My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 543

Sitting in the front row of Class C, the tall and imposing Zai Muzuka stood out quite a bit. That guy... um, I have a feeling I'll see him again after graduation.

So, what about the others?

Thinking about this question makes me inexplicably restless, and my gaze naturally starts to wander aimlessly.

A long, bluish-black ponytail swaying back and forth, glasses gleaming with an unusual light, and a somewhat unruly reddish-brown bob—Ebina, Kawasaki, and Sagami Minami's seat numbers seemed to be connected. If it weren't for this type of activity, I would never have noticed this; it felt rather novel. But even now that I know, we only have less than two weeks left in this class, so it's not really useful. Especially Sagami; let alone graduation, we haven't had any contact for a long time. Knowing this is truly utterly useless.

As for Kawasaki, we might bump into each other at the cram school later, but it will probably only be a casual exchange, where it's hard to tell if it's a greeting or just a nod. The same goes for Ebina; we probably won't see her again without someone else's help.

The thin thread connecting me and Ebina was, in the end, Yui Yuigahama. Without Yuigahama, Ebina and I would probably never have met again.

Of course, this applies not only to Ebina, but to most people I know now.

I pretended to relax my stiff shoulders and waist, and stretched my neck slightly.

At that moment, I saw a pinkish-brown bun swaying, next to her was a pair of slightly curly blondes.

Yui Yuigahama and Yumiko Miura were sitting together. Although they couldn't be seen clearly from a distance, it appeared they were gently holding hands.

Whether it was the atmosphere of the graduation ceremony or the thought of moving up to the third grade soon and being divided into different classes, Miura sniffed and wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

Seeing this, Yui Hama smiled wryly and handed her some tissues, whispering something to her. As she spoke, Yui Hama also pulled out some tissues and pressed them to the corners of her eyes.

Watching her quietly wipe away her tears, I suddenly thought of something.

Will I see her again after graduation?

It's only a year from now, but I can't even imagine it. We're in the same class and club, so we still see each other to stay in touch. If we go our separate ways later, will we be able to maintain the same relationship?

I wanted to continue looking around.

...In the end, it was decided to give up.

The students in the class behind me probably can't see me no matter what. Besides, arranged by surname, that person is likely sitting in a corner, making it impossible for them to see me.

I will probably never know what expression that person with the smooth black hair and fair face is wearing at this moment.

I sighed softly and obediently turned back to the front.

Just then, the person on my left leaned over and whispered in my ear. His voice was pleasant and his tone was cheerful, yet there was a sense of distance between him and others.

"You can't sit still..."

"...Because there's so much free time. In these kinds of situations, unless you're sitting next to a friend, there's practically nothing to do."

"You talk like you have friends all the time."

In response to Ye Shan's sarcasm, I shrugged slightly and deliberately adjusted my posture, looking straight ahead without glancing at him. I used this gesture to express my unwillingness to answer.

However, Hayato Hayama did not shut his mouth.

"Are you looking for her?"

"...Who should I look for?"

Just a second ago I was about to turn back, but now I felt like my heart had been read. I made an impatient sound and glared at Ye Shan. He raised his chin and pointed diagonally forward.

Those sitting there weren't students, but adults in formal attire. It was the so-called VIP seating area.

I found my mother beneath the snow.

Her black kimono, combined with her appearance, made her easily recognizable even from a distance.

"...What is she doing here?"

"It's not unusual for local councilors to attend these kinds of events. However, many schools choose to hold their events today, so she was probably attending as a proxy."

"oh……"

I gave a perfunctory reply, but I could understand Ye Shan's explanation.

There was indeed an unfamiliar member of parliament giving a speech earlier. Thinking back more carefully, it seems that the teacher who was the emcee also read out a congratulatory message from one of the members of parliament, but it was later omitted due to the large number of messages.

"Indeed, it seems so in junior high as well."

"There are a lot of public schools. Whenever there's a school opening or graduation ceremony, they'll find an opportunity to show up."

Hayama sighed softly, responding to my casual muttering (a special effect). It seemed he was willing to keep me company. We both faced forward, not looking at each other's faces, continuing our meaningless back-and-forth, limited to the present moment.

"Really... The students and parents aren't listening, are they? I think it's just an outdated habit that they're too lazy to break."

Ye Shan sighed impatiently.

"That's too harsh a way to put it... It should be called tradition. And it's not without meaning. Teachers and parents are the voting bloc."

"You said something far worse..."

I sighed impatiently, and heard his smug breath beside me. He was probably wearing a slightly twisted, hearty smile that he almost never showed to others. I didn't even need to look; that expression was vividly etched in my mind, making me even more irritated.

Besides that, there's another thing that's bothering me.

I glanced at the guest seats and saw a woman who looked similar to Yukinoshita's mother standing next to her.

Yukino Yukinoshita was dressed in a smart black suit, her hands resting on her handbag on her lap, her eyes lowered in quiet contemplation.

"...Then why is her daughter there too?"

"Who knows? Let's bring him out and say hello."

"oh……"

I responded with a meaningless sigh, but a sense of foreboding welled up inside me.

Will Yang Nai attend the dance afterwards? Although this matter is no longer relevant to me, her words still linger in my heart like silt.

Before I could voice this idea, Hayama let out a wry smile.

"Doesn't this reason convince you?"

"No, it makes sense, doesn't it? Although I'm not sure."

I responded hastily, my tone seemingly wavering unconsciously. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Ye Shan with a faint smile.

"Let's forget about those insincere words."

"Same to you."

I glared at him sideways, but Ye Shan remained unmoved, pretending not to hear, and looked towards the guest seats.

"...Probably, they've come to bear witness."

"Oh—I see."

I lowered my chin, giving a response that was meant to end the conversation.

Saying "I see" is enough to end most of the conversation. This is a sign that you have no interest in the other person's topic and want to end it as soon as possible.

But Hayama did not give up. He lowered his voice and continued:

"This time you didn't ask what you wanted to witness?"

His tone was calm, yet highly provocative. When Hayato Hayama—and Yukinoshita Haruno, who had the greatest influence on him—speak in this teasing tone, silence is meaningless. They will try to pry your words out through eye contact and the atmosphere.

Hayama and Haruno are remarkably similar in the ways I dislike them. Although I've never seen them talk to each other alone, it must have been a very pleasant conversation.

However, I've recently gotten used to this way of speaking. Based on experience, it's time to brush it off and end the conversation.

"It's not that I don't understand. My sister comes to watch whatever she does. That guy has way too much free time, I'm really telling you..."

I said helplessly, and Hayama couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Yes, she would even make time specifically for it. That's how much she cares about her sister."

"Ew, that's terrifying... Your obsession with your sister is just as intense as mine..."

She's got just as much free time as someone like me. I always make time for Komachi—well, not lately. Because if I interfere too much, she'll get annoyed. Did you hear me, Yukinoshita's older sister?! If you interfere too much, your younger sister will get annoyed! And, Hachiman's older brother, you better remember that too!

I let out a dry laugh unintentionally. Hayama was probably affected by it and laughed along with me.

I intended to brush it off with a joke.

However, Hayama had already stopped smiling.

"However, it's not just your sister. She's probably here to see your decision as well."

"..."

Faced with this question, I simply couldn't give a casual reply.

What Hayama said is absolutely true.

Seeing that I didn't react, he nudged me with his elbow to make sure I wasn't listening. I clicked my tongue and blurted out a few words to him.

"You can't sit still. It'll be written on your report card."

"Because I'm very free. In these kinds of situations, unless the person sitting next to me is a friend, there's practically nothing to do."

He retorted with the same words I had used earlier, and I couldn't refute him, so I could only pout. But, according to your logic, the Ministry of Revenue isn't your friend either?

At that moment, the Minister of Revenue, who was not a friend of Hayama, peeked out from behind him.

"What? How's the person sitting next to me?"

"It's nothing. Ministry of Revenue, you're so noisy. Be quiet."

"Wow..."

Ye Shan wore a bright smile, but his words were utterly merciless. Hu Bu muttered to himself, listlessly shrinking back into his seat.

After finally getting some peace and quiet, I looked back at the stage.

The VIP's speech has ended, and the emcee announces the next segment.

"Next, please have a student representative deliver a farewell speech."

A sweet and cute voice answered "Yes." Just as I thought that affected and cute response sounded familiar, Iroha Isshiki walked onto the stage.

Oh right, she seemed to have said she would be in charge of giving the farewell speech, and even discussed it with Hiratsuka-sensei. She even stood him up along the way and ran away from home...

Well then, let me see the results of Isshiki and Hiratsuka-sensei's hard work—mainly Hiratsuka-sensei's. I straightened my back and looked at Isshiki bowing in front of the microphone.

"The harsh winter has passed, and under the gentle sunlight, we welcome the spring with its faint fragrance."

She unfolded her folded speech, and like a good student, began to read it aloud with composure. Her usual easygoing attitude was well concealed, reflecting the image of a student council president that teachers and parents aspire to.

As she read the farewell speech fluently, she choked up slightly when she mentioned her memories of her seniors and the fun little moments she shared with them in clubs and student council meetings.

Looking back, our seniors were always there to help us...

She even added occasional sobs and wiping away non-existent tears—such little details. What a clever little devil...

Previously, I mostly observed these kinds of events from behind the scenes, as a producer. Today, however, I was in the audience. Naturally, perspectives differ depending on the setting. For example, the rule in the rock zone is, of course, to stand there like a statue, pretending to be a boyfriend.

However, standing up at a time like this just makes you seem crazy. For now, let's imagine ourselves as a group of family and friends, with the feeling that "you've finally found the place you've been longing for. You're even more radiant now than before," and play Masayoshi Yamazaki's song in our minds. Perhaps this is the correct answer, from the perspective of an ex-boyfriend. Although even that's a bit crazy.

From any perspective, the image of someone reading a farewell speech with tears in their eyes is always touching. Even knowing it's fake crying to create atmosphere, the sincerity behind it is still commendable.

Yeah, Isshiki's working really hard. So cute! Even though she gets scolded by Hiratsuka-sensei, she still stands her up and makes up excuses to slack off. You're still working so hard! Is that really considered hard work?

I looked at her with feelings that were both those of a father and a brother, and suddenly my nose stung with tears. I subtly tilted my head back and raised my chin, a movement that even Ye Shan couldn't detect.

If Isshiki becomes student council president next year, she'll probably read my farewell speech when I graduate.

What I'm seeing now, I'll probably see again next year.

Oh right... After graduation, I won't see Isshiki anymore...

As I was immersed in my emotions, the farewell speech entered its final paragraph.

Ise closed his speech notes and paused for a moment.

Then, she looked ahead, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, and smiled.

"Finally, I would like to offer my congratulations. I wish all the senior students good health and a bright future... I am Isshiki Iroha, the student representative."

Finally, she raised her voice to announce her name, bowed, and concluded her speech. As she stepped off the stage, she stood tall and proud, without a single tear, her posture remarkably graceful.

As a first-year student, Isshiki Iroha perfectly accomplished this important task. I and all the attendees generously offered thunderous applause for her dignified figure.

As the applause subsided, my emotions also passed their peak.

Next comes the awarding of graduation certificates. I imagine some people will mistakenly think they've been called on and shout, "Yes, I'm full of energy!" (Note) Such a crazy response will probably ruin the atmosphere.

Note: When Chiba elementary school students were called out for roll call, their response was "Yes, I'm full of energy."

Attending a graduation ceremony with a bunch of strangers was incredibly boring.

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