My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 548

"Old...you..."

Judging by her age, she's quite young. Although I don't know her exact age. However, as expected of the sisters' mother, she's a great beauty, exuding a terrifying aura, though she occasionally shows a cute side. That actually makes her even more frightening.

I was initially going to speak up for her, but after thinking about it carefully, I figured it would be pointless. Ishiki had a conflict with her before, so she probably doesn't have a good impression of her. What a coincidence, me too!

Therefore, I gave up speaking up for her and only answered her questions.

"Don't worry, Yukinoshita handled it very well."

"Oh~"

Isshiki, resting his chin on his hand, responded listlessly, then muttered:

"Looks like we don't need a translation anymore."

"What?"

"You were able to talk to Yukino-senpai normally, weren't you? During the meeting, and just now too."

Isshiki raised her chin and pointed to the small window. It seemed she had seen everything that had just happened on the stage.

"...Uh, I don't think I need translation for work. I'm just not good at conversation and small talk, but I'm very good at discussing business."

"Who would be proud of something like that..."

She waved her hand, looking speechless. Then, she pressed her hand to her cheek and let out a troubled sigh.

"That's true. There are indeed guys who think they're having a real conversation just because they're talking about business."

"Stop talking. Some guys are just too afraid to talk to girls without an excuse. They're pathetic, okay?"

Ishiki ignored my attempts to stop him.

"Those kinds of people will probably start calling me by my name after we've talked three times, and by the fifth time they'll try to ask me out. But after actually confessing their feelings, they'll stop talking to me altogether."

"Stop talking, stop talking, please stop... Wait, are you in the same junior high school as me?"

"No... but, senior, you also make excuses like this..."

Ise gave me a disdainful look, then suddenly remembered something and quickly distanced herself from me.

"Ah! Could it be that you're trying to get closer to me through work? I'm almost ready to confess my feelings. Going out with you is fine, but please wait until everything is settled before taking things any further. I'm sorry."

After she finished speaking, she bowed respectfully to me.

"Alright, alright, let's talk about it after everything is settled. So let's get to work quickly, otherwise we'll never finish."

"It's happening... an attitude of not listening to anyone at all..."

The person who takes your nonsense seriously is the one with a problem...

"On another note, I don't hate work."

She angrily put on the walkie-talkie, pretended to flip through the flowchart, and even took out her laptop to start typing. I left her aside and started checking how to operate the loudspeaker system.

Suddenly, Isshiki smiled.

"...I quite like this kind of time."

"Yes, it's a unique kind of fun that people behind the scenes have."

Actually, operating machines like loudspeakers while wearing a walkie-talkie as an assistant gives me a strange sense of fulfillment. I put on a walkie-talkie too and checked if it was working properly. At that moment, Isshiki turned his chair around to face me.

"Are you still interested next year, senior?"

"Next year it'll be my turn to be sent away..."

Although I don't mind this kind of work, it's really a bit unreasonable to have to help out even when I graduate. I gave a wry smile, but Isshiki kept a serious expression.

"...No, I meant the Service Club."

She placed her hands on her thighs, straightened her back, her expression solemn, and her tone sincere. This sentence could certainly have many meanings. But whatever they may be, my answer will remain unchanged.

"You should ask the company president about this. I have no authority over it."

Despite her answer, her eyes remained fixed on me, allowing no ambiguity. I couldn't withstand the pressure she exerted and couldn't help but look away.

"...And this club will disappear."

This is probably the first time I've actually spoken about something that has always resonated with me deeply.

Up until now, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita, or even Hiratsuka-sensei, should have all vaguely (note) noticed this, but they've never explicitly stated it. Even if it was packaged as a joke and casually mentioned in conversation, no one took it as a clear declaration or confirmation. Therefore, it has been able to continue to go unnoticed.

At this moment, I put it into words, making it an unavoidable and definite fact.

"Therefore, I have no reason to work."

Having made that assertion, I finally dared to look Issei in the eye. Our gazes met, and Issei's eyes softened. She smiled and said casually:

"I sensed it. But what does it matter?"

"Huh, what do you mean by 'what relationship'..."

"It doesn't matter if it's not as a club. The format isn't an issue. It can be as the student council... Actually, we have a vacancy."

She flashed a defiant smile and jokingly added, "So I smiled back."

"Let's go find Yukinoshita. She probably likes this kind of thing."

"...I do have that plan. I'll also contact Yui-senpai. As long as we can work together, that's fine."

"Don't overthink it. There's more than one vacancy."

Isshiki puffed out his chest and smiled smugly.

"Then we'll fire the vice president."

"That's so unfair..."

He's so dedicated... I felt so sorry for him, I almost burst into tears. Uh, but he seems to have a good relationship with the secretary's sister, so there's no reason to feel sorry for him? Don't underestimate work, get to work!

I understand that Isshiki was joking, and I also understand that it was an unattainable dream. Therefore, I won't deliberately deny it, but rather let the topic remain just casual conversation.

Otherwise, I might actually start to think that's not so bad.

I thought my smile looked natural, but it seems I'm still not good at it.

Isshiki looked at me with a gentle smile. Her expression and the way she tucked her hair behind her ear made her seem very mature. No, far more mature than me.

"I think this is the most practical way—listening to the cute and willful request of my adorable junior and maintaining a harmonious relationship. Not bad, right?"

This suggestion is very appealing. It might be the closest to the ideal form.

I clearly felt a momentary wavering within myself.

Isshiki seemed to read my mind, revealing an alluring smile as she leaned out of her chair.

Her flaxen hair swayed gently, brushing against my cheek, leaving behind the scent of shampoo and a sweet perfume tantalizing my nose. She placed one hand on the armrest of my chair and the other to her mouth, whispering in my ear.

"...Can I give you an excuse?"

I reflexively stepped back, the chair wheels rattling as I created distance between us. Isshiki also sat back down in her chair.

My heart was pounding, I was sweating profusely, and my heart was pounding, but Isshiki remained calm and even seemed certain that nothing would happen.

If Isshiki were to seriously ask me to join the student council, whether it's as vice president or in a general affairs role, I'd most likely agree. Even without a position, I wouldn't mind helping out in my personal capacity.

Isshiki knows exactly how to get me to do things, just like my younger sister Komachi. I don't think she'd be unaware of this little thing. I'm known for being helpless with my younger sister and junior classmates. If she earnestly asks me for help, even if I complain non-stop, I'll still help her in the end. In fact, that's always been the case, and Isshiki should know that too.

However, she's now resorting to a little trick. I understand her intentions perfectly well.

"You're such a good person..."

Laughter and a deep sigh escaped his lips at the same time.

Isshiki made a horizontal V sign and winked at me.

"Right? Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a girl who's easy to boss around."

Isshiki Iroha said with a smile, her expression and actions could only be described as cute and cunning. Through these actions, she did her best to accompany us as my junior, as Isshiki Iroha to us.

I don't know if she's easy to manage, but at least she's definitely a good girl.

In that case, I should give an answer that reflects my personality.

"I will carefully consider your suggestion and handle it appropriately."

"Doesn't that mean you absolutely won't agree... Oh well, that's very much like your senior's style."

Isshiki sighed helplessly, then immediately grinned wickedly.

"But don't let my appearance fool you. I'm a girl who never gives up."

"I can tell..."

We looked at each other and smiled.

Suddenly, Isshiki looked at the clock.

"...It's almost time."

The walkie-talkie in my ear emitted static, followed by a calm voice.

"This is Yukinoshita. The ball is starting on time, please prepare yourselves. We will now begin the entrance of the guests."

"Isshiki received! Play the venue music—"

Iroha gave me a wink, I nodded in response, pressed play, and slowly pushed the volume control up. So far, no problem. My job is simply to play fast-paced music on repeat to liven up the waiting time.

As the guests entered, the venue gradually became lively. If there were a screen here, the situation in the venue would be clearly visible, but we can't expect that much now. I leaned out of the small window of the control room to observe the situation.

Below was a magnificent view. From afar, the colorful dresses fluttering about resembled cherry blossom petals.

There's a saying that flowers are beautiful precisely because they will wither. Perhaps this scene is beautiful precisely because it's about to end.

Our final activity is finally about to begin.

× × ×

Although it took some twists and turns to get to this point, everything proceeded smoothly as planned after the ball began.

It got off to a good start, and there were no problems afterwards.

The slideshow, which I was initially worried about, ended smoothly. After a brief chat, it was finally time for the dance.

Isshiki took to the stage to liven up the atmosphere, while I followed Yukinoshita's instructions and played music according to the program. The sound system for the ball had already been set up, so I didn't need to lift a finger.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my back, which had become stiff from sitting at the desk for so long. The chair creaked, and my lumbar spine made a crisp cracking sound.

"You look tired."

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Isshiki, who had just been on the stage, had returned to the control room.

"Hmm? Oh, you've worked hard."

After I gave a brief reply, Isse pulled out the chair next to me with a look that said, "I can't do anything with you."

"Would you like to go and rest for a bit? I'll stay here."

She must have heard the sounds I made while stretching, and said kindly. Although I wasn't very tired, I was just about to go to the restroom, so I figured I might as well go.

"Okay, then I'll go for a walk."

"Take care—"

With her nonchalant response, I left the adjustment room.

I twisted my shoulders, took off my headphones, and ran downstairs with lighter steps. The clatter of my footsteps overlapped with the deep bass of the dance music that shook my entire body.

Upon arriving at the dance floor, one finds a large crowd gathered in the center, the hall enveloped in heat.

From the sidelines, it was an unprecedented spectacle.

Among the elegantly dressed crowd, the uniform stood out. I spotted Yuihama in a corner of the dance floor, at the edge of a long table where catering and drinks were laid out.

She saw me too and waved. I nodded in response and walked over there.

"You've worked hard."

To avoid my voice being drowned out by the loud noise coming from the speakers, Yuihama stood next to me.

"You've worked hard too. Aren't you going to greet any guests?"

"Well, it's already this late, so no one else should be coming. We'll take turns resting."

"After all, the event is nearing its end in terms of time."

"Yeah, I'm so hungry."