My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 545

"Please, please come in..."

I heard intermittent responses from inside. Although it was a bit hard to make out through the door, I thought it was Issei's voice. Why did she sound so tired...? I opened the door, puzzled, and the answer to my question was instantly found.

In the center of the student council office, Senior Xun hugged Yukinoshita and Isshiki and cried bitterly.

"Thank you so much! I really love the student council!"

"So close..."

Yukinoshita was utterly perplexed. Isshiki secretly turned her face away and sighed impatiently. Well, she thoughtfully kept this from Yuuki-senpai; that's commendable.

I spotted something interesting... I stood there watching. Just then, the senior student on patrol noticed us.

"Ah, Yuigahama-san and Hikigaya-san! You've arrived—"

She then lunged at Yui, who, quite used to physical contact between girls, naturally hugged her back. Wow, she's something else... I was a little worried, thinking, "What if she hugs me too?"

"Thank you both! I'm tired, but I'm super happy!"

"Me too!"

Senior student and Yui held hands and chatted. Yukinoshita breathed a sigh of relief at regaining her freedom. Her nostalgic gesture made me laugh.

In that instant, our eyes met.

Yukino immediately looked away from the clock and said to Isshiki beside her:

"The manufacturer should be delivering the goods soon, I'll head over first."

"I don't think it'll be that fast..."

Isshiki tilted his head in confusion and took out a timetable from his pocket.

"Hmm... it's not that early. Well, it's better than being late. Shall I go too?"

Yukinoshita shook her head.

"I just need someone to be there; I can manage on my own. Well then, senior, see you at the ball later."

"Okay! See you later!"

Senior student responded with a smile. Yukino bowed and left the office. Senior student waved vigorously, and after watching her leave, she also glanced at the clock.

"I still need to prepare for the dance. I need to go change my clothes too..."

"I'm a student," Xun muttered, while Yuihama next to him had her eyes shining.

Wow! What kind of dress will you wear?

"It's awesome—how should I put it, it's sexy."

"Sexy..."

Senior student Xun's directness startled Yui Hama for a moment. Not only that, but Senior student also proudly pulled out her phone. Yui Hama looked at the screen, and the two began to whisper to each other.

"Although it doesn't show much skin, look at the cut, it's so sexy overall."

"Ah... really."

As they whispered among themselves, Isshiki peeked out from among them.

"It boldly challenges the rules of the prom. It's basically cute, but with a touch of sexiness."

"Right? When I looked at the catalog, I decided I wanted to wear this outfit, and I even went to try it on!"

"Did all the third graders go together? Trying on clothes together seemed like so much fun!"

"Yes, yes, yes. After all, I was in charge of a lot of communication, so I took the opportunity to organize a fitting group."

As she spoke, Senior Sister scrolled through her phone. Yuihama kept exclaiming "Oh!" and "Wow!" with her eyes sparkling. In contrast, Isshiki remained quite calm.

"Oh—I see. Ah, thank you for helping to explain and organize the dance rules."

You're welcome! It's been so long since we've had an event, I'm so happy!

The three girls were thoroughly enjoying themselves, while I stood to the side, feeling restless, glancing around anxiously, wondering if I could join them in watching.

In situations like these, it's really inconvenient for guys to join the conversation. I know perfectly well that not joining in is the right thing to do. Even if I had the courage to ask the other person to let me see it, I couldn't express my opinion without crossing any lines; at most, I'd say something like, "Oh, that's pretty sexy." So, it's better not to say anything at all.

So, I listened to their excited chatter from the sidelines, entering a state of Ksitigarbha time.

Just as someone was about to come and place the offerings, the senior student put away her phone and smiled at me. She was probably thinking of me.

"I don't usually have the chance to wear this kind of dress, so I'm really glad the dance went smoothly! Thank you, Hachiman-kun."

"Uh, it has nothing to do with me... it was Yukinoshita and the others who were in charge."

"Is that so..."

Caught off guard by the sudden thank you, I gave an awkward, bitter smile. The senior student looked a little dejected. That expression stirred a pang of guilt in me, and my chest ached slightly. I couldn't help but think of a comforting word.

"...But I plan to help, so I'll show my face."

"Oh, that's great! I've been hoping to see everyone for a while now. After all, it's the last day."

The senior student smiled gently, as if she had truly felt relieved. However, her last words carried a hint of loneliness. Perhaps she was aware of it herself.

"I never imagined I'd graduate..."

She looked around the student council office with affection and said softly.

This statement was probably not directed at us.

Seeing that we remained silent, she seemed to be trying to hide something, and excitedly said with happy gestures:

"Ah, of course I understand! I originally planned to graduate normally and continue my university studies! But, it's not like that. I just feel..."

Her usual gentle smile abruptly stopped as she spoke. Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes.

"I feel like... how should I put it?"

She smiled at us, as if trying to hide the tears in her eyes. Yui nodded gently in response to that smile.

"I think I can understand."

The senior student thanked us shyly in a low voice and turned to face us again.

"...Keep doing fun things together...Even though I'm graduating soon, you still have time!"

"Yes……"

"...I'll try my best."

I answered in response to Yuihama.

I don't think her wish will come true. But it's pointless to talk about it now.

Yui and I were both suppressing some kind of emotion, our expressions betraying our restraint. I bit my lower lip and silently lowered my gaze.

The senior student didn't say anything more, looked at us gently, and then turned her gaze to Isshiki.

"Isshiki-kun, I'm counting on you for the Soubu High School student council."

She bowed gracefully. Isshiki seemed unsure how to react, standing there stunned, blinking a couple of times. However, she immediately straightened her back and looked directly at the senior student.

"Yes. I've taken it on... or rather, most of the work has been handed over to me."

"Haha, you're right."

"Iroha said with a wry smile," Xun-senpai said, then laughed foolishly. After laughing for a while, Xun-senpai patted her cheeks to cheer herself up.

"Okay, all said goodbye!"

She took a step.

"Well then, see you later! Let's chat properly at the ball! It's a deal!"

She waved vigorously, then turned and left.

Until she closed the door, she peeked out through the tiny crack and waved at us, like Jack Nicholson in *The Haunted Shop*. Please don't. You've gone this far; I feel obligated to wave back…

After the door slowly closed, I was finally able to lower my arms and sigh wearily.

Isshiki seemed to have been watching our interaction the whole time. She murmured:

"I have a feeling that the senior student really likes the senior student."

"Ah, I think so too."

"Huh? Does anyone dislike her?"

"Hmm... I don't think so. But why were you so fierce..."

Yuihama let out a helpless laugh. But why was Isshiki silent at a time like this? She crossed her arms, giving him a "I don't think it's impossible" look. How could that be? That's just how you are!

I gave Isshiki a reproachful look. After she noticed, she cleared her throat and changed the subject with an attitude of "let's not talk about this now," revealing a sly smile.

"Then, let's work hard for my favorite senior student."

Hmm... that sounds a bit odd...

× × ×

Isshiki led us to a gymnasium that served as the venue for the dance.

The setting sun cast a pale orange hue on the floor and walls. A roaring heater at the back kept the spacious stadium relatively warm.

I glanced around the room; the decorations were going smoothly, with balloons, flower baskets, and disco balls everywhere. The atmosphere, which had been so solemn for a graduation ceremony not long ago, was now lively and festive.

Inside the lavish building, only the area where Yukinoshita stood seemed pragmatic—or rather, cold. She appeared to be discussing something with company personnel in work uniforms.

I watched from a distance, and when their conversation came to an end, Isshiki left us behind and ran over by himself.

"Yukino-senpai, it's almost time—"

Upon hearing Isshiki's voice, Yukinoshita gave a proper bow to the manufacturer's representative, turned to face us, and strode over.

Then he stopped walking.

"...Hikigaya-san."

She clutched the collar of her coat, her expression hesitant. Her drooping eyebrows and lowered gaze seemed to be asking me why I was here.

Perhaps I should explain.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a compelling reason to convince her. And I knew that a made-up excuse would be meaningless. I simply let things unfold without resistance, shifting blame onto others, and that's how I ended up here.

I was speechless, and simply lowered my chin slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Yukino, you've worked hard! We're here to help."

Yuihama stood between me and Yukinoshita, who remained silent. Yukinoshita lowered her head in remorse.

"Really... I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it! I planned to help from the beginning."

"Thanks."

Yuihama said cheerfully, and Yukinoshita finally smiled. Just as I was thinking that I should say something too, and opened my mouth, Isshiki patted my shoulder, interrupting me.

"The more people the better. Senior, I'm counting on you."

Although Isshiki said it lightly, I strongly sensed that she was implying, "If you guys start arguing again, I can't stand it." She immediately showed this intention by showing the activity schedule.

"Then, let's discuss it."

After everyone received the agenda, Isse pulled a pen from his breast pocket and began chairing the meeting.

"Yukino-senpai is the director, and I'm in charge of hosting and sound. The vice president is in charge of lighting, the secretary handles catering, and as for other miscellaneous tasks, we'll find people from various clubs to help, mainly the rookies in the soccer club."

I listened casually to Isshiki's speech while glancing around the gymnasium, and indeed spotted quite a few unfamiliar faces outside the student council. Thanks to Hayama, the head of the student council, there were enough people on-site to handle the tasks. This allowed Yukinoshita and the student council members to focus on their main duties.

Just as she was thinking this, Isshiki naturally added:

"Oh, and also, that terrifying person will come to help with the clothing issues."

Is the terrifying person Kawasaki? It sounds like she's a delinquent. She's such a nice person... I felt sorry for Kawasaki in my heart, while Isshiki continued taking notes on the process sheet, then looked up and stared at Yukinoshita with her big, round eyes.

What should we do with these two?

Yukinoshita put her hand to her mouth and fell into deep thought.

"If you need help, we're still short of reception staff, sound control personnel, and lighting staff."

"Then I'll help with the reception. After all, having him handle it is a bit..."

Yuihama raised her hand lightly and immediately took on the task. Although the second half of her sentence was unclear, Isshiki understood and nodded.