My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 431

As she pondered this word, Yukinoshita's gaze shifted to me and Yuihama.

"Ah, well, it seems like a few people have said that..."

"Didn't you go out once back then? It seems someone saw you and caused a misunderstanding."

Yukino sighed, "These rumors..."

Well, for high school students, there's probably no more interesting topic than gossip about boys and girls. Especially since it's about prominent figures like Hayama and Yukinoshita, they're bound to start speculating.

It's understandable that Isshiki, who already liked Hayama, wanted to verify the truth of the rumors. As I thought about this, I glanced at Isshiki; she was tilting her head, deep in thought.

"However, this is still very bad."

"Yes. It will cause too much trouble for the person involved."

"Ah, no, that's not what I was talking about."

Isshiki politely declined, and Yukinoshita tilted her head.

"So what question are you referring to?"

When asked, Isshiki held up one finger:

"Senior Hayama has never been involved in such specific rumors before... It's a bit hard to imagine..."

"Ah—indeed..."

Yuihama probably felt the same way and replied while looking up at the ceiling.

"Oh, I see. Now that she mentions it, I realize I haven't heard anything about anything related to Hayato Hayama's love life. Well, I don't know anything about other people's love affairs either. And nobody would tell me about this kind of thing... That's why I can only guess, like Yukinoshita said earlier. Maybe I should just Google it—"

"So, it seems like the girls are really interested in that rumor—"

Isshiki crossed her arms and murmured softly.

Hayato Hayama, who has never been involved in any scandals, is dating someone else. Of course, he's Hayato, so it wouldn't be surprising if this happened. Those girls who have feelings for Hayama probably sense this underlying crisis. This rumor suddenly makes that crisis a reality. How will this change the relationships around Hayama?

"This kind of thing..."

Yukinoshita uttered a soft whisper. Her tone suggested that she wasn't speaking to anyone, and only the surface of the water in the glass in front of her rippled slightly.

Yui suddenly remembered something and comforted Yukino:

"Well, well, look! As long as you don't care, the rumors will naturally disappear in a few days! Isn't it said that rumors don't last more than forty-nine days?"

"Seventy-five days, I guess."

The mourning period for the deceased is supposed to be 49 days, right? What, are there any religious ceremonies recently?

Anyway, let's just not worry about it.

Yuihama seemed to be worried about Yukinoshita, and said that.

Indeed, all we can do now is remain silent. Protesting to those who spread these amusement-driven rumors is futile. We can only remain silent, like seashells hidden in deep water. Faced with malicious misunderstandings and a trend driven by amusement, the only way to resist is through silence.

If you argue back heatedly, you'll only get your weaknesses exposed. Since their sole purpose is amusement, everything they do becomes fodder for their attacks. And if someone defends the person being attacked, the next wave of damage will fall on that person. This rock-paper-scissors game of attacking and defending guarantees a loser no matter what happens. While doing nothing might still make you a target of criticism, at least doing nothing minimizes the harm.

Yukinoshita probably understood the situation, and nodded slightly with an "Mm".

"……Yes."

"If only that were true..."

There was a hint of unease in Yise's words. This pretentious act doesn't suit you, does it? Speaking ambiguously, holding a cup of red tea, half-sitting by the window facing the setting sun...

Seriously?! Are students that free?! They should find something to do!

The real conversation starter always arrives late.

During my time at school, I devoted a small portion of my attention to Hayato Hayama's movements and other matters related to him, and I noticed something.

Simply put, Isshiki's concerns were not unfounded.

Just as Isshiki said a few days ago in the clubroom, the environment surrounding Hayama does seem to be changing.

Rumors about Hayama and Yukinoshita were quietly spreading, both in the hallways and classrooms.

As expected of Hayama and Yukino, who are among the most well-known figures in the entire school. Both boys and girls are interested in this matter.

Even when they were daydreaming during breaks, they could see classmates secretly glancing at Yeshan.

Now I can hear the girls talking from diagonally behind me.

How much of that story is true?

"Right? It's intriguing, isn't it? So you really are dating, right? What do you think?"

"But when I asked the kid in Class E, it seemed like that wasn't the case."

"Of course they wouldn't just tell the truth and hurt her. How kind of them!"

"That's not gentle at all! But it's acceptable."

Although it didn't specify which event it was, it's almost certainly referring to the rumors about Hayama and Yukinoshita.

It's not only baseless, but also completely unfounded. What's troubling is that this rumor has taken root and flourished, attracting attention and sparking much speculation.

It's no wonder, since seventeen-year-old girls are the most fond of gossip, and rumors involving famous people from their school are bound to become topics of discussion.

The girls, whose names I barely remember, were still discussing it.

"However, what a surprise! Yukinoshita-san seems to have a very elegant demeanor, but it turns out she's a member of the 'looks-matter' club!"

"Yes, yes, I think so too. They seem to have nothing in common, yet they're dating. It feels like it's all about looks, right?"

"Huh? But if you say that, then Hayama-san would also be considered a member of the 'looks-matter' club."

"Maybe that's exactly what happened?"

They chuckled together, keeping their voices very low. At least they hadn't forgotten to avoid being overheard by Hayama and his group, who were in the same classroom.

It sounds extremely unpleasant.

Seriously, it's really infuriating.

Like the buzzing of a mosquito when you're about to fall asleep, or the ticking of a second hand when you're having insomnia in the middle of the night—an unpleasant noise. Just hearing it makes you want to smack your lips in disgust.

Even I, who have no connection to this, am furious. The people involved in the rumors must be even more disgusted.

These guys, who don't even know the actual situation, presume to say what they think, what they speculate, what they hope for, and what they're jealous of. When they get excited, they steer the conversation in a more interesting and funny direction.

Most of the people who do this probably don't mean any harm. They just do it because it's more fun, that's all. If someone seriously disagrees, they'll just say something like, "I was just kidding, don't take it so seriously."

Because I had some contact with Yukinoshita and Hayama, no, it was precisely because I knew where they were that I understood for the first time.

Yukino Yukinoshita and Hayato Hayama have always lived in this kind of environment. Because of their superior appearance and abilities, they receive equal expectations and attention, but also suffer an equal amount of disappointment and jealousy.

In a surveillance society called adolescence, schools are prisons. Popular students are always under the public eye, and a large number of "others," without any apparent reason, begin surveillance under the guise of goodwill or interest. Sometimes, punishments are even imposed, much like the prison experiments at Stanford University, which are conducted day and night. Everyone is acting without any apparent reason, yet their sense of mission makes them increasingly aggressive.

However, there are also people like Yuihama who try their best to mediate.

The nameless guards continued their discussion behind me.

But then, a series of hard, clanging sounds began to break into their voices. Then, the girls' voices abruptly stopped.

I looked in the direction from which the knocking sound came.

Miura was sitting there with his legs crossed, banging his nails on the table, looking furious. His face was turned towards Yui and the others, but his eyes were glaring sideways in their direction.

Miura's stunning and beautiful appearance was intimidating even from the front, and the menacing gaze directed at her from the side amplified her intimidating aura. In fact, it was terrifying, three times more terrifying than usual. Even though I wasn't the one being glared at, I couldn't help but look away.

After shifting my gaze, what came into view was Hayama, who was sitting in front of Miura, giving him a wry smile.

Perhaps Hayama and Miura didn't hear the girls' conversation.

However, the atmosphere itself is the most powerful evidence.

Even without hearing a sound, even without the content of a conversation reaching your ears, you can intuitively tell whether the space in front of you is welcoming or hostile. Just like Miura now, who can convey his hostility to the girls with just a glance.

Seemingly unable to stay in the classroom any longer, the two girls stood up and hurriedly walked past me towards the classroom door. Were they going to have a restroom meeting?

"That was really scary! Did someone hear us?"

"I don't know... but... what is Miura-san thinking? She's clearly Yui-hama's friend or something."

"Haha, just hope it doesn't turn into a chaotic scene."

Pretending not to hear their conversation as they passed by me, I lay down on the table. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to resist looking in Miura's direction.

Ripples spreading across the water's surface will always disappear.

However, the so-called butterfly effect theory also exists.

I focused my attention, listening to the rattling sound of the wind blowing through the windows, and endured the remaining rest time.

Act Two

Even after school, the wind showed no signs of abating.

The winds blowing across the Kanto Plain are dry and arid. Moisture from the Sea of ​​Japan is blocked by the Ou Mountains and other mountain ranges, then absorbed by the clouds, leaving only the dehydrated dry winds.

A cold, dry wind kept banging against the windows in the corridor outside the department door.

The room was filled with warm, humid air. The main reason, I suppose, was the steaming cup of black tea in front of me.

"Hey, why are you here again?"

I turned my gaze to Isshiki, who was holding a paper cup in both hands. She put down the cup, straightened her clothes, smoothed her skirt, and even tidied her bangs before adjusting her posture.

"I'm here on business today."

"Isshiki said in a serious tone. However, her collarbone was faintly visible under her straightened clothes, and the way her skirt swayed was eye-catching. Because she had straightened her bangs, her pitiful look was even more powerful, and she was anything but serious."

For a fleeting moment I was almost captivated, but with unwavering resolve, I reluctantly pulled my gaze away from Isshiki. I won't fall for that...

"I won't help you with student council matters."

"……Yeah."

Isshiki muttered in frustration, and then I thought I heard a click. It must be my imagination, right? Isshiki?

Suddenly, Yukinoshita, who had been watching our conversation, coughed lightly:

"You don't actually want to ask the student council for a favor, do you?"

Her sweet smile masked a barrage of pressure in her words. Her tone was gentle, yet it sent chills down one's spine. Isshiki immediately straightened her posture:

"Of course! I was just kidding! I'll do my job properly!"

"What do you want with us?"

Seeing Isshiki's attitude, Yukinoshita sighed as if she had nothing to say and then asked this question.

"It seems like there are a lot more people meddling in Hayama-senpai's business lately."

"Mind your own business, huh?"

"Yeah, like confessing directly or something. Or even if you don't actually confess, you still go to confirm the facts and emphasize your presence."

Isshiki answered Yuihama's question with a blank expression.

Ah, I do think I saw a girl and Hayama alone together near the teaching building yesterday. So that's what happened.

However, I haven't told them yet, so they probably don't know.

"What does 'confirming the facts' mean?"

"Does that emphasize one's own existence?"

Seeing the two of them looking at him with puzzled expressions, Isshiki coughed as if checking the condition of his throat, and then straightened his posture again. Then, he turned his chair and all, towards me.

She exhaled short, warm breaths, her eyes filled with sincerity as she stared at me without moving.

"Senior...do you...have a girlfriend now?"

Her voice trembled slightly, and her words were hesitant and stammering. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and beneath her slipped sleeve, her fair wrist was exposed. Her hand nervously gripped the ribbon at her chest, wrinkling her shirt and exuding an atmosphere of unspoken words.

Her moist eyes swayed weakly.

Because I wasn't mentally prepared at all, my heart was pounding. I had to hold my breath to calm myself down.

"No, no..."

The voice that came out was hoarse.

The entire room was as still as water.

Needless to say, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama remained silent as well. In that silence, Isshiki suddenly revealed a mischievous smile.