My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 516

Why can't I use my own things...? As I listened to the woodworker, who proudly claimed he didn't know anything, explain how to operate the machine, I pondered and carefully read the introductory book.

Just then, perhaps because he had nothing better to do, the lumber carrier started coughing loudly. What's wrong with him? So annoying. I turned my eyes to look at him, and for some reason, he was smiling, and for some reason, he was also a little blushing, turning his head away.

"A name? I've got it..."

"Oh, really..."

Is he going to bring up the light novel I haven't even started writing yet...? I'm letting it go in one ear and out the other. Zaimokuza pulls a folded piece of paper from his coat pocket. Looks like he wants me to read it...

Helpless, I put down my introductory book and opened the paper. What greeted my eyes was an award written in exceptionally beautiful calligraphy: "Best Project for the Senior High School Dance Party." Huh… what's this…? I paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered.

"Oh. A name."

Yesterday, I wrote "Name Collection in Progress ♥" on the whiteboard to collect group names. Caimuzuo took it seriously and even diligently helped me think of names. He coughed a few times and lifted the hem of his coat.

"Exactly! This is the 'best' one..."

"Okay, okay, no need to explain, I roughly understand."

"yes……"

He was visibly disappointed. He probably wanted to explain the homophonic pun between "reconsider" and "best" [Note 34: both are homophones in Japanese]. Well, that's not important. What's important is appropriate conciseness and a suitable level of silliness. In that respect, the name is surprisingly good. Especially the homophonic pun, it's incredibly silly. Very good.

"This is it. Thanks."

"what?"

The woodworker stared in disbelief, probably because I had agreed too readily. I ignored him and handed the paper to Qin Ye and Sagami.

"The group name has been decided, please use this."

“Eh…”

“Is this true…?”

The two women's cheeks twitched, and they let out dry laughs. Only Yuihama, who peeked out, said with satisfaction, "Not bad!"

"Hmm, I see... Is that okay...?"

Finally understanding the situation, the woodworker coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment and savored the taste of joy.

Actually, I think it's a good name that expresses hope for the future. Please look forward to Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's next work!

╳ ╳ ╳

As the sun gradually set in the west, it shone into the game club office.

Other clubs should be starting to pack up as well.

The clanging of metal bats has faded away, and the rugby club's powerful cheers have been silent for a long time. I stood up and looked out the window at the field; the soccer club was also cleaning up.

"Okay, that's about it for today. You can leave whenever you feel free."

I stood by the window and turned around. They all let out helpless sighs, twisting their necks and shoulders. Yuihama also relaxed her shoulders, turned back and asked me:

"Shall we go find Hayato-kun?"

"Um."

After I answered, Yui took out her phone, ready to make a call.

"Should we contact him first?"

"That's true... Ah, no need, it's alright. It's definitely more reliable to go directly to him."

I thought about it for a moment and changed my mind.

Telephone calls, text messages, messaging apps, etc., are not really reliable means of communication. These communication tools are useless if ignored. "Didn't see it," "Sleeping," "Phone dead," "Phone lost," "Thinking back, I wasn't actually using LINE," "Oh yeah, I don't even have a phone"—situations like these occasionally happen. This is based on my personal experience.

Furthermore, although Hayama shouldn't ignore Yuihama's messages, it would be troublesome if he changed his mind later. Given the time constraints, I want to get things settled today.

Yuihama seemed to understand my intention and nodded.

"Oh, I see... but I'll contact him via LINE first. I'll let you know when he replies."

"Okay. Thank you."

I quickly packed my things and left the office.

Walk to the main gate and head towards the playground.

The courtyard between the main school building and the special building was blocked by other buildings, so it got dark faster than in other places. The arcade under the main school building on the east side was naturally shrouded in the shadow of the special building, making it appear even darker.

A figure moved in the darkness.

I looked closely and saw someone in front of the vending machine under the school building. I took a few steps forward, and the figure became clearer. It looked like a girl.

With a click, the girl squatted down, presumably to buy a drink. She stood up, her long, glossy black hair swaying in the wind. The cold white light from the vending machine illuminated the ethereal smile on her pale face.

I couldn't be mistaken. It's Yukino Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita gripped the jar tightly, put on the coat she wasn't wearing but just covering her shoulders, walked to the courtyard, sat on the central bench, and stared blankly at the sky.

The streetlights illuminated the bare winter wood that seemed to be looking down at the bench, and orange light filtered through the gaps in the bare branches.

The scene was like a painting, and the urge to keep looking at it surged forth.

However, without passing through here, I couldn't get to the playground or the parking lot. Therefore, even knowing that I would disrupt this perfect world, I still stepped out.

The other person probably heard the footsteps and looked in my direction.

"Oh dear, Hachiman."

"……oh."

I nodded in response to Yukinoshita, who wore a calm smile.

Yukinoshita was warming her hands with a beverage can when she saw me coming, and quickly hid it behind her back. However, no matter how she hid it, I couldn't possibly miss its unique color and design.

"It's rare to see you drinking this."

"...It's just right to replenish sugar."

I gave a mocking smile. Yukinoshita's cheeks flushed slightly, and she pulled her coat tighter as if to hug herself, hiding the can inside. "You've finally discovered the charm of MAX coffee. Very good."

I glanced at the playground and saw the soccer club tidying up the field. I figured I'd have to wait a while before I could catch Ye Shan.

I looked at her and asked, "May I sit here?" Yukinoshita nodded and moved aside to make room for me. I made room for one person and sat down on the bench.

"Are you resting?"

"Yeah, let's go outside for some fresh air."

Looking out over the school buildings from beneath the snow, the lights in the student council office were still on. Unlike the rather deserted Service Club, which had little to no furniture, the student council office had a heater that Iroha had brought without permission, so it should be quite warm.

"I understand. A warm indoor environment can actually make people's minds wander."

I nodded in agreement instinctively. The game club, perhaps because of the abundance of clutter, also felt incredibly lively. Yukinoshita put her hand to her mouth and laughed.

"Oh dear, do you always have the heater on? I'm worried about the electricity bill."

"Don't worry. The others look at me with cold eyes, and I use that to maintain my balance."

"A truly eco-friendly lifestyle."

As Yukino shrugged and spoke, I curled the corners of my lips into a smile.

"Yes. Alternating between hot and cold, just like in a sauna, can help regulate your body."

"Is this how the word 'smooth' is used...?"

"I don't know. At least everyone says that going to a sauna can help clear your mind. In reality, after enjoying two Finnish saunas, taking a cold bath with glycine, and then having an outdoor air bath [Note 35: refers to exposing the body to outdoor air], I can only describe it as smooth."

"Your speech is completely incoherent... I can't understand a word you say."

My tone was unusually enthusiastic, and Yukino slumped her shoulders.

Yukinoshita couldn't understand. Super bathhouses [Note 36: bathhouses more luxurious than regular ones, even with facilities like cafeterias, barbershops, and open-air baths] are places you could spend your whole life in! I occasionally go with my dad, and he pays for me. Some places even have manga; it's more enjoyable than staying in a manga cafe, it's amazing. While saunas are an old man's hobby, these days it's trendy to use old men's hobbies as anime subject matter. My skin feels it; I'm sure manga or anime about girls taking saunas will become popular soon. No wonder it's a sauna, it makes my skin so smooth and sensitive…

While chatting, I secretly glanced at Xuexia's expression.

Her face held the same determined look she'd had just a few days earlier when she said goodbye to the student council, along with a calm smile. It was quite familiar to me.

The sense of distance between us made me nostalgic, and I spoke with a faint, bitter smile.

"How is the situation?"

Yukino looked at me with a slight surprise, but then immediately laughed as if mocking me.

"...It's rare to see someone who cares about others."

"No, not exactly. Reconnaissance is necessary."

I said nonchalantly, and Yukinoshita seemed to pause for a moment, then chuckled and shrugged.

"...That's true. Everything's going smoothly on my end. The work is underway, and I've discussed everything with the relevant people. It's mostly just the procedures for today left."

Looking up at the sky from beneath the snow, she checked each item one by one. Judging from her tone, she didn't seem to be pushing herself too hard.

"I'm so envious... Ah, don't push yourself too hard. Just make sure you have Iroha's handy. That guy has the talent to be a corporate slave."

"You don't need to tell me, this is my plan."

I said, half-jokingly, and Yukinoshita narrowed her eyes, revealing a shrewd smile. This person seems half-serious; it's terrifying…

"What about over there?"

Yukino's expression softened as she asked me, and I answered through my scarf:

"Things went fairly smoothly, so smoothly that I didn't have to work overtime. There's one more task I need to handle outside, I don't know when it will be finished, but once it's done, I can go straight home. The rest I can do at home."

"The only thing that's going smoothly is managing attendance..."

She pressed her temples as if she had a headache, sighed helplessly, and then lowered her gaze to her feet.

"There was clearly no need to force it."

I nodded slightly, responding to the whispered murmur that seemed to disappear with the white aura, and remained silent for a moment, thinking about what to say.

"...I've always been forcing myself. For me, this is normal."

"yes……"

Yukinoshita seemed to be pondering those words, nodded, and said nothing more.

Instead, she reached into her coat and pulled something out for me.

"If you don't mind..."

That was the MAX coffee she had just bought. I reached out and took it; it was still warm. Perhaps it was because she hadn't opened it and had kept it in the inner bag.

"Oh, thank you. Hmm, what's up?"

"Don't you still have work to do? I just came out to rest. I'll go back and have something to drink."

After Yukino finished speaking, she prepared to get up.

I gently gestured to stop her, and then I stood up instead.

"Wait a minute... Oh, what would you like to drink?"

I took out some change from my pocket, making a clanging sound. Yukinoshita shook her head and politely declined.

"No need. Just accept it as a token of our appreciation."

"No, I have no right to take your things for free. If they're gifts for visiting the set, I should reciprocate. Is the same thing okay? I was planning to buy MAX coffee anyway."

I went on and on, and Yukinoshita seemed a little annoyed, staring at me with a stern face. However, perhaps sensing my unwavering resolve, she exhaled, indicating she had given up, and a smile bloomed on her face.

"They specialize in spouting fallacies..."

She smiled helplessly, sat back in her chair, tilted her head slightly, and looked up at me.

"...Then it's the same."

I responded to her smile with a "Okay," then jogged over to buy the drink and quickly returned. I was a little out of breath as I handed her the still-warm MAX coffee.

"Be careful, it's hot."

She pulled up the sleeves of her sweater slightly and carefully took it from Yukino.

"Thanks……"

She thanked me softly, and I shook my head in response, then sat back down on the bench and opened the MAX coffee she had given me. The rising steam, illuminated by the orange light, began to dissipate into the air from the top. Taking a sip, the sweetness spread in my mouth, warming my entire body.

I sipped it slowly, while Yukinoshita held the jar to warm her hands.

Neither of them spoke, letting time pass by. Sometimes they wanted to strike up a conversation, or the other wanted to speak to them, but only a sigh escaped their lips, and no words came out.