My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 153

Oh, it's a Ragdoll cat. This breed has long, fluffy fur that feels very soft to the touch. It's considered a large cat, hence the name "Ragdoll." I've clearly stated "Ragdoll," so it's definitely not the kind of toy adults play with. Other smaller breeds include Singapura and Dachshund cats. Although their names contain "Ragdoll" or "Dachshund," it doesn't evoke any strange associations.

Yukino glanced briefly into the classroom, then looked at the photos on the wall, going back and forth several times.

...Oh no, I can already foresee what's going to happen next.

"If you want to see, you can go in."

Even though I know what will happen next, I'll still say it for now.

An unexpected thing happened, and Yukinoshita shook her head with a look of regret.

"...There are dogs inside."

Oh right, if Yukinoshita can't handle the puppy, then there's nothing she can do.

"And...other people... will see it..."

It took her a lot of effort to manage to squeeze out those words with her head down, her face flushed red.

Okay, everyone might be a little shocked to see her playing with the cats. While others are shouting "So cute!", she's stroking them with a serious expression. After all, Yukinoshita is a high-ranking expert and is not one to compromise. If people saw her squatting there playing with the cats, it would instantly shatter the dignity of the executive committee's vice chairman.

This is different from a real pet store, where there are so many people watching over it, so there's nothing you can do about it.

"It's okay, you can go to Carrefour next time. There's a pet store there, it's very convenient."

"I know Carrefour, I go there often."

Oh, I see... She's done research on that, that's amazing...

"Well, is it about time we went?"

However, Yukino remained motionless, pointing to the doorway and demanding of me:

"Record, work."

Don't talk to me with just single words. Are you Popo (Note 83, a character from the manga "Dragon Ball")?

However, once Yukinoshita saw the cat, she became quite fixated on it, and it seemed that no matter what I said, she remained unmoved.

So I readily agreed and joined the photography team. Great! Now let's lift your legs and take a look!

A few minutes later, I was freed from my odd jobs.

"I said... what's the point of taking so many pictures of cats?"

Although I don't mind.

Yukino asked me for the digital camera and started checking each picture one by one.

"Hehe..." She looked at the cat photos she had taken from a distance, directing me to take them, and smiled with satisfaction.

She was operating the digital camera as she walked, and I was worried about the danger, but strangely enough, everyone was moving in the same direction as us, so there was no need to worry about bumping into anyone.

Further ahead is the stadium, where you can see that a large number of people have already gathered inside the open doors.

I heard lively cheers under the snow and handed the digital camera back to me.

"...It's almost time to begin."

"what?"

She didn't answer my question, but walked steadily toward the stadium, as if searching for some answer.

"Let's go, Hachiman."

She said this with her back to me.

"Hmm? Oh."

Anyway, I'm in the miscellaneous tasks group, so I have no objection to where I go. I can just take the pictures that the vice chairman requests, which saves me the trouble of being complained about later that "these photos are unusable". It also makes my life easier.

I followed Yukinoshita into the gymnasium.

The venue was already packed with audience members; there wasn't a single empty folding chair to be found, and the back was also crowded with people standing to watch. Judging from the bustling scene, the pre-event announcements were very well done.

"Ah, Yukinoshita, you've come at just the right time."

The head of the personnel coordination team, who was on standby at the scene, came over.

"There aren't enough chairs, so many people are standing to watch. Should we organize the queue?"

"It shouldn't be necessary."

"But won't that be too noisy?"

"...They'll quiet down soon."

Yukinoshita was right. The noisy audience, whether sensing that the performance was about to begin or being awestruck by the high-pitched atmosphere emanating from the classical instruments on stage, quieted down.

Before the performance began, we moved to the very back of the standing audience. As soon as we reached the corner, the audience began to stir.

It turned out that women carrying various musical instruments and dressed in gorgeous gowns were taking the stage one after another, and the audience burst into applause.

Walking at the very back, making a leisurely entrance was Yukinoshita Haruno.

Under the dazzling spotlight, her slim-fitting long gown sculpted her figure, and with each step she took, the dark dress billowed, captivating all who watched. From a distance, the handmade black roses adorning her chest and hair looked magnificent, while pearls and sequins made her even more dazzling.

Yang Nai slightly lifted her skirt and gave an elegant bow to the audience.

She walked onto the conductor's platform in her high heels, gently raised her baton, and held it in mid-air. Her graceful movements made the audience reluctant to even move.

Finally, as if wielding a rapier, she swung it down with all her might.

In an instant, the melody flowed out.

I could almost see the dazzling brass instruments under the spotlight, blowing air from their bells; the vibrating bows drawing out sharp, arrow-like tones; and the melodies of the woodwind instruments drifting into my ears like a gentle, trembling evening breeze.

Yang used the baton in his hand to cut through the space in front of him.

The violinists rose together and played their instruments with great emotion.

Immediately afterward, the flute, piccolo, oboe, and others rose to their feet and joined in the lively melody. Then the clarinet and bassoon took their place, raising their instruments high to play; the trumpet and trombone were equally enthusiastic, tilting their heads back to add grandeur to the music with their own timbre. The double bass player spun his instrument like a top, and the timpani player followed suit with a magnificent spin.

The introduction alone was so powerful, completely unlike traditional classical music. Moreover, they broke the mold, adding a truly eye-catching performance.

All the audience members were stunned, as if they had been slapped in the face.

However, the melody and rhythm were so familiar that their bodies naturally became excited, and the performers' extra performance added a sense of intimacy. The audience leaned forward, listening intently. Before they knew it, everyone was clapping their thighs and keeping time.

I've heard this melody before, but I can't remember which piece it is. I only remember that the brass band club really likes to perform this one... Just as I was about to figure out the answer, Haruno suddenly raised her hands high and swung them forcefully to both sides.

That gesture seemed particularly unusual during Kai's orchestral performance. Yang Nai counted a few beats with her slender fingers, and the audience's attention was entirely focused on her hands.

Then, another melody that I recognized came on. Everyone in the stadium should know what tune it was.

Yang bent down again, pointing the baton at the performers with one hand and at the audience with the other, while swinging it down forcefully.

As soon as she gave the signal, everyone on and off the stage jumped up and shouted, "Marnbo!"

Continuing the enthusiasm from the audience, the music gradually sped up.

Then, the second wave of "Mambo!" tidal waves crashed in.

Judging from the level of performance by the people on stage, it's hard to imagine that they have been away from orchestras for some time.

Yang Nai also directed the alumni who had retired from the front lines to showcase their best skills and deliver the most vivid performances for the audience.

The atmosphere at the scene was just as lively as a dance hall or concert.

This was an ultimate celebration, a private affair behind closed doors, where everyone was caught up in the lively atmosphere and almost forced to become fans of the performers. The reason the atmosphere was this wild was twofold: the orchestra's exceptional talent and the conductor, Yukino Yukinoshita.

Because I was seated in the far corner of the standing area, I was able to calmly enjoy the performance. If I had been squeezed in with the audience in the front row, I imagine it would have been a disaster. I would probably have ignored everyone else standing up and stuck to my seat, enduring the glares from the audience behind me.

The orchestral music continued its rapid progression, heading straight for the final section of the piece.

"……sister."

Under the incredibly powerful performance, I almost missed the faint voices coming from next door.

"what?"

Except for the last few syllables, I couldn't hear the first few words at all. I leaned my head closer, trying to hear clearly, and Yukinoshita leaned in as well, repeating:

"I was just saying, she truly lives up to her reputation as the older sister."

Even in complete darkness, the whispers in the sound waves suggested we were very close. A delicate fragrance wafted into my nostrils, and I involuntarily took a step back.

I composed myself and took another half step back. No need to worry, as long as our faces aren't too close, there's nothing to be nervous about.

"That's surprising, I didn't know you could praise people."

"...Really? Don't let my appearance fool you, I have a very high opinion of her."

As we got closer, we could hear each other much better. However, Yukinoshita then spoke in a softer voice, and I almost missed it again.

"I've also thought about becoming like her."

What appeared in her line of sight was Yang Nai standing on the stage, wielding a baton as if performing a sword dance, her posture both unrestrained and magnificent.

The stage was much higher than the ground, and the conductor's platform was even higher. The conductor's platform, where the spotlight shone on her entire body, was undoubtedly the most suitable place for Yang Nai.

"...It's okay if we don't have to be like her, what's wrong with maintaining the status quo?"

My murmurs were probably completely drowned out by the cheers and applause of the audience, so Yukinoshita didn't respond at all.

Volume 6, Chapter 9: Thus, their respective stages are about to begin.

Filming the performances of participating groups was also part of documenting the miscellaneous tasks. There were cameras set up in the corridor on the second floor of the gymnasium. I changed the batteries to full power and checked the memory card capacity. After the performances, I had to retrieve the video files and edit them using Final Cut Pro (Note 84, a video editing software specific to the Mac operating system) on the student council's Apple computer. I had asked them to teach me how to use it, but the software was too complicated, and as a Windows user, even operating an Apple computer was a major problem for me. Just adding a short subtitle almost made me give up.

As for equipment, it's certainly well-equipped here, with everything from Apple computers to Final Cut Pro. And look at the digital camera I'm using; it not only looks high-end, but its sound recording is also impeccable. I operate the touchscreen to confirm that the camera is ready to start recording at any time.

Once these tasks are completed, preparations will begin for the final closing ceremony.

Today was different from yesterday. I was on duty all day, but I only had to help with some odd jobs, so I felt much more relaxed.

I walked down the stairs from the second-floor passage and entered behind the curtain on one side of the stage.

The last event before the closing ceremony was a group performance by various groups, with Hayama's orchestra performing as the finale. Right now, we are backstage, preparing for the closing ceremony.

Therefore, the back office is currently extremely busy.

"Ugh... Oh no, I'm starting to get nervous."

Miura had her head down, her face pale; it seemed she had also joined Hayama's performance. The other band members were also warming up. Hayama was strumming an electric guitar without a cord, Tobe was waving drumsticks in the air as if he were playing the drums, Yamato was holding his bass without moving, and Ooka was intently watching the keyboardist on stage.

As their turn to go on stage approached, they were all incredibly nervous, except for Hayama, who appeared completely at ease. Hobu kept shaking his head, the movements even more pronounced than the drumsticks in his hands.

Besides the performers who were about to take the stage, there were other people wandering around.

"Hmm~ The drinks they drink on stage... Ah, it would be easier to drink them if they had straws."

"Yui, in situations like this, you can use scissors to poke a hole in the bottle cap, then twist it to enlarge the hole and insert the straw."

"Wow, Himeko, you're amazing!"

Are you the orchestra managers?

I was preparing fully charged headsets for everyone, but the snow kept pacing back and forth nearby, making it hard for me not to get distracted.

"What exactly do you want?"

She only snapped out of her daze when she heard my question and asked in return:

"...Have you seen Sagami-kun?"

I looked around and couldn't recall Sagami being nearby.

"I'm planning to contact her for the final coordination of the closing ceremony..."

"I'll call her and see."

The senior student tried making a phone call, but soon looked hesitant.

"...She might not have turned her phone on, or she might be in a place where she can't get a signal."

Yes, that's what they say on the phone.

"Let me ask the other students."

She made several more phone calls, but still received no good news.

The senior student sighed and spoke into the empty space:

Are you there?

"Here."

Student council members suddenly appeared from behind the curtain.