My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 383

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

This is the annual day when I can receive chocolates from my mom and sister.

To say that Valentine's Day is a day of blessings and love is debatable. From a historical perspective, it's actually a bloody day. The story of a certain saint's suffering is well-known, and it's also a day for fierce gang warfare (Note 1: On February 14, 1929, the Valentine's Day Massacre occurred in Chicago, where seven gang members were massacred). Moreover, for the people of Chiba, hearing "Valentine" should immediately bring to mind Bobby (Note 2: Bobby Valentine (Robert John "Bobby" Valentine, the famous head coach of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japanese professional baseball). Did Tobe and his ilk think of that? No, because they only thought of chocolate.

However, no matter how loudly I, a nobody, shout, the world's perception will not change. If I were to actually proclaim that "it's all a conspiracy by the candy industry," I would only be labeled as ignorant and foolish.

Valentine's Day has become a unique part of Japanese culture, deeply ingrained in everyone's heart, just like Christmas. Perhaps in the future, even Halloween will merge with Japanese culture, becoming a fixed holiday exclusive to Japan, no different from summer festivals, Obon, and the grave-sweeping activities during the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Ultimately, it's just a matter of personal preference; whether it's orthodox or not isn't really important. Whether it's Christmas or Valentine's Day, if you want to say something negative, you should loudly proclaim, "I just hate it!"

I receive chocolates from Komachi every year, though they have ulterior motives, so I don't really dislike Valentine's Day. Rather, as Komachi's older brother who loves her the most, I look forward to this day every year.

I wonder how expensive the chocolates she'll ask for in return this year... Just as I was anticipating the pleasure of spending money on my little sister, a commotion suddenly broke out in the classroom.

"It's absolutely too late!"

"Don't worry. There's still time! Keep going! Don't give up!"

I turned to look at the commotion; the second and third tiers of the female class were busy knitting scarves and sweaters. That sounded like a conversation between a light novel author and their editor. To me, it's simply too late! Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we're only about a tenth of the way through… Instead of desperately trying to catch up, it's more practical and constructive to find a way to postpone the deadline!

It seems I'm not the only one witnessing this sorrowful scene.

Miura Tsuki twirled her hair with her fingers and murmured:

"...However, handmade chocolates seem a bit heavy, don't they? I can understand why some people don't want to accept them."

Her seemingly unintentional words elicited a subtle sigh from the other person.

"Heavy...that's true..."

Yuihama used her slender fingers, hidden by the slightly long sleeves of her sweater, to brush aside her light red hair, revealing a somewhat embarrassed smile.

Seeing her smile, I suddenly recalled what had happened in the past.

That was quite a while ago.

—Handmade cookies…

Who was she trying to bake cookies for? I pondered this question while stealing glances at her, and our eyes met. We both silently looked away at the same time.

"But more important than the form is the sentiment behind it, which is made by hand."

Ye Shan's voice, tinged with a bitter laugh, came through.

"That makes sense! Hmm... I think I kind of long for that feeling too?"

The Ministry of Revenue immediately slapped his thigh in agreement. However, Ebina, sitting diagonally opposite, crossed his arms and looked away, saying:

"But if the handmade chocolate is too sloppy, it's easy to spot. Besides, the materials aren't expensive. If I'm not very confident, I wouldn't dare give it as a gift. It's safer to choose ready-made chocolate, right?"

"That's true!"

Ebina's words immediately changed the Ministry of Revenue's stance... Hey, at least try to hold on a little longer.

"Hmm... handmade chocolate..."

Miura made a listless sound, and then the group of people started laughing and joking loudly again.

The barriers that existed between them not long ago have disappeared.

Hayama honestly played the role of Hayama Hayato that everyone expected, while Miura tried to slowly close the distance between them. As for Tobe and Ebina... although they seemed no different from usual, after this period of time, they had created an atmosphere that belonged only to the two of them.

Yui watched all of this with amusement.

Despite being in a noisy classroom, the place where that group of people were located felt like a slowly arriving spring, gradually becoming warmer. The scene was quite dazzling, and I couldn't help but squint.

× × ×

The corridor leading to the special building was filled with cold, dry air. My lips were chapped, and my skin felt tight.

Dew clung to the classroom windows, while the corridor windows remained perfectly clear, offering a panoramic view of the school courtyard. Inside, only bare, leafless trees and exposed flowerbed soil presented a winter scene unlike the typically gray and somber landscapes of the north.

Chiba doesn't get much snow in winter. Even in the Kanto region, where snowfall is already rare, the amount is minimal. Although the news reported snowfall in Tokyo last month, Chiba didn't see a single snowflake.

Because there was absolutely no winter atmosphere, it felt especially cold; the temperature difference between here and the classroom was much greater. I pulled my scarf up a bit more.

The reason that particular spot in the classroom felt warm wasn't because it was close to the heater, but because all the gaps were sealed off from the inside.

Those people, like Hayama and everyone else, will surely meet their final moments peacefully and warmly, without a dramatic ending, just as the world and life would have. I truly feel that happiness and peace exist only through the efforts of certain individuals.

Perhaps it was through their experience of enduring many harsh winters that they came to understand that spring was coming.

Spring brings not only warmth, but also the illusion of parting. There's a saying: "Flowers bloom amidst wind and rain, life is full of partings."

After being reassigned to new classes, everyone will build new relationships. This time next year, they will be busy preparing for exams and won't be coming to school anymore. Therefore, everyone wants to peacefully welcome the final moment and cherish every day of this winter.

The place was clearly warm, yet I felt a slight chill. As I strolled along, muttering to myself "So cold, so cold" inside my scarf, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

Just as I was about to turn around, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking closer, I saw it was Yuihama, her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction.

Why did you leave first by yourself...?

"I never said I wanted to go with you..."

I couldn't accept her attitude, and after saying this rather unhappily, Yuihama, with her mouth slightly open, touched her hair with a hint of embarrassment.

"...I thought you were waiting for me. Because you stayed in the classroom a little longer..."

"That's not what I meant..."

As I said those words, I started to wonder why I had stayed in the classroom. Yui had indeed invited me to the clubroom several times before, so maybe I really was waiting for her to come and greet me.

However, I quickly came up with another reasonable reason.

"I'm just a little concerned about Hayama and Miura's situation."

"Ah... um. They seem to be alright. That's great."

Yuihama let out a soft breath, nodded slightly, walked a few steps ahead of me, and turned around in the corridor where there was no one else around.

"I always feel that it's a really good feeling. Although everyone has different thoughts, we all cherish the present moment. I feel that things are best like this now..."

A gentle smile graced her face as she savored each word she uttered.

"That's true. Maybe this really is the best time of our lives."

"Oh, it's rare to hear you say something so optimistic—"

"Thinking about the past makes me so regretful I wish I were dead, and thinking about the future makes me so anxious I'm on the verge of depression. By the method of elimination, I guess I can be considered happy now."

"Still as pessimistic as ever!"

Yuihama puffed out her cheeks in anger, slumped her shoulders, and strode forward, then began to mutter to herself:

"You always say things like that right away... Don't you ever consider the atmosphere?"

"The atmosphere..."

For example...

Is this the Valentine's Day atmosphere we have now?

Then I can understand. Occasionally, I also want to learn from others, do something silly to go with the flow, and then gloss over it with a simple "it was just the atmosphere".

Try to hold onto that expectation and keep waiting foolishly.

However, I believe that simply waiting is not enough.

Simply waiting is dishonest.

Regardless of what answers or outcomes lie ahead, we should set aside hypocrisy, deception, and suspicion, take a brave step forward, and then slowly regret it later.

So I decided to go with the flow and ask.

"Oh, right..."

I struggled to force out a hoarse voice. Yui turned around, tilting her head to look at me, waiting for what I was about to say. I couldn't bear that gaze, so I turned my face slightly to the side.

"...Are you free lately?"

"Huh? Hmm, I should... I do have some free time, but..."

She waved her hands haphazardly, looking slightly surprised, and hurriedly took out her phone, then stopped a second later.

Yuihama glanced at the office door, then fell silent, revealing a different look of disappointment than before.

Her expression surprised me, but I didn't dare ask why, and could only fall silent. The air in the corridor became unusually cold and dry, and it felt as if something was stuck deep in my throat.

Perhaps I shouldn't have asked this question here, or perhaps I should have phrased it better. Or perhaps, deliberately confirming it again like this feels a bit unnatural?

I really don't have much confidence.

Unable to continue speaking, I could only shrink back and steal glances at Yuihama's face with my lowered gaze. Her slightly confused smile made me hold my breath.

To break the silence, Yuihama quickly said:

"I need to think about it, I'll talk about it later!"

"...Okay, good—"

I don't know if it's because I feel relieved, or because I feel weak all over, or perhaps it's something else.

In short, my words came out with a deep sigh, and Yuihama, without waiting for my slow reply, walked straight ahead and opened the clubhouse door.

× × ×

The door swung open with a click. As soon as I stepped into the office, I was enveloped in warm air.

The number of people here is far less than in the classrooms, yet it feels incredibly warmer. Perhaps it's because the sunlight shines more easily into the special building where the student council offices are located.

Under the warm sunlight, Yukino Yukinoshita sat in her usual spot.

She lifted her head from the paperback in her hand, gently brushed her long hair aside, and revealed a tender smile.

"good afternoon."

"Hi, Yukino-chan."

"Hi."

Yuihama raised her hand in return, and I casually greeted her as usual before everyone took their seats.

There was no need to announce one's seat, nor was anyone forced to do so. Everyone unconsciously found their place, and had no doubt about it. This feeling was even more comfortable than I had imagined.

That's why I felt quite uncomfortable around unfamiliar faces.

"Senior, you're so slow!"

"Why are you here...?"

This girl, sprawled on the table, swinging her legs and muttering complaints, is none other than the prestigious and extraordinary student council president of our school—Iroha Isshiki. She deliberately puffed out her cheeks, turned her face away angrily, and every gesture exuded a mischievous scheming… Speaking of which, she arrived even earlier than me and Yuihama; it seems the rumors of her being as swift as the wind are true! (Note 3 refers to the line "Swift as the wind" from the game *Kantai Collection*, and her voice actress is the same as the anime version of Iroha Isshiki.)

"Although I asked her why she came here, she only said she was waiting for you, and she's been staying here ever since."

Yukino's words were tinged with a sigh, and her glance at Isshiki was icy cold. Despite this, she surprisingly served tea to her guest properly. Seriously, there are so many ways to entertain guests! Which company should make a game about this? Let's call it "Entertainment Collection." Everyone, please!

As for Isshiki herself, she completely ignored the cold gaze from beneath the snow. She turned around, covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered to me as if to reveal some secret:

"When I first walked in, Yukinoshita-senpai had a super bright smile, but then she immediately looked disappointed... and she's been like that ever since."

Oh yeah... Oh well, what can I say? It's always bad news when you show up. Hahaha. Speaking of which, why did this guy even show up? Just as I was pondering this question, a soft cough came from the side.

"...Isshiki-kun?"

Yukinoshita had a beaming smile on her face. Ah, I recognize this! That's Yukino's smile when she's throwing a tantrum!

"Wow... Wow! I'm so sorry! I really have something I want to discuss with you all!"

I don't know if it was a conditioned reflex, but when Isshiki saw Yukinoshita's smiling face, she immediately pushed me out as a shield. Hey, stop it! I'm also afraid of that kind of smile.

"Okay, okay. Is the matter you said you wanted to discuss related to the student council?"

Yui stepped in to smooth things over, beckoning to Isshiki. Isshiki immediately changed her attitude, exclaiming, "Yui-senpai is so nice~" and casually returned to her original position.

I looked at Isshiki, my eyes questioning her purpose for being there. She responded with an even more nonchalant expression and simply waved her hand dismissively.

"Actually, the student council is more relaxed than I thought."

"What?"

This girl's words are still as inexplicable as ever... Someone was just working themselves to death because of you... No, it's precisely because that job is over that she feels so idle now? Could it be that she also suffers from the "burnout syndrome"—a syndrome where you completely empty your mind after a high-pressure, high-density work peak...? Speaking of which, I always feel like I'm the one who's burned out. I wonder if Isshiki feels the same way? To figure out the real meaning behind those words, I stared intently at Isshiki, and she put her index finger to her chin, tilted her head, and pretended to be cute.

"There aren't many events at school lately, and the vice president and others have been super helpful in handling all sorts of small matters. All I have to do is wait until the end and stamp the year-end report."

Oh, although I don't know much about the student council's work, that's probably how it is. The third-year students are busy preparing for their big exams, and the school is also extremely busy with the entrance exams for the new students.

As a result, current students naturally receive less attention, so the student council may really be quite idle.