My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 572

However, those days were fascinating, and I can say I had a great time.

It's the same now. Even though I'm so busy I want to kill the person who came up with this nonsensical plan, I still quite like this kind of life.

"...Oh, right."

"Um?"

She called softly, and I took off my headphones to hear her clearly.

Then, Yuihama shook her head, speaking vaguely.

"It's okay. We'll talk about it next time."

"Okay..."

"Alright, let's get to work! Hurry up!"

"Okay..."

She urged me on, and as I ran off again, she whispered, "Keep going!" Since she said that, how could I not try my best?

Besides, my principle is that as long as it's work, even if I complain, I will do my best to achieve around 60% even if I can't do it perfectly. That's the only acceptable result.

Almost all problems are far from being completely solved, but if the goal is simply to eliminate the problem, one can easily make up a few big statements or tell a few lies to postpone dealing with the problem until later.

I will get my comeuppance sooner or later, and be forced to pay back all the debts I owe and take on all the responsibilities I should bear.

However, this is probably what I myself hope for.

Like now, dragging my tired body around, complaining constantly, yet still working.

I want to use this opportunity to the fullest, to regret it deeply, and to sit in the corridor with my grandson Komachi when I'm old, constantly complaining that "youth is a thing full of mistakes, there's not a single good thing about it."

I kept repeating the old man's favorite saying as I completed one task after another.

As I busied myself, the sun gradually set in the west, and Tokyo Bay outside the window began to turn red.

Some people went to the beach, some relaxed in the rest area, and some chatted and laughed around the campfire.

Everyone spent this time freely, and soon after, they gradually gathered on the same dance floor.

The final ball is about to begin.

The music and lighting were much more dazzling than at previous dances, and the atmosphere was much more lively. Avoiding the crowds required more effort.

Classic dance music blared from a large sound system, spotlights danced everywhere, and disco ball lights rained down from above. The flowing beams of light resembled a carousel, each new song signifying the approaching end.

I stood alone outside the whirlpool of fervor, gazing at the scene before me.

As soon as I leaned against the wall, I couldn't help but let out a sigh that was a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction.

The currently popular electronic dance music, the bodies swaying to the rhythm, and the lights as glaring as flashlights—none of these suit my taste. However, I don't dislike spending time like this, immersed in music in a dark corner of the dance floor.

However, the rest period did not last long.

My name came through the walkie-talkie, followed by a barrage of instructions and a scolding. I simply replied "Understood," and without even a moment to catch my breath, I dashed off again.

× × ×

Although the ball had serious problems from the initial planning stages, only some minor incidents and accidents occurred on the day, without any major mistakes, and it can be said to have ended relatively smoothly.

In fact, I found it very lively. Graduates and some current students from both schools, as well as a few related individuals, joined in the singing and dancing, and everyone had a great time.

That's why, after the music ended and the audience dispersed, a sense of loneliness lingered in the venue.

After the event ended, the crowd dispersed. Only I, the event coordinator, remained.

I picked up trash, checked for leftovers, carefully cleaned up the mess after the dance, and looked around the empty hall. Just moments ago it was filled with spotlights, music, and lively voices, but now only an ear-piercing silence remained.

As I slowly surveyed each corner, I heard the sound of footsteps on the linoleum floor.

Turning around, I saw it was Hiratsuka-sensei.

"Have you not left yet?"

"Hmm... I forgot something."

As Ms. Hiratsuka spoke, she walked towards the center of the dance floor. Her steps showed no hesitation, as if she already knew her destination.

However, I just checked the dance floor for any lost items.

"I've already patrolled once..."

I looked around to make sure I hadn't missed anything.

"That's what I forgot."

Ms. Hiratsuka stopped in front of me and extended her hand.

Her hand wasn't holding anything, nor was it anything in it; it was just her palm facing up towards me. Judging from the direction of her hand, it didn't seem like she was going to shake my hand. In the end, I still couldn't figure out her intentions and could only utter vague, hesitant words.

Then, she reached out her hand to me.

"I forgot to dance with you."

She took my hand respectfully, like a prince, with a very masculine smile. But it happened so suddenly that I didn't know how to react.

"What?"

I stared at Ms. Hiratsuka, dumbfounded. She seemed to be blushing and gave a shy smile. Just a moment ago she was so cool, but now she looked like a young girl; the contrast almost made me dizzy.

Seeing me standing there in a daze, Hiratsuka-sensei gently tugged at my hand, wanting me to say something. I snapped back to reality and spoke out the thoughts that were currently surfacing in my mind.

"...Ah, uh, I've never learned to dance."

"Me too."

Hiratsuka-sensei ignored it and simply laughed it off.

Then, she took my hand and spun me around in a big circle.

Without any signal to start, Ms. Hiratsuka casually began to dance.

There was no music, no spotlights, no laser lights, and no smoke on the dance floor.

Only the tunes that Hiratsuka-sensei hummed randomly.

However, the rhythm of high heels and the cheerful singing were more than enough.

Since none of us can dance, we might as well incorporate some moves we've seen somewhere before, imitate tap dancing (which we've never done), jokingly pull open our jackets to look cool, and even whistle a little.

How stupid... a stupid yet enjoyable time.

Suddenly, our bodies made contact. Hiratsuka-sensei released my hand as if to push me away, and spun around gracefully. Before I could react, I lost my balance and staggered a few steps.

Before I fell, Ms. Hiratsuka grabbed my hand and pulled me away forcefully.

Not long after, as I danced more and more happily, I started humming a song.

Ms. Hiratsuka's high heels stomped hard on my foot.

"it hurts……"

I lost my balance in pain and fell down with Hiratsuka-sensei. My back was hit hard, and Hiratsuka-sensei landed on top of me.

Her body was lighter than I had imagined, yet her soft parts felt quite heavy. The teacher's soft cries of pain tickled my ears, and her long hair, swaying as she twisted her body, touched my neck and cheeks, making me hold my breath.

Ms. Hiratsuka slowly straightened up from where she was pressed against me, sat down on the ground, brushed her messy hair aside with her hand, and showed the composure of an adult with a grin.

"You've hit the jackpot."

"...I was stomped on pretty hard, you know?"

I plopped down, rubbing my throbbing instep. Please, don't say things like that. This person is so insensitive! Do you underestimate the fragile hearts of teenage boys? My foot and my heart hurt just from being stepped on! But actually, I didn't really lose anything, so it doesn't bother me.

"Phew, I'm exhausted. But I'm so happy."

Ms. Hiratsuka crossed her legs and used my back as a cushion.

Perhaps because she had jumped too intensely, Ms. Hiratsuka was still breathing heavily, as if she was really tired. Therefore, I could only obediently act as a cushion, listening to the teacher's voice coming from behind me.

"It was a pretty good event. When you told such a big lie on such an important occasion, I was worried about how it would end..."

Ms. Hiratsuka said sullenly that she was referring to the scene in the reception room a while ago. With Yukinoshita's mother, Haruno, and Yukinoshita all present, she pretended not to know about the joint dance, trying to fool them. However, I wasn't lying; I was just playing dumb. So, I shrugged and tried the same trick again.

"I wasn't lying, but I was pretending to be stupid."

"What a bad man."

Ms. Hiratsuka sighed as if she couldn't take it anymore, and slammed her head against me in a scolding tone. Although it didn't hurt, the places where her long hair touched me felt itchy, and a fragrance wafted over. I couldn't help but squirm, and Ms. Hiratsuka laughed with pleasure.

"...However, you could say that's how you spent your youth."

"What?"

This statement was quite peculiar, and I turned my head in confusion. Hiratsuka-sensei also turned around and glanced at me, revealing a mischievous smile.

"Haven't you heard? Youth is a lie, a sin..."

She held up her finger, seemingly reciting something. I pondered for a moment, then immediately remembered the source of the phrase and couldn't help but glance at her again.

"Oh my god, this sounds so embarrassing... please stop talking."

I couldn't help but cover my face with my hands. There's nothing more shameful than facing what I've written in the past. I really want to die!

Seeing my reaction, Ms. Hiratsuka laughed for a while, before finally managing to suppress her laughter. Then, she asked me softly:

"How was your year? Any changes?"

This question reminds me of what I wrote that day.

The overly green spine of the book, after a period of time, has turned yellowish from the sun, faded a bit, and lost its luster.

Nevertheless, it is still worthy of being called cyan.

"...No change."

Looking back on this incredibly short yet endless year, I finally managed to give my slow reply. However, Professor Hiratsuka seemed dissatisfied and bumped into the back of my head again.

"Did I ask the wrong question... Have you found the right thing for you?"

This time, I got the answer in no time because my teacher had taught me before.

After thinking, struggling, resisting, and agonizing... my answer is now obvious. So, I bang my head against it, a smile playing on my lips.

"Who knows? It's not something that's easy to find."

"People will get angry if they hear that. Or they'll just hide away and cry by themselves."

"Why is it so complicated... Please stop talking, it feels so real... But who are you referring to? It's not what you think."

"Really? Maybe it's not what I think."

Hiratsuka-sensei laughed so hard her shoulders shook, and she moved to sit next to me.

"If you feel empathy, familiarity, pity, respect, jealousy, and other feelings beyond these when you feel for a girl, then it's definitely more than just liking her."

She rested her chin on her hands, which were crossed over her legs, and listed several emotions on her fingers while gazing at me.

"Therefore, things that cannot be separated or parted, and that will still attract each other over time even when separated by a distance... that might be what we call true things."

"It's hard to say. I don't know."

I shrugged and gave a sarcastic smile.

Whether our choices were right or wrong, we'll never know. We might even still be on the wrong path.

However, even if someone else comes up with the only correct answer, I probably won't admit it.

"So I will continue to be suspicious. Because neither she nor I will believe it so easily."

"Although it's far from the correct answer, I give it full marks. You're really not cute at all... This is my best student."

Ms. Hiratsuka put her hand on my head and roughly ruffled my hair.

As my head was being shaken around, static crackled in my earpiece. After a few seconds, I heard Yukina's voice.

"—Hachiman, is it convenient for you to come to the balcony?"

I didn't answer immediately, but turned to Professor Hiratsuka.

"Excuse me, I have to go. I still have work to do."

"I see. I should probably be leaving soon too."

Hiratsuka-sensei stood up abruptly and reached out her hand to me, as if to help me up.

I smiled and shook my head, then stood up on my own.