My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 93

"Anywhere is fine as long as I can sit next to Hachiman."

“…………”

Totsuka said it so naturally that my reaction was a beat slow. The next second, he seemed to realize what he had said and quickly covered his mouth.

"This...this sounds a bit strange...because I was busy preparing things and dealing with the kids at noon, so I didn't have much of a chance to speak..."

These last few sentences not only didn't change the fact that he said it, but they also made my heart flutter even more.

"Okay, any seat is fine. Hurry up and sit down."

I felt both embarrassed and shy, and nudged Totsuka's back to urge him to sit down. Why was his back so slender? And why was he so light? I couldn't feel any resistance when I nudged him.

"Then, I'll sit here."

Totsuka reached his hand under the table to gesture to me, carefully making sure no one else could see it.

"……good."

He didn't need to wave like that; I would have sat down automatically.

I felt a sense of relief, and my expression softened. So I quickly covered my mouth with one hand and pretended to yawn.

"Then I'll sit here."

Finally, Professor Hiratsuka sat down next to me, at the other end of the bench. After the professor was seated, everyone put their hands together and said, "Let's begin."

Thinking about it, it's been so long since I've dined with so many people. It was only two years ago, but now it feels like it was so long ago.

"It looks like we're eating a school lunch."

"And the food is also curry."

Totsuka shared the same thought and whispered to me. Because we were closer than usual, I couldn't help but waver and responded very frankly.

"Boys really love curry. They get super excited every time they see curry on the menu."

Yuihama also reminisced about the past. It seemed that boys were excited about curry appearing in school lunches, regardless of the elementary or junior high school. The same was true of the school I attended.

"That's right, that's right. When the students in charge of serving food spill the whole pot of curry, they get yelled at by everyone."

A little further away, the Minister of Revenue, while eating curry, chuckled, "Yes, yes, yes! I've encountered that too!"

"Then, that guy was bombarded by the whole class, so he had to go to other classes to ask for extra curry, wearing his white shirt stained with curry. But the other classes were obviously unhappy about their curry being taken away, so they also berated him harshly. The guy couldn't take it anymore and even cried in the hallway. But the worst was yet to come: the curry stains on his white shirt couldn't be washed off, and when he handed it to the next student, he was laughed at for 'smelling like curry,' thus earning the nickname 'Older Person's Odor' (Note 33: 'Older Person's Odor' is a body odor unique to middle-aged and elderly people; the Japanese pronunciation is the same as 'curry smell.')."

"I'm not that badly off..."

"Why are you describing it in such detail... Is it based on your own experience?"

Yuihama and Yukinoshita stopped what they were doing, looked at me and asked.

"The curry stain on that dress just won't come out, it's driving Komachi crazy..."

Everyone present expressed their sympathy for me. In the silence, I could still hear the chirping of the bell crickets that had appeared early.

Ye Shan coughed lightly to smooth things over.

"There's nothing we can do about it. Boys all love curry, that's why they're so menacing. It's the same when the dessert is malt jelly."

Oh my god, I really miss that mysterious jelly with its unique flavor, a bit like Milo! It was so delicious! On days when malt jelly was the snack, everyone was most likely to go to school obediently.

Hayama continued:

"I asked my friends from other prefectures, but it seems that only school lunches in Chiba Prefecture have malt jelly."

"What?"

“Is this true…?”

“No, that’s not the case…”

"Hey, hey, hey, wouldn't that make the people in the other forty-six prefectures and counties too pitiful...?"

Yuihama, Miura, and Komachi were all shocked, and I also began to wonder if Japan's happiness index had declined. Even Ebina was speechless, and a commotion broke out at the dinner table.

Hayama's words just now showed his understanding of Chiba.

However, that level of knowledge alone is not enough to earn the title of "Chiba Encyclopedia." It doesn't matter if I lose to him in other areas, but I absolutely cannot lose in terms of knowledge about Chiba!

"Did you know that miso peanuts are only served in school lunches in Chiba Prefecture?"

"Yes, I know."

"What's there to doubt?"

"Only we Chiba people would eat this kind of thing at home."

The reaction was far too lukewarm. Also, it turns out the Miura family eats miso peanuts; even my family doesn't usually eat them.

× × ×

The not-so-large kettle vibrated with a "clattering" sound, followed by a piercing whistle.

Komachi immediately got up, took out a tea bag, and brewed black tea.

The plateau was already a bit chilly at night, and the chill became even more pronounced as the elementary school students gradually dispersed and the surroundings quieted down. The treetops rustled, and the sound of flowing water drifted from afar.

It's almost bedtime for elementary school students, but with everyone gathered with friends, it's unlikely they'll all fall asleep peacefully. I bet they'll have pillow fights and eat snacks and chat all night in bed.

However, some students still go to bed early. Those who can't get into those circles try to fall asleep as early as possible. It's not just because loneliness is unbearable, but also out of self-care; they hope the other kids won't have to worry about them, will treat them like they don't exist, and can fully enjoy the beautiful night. Even though no one will actually notice them.

So please don't play pranks on me while I'm asleep, laughing and joking, or even taking pictures, okay? I at least considered your feelings.

Ye Shan put down the paper cup with a "thud".

"They probably just gathered together and chatted, like on the night of their graduation trip."

His tone was as if he were reminiscing about the past.

We high school students aren't ready for graduation trips yet; that's a sophomore year, second semester itinerary. Another simple task awaits me: to lag behind everyone else and go to bed as quickly as possible at night.

I don't think it's a big deal because I've already overcome this obstacle, but for someone who's currently in this stage, it's more like a painful ordeal.

"I wonder if she'll be alright...?"

Yui asked me with some concern.

I didn't need to ask her to know she was referring to Tsurumi Rumi. Besides me, Yukinoshita, and Yuihama having heard Rumi mention it herself, everyone else had also noticed that she was being ostracized by her classmates. And it wasn't just us; it was such an obvious fact that anyone could see it.

I heard a "snap" sound, and Ms. Hiratsuka's calm profile shone slightly in the shade of the tree, as grayish-white smoke rose upwards. She took a small puff of her cigarette, then raised her other leg, causing the smoke to sway.

"Hmm... what are you worried about?"

When asked this question by the teacher, Hayama replied, "There was a student who was being ostracized by the other students..."

"Yeah, so pitiful~"

When I heard Miura agree with Hayama, I felt a little uneasy.

"...Yayama, you're wrong. You don't understand the real problem. Putting aside her being a loner, the problem is that she's being maliciously ostracized."

"Huh? Where did you find something wrong?"

I was speaking to Hayama, but it was Miura who raised the questions. How terrifying.

"Some people choose to be alone because they enjoy it, while others do not... Is that what you mean?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

So our goal isn't to prevent her from continuing to be alone, but rather to improve the environment that forces her to become this way.

"So, what do you intend to do?"

"Um……"

When Professor Hiratsuka asked the question, everyone fell silent.

I don't want to take any action; I'm just expressing my opinion on the current situation.

For example, when we watch documentaries about war or poverty on TV and say things like, "How pitiful," "They have such a hard life," and "We should do something," while we're comfortably eating a delicious meal at home, it won't trigger any action. We'll just put on a show, be grateful for our happy lives, and that's it.

We might make small donations of ten or one hundred yuan, but that's all.

Of course, some people will realize the problem and genuinely want to solve it. That's truly commendable, and I will respect and praise them. After all, donations do have real meaning for those in need.

But we are different. Neither I, Hayama, nor Miura truly wanted to do anything, and in fact, we couldn't do anything. We were well aware of this, and we would use our inability as an excuse, but still want to affirm our own kind side.

Even if it's something that doesn't concern us, once we see it with our own eyes, we can't pretend we don't know. But there's nothing we can do, so at least let us offer our pity—nothing more.

It's a beautiful and sublime emotion, yet also an ugly excuse. I loathe a youth filled with deception; this is nothing but a byproduct of that kind of youth.

"I……"

Ye Shan opened his tightly closed mouth.

"If possible, I would like to help her within my capabilities."

That's just how gentle he is. But this gentleness isn't just directed at those studying in the US; it's also gentleness directed at himself and everyone around him who hears it.

This is a white lie that doesn't hurt anyone. It gives us a glimmer of hope, then wraps up despair in a roundabout way, subtly hinting at the possibility that it might not be possible, giving everyone room to explain themselves later.

"You can't do it with your strength, can you?"

Ye Shan's words sounded sweet but were ambiguous, and Yuki immediately poured cold water on them. In the lamplight of the dark night, she brushed her hair aside and looked at Ye Shan coldly.

She was probably referring to Hayama's earlier remarks to Rumi, which is why she dared to make such a bold assertion, as if it were a clear fact that didn't need any explanation.

A bitter look flashed across Ye Shan's face, as if his internal organs were being burned.

"...That's right...but this time is different."

"Is that so?" Yukinoshita shrugged, responding indifferently.

No one expected her to have this conversation with Ye Shan, and the atmosphere immediately became tense.

I also chose to remain silent and continue to observe quietly.

Actually, I noticed it when Hayama visited the Service Club. Yukinoshita's indifference towards him was different from her usual indifference towards others.

Yukino's indifference towards ordinary people is merely an expression of isolation; however, her previous words contained a clear intention.

I'm now certain that something happened between them that I don't know about. What exactly happened? The awkward atmosphere is making me a little scared, but it doesn't matter at all.

"well……"

To avoid an overly silent atmosphere, Ms. Hiratsuka lit another cigarette and calmly smoked it. Five minutes later, she stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and spoke to Yukinoshita.

"Under the snow, and what about you?"

She gently stroked her chin under the snow.

"...I want to confirm one thing first."

"What's up?"

"The teacher mentioned earlier that this camping trip is also a training activity for the Service Club. So, was the girl's problem included in this activity?"

After a brief moment of thought, the teacher nodded quietly.

"Hmm... This volunteer activity to help with the camping is part of the club's activities, so in principle it can be included."

“Is that so…?”

She closed her eyes under the snow.

The night wind gradually subsided, and the rustling of the branches and leaves ceased, as if the entire forest had pricked up its ears to listen intently, afraid of missing a single word she uttered. Those present remained silent, waiting together.

"If she asks for help, I will use every means to do my best to resolve the issue."

She made a resolute declaration, her stern voice filled with an unwavering and strong will.

You're so cool, Yukinoshita! If I were a girl, I'd be completely smitten with you. Look, Yui and Komachi are both looking utterly captivated.

Professor Hiratsuka was quite satisfied with the answer and nodded vigorously.

"So, the other party has already made the request?"

"...I don't know that."

We were not asked to stay in the US, and we haven't explicitly asked her what she wanted.

Yui gently pulled at the clothes beneath the snow.

"Yukino, what if she wants to say it but can't bring herself to do it?"

"You mean, she doesn't trust anyone?"

I asked, and Yui hesitated for a moment before answering.