My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 350

The Minister of Revenue ran along casually, his face still showing a thoughtful expression. After a while, he sighed deeply, his exhaled white mist leaving a long, long trail.

"...But, like Hayato said..."

Although his words were somewhat abstract, from those few short words and his tone that wasn't meant for anyone in particular, I could still tell that he genuinely believed it. This shows that the Ministry of Revenue truly understood the intention behind Hayama's answer.

"...You trust him a lot."

I blurted it out without thinking. The Minister of Revenue opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"N-no, it's not quite what you said. How should I put it... Hayato is actually quite reliable."

The word "trust" made him a little embarrassed; his cheeks, already red from the cold, turned even redder with embarrassment. Seeing him racking his brains, trying so hard to find other alternative words, I started to feel like I was the one who was most embarrassed. So please, stop acting like that!

Finally, perhaps wanting to break the awkward atmosphere, the Minister of Revenue patted his chest and said smugly:

"But I really received a lot of help from him. I can guarantee that."

"This isn't something to be proud of..."

He didn't seem to listen to me, and kept pulling at his hair, groaning "Ugh—".

"No, no, I really owe him too many favors!"

"Remember to return it to him."

"Really! We really have to pay him back... No, it doesn't seem necessary."

At first, as usual, he readily agreed without much thought, but as he spoke, he became increasingly uncertain. The Minister of Revenue, unusually serious, piqued my curiosity, and I urged him to continue with my gaze. He then scratched his cheek and said:

"I often consult him about things, but he has never consulted me about anything... Even if Hayato really has some troubles, I probably wouldn't know."

The bright smile that the Minister of Revenue forced was like the dry, cold wind that had been blowing all along the way, without a drop of moisture. Beneath the smile, there seemed to be a hint of loneliness.

The conversation ended there, and an awkward silence fell. As I began to think of what to say, an idea flashed through my mind.

"...Right, maybe he doesn't have any worries, so he doesn't need to discuss it with you."

"You're right! It's great to be handsome!"

"This has nothing to do with whether he's handsome or not... Didn't you help him when we went to Disneyland? He was probably freed because of you. Although I don't know the actual situation."

"You're right! It's great to be handsome!"

Yes, this time it really does have something to do with whether someone is handsome or not... Being handsome is a sin.

The Minister of Revenue rallied somewhat and quickened his pace. Whenever the cold wind blew, he would mutter to himself, "So cold, so cold."

Ooka and Yamato finally came into view. The two had probably been waiting for Tobe to catch up, so they deliberately slowed down.

"Alright, I'm off now. I need to catch up with them quickly."

"Um."

After I gave a brief reply, Tobe lightly chopped his farewell with a hand chop and then sprinted off. He waved vigorously to Ooka and Yamato while calling their names. "Whoa, they're catching up!" "Run!" Hearing this, the two of them immediately sped up and ran forward.

Whether they're the ones pursuing or being pursued, as long as they're happy...

However, one person was missing from that group. If that person didn't have to bear everyone's expectations, he would probably be able to laugh and joke happily with the group.

Thinking back on what I had blurted out without a second thought, I couldn't help but feel deeply regretful.

The fact that the other party doesn't take the initiative to discuss it means they have no worries—that's impossible even for someone with a brain.

× × ×

The school bell signaled the start of lunch break.

In the earlier PE class, those who finished the endurance run first could rest, so after I changed back into my uniform, I still had plenty of time to get to the sales counter before the crowds surged in.

I casually picked out a few loaves of bread and took them to my usual spot to enjoy. Eating lunch outdoors in this chilly weather would certainly be torture, but the warm classroom was packed with other students, leaving no room for me. To be more specific, lately my seat has practically become a dumping ground for everyone's plastic bags and other odds and ends. If I stubbornly stayed there, the classroom would lose one less garbage collection point, which would be very inconvenient.

Out of consideration for my classmates, I generously gave up my seat and moved to the first floor of the special building, to the staircase next to the infirmary and diagonally behind the shop. Another advantage of moving here was that I could enjoy a view of the entire tennis court.

In the clear winter air, the rhythmic "thump, thump" of tennis echoed. This was the sound of the tennis club practicing during their lunch break. With the competition drawing ever closer, the court, which used to be used only by Totsuka at lunchtime, was gradually filling up with more and more people.

I watched them practice while chewing on my bread. Totsuka, who was sparring with a club member, noticed me, immediately called out to the group, then picked up something and walked over.

"Hey."

"Hmm. Oh."

Totsuka Manabu raised his hand and greeted me somewhat awkwardly.

"Don't we need to practice?"

"Oh, it's alright. I was just about to have lunch too."

He held up his lunch bag to show me, but I still felt bad for disturbing his practice. Totsuka put everything aside to come and have lunch with me… Oh no, things seem to be progressing too smoothly. At this rate, reaching the LOVE STAGE is only a matter of time…

I shifted my body slightly to the side, making room for him. Totsuka quietly said "thank you" and sat in the seat I'd vacated… Hahaha! I preemptively created space, forcing him to sit down. Even I couldn't help but admire myself for coming up with such a brilliant technique!

I glanced at Totsuka, who was making his lunchbox, and then looked at the tennis court. The other club members were also taking a break and starting to eat lunch.

"The number of club members coming to practice at noon has increased."

"Hmm, there's a rookie tournament coming up, so I invited them to participate... By the way, if Hachiman's interested, how about playing with us? If we start practicing now, we can still make it to the summer tournament!"

He clenched his fist and waved it up and down, jokingly saying to me, "Oh my, how cute!" "Sorry, boss, I want a Totsuka—no, I mean, I'm practically being dragged into the Totsuka club by myself."

"Hmm...how many times a week do you practice?"

"Huh, are you serious?"

Upon hearing my response, Totsuka immediately leaned forward, staring intently at my face. His smooth bangs swayed, revealing mischievous glints in his eyes, and the smile on his lips held a certain charm.

"No, I was just kidding."

"I knew it."

He deliberately slumped his shoulders, feigning disappointment. Then, they both chuckled softly. We both knew I couldn't actually join the club, which was why we could joke like that. But you know, when he first invited me, I genuinely considered whether or not to join!

"...However, you seem to be doing a pretty good job as the president of the company."

"I'm not like other club presidents; I'm not as good at managing the members as they are. Haha..."

He smiled wryly, half modestly and half genuinely believing it. In fact, Totsuka, the tennis club president, had always led by example, diligently practicing tennis himself. No amount of words could move the club members as much as this exemplary attitude.

This is the true image a company president should have. If only a company president could emulate him even a little... though it's also good to have someone like her who strikes the perfect balance.

Speaking of the president, I suddenly remembered my mission.

I came here to hear Totsuka's opinion in order to understand Hayama's thoughts. But as soon as I saw Totsuka, I had an impure motive to talk to him, and with Zaimokuza's interference, I completely forgot my original purpose...

Moreover, I'm also interested in Totsuka—no, I'm interested in which group Totsuka will choose.

"Totsuka, are you going to study humanities or science?"

Totsuka looked surprised, like Bambi leaping out of the woods.

"It's rare to hear you ask such a question."

"Really?"

Seeing his surprised reaction, I couldn't help but ask him back. Then, without hesitation, he told me:

"Hmm. I always feel like you talk to others for some reason."

So that's what it meant. Thinking about it carefully, it does make a lot of sense.

Over the years, I've rarely actively communicated with people, so I usually look for an opportunity or reason before speaking to anyone. Without this element, I can't smoothly express what I want to say. In other words, a lone wolf is a highly purposeful and useful person. Hmm.

After I reached my own conclusion, Totsuka didn't directly answer the previous question, but instead asked me in return:

"And what about you?"

"I'll choose the essay group."

Normally, if the other person were to ask another question in response to my earlier one, they'd definitely be subjected to a long, tedious lecture. But now, seeing Totsuka gently tilting her head to the side, her big, watery eyes wide open, I can't resist the temptation to tell her the answer. Damn it, if it were Isshiki or Komachi today, I would definitely give them a good scolding first before giving my answer. Seriously! So, in the end, I still gave her the answer! I'm such a nice person!

Totsuka put down his chopsticks, looked up at the sky, as if deep in thought. A whistling cold wind ruffled his hair.

"The humanities group... Well then, I'll choose the humanities group too..."

"Oh, really? Wait, isn't it a bit much to decide like this?"

For a fleeting moment, I heard Totsuka's voice saying, "We're in the same group (with a shy smile)," and my heart skipped a beat. I almost couldn't help but shout "Encore!" (Note 34 is from the lyrics of the hip-hop group nobodyknows's song "Kokoro Dol."), but thankfully I managed to hold back.

"I suggest you think about it carefully... It seems a bit... that we're all choosing the same group."

I cleared my throat slightly and added, "I'm adding this." Totsuka touched his index fingers together, scrutinizing my face. I said... seeing that expression on your face, it wasn't just that we chose the literature group together; I even wanted to tell you, "We'll be lying in the same grave from now on!"

"I've been thinking about it carefully... The university I want to apply to can also offer humanities subjects."

"I see. There are now many universities that allow you to choose your application subjects."

Given this criterion, it might not really matter whether Totsuka chooses the humanities or sciences group. Besides considering the nature of the chosen department, taking into account the subjects offered by that department is indeed another way to choose a group.

For private universities, the exam subjects for humanities departments are mostly English, Chinese, and social studies, while the exam subjects for science departments are English, mathematics, and science.

In recent years, some university departments have adopted more diverse admission methods, allowing applicants to choose different combinations of subjects, such as Method A and Method B. Even in humanities departments, there is an opportunity to be admitted based on mathematics and science scores. This is even more true for public universities, many of which directly consider entrance exam scores, covering at least seven subjects across five major subjects (Note 35 refers to Chinese, mathematics, English, science, and social studies). In other words, applicants need to prepare for almost all subjects.

Choosing a suitable group based on one's desired major is not difficult. However, this also means there are thousands of possible combinations. Deducing Hayama's choice from this is extremely challenging.

Which university are you planning to apply to?

"Hmm... I want to go to the Department of Human Sciences or Sports Science at Tokorozawa."

"Oh—Waseda, right?"

That's a very famous school; I know it quite well. It's just a pity that going there for university means being locked up in Tokorozawa for four whole years, eating Saitama's famous 100,000 koku of steamed buns until I'm sick of them, and being terrified of hearing the wind talking... Saitama Prefecture is so scary...

That said, Totsuka's willingness to venture deep into secret realms to pursue his goals is truly admirable.

Looking at myself, I would never leave Chiba if I could avoid it. I even only take the local trains on the Sobu Line.

"Did you start wanting to study a sports-related major because you joined the tennis club?"

If the subjects you choose reflect what you should do, then your motivation for volunteering reflects what you want to do.

In that case, let's try thinking about it from a different angle this time.

When I asked him this, Totsuka scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly.

"Well—it's not because of the club. I've been playing tennis for so long, it'll probably be better to choose a related major in the future..."

"I see... So, you haven't considered recommending someone for the selection process?"

That's right. Totsuka has played tennis for so many years, it's no surprise he's reaping some rewards. Maintaining the club while preparing for university entrance exams must have been incredibly tough. Plus, his desired major is quite prestigious; if he waits until his third year to seriously prepare, he'll already be far behind other students who started aiming for the same major and have been working hard for a while. From my perspective, if the ultimate goal is the same, choosing the less strenuous path is definitely better.

However, Totsuka didn't consider the gains or losses and just laughed off what I said.

"Haha, only a small percentage of students get accepted through the recommendation system, so it's unlikely our school will get a spot. Even if we did get a recommendation spot, it probably wouldn't be from a well-known school."

"Is that so..."

I haven't heard of any particularly strong clubs at Soubu High School. The only one I can think of right now is a senior from the judo club I met before summer vacation. That senior did get into university through a recommendation-based selection process, but I didn't ask which school. Speaking of that senior, I should mention that I didn't even ask his name. Moreover, it seems he had a tough time in university, which shows that recommendation-based selection isn't necessarily an easy path to admission.

It seems the most efficient way is to just take the university entrance exam and let the results decide the outcome. After reaching this conclusion, Totsuka, with his mouth full of shrimp shumai, seemed to have thought of something and slapped his thigh.

"By the way, if they are very talented, they might be able to participate in the selection process of prestigious universities, or apply for admission individually."

"I've heard of selection before."

If I remember correctly, defeating your opponent three times in a card game transforms you into a dream girl, granting you any impossible wish… no, that's a selector (Note 36 refers to the card battle game "Selector Infected WIXOSS"). Simply put, think of selection as a personal skill selection process, and you're pretty much right.

Totsuka nodded at my reaction, then his expression grew increasingly somber.

"That's right. But those who get admitted through this channel are all athletes with professional skills or aiming for an Olympic gold medal... The only one our school might be able to admit is probably Hayama."

"...Is he really that good?"

"That's just a hypothetical scenario; in reality, it must be much more difficult."

Totsuka stuck out his tongue and looked towards the playground, the place where the soccer club always practiced after school.

"If Hayama applies for admission on his own, it should be easier for him to be admitted than if he is recommended through sports. Besides, he is an important member of the club committee."

Individual application for admission, which is the so-called "AO entrance exam," right...? I vaguely remember AO being an abbreviation for "Even an idiot can pass" (Note 37: the original text is "アホでもOK," which Hachiman deliberately uses to represent idiots; the correct full name is "Admissione Office"). Am I mistaken? In any case, there is this kind of admission channel. After considering this channel, the correlation between the chosen subjects and the choice of arts or sciences becomes even weaker.

"That guy is too strong..."

I can't think of any words or phrases, so I can only express my feelings in the most straightforward way.

"Yes, nothing can stump him, and he's a good person too."

I thought I already knew how capable that person was. However, this was the first time I had come to understand Hayama Hayato through club activities. Totsuka, like Hayama, was also the president of a sports club, so he could see a side of him that I didn't know. At that moment, Totsuka's hand holding the chopsticks froze in mid-air, and he gave an awkward smile.

"So... that rumor was quite something too."