My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 343

After all, for high school students, there's no topic more interesting than gossip. Moreover, the protagonist of this incident is such a prominent figure; it's no wonder some people are making connections.

Besides, it's normal for Isshiki to want to verify the truth of the rumors since she likes Hayama. I looked at Isshiki; she looked serious, as if she was thinking about something.

"However, this time it's really exaggerated."

"Yes. It's a huge problem for the person involved."

"Oh, that's not what I meant."

Isshiki politely denied it, and Yukinoshita looked at him with confusion.

"Otherwise, what do you mean?"

She held up her finger and said:

"Hayama-senpai's record is unbelievably clean; I've never heard such a convincing rumor before."

"Ah, indeed..."

Yuihama immediately understood what she meant and looked up at the ceiling.

So that's what it meant. Thinking about it carefully, I don't recall ever hearing any rumors about Hayama. Part of the reason is that I'm not interested in this kind of gossip, and no one tells me anything. That's why, as Yukinoshita said, everyone can only speculate or ask the Money-Grubber (Note 23: The original word for "speculate" is "勘缲る," which sounds similar to the title of the manga "Denpa Shoujo to Zensen-sama").

"So, many girls are really concerned about this rumor~"

Isshiki crossed his hands and murmured, "Hmm—".

Hayato Hayama, who has never been involved in any scandals, has suddenly been rumored to be dating someone—but really, given it's Hayama, there's no need to be too surprised. Girls who like him are probably feeling insecure. Now, their insecurity has materialized along with the rumors. I wonder what kind of changes this will bring to Hayama's relationships?

"A rumor... What bad luck."

She murmured softly beneath the snow. These words were not addressed to anyone present. In the cup before her, the black tea rippled slightly.

"It's okay, just ignore it, the rumors will disappear on their own! Isn't there a saying that rumors don't last more than forty-nine days?"

"Seventy-five days is correct."

Forty-nine days would be ideal. Has anyone recently passed away? Should we perform a ritual for them?

"Okay, okay! Just don't worry about it!"

Yuihama tried her best to comfort Yukinoshita.

She's right. The only thing to do now is to quietly wait for the storm to pass. Explaining to those who are caught up in the hype and spreading rumors is just a waste of energy. The best way to deal with malicious misunderstandings or ridicule is to ignore them.

The more heated the argument, the more ammunition they'll find to attack us. If everyone's just looking for a spectacle, whatever we do will inevitably become fodder for their attacks. Not only that, but those who speak up for the main character will become the next victims. This game of rock-paper-scissors, where you throw a stick and I dodge with my helmet, will always produce a loser. While doing nothing might make you a target of criticism, at least it minimizes the harm.

Yukinoshita understood this as well and nodded gently.

"...That's true."

"Alright, let's change our mood... and get to work!"

Yuihama said in a cheerful voice, and Yukinoshita smiled and brought over a laptop.

"Getting started... what an annoying phrase."

× × ×

No matter how unwilling I am, I still have to work obediently. To be honest, it's called work precisely because it's something I hate. The thing I hate, which is also the first task of the Service Club after the start of spring, is checking emails.

The "Chiba-dori Troubleshooting Email," which had been dormant for quite some time, has resumed operation. The laptop computer, which had been dormant in a corner of the office and covered in a layer of dust, has also reappeared.

Hiratsuka-sensei borrowed this computer from somewhere; it was a rather old model, and it took quite a while to boot it up.

While waiting for the computer to boot up, Yukinoshita rummaged through her bag for a while, then took out an eyeglasses case, took out her glasses, and silently put them on.

Through the lenses of my glasses, our eyes met unintentionally. I quickly pretended to yawn to look away. But in a corner of my vision, she also lowered her face slightly.

"Ah, these glasses really suit you!"

“Is that so?”

Hearing Yuihama say that, she touched her glasses and glanced over.

"...Uh, um."

Seeing the gift I gave them in front of me made me incredibly embarrassed. I could only mumble a few vague replies.

"……Thanks."

She seemed no longer interested, turning her face away and whispering something before nodding. I also picked up my cup and took a sip of black tea.

Isshiki asked curiously:

"Yukinoshita-senpai, are you wearing glasses?"

"...These are blue light blocking lenses."

Yukino stared at the computer screen, giving a reluctant answer. But Isshiki didn't seem to care much, stroking the paper cup and casually making an "Oh~~" sound.

Judging from his tone, he definitely didn't take it to heart at all...

Fortunately, she wasn't interested in the topic.

If she keeps pressing me, I'll probably be so embarrassed I'll want to run away from the office immediately. To be honest, even at this point, I'm already so nervous I'm shaking and my eyes are darting around.

With a mix of anxiety and anticipation, I adjusted my chair. Just then, Yuihama, sitting diagonally across from me, muttered:

"I'll buy a pair of those glasses and try them out..."

"You don't even use a computer."

She immediately got angry as soon as I said that.

"That's right—no, other people can use computers too! They definitely have them! Yukino, I want to see too!"

She moved her seat next to Yukino and leaned closer to the screen.

"Ah, there's a new email."

"Hmm, it seems to have been sent by Miura-kun."

As Yukinoshita said this, she turned the screen around so I could see it.

How did everyone decide whether to join the arts or sciences group?

I understand now, it really does sound like a letter written by Miura. I think this name has appeared before.

Since the computer was facing me, Isshiki also took a cake plate and went around to my back to watch the screen together.

"Hmm... Should we choose a group for senior year? Which group would be better?"

She put the fork to her lips, ate her cake, and looked up at me, asking a question.

Every high school student facing college entrance exams has thought about this question at least once. Isshiki was no exception.

"If we're just talking about exams, the humanities stream is definitely much easier. However, there are differences between private and public universities. Public universities require preparation for seven subjects, while private humanities universities only require preparation for English, Chinese, and Social Studies."

After I explained it this way, Isshiki suddenly took a step back.

"Oh my god... senior, you don't actually have really good grades, do you?"

"What do you mean 'could it be...' Wait a minute, didn't you say 'Oh my god' at the beginning? What do you take me for...?"

She flashed a bright smile and answered, in a self-assured manner:

"I can't say that... Senior knows I'm not good at talking bad about others~"

I'd better know. Besides, isn't this practically bad news? What kind of person is this...? She noticed my gaze and looked at me with admiration.

"This senior really seems very smart; his grades are actually quite good too~"

Hmm... Iroha, you don't absolutely refuse to believe I'm intelligent, do you? What are you insisting on with your choice of words...?

"That's right, that's right! If we only look at the humanities subjects, his grades are really good!"

Yui clapped her hands, loudly expressing her agreement, and even puffed out her chest with a "humph~".

What are you so smug about...? Also, please don't emphasize "if you only look at humanities subjects," okay? Then, Yukinoshita from next door gently brushed aside the hair that was draped over her shoulders and smiled smugly.

"His grades are indeed good. However, he still can't get first place."

What are you so smug about...? Okay, I can accept that. After all, your grades are better than mine...

Isshiki nodded repeatedly, and after listening to the above conversation, asked:

"So, senior, are you going to choose the humanities group?"

"Um."

"Oh~"

It was that same reaction again, clearly showing absolutely no interest... If you're not interested, why ask in the first place? She coughed lightly, hinting that the important part was yet to come.

"...So, has Hayama-senpai made up his mind too?"

"Hmm—it seems he's made up his mind."

After thinking for a moment, Yui answered, and Isshiki immediately leaned closer.

"Oh, really? Which group did Hayama-senpai choose? I want to use this as a reference. It's very valuable information for my future studies."

"Hmm... he's already handed in the survey form, so I don't know the details..."

"Oh, I see—"

Isshiki was deeply disappointed. Yui, seeing how pitiful she was, comforted her:

"However, if it's for reference, I know which group the Ministry of Revenue will choose!"

"It's alright, Senior Hubu doesn't need to."

"You rejected me too quickly!"

"What is she doing this for...?" I muttered to myself. At the same time, Yukinoshita, who wasn't participating in the conversation, looked at the screen with a puzzled expression and sighed slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing. I'm just a little surprised that Miura-kun also has worries."

"That's really going too far... Although Miura's personality is not exactly flattering, and she always acts like a queen, she certainly has her own troubles too."

"Your statement is even more outrageous... That's not what I meant."

Yukishita gently pressed her temples, sighed again with a hint of helplessness, and continued:

"I just didn't expect that someone as decisive as Miura would also feel troubled. Even Tobe has already decided which group to choose..."

That last sentence was superfluous... Poor Ministry of Revenue, he got caught in the crossfire even when he was just lying down. Yui and I couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"Haha... Even Yumiko has her worries—especially something this important."

"Is there anything to worry about when choosing a team?"

If you know what you want to do, choose the option that best suits you; if you don't have a specific goal, continue your studies first. Most high school students probably think this way.

The struggle of choosing between arts and sciences only arises when deciding on the subjects and schools to apply to. While some may also consider the difficulty of obtaining university credits and certifications, as well as their future job prospects, generally speaking, after filtering out "things they don't want to do," the answer becomes obvious.

People find it hard to find things they want to do. But they can easily list the things they don't want to do.

Yuihama gave me an ambiguous look when I asked her the question.

"Well—that's not what I meant... After we choose our groups, we'll all be separated, right? That's why I'm hesitant."

"I see... But that's how grouping works."

Everything comes to an end at some point, in some place. This is a natural law. Our high school life is extremely limited, and after three years, we will all inevitably go our separate ways.

Therefore, this was the only answer I could give. Yuihama listened and slightly lowered her shoulders.

"That's true... but, how should I put it, everyone's goals and what they want to do are different... and after the groups are formed, the students in the class will be scattered..."

"According to you, we were in different departments from the beginning and were never in the same class..."

Yukino turned her face away and said in a low voice. Although it was not obvious, she was probably sulking.

The International Liberal Arts Department that Yukinoshita attends is different from our regular department; there is only one class, so it will remain unchanged for three whole years.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it that way... Although I don't know why, Yukino and I are in different classes, it has nothing to do with us!"

Yui hugged Yukino tightly. Yes, it's wonderful to have such a harmonious relationship. Yui and Yukino will always be best friends!

Isshiki, who had been watching with a suspicious gaze, suddenly looked up as if he had just thought of something.

"Oh, I see—"