My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 430

The voice he managed to squeeze out was extremely sharp.

Perhaps bewildered by the unusual aura emanating from Hayama, Ooka fell silent. However, Hayama's gaze didn't spare even his silence.

I've seen Hayama with that expression before. It was probably in late autumn, when he was with Orimoto and the others.

Perhaps overwhelmed by that unyielding gaze, Ooka stammered as he answered his question incoherently.

"No, who said that? It's just a rumor... I saw you two together in Chiba during winter break..."

“Yes, that’s about what I heard too,” Yamato confirmed.

Having at least given an answer, Ye Shan let out a short sigh, lowering his eyes while raising the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, that thing? I'm sorry, it wasn't a pleasant situation. We just happened to run into each other because of family matters, and that's when I met Yui."

"Ah—" Yui nodded as if she had solved a mystery. "Yes, that's true."

Hayama gently nudged the shoulder next to him: "Come to think of it, that kind of thing was never going to happen, right, Minister of Revenue?"

"Yeah? I also think it's completely impossible."

"right?"

Seeing Hayama's self-deprecating smile, Ooka and Yamato spoke in unison.

"Yes, yes! Oh dear, I also thought it was impossible—"

"Then what's the point of even discussing it?"

Hayama playfully poked Ooka's head. The interaction resembled playful banter between boys. Ooka, caught off guard, reacted dramatically, instantly easing the tension in the classroom.

Ye Shan picked up his bag and stood up.

"It's about time I joined the club, isn't it?"

"I know—"

"Then let's go too."

Responding incoherently, Ooka and Yamato stood up with Tobe, waved lightly to Miura and the others saying "Let's go!" and walked out.

Miura watched Hayama and the others walk away silently. She gently bit her lip, her fingertips still twirling her long hair, remaining motionless.

Yui gently placed her hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay, um, I was with them that day too."

"Really?"

Miura asked with a worried look, and Yui gave her a warm smile.

"Yeah, I ran into Xiaoxue's older sister when I was shopping that day. And, Xiaoxue's family and Hayato's family are quite familiar with each other, so it was like a New Year's greeting. Xiaoxue was just called there."

Your explanation is so clumsy... It sounds like a child talking... Ebina nodded in agreement, helping Miura calm down.

"I see. So you mean you met up because of family matters, but were seen by someone else, and then rumors started circulating?"

"Hmm, probably."

"After all, Hayato and Yukinoshita are both very eye-catching and easily leave an impression."

Hearing this conversation, I stood up from my seat and walked out of the classroom.

Act III

The noise after school also spread through the corridors.

The winter break had just ended, and a somewhat unsettling atmosphere still lingered on campus. Even in the usually deserted corridors leading to the special building, students could be seen coming and going.

"Have you heard? About Lord Yeshan—"

"Ah—that one. It feels kind of real?"

The girls coming and going are spreading this new rumor.

Perhaps, as Ebina said, fragmented information was pieced together and then connected with trends like speculation and gossip that they found interesting, before finally being disseminated.

Although it's not a topic that concerns me personally, every time I hear this kind of content, a chilling unease keeps rising within me.

The reason is probably that the essence of this unpleasant feeling is the disgust emanating from those people whose names I don't even know who carelessly spread these rumors.

Such rumors, or rather, such troublesome matters, are not necessarily tainted by malice.

It's just for fun, everyone's interested, after all, they're the two people in the spotlight. So anything can be said—as long as it's explained this way, no one will question it, and the topic will naturally arise. There's no need to judge the truth or falsehood; just irresponsibly spread misinformation. Even if someone suffers losses later, they can simply wash their hands of the matter with the phrase "it's just a rumor." They vehemently deny everything normally, but only when things go wrong will they insist they're just a mob of onlookers.

This is utterly disgusting. It's much more comforting to hear bad things said about myself.

As I was pondering these questions, I heard the pattering of footsteps behind me, like someone was chasing me. Only someone like Yuihama would have such a cheerful walking rhythm.

Yuihama slowed her pace slightly and then caught up.

Yui, who was walking next to me, suddenly slammed her bag into my waist. She glared at me angrily.

Why did you leave first?

"No, I was thinking you guys were still chatting..."

Rather, I don't even remember us agreeing to walk together... Well, we did agree last December to walk together before heading to the clubroom. It's likely that this promise is still in Yui's mind.

"Did you hear the conversation just now?"

"Well, they're already so conspicuous."

Even without Miura's shout, you stood out enough, okay... Everyone who stayed in the classroom must have seen it.

"What, there's nothing there, really!"

Yuihama quickened her pace, stepping in front of me and staring intently into my eyes. Why are you in such a panic?

"No, I was there that day too! Did you forget or what?"

"How could I forget so quickly! That's not what I meant!" Yui stomped her foot.

"It's just a rumor, that's impossible."

"Although I also think it's impossible..."

Yuihama's words paused briefly here, but she suddenly raised her face again.

"Even so, but... but, Yuki is too, Hayato-kun is too... and so am I. Will things really turn out like that someday, or something?"

I tried to imagine it, but I simply couldn't picture it in my mind. Yukinoshita goes without saying, but the idea of ​​Hayama forming a romantic relationship with someone is also hard to fathom.

However, it's surprisingly easy to imagine Yui dating other people. I heard from Tobe that she's quite popular with boys. She often gets talked to by boys during the sports festival. No, no, why think about this? It's useless.

It's best to drop this topic quickly.

I coughed lightly and lowered my voice as I turned to Yuihama.

"More importantly, let's not bring up this topic in the department office."

"Huh? Why?"

"...That guy will definitely be angry."

"...Yes, indeed!"

After all, I've known her for almost a year. I can imagine what kind of words would make Yukinoshita angry. If she knew she was involved in irresponsible rumors, she would definitely be furious.

Before entering the clubroom, Yui and I looked at each other and nodded, then opened the clubroom door after a long time.

Act IV

"Happy birthday!"

Well, congratulations.

Happy birthday, Yukinoshita-senpai!

In the warm air of the clubroom, Yuihama cut a piece of cake, arranged it neatly, and, holding it in one hand, gently and slightly tremblingly offered it to Yukina.

Everyone offered their own different blessings. Yukinoshita seemed a little shy, and twisted her body as if she was uncomfortable.

"Th-thank you... Um, it would be better to prepare some tea."

After saying that, Yukinoshita stood up abruptly and excitedly began preparing the black tea. Mixed in with the clinking of utensils, a wistful "Eh—" came from the side.

"Yukinoshita-senpai, so your birthday is January 3rd—by the way, my birthday is April 16th, senpai."

"Nobody's asking how I am...?"

Speaking of which—why is this guy here too...?

She tilted her head slightly, her flaxen hair swaying in the breeze. Her slightly out-of-shape uniform didn't cover the sleeves of the sweater she wore underneath, and the fork she held in her small hand was pressed against her lips with a longing look.

As if it were a matter of course, Isshiki Hatake appeared in the Service Club's room.

Not only did they take a quarter of the cake, but they also took the paper cup and started drinking tea. With such adaptability, are you a hexagonal warrior?

"By the way, why are you here too?"

"Huh—? Is it because there's not much to do in the student council lately?"

"There must be all sorts of things to do... though I'm not sure what they are. Speaking of which, how about joining a club? You're still the manager, right?"

After hearing what I said, Yise gently patted my shoulder with a thud.

"Well, it's not so bad, is it? Oh, right. I'm here to pick up the things I left here for Christmas."

"You obviously just came up with this idea."

That reason is really far-fetched, and those things are easy to move anyway.

"Ala……"

Yukino sighed, and Yuihama beside her gave a wry smile. "Iroha, really..." While everyone else looked as shocked as if they'd been turned into members of the Japanese team coached by Aguilera, Isshiki remained completely nonchalant. She was so nonchalant; it made you want to make her into a doll and display it in front of the pharmacy...

I stared at Isshiki, who seemed a little embarrassed by my gaze and blew on her not-too-hot black tea to try and evade the question.

"Ah, speaking of which..."

Isshiki abruptly brought up the topic, turning his gaze to Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly in response, and Isshiki, with a wide smile, uttered something extraordinary.

"Is Yukinoshita-senpai dating Hayama-senpai?!"

"Ah!" Yuihama shuddered—

"what?"

The head, already tilted under the snow, tilted even further, almost forming a right angle.

Damn it, how did this guy step on a landmine so easily...? What's wrong with this explosive guy? And he threw out a super fastball question without any build-up? Isn't this just like that old pitcher who was known for constantly throwing high-speed, no-signal pitches with his axe-like throws...?

"Ah, uh, that, Aya-chan, that is..." Yui stammered, trying to find the right words to explain.

"Isshiki-kun..."

The sound beneath the snow was chilling. Behind her smile, which seemed to be surrounded by faint aurora borealis, were her eyes, clear and cold as if carved from the ice of the Arctic.

Stared at from the front by such a gaze, Isshiki's shoulders and voice trembled accordingly.

"Yes Yes."

While giving a slight response, Isshiki leaned back and hid behind me. Hey, don't use someone else's body as a shield!

Yukinoshita looked at Isshiki, who was peeking over my shoulder and showing a little bit of his face, with eyes that seemed to be eyeing prey.

"...That's absolutely impossible, isn't it?"

Isshiki nodded in agreement with this clear assertion.

"Y-yes, that's true! Oh dear, I also think it's absolutely impossible!"

“Yeah, how could that be…” Yuihama breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah? Yui-senpai, it seems quite possible." Isshiki waved his hand, half-fist-fist.

"Eh? E ...

Stop teasing her, okay? Look, Yui is almost crying... Well, considering Yui's looks, it's not impossible...

"Actually, I never thought Yukinoshita-senpai and Yui-senpai would do that~"

Isshiki waved his hand and explained to the slightly angry Yukino:

"I'm just a little concerned about those rumors."

"gossip?"