My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 623

"You're being too optimistic about the phrase 'it's alright'."

"But even if you don't pass, you're not far off, right? After all, you've come to the class reunion."

"Because the pressure from all sides was terrifying."

"You're surrounded by so many people that some of them put pressure on you... Doesn't that mean you're doing well?"

"...Now the caption 'These are my personal thoughts' has appeared at the bottom of the screen."

That's right, this guy is right. The event held in this izakaya is the "Sobu High School 2nd Class F Reunion," an event where everyone reminisces about the past, laughs loudly, is extremely collectivist and nostalgic, and is full of partygoers... Always (Note 37).

Having decided to ignore all activities since my school days, and ended up being forced to work behind the scenes as a member of the service club, how could I possibly reply "I want to participate~ please help me!" to such an ugly event announcement? — Uh, who replied for me without permission? Besides, what's with the committee member who sent me a copy of the class reunion announcement without my consent?

Speaking of which, why is it a reunion for Class 2F? Wouldn't it be embarrassing for a third-year class to do that?

And what class am I in? That's why I told the editorial department that setting the deadline before the final chapter is published is very troublesome.

What am I supposed to do? Forget the finale, there aren't even thirteen episodes out yet! Wasn't it supposed to be released soon?

"And you, Hayama, how have you been?"

Hey, the guy who was trash-talking me in the smoking area is the one who contrasts with me at this event. He seems like he'll become the general manager (or rather, he really is the general manager). He's recognized as being at the top of the class pyramid of the old 2nd year F class. He graduated from university smoothly and is currently in his first year in the workforce.

He shouldn't have stayed in a place like this... In fact, not long ago, he was dragged into a business card battle by his former classmates, and he is still a popular figure after five years.

By the way, this was my first time experiencing a class reunion several years after graduation, exchanging business cards. The changes in status and the temperature difference between industries were starkly reflected, and I couldn't stand it anymore. "Wow, foreign investment!" "Wow, banking!" "Did you start your own business? That's amazing!" "Ah, manufacturing, oh, I see!" and so on. Do you know that no profession is inherently superior or inferior?

Foreign-funded companies will be fired immediately if they don't produce good results; banks will eventually reassign employees due to internal sabotage; entrepreneurship is the shortest path to bankruptcy; do you know that no profession is inherently superior or inferior? Professional househusbands are indeed the strongest, aren't they?

However, let's leave aside those who use excuses like "Ah~ I'm going to graduate school~" or "I haven't graduated yet~" for now. Compared to other "people without titles"... uh, let's not talk about this, okay?

"Yeah, just like you, it's alright."

I don't know if Hayama came to the same conclusion as me, but he met my expectations and quickly ended the topic.

"You're still the kind of guy who never tells the truth."

This guy is unmatched in his ability to read people's expressions... well, unmatched in every other aspect as well, which is infuriating. However, Ye Shan's expected answer made me feel a little nostalgic, so I smiled wryly and joked back.

however……

"Just like you."

"...By the way, you're still the same guy who only talks to me with barbs."

Hayama's next words were barbed and somewhat unexpected.

"Can you refute that? From the past to the present, whether it's what you say or what you think, you never express the most important things... No, back then, nobody spoke the truth."

“Well…”

The plan to gloss over the past with pointless chatter has failed, and unpleasant memories have been unconsciously brought back, leaving us all with sour faces.

This is also the fault of the original author, who always unintentionally—no, deliberately—doesn't explain things clearly, hiding complex and incomprehensible feelings in a deeper fog, thus stimulating readers who like to investigate, whether for better or worse, while secretly laughing or getting angry.

This work is really difficult to work on.

"You haven't changed... you've remained the same to the point of being annoying."

"You don't just find me 'annoying,' you just hate me, don't you?"

The smoke that filled the smoking area was more like the white-tinged air, heavy and murky.

It's the worst possible thing that such disgusting interpersonal relationships would develop in a place where one is seeking personal space.

Sigh, if I had known this would happen, I really shouldn't have run away outside.

Ah, the first thirty minutes of the class reunion were quite pleasant... such a short but joyful time.

Because when we were toasting, I was sitting next to an angel... Totsuka, who looked, looked, and sounded exactly the same as he did in high school, and more importantly, didn't have a beard. I just left my seat to get a drink, and a group of girls surrounded him, hugging him and yelling, "Ugh~ You haven't changed at all~", "So cute~" I couldn't get close at all.

After so many years apart, we were supposed to rekindle our old passion during our conversation, but Totsuka grabbed my hand and asked, "Hey, Hachiman... want to sneak away together?" We should have left quietly, so why did it turn out like this...?

"Don't worry, I disliked you too. Wasn't that the only thing we agreed on back then?"

The inexplicable anger from the memories made my expression and behavior even more unfriendly.

Hayama seemed to sense my anger and reverted to the expression he never showed to anyone other than me back in high school.

We stepped into a realm where conflict was imminent—not a fierce clash, but a clash of cold blades. The next moment…

"Awesome, awesome, that's it! A reunion after many years, where past love, hate, joy, and pain are inadvertently rekindled during their conversation, revealing their most genuine emotions! Ye Ba is back!"

"……oh."

"...Himena".

An excited voice, which made me genuinely regret getting too carried away, came from behind us.

"Hmm~ Oh dear, the innocent interactions between students are great, but the mature relationships that develop as adults are also amazing. Strong physiques, and a bit wild. If I had to choose, I'd prefer you two wearing suits and ties, grabbing each other by the tie and giving each other a passionate kiss—that would be so sweet, wouldn't it?"

"……Well."

“Ahahaha…”

"Just kidding. Hey there, Hachiman, how are you doing?"

"...It's alright."

It hasn't changed at all compared to five years ago... No, the range of guards has expanded from boys to middle-aged men. The even more evolved Ebina stares at us with a bright smile.

"Um, what's Hina doing here?"

"Ah~ um, I think I'm a little drunk, and I didn't want to stay in crowded places, so I came out to get some fresh air. Ah, look, even my nose is bleeding."

Ebina covered her face with a handkerchief, indicating that she was not feeling well. I said, "That nosebleed must have just started, right?"

"Also, everyone's been complaining about where Hayato is, so I came to look for you..."

"Oh, I see, it's been so long. Then I..."

"But don't worry! How could I bear to take away the time that is precious to me... no, important to you!"

"No, that..."

Moreover, despite clearly appearing uncomfortable, she was now energetically stopping Ye Shan, taking out her phone, and frantically snapping photos of us.

"Don't worry. I'll make it so that Hachiman is completely drunk and throwing up outside, and Hayato is taking care of him. That way, no one will think of coming outside, right?"

"Uh, I mean..."

I can't relax at all. I've finally managed to keep my presence so low, and now it's like in high school, I'm attracting everyone's hatred again.

"So please enjoy yourselves~ No one will be coming out for at least thirty minutes. Bye~"

"ah."

"ah."

Filled with a storm of misunderstanding (but in her heart it was the truth), Ebina pulled open the sliding door of the izakaya and quickly slipped inside.

“…………”

“…………”

Two confused and embarrassed men were left standing there, bewildered...

What am I supposed to do with this atmosphere? Even after five years, Ebina is still the same. If someone asks me if there's any way to push her, I can only say it's impossible.

What do you mean by "cultivating an unremarkable female lead"? How can an unremarkable person become an idol or a female lead? Who wrote the recommendation on the book jacket? (Note 38)

"...Do you want to smoke too?"

"No, no need. I've never smoked."

"Oh, I guess I won't smoke then."

"I don't mind."

"It's okay. I don't smoke much anyway."

"yes……"

It's impossible for the two of us to connect without speaking. We can't just stand here silently forever. So, out of necessity, we have to follow the Japanese virtue and continue the conversation through social etiquette.

They probed each other's mood, gradually creating distance with trivial topics, and exploring a way to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

Therefore, the kind of sarcastic remarks we just made must be strictly prohibited. Creating a hostile atmosphere again would be very troublesome.

"By the way, I don't know when Ebina started calling me Hachiman obediently."

"Huh? Doesn't she always call you that?"

"No, she used to call me 'Penguin Girl'...didn't you call me that at first too?"

"Oh, that..."

Therefore, I racked my brains to start a super boring topic so that this would be the last bit of fun.

"So, the nickname 'Penguin' started because of you. The founder changed it, but everyone else still calls him that."

I've always cared about it a little, but really only a tiny bit, so now it's probably just a funny little story that anyone would hear and let go of, or a boring topic that nobody remembers...

"That's true. My surname is too difficult to pronounce, so you can't blame me—"

"Of course it was intentional."

"……Hello."

My "somewhat concerned" attitude had the opposite effect.

"You don't know, do you? I would never call someone by the wrong name."

"Well, I can let it go now, but how could I have known back then..."

"Then why don't you know now?"

"this……"

That's right, in order to maintain his image, Hayato Hayama can't even forgive the smallest mistake, even if the other person is insignificant to him.

...No, there's a slight discrepancy. The less important a person is, the less tolerant they are of small mistakes.

This guy's philosophy of life is "to give love, compassion, and equality to all living beings."

"Being called 'Penguin' isn't a nickname. There's no love or intimacy involved; it's simply a rude mispronunciation. Everyone follows my lead in calling me that, but it's actually unintentional bullying. If you claim it's harassment, you'll definitely be acknowledged."

"Don't say anything, how could I still care after so long?"

"So you mean you cared about it back then? Even if it was just a little bit?"

"You're acting strange today..."

This is the same as before... or rather, the opposite of the stance taken five years ago.

...No, that's not quite right. Especially after the issue of "that guy's family" came to the forefront.

"I'll say it again. I did it on purpose. I knew that most of the others would probably follow suit, but I still chose to do it. I admit that I had clear malicious intent at the time."

"That's enough. And don't drink anymore. Forget about what happened today, and I'll forget about it too."

"No, I won't forget... As for alcohol, I honed my alcohol tolerance quite well during my university years."

Uh, you haven't trained at all, judging by how clingy you are. This guy was definitely on the "I'd rather die than let him drink" list of upperclassmen in college. He might even be the only one who didn't receive an invitation to a party.

Usually, the bully completely forgets about it and says things like, "Huh? Did that happen? Hehe♪," which only makes the bully angrier. Why do you remember it so clearly?

"Hayama, what do you want? Do you want me to beat you up?"

Then, after I punched him several times, he got angry and yelled, "I didn't tell you to go this far!" He retaliated, and the two of us started fighting. After a while, we both burst out laughing, and finally, we put our arms around each other's shoulders and laughed loudly—is this the kind of development you wanted that's somewhere between a teen drama and an idol drama? I mean, that was totally Showa era style, and now even the Heian period is over?

"No, I just feel strange if I don't say it out loud..."

However, this guy was indeed born in the Heisei era. Instead of resorting to violence, he gave me a sharp look instead of his fists.

"I hated you from the bottom of my heart back then."

This person who once declared to me that he would "always play the role of Hayama Hayato well"...

For some reason, he refuses to act the way I expect him to be, only in front of me.

"I told you to stop talking... Even I couldn't remain indifferent to such blatant malice, could I?"

Yes, back then I was indeed forced to make various decisions and deliberately endured the malice of others, but even so, I still stubbornly moved forward.

But that's because there was a clear purpose...

"Yes, I know. You're more sensitive, timid, and a pushover than people think."