My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 784

Uh, sorry for saying this when you're all expecting it, but I really didn't have any plans this time...

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, as expected of people I've known for so long, looked at me with a hint of unease, or perhaps surprise.

Do you have any clues?

"no."

I answered Yukinoshita's question frankly and openly. Yukinoshita sighed helplessly, while Yuigahama said with a wry smile:

"Haha... So, what do we do now?"

"No matter how we handle it, it's necessary to talk to Hayama first..."

The key figure at the center of this rumor is undoubtedly Hayato Hayama. In order to control the direction of public opinion, regardless of which path to take, it is necessary to ascertain Hayama's current situation and intentions, and if possible, ask for his help.

In that case, someone needs to act as the point of contact with him... I looked at the three women.

Miura immediately turned his head away.

"Ah, well, I'm a little bad at talking about this... It makes me sound like I'm some kind of 'Hayato's guy'..."

Miura blushed and twirled his hair with his fingers, looking troubled.

I think so too. You can't exactly ask a girl like Yumiko Minato, or Ms. Yokohama/Yokosuka, who's easily moved by spaghetti, to ask, "...What are you to her?" (Note)

Note: The joke comes from the song "The Girl Touched by Spaghetti" by the Japanese female idol group Dandelion and the song "Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, Yokosuka" by the Japanese rock band Down Town Boogie-Woogie Band. "...What are you to her?" is a lyric from "Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, Yokosuka".

What about Yukinoshita and Yuihama...? Halfway through my thought, I realized that I couldn't let the two gossipy parties involved have any contact with Hayama.

That means there's only one person left... I shifted my gaze, and Ebina looked terrified.

"This won't do, this won't do! I can't get involved between Hayato and Penguin-kun...! Ah, if it's just about silently watching over you as a stain on the wall, then I can help. How about I help you instead?"

"It's okay, no need... or rather, absolutely not..."

Ebina let out a strange "fufufu" laugh, and I clearly rejected her, leaving Ebina extremely disappointed.

Although I was very unwilling, after filtering by elimination, I had no choice but to step in.

"...I'll go talk to him first."

I let out a deep sigh, and Ebina swallowed hard.

× × ×

The future activity guidelines have been tentatively set, and the Service Society's activities for today are now concluded.

Miura and Ebina both left the club office, and we were also disbanded... That's how it should have been, but I was forced to work overtime without pay.

Go ask Hayama Hayato for his opinion. That's my task.

Usually, a civilized tool—a cell phone—would be used to resolve this in three seconds, but unfortunately, I don't know Hayama's contact information. Asking Yuihama for help is also an option, but if someone sees the two parties involved contacting each other, it would only fuel the gossip.

Unfortunately, the other party is the president of the soccer club. It might have to wait until after school ends, and I've heard the end date of club activities is unknown. Our school's playground isn't very big, but it's shared by the soccer, baseball, rugby, and track and field clubs, so the scope and duration of activities depend on the discussions among each club.

With no other option, I sat on a bench in the courtyard overlooking the playground to keep watch.

The treetops of the trees planted in the courtyard swayed back and forth in the cold wind.

As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops sharply.

The school is located by the sea, so it is not blocked by huge buildings and is directly exposed to the winter sea breeze.

Chiba Prefecture is known as one of the flattest prefectures in Japan, a well-ventilated prefecture, and also a harmonious place where young people can fully utilize their talents. What the heck? This looks like a job posting from a shady company. It's amazing how this explains why Chiba, Tokyo's sleeper town, has become a den of wage slaves!

Having been a citizen of Chiba for seventeen years, my body naturally grew accustomed to this cold wind. Thanks to that, I've also become used to the coldness in people's hearts.

That being said, I was in the warm office not long ago, and this temperature difference is really uncomfortable.

However, the gods bestowed MAX coffee upon Chiba Prefecture for times like these! Even in the coldest winter, just one sip of hot, incredibly sweet MAX coffee will send your blood sugar skyrocketing! High blood sugar can make you suddenly sleepy, and you might even freeze to death while asleep. The gods can be that cruel sometimes…

Oh well, it'll be alright if I don't fall asleep. I walked towards the vending machine near the front door, hoping to warm myself up with the divinely bestowed drink, MAX Coffee.

I reached for the button that said "Hot".

That hand was grabbed.

What grabbed me was a cat's paw. It was furry with pink paw pads, just like a plush toy.

"If you don't mind, this is for you... there's also a share for Hayama-kun."

The cat paw handed me two cans of MAX coffee. What's with this cat paw...? Is it like a mom reminding her child to bring a souvenir when they're going to a friend's house...?

Looking up, I saw cat paw-shaped gloves opening and closing beneath the snow on her chest. So you were using those gloves... Oh dear, look how happy you are...

The gift she gave was used by the other person, and Yuihama, standing behind Yukinoshita, seemed very happy, her face beaming with a blissful smile... Is this chain of happiness a scene from "Let Love Spread"?

No, the focus is on MAX coffee, not the cat paw.

"Uh, we don't need to give it to him specifically... we just need to say a few words..."

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita wagged her finger and began to offer her insightful opinion.

"By showing this attitude, he'll feel he has to do something for you."

Is it similar to the principle of reciprocity? Yes, although it's not a major negotiation, considering my relationship with Hayama, bringing a drink along would make the discussion go more smoothly.

Should I accept it gratefully...? I wondered, staring at the MAX coffee the cat paw was handing me.

At that moment, Yui stepped forward briskly, blocking my hesitant gaze, and picked up the two cans of MAX coffee.

"Okay, here you go."

Yuihama placed the MAX coffee in my hand.

"...Um, you must have been freezing while you were waiting."

She wrapped her hands tightly around mine, letting me hold the MAX coffee. Her warmth seeped through my skin and into my heart.

While I was bewildered by her sudden action, Yui quickly let go of my hand, took a step or two back, returned to her original position, silently looked away, and casually pulled up her scarf. However, it was clear that her ears, exposed to the cold wind, were bright red.

"Oh, oh... then I'll accept it..."

Even though I wasn't wearing a scarf, my voice was muffled and stuttering as I stuffed the still-hot MAX coffee into my pocket, using it as a substitute for a hand warmer.

"...Then I'll go ask Ye Shan, you can go first."

"I can't just dump all the work on you..."

Yuihama hesitated for a moment, glancing at Yukinoshita as if seeking her opinion.

Yukinoshita gently shook her head. I agree with Yukinoshita. In fact, it was I who suggested excluding them and that I talk to Hayama alone.

004

"It would be troublesome if you two started spreading strange gossip again. Don't worry about me, when you go to the aquarium, Chiba should hold hands and play together, so that everyone who sees you knows that you two have a great relationship."

If reasonable people see the two rumored to be dating Hayama getting along so well, their opinion will probably change. Although this is all just my optimistic speculation, it's still better than being seen waiting for Hayama together.

Yukinoshita seemed to sense my unspoken meaning. She rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment before raising her head.

"That's true... Excuse me, we'll be going now."

"Hmm—I still think it's not good to let an autistic guy do things alone..."

"Don't worry about it. It's just work."

I casually replied to the two people who were looking at me with concern. Yukinoshita smiled slightly.

"That's really not the kind of thing you should say."

Indeed. I couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly and nod. Yui-hama seemed to have made up her mind as well, adjusting the position of her backpack.

See you tomorrow!

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

I watched the two leave, then turned my gaze back to the playground.

The members of the sports club were finishing their practice and getting ready to go home.

The soccer club will probably release the players soon. I'm keeping an eye on their movements while hoping Hayama will return quickly.

It's so cold...

Even though it's work, why should I wait for Hayama? Why not just ask Hayama's guardian spirit? Why ask him personally?

My heart has collapsed. I'm made of ice, my legs are like wooden sticks… Since no one's come over, they thought I'd activated a protective barrier…

Note: This is a rewritten incantation from the Unlimited Blade Works incense bar of the Fate series.

I opened the MAX coffee that was starting to cool and took small sips.

after awhile.

When the jar in my hand felt much lighter, the football club members finally came over in a group.

However, no one from Yeshan could be seen among them.

Why isn't that guy here anymore...? I moved away from the wall, looking around, when one of them struck up a conversation with me. His brown hair and flippant tone were clearly visible from afar; he was from the Ministry of Revenue.

"Huh? It's a penguin! What's wrong with you?"

He waved to me warmly, and I gently raised my hand in response.

"Where's Hayama?"

"Hayato?... Ah—he's busy right now."

The Minister of Revenue's gaze wandered. I followed his gaze, but I didn't see Ye Shan.

"Isn't he here?"

"Uh, not not here. Somewhere between here and not here?"

The words are unclear. What's wrong? This is so troublesome...

"There's nothing I can do if you're not here... I'll be going then."

After waiting so long, this result is a bit disappointing, but since I can't achieve my goal, it's better to get out of there quickly. Stop-loss is the foundation of gambling, and it applies equally to the gamble of life. Why is my life constantly about stopping losses?

I said goodbye to the Ministry of Revenue and headed to the bicycle parking lot.

"……ah!"

I heard the voice of the Ministry of Revenue behind me, but I decided to ignore him and keep going.

As it turned out, I found Hayama behind the school building. What? He was clearly there! It seems Hayama wasn't going through the main gate, but rather trying to go back through the side gate.

How should I bring it up?

I walked and thought, and then suddenly stopped after a few steps.

Because in the area where the orange streetlights provided a little illumination, I saw a figure that wasn't Hayama's.

I reflexively ducked behind the school building wall, pressed myself against it, and felt the cold temperature of the cement seep through my back.

It was too dark around me to see who was talking to Hayama. Judging from their height, it was a girl. Her voice, broken and intermittent, drifted on the wind, saying things like, "Sorry for calling you out so suddenly," and from her tone, I guessed she was in the same grade.

She wore a dark blue navy coat and a red scarf, clutching the scarf to her chest as she looked up at Hayama's face.

Even from a distance, you could see that her slender shoulders were trembling.

--Oh, I see.

That's why the Ministry of Revenue was so hesitant.

The girl took a soft breath, clutching the collar of her coat, ready to face the consequences.

"Um... I heard that from a friend. Hayama-san, do you really have someone you're dating?"

No, no.

"Then you can be with me..."

"Sorry, I'm not in the mood to think about that right now."

Although their voices were very soft, I could barely make out these few sentences of conversation.

After that, I couldn't hear anything anymore.

Presumably, it's because neither side had anything to say to each other.

Even if I can't hear it, I can feel it.

A unique, suffocating tension, and a sense of despair that is far removed from the bright sunshine.

The aroma emanating from the darkness perfectly complemented the cold winter air, much like the icy touch I had just felt on my skin.