My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 347

This person's efficiency is truly impressive. She really was sent by the Tokyo Kids, wasn't she?

Yui, sitting diagonally across from Iroha, put her index finger against her chin and asked Iroha:

"So, you want us to help you think of a place where you can have fun without having to think too much?"

To put it simply, that's exactly what I mean.

Isshiki nodded in agreement, and Yukinoshita sighed softly, a smile appearing on her face.

"...Hmm, that's not bad either."

The attitude she displayed at that moment had an added layer of older sister vibe compared to usual. Isshiki also felt that she was more approachable this way, and laughed "Aha".

"Thank you, senior! So, what are your thoughts, senior?"

"Asking me about this is useless..."

When it comes to ideal date locations, I have absolutely no idea. Why not try something like Disneyland, a universally acknowledged date hotspot—but then I immediately realize that for someone who was recently dumped there, it's definitely not a good choice…

Besides, I don't know Hayama's preferences. However, judging from his personality, he'll probably act like he enjoys whatever we do or wherever we go. What he actually thinks, though, is another matter entirely.

At this moment, Yui moved her seat forward.

"What kind of places do you think are good? Things you could consider..."

"What I've come up with is completely unsuitable as a reference for him."

Yukinoshita chuckled softly.

"Yes, they are completely opposite people."

"Right?"

"I completely agree."

There seemed to be a hint of mockery in her words, but I didn't feel particularly unhappy.

Because Hayama and I are completely opposite in personality. And I think my performance and conditions are pretty good too, although far inferior to Hayama's... Most importantly, my self-important attitude might just be the exact opposite of Hayama's.

Sigh, really. How should I put it? I'm just a nobody... But don't girls like little trinkets? So maybe I'm surprisingly popular with them! I need to think positively!

Lost in thought, Yukino cleared her throat, turned her face away, and rattled off a string of words:

"...But it is precisely because it is exactly the opposite that it has reference value. Finding completely opposite opinions and then doing the opposite can also be considered the correct answer. The opposite of opposition is agreement, that's the idea."

"The opposite, when reversed, isn't necessarily the truth..."

Don't you think your theory is problematic? The only person who would oppose it is the genius old man, right? — I was about to retort when I saw her and Yui Hama give me serious looks, waiting for my answer.

I said, being stared at like that reminds me of a bunch of things I don't want to remember, so please stop looking at me like that, okay?

"...Let me think about it."

I carefully looked away and reluctantly gave this reply. Immediately afterward, I seemed to hear someone sigh helplessly, and another person grunt unhappily.

"Well then, please think it over carefully, senior~"

Isshiki flashed a bright smile.

Honestly, I'm in a difficult position being asked this question by her. I'm already so busy with my own things that I really don't have the energy to help her think about it. If I could, I'd even consider asking her for help instead... But never mind, I'll think about it later.

In short, Isshiki's attitude towards Hayama has changed somewhat, perhaps due to the rumors. Hayama's surroundings are indeed changing.

So what about the other person who was also caught up in the rumors?

"...By the way, Yukinoshita, how are things on your end? Has anything changed because of the rumors?"

"Me? I'm fine. There are hardly any other students near our classroom anyway."

That makes sense. Yukinoshita's International Liberal Arts Class is Class J, located at the very back of the classroom, and with girls making up 90% of the class, it naturally creates a unique atmosphere that makes students from other classes less likely to approach her. In that sense, her situation might not be as bad as Hayama's.

That being said, this does not mean that Yukinoshita was unaffected.

She let out a short sigh.

"However, it feels like people are discussing something in private. But this kind of thing has never been uncommon, so I can't be sure."

"I understand. If you're too conspicuous, people will often gossip about you behind your back."

No, no, no, Isshiki, you're wrong. Your situation seems a little different...

Yukino smiled gently at Isshiki, nodded, and then added quietly:

"...At least, this time it's not as serious as before."

The word "before" lingered in my ears, refusing to leave.

That was a past I could never know, or a past she never mentioned, a past that was also related to "him".

But should I ask? Even if I should, I absolutely shouldn't choose a time like this with outsiders present. Besides, do I even have the right to probe into things the other person never mentions?

I was filled with uncertainty, and just as I was about to open my mouth—

Knock, knock—someone knocked on the office door a few times, and everyone reflexively looked over, causing me to miss my chance to speak.

The person outside didn't wait for our response and brazenly pulled the door open.

"Are you free now?"

The visitor was Yumiko Miura. She stood in the doorway, asking angrily, her sharp gaze sweeping over the clubroom, her slightly curly blonde hair swaying unhappily.

"Yumiko, what brings you here?"

"...Something has come up."

"Oh, right. Anyway, come on in."

After Yuihama responded, Miura nodded and stepped into the club office. She caught a glimpse of Isshiki and immediately showed a suspicious expression.

"Ah, I've been here long enough. I still have work to do at the student council."

Iroha wisely left the office quickly.

See you next time!

She said goodbye softly, gently closed the door, and then Yui invited Miura to sit down. Yui, Yukinoshita, and I sat on the same side, facing Miura.

"Is it about that letter?"

"No...it's related to that, that's right."

Miura looked embarrassed, and after finally managing to answer, she immediately turned her face away. Then, she sighed heavily, revealed a sharp gaze, and questioned Yukinoshita.

"...Hey, what exactly is your relationship with Hayato?"

Her tone was also very strong.

I'm now certain that Miura wants to know about the rumors. It's not just his classmates; the whole school is spreading rumors that Hayama and Yukinoshita are dating.

On the first day the club resumed operations, when Isshiki appeared as an uninvited guest, we should have anticipated that other girls might come directly to Yukinoshita for confirmation later.

The girl in the entire school who is closest to Hayama is probably Miura. Given that, it's impossible for her to be indifferent.

Her eyes burned with fire, while Yukino remained calm beneath the snow.

"We're not related, just old acquaintances."

Miura's sharp gaze did not relax.

"Really?"

Yukino sighed impatiently.

"What good would it do me to tell this lie? I've had enough of this kind of thing."

"Huh? What do you mean? I'm furious. I really hate this about you."

"Yumiko!"

Yuihama loudly condemned him, and Miura's shoulders trembled in fright. He timidly turned his head away.

She pouted angrily and repeated what she had said earlier in the classroom.

"Didn't I already say that? We really just happened to run into each other, and nothing else happened afterward."

"...If that were the case, Hayato wouldn't care so much. He's never been like this before."

Miura seemed to be throwing a tantrum, quite different from her usual strong demeanor. She lowered her head and bit her lip.

In this school, the person closest to Hayama is probably Miura. Although I don't know how long they've known each other, their relationship has grown closer since they entered their second year.

That's why, in Miura's eyes, Hayama's abnormality became particularly obvious. Her understanding of Hayama far surpassed that of me.

However, even those who are so close to Hayama still have things they don't know.

In this space, the only one who knows what Miura doesn't know is Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita brushed her long hair aside and spoke coldly:

"He doesn't care about me; it must be something else."

"Are you sure... are you sure? Maybe this is just your own opinion! How could I possibly know what Hayato is thinking..."

Miura lowered his shoulders, played with his hair with his fingertips, and glanced at Yukinoshita.

"...Something happened between you two, didn't it? I'm not talking about what's happening now... but, in the past."

She spoke haltingly.

This is a possibility I considered, but later ruled out.

Yukinoshita doesn't lie. However, she might not tell the truth, or she might not explain things clearly or gloss over them in a roundabout way. I'm well aware of that.

So, what about Hayato Hayama? I have absolutely no idea how he feels, I can't grasp what he's thinking, and I'm too lazy to know.

I've always believed that something happened between them, but I've deliberately avoided thinking about it.

Now, Miura intends to venture into this field.

Yukinoshita gently avoided the situation with a sigh.

"...Even if something happened, if I tell you everything now, will it change the situation? And would you and the people around you believe me?"

Her barrage of questions left Miura speechless, but he still gripped his clothes tightly, trying hard to give a coherent answer. However, his lips trembled for a long time, and no sound came out.

Upon seeing this, Yukino sighed softly once more.

"So, there's no point in you asking this."

Neither explanations nor defenses, nor dialogues themselves, can constitute meaning.

There's a term called "mass folly." As the name suggests, when people gather in a crowd, their collective intelligence decreases. Even the most outstanding individuals—no, the more outstanding they are—are more likely to be crushed by the sheer force of the majority when trapped in such a group. In that environment, individual will, talent, personality, and even emotions are cast aside.

This is what Yukino Yukinoshita realized about the lack of understanding others had towards her.

We only see what we want to see, only hear what we want to hear, and can't say what we really want to say—this is the kind of environment we live in.

However, Miura is different.

"You really are something else—"

Her tone was excited and full of genuine emotion.

"Yo-Yoko!"

Miura suddenly stood up, startling Yuihama. By the time she tried to stop her, it was too late, and I quickly stood up as well. However, at that moment, Miura saw no one but Yukinoshita. She strode straight ahead.

"Why do you always put on that attitude?!"

She reached out with all her might, trying to grasp the snow beneath her.

However, the hand did not touch the other person.

Yukinoshita suddenly stood up, blocking the hand that reached for her chest, and looked at her coldly.

"..."

"Unfortunately, I'm quite used to people causing trouble... but you're the first one to actually make a move."

On one side, there was a sweltering heat; on the other, a cold voice. The two glared at each other. Miura's breathing became rapid, as if he was enduring something, while Yukinoshita exhaled deeply.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say? Or, would you like to continue?"

Compared to the no longer excited Miura, Yukinoshita's emotions gradually stirred, as if she received warmth from the other's gaze and the hand she held.

A provocative, sarcastic smile crept across her face—ah, when she made that expression, she was practically a carbon copy of Haruno. This is definitely not the time to be thinking about such things.

Moreover, it wasn't a smile that people wanted to look at for long.