My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 551

I thanked her, took out my phone to check, and indeed saw Yuihama's text message.

Okay, how should I apologize? As I pondered this, my conversation with Yuihama was interrupted again. We were sitting together, yet each of us was just scrolling through our phones, a microcosm of modern Japan.

Not saying a word at such close range, and instead appearing overly concerned about what just happened. That being said, I can't think of a humorous topic to defuse the awkwardness.

"Excuse me, just a moment—"

Halfway through my quiet contemplation, I walked to the center of the conference room, raised my hand, and drew everyone's attention.

"I apologize that these are leftover catering items, but please don't hesitate to enjoy them. Any leftovers will have to be thrown away. So please try to eat them!"

She clenched her fist and spoke cheerfully. But her overly frank manner made everyone present hesitate slightly.

"Who would have an appetite after hearing something like that..."

"Haha... Ah, but I'll still grab something."

Yuihama said with a wry smile, then ran off. I watched her leave and leaned against the wall.

When there's nothing to talk about, having some food or a drink to keep your mouth busy is great. This way, you can use "My mouth is busy right now, so I can't talk" as an excuse. Cigarettes have the same effect. According to a survey, about 80% of smokers smoke to cover up silence and lack of conversation (based on my research).

I don't know if it's because I just happened to think of something like that.

I smelled a strong tar odor.

"You've worked hard. You're really putting in the effort. I'm enjoying watching you from the sidelines."

Ms. Hiratsuka had probably just gone outside for a smoke; she waved as she walked over.

"Just watching from the sidelines? This is a rare opportunity, why not join in?"

This ball is for those who are about to leave school. Graduates go without saying, but Professor Hiratsuka should also be eligible. Hearing this, Professor Hiratsuka shrugged slightly.

"My stage is at my farewell ceremony. Then, I'll be the star."

She joked a bit exaggeratedly, and I couldn't help but smile wryly. The farewell ceremony was scheduled for early April, and it was indeed a stage prepared for Professor Hiratsuka.

However, since it's a school-organized event, the atmosphere won't be as relaxed as it is today. She will bid farewell solemnly as a teacher, and I as a student. That's all.

It's not that I'm completely immune to loneliness. It's just that there's no point in talking about it. I raised the corners of my mouth slightly, revealing a mocking smile, as usual.

"It's unlikely that you'll dance at a farewell ceremony."

"Yes, that's a pity. I'd also like to dance with you once."

Hearing Hiratsuka-sensei's soft chuckle, I suddenly felt something was off.

She "also" thought, which means...

The moment I understood what that meant, the drink in my hand rippled.

"...You saw it?"

I suppressed my inner turmoil and squinted at Ms. Hiratsuka, who gave me a meaningful smile. Seeing this, her earlier words, "Thank you for your hard work" and "I enjoyed watching from the sidelines," seemed to carry a deeper meaning. Ugh, I want to die!

I held my head low and heard cheerful conversation. I looked up and saw Yukinoshita and Yuigahama walking towards me, with Isshiki following closely behind.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Yukino said to me, and I nodded in response. She gently raised her paper cup to indicate a toast, and I followed suit.

"...Thank you for your hard work. Everything went very smoothly, that's great."

"Thanks……"

We didn't clink glasses, just talked calmly. The drinks in our glasses didn't even swirl.

Yuihama and Isshiki smiled and thanked each other, exchanging pleasantries, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Key figures were gathered at the scene, and people who had come to greet them naturally followed. Yukinoshita's mother was, of course, among them.

"What an excellent event!"

She brought Yukino over, and Yukinoshita placed the paper cup on the table, straightened her back, and politely bowed her head to express her gratitude.

"Thank you so much for your help. Thanks to your guidance, the ball was a complete success."

"No. I should be thanking you for agreeing to our unexpected request."

The mother beneath the snow responded solemnly with a deep bow.

Then, the two looked up, smiled at each other, and then...

"Thank you for your hard work in taking charge this time. You did a great job. Mom is very proud."

Yukinoshita's mother held her fan to her lips, a gentle smile on her face. Hearing her mother's teasing words, Yukinoshita shifted slightly shyly, glancing around nervously at the stares of those around her, and coughed lightly. Hmm, talking to her mother in front of so many people is a little embarrassing…

A warm gaze fell upon the mother and daughter beneath the snow. Their gentle breaths were accompanied by exceptionally joyful laughter.

"I really enjoyed watching it. That's wonderful!"

This was just ordinary, unremarkable conversation.

However, the fact that Yukino Yukino said it made it hard not to suspect there was another layer of meaning. Despite the seemingly harmonious atmosphere, I sensed a tension and frowned. At that moment, Yukino smiled even more broadly. With a Cheshire Cat-like smile, she stood between her mother and sister.

"Because that's what Yukino wants to do. Aren't you also planning to apply to a department like that?"

"What do you want to do?"

Yukinoshita's mother tilted her head slightly, staring at Haruno. Haruno met her gaze with a cold smile and immediately looked away.

"Why don't we just ask her directly?"

As Yang Nai spoke casually, her mother's gaze slowly returned to Yukinoshita, whose fingers trembled slightly. This gesture revealed her nervousness.

"Regarding this matter... I am interested in my father's work and hope to be involved in it in the future."

Upon hearing her daughter's slow, deliberate words, Yukinoshita's mother brought her hand to her mouth. This gesture made it appear as if she were gasping in surprise.

Yukinoshita probably couldn't bear her gaze and lowered her eyes.

"I understand that this event is not directly related to the future, and I understand that nothing can be guaranteed. Besides, this is something for a long time to come, not now..."

After Yukinoshita squeezed out each word from her mouth, she took a small breath.

"However, I at least want you to know that I have this idea."

She slowly raised her head and met her mother's eyes.

The mother under the snow remained silent until the end, when she snapped her fan shut and squinted her eyes.

"...You're serious. Right?"

Even I, merely an observer, felt a chill run down my spine from her voice. Her gentle gaze vanished, replaced by a coldness akin to seeing a murderer. Everyone present held their breath in tension; the air seemed to freeze. Without realizing it, I subconsciously averted my gaze. Ahead, I saw Yang Nai staring listlessly at her fingers.

Her mother's sharp gaze made Yukino Shinobu momentarily intimidated. But after a short while, she nodded in response. Her mother silently observed her nervous expression, and finally, a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.

"Is that so... I understand how you feel. If that's really what you want, I'll support you. Take your time to think about it; there's no need to rush."

Yukinoshita nodded at her mother's smile. Upon seeing this, Yukinoshita's mother straightened her back.

"It's almost time. I should go."

She glanced at Yang Nai. Yang Nai responded with only her eyes, as if to say, "You go first."

"Then, please excuse me."

Yukinoshita's mother bowed deeply, and Hiratsuka-sensei immediately followed her to her side.

"I'll take you there."

"No, it's okay."

"No, no, please let me escort you to the front door."

"No need, it's really okay. There are still students staying here."

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. Well then, let me at least see you to the outside."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, thank you so much. My daughter has really been very well taken care of by you today."

They rattled off a long string of excuses, slowly making their way towards the door. Seeing this, I couldn't help but feel a pang of感慨 (gan3 kai3, a feeling of mixed emotions, including a sense of melancholy and a touch of unease). Hiratsuka-sensei, after all, is quite the working woman...

"It's time for us to adjourn the meeting. So—student council members, begin seeing off the guests and checking the doors and windows."

With a clap of their hands, the student council members immediately sprang into action. They verbally thanked those who came to help, but in reality, they were shooing them away.

We felt a wave of exhaustion and let out a sigh of relief.

"That was terrifying..."

"Right... Snow Mom is super scary..."

"Why are you calling someone that...?"

My tone conveyed such a strong sense of reality that Yui Hama couldn't help but smile wryly, and the atmosphere eased somewhat. Yui Hama smiled at Yukinoshita beside her.

"But that's great, Yukino."

"Yes... thank you."

Yukino's smile was still a little stiff, probably because the tension from her confrontation with her mother hadn't eased yet. But as she slowly spoke, her tense shoulders relaxed.

"Sister, thank you so much for helping me so much..."

Yukinoshita muttered. Haruno looked puzzled.

"Thank you for what?"

"Many things... like speaking up for me."

When Haruno asked, Yukino blushed and stammered in response. Her shy yet cool tone was quite adorable, which made Yui smile.

I remembered that Yang Nai had promised to speak up for her mother. It's surprising that she has an older sister side too.

Yang Nai herself was stunned. Not only that, she impatiently ran her fingers through her hair, saying listlessly:

"Ah—that. I didn't actually mean that."

Yang Nai's tone was icy cold, as if she had completely forgotten the promise. The warm atmosphere instantly changed. Ignoring our bewildered state, she raised her index finger to her chin and tilted her head away.

"Hmm—okay, Mom seems to have accepted it, right? I don't know about the others, though. Right?"

She was smiling, but her words only conveyed malice.

"...Why are you asking us?"

Yuihama stared at her bravely. Yukinoshita grasped Yuihama's hand, probably as a reflex. The menacing atmosphere made me instinctively on guard as well.

Despite the hostility from others, Yang Nai remained unmoved, speaking directly in his usual light tone:

"At least I haven't accepted it yet."

“…Huh?”

I couldn't help but make a sound. The way I opened my mouth wide was probably incredibly comical. Yang exhaled as if mocking me.

"I cannot agree with this."

The one who uttered those words was undoubtedly Yukinoshita Haruno.

However, that might be the opinion of others as well.

What I had intended to keep buried deep in my heart, to let it slumber and decay, has now transformed into concrete words. Like the illusion of having my secrets exposed, it has robbed me of the strength to refute.

I wonder how Yang Nai views this silence, which is more convincing than any words. She added in a bright voice:

"Oh, don't get me wrong. To be honest, I don't care about family matters at all. I'm not particularly interested in inheriting the family business."

"That……"

Yukinoshita only finished speaking. Before her was Haruno's cold smile. Haruno, still smiling, continued:

"But I've been treated like that all along, how can I accept it so easily? After giving up, I've been compromising and making concessions until now, and this is how it turned out... Don't you think it's hard to accept?"

With a confused and sorrowful expression, Yukinoshita clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and murmured in a tone even more childish than usual.

"...Why are you only bringing this up now?"

"This is what I wanted to say... Yukino, why are you only saying that now?"

Haruno spoke in a comforting tone, her words carrying a heavy sadness. It was the first time I had ever seen Haruno's face contorted with grief.

Seeing that expression, I was instantly speechless.

Under the sympathetic gaze of someone looking at something heartbreaking beneath the snow, Hinano slightly narrowed her eyes. Those eyes were telling of her displeasure.

"How can I possibly accept an outcome that equates to my value over the past twenty years? If you really want me to concede, then demonstrate the corresponding results."