My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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"...No, that's not it."

My lips trembled, and I couldn't make a sound. I kept shaking my head. No, no, no, no, absolutely not right.

"Those two kids are just like that, which is why you have to be the most mature one."

A gentle voice was saying something to me, but I could no longer hear it.

"Of course I want to help... Seeing how upset he is, seeing how hard he's trying, I want to cheer him on and want to be with him forever, so... it's not like that."

This was probably the first time I'd ever been truly angry, the first time I'd ever glared at someone so intently. All the air inside me seemed to escape, my mouth went dry. I wiped my cheeks with my sleeve and stared directly at that person.

The person wore an adult-like expression, silently watching me, then suddenly closed their eyes. Then, as if in prayer, as if questioning God, they whispered:

"...Can that be called a genuine item?"

"I don't know anything about that."

I kept thinking, what is the real thing? But with my limited understanding, I couldn't figure it out, and my voice couldn't get loud enough to answer. Tears blurred my vision, and my head drooped downwards.

"...However, it's not co-dependence."

I looked up, and the person who looked so much like her tilted his head and asked me why, which made my heart clench. I clutched my chest, and the tears I thought I had cried all out started flowing again.

I'm certain this is it. Only this. It's because of this that I can believe in my own feelings.

"Because, it hurts so much..."

Not just my chest. Not just my heart. Everything, everything hurts so much.

—I love everything about you so much that it breaks my heart.

Volume 13, Chapter 8: Praying that at least they wouldn't make another mistake.

I've hardly ever clearly defined when winter ends. This proves I only have a general grasp of the changes in temperature. But incredibly, I still notice the changing seasons. Perhaps it's because something happens at each turning point.

So for me, the day winter ends is probably today.

Yesterday, I stayed in my room from morning till night, contacting the timber department, updating social media, and checking the official website for errors. I spent the entire holiday without getting any rest.

Monday, the day that kicks off the new week. Monday, the day everyone hates. Monday, the day to report on what went wrong over the weekend.

Returning to the classroom, I immediately felt the atmosphere of finals. Perhaps influenced by the lively atmosphere of graduation season, everyone's conversation revolved around future aspirations, spring break plans, and final exams. Amidst the laughter and chatter, I sat alone in my seat, quieting down and listening intently.

I'm waiting for the bell to ring.

I used Yukino Yukinoshita to spread the bait. In the eyes of some opposing parents, the fact that the forced self-disciplined dance had become larger should be news that could not be ignored. In addition, with someone already acting as a contact point, they will be faster than last time, and may take action in the next couple of days.

As expected, my prediction was fairly accurate.

As the morning classes ended and the atmosphere in the classroom began to relax, Ms. Hiratsuka arrived somewhat anxiously. She peeked out from the front door, met my gaze, and gave me a tired smile.

"Hachiman, could you come over here for a second... someone's looking for you."

She said it jokingly, and those who remained in the classroom immediately stirred.

I picked up my pre-prepared belongings and immediately went over. Seeing how quickly I moved, Professor Hiratsuka smiled wryly and said:

"It seems... you know why you were called in."

"There are too many possibilities; I can't tell which one it is. In the past, I would be called out whenever something happened."

"indeed."

Hiratsuka-sensei shrugged, a bitter smile tinged with loneliness. I also feigned a bitter smile and looked away.

Ahead of me were classmates who seemed confused by my conversation with Hiratsuka-sensei.

Several students looked at me with surprise. The group that always stayed at the back of the classroom reacted in different ways.

Miura showed absolutely no interest, listlessly curling his hair with his fingertips; Ebina looked at me, nodding with an "I knew this would happen" attitude; Keibu and the others whispered among themselves, laughing happily, "Oh no, oh no, the penguins have caused trouble!" Keibu, you bastard...

However, Hayama, sitting in the center, stared at me with a cold, statue-like smile. I didn't know what he was thinking, nor was I interested, but I saw a hint of pity on his face.

Then, Yuihama saw Hiratsuka-sensei and realized what had happened. Without even tidying up her things, she grabbed her coat and rushed over.

I walked out of the classroom, Yui following behind, probably wanting to go with me. However, this is the one thing I can't rely on her for. Until now, I've been relying on her. The final step—accepting everyone's criticism—I want to accomplish on my own.

"Was I the only customer who specifically requested this service?"

"That's right... Okay, I don't know if it counts as a specific request. They told me to find the person in charge."

"Oh, that's my nickname."

"What a lovely name. It'll definitely be number one in terms of popularity."

I rambled on for a bit, and Professor Hiratsuka's face hardened; she sighed helplessly. Yuihama, watching our conversation, looked melancholy and spoke uneasily:

"...I think I'd better go too."

"It's okay, I'm fine."

I said casually that Yuihama opened her mouth as if to say something, but before she could speak, she took a deep breath and swallowed the words back. Then she pursed her lips and nodded slightly.

Her mysterious movements and silence intrigued me, and I cast a questioning glance my way. Hiratsuka-sensei patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm here too. It won't turn into anything weird."

She tried to reassure Yuihama, who nodded and replied with a smile.

"Well, I'm leaving."

"Um... Contact me if anything comes up."

I raised my hand and answered "I understand," and walked forward with Professor Hiratsuka.

I followed one step behind the teacher, watching his figure walk with his hands inside his white coat, as if trying to imprint it in my eyes.

"Is this situation part of your plan?"

In the corridor with several windows, Professor Hiratsuka turned her head slightly and asked me a question reflected in the glass window.

"...roughly speaking."

To be honest, things didn't go exactly as I planned, but the most basic goals were achieved. From my perspective, I'd say I did a pretty good job. I could see a wry smile on my teacher's face.

"Hey, this tactic is very much in your style. Do you think you have a chance of winning?"

"It doesn't matter if we don't have it. There's no other way anyway."

The entire row of glass windows was replaced by walls, so I couldn't see Hiratsuka-sensei's expression.

"...That's a good answer. I like it."

Ms. Hiratsuka left those words and then vanished without a trace. Even though I knew she had simply turned the corner and gone down the stairs, I couldn't help but quicken my pace. I was aware of this and couldn't help but smile wryly.

Someday, I'll find myself subconsciously searching for that figure. Like the lyrics of a song. It's because of thinking about this that my steps become heavy. I slowly walked down the stairs, getting further and further away from Hiratsuka-sensei. I suppose this is how I'll face parting from this person.

They remained silent, the only sound being their footsteps.

As I reached the top of the stairs, Ms. Hiratsuka turned to look at me, her white robes billowing in the air.

"Hachiman, do you have time later? It doesn't have to be today. Tomorrow is fine, or later too."

Her question made me think about my schedule. I'll probably have to spend a lot of time cleaning up today, but after tomorrow I really won't have anything to do.

Club activities are probably over too. Regardless of the outcome of the dance, there probably won't be another one.

The thought of this suddenly made me a beat slow to answer. Footsteps sounded, as if to fill the silence.

"...Well, I'm basically very free."

"Really? Then..."

Like me, Hiratsuka-sensei, who was walking ahead, slowly spoke and then paused for a moment.

"...Then, let's go get some ramen!"

She turned to look at me, her long hair swaying, and revealed a hearty smile.

I nodded with a wry smile.

╳ ╳ ╳

Shortly after, we arrived at the reception room. Ms. Hiratsuka knocked on the door, and the clear voice I recognized answered her. Sure enough, it seemed to be Yukinoshita's mother.

As Ms. Hiratsuka entered the reception room, the woman standing by the window gracefully turned around. Her pale purple kimono, adorned with small peach blossoms, accentuated her beauty, making her a stunning woman who would turn heads.

A cup of coffee was already placed on the seat of honor. Yukinoshita's mother sat down there and gently invited me to sit opposite her. I obediently listened, and Hiratsuka-sensei sat down beside me.

"We met a few days ago."

"Um... thank you for taking care of me."

She smiled gently, and I responded with a stiff smile. That polite smile overlapped with Hino's, and to be honest, I felt a little lost. Yukinoshita's mother, perhaps interpreting my reaction as nervousness, put her hand to her lips, revealing a smile that looked like she was lovingly caring for a small animal.

"So...may I ask what brings you today?"

Hiratsuka-sensei started the conversation, and Yukinoshita's mother put away her gentle smile and took out her phone.

"Ah, that's true. Let's not delay... This is your idea?"

The phone, placed on the low table, displayed the website of the fake prom.

I grinned, prepared to fight her to the bitter end. To force someone to back down, you have to show this fearless attitude. You can only make them feel the situation might spiral out of control, forcing them to back down.

"This is the opinion of some students. Some people think that going for the currently popular luxury style is better, as it reflects the style of high school students."

I sarcastically uttered a phrase I'd heard somewhere before, and Hiratsuka-sensei nudged my side with her elbow. Yukinoshita's mother saw this, smiled, and responded with a chuckle:

"yes……"

She pressed her hand to her temple and squinted her eyes. I remember that gesture, and the look in her eyes, like those of a large feline preparing for a hunt.

I had a bad feeling; my scalp tingled, and I broke out in a cold sweat. This isn't bragging; my premonitions in this area are always right.

The mother under the snow suddenly raised the corners of her mouth.

"The idea of ​​writing a new proposal as a fallback isn't bad, but it's obviously flawed. And even with new options, it's still difficult to solve the problem at its root. What are your thoughts on this?"

Her gaze and voice turned icy cold, completely different from before. A chill ran down my spine. That last sentence seemed to be directed at my question, but my mind was unable to process the answer.

Yukinoshita's mother asserted that the fake ball project was a sham. Had she heard anything from Haruno beforehand? No, judging from Haruno's attitude that day, she wouldn't have specifically told her mother, who seemed to have a conflict with her.

In other words, she simply saw through our thoughts. And she pointed it out right from the start, giving me a hard time. It felt like I was being forced to confront the disparity in our strength.

I was speechless, staring blankly at my mother beneath the snow.

She calmly held the closed fan to her lips, a pleasant smile on her face. Her demeanor even made me feel that she was anticipating my next move.

Even with that expression on her face, I could only manage a bitter smile. All my pre-planned negotiation tactics had failed. From the start, I was seen as a expendable pawn; there was no point in saying anything more. Besides, Hayama and Haruno saw through the truth immediately. The moment they thought this tactic would work on Yukinoshita's mother, they had already lost.

"In fact, it is true that the school's requirement for self-discipline at proms may provoke a backlash from some students. The risk of students holding proms in areas beyond our control still exists."

Seeing that I was speechless, Hiratsuka-sensei immediately intervened.

"In that case, it might be wiser to choose the side that you can control more. The student council will also revise the proposal in accordance with everyone's requests."

She handed the documents on the side table to Yukinoshita's mother, and also gave me a copy. Opening them, I saw the revised plans Yukinoshita and the others had discussed. Yukinoshita's mother was also reading the documents, but showed little reaction, her expression slightly displeased.

Hiratsuka-sensei's reasoning was the same as mine. However, since the fake ball, which was originally intended to be risky, had already been seen as a pawn to be discarded, saying such things lacked credibility, and using it to persuade others felt like a strong sense of missing an opportunity. Yukinoshita's mother just tilted her head in distress.

"Yes... all the necessary elements for persuasion are there, but whether they can gain understanding is another matter... after all, there are also parents who are quite stubborn."

She said with a wry smile. Although the way she said it was different, I felt like I'd heard that phrase somewhere before.

"Even if I talk to other parents like this, I probably won't be able to change their minds."

I ignored what she said next, silently closed my eyes, and searched my memory. I remembered it was Yukino Yukinoshita who said it. She said that person didn't care about the ball at all.

In that case, why did Yukinoshita's mother come here, and what was her purpose?

It's very simple. There's a problem that needs to be addressed.

Yukinoshita's mother exists here as a means of problem-solving, as a tool. Her existence is solely for resolving problems and disputes; her thoughts are unrelated to her actions. She has a habit of prioritizing avoiding problems and disturbances, acting solely on this principle.

That's why we wanted to guide her to choose the more moderate and stable approach and write the proposal for the fake ball. This strategy itself was certainly not wrong.

The mistake lies in the delineation of boundaries. Means are means, and tools are tools; there is no inherent concept of friend or foe.

This time, Yukinoshita's mother was merely a messenger, a negotiator who acted according to the other party's wishes.

The opponent in this match is not Yukino's mother. She is merely a pawn on the chessboard, the strongest queen.

Since that's the case, I still have a way to go.

I'm probably the only person in the whole world who can use this, and even using it just once is not allowed—it's the worst and most heinous method.

However, if I only have this one card in my hand, this is the only way I can decide the outcome.