My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 305

"...What exactly happened?"

"No, nothing."

When I asked, Kawasaki shook his head in denial, his long ponytail swaying behind him. Jinghua, like a cat, kept her eyes glued to that ponytail, and my gaze was drawn to it as well.

At that moment, Isshiki appeared from the office at the other end of the corridor.

"Ah, I found it, I found it. Senior—"

She finished her negotiations with the daycare center, completed her task here, and returned to meet me—even though I hadn't done anything.

"Um...maybe we can go back now?"

Isshiki noticed Kawasaki's presence and cautiously asked me. Kawasaki glanced at Isshiki, who immediately froze in fright. "It's nothing, it's nothing. Kawasaki is always like this, there's nothing to be afraid of." She might look like she's glaring at someone, but that's about it; she's basically a good girl.

But if I actually said that, Kawasaki would definitely be unhappy. So, what should I say? — At that moment, Kawasaki brushed her hair aside, turned around, opened the glass sliding door, and greeted the caregivers. It seemed they were also getting ready to go home.

"...We're leaving."

She turned her upper body around and said, then took Jinghua's hand. Jinghua held her hand, then raised her other hand and waved it vigorously at us.

Bye-bye—bye-bye—

"Okay, goodbye."

I gently raised my hand to say goodbye. But what's with that way of addressing me? Couldn't they remember my name? At least remember other people's names, okay? Don't just casually remember that I'm an eighty-something!

I watched the Kawasaki sisters walk away, her gaze shifting from them to me. She hesitated for a long time before timidly speaking:

"The people my senior knows are all quite special..."

I don't deny that. But don't forget, you yourself are one of the oddballs.

× × ×

The next day, after the class meeting before school ended, I stretched a little.

The fatigue from yesterday still lingers.

Although I have no physical problems, the meaningless time keeps eroding my spirit.

Yesterday's final outcome was estimating the number of participants from the daycare center and hearing some of their requests. Updating the minutes was also an outcome, but such a meeting was essentially devoid of substance.

The thought of repeating yesterday's cycle again today made me yawn loudly, letting out a sigh of relief.

As I wiped away the tears welling up in my eyes, my gaze met that of Totsuka, who was about to open the classroom door. He probably saw me yawning.

Totsuka walked back to me, covering his mouth with his hand that was lightly clasped, revealing a comical smile. Seeing him smile like that, I felt I might do something even more ridiculous...

You look very tired.

He did indeed see me yawning.

Although I was somewhat tired, I couldn't show it in front of Totsuka. Loudly complaining about how tired I was was just as annoying as desperately emphasizing that I'd had too much to drink. That kind of behavior is clearly awful, so why do so many girls like it? I actually think that "emphasizing that you can't drink" is the darling of the next generation.

From this, we can conclude that appearing completely relaxed is the only way to have an effect on Totsuka!

"This is how I usually look."

"Now that you mention it, it seems like you're right."

I joked about it, and Totsuka responded with a smile. The deep sigh I'd just let out earlier seemed to have never happened; in fact, I felt like I was about to exhale a pinkish breath. Did Totsuka's laughter have a 1/f fluctuation effect (Note 25 1/fluctuation, a fluctuation existing in nature that can make people feel comfortable)? Here, f, of course, refers to fairy.

The negative ions generated by Totsuka's smile had a placebo effect on me. He put his tennis bag back on his back.

"Are we going to the club later?"

"Hmm! Hachiman too, right?"

"……yes."

"?"

I answered a second or two late, and Totsuka tilted his head in confusion. I forced a cheerful expression to divert his attention.

"Keep up the good work!"

"Hachiman, you do your best too!"

"I will."

Totsuka waved gently in front of his chest, then walked out of the classroom. I watched him leave with a smile, but even after he disappeared down the corridor, I still didn't have the motivation to stand up.

I leaned back in my chair and looked up at the ceiling.

Yuihama appeared in my line of sight.

Even from a distance, I could tell she was anxiously peering in our direction, as if she was waiting for my conversation with Totsuka to end.

I sat up straight, signaling to Yui that "you can come over now." She then stood up, walked over somewhat stiffly, stopped in front of me, and spoke hesitantly:

"...Are we going to club activities today?"

This question left me speechless for a moment.

Did leaving the club early yesterday worry Yui? Looking at her expression, I couldn't bring myself to say no. Okay, okay, I'll go, but please don't give me that puppy-dog look again…

"Hmm. Well then, it's about time we set off..."

"Okay! I'll go get my schoolbag."

Yuihama went back to her seat, while I went out of the classroom first and waited in the corridor leading to the special building.

The corridor was empty, so I took the opportunity to think about the club activities and Christmas events that were coming up later.

The workload is not too large at the moment.

However, considering the upcoming itinerary, time will definitely not be enough. To ensure sufficient preparation time, we may need to move ahead of schedule.

Therefore, I will inevitably have to ask the Service Society for leave at some point.

However, I don't want to go that far. If possible, it would be best to continue participating in the club. So, I can only do what I'm doing now: sit in the club office for a bit and then leave early.

As I was thinking, I suddenly felt a soft bump on my lower back. What's going on? That hurts... I turned around and saw Yuihama looking very unhappy. It turned out that she had bumped into me with her schoolbag.

"Why did you leave first?"

"No, I'm definitely waiting here."

We headed towards the service society office, engaging in the exact same conversation as before. The two of them were rehashing old topics, as if they had planned it beforehand. That period began again, and I couldn't help but feel that it was all perfectly natural.

If there's any subtle change, it's probably the addition of one more request. I'll let Yuihama know I'll be leaving early today as well.

"...Oh, right. I'll probably be going back early today too, and it'll be like this for the next while."

"Hmm." Yuihama nodded and asked:

"Shall we go help Iroha?"

This statement took me by surprise.

"...You already knew?"

"Judging from your expression, you probably already know something."

Yuihama brushed it off with a string of laughter.

That makes sense. I was the only one in the club who left early at the last minute, and I looked tired in the classroom during the day, so it was inevitable that someone would notice if there was something going on. I couldn't help but feel disgusted with myself for not thinking things through. Since Yui noticed, it's not surprising that someone else knew as well.

"Is it the same under Yukinoshita?"

Yuihama's gaze drifted out the window.

"Well... she didn't mention you."

I couldn't read her expression, but her weak voice seemed to forbid me from pressing further. This ambiguous answer mirrored our current situation. I had a feeling that everyone's only concern right now was avoiding uttering any decisive words.

After that, I never spoke with Yuihama again.

Only the sound of footsteps echoed in the desolate corridor.

Yuihama was still looking out the window.

I also looked out the other window.

As the winter solstice approaches, the sun sets earlier and earlier, making it difficult for buildings to receive sunlight, and they become even darker than before.

Yuihama whispered to herself as she entered the shadows where the sunlight couldn't reach.

"...Are you still planning to do it alone?"

Even in the dim light, I could clearly see Yui's face. Her eyes were downcast with sorrow, and she was biting her lip helplessly. The reason I made that decision in the first place was precisely to prevent her from showing that kind of expression…

I strode forward, eager to shake off the feeling of being tightly gripped in my chest.

"It's just because I have something I absolutely have to do; you don't need to worry about it."

"Of course I care..."

She smiled, puzzled.

Seeing that smile brought back the question from back then.

—Did I make a mistake?

Since then, this question has lingered in my mind. Now, I have found the answer.

I think I must have made a mistake.

Every day after the student council election, it clearly told me this; Yuihama's sad smile reminded me of this; Yukinoshita's resigned gaze also forced me to face this reality.

Therefore, I must take responsibility. It is only natural to be accountable for one's actions.

To correct my mistakes, I cannot rely on others. I cannot afford to cause trouble for others again. To casually depend on others, make more mistakes, and render their efforts futile is the greatest betrayal of trust.

If we don't want to repeat the mistake, we must consider the actions we should take based on principles and rules.

I can't let Yuihama worry unnecessarily right now.

"There are other things that matter more to me than me."

I sighed slightly and raised the corners of my mouth slightly. Although it was a cunning move, I changed the subject.

"Um……"

Yuihama responded faintly, then lowered her gaze again.

We continued forward with heavy steps, as if walking through coal tar.

At a speed far slower than before, the doors of the Service Society finally came into view.

The lock on the clubhouse should already be open. Only one person has the key; Yui and I haven't even touched it.

Yui suddenly stopped, and I stopped too. She looked at the office and said:

"Yukino, do you want to be the student council president...?"

"……God knows."

Now, we have no way of knowing the answer. Given Yukinoshita's personality, she wouldn't honestly answer that question. I don't think she'd say what she didn't say then, would she now? I simply can't be bothered to ask questions that have no answer.

—No, I'm afraid I don't want her to answer.

At least on the surface, neither Yukinoshita nor I would lament about what we missed. If she could express some resentment, I might even feel a bit more at ease.

We probably won't bring this up again, but Yuihama spoke up. Her voice, unlike her previous weak one, was now strong and clear:

"...I think the club should take on that commission."

When Isshiki consulted us before, Yui-hama did hope we would accept the case. I didn't ask why at the time, but her bringing it up again now probably means she has her own ideas. I gestured with my eyes, and Yui-hama began to speak, word by word.

"If it were the previous Yukino, she would definitely have accepted the request."

"...Why do you think so?"

"I think Yukino will find a way to overcome her current setback. I feel... how should I put it, it's precisely because she didn't become student council president that she'll likely take on even greater challenges..."

She spoke each word carefully and plaintively, as if confirming her own thoughts.

Perhaps that's why I found myself gazing at her unconsciously. She spoke clumsily, but every word she uttered warmed my heart—a quality very much like Yuihama.

Yuihama was stunned by my stare and couldn't speak for a moment. Finally, she managed to squeeze out a voice, albeit with some hesitation.

"So, I think that's a great opportunity..."

"yes……"

What is lost can never be recovered.