My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 668

"Huh, what's that?! Wow—I don't know who they are, but their names all sound really strong. It'll hurt a lot if they hit someone."

"Um, um...yes."

Hayato judged that there was no point in continuing to explain to Tobe, so he gave a forced smile and ended the conversation.

It seems that the Ministry of Revenue didn't want to talk to him about philosophy.

"Let's not talk about that guy named Deger. Hayato, are you alright? You've looked so worried. I was wondering if something happened."

"Oh, um... no."

Kebu was right; Hayato's mood had been consistently low.

This is also why I borrowed philosophy books to read.

And the reason for his depression...

"Could it be that? Yesterday's practice match? Are you still thinking about it? It's a pity you lost, but there's nothing we can do about it. The opponent was one of the top four in the prefecture, and the number six you faced was their captain, who was originally a player from the J-League youth team, I think."

"Yes, I've heard about it. It seems so..."

"What can we do? Try to think more positively."

A practice match was held yesterday, Sunday, against Sobu Central Industrial High School.

The result was three to zero.

Ace Hayato was suppressed by the opponent's captain, Takada, who played as an organizing midfielder, and was unable to shoot.

Both the score and the performance on the field were a complete defeat.

The teammates were disheartened and extremely unwilling to accept defeat.

However, it's common to lose a game even when you give it your all.

This was certainly not the first time Hayato had tasted defeat.

Despite the disappointment, this is a common sight on the football field...

Hayato, however, was acting strangely and still looked worried.

"I have a practice match against Ichikawa Minami next week, so let's get into a good mindset. Let's win a game decisively next time."

Hobe patted Hayato on the shoulder to encourage him, a gesture that certainly suited his role as the club's ray of sunshine.

But Hayato remained expressionless.

—Because the source of his troubles is not winning or losing.

"Ministry of Revenue, I'd like to say..."

"What's wrong, Hayato?"

"That number six... his name is Takada, right?"

"I told you there was nothing I could do. That guy is incredibly strong. He's practically cheating."

"His physical abilities and technical level are indeed very high, and he has a wide field of vision. His stamina is also very good; even in the second half of the match, his speed did not decrease at all."

"Seriously, he's a monster—what did he eat to grow up like that? That guy definitely takes protein powder. I'd rather die than run into him in a real competition."

"Yes, that's right, but..."

"However? However what?"

"That monster can only make it to the top four in the county."

"Because Chiba also has the Funabashi team."

"Yes, Funabashi is a regular in the national tournament. Even Funabashi's players rarely become professional players, maybe only one or two at most."

"That's...right."

"And the one or two people who become professional players will be swallowed up in the fierce competition among professional players, and most of them will become off the roster after a few years."

"What's wrong with you? You keep talking about these heavy topics."

Hayato did not answer immediately.

He fell silent, carefully organizing his thoughts.

"...I'm thinking, my peak might just be right now."

"Huh—what does that mean?"

"The next captain of the soccer club, a popular guy in my class, this must be my peak."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Just like I said, with my skills, I'm still a long way from becoming a professional soccer player. Even Takada, who shut me down in yesterday's game, had a hard time. My soccer career will probably end in high school."

"Maybe I'll continue playing in university clubs."

"That's just for fun. It's meaningless."

"But Hayato, you're also very good at studying."

Although Hayato's grades in school were not bad, they were ultimately just for passing exams.

It's simply about using efficient methods to focus on subjects requiring memorization and improve scores in humanities subjects.

He himself was well aware that this was different from true intelligence.

"Whether it's academics or sports, I'm only at an average level; I'm not a really good person."

Hayato laughed self-deprecatingly.

"Go to an ordinary university. Work for an ordinary company. Earn an ordinary salary and do an ordinary busy job. Be an ordinary popular guy in the workplace, and after get off work, drink golf and brag to your juniors about how 'I used to be in high demand.' That's who I'll be in the future."

"How could that be—you'll achieve even greater things!"

"No, I have nothing to boast about. I have no weapons to compete with others."

"Since you've put it that way, what am I supposed to do?"

"Uh, are you okay...?"

—Because others probably don't have high expectations of you.

Hayato swallowed back what he was about to say.

He was expected of in every sense, for better or for worse, and he lived in response to those expectations.

Everyone thought Hayato could do it.

The expectations of his family, his teachers, and his friends. Along the way, Hayato has lived up to all those expectations.

Sometimes, it even responds to the expectations of women it doesn't know...

The result is the creation of Hayato Hayama as we know him today.

He's good at studying and sports; both men and women like him. The lively and cheerful Hayama Hayato—

Hayato himself could no longer believe in the future of Hayama Hayato that he was in.

"Huh—am I okay?—I didn't expect Hayato to think so highly of me—"

The Ministry of Revenue accepted Hayato's words without question and smiled leisurely.

This is precisely why the Ministry of Revenue will not have any problems.

"In short, I feel like I can't continue like this. How should I put it, I need a fundamentally personal style. It has nothing to do with other people's opinions, it transcends winning or losing, something like a core philosophy..."

"Hmm—I don't understand any of it. So that's why you're reading Mr. Stan's book?"

The Ministry of Revenue used a slightly rising intonation at the end of the sentence, like "Mr. Stan↗".

That was the tone he used when addressing a former delinquent senior in the area.

"...I suppose so. Philosophy is indeed necessary if one wants to have a sense of self."

"I see—since you put it that way, then that's it. Although I was completely confused. What Mr. Stan said makes a lot of sense."

Unfortunately, discussing this with the Ministry of Revenue is extremely inappropriate.

It's not just the Ministry of Revenue. Ooka and Yamato are probably no better either.

If you need to find someone to discuss this kind of topic with...

—At most, it's only Hachiman Hikigaya.

Hayato aimed at Hikigaya.

Hachiman is not the type to linger in the classroom after school.

He had already packed his things and stood up from his seat.

"Um, Hachiman..."

Hayato called out to him almost instinctively.

"Huh? What?"

Hachiman lazily turned around.

He still had those dead fish eyes. He glanced at Hayato, then his gaze immediately fell on the "Introduction to Modern Philosophy" on the table.

Then she shifted her gaze back to Hayato, her expression barely changing.

"No... I'm sorry. It's okay."

Hayato suddenly felt embarrassed.

Hikigaya remained silent.

however……

—Ah—this is the kind of pattern where, when faced with troubles, one suddenly turns to philosophy books to assert their presence. And not even the original texts, but introductory books.

Hayato, however, had the feeling that he was saying that.

No. We can't consult with Hachiman.

Hikigaya is an expert at indecisiveness.

Hayato, on the other hand, is still a novice in this area and lacks experience.

"So why did you call me? I'm leaving?"

Hayato realized that after calling out to Hachiman, Hachiman didn't say a word.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's okay."

"Huh? That's strange."

Hachiman turned and left the classroom.

It left behind an unsettling atmosphere.

"What's wrong, Hayato? Why did you suddenly call him over? I thought you were going to become Penguin's apprentice."

The Ministry of Revenue may have been trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, however...

"No, I wasn't entirely joking. Honestly, if I could, I'd really like to ask him to take me on as his apprentice. Because he's a realist, skilled in certain survival strategies. People like that have a big advantage after entering society. Surprisingly, those who achieve great success are often that type of person. That's my opinion."

"Really? Is that true?"

The Minister of Revenue took his joke seriously, leaning back exaggeratedly in surprise.

Hayato and Hikigaya weren't particularly close.

But that's part of his open-mindedness and unique way of thinking.

In addition, there is a lifestyle of not yielding to peer pressure and doing things one's own way.

Moreover, he was already worn down to the point of being completely devastated in high school before he suffered from societal abuse, so he shouldn't be hindered by reality again.

—The person who has the potential to be completely transformed is Hachiman.

Hayato thought to himself.

He plays football well, is fairly handsome, has excellent grades, and is considerate and cheerful, never spoiling the mood.

—When did I become such an insignificant person...?

Hayato clenched his fists in regret.

Go to an ordinary university. Work for an ordinary company. Live an ordinary life.