My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 500

I'm familiar with this stubborn type. To be precise, I've been told that about myself.

No matter how much I try to convince myself, living a life as ambiguous and uncertain as cotton candy, I can't help but sit idly by. No amount of words can fool me, and I often can't help but delve into the root cause of my obsessive-compulsive disorder that borders on ego. As a result, even now, that monster of ego still dwells in my heart, always watching me from the shadows just a step away.

That's why I understand that one's own beliefs cannot be easily erased. Yukinoshita must feel the same way. Regardless of whether the notion of "dependence" is true, at least that's what Yukinoshita believes. No matter how much you try to deny it, you probably can't convince her.

"Besides, what Haruno said isn't entirely wrong. This matter is very important to Yukinoshita. It's probably like a trial she's given herself."

"A trial?"

I repeated a word that I rarely hear in daily life, and Hiratsuka-sensei nodded gently.

"Well, you could also call it a kind of ritual of passage."

She picked up a cigarette from the low table and lit it. She took a deeper drag than before and slowly exhaled a thin stream of smoke.

"Do you think I'm exaggerating?"

"……Won't."

I shook my head.

"I think, well, that's definitely true."

"That's right. It happens all the time. Anything. Music, comics, sports—you can use participating in a selection process as a way to put an end to something, like a major competition. Exams, jobs, or setting goals like 'I want to…'—it's all the same. Everyone has to face their own period of life."

Hiratsuka-sensei's tone was as if she were reminiscing about the past.

"Do teachers have them too?"

"Yeah, of course."

She smiled back, took another drag of her cigarette, exhaled a small puff of smoke, and squinted her eyes, perhaps from the smoke.

"There are many things I want to do, and many people I want to become. There are also many things I don't want to do and many people I don't want to become. Every time, I make a careful choice, take the challenge, fail, give up, and make another choice, repeating this process... and it's still like this now."

The slowly uttered words swayed forlornly, like smoke in the air.

I know nothing about the "past" that these words refer to. However, even Hiratsuka-sensei, who seems to have fully matured, has tried several options so far.

So, this must happen.

We often seek the basis, confidence, and achievements to prove ourselves capable of surviving independently. No one is willing to vouch for us. Even if we do, it's meaningless if we don't believe in ourselves. That's why we want to prove ourselves through our own strength.

Was it right to so easily interfere with Yukino Yukinoshita's resolve, decisions, and life? That's what Yukino Yukinoshita asked me back then.

Choices, challenges, failures, insights—these were all originally hers alone. Did others have the right to interfere? I didn't provide an answer. What status, and to what extent, would be allowed to interfere in that area?

Hiratsuka-sensei flicked away his cigarette ash and gazed at me through the wisps of white smoke.

"Given this premise, how do you plan to intervene in her affairs?"

She got straight to the point about the key reason for my hesitation.

This must be the final confirmation.

Therefore, I thought it over carefully. Because my answer cannot contain a single lie.

"...At least, there's no option to just sit idly by."

The answer given on the phone back then remains unchanged to this day.

But I won't say it a second time. Neither resolve nor words are cheap or casual.

This was a question that shouldn't have even been considered. I've made my decision; the conclusion remains the only thing that matters.

The meaning behind "Under the Snow" is irrelevant to my actions. That one sentence is enough to provide the reason.

That's what I used to do. I knew very few methods, and there was only one ever truly effective approach. I never succeeded with anything else. The more I tried to avoid making mistakes, the more distorted, worse, and more complicated things became, until in the end, I made a complete mess of things.

Therefore, at least this time, I must do it in a way that I can manage.

Ms. Hiratsuka stared intently at me, her gaze frighteningly serious. I looked back at her. My eyes weren't very big, and they were cloudy, lifeless eyes, but I would never look away.

Not long after, Hiratsuka-sensei slowly smiled.

"Yeah?"

Her narrowed eyes shone with a gentle light. She nodded in satisfaction, and I was a little surprised, speechless. The pressure she had been exuding just moments before instantly transformed into a soft aura, causing me to relax a bit and inadvertently say something I didn't need to say.

"Is that so... Huh, is that all?"

"That's enough. I believe in you."

Without even glancing at me, Professor Hiratsuka answered immediately, as if stating something perfectly obvious.

"...Thank you."

She spoke so directly that I didn't know how to be shy. I pretended to nod, turned my face away, mumbled a thank you, and felt my cheeks suddenly heat up.

Perhaps because my bright red face was noticed, Hiratsuka-sensei chuckled.

"Hachiman, listen carefully. Simply helping out at the ball won't help her. The method is what matters. You understand?"

I nodded in response.

Indeed, she probably wouldn't agree to help organize the ball if I simply asked. In that case, I definitely need to consider the methods. Moreover, the success of the ball doesn't guarantee Yukino's independence and self-reliance.

"Teach him to fish, not to feed him fish"—I've heard this saying countless times. Ultimately, all that matters is that Yukino finds a way to save herself. However, I can't currently think of a way to achieve that. Holding a dance party isn't impossible, but I don't think that's the best solution.

I couldn't help but scratch my head.

"It's quite difficult..."

"Sigh...it's not simple. Especially given your situation."

Hiratsuka-sensei exhaled a puff of smoke, revealing a faint, bitter smile.

"Yes. I think that kind of relationship only exists when the other person is also seeking help... This time, our opinions are completely at odds."

As I spoke, I made a cross with my fingers.

Hiratsuka-sensei shrugged, looking slightly helpless.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about? What were you all doing before?"

"What are you all doing...?"

I have absolutely no recollection of it... It feels like I didn't do anything significant.

I looked puzzled. Hiratsuka-sensei clenched her fists and raised them in front of me. Then, with a whoosh, she swung her empty fists. Ugh, this is terrifying! I'm going to get punched, but then she'll be incredibly gentle with me, making me fall for this contrast and creating the perfect domestic violence relationship, right...? I was terrified. Hiratsuka-sensei flashed a strong smile.

"Since ancient times, when justice clashes between two sides, they must fight to the death."

I once heard this sentence, and I couldn't help but say it:

"Oh, oh... I miss it so much..."

"Right?"

Hiratsuka-sensei smiled mischievously.

However, her smile lasted only a moment.

Although the corners of her mouth were still turned up, her eyes were filled with sadness, and her gaze wandered in the air.

"I really miss it..."

She didn't say that to me; it probably just slipped out unconsciously. It was definitely something she was saying to herself.

I shook my head a couple of times and slightly tucked my chin in. This gesture looked like agreement, but my true feelings were quite different. So I didn't respond.

As if to fill the brief silence, Hiratsuka-sensei continued:

"You've had several disagreements already. But you've both crossed that wall, so you can have more faith in the results you've built up over the years."

"That's true..."

Hiratsuka-sensei smiled gently, and I listened attentively to her words.

She didn't want anyone to help her. However, it was difficult to completely avoid interference. Therefore, I had to explore other methods. Based on my previous experience, I tried to think about it and began to vaguely get a clue.

I nodded silently. Hiratsuka-sensei looked at it and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

"Once the strategy is set, it'll be simple. Yukino should still be in the student council office. Let's go."

"Okay. Oh, one last question."

Just as I was about to get up, I remembered something that bothered me, so I sat back down on the sofa.

"Um?"

Ms. Hiratsuka tilted her head. This adorable gesture was clearly beyond her years. My expression, on the other hand, was quite the opposite, a mischievous look on my face, with the corners of my mouth unconsciously turning up.

"Regarding the dance, are we just being asked to be self-disciplined?"

"...You asked a similar question just now."

"Ms. Hiratsuka muttered to herself. The implication was that Yukinoshita and the others hadn't given up on the ball after all. Just like me—no, even faster than me, they came to that conclusion."

She deliberately closed her eyes, sighed as if giving up the struggle, then put the half-smoked cigarette back into her mouth and looked in other directions as she exhaled smoke.

I understand this is a tacit agreement, and while I'm grateful, I'm also a little worried.

"Is this alright? If we mess this up, won't you be implicated...? Won't it make it impossible for you to stay at school?"

If anything goes wrong, Hiratsuka-sensei, as the advisor, will also be held accountable. While it's unclear whether she'll face any real punishment, she'll likely receive a reprimand. Using social sanctions as a pretext for psychological vigilante justice can happen in any group.

Ms. Hiratsuka flicked her wrist, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and winked playfully.

"I won't be around by then, so I won't care what happens after I'm gone."

"Wow, this line really has the feel of modern young people."

"What do you mean by 'taste'? I'm a modern person and a young person, okay?"

Ms. Hiratsuka slammed her hand on the table, protesting in a deliberately youthful tone. Her joke made me burst out laughing. Ms. Hiratsuka continued her antics, slapping her own neck with a chopstick.

"Even if something happens, the worst that can happen is that I get beheaded. You don't need to worry. So just go for it."

"Ugh...it's so hard to let go and do it..."

Please don't use "beheading" as a euphemism for dismissal. It only puts me under immense pressure and makes me lose several years of my lifespan in one fell swoop.

"Just kidding, don't worry about it. I always have a way. If you get fired, just get married. Even though I don't have a boyfriend. Ahahaha—"

She scratched her long hair, laughing self-deprecatingly, but I didn't find it funny at all... yet I forced a smile and said:

"don’t worry."

"Huh? Will you marry me?"

Hiratsuka-sensei almost immediately retorted, her eyes wide. "Why? I won't marry you! You're too good for me! So hurry up! Someone come and take her away! Before I change my mind!"

As I was thinking this, Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to feel a sense of emptiness as well, her eyes glistening with tears like those of an abandoned black Labrador. "Ugh, it's like I've been cured of my nausea, like a large dog... But I have a cat at home, so sorry—" I shook my head with that feeling.

"Because I intend to let this matter end peacefully. Basically."

I said that, but I wasn't really sure, which led me to accidentally add a "for safety" at the end of my sentence.

After all, the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable, and even the possibility of cooperating with Yukinoshita was uncertain.

Honestly, I had a feeling that "it's impossible..." but in situations like this, you have to force yourself to say that. Otherwise, Doraemon wouldn't be able to return to the future with peace of mind...

Although more than half of it was just bluffing, bravado, and saving face, I forced a smile. Hiratsuka-sensei looked into my eyes.

"...Really reliable."

As if watching the car gradually disappear into the night, she squinted her eyes, spoke softly in a gentle voice, and gave me a tender smile. Saying something like that directly made me incredibly embarrassed, and I couldn't help but pretend to touch the back of my neck, turning my head slightly away.

I made a bold claim, which was unusual for me.

The difficulty increased further as it required resolving the situation without implicating Hiratsuka-sensei.

Even so, there is still a glimmer of hope.

As long as things go smoothly on my end, Ms. Hiratsuka shouldn't become the target of public criticism, which shouldn't affect her decision to stay or leave. Probably, definitely, no problem. I'm not entirely sure though. Sigh, I should be prepared. What will my parents say when they hear I married a woman almost ten years older than me… So that's what they mean by "prepared"?

In any case, the decision has been made, and there's nothing more to say. We naturally shut our mouths.

After a few seconds of silence, I finished the remaining half of my sweet coffee, along with its bitter taste, and immediately stood up. I grabbed my backpack, coat, and scarf from beside me, leaving everything else behind.

"Let's go."

"Um."

I said a brief goodbye, and Professor Hiratsuka simply nodded in response.

Our conversation is now over. We can end it here.