My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 298

The mess left by the predecessors, right? I know, I know. I've encountered it before when I was working.

I was doing my job perfectly fine when that thing suddenly appeared like a landmine, and before I could even figure it out, it landed on my head.

Even more absurdly, when I asked the previous person in charge, I only got answers like, "That happened a long time ago, I don't remember." How am I supposed to do that?! As a result, I never touched that job before I resigned, leaving it to the next person to deal with. To end this disheartening negative cycle, I will never go out to work again.

That concludes my personal discussion.

The problem now lies with the current and former student council presidents.

"I'm telling you, you should have talked to Senior Cheng Hui before you came here."

The high-foreheaded senior student, Shiro-go-senpai, is the former student council president. She's gentle and quite adorable. This description is rather casual.

Logically speaking, since we're still in the handover phase, Isshiki should go talk to her senior first. So why didn't Senior Xun show up, and only Isshiki came? Inari, Fox Cry… Senior, please appear! (Note 13 is adapted from a line in the manga "Introduction to Love of a Fox Deity.") Okay, actually she didn't need to come.

When Isshiki heard my question, he secretly looked away.

"That's true... but, my senior is preparing for her entrance exams, so it wouldn't be appropriate to bother her at this time."

She's already been accepted to university through the school's recommendation, so I imagine she shouldn't be too busy... Could it be that Isshiki isn't good at dealing with someone like the upperclassman? It's possible. She's just deliberately acting light, gentle, and innocent; when she actually meets someone similarly light, gentle, and innocent, she might find them too dazzling. Truly capable people are always dazzling, difficult to reach. I can understand her reluctance to face the upperclassman.

"Right now, all I can rely on are my senior classmates."

After listening to her explanation, Yui and I sighed softly, unable to utter a word.

After everyone shut their mouths, the office fell silent.

There is another reason why it has become quiet.

In the past, when people came to the Service Society for consultation, Yukinoshita would always take the initiative to ask for details, but today she didn't say anything.

I noticed this and looked at Yukinoshita.

Snow gently lowered her long eyelashes, looking at Isshiki with eyes as still as a lake—no, actually looking at us.

In that instant, I suddenly understood what my previous awkwardness was.

When Isshiki walked into the clubhouse and saw Yukinoshita, I was relieved to see that nothing had happened between them, but at the same time, I felt uneasy about this reaction.

If Yukino really wanted to run for student council president back then—

The obstacle that became her was undoubtedly Isshiki, who was me, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Thinking about it this way, Isshiki's proposed request was actually a bit cruel.

Once the Service Society accepts the commission, it is almost equivalent to taking over the preparation of Christmas activities for the student council.

Although I don't know Yukinoshita's true thoughts, mentioning the student council in front of her would be rather cruel. To blatantly display something someone desires but cannot have is undoubtedly the cruelest act.

I hesitated whether to accept the commission, and when I saw that everyone was silent, Ishiki's gaze began to wander uneasily.

"What should I do?"

Isshiki seemed determined to seek our help, but I was curious to see how Yukinoshita would begin. However, after waiting for a long time, Yukinoshita still didn't say a word.

She noticed my gaze and Yui's gaze, then gently placed her hand on her chin, pretending to be thinking.

"Hmm... I understand your situation..."

Yukinoshita hesitated for a while before finally speaking, but she did not draw a conclusion immediately, leaving room for ambiguity in her words.

She glanced at me and Yuihama.

What do you think?

This might be the first time she's asked us if we want to accept the commission. In the past, she always made decisions on her own.

To put it positively, this could be seen as a concession by the snow. However, I don't think that's the case.

In contrast, Yuihama's answer was very clear.

"Okay, let's say yes!"

Yukinoshita gazed at her, her eyes asking for a reason.

"It's been a long time since anyone came to consult me. I feel like I've been having a lot of free time lately..."

Under the calm gaze of the snow-covered figure, Yuihama's voice grew fainter and fainter.

"So, I think we can try our best, just like before..."

I picked out the key phrase – "like before".

Yuihama may want to seize this opportunity, accept the commission as before, and then eliminate the current eerie atmosphere in the process of fulfilling the commission.

"Is that so? Then let's accept the commission."

However, Yukinoshita's clear voice denied that possibility.

Her faint smile and her seeking our opinions were not concessions made to break the deadlock.

That's a compromise, a concession made after one's heart has died, handing over the power of judgment and decision-making to someone else.

"...No, I think it's best not to."

My mouth started moving on its own.

Given the current state of the Service Club, I don't think this will make much of a difference. Besides, I can't bear to let Yukinoshita watch the student council president appear before her. Although I have no way of knowing her true thoughts, my guess is probably pretty close to the truth.

We cannot allow the current stalemate to worsen; we should not take that risk.

Since we are acting to protect, we must stick to this ideal to the end. Although I don't know when the "final moment" will come, or where the "end" will be.

Yukinoshita listened to my opinion and looked over silently, while Yuihama also asked me for my reasoning.

"Eh, why?"

"This is a problem of the student council itself, and it's not a good thing that Isshiki wanted to ask for help from the beginning."

"Yes, yes, that's right..."

After listening to what I said, she adjusted her bun and began to think. Although this was only a superficial reason, it was reasonable enough for us to back down.

Only one person present could not accept it.

"Huh... what does that mean?"

Isshiki complained loudly, clearly unhappy. "It's alright, this was within my expectations."

"Do you think this is some kind of all-knowing convenience store? At most, we'll offer assistance from the sidelines, but we won't accept you dumping the whole mess on us. Being a subcontractor is incredibly tough; haven't you heard of the Contract Law? No problem, I haven't either. Anyway, figure this out yourself. Okay, case closed."

After rattling off this long string of words, I urged Yise to get up, and I also left my seat, preparing to close the door and unleash the dogs—correction, I meant to open the door and see the guest out.

Under my tight defensive pressure, Isshiki reluctantly obeyed, but still couldn't help but complain a few times.

"I became the student council president because my senior told me that, so he should help me figure out a solution!"

My attitude began to soften.

Since Ishiki Iroha became student council president because of what I did, I naturally have to be responsible for her. Therefore, besides Ishiki, I also have to be responsible for someone else.

Therefore, the answer to what I should do is already obvious.

I saw Isshiki off as he left the clubhouse, and then followed him out.

I closed the door behind me, walked a few steps away, and looked back at Isshiki, whose face was full of displeasure, and sighed softly.

"Even though I just said those things... can I figure something out?"

"what?"

Isshiki looked puzzled, not quite understanding what she was hearing. This was understandable; after all, I had so harshly rejected her just seconds before, and now I was saying the complete opposite—it was understandable that she was confused. So, I carefully explained to her, word by word:

"That means I'm helping out personally without going through the club, so Yukinoshita and Yuigahama won't get involved. In that case, there might still be a way to resolve the issue."

As I explained, she squinted her eyes in thought, then quickly nodded in agreement.

"...Okay, that works too. It's easier for me to rely on you if it's just you, senior...I feel more at ease, or perhaps I should say I can rely on you more?"

There's really no need for you to repeat yourself...

"So, is this alright?"

"no problem!"

I asked to confirm again, and Isshiki readily agreed.

Regardless, I'll try to do what I can within my capabilities. How far I can go is a big question, but at least I should be able to help her.

Although Isshiki may seem a bit simple-minded at first glance, she's definitely not stupid. If she could manage to do her job well without relying on us, she'd probably be quite the student council president.

Speaking of dependence, I'm reminded of a secret technique I taught Isshiki to persuade her to become student council president. It seems she hasn't used it yet. I'd better clarify this before taking any action.

"By the way, where's Hayama? If we ask him for help at a time like this, wouldn't all the problems be solved?"

Upon hearing this, Isshiki's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, saying:

"...This is a really troublesome matter, and asking him for help might cause him some trouble."

So you mean it's okay if you cause me trouble... Fine, I won't hold it against you.

However, it's already quite remarkable that Isshiki knows how not to cause trouble for Hayama. She truly is a girl in love; I sincerely admire her.

She had barely thought of that when she immediately flashed a mischievous smile.

"Besides, if it's just something small that you can't do, it's actually quite cute. Don't you find it adorable when someone makes a little mistake? But if it's something really troublesome, the other person will just feel burdened."

“Yes, yes…”

Wow—this guy's personality is really something else. Give me back my感动 (feeling of being touched/touched)! This isn't just a little devil, this is a real demon! A devil! (Editor's note: This is a humorous, albeit slightly offensive, act.)

I was completely defeated by her... The little devil Iroha ignored me and began to explain the next plan on her own.

"Okay, senior, let's meet at the back gate of the school today. I'll be there right after school."

"Huh, it starts today?"

She gave an apologetic look and answered in a humble voice:

"I'm sorry, I really don't have time..."

If she didn't have time, it means the project itself has progressed to a certain point, which suggests that Isshiki has already tried her best in her own way. Therefore, even if she ultimately decides to ask the Service Club for assistance, I have no reason to criticize her further.

"...It's okay. But could we meet somewhere else? It would be really embarrassing if my friends saw us and then spread rumors that I went home with you..."

"what?"

Is it possible that she and I belong to different generations and therefore cannot understand each other? She didn't retort, "Senior, you don't even have any friends," but was genuinely puzzled. Finally, she sighed blankly.

"Sigh, that's fine... Do you know the community center near the station? We usually have meetings there. We can meet there directly."

"Oh, there."

When I go to the train station area, I often pass by that place. There seem to be daytime facilities and childcare centers nearby. I see. The so-called "local Christmas event" is aimed at the elderly and young children in that area, and the event is probably held there on the day of the event.

As for other details, we can wait until they have a meeting to find out. For now, it's better to leave the school.

"I understand. I'll be there when I'm ready."

"Okay, thank you for your help. See you later."

A smile spread across his face, and he gently raised his hand in a salute to me. So this guy's really good at playing the cute card...

× × ×

After watching Isshiki walk past the corner, I went back to the Service Society office, intending to prepare to leave before the agreed time.

As soon as the door opened, Yuihama and Yukinoshita looked over at the same time.

"What did Iroha say?"

I answered with the words I had prepared beforehand.

"She complained to me for ages, but in the end she accepted it."

"Is that so..."

Yuihama slumped her shoulders in slight disappointment, turned her eyes toward the snow, and muttered softly:

"Don't you think... it's good to have something to do every now and then...?"

"What does it matter? There will be another case sooner or later."

When that time comes, what choice will I make? Before drawing a conclusion, I blurted out the answer that came to mind to get through it.

Then, Yukinoshita let out a very faint sigh and said in a barely audible voice:

"...Perhaps, it would be better if no one came to request anything and we just let things pass by peacefully."