My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 507

Seeing her, it suddenly occurred to me.

"...You're graduating soon, right?"

"Um."

Komachi simply responded with a soft nod, answering my question.

Because the atmosphere of celebrating her admission was so intense, my attention was focused on Komachi's upcoming high school graduation. But before that, Komachi had to go through her middle school graduation ceremony. Despite the difference between middle and high school, she was still a graduate who would be sent off.

I began to think about how to get inspiration for the ball from her, and subtly asked:

"Speaking of graduation, what are you going to do?"

"What? That's a weird question."

Although Komachi was smiling wryly, she still looked up and took the time to think about me.

"Graduation... Ah, Komachi is going on her graduation trip."

She looked like she'd just thought of it. I suddenly stood up.

"Huh? I didn't know that. Where's my brother?"

"Uh, my brother can't go. Komachi is going with her friends, not her family."

Komachi waved her hand seriously, saying, "Who would go with my brother?" I almost blurted out, "No, no, no, how can we stay out overnight? My brother wouldn't agree!" I even said, "My brother wouldn't agree—" but seeing Komachi's disdainful look, I swallowed my words.

Komachi isn't a child anymore... It's not good to deliberately act like an older brother and nag. Besides, Komachi has the ability to judge for herself; she probably won't do anything strange or go near dangerous places. "Komachi, I believe in you!" I conveyed my trust to her with my eyes. Komachi instantly showed an impatient expression, slumped her shoulders, and sighed helplessly.

"There were also graduation parties and such. Although it was just having dinner with classmates."

"Oh……"

I casually agreed and noted it down in my phone's notes.

Putting aside graduation trips, if it were a party or similar event, I can probably imagine everyone going to a family-run restaurant or yakiniku (grilled meat) place to eat and chat, right? Or perhaps a combination of a family-run restaurant and a yakiniku restaurant, like "Akamon," which is known as Japan's first family-run yakiniku restaurant. Because for people who grew up in Chiba, when it comes to yakiniku, "Akamon" is the only place that comes to mind... If you're not from Chiba Prefecture, when you ask about yakiniku restaurants, you'd probably answer Sengoku [Note 13: referring to the anime "Yakiniku Sengoku"]. That's what I've heard.

...On another note, are all the people in the class really everyone? There are definitely some who weren't invited at this time (according to my investigation). I know a lot about this.

So let's ask something else.

Are there any other events?

"What? An event?"

Hearing my question, Komachi tilted her head in surprise, and then, as if thinking of something, said "Oh."

"...Ah—the Three Send-Offs event seems like quite an event, doesn't it? I've heard that."

"The Three-Send Association... Ah, that Three-Send Association?"

This term is rarely heard, and it took me a while to understand it. The so-called "three-farewell party" is actually a farewell party for third-year students.

I dug up my memories from junior high. Besides the graduation ceremony, there really were similar events, and the whole class was forced to participate, including singing. I also remember being yelled at by the tenor group, including myself, with "Hey! You boys, pay attention!" The girl who was providing piano accompaniment ran away crying, and the girls' group from Orimoto chased after them. In the end, I was forced to apologize…

This part alone overwhelmed my memory of the Three Deliveries Meeting, making it impossible for me to recall anything else.

"I remember we were supposed to sing. What was the song called? I think it was called 'The Stinky Orange Song'."

"The Song of Leaving the Nest." [Note 14: "Orange" and "leaving the nest" are homophones, and are often mistaken for stinky oranges.]

"Yes, that's it. And that one too, the one about 'the earth, the mother of all things'."

"Yes, yes, that's the feeling. But 'Hymn to the Earth' is sung at the graduation ceremony. There are also performances to watch."

Upon hearing her words, an exclamation mark appeared in my mind, and the door to my memories suddenly opened.

"The performance... ah—I think there is, that one, right? Bathed in—the light of early spring—one, two, us!"

Komachi, as if in a round, repeated after me:

"One, two, us!"

Graduation is coming!

Graduation is coming!

Even the part where they were divided into boys and girls, and paused for two beats, was perfectly reproduced... This silly behavior made me smile at Komachi.

"...Like this?"

Komachi smiled back. We smiled at each other, then Komachi shook her head.

"No, that's not right at all."

"Huh... then why are you being so cooperative..."

If that's not right, why didn't you stop me sooner...? I looked at her with resentment, and Komachi gave a helpless smile.

"That was a graduation speech, and it was for elementary school students."

"Huh? Really? I really don't remember. I only graduated from elementary school and junior high school twice, so I don't have much experience."

I'll tentatively add the three-part event to my memo. While I don't think it's particularly valuable, these notes are the initial drafts for brainstorming. I wonder if they'll give me any ideas. I'll also add singing, performing, and giving speeches as well.

Taking notes could be considered a form of solo brainstorming. Yu Sheng taught me this too, saying I shouldn't immediately draw conclusions, but then she rejected my opinion in a second…

As I was lost in nostalgic memories and reminiscing about the past, Komachi, for some reason, had tears welling up in her eyes and looked at me with pity.

"Yeah... my brother hasn't graduated from Pretty Cure and Idol Activities yet either..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? There's no such thing as graduation; it's lifelong learning. Those who stop learning don't graduate; they drop out, okay?!"

"Brother, that's called repeating a grade..."

Hearing my explanation, Komachi sighed in despair.

As expected of Komachi, she knows me very well. Considering I haven't grown at all this year, "repeated a grade" might be a surprisingly apt description. I inadvertently let out a self-deprecating, gloomy laugh.

Seeing my reaction, Komachi tilted her head in confusion. But she didn't delve into it further, instead asking other questions.

"Don't high schools hold similar events like the 'Three Send-Offs' ceremony?"

"Ah—it seems not."

At least around this time last year, it seems like this wasn't happening. Clubs might hold their own graduation farewell parties, but I'm not in any clubs, so I'm not sure. I guess I'll have to ask someone else later. Therefore, I added "Let's talk to Totsuka ♡" to my memo, and that's all!

The brainstorming session went well and I felt satisfied. I looked up from behind my phone screen and saw Komachi resting her head on her hand on the kotatsu (heated table).

"I see... Well, they're high school students after all, so they really don't know how to organize these kinds of events?"

Komachi murmured with a hint of regret, humming a song as she touched Koyuki. "I remember this song," she said, "it seems to be a well-known graduation song."

I listened to a slightly melancholic melody and closed the notes app on my phone.

"Although there won't be a three-part celebration... we'll be holding a dance starting this year."

I opened the dance-related webpage I'd been browsing not long ago and handed her my phone. Komachi peeked over and exclaimed:

"Oh...wow, that's amazing. Wow, oh~...we're going to do this?"

She turned to look at me with sparkling eyes, and I gave a stiff, bitter smile and nodded in response. Without saying a word, I assured her that a ball would be held.

There was no reasonable basis for it. There was insufficient preparation and time. They didn't even know what they were supposed to do.

However, the ball will definitely be a success.

This is the only thing that is certain.

╳ ╳ ╳

I slept all night, but I still couldn't shake off the fatigue.

Yesterday, Komachi and I lazily snuggled up at the kotatsu (heated table) and took a nap, and before we knew it, it was dark. Half-asleep, I went back to my room, collapsed onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

When I came to my senses, it was already daylight, and I would be late if I didn't leave soon. I quickly ate breakfast, changed my clothes, and went to school, but I still couldn't guarantee that I would arrive before the bell rang.

Logically speaking, Komachi's sleep schedule is the same as mine, but she got up in a flash, quickly got ready, and rushed out the door while I was busy.

So it seems I've had enough sleep. But my head is still foggy, and my feet feel heavy as I pedal.

Neither the brain nor the pedals could rotate smoothly; only the watch hands kept circling.

Starting today, we must sort out the dance party issues.

Time is running out, and the options available are limited. But I haven't even come up with a concrete plan. Besides, I've already made a bold claim, and some people will feel awkward when they meet me.

Thinking about it made my legs feel even heavier. However, with great effort, I managed to ride my bicycle and pass through the side gate just as the preparatory bell rang.

I hurried towards the main gate; class was about to start. The gate was crowded with students who had finished their morning exercises, and others like me who had almost been late.

I spotted a man with pinkish brown hair among them. He quickened his pace, his backpack, long scarf, and the bun on his head bobbing as he walked.

Seeing Yui reminded me of our conversation before we parted yesterday, and I hesitated whether I should call out to her. While I was hesitating, Yui went to the shoe cabinet and changed into indoor shoes.

She saw me too, stopped instantly, smiled, and gently waved to me in front of her chest.

This made me inexplicably embarrassed. I quickly nodded two or three times in response, pulled up my scarf, and jogged towards the shoe cabinet.

Yuihama, with her hair in a bun, said softly:

"Good morning."

"……morning."

Our eyes met for only a moment before my gaze immediately fell on the indoor shoes I had tossed at my feet. As I stepped on them by the heels, Yui Hama waited silently beside me.

I tapped the floor a few times with my toes to indicate that we could go. She nodded and walked ahead of me as if to lead the way.

"Oh dear—that was close! I was almost late."

As Yuihama spoke, she quickly took off her scarf, rolled it up, and hugged it to her chest, her expression and tone as cheerful as ever.

Therefore, I felt very awkward and didn't know what to say in response.

Rationally, I knew that since her attitude was no different from usual, it was best not to ask about yesterday's events, but I also felt it would be hypocritical to remain completely silent. I brushed past the students coming from the opposite direction, and only after everyone was within a meter's radius did I lower my voice and ask her:

"How were you yesterday?"

"what?"

Yui looked at my face with a puzzled expression, probably because my question was too sudden and she didn't know how to react. However, she quickly realized what I was referring to and shyly covered her cheek.

"Ah—um. It's nothing! I'm sorry, um…hehehe, how embarrassing…didn't I tell you, this kind of thing happens all the time?"

Panic, shyness, embarrassment, and a hint of sulking—Yuhihama's expressions shifted before finally settling on a smile. I felt she was implying the topic was over, and I nodded, a slight smile playing on my lips. Even though I suspected something had probably happened, I wasn't childish enough to press for answers, to provoke her, or to remain indifferent. Although it hasn't been a long time, over this period of time, we seem to have become increasingly adept at finding the most comfortable distance and space between each other.

We climbed the stairs, Yui taking a light step ahead of me, about half a step ahead. I followed a beat slower. There weren't many people around; perhaps most students were heading to their classrooms for class. As we neared the top of the stairs, Yui turned and looked back at me.

"And what about you? What happened after that?"

"Hmm—a lot has happened. The ball, I've decided to give it a try."

"I see."

She smiled as if relieved, and turned to face forward again. I nodded in response to her retreating figure, my lips parted in a heavy silence.

"So...you should go home first today."

We hadn't agreed to go home together. So, saying something like that felt like an overreaction, utterly disgusting. I really wanted to yell at myself, "What am I misunderstanding?" But Yui nodded silently.

"Okay. Got it."

I felt somewhat redeemed and was able to get the rest of my words out smoothly.

"Or rather, it won't just be today; it will continue for a while. Anyway, that's how it is."

"...Yeah, I know. You're going to help Yukino, right?"

Yuihama climbed the stairs step by step, as if to make sure she was on the right foot. Soon after, she stepped onto the third floor where our classroom was located. I watched her from half a step away, as she untied her scarf and turned her neck to relax her muscles.

It would be best to explain the situation to Yuihama. Regardless of whether I can gain her forgiveness, I want her to know.

"No, well... let alone help her, I'd even fight her."

"Hmm...hmm? What?"

Yui, who had been walking straight ahead, suddenly stopped and quickly turned around. She stared in disbelief, her entire body conveying a "What the heck…" feeling. Her strong reaction, ironically, made me feel refreshed. It was worth it to decide to play along.

"Uh, you heard me right... It's because that girl is really stubborn. Who wants to help her? So I just went against her. This is the only way to get involved in this."

"……Whoa whoa."

Yuihama initially seemed unable to accept it, but then she gradually came to understand what had happened, and her initially confused expression turned into extreme confusion.

"Well...you can be really clumsy sometimes..."

"Quite the opposite. I'm sometimes incredibly smart."