My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 524

At my command, the woodwork studio posted a cheerful article with a bunch of hashtags. I refreshed the page, and the social media section showed a freshly made photo of a clay figurine, along with the text, "Exchanged ideas with Seaside Comprehensive High School regarding the dance! We will continue to maintain exchanges with nearby schools!"

"Wow, that seems pretty impressive—not bad at all!"

Yuihama, who was watching the screen behind me, excitedly patted my shoulder. Confused by her close proximity, I returned the laptop to Sagami's younger brother and subtly escaped from Yuihama's grasp.

"Okay, let's upload now. Caimuzuo will temporarily be in charge of updating the articles."

"learn."

"Leave it to me."

Sagami's younger brother and Zaimokuza nodded in agreement, but Qin Ye was the only one looking at the screen with a solemn expression.

"Is this all you need?"

"Well, in terms of content, it's enough, isn't it?"

By presenting the discussion process as a tangible outcome on the website and implying that they would approach other schools, they should have created an atmosphere that made the issue seem unavoidable. The meeting was merely described as an "exchange of opinions," which could be used to deflect blame after the plan fell through. Logically, only those who had reservations about the dance would have overreacted.

Just as I was about to explain, Qin Ye tilted his head and looked at me sideways.

"...No, I meant to ask if the message will be able to get out."

"Yes, that's right... It's fine if only some parents find out. If too many people know, it will be more troublesome to deal with later. I think this is just right. Just in case, I will leak the information to the parents, and they should react quickly."

However, the other party is incredibly difficult to deal with… Thinking about the work ahead, my face unconsciously fell, and a sigh naturally escaped my lips. Yui looked at me with a puzzled expression. I continued, trying to smooth things over.

"Excuse me, could you please keep an eye out for any issues in the next couple of days?"

Qin Ye nodded, turned back to the computer, and began discussing future plans with Sagami.

I looked at everyone's condition and exhaled softly.

Most of the hardware is sorted out. It was a super-urgent project rushed out at the last minute, so the rough edges and defects are obvious, but we did our best. No, it was them who did their best. Thanks to everyone, as long as we get through this weekend, things will work out in the end. Sincere thanks to Zaimokuza and the game company.

"If all goes well, we should see results next Monday... Anyway, thank you. I'm saved."

It's really embarrassing to thank you in such a low voice, but I still placed my hands on my open thighs and slowly lowered my head.

The woodworker and the game club members looked at me like I'd seen a rare and exotic creature, while only Yui smiled contentedly. Being stared at like that was really awkward, so I cleared my throat.

"Oh, I'll thank you all later. Sorry to trouble you all on the weekend. Please feel free to call it a day when you're ready to leave... Anyway, thank you for your hard work."

As soon as I said it, I grabbed my things and quickly left. If the boss isn't going home, nobody feels comfortable leaving! How considerate and chic. Bosses all over the world should learn from me.

"Ah, wait a minute... Thank you, everyone! Let's have a celebration banquet later!"

Yuihama also stood up, raising her hand high energetically to Zaimokuza and the others. Qin Ye and Sagami's younger brother returned vague smiles.

"Uh, the victory celebration banquet is..."

"Okay, I'll consider it..."

"Hmm. All I can say is, I'll go if I have time."

Only Zaimokuza answered with great enthusiasm. This is usually a phrase said when someone isn't going, but coming from Zaimokuza, it gave the impression that he really would come. It's incredible…

The three of them, immersed in the relief and sense of accomplishment of their mission, began to chat. I ignored them and left the game club with Yui.

Unfortunately, I still have work to do. I took my phone out of my pocket and started typing as I walked. My neighbor, Yui, was also scrolling through her phone and watching me.

"What are you going to do next? Go home?"

"No... make the call first, and then we'll see how it goes."

I said that, but I hesitated to dial the number. Looking at the contacts on the screen, I sighed deeply again.

I should have contacted that person much earlier.

It's human nature to procrastinate on calls or texts we don't want to make—for example, reporting work progress or notifying someone we'll be late. These kinds of messages, accompanied by anxiety and guilt, are always left unattended. This is the mentality of a lazy person. As a result, by the last minute, the other party contacts us first, causing significant harm. Knowing the consequences, yet unable to control ourselves…

But this time, no matter how unwilling I am, I have no other choice but to do this.

I frowned and stared at my phone, while Yui looked at me and the phone with a puzzled expression.

"Who should I call?"

"...the person who helped leak the information."

I came to the open-air corridor leading to the special building and finally made up my mind. Yuihama was watching me with concern, which made me prepare myself.

I let out a long sigh and glanced at Yuihama.

"...Excuse me, I'm going to make a phone call."

"Um."

This meant that Hihama should go first, but she stopped, indicating that she wanted to wait for me. So, I felt awkward asking her to go home…

Having no other choice, I pointed to the bench in the hallway, signaling for her to wait there. Then, I pressed the call button.

The phone rang two or three times before the other party answered quickly.

"Hey~ Hello~ How are you doing?"

"...Thanks to you."

The person on the other end of the phone—Yukinoshita Haruno—sounded relaxed and at ease, as if our conversation from the past few days had never happened. Hearing her voice, I could feel my cheeks twitching. Perhaps it was because of this that my voice distorted, and a cheerful laugh came through the receiver.

I quickly continued, trying to erase the unpleasant feeling of being seen through.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you, is that alright?"

"Of course. You're very welcome."

"I'm sorry for the suddenness, is tonight a convenient time for you...?"

The other person exhaled, seemingly thinking for a moment.

"Hmm...that's really sudden. Okay, it's alright. Could you come find me? There's a cafe inside the shopping mall."

"...Ah—over there."

Yang Nai hesitated for only a moment before answering, which annoyed me a little. I had a vague recollection of the location she specified, but gave a vague response.

Just then, Yui, who was sitting on the bench, stood up and, as if to lean against me, secretly brought her ear close to her phone. This action startled me, and my heart skipped a beat. But I couldn't push her away, so I quickly moved to the side to keep my distance. Yui, however, looked displeased and moved closer to me again.

The silent battle of wits puzzled Yang Nai, who asked me:

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

I answered immediately, pressed the microphone, and whispered a rebuke to Yuihama.

"...What's wrong? I'm on the phone..."

"Are you going to meet with Haruno-neechan?"

Yui interrupted me. Her tone was sharper than usual, and her expression was somewhat troubled. Seeing this, I couldn't bear to lie to her or make up an excuse to brush her off, so I gave a brief reply.

"...Hmm. I'd like to ask her to help me leak the website information in a clever way."

"Can I come along?"

Yuihama's tone was sharper than usual, and she looked distressed.

"Why……"

I asked her, but Yui-hama pursed her lips and didn't answer. However, her determined look told me that even if I wanted to refuse, she would go with me.

To be honest, I didn't really want to agree. Every time I met Yukinoshita, nothing good ever came of it. I didn't want to drag Yui into it too. However, while I was hesitating, an impatient "Hello? Hello—" came through the receiver. I quickly held the phone to my ear.

"Ah—I'm sorry... Well, Yuihama and I will go over there later."

"Hihama-chan? Hmm, okay—"

Yang answered without thinking. After agreeing on the time and place, she hung up the phone.

I helplessly put down my phone and looked at Yui. She clutched the charm on her backpack and bit her lower lip.

"Let's go..."

I called her name, and Yui nodded with a smile. However, the footsteps behind me were quiet, lacking their usual vibrancy.

Slow, quiet, and imperceptible.

I think this is probably the sound of approaching the finish line.

╳ ╳ ╳

As the sun sank below the horizon, only a few rays of light remained in the western sky. Streetlights and building lights illuminated the city where the sun lingered, casting long shadows of pedestrians in several directions.

The café that Yang Nai chose has already attracted many customers. Its stylish European style, combined with soft music, exudes a calm and serene atmosphere.

After learning why we were there, the staff led us to the outdoor seating area. The early spring wind was still a bit chilly, and the nighttime temperature was low, so there were only a few customers in this area.

Only one corner inside, with no one sitting next to Yukino Yukinoshita, was like a blank area.

Yang Nai, wearing a deep red coat, sat quietly reading under the umbrella-shaped electric heater. She wore a long skirt and ankle boots, with a blanket casually covering her legs, whether provided by the shop or not was unclear. She occasionally warmed her hands by wrapping them around a glass, then picked it up to sip her drink.

Seeing her figure, I paused for a moment, squinting my eyes. The feeling Yang Nai gave me overlapped with a scene I hadn't seen in a long time.

However, I was only confused for a brief moment. Yang noticed us, smiled, and waved.

I bowed slightly in greeting, obediently walked forward, and sat down opposite Yuihama.

"Would you like something to drink? The bread here is also very good."

I wanted to finish quickly, so I only planned to order the same thing as Yang Nai. But before I could even say it, I realized she seemed to be drinking mulled wine. Every time the purplish-red liquid swished, it released a rich cinnamon aroma.

"coffee."

"Ah... I'd like black tea."

We quickly ordered our food and waited for our drinks. During this time, Yang Nai placed a bookmark in the book she was halfway through reading and put it in her bag.

"So? What do you need to discuss with me about?"

She leaned forward slightly, propping her cheek up as she gazed at me. Those eyes reminded me of what had happened a few days ago. Her alluring red lips curved into a smile, and her large eyes arched as she looked at me. Her long, slender legs, crossed under the table, touched my knees with her toes.

The words I wanted to say turned into a sigh, stuck in my throat. My mouth began to go dry.

Honestly, I don't want to talk to Haruno. I don't dislike her; if I had to say I'm bad at dealing with most girls, I wouldn't be. If you examine her simply by looking at her individual qualities, you wouldn't find her repulsive. She has many endearing qualities, both in appearance and personality.

But I'm afraid. It's like seeing a mirror in the dead of night, discovering a window slightly ajar in a dimly lit room, feeling the scent of someone showering behind you—this fear of not being able to confirm the truth.

What if I say something? Will she have all the information to keep, and I be forced to face the truth I don't want to know again? Such unease welled up in my heart.

"That's about the ball...."

Yuihama, unable to bear my hesitation any longer, took the initiative to answer.

"Oh, so that's what it is."

The joy on Yang Nai's face seemed like an illusion, gradually fading away. She leaned back in her chair, clearly losing interest.

"When someone says they want to discuss something, it usually means they're getting relationship counseling, right?"

She shrugged dramatically, as if joking, to show her helplessness. I sighed softly.

"When someone says they want to discuss something, they usually mean they want to ask you for a favor."

I moistened my throat with the coffee that had just been served and successfully cracked a casual joke. Yang Nai also responded with a smile.

"Just like an office worker."

"But I hate going to work."

I raised one corner of my mouth sarcastically, feeling the atmosphere ease. Yui, standing beside me, also breathed a sigh of relief. I know it's pathetic to think like this, but it's really good that Yui came along. If I were alone, I'd probably be led by the nose by Haruno the whole time. Even if I seemed to dodge successfully on the surface, she'd still catch me deep down.

I nodded slightly to Yuihama to indicate that everything was fine. Although my resistance to Haruno wouldn't disappear so easily, I didn't want anyone to see me looking so useless.

I took another sip of coffee and then took out my phone.

"I'd like to ask you to help spread this message."

I showed her the official website that I had just finished making not long ago.

Yang Nai looked at the screen and immediately sighed softly.

"Oh... I don't understand..."

"Uh...some people are against the ball, so, we just need to think of a new one—"

Just as Yuihama was about to explain, Haruno interrupted her with a gentle smile.

"Yes, I understand. No need to explain."