fingernails, she couldn't hide her nervousness. Only after confirming that everyone was going did a smile appear on her lips.

Ebina watched Miura's reaction with gentle eyes.

Yuihama breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that everyone had finally resumed their usual interactions.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

After reporting this, she temporarily left the scene. Oh dear, is she going to pick flowers (Note 11: a euphemism for going to the restroom in Japanese)? If it were a guy, what would he say in this situation? Go deer hunting? That sounds pretty cool.

Getting back to the main point, Yuihama didn't seem to be going to the restroom. She walked to the lockers at the back of the classroom, touched around for a while, and then instead of going back to Miura, she walked towards me.

"Autistic man".

I looked up in the direction of the sound and saw Yui fidgeting nervously, speaking somewhat awkwardly:

"You're overreacting..."

"Huh? No, I wasn't looking..."

I was speechless for a moment. Even though I'd watched the whole thing intently, I still felt embarrassed being told that to my face. Just as I was about to think of an excuse, Yui waved her hand and said in an exasperated tone:

"It was definitely there, and I was staring at it for ages. When I looked at you, I noticed you were staring right here, and I immediately thought, 'Oh my god...'"

What does "Oh my god" mean... Don't you think that's hurtful?

"You too, don't look this way..."

"Huh! That's because... because I feel something strange! Is it pressure or coldness...?"

Don't you think that pressure and coldness are two completely different things...? Yui Hama frantically tried to defend herself, finally asking:

"But you, why are you staring at us? Is something the matter?"

This question, which seems quite simple at first glance, actually made me feel a sharp pain in my chest. Why am I looking at them?

"...No, it's nothing...You guys were so conspicuous, I couldn't help but look over."

"yes……"

I couldn't tell from Yuihama's reaction whether she accepted the reason, but I wasn't lying. Hayama's group was always very conspicuous; people naturally look at conspicuous things, so it's no wonder I found them strange.

However, the reason I was looking at them was certainly not that simple.

How should we cover up existing cracks?

If it were Hayama and the others, they might tell me the answer.

To truly understand humanity, one should not merely observe others, but rather project oneself onto them through their actions, thereby achieving a reflective effect.

I probably looked at them because I understood that the relationships there were full of hypocrisy and deception, and that I saw my own reflection in them.

Keibu may have sensed the unusual atmosphere within the group and subconsciously took action, while Ebina took the initiative to mend the rift between them.

Miura, Hayama, Tobe, and Ebina are all working on their subtle disagreements and awkwardness, adjusting their roles, and finding a compromise that everyone can accept.

It turns out there is such a method.

Even they, like many others, have doubts about their own communication patterns and continue to explore and struggle with them.

So, which side is actually being hypocritical?

Are you listening?

Yuihama's voice pulled me back to reality. I looked up and saw her staring at me with a slightly worried expression. Before I knew it, our faces were close together, and I could clearly see her moist eyes and feel her warm breath.

I quickly leaned back in my chair, creating some distance between us. I couldn't afford to show any expression that would worry Yuihama. She must also be wondering about the current state of the Service Club, and it was my own fault that the Service Club had become like this, so I should at least act normal for now.

I'll stop thinking about this for now and save it for when I'm alone. Luckily, I have a ton of free time, which is when I realize how much of a loner I am.

Let's change the subject.

"Hey you, if you don't want people to see, then speak a little quieter. A whopping 40% of the people watching you are complaining about how noisy you are."

"Is that so... However, with the Ministry of Revenue involved, it might be difficult."

Do you know how hurtful your words were...? The Ministry of Revenue is indeed very noisy and incredibly annoying, but he still has his merits, such as his very strong and resilient hair.

That said, even when they shut their mouths and don't say anything, my gaze still wanders around. Like now, when I'm talking to Yuihama, my eyes are starting to dart around again.

There's no way around it. Think about it, when there's movement in your line of sight, wouldn't you notice it at all? Especially when it's a cute little person in your line of sight.

For the reasons mentioned above, my gaze immediately drifted over the moment the classroom door opened.

Saika Totsuka, dressed in winter sportswear, walked into the classroom. The hallway must have been quite cold, because he exhaled as he entered. Seeing that, I couldn't help but gasp. Ahh… Totsuka's exhaled air entered my body… Yeah, being this sick makes me feel disgusted with myself.

Totsuka noticed me and Yuihama and came over with a jingling sound.

"Good morning."

He flashed a radiant smile, greeting us with boundless energy. This shows how important greetings really are; greeting someone for reasons like "precautionary measures" is truly a sad thing. Hmm.

Good morning, Xiao Cai.

Good morning.

After Yuihama and I said good morning, Totsuka suddenly blinked. So cute... Ah, no, this isn't the time to talk about that. Why did Totsuka make such a cute surprised expression? If I had to say, I should be the one surprised by his cuteness.

"What's wrong?"

I wondered if I had said something strange. Totsuka noticed my confusion and waved his hand slightly in front of his chest in denial.

"It's quite unusual to see you all gathered together in the classroom."

"Will... will it?"

Yuihama was a little surprised, and seeing this, Totsuka quickly added:

"Ah, because I've hardly ever seen it before."

It was only after Totsuka mentioned it that I realized that Yuihama almost never initiated conversations with me in the classroom.

Thinking about it this way, although Yui went around to the back lockers, she came back empty-handed. She probably felt that coming directly would give others cause for criticism, so she took a precaution. It's quite remarkable that she considered this...

Even though she took this into consideration, others still found it very unnatural.

"...What happened?"

Totsuka looked back and forth between me and Yuihama, asking her with concern.

"N-nothing... Well, actually, there are some club-related matters to discuss..."

"Oh, so it's a club."

Yuihama, flustered, gave a evasive answer, while Totsuka clapped his hands in understanding. Yes, not doubting others is indeed a virtue. When encountering someone as pure and innocent as Totsuka, the one who deceives them might actually succumb to the intense pangs of conscience and die.

"It's great that you guys can maintain the club activities as before."

Looking at Totsuka's smile, I believe he really didn't think much of it. Totsuka was also involved in what happened during the student council election, so when he heard Yui and I discussing club activities, he probably assumed everything had been resolved smoothly.

However, Yuihama's expression hardened.

"Yes, yes... Oh, right! Xiao Cai, if you have any problems, you're welcome to come over anytime!"

“…Right.”

She hesitated for a moment, but quickly covered it up with a smile, and I chimed in to help.

I don't know if the Service Club can be considered "the same as before". We do maintain dialogue with Yukinoshita, and our relationship is by no means hostile. We don't deliberately ignore anyone or have conflicts because of disagreements.

Nothing happened.

To be precise, there is nothing at all, nothing at all.

Totsuka tilted his head, looking puzzled at our slow reaction, as if he wanted to ask what had happened. But I didn't think I could explain it clearly, so it was better to change the subject.

"No, you can come anytime even if you don't have anything urgent to do. You're welcome anytime!"

"Why are you suddenly so energetic?!"

Yuihama's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing my words. Strange, do I usually seem that unmotivated...?

"Haha! Okay, I'll definitely go then."

Totsuka laughed happily, glancing at the clock. Their homeroom teacher should be arriving soon.

"Mentorship time is about to begin."

"Well, we should head back now."

After Yuihama finished speaking with Totsuka, she prepared to return to her seat.

"...Oh, right."

As I was leaving, Yuihama suddenly turned back and leaned close to my ear.

A floral fragrance wafted into my nostrils, and her gentle breath teased my earlobe. She unexpectedly moved so close, reminding me of a past evening after school, in that cold office where something had just come to an end, and there was a similar warmth there.

My heart started racing instantly, and Yui whispered:

"...Let's go to the community office together today."

Without waiting for my reply, she ran back to her seat. I stared blankly as she left, my hand unconsciously resting on my chest.

My heartbeat has stopped pounding. The previously rapid beats are now gradually contracting inwards, gripping my body tightly.

Yuihama specifically said this to me, which means she can't confidently step into the clubhouse.

I feel the same way; I really don't want to go to the Service Society.

However, we still showed up every day as usual, which was bordering on masochism. Although I dare say that none of the three of us wanted to go back to that classroom.

Nevertheless, they still met there regularly. Because no one wanted to face how significant what they had lost was.

Another possibility is that it stems purely from a sense of duty and obligation to preserve and maintain all of this, much like how organisms reproduce to ensure that their species does not disappear.

All we do is prevent ourselves from escaping.

Everything we do is as if we are mourning the deceased.

In order not to let "loss" become an excuse, and in order not to succumb to unreasonable demands, we must be more alert and act more like normal people than usual.