My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 518

"You know about the ball, right?"

"Yes, I've heard about it."

He must have already known through Isshiki or Yui, so he asked directly. After Hayama gave a brief answer, I nodded and continued:

"Some parents feel that the ball is unhealthy and oppose its holding, and students may be required to be self-disciplined... So I have planned another new ball that is larger and more luxurious."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue stopped eating his pasta.

"...Huh, why?"

"To ensure the ball can be held successfully."

I didn't even glance at the Ministry of Revenue, and said to Hayama. Hayama crossed his arms and fell into deep thought. After a short while, he seemed to have reached a conclusion, and murmured:

"...Simply put, is it about sacrificing a pawn?"

The moment Ye Shan uttered those words, the corners of my mouth twisted into a mocking smile.

"Thank you for understanding so quickly."

No. To be honest, I can't understand it.

He shrugged impatiently, responding to my smile. The person next to us, Kebu, glanced at us, racking his brains, then seemed to give up, leaning forward and quietly asking Yui, "What do you mean?" demanding an explanation. Yui also began to explain softly, "Well..."

It doesn't matter if the Ministry of Revenue doesn't understand. My opponent is Hayama. Ignoring the two whispering, I got to the point.

"Therefore, I would like to ask the president for help."

"I don't think I can be of much help. The president doesn't have much authority."

"I know. I just wanted to make a suggestion to you."

Ye Shan coldly interrupted me, and I gestured with my hand, "Okay, listen to me."

"Aren't you guys planning a graduation farewell party? Have you thought about having all the clubs participate together? I'd like to plan a new dance party to go with this event."

"Farewell party..."

After finishing with the pasta, Tobe, who was reaching for the baked rice, stopped again and looked at Hayama with a puzzled expression. Hayama gave a wry smile.

"I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."

I looked at him, asking, "What's going on?" Hayama picked up his coffee and took a sip. Even though it was clearly espresso, he didn't even flinch, casually saying:

"The student council has already spoken with us about this."

My brow must have furrowed. But Hayama remained unfazed and continued:

"The club president intends to assist the student council. In fact, it's an organization under the student council. So it's unlikely he can help you much."

I was speechless.

That's fast. Has she already started implementing the idea I came up with...? Yukinoshita probably thought of it too, and after strengthening her own plan, she'll take advantage of the president's meeting.

While it's unclear why, sports clubs tend to project a strong image of well-being. Many adults tend to dismiss minor offenses as harmless pranks, showing inexplicable leniency towards passionate young people who dedicate their youth to sports. But are these individuals truly well-behaved? Not at all. Every year, they are suspended or forced to withdraw from competitions for various offenses, and recently, issues such as sexual harassment, power abuse, violence, and drug use have surfaced.

However, I wasn't about to back down. Even knowing it was futile resistance, I still had to negotiate. I prayed that he would issue a Chiba ruling because of Hayama Magic [Note 37: a veiled reference to the scandals surrounding the Japan Amateur Boxing Federation], and asked:

"...Then, how about on a personal level? Would Hayama Hayato, who doesn't have any titles, be willing to help me?"

"The last thing I want to do is help you in a personal capacity."

Hayama's expression revealed genuine disgust, like a boxer who had been hit in the liver. "Alright, now's the time to attack!"

"Just lend me your name."

"It feels like once I lend it to you, you'll never come back."

"Yes..."

He launched a sharp counterattack, and I lowered my head. If I could borrow Hayama's name, I would definitely use it to my heart's content, even using his seal to get a loan to buy a house. Great, Zaimoku-zai! An apartment is secured!

I nodded repeatedly, while Ye Shan rolled his eyes at me.

"Don't admit it... You're the type who puts your name on borrowed games and then sells them, right? I'll never lend them out."

"Don't underestimate me, I wouldn't do something like that. Besides, I don't have any friends I can borrow games from."

I straightened my back, and Hayama sighed deeply. Bebe muttered to himself, "There really is—someone who clearly wrote their name on it with a marker and sold the game to the store… I wonder how Atsushi is doing now—" reminiscing about the past.

Only Yuihama's mouth dropped open in surprise. Hayama seemed to find it strange that Yuihama was silently watching them, and gave her a gentle smile.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, I'm a little surprised. Hehehe..."

Yui watched me and Hayama laugh, looking amused. Hayama awkwardly shut his mouth, pretending to adjust his posture, turning his body to create distance between us.

Okay, to those who only know the gentle Hayama Hayato, his mocking manner might be a bit surprising. You're all wrong. Hayama's personality is actually quite...

That's what I thought to myself. Kebu, who should know Hayama better than I do, flicked a strand of hair at the back of his neck with a hint of pride.

"Sometimes, Hayato's words can be quite sharp."

The Ministry of Revenue grinned, as if asking him, "Right?" Hayama feigned a cough to brush it off.

"Speaking of which, why did it turn out like this? I've never heard Yukino mention any sacrificial pawn plan."

"Of course. Because it's something we do ourselves."

Hayama tilted his head slightly, his gaze demanding an explanation. But it was precisely because I didn't want to explain that I answered with only one sentence. I rested my cheek on my hand and remained silent.

"Weren't you together...? What happened?"

I had already made it clear that I wouldn't speak, but Hayama asked again. He stared straight at me, his elbows resting on the table, his fingers interlaced, as if waiting for me to speak. I sighed softly.

"That's our problem. You don't need to worry about it."

A dark emotion flashed in Ye Shan's eyes, and his glaring gaze left me speechless. Even so, I still forced a shrug in his face.

His gaze remained fixed, the dry air sending shivers down his spine. The Minister of Revenue shifted restlessly, and perhaps others sensed the tension as well.

Yuihama lowered her gaze sadly. A short while later, she began to speak haltingly.

"I think Yukino... wants to prove that she can do this on her own, and if this continues, she will inevitably become dependent on us. So she decided... not to rely on me... and the autistic guy."

"...Did she say that?"

Hayama hesitated slightly, took a deep breath, and then slowly asked, carefully confirming. Yuihama didn't look up, but nodded in response.

"yes……"

He sighed deeply and closed his eyes. I didn't know the meaning of that heavy sigh. However, from the way he bit his lower lip, I could tell he was very distressed.

A suffocating silence descended, making the noise in the shop seem even louder. Yui and I both shut our mouths and stared at our hands.

"Oh...right, have you two eaten? Are you hungry? Would you like to order something?"

Whether it was because she couldn't bear the awkwardness or out of thoughtfulness, Kebu forced a bright smile and flipped through the menu. Yuihama looked at me and asked, "What should we do?" I gently shook my head.

"No, no need. We should go."

"Whoa whoa……"

I didn't want to say it outright, but I conveyed my gratitude through my tone and eyes. However, the Ministry of Revenue didn't seem to understand; he still appeared at a loss.

After the silence was broken, Hayama let out a short breath.

"We will provide full assistance regarding the dance itself. However, neither the club president's committee nor I can help you in my personal capacity... But I will not prevent other members from assisting privately... That's the compromise."

He stared at the cup in front of him, not looking at me. The dark emotions in his eyes were reflected on the water, so deep that no light could be seen.

"...Hmm, that's about right. That should be enough."

Yui looked at me with a slightly uneasy expression.

"Is this alright?"

"Um."

I don't mind if the club president helps Yukinoshita and the others. Getting a promise from Hayama is enough. After all, my goal is to make Yukinoshita's ball a success. To be honest, it's just that they played the club president card first, so the effect isn't that different.

In that case, I can go and prepare other cards.

"This meal is on me. I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this special trip."

I quickly grabbed the bill, got up, and left. Yuihama hurriedly followed.

After we left, Hayama seemed to hesitate about whether to stand up, but finally sighed resignedly and silently got up. The left-behind Kebu hurriedly shoveled his baked rice into his mouth, swallowed it with cola, and chased after us.

╳ ╳ ╳

It was already night when I stepped out of the restaurant.

Perhaps because it was rush hour, the crowd in front of the station was even larger and more congested. We moved along with the flow of people, unable to tell who had stepped out first. Should we go to the station first...? I pushed my bicycle and decided to follow Yui and Tobe ahead of me.

Just then, someone called out to me from behind.

"May I speak to you privately for a moment?"

"what?"

I turned around, and Hayama was standing there idly. Yuihama and Tobe walked back, observing us. Perhaps they were wondering why we had stopped.

Hayama gave the Ministry of Revenue a wink and nodded slightly. The Ministry of Revenue, sensing something from this gesture alone, scratched the back of his neck and replied:

"Ah, then, I'll take Yui home."

"Huh? Why?"

"Why?" Huh? Huh! I should be asking you why you're asking why!

The Ministry of Revenue replied, and Yuihama waved her hand.

"No, our houses are in a different direction. My house is very close to here, I can just walk back."

"So honest! Uh, but usually I have to take the girls home..."

"Oh, no, no need, really. It's okay."

"Hey... your tone is super serious..."

The unexpected reaction left Hobe stunned. Yuihama ignored him, took a step forward, and slightly raised her hand.

"Well then, see you tomorrow. Hayato too."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

I nodded and said goodbye to her, and Hayama waved gently and said, "Goodnight."

Yuihama walked away step by step, with Tobe following behind, constantly tilting his head. After watching them leave, Hayama and I were left alone in the crowd.

Once the two figures had completely disappeared from sight, I finally faced Ye Shan.

"……What's up?"

"Would you like to take a walk?"

Ye Shan used this sentence as an answer, and walked away without waiting for my response. He didn't tell me where he was going, only his back view signaling me to follow.

I followed Hayama, holding my bicycle.

After a while, we walked into an alley across the street from the bustling area and came to a space surrounded by roadside trees. I wasn't familiar with this place, but I saw swings, slides and other play equipment, so it was probably a park.

After passing the amusement park rides, Yeshan stopped at the pavilion.

"Wait here for me."

"Hey, hello."

I tried to call out to him, but Ye Shan jogged away. Left with no other option, I parked my bicycle and sat down on a chair in the gazebo.

There was no one else there. The vast park was silent, with no shelter from the cold wind. I pulled my coat tighter, wrapped my scarf around myself, put my hands in my pockets, and waited for Ye Shan, shaking my feet.

After exhaling several puffs of white breath, he heard the sound of footsteps on sand behind him. Turning around, he saw Hayama walking back with a can of coffee.

"It's going to be thrown away."

He had barely finished speaking when he threw the coffee at me. I quickly pulled my hand out of my pocket and caught it at the last second.

"Thank goodness...you just gave it to me..."

I had barely finished complaining and breathed a sigh of relief when the heat came from my palms. I muttered, "It's so hot..." and tossed the coffee between my hands until it cooled down to a drinkable temperature before pulling the tab and taking a small sip.

Seeing me like this, Hayama smiled contentedly, sat down on the bench next to me, warmed his hands with the coffee can, and soon followed suit, opening it and drinking some. Then, he sighed softly and murmured:

"I'm thinking about things from the past."