My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 734

That is to say.

It's fine for both of you to go to the festival together.

× × ×

Spring has come again.

After barely managing to organize the exhausting and chaotic joint dance party with the help of her superhuman abilities and silver tongue, spring break finally arrived.

The new semester will begin soon.

I want to sleep like Meng Haoran, who was so engrossed in his spring slumber that he didn't notice the dawn, and make the most of my remaining vacation time!

I made up my mind, but my wish failed to reach the heavens, and I was dragged away by Komachi early in the morning.

"Brother, hurry, hurry! The festival is about to begin!"

"Yes……"

Komachi kept pushing my back as we strolled along the road that extended from the station.

The destination was the venue of a certain festival. Perhaps because she was going to attend this event, Komachi was dressed in a punk style today, wearing a black leather jacket, a deliberately disheveled T-shirt, ripped jeans, and boots, looking very energetic.

Although that's not important, people have always said that "Chiba's attractions are festivals and dances," and Chiba does indeed host several famous festivals, making it a festival hotspot. It seems that the one we're going to attend is one of them.

I only went with Komachi, so I don't know the details, but she said it was a very lively event.

Even though the show hadn't started yet, those who seemed to be extroverted partygoers were already making a ruckus on the way to the venue, as if to prove Komachi right.

I see, it seems I was right to come with her...

I've heard that festivals aren't just for fans who want to listen to music; there are also jerks who come with the intention of picking up girls.

If a young and beautiful girl like Komachi comes alone, the audience members wandering around the venue will inexplicably call out to her, "Hey—! You're so cute. Are you still a student? How old are you? Where do you live? Do you use LINE?" and start chatting her up like crazy. Afterwards, they'll ask, "Do you have any dreams? Have you ever heard of living off royalties? Next time we're having a barbecue party, do you want to come?" and quickly start promoting her.

It would be terrible if Komachi got addicted to weird online salons! I have to protect her, lest she suddenly become vacant and start contacting all her old classmates!

My sense of mission ignited, and I slowly walked towards the venue.

Even though there was still a long time before the show started, the audience arrived one after another, and groups wearing concert T-shirts and uniforms could be seen everywhere.

The whole thing felt like a festival, but this is a common sight in Chiba, especially around Makuhari.

Makuhari has a large event hall, a baseball stadium, and a beach, making it suitable for hosting various events.

Today, some people will probably be fooled by the name "Makuhari Messe" and get off at Makuhari Station again (Note: the closest station to Makuhari Messe is Kaimin-Makuhari Station on the Keiyo Line, not Makuhari Station on the Sobu Main Line). To get off at Kaimin-Makuhari Station, you can either take a bus from Makuhari-Hongo Station...

I walked and thought as I arrived at the venue.

A few minutes after the opening time, the area near the entrance was packed with people. There must be people inside who had experienced despair at Makuhari Station…

The most crowded time at the beginning of these concerts is often when the concert starts.

But don't let my appearance fool you, I actually know a lot about concerts. At my level, I can predict a concert will start five minutes late, only to find myself completely missing the opening act once I get inside. This happens quite often. How can this happen...? A hopeless, nerdy type of person, I love to deduce the event flow from the expressions of the staff wearing headsets, but it turns out I'm just overthinking things.

However, judging from the crowd outside, the venue was probably even more crowded inside. To be honest, I didn't want to wait in a packed place for the show to start.

If I had come alone, I would have had a can of MAX coffee and then slowly made my way over, but this time I came with Komachi. We should ask the person in question for their opinion.

...Okay, what should we do? Go back? I looked at Komachi, and she patted my shoulder, urging me on.

"Brother, hurry, hurry! Let's go, let's go!"

Komachi was very excited.

Hmm—but what can I do? My brother came here to listen to music today…and wants to stay in the back…This festival is packed with stars, if I'm in the front the crowd at the back will push and shove, won't they? I don't want to get caught in the crossfire…

He had intended to project an air of inexplicable expertise, subtly drawing her to give up, but seeing Komachi's sparkling eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say anything so tactless.

"But wait, the show hasn't started yet, has it? There's still some time, right?"

As a result, my statement became extremely ambiguous.

Komachi puffed out her cheeks and shook her finger.

"What are you saying, brother? The festival continues until we get home? Does that mean... the festival starts the moment we step out of the house!"

She puffed out her chest, raised her fist high to the sky, and declared with a cool air. Her imposing presence almost convinced me.

"I see. That makes sense! That's right!...Isn't that right?"

Really? Is that so? I nodded inadvertently, but I had the feeling that I had heard the same kind of twisted logic as "you can't lose until you win!" However, Komachi didn't care about her brother's surprised expression and tried to force her way through the challenge with her aura.

"Right! Let's not worry about that anymore, let's go! Otherwise we'll miss the pre-show narration!"

(Illustration 008)

"Oh, okay... let's go then..."

I see, this one's a mid-range runner, right? (Note: a parody of the mobile game *Uma Musume Pretty Derby*. "Mid-range" refers to maintaining a middle position and then accelerating to catch up just before the finish line.) I'm totally blown away. Okay, things like the narration or announcements that give you a sense of the atmosphere before the race can only be heard live. My sister's got a sharp eye, no doubt about it.

"Set off--!"

Komachi called out and ran forward with small steps, looking back at me. I also jogged to catch up with her.

× × ×

The venue was noisy.

Whispers filled with anticipation, excited conversations, and even uncontrolled shouts could be heard.

Even in the dimly lit venue with the lights off, the atmosphere of enthusiasm was still palpable.

The show was about to start, and the audience's emotions reached their peak. Even the performance PV on the big screen prompted them to cheer loudly and wave glow sticks.

The area in front was filled with enthusiastic fans of the singers and idols, so we naturally stayed at the back.

However, it was precisely because of my position at the back that I could clearly see the entire venue. Surrounded by a crowd of standing audience members, even I, who was initially uninterested, became excited.

Soon after, the background music in the venue gradually faded, and the video on the screen stopped playing. The anticipation from the audience grew louder and louder, creating a stark contrast.

It's almost time to start.

Before the concert begins, various important points are explained. Some concerts even have the company president or an administrative staff member give a speech to the producer, a unique and carefully planned arrangement in this field.

So, what are some things to keep in mind for this festival? I listened intently to the narration behind the scenes.

Then, a familiar voice came from behind, mixed with whispers.

"This is the venue for today's festival..."

"If we don't hurry, we'll be late!"

"That's true! Let's go!"

First came a calm voice expressing understanding, then a cheerful voice urging people on, and finally a affected yet endearing voice.

However, a calm voice stopped them.

"Wait a minute. Do not run around in the venue. Also... we will be playing some instructions later, please listen carefully."

"yes--!"

"Wow, this guy is super motivated..."

I overheard the energetic response and the speechless reflection. The calm voice cleared its throat and continued composedly:

"Please put your phones on silent mode or turn them off after the performance begins. Taking photos, videos, and audio recordings are prohibited. If any of these violations occur, the person who ignores the staff's advice will be asked to leave the venue or the event will be cancelled. Your cooperation is appreciated. Also, the entire event will be recorded. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause… Got it?"

"Yes—! I will follow the rules and enjoy the festival!"

The calm voice rattled off a long list of instructions, as if explaining important points. The cheerful voice, though answering well, gave the impression that the speaker hadn't truly understood. This was followed by a helpless sigh.

The voice and conversation were so familiar that I couldn't help but wonder if it was someone I knew. I turned to glance back, but the crowd blocked my view, and I couldn't see anything.

Even in a crowd, her cute voice, lively laughter, and steady, beautiful voice could still be clearly heard.

"...Let's get hyped!"

"oh--!"

"...Ah, it's about to begin."

Hearing this conversation, I looked ahead and saw white smoke rising from the stage, with flashbulbs going off incessantly.

The festival has finally begun...

× × ×

The show started with a performance by a big star, which immediately raised the atmosphere to its peak.

Even though the most popular performer wasn't going to appear for a while, the audience was going absolutely crazy. Influenced by them, I found myself shouting and waving towels along with them. Komachi was also jumping around, very busy, and time flew by.

However, staying in such a crowded place for a long time is really tiring, so I took Komachi's advice and took a short break while I went to the restroom.

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

Komachi murmured wistfully, her tone a mixture of satisfaction and a pleasant weariness. I nodded in agreement and left the audience.

Festivals that last longer seem to also have rest areas with vendors and beverage shops.

My ears were still ringing, and the deep bass coming from my stomach made me stagger toward the rest area.

Then we saw a bunch of people there, just like us, conserving their energy for the second half. As expected of a large-scale event, the area outside the stands was packed with people.

We made our way through the crowd and breathed a sigh of relief in a corner by the wall.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Phew~ The festival was amazing~! So much fun!"

"Yeah! But we're having too much fun, we need to rest for a bit..."

"Yes, yes...sigh..."

It seems to be a group of three close friends who participated together.

Every now and then you could hear exhausted sighs and voices of concern for her, probably because there were girls mixed in who weren't used to this type of activity.

"Ah—Yukino is exhausted..."

With a hint of helpless sympathy, she uttered a term I knew all too well. The only Yukino I knew were Yukino Yukinoshita from my own school and Yukino Meijin from Treson Academy (Note: a character from *Uma Musume Pretty Derby*).

I reflexively turned around and stared at the source of the sound.

"Ah—! Yui-neechan, Yukino-neechan!"

Komachi seemed to notice them too, and greeted them readily, to which they responded with energetic voices.

"Komachi, hey there! Oh, even the autistic guy is having a blast!"

"Oh dear, Hachiman."

People who are perfectly suited to be at a festival, and people who are absolutely unsuitable for being at a festival. That is to say, the one waving to us lively is Yui Yuigahama, and the one with a slightly pale face and a weak voice is Yukino Yukinoshita. Iroha Isshiki is also nearby.

All three of them were wearing loose, oversized T-shirts, perhaps to match the festival atmosphere. They wore black leather biker jackets on top, ripped jeans on the bottom, and high boots, looking quite punk.

Yukinoshita, who usually exudes a strong sense of pure and innocent girlhood, Yuihama, who often wears fashionable and casual styles, and Isshiki, who takes a sweet and cute route, all have a different charm today.

"oh……"

With half-surprise at the thought of "What a coincidence to meet them in a place like this," and half-revelation of "The voices before the show were indeed theirs," I nodded in response.

"Ah, senior."

Isshiki nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then looked at Komachi beside me with a puzzled expression.

"...and Xiaomi."

"Hmm... this peculiar nickname is almost fixed... it's Komachi! Komachi's name is Komachi!"

The bizarre nickname made Komachi put on a sour face, and she immediately jumped around and reintroduced herself.

Isshiki patted Komachi's head as if to hold her down, and smiled.

"Oh, what does it matter? It's a cute nickname! Being a junior student might be looked down upon a little, but that has more advantages than disadvantages ☆"

"Wow—this person has a really awful personality..."

Komachi was speechless, and for some reason, Isshiki was also speechless.

"That was said by my senior."

"Wow—I knew my brother would say things like that..."

The two of them gave me disdainful looks. No… I didn't say anything like that… I'm being falsely accused…

But all of this was to help them get to know each other better. I'll just swallow it obediently.