My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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It seems she really intends to complete the project independently in the US, but we can't rule out the possibility that she's just being stubborn. If she doesn't finish it in time, it will cause a lot of trouble for others.

Even so, she persisted in working hard on her own in the US. This shows how high her self-esteem was.

I pulled up my chair and stood up. Rumi glanced over, her expression somewhat sad. Then, she slowly lowered her gaze.

I stood there and patted my chest.

"However, I can do more than you do on my own."

Upon hearing this, Liu Mei paused for a moment, then let out a helpless laugh, as if to say, "I can't stand you."

"...What are you saying...You're like an idiot."

She stopped me from helping, and together we cut open the cardboard and made many pairs of wings.

"Cooperation" and "trust" are probably far less warm than I imagined.

Some things can be done alone, and some things can only be done alone. Only by learning how not to trouble others can you rely on them; only when you can survive yourself are you qualified to walk with others.

Those who can survive independently and rely on themselves in everything are likely also able to walk alongside others.

I glanced sideways at the hardworking young girl studying in the US; she seemed capable of surviving on her own. For an elementary school student to do this was already quite remarkable. Add to that her effortless attainment of "cuteness," and she'll undoubtedly be walking alongside others in the future. For that future, it's best to practice now.

"...Hey, do you want to go on stage and act?"

I snipped through the thick cardboard with a crackling sound, asking the question as I did so. Liu Mei stopped what she was doing and glared at me.

"...My name isn't 'Hey'."

"What?"

Why are you glaring at me...? Are you one of those ghosts from horror stories who stare intently at people's sleeping faces in hotels?

"It's 'Rumi'."

She finished speaking curtly and turned her face away. She probably meant I should call her "Liu Mei" (meaning "studying in the US"). But I'm really reluctant to call girls by their first names… Besides feeling embarrassed, I'm also worried that if I call them by their first names, they'll think, "Huh? Do you think you're my boyfriend?"

I was struggling with this dilemma, and Liu Mei, ignoring me, buried herself in her work. It seemed she wouldn't respond until I called her by name…

"I said... study in the US?"

She stared at the table and nodded slightly.

"Would you like to go on stage and perform?"

YOU, let's go! Let's create an idol legend together! With such a beautiful face, you can definitely do it. Let me be your producer, and let's start our passionate idol activities together!

I don't know if Liu Mei felt this enthusiasm, but after a moment's thought, she asked:

"...Can you decide that?"

"Oh? Oh, yes, because I'm the producer."

In addition, I also serve as the Admiral and LoveLiver. Although I'm not sure if I can make this decision on my own, it will definitely be performed by children, so there shouldn't be any problem. Rumi stared at my face blankly, seemingly thinking about something. Then, she turned her face away and answered with little interest:

"Hmm... that's fine."

"Really? Thank you, Liuliu."

"Liu Liu sounds disgusting."

Is this what it feels like for a father to be told he's disgusted by his daughter...? Surprisingly, this tingling sensation isn't so bad. Lost in this strange, moving feeling, I continued my work, pasting the paper onto the thick cardboard, and asked again:

What kind of play are you going to act in?

"Oh right, we haven't decided yet."

The student council is probably discussing it right now, so why not take this opportunity to go check it out? Thinking this, Liu Mei snatched the cardboard from my hand and, adopting a mature air, said:

"Then why don't you decide quickly?"

This statement is like saying, "Leave this to me, you guys go ahead." Since that's the case, I'll respectfully comply, hand over the work to Liu Mei, and go do what I'm supposed to do.

"...Okay, I'm off then."

I stood up from my seat and walked towards the work area of ​​Soubu High School. I needed to confirm my work with Isshiki first, so I looked around for her. At the same time, Yui Hama walked over carrying a brown paper bag.

"Ah, have you seen Iroha or Yukino?"

"I'm looking for it too."

"Oh, right. I just got the money, so I'm thinking about how to use it."

Oh—she means, she managed to negotiate with Seaside High School to get control of the budget? I don't know how she did it, but this idiot has a knack for money management, she's got the makings of a housewife…

As Yuihama and I searched everywhere for Isshiki, the door to the lecture room creaked open, and Isshiki himself walked in listlessly.

"What’s wrong with you……"

She stood there with a dark expression on her face.

"I asked Hayama-senpai for help, but he refused..."

"Really? You mean Hayato?"

Yui and I were both taken aback. Hearing Hayama, who never said no, reject someone was certainly one reason, but having the courage to go back to him after being rejected by Isshiki was equally impressive. Speaking of which, that Hayama…

Isshiki sniffled sadly, her gaze lowered. A short while later, the corners of her mouth gradually turned up, and then she lifted her face, revealing a dazzling smile.

"Oh dear—doesn't this mean Hayama-senpai cares about me a lot?! This is even better than I expected!"

“Y-yeah…”

I was momentarily stunned and blurted out this response. This girl is truly strong; if that's really her personality, she's truly admirable; even if it's just an act, she's still incredibly strong.

"Oh, but he said he'd come on the day of the event."

"I see. Then, should I invite someone else as well?"

Isshiki casually added that Yuihama agreed with this and asked for my opinion.

"Okay, though it's none of my business."

"...You're still the same old perfunctory person."

A helpless voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw Yukinoshita already standing there.

She greeted Isshiki and Hama, discussed some matters, and gave instructions, occasionally yawning during the process.

You seem very sleepy.

"I was busy with something last night, so I didn't sleep..."

Yukinoshita answered casually. But what could possibly keep her so busy all night that she couldn't sleep? Just as I was wondering, she started taking a bunch of things out of her bag, staring at Isshiki and saying:

"Isshiki-kun."

"Yes, yes..."

Perhaps because she hadn't slept, Yukinoshita's gaze was sharper than usual. Isshiki was startled, worried that Yukinoshita was about to get angry again. Seeing her reaction, Yukinoshita smiled gently and handed her a few sheets of paper.

"These are things I've compiled; feel free to use them if needed."

"Yes……"

Ishikatsu took the paper, and I leaned over to see what it was. It turned out to be a checklist and some documents.

The checklist includes suggestions for things to be done before the event, as well as the items needed, while the information section contains Yukinoshita's personal suggestions.

For example, she suggested preparing some rewards for the children who participated in the play, so she included recipes for Christmas cake and gingerbread in the materials, calculated the cost of materials, and even investigated the availability of cooking rooms in schools and community centers.

There were also suggestions for theatrical productions, such as designing stories that enhance audience engagement. Oh, I get that, like the miracle flashlights given to elementary and middle school students in the "Pretty Cure" movie, right?

I, Isshiki, and Yuihama continued reading the materials, occasionally letting out exclamations of "Eh—" and "Oh—". Yukinoshita seemed a little embarrassed, coughed lightly, and took out a few more books from her bag.

"And these too."

She also gave the books to Isshiki.

"I don't know if they'll suit your tastes, but these are all regular Christmas plays I found. There should be some CDs in the student council office that can be played publicly; you can go look for them. These are all essential for acting."

"...Thank you very much."

Yukino suddenly stuffed so many books and materials into Isshiki's hands, leaving her bewildered and stunned. I was also a little surprised to see her prepared to this extent.

"That's so thoughtful."

When she heard me speak, she turned her face to the side.

"Because I can't get along with her like you do with Yuihama."

Yuigahama and I exchanged a glance, then chuckled softly. Maybe Yukinoshita actually wants to help Isshiki too. This person is so hard to understand!

"So, most of the major problems have been solved, right?"

Yuki crossed her arms and stroked her chin, seemingly still deep in thought. I thought about it too, but now that even the play has been decided, the only remaining problem is probably the preparation time.

"Hmm, that's about right."

"yes."

She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Isshiki.

"...Isshiki-kun, it's your turn to take full command now. No objections, right, Hachiman-kun?"

"No. I'm not the type to give orders."

I was merely a last-minute replacement, not a commander. Until this moment, there had never been a true leader among them.

"Um……"

Isshiki looked back and forth between me and Yukinoshita anxiously, as if she wanted to say something. Yukinoshita stopped her, speaking first:

"Just give me your instructions, don't worry about it, I'll be involved in the work. If you encounter any problems, feel free to ask me anytime."

"But... I might not be able to do it yet, hahaha..."

Isshiki let out a dry, bewildered laugh. Yukinoshita simply closed her eyes and slowly shook her head.

"You definitely can. Since someone has offered you the position of student council president, you can trust them to believe it."

Upon hearing this, Isshiki quietly replied, "Yes."

Volume 9, Chapter 10: What Each Person's Lamp Illuminates

The annual Christmas season has arrived once again. Today is Christmas Eve, and also the day of the Christmas event jointly held by Soubu High School and Haibin Comprehensive High School.

The day before yesterday was the graduation ceremony, and the school ended at noon; plus yesterday's holiday, the work has made quite a bit of progress in a day and a half.

Today's event doesn't start until the afternoon, so there's still time to prepare before noon. Under Isshiki's instructions, I spent the whole morning baking cakes and cookies, and with yesterday's full-day preparations, I'm probably emitting a baking aroma from head to toe right now.

Despite smelling wonderful, the atmosphere inside was anything but. The community center's kitchen resembled a battlefield.

Yukinoshita transforms into the owner of this cooking room, standing in front of the counter with her hands never idle for a moment.

"Hikigaya-san."

She just called my name and didn't say anything else, probably meaning she wanted some whipped cream. Couldn't she at least say something...? I grumbled inwardly as I handed her the bowl of whipped cream.

"Here you are."

"Thanks."

She took the whipped cream and immediately began spreading it on the cake, while asking Yuihama, who was standing next to her:

"Yuihama-san, have you bagged all the baked cookies yet?"

"Hmm, it's just finished! Should I help bake the cake too?"

Yuihama rotated her arms to ease her stiff shoulders and stood up to ask in return. Yukinoshita, without pausing her work, answered without hesitation:

"It's okay. Just absolutely don't touch those cakes, absolutely."

"That's hurtful to say!"

"And then, could you please bring over the dough that I left in the school's freezer to proof?"

She quickly dismissed the devastated Yuihama and gave her new instructions.

"Got it—wait, are those dough balls sleeping?"

"This is just one way of saying it. Anyway, please bring it over for me."

Today, I'm quite busy and don't have time to explain everything. Yuihama can only be left standing aside and crying~ To be honest, the kitchen is really busy, all the machines are running at full speed, and the oven just "dinged" to me again.

"Does dough sleep...?" Yuihama muttered as she walked toward the door of the cooking room.

At that moment, someone slowly opened the door.