My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 749

All members of the service society, including myself, were present, and the office was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.

A gentle breeze carrying the scent of early summer blew in through the open window, bringing with it the melody of school after hours.

There shouldn't be much difference in just a few days, but the band's tone and the joggers' shouts have become more synchronized. I don't know if it's just my imagination.

Although the pace is not fast, daily life is constantly changing.

The staff of the Service Society is no exception.

The distance between seats, the length of skirts, the number of conversations, the speed at which pages are turned. These are merely insignificant differences when converted into numerical values, yet they are still changing.

Of course, things that cannot be expressed in numerical values ​​are also gradually changing.

The brightness of Komachi's expression as she hummed a song and scrolled through her phone is the most obvious example. I don't know if I'm just imagining things, but in my eyes as her older brother, her expression seemed much more refreshed than it had been the day before. However, that brightness probably couldn't be represented by lux, candlelight, or lumens.

I just had a vague feeling about it.

I tried to recall if it had started last night, but unfortunately, my rationality failed me yesterday, so I don't remember much. However, I don't recall seeing her looking listless, so I guess something happened after school yesterday.

But if we're talking about changes, the biggest change in this community office is in Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita, who should have already brewed black tea, hadn't prepared anything today.

Because she kept glancing at Komachi, and then shifting her gaze to Yuihama, nodding and shaking her head.

She was looking for an opportunity to surprise Komachi with a gift.

I understand how she feels. But even so, I hope she calms down. That suspicious behavior caused Isshiki to stare at Yukino with a look of surprise. Is she bad at surprising people?

Isshiki seemed poised to ask, "Um—what are you doing?" Just then, Yuihama finally nodded, giving permission. Yukinoshita smiled smugly and said, "Leave it to me," brushing aside the hair that was hanging over her shoulder.

Then she silently got up and began preparing to make tea. Yuihama quickly turned her chair towards Komachi.

"Komachi, you changed your hair clip? I think this is the first time I've seen that hair clip."

She struck up a conversation with Komachi to attract her attention.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Let me see, let me see. Can I play with your bangs while I'm at it?"

Please, please.

Yui waved, and Komachi, like a cat headbutting someone, leaned in. By the time I noticed, Yui had already skillfully blocked Komachi's view.

Wow, that's pretty impressive...

During my admiration, Yukinoshita deftly prepared the tea set.

Soon after, once the water boiled, she gracefully and quietly began brewing the black tea. The familiar aroma spread, and wisps of steam rose from the surface.

She placed the teacup, mug, and paper cup on the table, and quietly put a pretty little box next to it. Seeing her carefully open the box, Isshiki murmured, "I see," and glanced at the cat-like Komachi.

"Issue..."

Hearing my soft call, Isshiki glanced at me. I nodded slightly, indicating "Yes, that's what you think," and put my index finger to my lips.

This gesture seemed to make her understand everything. Iroha didn't say a word, but slowly nodded. Then she tucked her stray hair behind her ear, raised a slender finger to her moist lips, and closed one eye. "Hmm, okay, a nod is enough for me. No need for all this..."

While my heart was racing, Yukinoshita finished brewing the tea and filled everyone's teacups with black tea.

"Please."

"Oh, thank you."

She placed the teacup in front of me, followed by Isshiki's paper cup, and then Yuihama's mug. The black tea was served to everyone in turn, with Komachi being the last.

"Komachi, please use it."

As soon as Yukinoshita spoke, Yuihama immediately stepped aside in front of Komachi, freeing her.

"Ah, thank you. Hmm? Huh! Oh? Hmm?"

Komachi looked at the black tea placed in front of her two or three times, and exclaimed in surprise.

"Um, this is..."

She pointed, puzzled, to a mug with a white and light green base and a wild strawberry pattern.

Komachi's hand hovered in the air, seemingly wondering whether she could touch the cup, and Yukinoshita nodded in response.

"Although it's a bit late, this is a gift for your appointment as president of the Service Society."

"And a gift for rebuilding the ministry. Thank you."

Yuihama gave a slightly shy smile, while Komachi looked at the two of them alternately, letting out a sigh that was hard to tell whether it was an exclamation or hesitation.

"Would Komachi like to accept this?"

"Of course. How can the company president keep using paper cups?"

"Hmm, shall we use this as proof of membership?"

Urged on by the two, Komachi finally gently touched the mug, as if to confirm the warmth she felt in her palm, and then carefully and tenderly held it with both hands.

"Thanks……"

She bowed her head to express her gratitude, not lifting her face for a long time, and only faint sobs could be heard.

Upon seeing this, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama exchanged glances and both revealed gentle smiles. Isshiki nodded, resting his cheek on his hand, his gaze equally soft.

I straightened my back and faced Komachi again.

"Komachi."

I called to her in as calm a tone as possible. Komachi slowly raised her head and wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she stared straight at me.

I have so much to say to Komachi, so many things I want to convey to her.

Congratulations, thanks, apologies, and others.

There were also handover matters and various precautions for the club. The anxieties, worries, concerns, and things I wanted to entrust to her were countless.

Running a service club is honestly quite troublesome; most of the clients are difficult people with difficult cases, making it a challenging club. After we graduate, Komachi might have a tough time. She might experience loneliness. Perhaps she'll even consider leaving. If possible, I hope she spends her time with only happy memories, but it certainly won't be that smooth.

However, all of these memories—good, bad, unpleasant, painful, regretful, and sad—are part of the Service Society.

Even if you initially think, "What a weird club," you'll find yourself unable to live without it.

While thinking, "Who can stay in the same club as this kind of person?", you will be uncontrollably attracted to them.

No one else could possibly know the sorrow that only I had experienced.

No matter what kind of club you choose or what kind of friends you spend time with, you'll definitely experience the same feeling somewhere. But sorry, I've only been here; I don't have any other way to express it.

So at least I hope you've touched them all with your own hands.

In any case, it can't be summarized in a single sentence, and I don't think I can express it clearly in words. Besides, I'm too shy to speak in front of others.

I raised the corners of my mouth, pretended to be serious and straightened my posture, and tilted my straight back at a 45-degree angle as if I were joking.

"President Hikigaya, thank you for your help."

Komachi stared blankly as I gave her a comical bow, sniffed, and burst out laughing.

"Yes! Don't worry!"

She straightened her flat chest, sat upright, and used all her charm to display an arrogant attitude.

Yui looked at her and nodded gently, while Yukinoshita let out a satisfied sigh. Isshiki, resting his chin on his hand, gave a helpless smile.

"Oh, right. Speaking of gifts..."

I glanced at Isshiki and started the conversation. Taking this as a signal, Yuihama rummaged in her bag and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box.

"Iroha also received a gift. Thank you."

"Oh, oh... thank you... no, you're welcome?"

She didn't know how to answer, but accepted the box from Yuihama.

"...Can I open it now?"

"Please go ahead."

Urged on by Yukinoshita, Isshiki carefully unpacked the package and opened the lid. Upon seeing what was inside, she gasped softly.

"What?"

Her expression was one of shock as she took out the contents of the box and placed it on the table to examine it closely. In front of her was a white and pink mug with a wild strawberry pattern. Even without placing it next to Komachi's mug, she could immediately tell it was the same style but a different color.

"Um, I'm not a member... Is this okay?"

Isshiki asked with a shy smile and a puzzled look, while Yuihama murmured:

"So that's not it after all..."

"Yes, actually it's not like that. I don't know why they come here so often."

Komachi whispered in Yuihama's ear, while Yukinoshita sighed silently and shrugged.

"Sigh, it's been so long. Besides, it's such a waste for only one person to use a paper cup."

Oh, I think I've heard that before. Hey~ It's so disrespectful to talk to the student council president like that! I'd probably get yelled at for saying something like that, so I've decided to shut up.

Instead, he nodded to Isshiki.

"Okay, I'll leave it to you if there's anything I can help you with."

Isshiki blinked after hearing this, and soon after, he proudly puffed out his uneven chest, imitating Komachi from before.

"Okay, leave it to me... Why does this seem a bit casual? Don't you think your attitude when asking me for a favor is a bit more casual compared to when you asked Xiaomi?"

Halfway through her explanation, she suddenly realized something and angrily pressed me for an answer.

No, not at all. On the contrary, I'm often said to be a man who puts pressure on people—just as I was about to ramble on to appease her, Komachi peeked out from beside Isshiki and tugged at her sleeve.

"Iroha-senpai, Iroha-senpai."

"Hmm? What's up?"

Isshiki answered impatiently, Komachi patted her suit jacket, smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt, and bowed with her hands on her thighs.

"Komachi knows this may cause you a lot of trouble, but I hope you will continue to take care of me in the future."

"Oh, um, I should be asking you to take good care of me."

Suddenly, someone bowed respectfully to her, leaving Isshiki bewildered. Taking advantage of her moment of confusion, Komachi smiled and made a sudden request.

"Also, please help me handle that matter properly! Komachi now thinks it's okay to publish it☆"

"How frivolous... How casual... Hmm, I'm actually taking this problem a little too seriously..."

Komachi said with an incredibly flippant tone, "Hehehe☆," while Isshiki looked like he was about to die. Komachi, full of energy, clenched her fists and asserted firmly.

"It's because Iroha-senpai is seriously troubled by this. Ah, Komachi really means it."

"Oh, really... whatever... senior, this kid's morals have really collapsed."

Yise frantically tugged at my sleeve in strong protest. I gently pulled my hand away, deciding to protect my sister for the time being.

"No, it's just that I'm saying whatever comes to mind, going with the flow. It's just Komachi's way of hiding her shyness..."

Yukinoshita nodded enthusiastically, resting her chin on her hand.

"This place is a lot like Hachiman's."

"But autistic boys aren't cute..."

Yuihama gave a wry smile and muttered with slight displeasure, while Isshiki scoffed.

"Xiaomi's isn't cute either."

"Hmm. Ah, but getting angry here makes Komachi feel like she's cute, and Komachi thinks her score is pretty low..."

"What on earth is this person saying...?"

And so, Komachi and Isshiki resumed their playful antics, while we, displaying our magnanimous understanding, watched this heartwarming scene. Yes, good relationships are a wonderful thing…

Yukinoshita glanced at everyone's cups and silently stood up. Seeing this, Yuihama reached into her bag and rummaged for more tea and snacks. I continued flipping through the paperback I was reading, as usual.

"Ah, Komachi is helping to make black tea too!"

"Really? Then let's go to a bar together."

Hearing this conversation, I inadvertently turned my head and looked around the office.

The setting sun grew increasingly red, creating a warm, sunny spot in the community office in a short period of time.