My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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For those who are "gentle," there's not much that those who aren't gentle can do for them; at most, they can only mutter to themselves.

"...But, all we need is an excuse, right? An excuse that Hayama can accept."

"what?"

Isshiki tilted her head and upper body to look at me, as if to say, "I don't understand at all." While that gesture was cute, your answer was really annoying, Isshiki…

"If we could create a situation where he had no choice but to accept the chocolate—or rather, would he accept it naturally—then things would be a different story, wouldn't they?"

I rephrased it, but Isshiki still looked like she understood, muttering to herself. Yukinoshita, on the other hand, put down her teacup and looked at me with a calm gaze.

"In other words, all we need to do is find an excuse, right? Give him the chocolate in a somewhat closed environment, and Hayama won't get into trouble."

"That's right, it's closed."

Actually, it doesn't matter whether it's Crows, Worst, or QP (Note 10: all three are works by Japanese manga artist Hiroshi Takahashi). The key is to create a situation where Hayama doesn't need to care about other people's opinions and his public image won't be damaged.

Even with the explanation so plain, Isshiki and Yui were still completely confused. Yui was even muttering "closet..." Seriously, what the heck is a closet? Is it Doraemon's sleeping area?

"For example... if it weren't as a Valentine's Day gift, but rather a request to try it, Hayama would probably eat it, right? Although I can't be entirely sure."

"...Right, we can just do it together..."

Yui let out a deep breath and muttered to herself. I could vaguely see the relief on her face. "Yes, it's great that I was able to explain it to her successfully."

"Anyway, that's about it. If we get Isshiki and Miura to make chocolate with Hayama and then ask him to try it, he won't be able to refuse."

However, I feel that in this situation, it's less about "inviting him to eat chocolate" and more about "eating my chocolate!"... Okay, I've given you the general idea. I wonder what they think? I peeked at the others' reactions, and the one I couldn't let my guard down with said with an admiring look:

"I see... I roughly understand! All I have to do is drag him somewhere the troublesome guy can't see him, right?"

"While that's true, please be mindful of your wording..."

After I gave Isshiki this advice, Yukinoshita smiled gently.

"But to put it simply, that's how it is. You're a genius at both staying out of the spotlight and devising underhanded tactics."

"Well, please be mindful of your wording, okay?"

It seems that encouragement-based education isn't always the right approach. As I was thinking about this trivial matter, Yui slapped her thigh and abruptly stood up.

"Then let's all do it together! How about we join in?"

"...That makes sense. If we can teach them on-site, we won't need to offer them individual suggestions on items."

"Ah, that's a great idea! We can gather everyone who comes to us for a request and hold an event so they can all learn from each other. Then, Yukinoshita-senpai can teach them, right?"

Isshiki leaned against Yukinoshita, chair and all, and took her hand as she fell into deep thought. He then turned his head to the side, raised his eyes, and gave her a pleading smile.

"Uh... um... that doesn't matter..."

Yukinoshita is completely defenseless against skin-to-skin contact and physical touch; a little bit of affection and coquetry is all it takes to break down her defenses.

Although there are differences between the natural and farmed methods compared to Yuihama's approach, both methods are remarkably effective for Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita cleared her throat slightly and gave me a wink.

"I think we could participate as facilitators... What do you think?"

"You don't need to ask my opinion... Anyway, you're the one in charge of teaching, so as long as you find it easier that way, that's fine."

Besides, Yuihama looked eager to try, so there was no point in me objecting.

"Is that so? Then, the next step is to figure out how to move the plan forward..."

Yukinoshita rested her chin on her hand and began to think, while Isshiki, sitting next to her, suddenly took out her phone and made a call.

"Hey, is this the vice president? I need you to submit a proposal, the theme is something like 'Cooking Class!'... Huh? No, anyway, you just need to help me set things up and then issue an announcement."

A troubled voice could be faintly heard from the other end of the phone. Isshiki clicked his tongue, lowered his voice, and began to give instructions. Come to think of it, this guy actually dared to talk about arbitrarily... One day he'll probably utter something like, "How long is this going to take? If you keep dragging this out, we won't have to record anymore—"

"Yukino, Yukino, what about me?"

Yuihama moved a chair next to Yukinoshita, her expression asking, "What should I do?" Yukinoshita, taken aback by the question, fell into deep thought.

"Yuihama-san..."

After a while, she placed her hands on Yuihama's shoulders with great seriousness and spoke in a gentle tone as if coaxing a child:

"Let's make chocolate cubes together."

"They don't trust me at all! Waaah... Ah, what should an autistic guy do?"

She suddenly turned to me and asked. But there was nothing I could do in this request.

"I can't cook."

After I answered that way, Yukinoshita laughed.

"That's alright. You just need to help with the tasting and give your feedback."

The words sounded strangely familiar, but the tone and manner of the voice were completely different from before. Sitting next to her, Yui Hama also recalled the past and chuckled softly.

"...Leave it to me. This is what I'm best at."

As I recalled my answer, I said this. Our eyes met naturally, and then all three of us couldn't help but laugh.

Iroha, who was still on the phone, probably overheard us. She glanced over and looked at us questioningly, asking why we were laughing. I just shook my head, telling her not to take it to heart.

This feeling is inexplicable. Some things can only be understood after some time has passed, after sharing the same memories, and after realizing their significance.

Isshiki was puzzled by my reaction. At this moment, her conversation with the vice president was almost over, and she was preparing to end the conversation.

"Okay, okay—then I'll trouble you!"

The vice president on the other end of the phone seemed to be protesting something, but Isshiki completely ignored him and hung up the call. After finishing the call, she made a move to get up.

"That's how it is. I'll take care of the event details, and I'll leave the cooking class to you all."

Isshiki said quietly, "Then I won't bother you any longer," hurriedly stood up, raised his hand to salute us, and prepared to leave the club office.

She's probably about to start preparing for the cooking class.

She no longer feels unreliable like she used to.

Although Isshiki's approach was somewhat forceful, I think it's also proof that she's grown—no, it's still a ways off from so-called "growth," but at least she's become more capable. Look at that vice president; it seems she's treating him like a servant of the Ministry of Revenue…

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Isshiki-kun."

"Yes! Let's cheer each other on!"

Isshiki bowed goodbye at the door, Yukinoshita squinted her eyes and revealed a gentle smile; Yuihama cheerfully raised her hand, and I nodded slightly, watching her leave.

Watching Isshiki quietly close the office door, I suddenly thought of—

...Oh right, Isshiki will take care of everything this time, so I don't have much to do. I feel a little lonely now that I no longer need to take care of this junior.

Volume 11, Chapter 3: Unexpected Gains from Iroha Isshiki's Absence

When others tell you "you don't have to do anything," you feel uneasy.

In the days following the series of consultation meetings held by several groups of people and Isshiki's suggestion to hold an event, a restless and uneasy atmosphere permeated the office.

After school, I went to the student union office to read, drink black tea and have some snacks, and occasionally glance at the gate. I've been living this kind of life for the past few days, and today was no exception.

This feeling of unease is like watching your own child run errands for the first time. Those tasks usually fall to me, so I'm worried about whether Ishiki can handle them all by herself.

This must be what they call fatherhood. Yes, that must be it.

Otherwise, I would start to doubt whether I'm a workaholic and fall into an identity crisis...

In the past, after receiving a commission or consultation, I would always go straight into work mode. However, this time the situation was different.

If I had to describe it, it would be like taking on a business deal with a clear deadline but unclear details, which is agonizing and unbearable.

Furthermore, the person who made the request was none other than Isshiki Iroha, which made me even more uneasy.

With the mindset of a magical girl anime protagonist, I silently wondered in my heart, "What will she become?" I sighed deeply. At the same time, a sigh came from the other side as well.

I looked over and saw Yukinoshita raise her head from her paperback and gaze at the office door.

It seems she shares the same worry as me—no, or perhaps she actually has a crush on Isshiki? Iroha x Yukino, awesome!

When I had such delusions, Yuihama chuckled softly.

"Why have you been guarding the door the whole time?"

She said with a wry smile.

"I think we don't need to worry so much about Iroha..."

"I'm not worried about Isshiki."

"Nobody's talking about Isshiki, is they?"

Yukinoshita and I answered almost simultaneously. As soon as Yukinoshita finished speaking, she immediately turned her head away.

Although I—and Yukinoshita probably is too—actually care a lot about Isshiki, it's always embarrassing when Yui sees through my thoughts, so I unconsciously become stubborn.

I absolutely refused to admit it, but the harsh words I said during our argument couldn't escape Yuihama's notice; she gave me a mischievous smile.

Is that really true?

"that is."

Under Yuihama's interrogative gaze, Yukinoshita turned her entire body to the side. Her cheeks and the ear peeking out from between her hair were slightly red, and Yuihama, seeing her reaction, let out a blissful sigh of relief.

If she were satisfied with that, that would be fine, but Yuihama still glanced at me, tilting her head with a troubled expression:

"Hmm... but, the autistic guy is so nice to Iroha..."

"Yes, they've spoiled her too much. Even I think that's inappropriate."

Upon hearing Yuihama's words, Yukinoshita immediately adopted a serious expression and glared at her. Wait, could you please not so easily shift the focus?

"I didn't spoil her at all..."

Despite my answer, Yui and Yukinoshita only returned my gazes with suspicion. What's going on? Why aren't they saying anything...?

No, no, really not! Although I don't even know why I'm making up an excuse, anyway, after a series of loud coughs, I began to explain:

"As for Isshiki's situation, I'm just worried that she'll be irresponsible and run away halfway through. If she leaves me with a mess, I'll be in a real headache. In that case, it's more efficient to help from the beginning."

Even though it was something I blurted out in a moment of panic, I admire myself for being able to pinpoint the core of the problem—no, precisely because it was something said in a moment of panic, it must be the truth.

This is one of my bad habits.

If you can't entrust things to others, it means you can't trust others.

Such a person could not possibly understand what trust is, let alone something that is similar to trust but even more cruel.

Seriously, to say that this kind of guy would worry about others? There should be a limit to stupidity.

I remembered what someone said to me at a chilly outdoor café. Does someone really exist who can answer that question?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but shut my mouth and fall silent, but I quickly realized the silence and tried to say something to fill the void.

"So, rather than saying I'm worried about Isshiki, I'm more worried about my own future. The thought of possibly needing to work makes me very uneasy."

"Your remarks have actually made me worry about your future..."

Yukinoshita pressed her temples and sighed deeply.

"Haha, that's definitely his style..."

Yuihama didn't know how to react, so she could only give a wry smile.

To be honest, neither Yukinoshita nor I are particularly fond of Isshiki.

In terms of trust, Yuihama is probably the only one who treats Isshiki well. She acknowledges Isshiki's abilities, doesn't worry unnecessarily, and doesn't offer help indiscriminately. In this respect, she is significantly different from me and Yukinoshita.

However, Yukinoshita's complete lack of resistance to coquettishness and physical advances was seen through by Isshiki... It would be a real shame not to give her a good scolding. I looked at Yukinoshita with a reproachful gaze:

"Besides, when it comes to spoiling her, you're just as good, aren't you?"

"Me? I think I was rather strict with her..."

Yukinoshita tilted her head in surprise, while Yuihama, who was observing, seemed to understand what I was trying to say, and crossed her arms and murmured.

"Hmm...it's this kind of place that gives off a gentle feeling. Because Yukino really likes taking care of others."

As expected of Ms. Hihama. You know a lot.

"That's right, after all, you've received a lot of help from her."

"Huh? No...no, that's not true! I don't need Yukino to take care of me...I guess not! Even if I did, it wouldn't be much!"

Yuihama suddenly stood up and protested loudly. But Yukinoshita, sitting next to her, smiled and interrupted her: