My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 297

If this isn't deception, what is it?

However, it was I who made that choice.

I can't go back in time and make the same choices again. Time that's gone will never return, and countless things are beyond redemption. Lamenting afterward is simply a betrayal of one's past self.

The reason people feel regret is that they once possessed something precious. Therefore, I never lament. We should feel content that we have something that didn't originally belong to us for a limited period of time.

Whether it's luck or happiness, once we get used to it, it becomes just another ordinary part of our daily lives; only when it disappears do we feel unhappy.

Since that's the case, as long as we take it for granted that we won't get anything in the future, our lives will naturally become much richer.

No matter what, at least don't deny your past self.

I will live with this mindset in the days to come.

× × ×

As usual, after a full day of classes, I packed my things and was the first to leave the classroom. Before opening the door, I glanced at Yuihama's seat; she was still talking to Miura and his group.

This morning, she told me we'd go to the community center together after school, so I should stay and wait for her. However, that doesn't mean I have to wait in a conspicuous place.

So I left the classroom, took a few steps, and leaned against the wall in the corridor to wait.

Less than a minute later, Yui rushed out of the classroom, looked left and right in the corridor, and quickly spotted me. She angrily questioned me:

"How could you leave first!"

"I didn't leave first, I'm just waiting here."

"That's right! Hmm... alright then."

After convincing herself, Yui took a deep breath, then rallied her spirits and slung her backpack over her shoulder.

“…Let’s go.”

"Um."

We exchanged a glance and headed together toward the special building.

The way the two of them stared at each other made them look exactly like ill-intentioned individuals.

I reminded myself to slow down and not walk at my usual pace, otherwise Yuihama would be left behind.

The corridor was deserted, a stark contrast to the classroom I had been in earlier.

There was no one in sight ahead; the only sound was our footsteps. We walked on in silence. Yuihama, who used to be the most talkative person in the clubroom, was quiet today, as if it were the opposite of what she used to say—too much talking.

But as the club's opening ceremony drew closer, Yuihama finally couldn't remain silent any longer and spoke up:

"that……"

"Um?"

When I asked her that, she shook her head helplessly and gave up.

"……nothing."

"oh."

The two fell silent again. Turning another corner, we arrived at the club office. It had been a day since I last visited; how was Yui doing? She'd been going to the club office every day at noon to have lunch with Yukino; I wondered if she'd kept up that habit. So, I asked:

"By the way, what have you guys been doing for lunch lately?"

"Huh? Hmm—same as before."

Yuihama thought for a moment, then answered with a wry smile.

"……Yeah."

Hearing this answer, I understood immediately. Yuihama must have thrown out random, rambling topics, which Yukinoshita would then respond to, and this process would continue indefinitely.

Thinking about it carefully, on the surface, it's no different from the past, no wonder Yui Hama couldn't answer it immediately.

Although the time, place, and people sitting next to her were the same, she couldn't feel that it was the usual scene.

Since that day, we have been searching for what exactly has changed. But we have been unable to find the answer, so we have come back to this community office today.

The lock on the gate has been unlocked.

Even though we came here immediately after the mentorship session ended, the head of the service society arrived even earlier than us.

I opened the door, stepped inside, and looked around. Suddenly, I was struck by how incredibly empty the office was. Was this really the place we used to be in? There wasn't a single thing there. From the tables and chairs to the unused tea set, there wasn't a trace of it having been touched.

Yukino Yukinoshita was there as usual.

"Hello."

"Hi! Yukino-chan!"

Yui Hama perked up and greeted me, then sat in her seat. I nodded slightly in acknowledgment and walked to my own seat. The unmoving chairs were like stakes nailing us to this spot.

After sitting down, Yukino straightened her back and opened the book she was reading in her most familiar posture. Yui took out her phone, and I took out a paperback from my bag.

This series of actions resembles a fixed ritual. We might think that by simply following the past methods, we can recreate the same past. However, even if we meet the conditions for initiation, it is impossible to return to that time. Mere superficial imitation will eventually wear everything down.

I did not sigh.

"Listen to me, today Xiao Cai—"

Yui suddenly spoke up, like a child standing in front of her mother, recounting the day's events. However, she didn't really want to share with everyone; she was just forcing herself to keep talking to break the awkward silence.

I feel as if I can see Yuihama again, the one who only knew how to read other people's faces and dared not express her own opinions.

Despite what I thought to myself, I still joined in her conversation.

How long will this endless interaction continue? How long can we maintain it? What will happen if it can no longer continue one day?

It seems today will be no different from yesterday.

The same will likely happen tomorrow and the day after.

What exists in a closed world is not peace, but stagnation and isolation. The path we can take will only gradually wither and decay.

After Yui finished using the topics she had prepared, the conversation came to an abrupt end, and silence immediately enveloped the room.

Just then, someone knocked on the door, breaking the silence and sense of isolation.

× × ×

The person outside knocked on the door again.

Since no one had come to inquire for a long time, we couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment. We wondered what Yukinoshita and Yui would think if someone came to our door at a time like this. Yui suddenly looked towards the door, Yukinoshita remained expressionless, and as for myself, I unconsciously clenched my teeth.

"Please come in."

Yukino glanced at the door and replied, and the person waiting outside opened the door.

"Senior..."

A girl with flaxen hair swayed as she walked in, pressing the cuffs of her overly long cardigan over her eyes.

This person is Iroha Isshiki, the student council president of Soubu High School. She didn't learn to wear her uniform properly just because she became student council president.

Yuihama looked surprised to see Iroha, Yukino frowned slightly, and I was probably dumbfounded. What's this guy doing here so soon after becoming student council president? It doesn't seem like he's here to have fun…

Ignoring our hesitation, Isshiki pleaded in a coquettish voice—or rather, without regard for her image—as she walked to my seat and began to sob unintentionally.

"Senior~~ Something terrible has happened...!"

She's still the same as always, deliberately acting cute... It triggers my protective instincts, please stop crying, okay? Otherwise, I really want to become your strength. If it were anyone other than Isshiki, I might agree to help on the spot without hesitation.

"Iroha, what's wrong? Please sit down."

"Ah, thank you, Yui-senpai."

Hearing what Hihama said, Isshiki seemed to forget that she had been crying just a second ago, and instantly put on a nonchalant expression and sat down in her seat.

Then, Yukinoshita spoke:

"Anyway, let's hear your question first."

Her voice was the same as usual, nothing out of the ordinary. I was slightly relieved by this, but at the same time felt a little awkward about my own reaction.

Why do I feel at ease?

Before I could figure out what was amiss, Isshiki began to explain:

"Actually... last week, our student council started its first task—"

"Oh, it's already been handed over to you? That was fast!"

Yuihama nodded and said, and Isshiki also nodded in response, "Yeah," continuing her topic.

"And then, that job was incredibly troublesome..."

Isshiki seemed to sank into a slump as soon as she thought about that job. Is it really that serious...? Despite my displeasure, I decided to ask what the job entailed.

"What kind of trouble?"

At that moment, she quickly raised her head.

"Isn't Christmas coming soon?"

"Yeah...wait a minute, you've jumped off-topic a bit, haven't you?"

The topic suddenly jumped to boson jump (Note 12: a type of instantaneous movement that creates a time difference, which appeared in the anime "Martian Successor Nadeshiko"). It startled me... Okay, Christmas is almost here, that's for sure. Isshiki was unhappy with my response, so she deliberately puffed out her cheeks and pouted her lips.

"No, please listen to me carefully!"

"That's exactly what I was thinking~"

For some reason, Yui is also on Isshiki's side. What's going on? Is it really my fault? The way you girls talk is so strange! How would anyone know if you said it like that!

I gave Isshiki a deadpan look and signaled with my eyes, "Okay, I got it, hurry up and continue," before she finally finished what she was saying.

"Then, we need to team up with the nearby high school to organize Christmas events for the neighborhood, targeting both seniors and children..."

"Oh? Which school?"

"Seaside Comprehensive High School"

Yes, that high school, right... It's not far from Soubu High School, and it's a pretty good school for college entrance exams. Haibin Comprehensive High School was re-established a long time ago after the merger of three schools, so it's not as old. Since its predecessor was composed of three schools, it naturally has a larger campus, more luxurious facilities, and more beautiful buildings. I heard there are elevators in the buildings, so students don't have to walk, and they even use ID cards for attendance—they're practically at the forefront of technology. Not only that, they use a course system called a "credit system" or something like 543—I don't understand it—it sounds very advanced, so it's a school everyone wants to attend.

However, it seems that Haibin Comprehensive High School and Soubu High School have little interaction, so it feels a bit unnatural for them to suddenly decide to hold an event together.

"...Who proposed this plan?"

Isshiki probably found my question funny, and gave a faint "Oh, senpai!" smile. He lowered his voice mysteriously, as if answering a question meant only for me:

"Of course it's the other party! How could I possibly propose such a plan?"

"I think so..."

What does this woman take the student council for? If you become a working professional in the future, you'll probably be seen as a troublemaker. There's a saying: "Learn from others to correct your own mistakes." In order not to cause trouble for those around me, I'm even more convinced that I absolutely cannot go out to work.

However, I was truly defeated by her. It was a plan proposed by another school, and she just agreed to it like that... I stared blankly at Isshiki, who also recalled the scene at the time, and even forgot to maintain her cute image, continuing to speak angrily.

"Usually, when I hear that kind of offer, don't I just refuse first? Besides, I already have plans for Christmas~"

"Refuse first, then talk..."

"Your reasoning is too selfish..."

Isshiki's words were so arrogant and shameless that Yui and I could hardly bear to listen. Was she just mentally strong, or was she simply oblivious to her own limitations…? Maybe her personality was awful, second only to mine. I suddenly felt a strong sense of kinship with Isshiki; I might even accidentally fall for her, so please, change that habit quickly!

But in reality, Isshiki didn't seem to be completely ignorant of her own limitations. She slumped her shoulders weakly and murmured softly:

"But, Hiratsuka-sensei wants us to participate..."

What the heck? After all that, it turns out it was all because of that person's instigation. Even his inability to handle Hiratsuka-sensei is just like mine. My affection for Isshiki has only grown stronger; who knows, maybe I'll accidentally... (The rest is omitted).

"So, we started planning this event. But how should I put it... it seems like we can't get everyone together..."

Isshiki was genuinely disheartened this time; she no longer spoke in her usual flippant manner. Although she wasn't exactly a serious person and somewhat treated student council work lightly, she was still quite troubled by this matter. Isshiki didn't give up; instead, she chose to consult the Service Club, and that alone was commendable in its proactive attitude. After all, she hadn't wanted to be student council president in the first place; I had practically coaxed and tricked her into that position. Out of this sense of guilt, my attitude gradually softened.

"Since you're working with other schools, this is inevitable. Don't worry about it."

"...Yes~"

Isshiki, without fail, tilted her head to one side and looked over with a "right?" gaze. Unfortunately, that gesture seemed too deliberate, which made it lose its cuteness... This is quite different from my younger sister, Komachi.

In short, first organize the key points from the consultation content that is not concise and to the point.

If I understand correctly, the first task assigned to the new student council is to organize a local Christmas event for public benefit, and it will be co-organized with the nearby Seaside Comprehensive High School, not by Soubu High School alone.

This task is far more challenging than the daily affairs of the student council. Coordination between the two schools is a given, but the interpersonal relationships and stances within the student council are not yet stable. For a group of newly appointed people, planning an event under such circumstances is really a stretch.

From a timeline perspective, the Christmas event was likely a project finalized before Isshiki became student council president. In other words, it was a problem that the previous student council failed to solve.