My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 46

No guy in the world could bear to refuse a girl's request like that. They have many considerations. After all, it's a happy thing to have someone ask you for a favor; the swaying of a girl's chest when she clasps her hands together can cloud judgment; and everyone has a childhood dream of becoming a hero who saves others someday… In short, there are many reasons.

Even Hayama was no exception; he shrugged and replied:

"I understand. Since that's the case, there's nothing we can do about it. Although I'm not very keen on it, let's give it a try... Yui, do your best too."

After he finished speaking, he reached out and lightly tapped Yuihama on the head. Wait, shouldn't you be the one working hard?

“Thank you…”

Yui touched the spot where Hayama had knocked and answered in this way.

And so, the "Handsome Hayama: Heart-Pounding Romantic Comedy Battle" proposed by Yuihama officially began. Who came up with this name? It's totally Showa-era style.

The operation was very simple.

Hayama will use all his charm to capture Kawasaki's heart, that's all. Incidentally, "all his charm" and "charm" are puns (Note 36: In the original text, both words are read as "moteru").

After packing our bags, we moved to the bicycle parking area and waited for Kawasaki to appear. Of course, it would be suspicious if we were with Hayama, so we secretly observed him from a distance.

Then, that moment finally arrived.

Kawasaki, just as listless as yesterday, dragged his weary steps to the bicycle parking area, suppressing a yawn as he tried to unlock his bike. At that moment, Hayama appeared, seizing the opportunity.

"You look tired, you must be exhausted."

He greeted Kawasaki gently. Although it was probably an act, it sounded quite natural, and even I, watching from the side, almost responded with, "Oh, thank you for your hard work."

"Are you going to get a part-time job? Don't push yourself too hard."

This kind of subtle care... My God, Hayama is such a good person, I'm even a little bit smitten with him.

But Kawasaki just yawned, then sighed and said:

"Thank you for your concern, I'll head back now."

Kawasaki reacted coldly, pulling her bicycle away. Just then, Hayama's voice called from behind. The voice was so gentle it seemed to melt the listener's heart.

"that……"

Kawasaki suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hayama.

A cool early summer breeze swept between the two, as if their romantic comedy had suddenly descended upon them. Yuihama leaned out excitedly, clenching her sweaty hands; Zaimokuza, filled with jealousy and hatred, clenched his fist with murderous intent.

After the cool breeze subsided, Hayama spoke to Kawasaki:

"Actually, you don't need to push yourself so hard, do you?"

He looked radiant at that moment, emanating a large number of negative ions from his entire body.

"Oh, I don't need your concern."

Clack clack clack... Kawasaki pushed his bicycle and gradually disappeared into the distance.

At that moment, time in the space where Ye Shan was located completely stopped. After about ten seconds, he awkwardly smiled and walked towards us, having been left behind.

"I feel like... I've been dumped."

"Ah, you've had a tough time...hehe..."

I wanted to say "You've worked hard," but the last two words got stuck in my throat, and an indescribable feeling was brewing in my abdomen. Damn it! Endure, endure! I tried desperately to suppress this burgeoning emotion, but the guy next to me gave in first.

"Pfft, pfft pfft... Hahahaha! Look at you, look at you! You were showing off over there and got dumped! Pfft hahahaha!"

"Stop talking, timber, hehehe..."

"You two, you're not allowed to laugh!"

Totsuka offered us advice, and I tried my best to restrain myself, but with the burst of laughter coming from the woodwork stand, I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Oh, it's alright, Totsuka, I won't mind."

Ye Shan smiled wryly and said, "...He's such a good person. Even though he didn't want to help, he still did, and even suffered unnecessary harm because of it."

The woodcutter, sensing Hayama's gentlemanly demeanor, stopped laughing. He cleared his throat and spoke again:

"Hey Hayama... you don't need to... pfft! You're forcing yourself like that! Wahahaha!"

"Idiot! Timber, you're not allowed to say that again! Don't make me laugh!"

Zaimokuza and I burst into laughter again. Yuihama looked at us, her face completely frozen.

"Those two are really awful..."

"That plan failed too. Oh well, let's try another shop tonight."

"yes……"

Phew...that was really enjoyable.

This is the first time I've felt that joining the Service Society is really great.

× × ×

The hands of the watch pointed to 8:20.

We agreed to meet in front of that pointed landmark in front of Makuhari Seaside Station, and I'm leaning against this thing that everyone calls "the strange pointed thing".

Tonight we're going to "Angel's Ladder," a bar located on the top floor of the Royal Okura Hotel.

This is the last shop in Chiba City with "angel" in its name that's open until dawn. Besides, this might be the first and only time I'll ever step into such a high-class place.

I was adjusting the thin jacket I wasn't used to wearing; it was a piece of clothing I'd borrowed from my dad's closet without permission. But perhaps because we're both about the same size, it actually fit me perfectly.

A black stand-up collar colorful shirt paired with jeans and pointed leather shoes—I would never normally dress like this. To be honest, I'm not particular about clothes; apart from the jeans, everything else was borrowed from my dad. Also, I've styled my hair.

The stylist is Komachi Hikigaya.

I asked Komachi to help me put together an outfit that would make me look more mature. After she rummaged through her closet, this is what I ended up looking like.

"My brother's eyes look like those of a tired office worker, so by just making some changes to his clothes and hairstyle, he can look like an adult."

Hearing her say that, I really didn't know how to react. Was my vision really that bad?

The first person to arrive at the agreed location was Totsuka Saika.

"Sorry, did it take you long?"

"No, I just arrived too."

Totsuka's attire exuded a unisex sporty vibe. A well-fitting T-shirt paired with loose work pants, a low-set knit hat, and headphones dangling from his head. With each step he took in his basketball shoes, the slightly gleaming chain of his wallet swayed.

This was the first time I'd seen Totsuka in casual clothes, and I found myself staring at him, completely mesmerized. Then, for some reason, he awkwardly pulled his hat brim down, trying to cover his eyes.

"No, don't keep staring at me... Is this...is this strange?"

"No, it's not strange at all! It suits you perfectly."

I feel like this conversation sounds like something you'd say on a date, but unfortunately, Totsuka and I aren't on a date.

The evidence lies in the subsequent appearance of the timber base.

For some reason, he was wearing a matching work uniform and had a white towel wrapped around his head, so I decided to pretend I didn't see him.

"Hmm~ I remember the meeting point is here... Oh! Isn't this Hachiman?"

His pretentious words only made me more annoyed. But since he had found out, I couldn't keep pretending to be dead.

"...What's with your outfit? Why is there a towel wrapped around your head? Are you the owner of a ramen shop?"

"Sigh, aren't you the ones who said we should dress like adults? So, I chose work clothes and a headscarf to dress up as an adult at work."

Oh... so that's where the idea for his outfit came from. Anyway, he's already here, so there's no point in saying anything now. We can just leave him be and not worry about him.

Just as I came to this conclusion, Yuihama walked over, making "knock, knock" footsteps.

She glanced around as she took out her phone. Wait, didn't she notice us?

"Yuihama".

When I called her name, she jumped in surprise and looked over nervously. Hey, you were looking this way just now, weren't you?

"You, are you an autistic man? Really! Dressed like that, I really couldn't tell at first glance..."

"What? Don't laugh."

"I...I wasn't laughing! It's just that you look so different from usual today that I was startled..."

She stared at me intently for a long time, making various exclamations, and finally nodded, seemingly understanding, and said:

"Was this chosen by Komachi?"

"Yes, you know so well."

"Just as I expected..."

She seemed quite understanding; what exactly did she know?

I felt like Peeko was inspecting my clothes, so I retaliated in the same way as Yoshiyuki Konishi (Note 37: Peeko's real name is Katsuaki Sugiura, a Japanese entertainer and fashion critic, while Yoshiyuki Konishi is a male fashion designer).

Yuihama wore a strapless, off-the-shoulder top, the right plastic strap hanging on her shoulder while the left one slipped down; a heart-shaped necklace around her neck swayed slightly, she seemed to really like it. She wore a denim short jacket over her upper body and black work pants with gold button embellishments; her feet were draped in high-heeled sandals that resembled vines, the anklets swaying with each step.

"I always felt he didn't have a very mature air about him..."

"Huh? Where is the adult smell?"

Yuigahama nervously looked at her hands and feet. Well, at least with this outfit, she looks like a female college student…

Now everyone was almost here, except for one person. Just as I was thinking this, I heard voices behind me.

"Sorry, am I late?"

In the shadows of the night, the white summer dress stood out, while the trousers underneath accentuated her slender and graceful legs. The small sandals had a simple design, but they complemented her shapely ankles perfectly.

When she raised her wrist to check the time, the pink face of the small watch looked adorable against her fair skin; the metal strap wrapped around her gleaming wrist resembled a silver craft.

"The timing is perfect."

Beneath the snow, it resembles a small white flower blooming in the night, exuding a refreshing charm.

"what……"

I could only utter a sound, unable to say anything else. The memory of being stunned by that beauty when I first stepped into the Service Society's office resurfaced in my mind.

If only her personality were a little more normal...

Have you ever heard of a "wasteful person"?

"How foolish, there are no ghosts in the world."

Yukinoshita ignored my question and scanned everyone present.

"Um……"

Then, starting with the timber stand, she pointed to everyone in turn.

"Failed."

"Hmm?"

"Failed."

“…Huh?”

"Failed."

"what?"

"His character is subpar."

"Hello……"

Everyone was inexplicably declared a failure, and my evaluation was particularly different.

"Didn't I tell you to dress more maturely?"

"Aren't you supposed to act like an adult?"

"If you're not dressed formally enough, you'll be turned away at the door when we go there. Men should wear collared shirts and jackets; that's the bare minimum."

"Yes, there is such a rule..."

Yukinoshita nodded to Totsuka.

"Higher-end restaurants or hotels often have this rule, so it's best to remember it now."

"You seem to know quite a bit about that."

Logically speaking, most high school students wouldn't know these things. After all, the restaurants we frequent are mostly Bamiyan (Note 38, a Japanese chain of Chinese restaurants) and Saizeriya; if it's anything more upscale, it's at most a Rakuen-level establishment.