My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 54

The above is a conversation that would only happen between the third-ranked student in Chinese language and the first-ranked student in the entire grade.

That said, if the deadline is before Monday, even including today and Monday, it's only four days. Finding someone passionate about the service club and determined to reform themselves to join in such a short time is really asking the impossible. Is the teacher some kind of Princess Kaguya (Note 10, the princess in *The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter*, who sets extremely difficult demands on suitors, only those who meet them can marry her)? Oh... I see, that's why this person can't get married. I think she'll end up like that princess, taken back to her hometown by her family.

"That's really rude..."

I offered futile resistance and complaints, and the teacher grinned.

"Oh dear, what a surprise. This is my way of being gentle."

"Where is the gentleness...?"

"It's alright if you don't understand. Well then, today's club activity is over. You all need to quickly think of ways to maintain the club's membership."

After the teacher finished speaking, she threw me and Yukinoshita, along with our schoolbags, out of the clubroom without saying another word, and then slammed the clubroom door shut.

She quickly locked the door and left, her footsteps clicking.

Yukino asked her retreating figure:

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I'd like to double-check, we just need to 'fill in the numbers,' right?"

"That's right, under the snow."

The teacher left after giving this brief reply, but when she turned around, she had a smile on her face.

We watched the teacher leave, then looked at each other.

"Okay, how do we fill in the numbers?"

"I don't know, and I haven't invited anyone, but I have some idea who might be willing to join the Service Society."

"Who? Totsuka? It must be Totsuka, right?"

Besides Totsuka, I can't think of anyone else. If I had to choose, Totsuka is the only one on my mind.

Under my fierce "Totsuka offensive," Yukinoshita cowered a little.

"No. While he might be willing to join, isn't there an easier way?"

Although Yukinoshita said that, I can't think of anyone else we could ask. Even if we rack our brains, the only person we can think of is Hayato Hayama, a rare and truly realistic individual. That's right, if we ask him, he might be willing to help, but that doesn't fit the criteria of "passionate and strong-willed." I really can't think of anyone else. What? Zaimokuza? That's a very rare name… So, who is that?

Seeing that I couldn't come up with anything, Yukino sighed softly.

"Don't you understand? It's Yuihama-san."

"Oh? But she's not coming anymore."

She brushed aside her long hair that was draped over her shoulders, looked at me with a determined gaze, and showed no trace of the earlier sign of giving up.

"So what? Just bring her back, right? Hiratsuka-sensei also said that we just need to make sure we have enough people."

"Hmm, maybe..."

Indeed, once we fill the quota, we'll have met the teacher's requirements. But the problem now is whether Yui-hama has the enthusiasm. If we don't boost Yui-hama's motivation, she won't even be able to step into the Service Club's office.

Yukinoshita probably understood this as well, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered.

"...Anyway, let me think of a way to restore Yuihama-san to her original state."

"You are so enthusiastic."

When she heard what I said, she laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Yes... I only recently realized that I've actually been quite enjoying these past two months."

“…………”

At that moment, I was absolutely stunned, my mouth agape. Yukinoshita actually said something like that…

When she saw that I didn't respond, she seemed embarrassed and blushed.

"W-What's wrong? Why are you suddenly making that strange expression?"

"Oh, no, nothing. I didn't make any strange expression."

"It clearly exists."

"No."

"Correction, you're making a weird face right now."

After saying goodbye to me, she stepped away, and her profile was no longer as somber as before, but instead displayed her usual bold, confident expression, unique to Yukinoshita.

Volume 3, Part 2: As Expected, My Youthful Romantic Comedy with Totsuka Saika Wasn't Wrong

Twenty minutes after receiving Hiratsuka-sensei's unreasonable order, I was at the bicycle parking spot, not knowing where to go.

As Yukinoshita said, the fastest way is to find a way to rekindle Yuihama's enthusiasm and get her back to the Service Club.

I have no problem with Yuigahama returning to the Service Club. Anyway, I've already pressed the reset button, so I should be able to maintain a proper distance from her now. All I need to do is maintain it properly from now on.

So, how can we rekindle Yuihama's passion?

We can't just grab Yuihama by the neck and drag her back because of a teacher's order. Even if we ask her to return to the Service Club, we can't go back to our past relationship.

What should we do?

I will pause and think for now.

However… I still don't have an answer. Should I apologize? But I didn't do anything wrong…

When Komachi and I argue, things always resolve themselves without us even realizing it. Will things go the same way this time, disappearing without us even noticing?

I scratched my head with a pained expression when I suddenly heard someone call my name.

"Hachiman? Ah, it really is you."

I turned around and saw Totsuka Saika standing shyly in the dazzling afterglow of the setting sun. Just by standing there, the dust in the air seemed to turn into particles of light—Totsuka was simply an angel!

For a moment, he almost took my mind, but I tried my best to remain calm.

"Hi."

"Yeah, hi."

Totsuka Manabu raised one hand to greet him. He probably felt his movement was a little awkward, so he gave an embarrassed, shy smile. Oh no! He's just too cute!

"Is Hachiman going home too?"

"Hmm. The tennis club's activities are over?"

Still wearing his tracksuit, Totsuka slung his tennis racket over his shoulder, thought for a moment, and then shook his head.

"It's not over yet, but I have class tonight, so I'm leaving early."

"Attend class?"

I think someone as cute as Totsuka could definitely become an idol if she went to a talent training school in Okinawa. Okay, I'll buy a hundred copies of your album when you release it! I'll take the handshake tickets inside and then resell the record.

"Yes, it's tennis class. Because club activities focus on basic practice."

"Oh...it seems you've been practicing very diligently."

"N-No, it's not that amazing... because... I really like it."

"Huh? Excuse me, could you please say that again?"

"Hmm...it's not that bad."

"No, it's the next sentence."

"...Because I really, really like it."

"OK, I heard you clearly this time."

I mentally pressed the X key, imprinting what I had just heard deep into my mind.

Then, I exhaled a blissful breath, while Totsuka tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what I was doing. In short, I had achieved my goal; Mission Complete.

"Oh, it's nothing, sorry. You said you were going to class, so are you going now? Goodbye then."

I waved gently to Totsuka, hopped on my bicycle, and prepared to pedal. Suddenly, I felt a force pulling me from behind. I turned to check if I'd caught on something, and found it was Totsuka grabbing my shirt.

"Actually... my class doesn't start until the evening, so I still have some time... and the location is near the station, so it's a short walk... no, that's not the point... how about we go hang out together?"

“Eh…”

"If you have time..."

Since they've already said that, I don't think anyone would have the heart to refuse. Even if I have another job later, I'll 200% ask my boss for leave, and then quit because I'm too embarrassed to stay.

If a girl were to invite you, the first thing you should do is look around to check if anyone is watching the punishment game. After checking, regardless of whether you intend to accept the invitation or not, you should decline it just to be safe.

However, Totsuka is a boy.

...Yes, he is a boy.

Sigh, it's a pity he's a boy. Why do I feel so at ease?

Being treated gently by Totsuka meant I didn't have to worry about misunderstandings or impulsively confessing my feelings only to be rejected and suffer a major blow. On the other hand, when I said things like "I'm confessing to a guy," I already received a severe blow from society.

Since that's the case, I have no reason to refuse.

"Let's go, anyway, all I'll do at home is read books."

My life at home is so boring it's terrifying. I read books, comics, watch pre-recorded cartoons, play video games, and when I get tired of that, I read a book. But these things also make me incredibly happy, so it's really hard to choose.

"Oh, that's great! Let's go to the station together then."

"Want to come up?"

I gently patted the back seat of the bicycle.

It's common to see two boys sharing a bicycle; it's nothing unusual. So even when Totsuka sat on me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and said, "Hachiman, your back is so broad," I didn't feel awkward at all.

But Totsuka shook his head and refused.

"No, no need, I'm so heavy..."

No matter how I look at it, you're lighter than that group of girls, right? I really wanted to say that, but I just replied with an "Oh," because Totsuka didn't like being treated like a girl.

"Although it's a bit of a distance to the station, let's walk there."

He smiled shyly and led the way in front of me, while I followed behind, pushing my bicycle.

Along the way, Totsuka kept looking up at me. Every three steps I looked, every five steps I looked... No, you don't need to worry, I'll follow you closely.

We walked silently, turned past the park next to Saizeriya, and walked onto the path leading to the overpass.

It was a bittersweet time, like a middle school couple just starting out, constantly looking at each other but repeatedly missing the chance to speak. I felt so nervous I was about to die.

The overpass spanning both sides of the highway has two levels: the upper level is for cars, and the lower level is for pedestrians. The oncoming wind disperses vehicle exhaust fumes and brings cool air to the shady areas.

"This feels so good, Hachiman."

As Totsuka said this, she turned around from five steps above me, her refreshing smile full of early summer charm. I really wanted to save this scene as a JPG file.

"Yes, it's perfect for a nap."

"Hachiman, you've been sleeping so much during breaks, don't you think that's enough?"

He chuckled softly. But that wasn't the case. I just had no one to talk to and nothing to do, so I decided to use my break time to sleep.

"Spaniards also have the habit of taking a nap. A nap can get rid of sleepiness and fatigue and improve work efficiency in the afternoon. I heard that this is very normal in companies in their country."

"Oh, so Hachiman planned his lunch break carefully."

"Well, I guess so."

Of course, I had no such intention whatsoever. I never expected Totsuka to believe my casually made-up story so easily; it felt like my plans had been ruined… I don't know whether to say he trusts me a lot, or that he's too easily fooled. I think it's the latter. He might be led astray by a man with ill intentions in the future; it's really worrying. I have to protect him!

After crossing the overpass, the station was not far away. We walked along this straight road at a constant pace.

Once the station came into view, Totsuka's pace slowed slightly, as if he didn't know which direction to go next.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Hmm... is there a place that can quickly relieve my depression...?"

"Do you feel... a lot of pressure?"

Why am I feeling such a strong sense of guilt? Speaking of which, when we first got our cat, I was so attentive to it that it developed bald patches on its body. That's probably why it still doesn't like to be close to me. It seems that being too attentive to your pet can actually put too much pressure on them. So I should be more careful when dealing with Totsuka.

"Ah, actually it wasn't me..."

"I'm not entirely sure, but to relieve depression, you'd probably go to a karaoke bar or an amusement park, right?"

Which one should we choose?