My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 391

I couldn't help but shed a few tears for my sister's growth, and Komachi's eyes also glistened with tears. Good heavens, I never imagined she shared the same feelings as me—I had barely thought that when she immediately said wearily:

"Komachi's going to take a bath."

"Okay, enjoy your meal. Don't fall asleep in the bathroom."

"Know--"

She yawned again as she answered, looking genuinely exhausted.

That's right, the entrance exams are already in their final countdown.

All I can do for her now is not to bathe before Komachi these next few days, and to pray for her. Besides that, I might warm her blankets and shoes. Oh no, that won't do, or she'll hate me again! If I were born in the Warring States period, I'd definitely be successful! (Note 18 refers to the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi warming Oda Nobunaga's shoes.)

It seems she can't care about Valentine's Day...

It's probably best not to tell Komachi about the cooking class. At this stage, adding more worry and regret won't do her any good. Komachi is already overwhelmed with exams; let's treat her properly after they're over.

Therefore, I must try my best not to cause Komachi any trouble, worry, or annoyance!

Now she's at a stage where she can only rely on her own efforts and not on anyone else.

The first step in personal growth is to exert effort through one's own strength and will. Only by standing up on one's own, taking the first step, and moving forward can one truly appreciate the meaning of walking alongside others.

Komachi has gradually stopped relying on her brother and has grown up... A wave of sadness washed over her, transforming into an ambiguous loneliness.

I couldn't stand the loneliness, so I buried my head in Xiaoxue's fluffy little belly.

Ah... how much longer will I be able to receive Komachi chocolates...? If possible, I hope the answer is a lifetime.

It doesn't matter whether it's a small or medium-sized item; I just want something small.

...Can I have a small one?

Volume 11, Part 4: Thus began the boys' mixed feelings of joy and sorrow (and some girls too!).

Several days passed after a flood of inquiries came in simultaneously.

During this period, we did not do any of the work that the Service Society should have done, but only gave some suggestions to Isshiki who came from time to time to check on the progress.

As for Isshiki herself, she did her job very dutifully this time. When I saw her on campus, she was almost always busy running around.

Incidentally, the vice president is often seen carrying a mountain of documents, looking dejected, while the secretary is responsible for encouraging him. Hey, are you kidding me? If you're a guy, get back to work! Basically, I'm not going to hold back when it comes to guys = me.

Regardless, even on the day of the event, all the student council members were extremely busy. This scene was completely different from the last Christmas event.

The sounds of young people arguing drifted from the community center near the station. It wasn't yet the agreed-upon arrival time, but I was planning to help out at the event anyway, so it didn't matter—what nonsense am I talking? The one who needs help isn't me, it's Yukino.

In short, we arrived at the Civic Center early. I hadn't been here since Christmas, but nothing would have changed in such a short time.

After I parked my bicycles in the parking lot, the three of us, like seasoned locals, walked together into the familiar Civic Center.

The student council members, led by Isshiki, are extremely busy preparing for the event.

We stood at the doorway, looking around for a while, before Issei noticed us and quickly walked over. She was carrying a large stack of papers in her arms.

"Ah, senior. You're here so early."

"yes."

I gave a casual reply instead of a greeting, and Yukinoshita and Yuihama, who were behind me, also peeked out.

Good afternoon, Isshiki-kun.

"Hi! We thought we might be able to help, so we came early."

Hearing Yuihama's words, Isshiki tilted his head and thought for a moment.

"I see... Ah, then please put up these posters. Just put them at the entrance, and we'll leave the specific placement to you all."

As soon as she finished speaking, she handed us the hastily made B2 posters. This stack of things, euphemistically called posters, was really just a huge handwritten promotional document with the event details written on it in extremely thick, multicolored pens, and then someone added some doodles like hearts, chocolates, and emojis.

Given the extremely limited time available, it's understandable that such a basic poster could only be produced; there's absolutely nothing to criticize.

However, the problem lies in the promotional slogans on the posters.

No experience necessary! No restrictions! We'll provide a warm and welcoming environment, just like home! You'll learn the skills and experience to work independently!

No matter how you look at it, this is a job posting from a ruthless company—and a "ruthless company RX (Note 19 is a parody of Kamen Rider BLACK RX)"... Isn't this so-called warm, home-like feeling just a euphemism for "those who are not of our kind are bound to have different hearts"?

"You can leave the simple task of putting up posters to us."

Yukinoshita spoke in a slightly tactful manner, while Isshiki looked up, put his index finger to his chin, and thought for a moment.

"Ah...it's okay. It's a bit troublesome inside, so I'm going out to put up posters too."

After thinking for a long time, this is the reason I came up with. In the end, this guy just wanted to slack off... The other two, of course, also discovered the truth behind it.

"...Ah...haha, that reason is a bit weak..."

"Isshiki-kun, you can go back now without worry, okay?"

Yuihama gave an undisguised wry smile, while Yukinoshita wore an undisguised, icy smile.

"No, no, I'm not trying to slack off. Actually, there's not much work to do in this activity..."

Then why are you still…? When I looked at him with a questioning gaze, Isshiki sighed wearily.

"Isn't the male-to-female ratio in our student council 50/50? And don't the secretary and the vice president have a pretty good relationship? Plus... um... well, it's a long story."

She gave vague answers, trying to get away with it by acting cute. Although I hate it when people only say half of what they mean, it's okay as long as it's cute enough!

"……Um?"

"Ah... I see."

Yukinoshita looked like she hadn't understood, while Yuihama seemed to have grasped the general situation from what she had just said, and I roughly understood the inside story as well.

The problem isn't the work itself, but the interpersonal relationships; this kind of workplace is quite common. I've quit my job for this reason before. Not to be malicious, but the store manager was dating a high school girl, who then cheated on him with a handsome new college student. The manager, feeling cheated on, naturally became unhappy and started bullying the handsome student… Please, stop this nonsense! Who could stand working in a workplace like that? Don't upset the manager, remember that…

However, this kind of thing really happens everywhere; you'll encounter it no matter what kind of group you join.

They are commonplace and frequently heard of.

However, no one knows the best solution.

Just as I was pondering the problems I hadn't yet faced and the solutions that hadn't yet appeared, someone gave me a push from behind.

"That's how it is. Let's hurry up and put up the posters! It'd better take our time!"

"You're obviously trying to stall for time... I don't mind, but it's freezing outside, and I want to finish putting it on as soon as possible."

Once I stepped outside through the glass door, the cold air immediately enveloped my entire body, and I couldn't help but shiver.

A few rays of daylight still lingered in the sky, letting me know that dusk was still some time away.

The white breath I exhaled drifted upwards, and my gaze followed it to the sky.

× × ×

I unfolded the poster and roughly placed it where I wanted to stick it. The wind was weaker today than the previous days, so these thin pieces of paper weren't being blown around so much.

While I was doing these things, Isshiki went to the convenience store across the street to buy transparent tape and came back here carrying a plastic bag.

"It's really cold outside. Here, please have some."

Isshiki took bottled black tea out of the bag and handed it to Yukinoshita and Yuihama respectively. It seems she also bought some treats.

"Thanks."

Wow...it's so warm.

Yukinoshita held the black tea she had received in both hands, while Yuihama pressed the black tea against her face to warm it.

"Here, senior, you get one too."

"oh."

I got the M can... Not bad, not bad, this person is quite clever.

After pulling the tab and taking a sip, I couldn't help but exhale deeply.

The sky was clear and cloudless, as still as a painting. Judging from this, it would probably get quite cold tonight.

Thinking about it carefully, it's really unbelievable that sunny days can actually get colder.

However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this is not surprising at all. Anyone familiar with "radiative cooling" can easily understand this phenomenon, or simply understand that "winter is cold anyway," and it won't seem strange.

Human senses consist entirely of perception, memory, and illusion. Therefore, they are not as reliable as humans imagine.

That being said, whether the sky was clear or overcast, it didn't change the fact that it was cold. I squeezed the M can tightly to warm my hands a little before starting work.

The first poster was pasted on the glass door at the entrance of the Civic Center.

"for you."

Thanks.

I took the poster from Yuihama. The four corners of the poster were already taped with transparent tape. All I had to do was press the poster against the wall and pat it a few times to make the tape stick to the wall.

To make the poster stand out, it's best to stick it up a bit higher... I straightened my back slightly and stuck the poster on the wall.

"Will this work?"

I turned around and asked, but he gently shook his head as he looked at the snow from a few steps away.

"It's pasted crookedly."

"Really? It shouldn't be crooked, right?"

I stared at the poster I had just put up, but I really couldn't see where it was crooked. As I tilted my head in puzzlement, Yukino sighed softly.

"Perhaps it's not crooked in your eyes, given your already distorted personality."

"Oh, that makes sense... but your personality is pretty twisted, isn't it? Besides, what exactly is 'right' anyway?"

I turned around and asked. Yukinoshita brushed aside the hair that was hanging over her shoulder and stared at me intently.

"There are no absolute standards in this world, only what is right as determined by certain people. And that is exactly what I'm saying now. Just listen to me, move it down a little more to the left."

"Your words are already twisted enough... How about this?"

"Okay, that's settled then."

After getting approval from Yukino, I decided to post the next poster using the same standard. This time, the location was on the bulletin board facing the road, so I took the poster and walked over. I placed the poster where I wanted to put it again.

Yukinoshita followed, and Yui quickly ran to her side. Then, for some reason, Isshiki also quickly walked up to them.

"Autistic guy, a little higher! Higher!"

"It's too high. Come down a little."

"Huh? Wouldn't it be better to move it slightly to the left instead of increasing the height?"

...Hey, you guys, could one of you just give instructions?

Listening to the instructions like up, down, down, left, right, left, right as I posted the posters, I couldn't help but think of the Corami cipher (a thought only at an elementary school level). However, most elementary school students these days probably haven't even heard of the Corami cipher.

"Okay, that's fine. Here's one more."

I patted the poster I had just put up, pressed it a few times, and then looked back. I saw Isshiki with his hands hidden in his sleeves, holding a hot cocoa and gently shaking his head.

"No need, this should be enough. There won't be that many people coming anyway, and putting up these posters serves as directions to prevent people from getting lost."

I see…that makes sense. For a small event with only family and friends, this level of promotion is about right. And directions are surprisingly important. Even in this convenient age, when we can easily pull out our smartphones and search for our destination online, there are still moments of anxiety like, "Is this really where I'm looking? What if I'm wrong? Maybe I should go back…" That's how important directions are! For example, I often miss job interviews because I can't find the directions!

Getting back to the main topic, what kind of people will be attending today's event...? Since I'm only going to help out on the day of the event, I don't have the details yet.

Miura, Ebina, and Kawasaki, who came to inquire, will definitely come, and Hayama, who is in charge of tasting, should also be brought along... I had just thought this when I saw a familiar figure across the road.

Yuihama noticed the other person and waved vigorously.

"Ah, it's Hina and the others. Hi!"

Hello everyone. Thank you for your help today.

As soon as the green light came on, Ebina ran over quickly, with the Ministry of Revenue following closely behind.

"Hello, An'an~!"

What kind of greeting is that? Is it your birthday today? It seems that this event has made him even more excited than usual, and he immediately started chatting with Ebina and Yuihama.

The Ministry of Revenue was still as annoying as ever, while Miura, who walked behind him, was the complete opposite, keeping his mouth shut and not uttering a sound.

Miura kept stealing glances at the person next to her, constantly adjusting his bag and fixing his hair, unable to concentrate at all.

There was nothing she could do about it. After all, she was about to treat that guy to the chocolates she made.

Although it's unclear how Miura made the invitation, she seems to have successfully brought Hayama here.