My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 452

"I see. This is probably the first time I've been told this to my face like this."

After his smile faded, Hayama replied with a satisfied expression. He took a step forward from the bar, seemingly serious about returning to his seat this time.

Even so... I will not make any choice, because I believe this is the best way.

"This is just my self-satisfaction," Hayama added with a smile before returning to his original position.

But I can't laugh.

If someone is qualified to criticize Hayama's answer as insincere, can that person also come up with a complete and convincing answer that is completely different from Hayama Hayato's?

I downed the ginger ale in one gulp and looked in the direction where they were sitting.

The soda left a burning sting deep in my throat.

Every now and then, Iroha Iroha brings surprises.

Time flies. Although every day is monotonously boring, there are still some new things. For example, a few days ago, Yise came to our place and said he wanted to start a newspaper, and then asked me to go out and gather information, and so on.

I'm coming uninvited—even if no one listens, I will still tell the story, like an old person telling a story to their grandchildren. Maybe in the future I will tell Komachi's grandchildren stories about my youth?

For example, on a sunny afternoon, she suddenly asked, and I replied, "Ah, Komachi, I mean..."

"I'm not Komachi, I'm Komachi's granddaughter, Magomachi. Grandpa Hachiman, is there something you need?"

“Sun Ting, I was quite famous when I was young. What’s wrong with young people these days? They’re completely out of line! Sigh, young people these days…”

Does Grandpa dislike young people?

Not at all. My retirement depends on them.

"I always find the reasons quite annoying."

"But I was quite famous when I was young."

"Grandpa, this seems to be the 101st time you've repeated this sentence... Didn't you do anything else when you were young?"

"It really hurts to be told that. Is dinner ready?"

"Grandpa, we already ate last week..."

"I'd love to eat this every day if I could!"

Ah, I wish I could chat with Komachi's granddaughter like this. Every generation of Komachi's descendants would be incredibly, incredibly, incredibly cute! Wait, if Komachi had offspring... that would mean a breakthrough in biotechnology! I can't accept Komachi getting married!

Perhaps it's the slightly cold weather that's making me so aimless and lost in thought. I suddenly remembered reading somewhere that "suicide rates are related to cold weather or the length of daylight," and considering the current situation, it's quite convincing. If I really did nothing all day, it wouldn't be surprising if I had some strange thoughts.

For example, like today.

The winter cold remained severe, and the gloomy clouds hung low. This alone made me feel depressed.

Whenever the dry north wind blows, the classroom windows rattle.

After the class meeting before school ended, the temperature seemed to drop a bit. Because my seat was near the aisle, I couldn't enjoy the heating, and a cold wind was sneaking in through the cracks in the door that wasn't closed tightly. Every time the cold wind gently brushed against my neck, I would shiver.

But if you look out the window, you'll see that the sun is still some distance from the ground. The days are getting longer and longer.

According to the solar terms, it's already the Beginning of Spring. Although it's the same every year, it's really making me wonder if you're just thinking "spring has come" in your head when it's this cold.

However, there's also a saying: "Since winter has come, can spring be far behind?"

After school, the classrooms began to feel more and more like springtime.

The Awakening of Insects will arrive in less than a month.

Perhaps it was because the classroom was heated, but like hibernating insects, frogs, or snakes awakening, the students suddenly became energetic, even a little earlier than the calendar date.

Among them, the seats near the window seemed particularly warm because the heater was right under the window. The group of people in those seats were also incredibly energetic. As always, their loud voices could be heard even without listening closely.

"Ugh—I really want something sweet!"

While rubbing his hairline, Hobu said, and Ooka and Yamato slapped their thighs as if to say, "You've hit the nail on the head!" and pointed at Hobu with their fingers.

"That's right!"

"Yeah"

The three of them began exchanging furtive glances.

"Is that the one?...I really want some chocolate?"

After the Ministry of Revenue spoke so solemnly for no apparent reason, the three of them secretly glanced at the girl... Hmm. Although they felt spring was almost here, it really is still deep winter!

However, even harsher than this incredibly cold little theater was Miura's response.

"……what?"

Along with a quiet click of his tongue, Miura gave Tobe and the others a blank stare. The three idiots were immediately too frightened to utter a sound. Yui and Ebina also gave wry smiles.

"Ah, so we'll be there soon..."

Hearing Hayama's attempt to smooth things over, Ooka and Yamato nodded vigorously.

"Hayato is fine, but we're having a really tough time."

"really."

Yamato solemnly affirmed Ooka's serious tone. In fact, a profound meaning was revealed in the subtle details of his words. However, this virgin's eccentric, jealous, and vindictive nature was truly despicable, making him all the more admirable…

Then, with a wicked grin, Hubu patted Hayama on the shoulder.

“Oh dear—but you see, Hayato basically doesn’t accept chocolates.”

"Really?! What a waste—"

Hayama gave a wry smile at Ooka's shout. So that's how it is; Hayama made this choice to avoid unnecessary trouble.

However, from the perspective of the girl who wanted to place her feelings on Hayama, it might not be so acceptable. Meanwhile, Miura, representing her, listened silently to Tobe and the others' conversation while looking off in another direction with a bored expression.

Upon seeing Miura like this, Yuihama exclaimed "Ah!"

"However, it feels a little scary to receive chocolate from someone you don't know very well, hmm."

Just as Yuihama was nodding as if to say "I totally understand," Ebina, looking serious, suddenly stretched out her hand as if to put the conversation to a halt.

"Wait, not accepting (the bottom), which means... he's the top. So, the bottom is Hitani-kun?"

She was tapped on the head by Miura the instant she started speaking. What was this woman saying with such a serious expression…? Then, Miura handed her a tissue.

"Ebina, nosebleed."

"Thank you, thank you."

Seeing Ebina, who had stopped his eerie "fujoshi" laughter and was blowing his nosebleed, Miura smiled gently. Besides being right next to the heating system, and due to several other factors, the people here seemed warmer than anyone else.

No, it wasn't just them; the entire classroom was filled with that kind of energy. It wasn't just those three idiots, but every corner of the classroom was tinged with a restless atmosphere.

From a worldly perspective, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

That is, the day when I would receive chocolates from my mother and sister.

The notion that Valentine's Day is a day of blessings and love is somewhat questionable. Considering its origins, Valentine's Day was originally a day of bloodshed, a day when a saint rose up against tyrants. Furthermore, from a Chiba perspective, if we're talking about Valentine's Day, it should be Bobby; chocolate or whatever is given is irrelevant.

However, no matter how much trouble someone like me causes, it's impossible for me to overturn the general understanding of the world. Rather, if someone is still singing the conspiracy theory that this is a certain pastry production industry, they are more likely to be labeled as ignorant.

Valentine's Day has become a unique part of this country's culture, much like Christmas. And perhaps soon, even Halloween will become more Japanese in nature, indistinguishable from summer festivals, Obon, and the grave-sweeping ceremonies of the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Ultimately, all that matters is whether you like it or hate it; nobody cares whether it's orthodox or heretical. Whether it's Christmas or Valentine's Day, if you want to say no, all you need to do is shout, "I hate this stuff!"

I don't dislike the chocolates that Komachi cleverly gives me every year. In fact, my brother, who loves Komachi the most, eagerly anticipates them.

This year I'll be forced to give back chocolates at the original price... Just as I was reveling in the joy of spending money for my sister, a commotion arose in the classroom.

"We definitely won't make it!"

"No problem, there's still time! Keep going! Don't give up!"

A quick glance revealed that the girls in the second and third groups on the other seats were knitting scarves or sweaters. Their conversation sounded exactly like a light novel author and editor. "No, generally speaking, it's definitely too late. Valentine's Day is only a few days away, and we've only finished less than a tenth of it. Instead of trying to catch up, it's more realistic and constructive to try and postpone the deadline!"

I wasn't the only one witnessing this heartbreaking interaction.

As Miura twirled his hair with his fingers, he murmured something under his breath.

"...Hey, don't handmade things feel a bit heavy? I can understand if you don't want them."

This time, a sigh came from another direction in response to those unintentional words.

"It feels heavy...that's true..."

Yuihama's slender fingers emerged from the slightly overgrown sleeves of her sweater, combing through her light pinkish-brown hair, and she became slightly embarrassed and troubled.

Seeing that smile, something I can't remember when it happened came to mind.

That happened a long time ago.

—Is it handmade?

Who was that guy planning to make it for? — I wondered as I glanced in that direction, and our eyes met. Yui and I both quietly turned our heads away.

"Well, the most important thing is the sentiment, not the form."

Then came Ye Shan's voice, tinged with a wry smile.

"That's what I'm saying! No, I feel the same way too, you know? I've always been drawn to these kinds of things, haven't I?"

The Ministry of Revenue slapped his thigh and immediately expressed his agreement. However, Ebina, who was diagonally opposite, crossed his arms and looked sideways to the side.

"However, if you cut corners on handmade items, it's easy to spot, since the original price isn't that high. Unless you're extremely confident, it's a bit of a hassle. Finished products are more reassuring, aren't they?"

"makes sense!"

The Ministry of Revenue immediately overturned Ebina's statement... No, you should try a little harder.

"...Hmm, it's handmade."

Miura looked at the sky listlessly. Suddenly, she glanced at Yuihama:

"Shall we do it, Yui?"

"...Hmm? What I said..."

Yui blinked her large eyes in surprise. She was probably taken aback by Miura's sudden question.

Although I was quite far from them, for some unspeakable reason, my eyes suddenly turned black and white as if they had lost their color, just like, just like—that program created by UN-JASH on Chiba TV.

"Ah... well... as for me, it's just... um, it's just..."

"oh oh"

In response to Yuihama's ambiguous reply, Miura also looked at her with a vague expression.

Does this sound like, "Hmm, you're my producer? Well, you don't look too bad"?

However, Yui nodded, pretending nothing had happened, but strangely, her cheeks turned bright red.

...Suddenly, something occurred to me, and my face slowly began to heat up. So, I immediately looked away, afraid of hearing them talking about me—perhaps I was being too self-conscious, because I could actually feel beads of sweat seeping from my back.

Perhaps Miura said that because he saw what happened after the marathon a few days ago...

I was still a little worried that it might have some negative impact on her surroundings. That was probably the only thing I couldn't let go of. So, I timidly glanced in that direction again.

However, what is happening there is an ordinary, everyday scene.

Ooka and Yamato teased each other excitedly: "I'll definitely get more than you!"

Hayama smiled gently at them, as usual pulling on their sidearms. Hobe pulled on his hair, turning his head slightly and glancing in my direction. Ebina, as if trying to block his view, let out a very unpleasant laugh, raised his glasses, and leaned domineeringly against Yuihama's shoulder.

"Yui, you're going to give us chocolates yourself, okay?"

"Ah...right! Chocolate! Yumiko! And Hime-chan too!"

He held Miura and Ebina in his hands, one on each side, like children. The Minister of Revenue whistled, and a chorus of boos erupted.

Having been observing from the shadows, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems the whole affair can finally be put to rest. The negative impact of the rumors surrounding Hayato Hayama before and after the marathon, affecting the individuals involved—Yukinoshita, Yuihama, and Miura—has finally come to an end.

But will the things she did that day cause her trouble elsewhere?

Somewhat uneasy, I looked away again and left my seat.

Act Two

The corridor leading to the special building was filled with dry, cold air. It made one's lips parched and caused one to shiver involuntarily.

Although dew clung to the classroom windows, the corridor windows were spotless, without a trace of fog. The school courtyard was clearly visible, revealing bare trees and flowerbeds. This was a winter scene of dusty, burnt brown hues, unlike the northern landscape.

Chiba doesn't get much snow in winter. Even in the Kanto region, where snowfall is uncommon, the amount is extremely low. Although news reports last month mentioned snowfall in Tokyo, Chiba didn't even see a single shard of ice.