My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 717

Although I felt she still called Zaiji "Zaizu-kun," I won't say it. As expected of you... After I said this with a mix of emotion and timidity, Yukinoshita tossed her hair over her shoulder and revealed a smug smile.

"Of course, that's nothing. Hitachi... Hitachi-nyan..."

"Don't just gloss over it, really. You remembered it well, right...? Huh? You remembered it, right?"

Hearing my question, Yukinoshita's lips curled into a pleasant smile. Ah, well, since you seem happy, then it's fine... No, no, isn't it rude to be unclear about someone's name? Remember people's names properly!

As I was thinking this, the people next to me started an even more impolite conversation.

"I thought they were first-year students..."

"Ah—yes. I almost didn't use honorifics."

Isshiki whispered in Komachi's ear, and Komachi echoed him. Hmm, hmm, well, the trembling, fearful Koyo did look a bit young, which made one want to protect her.

However, it's not good to let Xiaoxufu keep cowering like this.

Being surrounded by a group of people led by Yukino would definitely make a first-time visitor feel intimidated. It feels like a job interview. Thinking about it, there are not only department heads here, but even the chairman. It's like an interview for a board position.

"So what's the matter?"

Then, with a smile on her face, Yukinoshita, more radiant than anyone else, asked Oofumi this question. Oofumi, like a student being asked why she applied for the job during a job interview, straightened up abruptly and replied stiffly, "Y-yes!" However, her voice gradually faded, and her back hunched over. Hmm, it really did feel like an interview.

"Um, I need to talk to Hachiman-kun about something..."

Hmm—, that's not a very good reason to apply for the job... Although I was pretending to be an HR employee listening, I suddenly sensed that something was off.

"Eh, me...?"

After I asked that question instinctively, Tomioka nodded. What should I say...? Perhaps because I had given her a rather impolite look of surprise, Tomioka shifted uncomfortably, gave a slightly troubled and shy smile, and looked away.

Translator's note: The form of address has become more normal here.

"I'm sorry, this was so abrupt."

It felt a little strange to be answered in such a shy and awkward way. I started to panic a bit, muttering something like "oh" in response, while the person next to me immediately gave a calm smile.

"It's surprising that someone like Hikigaya has something to say about him. It seems there are indeed extraordinary people out there."

The sounds I heard were perfectly calm and harmonious, but the gaze that Yukina gave me from the side made me feel inexplicably cold.

"That one?"

I coughed twice, trying to quickly change the subject. "So what is it you want to say?" I turned to Tomioka and asked.

Tomioka seemed a little embarrassed as he began to answer.

"It's about the class reunion..."

"Ah──..."

Oh, this is it... I thought this idea had been abandoned long ago.

We're not having class reunions anymore, Xu Fu. Even Buddha wouldn't think it's still possible.

Having overheard this in the classroom before, I only gave this meaningless answer. So, the others, hearing it for the first time, could only tilt their heads in confusion. However, only Yui nodded in agreement.

"Oh, a class reunion. I see. ...Why?"

Finally, even Yuigahama tilted her head. Well, that makes sense. It means if you want to discuss a class reunion, you should do it in class. While it's natural to have that question, why did you say "I see"?

Tomioka seemed to be fully aware of this as well, and continued speaking with a wry smile.

"I heard from Ebina that this place can help me..."

"Ah, Ebina..."

Upon accepting this explanation, I couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

I see, that's a brilliant plan, very much in the style of Ebina.

If the topic of a class reunion were only brought up in the classroom, I would pretend not to hear it and avoid the issue, and I'm afraid Hayama would do the same. In fact, when Tomioka first suggested a class reunion in class, both Hayama and I made excuses to decline.

However, if they rely on or negotiate with the Service Department, then I have no choice but to listen. If I have a job, then I'm out of options; I've gradually become more like a corporate slave over the past year.

While ignoring them directly would be fine, it would be quite embarrassing to refuse them so bluntly in front of Yukino and the others. It's actually a little disgusting, but it seems I can't shake this bad habit of caring about face in strange places. Besides, if I refuse, Oofumi will look really disappointed! I can't help it with animal-type people.

"Well, it's just a small matter..."

As I said this, I glanced furtively at Yukinoshita. She had her eyes closed, pressed her fingers to her temples, and sighed softly. Shifting my gaze elsewhere, I saw Yui nodding vigorously. Looking at Komachi again, I saw her clench her fist and raise her arm in an encouraging gesture.

"I see! Please hand it over to the Service Department!"

Sitting next to Komachi, who was responding enthusiastically, was Isshiki, who was looking at his phone in silence, showing little interest in the response.

Three people voted in favor of one abstaining, right...? Yukino didn't explicitly say anything, but her expression seemed to indicate tacit approval. I understand, I know perfectly well.

"Um... Can I ask you to help me?"

Tomioka looked at Komachi with anticipation in his eyes.

Well, Komachi seems willing to help, and this is much easier than the previous requests. It seems like a good training opportunity for new recruits.

But precisely because it's new employee training, it's crucial to communicate this clearly.

"Although it's called helping... it's just helping, not doing it on behalf of someone else."

Although I was being very direct, it seemed too concise, because Tomioka tilted her head slightly. The way her bangs and curls around her ears swayed made her look like a deer with its ears perked up.

In the corner of my field of vision, Komachi's head also tilted. I guess I wasn't clear enough earlier. I turned to Komachi, who had blinked a couple of times.

It is precisely because it is Komachi that I want to tell her.

"The Service Department is not a jack-of-all-trades; ultimately, it just provides assistance."

I feel like I've said something similar before. Or rather, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.

Perhaps for this reason, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and Isshiki couldn't help but smile.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Explaining this example to her would likely help her understand better.

However, rather than learning from others' words, it is through personal experience, or rather, through lessons learned, that one can truly understand.

At least that's how I feel. No, even now I wouldn't say I fully understand it, nor have I ever actually implemented it successfully.

However, if Komachi wants to continue running the Service Club, then I think I should at least tell her this.

Perhaps it's because this is the Service Club philosophy left behind by Hiratsuka-sensei. If possible, I hope someone can carry it on.

I stared intently at Komachi, who pondered briefly before nodding vigorously.

"No problem! I've been watching!"

Komachi smiled brightly, gave a thumbs-up, and winked. Then, seemingly to hide her shyness, she chuckled and touched her ahoge (cowlick).

Ah, indeed.

Although we weren't in the same clubroom, Komachi had been watching over us all year. There shouldn't be any need to wait until now to confirm.

It seems I'm not the only one who feels reassured about this.

Yuihama reached out and pulled Komachi close, stroking her head back and forth. Komachi's ahoge (cowlick) was all ruffled, and she rolled her eyes. Isshiki, though seemingly uninterested, glanced at her from the side, but a smile had already crept onto his lips.

Then, Yukino took a sip of her tea and exhaled a satisfied breath.

"If the minister has made this decision, then we have no objections."

Although her words were somewhat rigid, Yukinoshita's expression and gaze were very gentle and full of love.

Our ways of expressing ourselves were different, yet the underlying desires seemed to be the same. I bowed slightly, a gesture of gratitude, as if to acknowledge the situation.

Then the Service Department can be considered to have reached a consensus.

Because we've spent so much time together in the same place, this ambiguous way of confirming things, rather than relying on explicit language, is what works. To outsiders, it's completely incomprehensible, isn't it? Tomioka-kun was like a herbivore that'd wandered into another animal's territory, not knowing where to look. Ah, I'm so sorry? This is a bit of a problem, you know? Well, mainly it's me.

However, because of this, it is ultimately up to me to confirm with Tomioka, who is the client.

I turned back to Tomioka, who was still confused.

"We can discuss the class reunion with you and even come up with a plan. We can help find a restaurant, and once the dates are decided, we can help contact the guys. We can also lend a hand on the day if needed... Well, I am a member of the class after all."

I don't know what my other classmates think... Because of this feeling, I accidentally added an unnecessary comment. I don't really feel this except when looking at the class roster, so there's nothing I can do about it. Anyway, even when I moved up to higher grades, I don't remember ever having a proper conversation with my classmates. After all, talking to Hayama and Ebina wasn't exactly a serious conversation...

If Tomioka hadn't come to talk about the class reunion, there probably wouldn't have been any other chance to talk. She actually came to strike up a conversation while I was talking to Hayama and Ebina...

As I remarked this, I glanced at Tomioka. Even though I spoke very quickly, she nodded after every single sentence. Hmm—she's so attentive…

I interrupted my own speech to make a final confirmation. I looked at the other person and thought of the strong words I had to say.

"However, in the end, it is Tomioka-kun who makes the decision and takes responsibility. ... I wanted to do it in this way."

My words implied a desire to get a promise from her. Tomioka seemed confused and hesitant, fiddling with her bangs and looking away. Judging from her reaction, had I gone too far…? I felt a little uneasy. No, in my experience, if I don't go to that level of ambiguity, it really does end up in the awkward situation where we have to do everything… I know that all too well.

However, it seems that Tomioka is not like those irresponsible clients.

"I understand, no problem. In fact, you've already been a great help."

Tomioka removed his hand from his bangs, placed it on his knee, and bowed again.

"So...please."

She lowered her head slightly, then quickly raised it again. Was she shy about repeating something she had said again? She chuckled shyly, "Hehehe."

That determines who is ultimately responsible.

Once this decision is made, everything else will be easier to handle.

The most troublesome thing about farewell parties and class reunions is deciding "who should organize them".

If it's a casual gathering between familiar friends, like a cocktail party or a celebration banquet, the burden isn't too great. But if it's a more formal event or a work-related gathering, it's a completely different story.

No one likes to go through all that trouble.

I've heard that the so-called "doing chores" is the worst kind of job.

Adjusting the schedule according to everyone's arrangements, charging appropriate participation fees, considering whether the main dishes are meat or fish, worrying about allergies, making restaurant reservations in advance, and then worrying about no-shows on the day. On the day itself, you also have to listen to complaints about slow food and drinks, manage seating arrangements, and handle potential conflicts. Depending on the restaurant's layout, you also have to help those who "can't find their shoes" on the way back. And on top of all that, afterwards, some people will complain, "Why did we choose that restaurant? It's too far from the station! Didn't I tell you that before?"

Recently, such things have become widely circulated rumors online, so it's understandable that young people and new employees are trying to avoid events like cocktail parties. In Japanese society, being a cocktail party organizer is often considered part of the onboarding process for new employees…

While there may be some eccentric people in the world who genuinely want to get things done, most people aren't like that. Although people say things like, "I want to go drinking~", "Yeah~", "I really want to go~", "Yes, yes, yes~", deep down they're thinking, "Can someone decide for me...?"

Conversely, deciding on the organizers is equivalent to completing 60% of the work. The remaining 10% involves discussing the specific procedures for the gathering, and the last 30% is listening to the participants' complaints afterward. Hmm! The burden afterward is too heavy!

However, at least the biggest problem of choosing someone to handle the aftermath has been solved.

That's like it's all over... Even though that's what I think, I started to find the party schedule a bit troublesome from the very beginning.

"...What do we usually do at class reunions?"

The moment I started thinking about this, something felt off. After thinking about it carefully, I couldn't recall ever attending a class reunion or anything like that. Maybe it was just playing bingo...

Hearing me mutter like that, Yukino put the teacup on the plate, crossed her arms, and rested her fingers on her chin.

"...Let's have dinner together."

"Basically, roughly, approximately..."

Tomioka struggled to squeeze out a few words, her normally pretty eyebrows furrowing together. She continued speaking with a lack of confidence, and the two looked at each other, awkwardly smiling and nodding as if saying, "Is that so?"

It seems these two haven't had much experience in those kinds of situations. That makes sense... Yukinoshita probably wouldn't go to crowded places, and Tomioka doesn't seem like the type to like noisy places either.

That eliminates those two from the fighting force. Well, so am I too!

So, what can I do? Even if you both stare at me like that, there's nothing I can do. To divert their attention, I looked to the side.

Komachi understood my intention and raised her hand energetically.

"Komachi thinks it's just a group of people eating together!"

Yukinoshita and Tomioka breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her seemingly affirmative statement. Yukinoshita even tossed her hair again, giving a "see, I knew it" look. I don't dislike that you were clearly uneasy just now, but now you're so proud...

"Then let's eat normally, okay?"

Once the restaurant is booked, there shouldn't be any problems. As I was searching on Tabelognote, I heard someone muttering "Hmm—" in deep thought.

Translator's note: Tabelog is a Japanese website that records and reviews restaurants across Japan, similar to Yelp.

Looking in that direction, I saw Yui Hama with her arms crossed, her upper body tilted to the side, and her head tilted to the side.

"Hmm—, going out for dinner... or karaoke? Well, I think karaoke would be fine first. Or bowling... It's about the same things we can do as a victory celebration, I guess?"

Yui loosened her grip and tilted her head in another direction. Although she spoke with little confidence, she was, after all, someone accustomed to participating in these kinds of activities, making her a valuable source of insight.

Oh, I see… Yukinoshita, Ootomi, and I all nodded. Ootomi, in particular, exclaimed with a sigh, “Eh~”.

In short, the goal should be to deepen friendships.

As I was thinking this, I heard someone let out a long sigh. I turned around and saw Isshiki, who had seemed indifferent just moments before, putting her phone on the table.