My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 780

Oh, I see~ People at my school don't recognize me. There's nothing I can do about being mistaken for a guy from another school~ While I was pretending to be uninvolved, Miura and Ebina's gazes were fixed on me.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"

"Yes, tell me about it."

"Eh, ah, eh eh~"

Miura and Ebina were secretly watching me while questioning Yuihama. Yuihama was making loud noises, like a sea lion.

This is bad... If I stay here any longer, I don't know when the enemy will turn on me. I'd better get out of here.

I stood up from my seat, used my signature move "Zetsu" to eliminate my breath, and walked out of the classroom.

× × ×

The noise after school spread into the corridor.

The campus was filled with the restless excitement unique to the New Year, or rather, the new semester.

The corridor leading to the special building is usually deserted, but today there are a few students scattered around, all seemingly chatting happily.

"Have you heard—? That rumor about Hayama-san—"

"Ah—that one. It sounds pretty real, doesn't it?"

The girl who brushed past me mentioned the rumor she had just heard, and another person chimed in, their laughter ringing out.

Just as Ebina said in class, fragmented information was pieced together and spread, sparking a trend of speculating about the facts or gossiping about the matter.

Even though it's not a topic directly related to me, whenever I hear someone talking about it, I feel an uncomfortable urge to shrink back.

It's probably because I feel disgusted by strangers who casually gossip about others.

The most difficult thing about dealing with rumors is that those people may not have malicious intent.

It's purely because it's interesting. Because everyone's interested. Because the person involved is a celebrity. So anything can be said—that's how they understand it, treating rumors as casual conversation, and no one questions it.

To irresponsibly spread false information without verifying its authenticity.

Even if it causes losses to others, they will use a simple "that's just a rumor" to completely absolve themselves of responsibility. They usually love to seek attention, but only when the situation is unfavorable do they shamelessly claim to be an ordinary person.

It's really disgusting.

It's relatively easy to hear people talking badly about me behind my back... although I also can't accept the fact that an unidentified male student from another school is about to become a subject of gossip.

Thinking of this, I sighed deeply without thinking, and my schoolbag slipped off my drooping shoulder.

I lost. It was my fault. I was wrong.

The area was bustling after the market opened. It's perfectly normal to see high school students shopping there. I don't usually shop there, so I overlooked this. I even thought I might run into someone I knew when I visited the temple during the New Year.

Although I didn't realize it, I seemed quite excited after winter vacation started.

The series of unusual events that occurred during Christmas, the end of the year, and the New Year led me to misunderstand.

Otherwise, logically speaking, I wouldn't be chatting with her at the gate in the morning without any concern about being seen.

Looking back now, it's clear that Tobe had heard the rumors about "boys from other schools," which is why he reacted so hesitantly. It's not hard to imagine what he would think if he saw me chatting with Yui. When Ooka brought up the topic of "boys from other schools" in the classroom, he probably hesitated because he was worried about us.

Actually, we don't have that kind of relationship, so the Ministry of Revenue doesn't need to worry about it at all. But I'm grateful he didn't joke about it or stir up trouble. Although the Ministry of Revenue is noisy and annoying, he's actually a pretty good person. Even though he's incredibly annoying.

So, Mr. Hayama, who knew the truth, looked at me and smiled when he heard "a boy from another school." Wasn't that a bit too wicked? At least try not to laugh...

Okay, the Ministry of Revenue and Hayama are right. In fact, we should thank them for helping to keep it a secret.

Now I just need to be on high alert again. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone because of these strange rumors.

I made up my mind, put my backpack back on, and heard footsteps chasing me from behind.

The only one walking around so noisily was Yui. I slowed my pace slightly, and Yui quickly caught up with me, hitting my waist with her schoolbag.

"it hurts……"

It didn't hurt at all, but I stopped walking as I spoke, just to be polite. Yuihama stood next to me, squinting at me.

Why did you leave by yourself?

"You guys are still chatting..."

Besides, I don't remember us agreeing to go together... No, we agreed to go to the clubhouse together last December. It seems that agreement is still valid for Yuihama.

Anyway, let's go... I urged her, lifting my chin, and we walked down the corridor.

Yui, walking beside me, glanced at me sideways, pouting as if she wanted to say something. I looked at her, asking what was wrong, and Yui spoke uneasily.

"Um, what everyone was talking about just now...did you hear it?"

"After all, you guys are so conspicuous..."

That group of people was already quite eye-catching, and they were talking loudly, and Hayama even burst out laughing... Everyone who stayed in the classroom must have seen it.

"I...I have absolutely no relationship with Hayato! It's true!"

Yui quickly caught up with me, turned around, and stared at my face. "Okay, no need to get so worked up..."

"Uh, I was there too, so I know... What? You don't remember?"

"I remember!"

I casually teased her, and Yui slapped my shoulder hard.

Her hands fell limply to her sides, and her voice grew weak.

"That's not what I meant..."

She said that, but didn't explain further, instead lowering her head and stroking the bun on her head.

The only sound in the corridor was our footsteps; there was no other noise.

I spoke words purely to fill the silence.

"A rumor is just a rumor. Don't take it to heart."

"Hmm, but..."

Yuihama was speechless for a moment, then immediately looked up.

"But, Yukino and Hayato... ah, and me. I'm wondering, will we ever actually end up with someone someday?"

Yuihama smiled shyly. I tried to imagine that kind of future, but I couldn't. As for Yukinoshita, that goes without saying, and I also couldn't imagine Hayama developing a romantic relationship with someone special.

The image of Yuihama interacting with people easily came to mind, which surprised even myself.

I remember Tobe saying that Yuihama was very popular with the boys. And when they were preparing for the sports meet, the boys kept trying to talk to her.

Thinking about this doesn't feel good.

Therefore, I decided to quickly end this topic.

"It's hard to say, I don't know... Please don't talk about this in the club office."

"Huh? Why?"

Yui-hama winked at me. I looked towards the clubhouse door, drawing her attention.

"...That guy will definitely be angry."

"……really!"

Although we have been members of the ministry for less than a year, we see each other every day and spend the same amount of time together.

I can roughly imagine what I would say to make Yukino angry. She would absolutely be furious if she knew someone was irresponsibly gossiping about her.

Yui and I looked at each other and nodded before entering the club office. Several days later, we opened the door to the club office.

Yui's Story 2 As if it were only natural, Isshiki Iroha was there.

As soon as the sun sets, the temperature in the corridor gradually begins to drop. This phenomenon is even more pronounced in large buildings with many windows and few people.

The office of the service society, separated by a door, was filled with a warm atmosphere.

Part of the credit goes to the heating system. As is customary, the president, Yukinoshita, who was the first to enter the clubroom, turned on the heating first.

However, the reason is not just the temperature; the warm feeling comes from the situation we are in.

The cake placed on the table is a symbol of warmth.

Yuihama excitedly lit the candles with a match, the dim candlelight illuminating the strawberry whipped cream cake that Yuihama had described as being loaded with fruit and practically drinkable. The chocolate platter read, "Happy Birthday, Yukino!" Yukinoshita stared at it, a slightly shy smile on her face.

The cake should have had as many candles as it is old, but there wasn't enough space for that, so only a few were used, along with some number-shaped candles.

The last candles lit were 1 and 7.

Afterwards, all you have to do is let Yukino blow out the candles, everyone applauds and congratulates, and then sing "Happy Birthday...to You..." like Marilyn Monroe, and the birthday celebration is over. Of course, you can also sing "Happy Birthday...to You!" like Steve Wanda. It's that song that often plays when you're eating at an izakaya or restaurant, the lights suddenly go out, a cake with crackling fireworks appears, and other guests are forced to clap along. Please, if you want to do these kinds of gimmicks, go to a private room...don't involve the other guests!

I was internally grumbling about being inexplicably dragged into a surprise birthday party, while Yuihama was preparing herself during that time.

Now is the perfect time to take photos before blowing out the candles.

Yes, yes. This kind of food deserves a photo taken and uploaded to Instagram before you even start eating. Remember to also take pictures of the sliced ​​cross-section and how you pick it up with chopsticks—that'll make it perfect!

I assumed I was the director and was watching the filming process from behind when Yui suddenly turned around and beckoned me over.

"Everyone needs to be in the frame! Hurry, even the autistic guy!"

"Eh... never mind, I won't... you guys take the pictures yourselves..."

"Hachiman... I'm sorry, please give up."

Yuihama was quite firm at this point. Yukinoshita sighed softly and reluctantly approached the table where the cake was placed.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Otherwise the candle will melt!"

Since she's already said that, I don't dare to delay any longer.

Well… today is a rare birthday celebration. Even someone like me, just standing on the edge of the frame, can help create a lively atmosphere. Besides, I don't want to see the cake get dirty from the candles. I prepared myself, walked over to the cake, and forced a smile with all my might. I even made a V-sign with both hands—a real treat! Why am I so bad at smiling? Is my usual smile just an ahee face?

As expected, my extravagant spending spree didn't seem to satisfy Yuihama.

"I can't get a shot like this... get closer."

Yui, holding her phone switched to the front camera, grabbed my sleeve and pulled me towards her. The sudden action caught me off guard, and I reflexively braced myself on the table. Ah, wait, my nose is gone… both V-signs on my hands are gone! Now all I have left are my ahegao faces!

I quickly lost the mood for joking.

The warmth of my body emanating from our shoulders, pressed together through our clothes, felt more real than bare skin, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance that made me hold my breath. This sense of distance left me completely bewildered.

Yuihama pressed the shutter two or three times before finally letting go of me.

I took the opportunity to escape that place and return to my original location.

I'm exhausted, even though I barely did anything... I touched her shoulder and massaged her tense muscles, feeling that her body heat still lingered there.

Yuihama didn't seem to care much, and took a few more photos with other people. She smiled as she scrolled through her phone, looking quite content…

The time for taking commemorative photos has come to an end.

The candle-blowing ceremony finally began.

Yui stepped aside, giving the front of the cake to Yukino, and spread her arms wide, inviting her to stand there.

"Yukino, please!"

“Okay, okay…”

Urged on by Yuihama, Yukinoshita carefully got up and walked to the cake. She placed her hands on her thighs, bent down, and prepared to blow out the candles.

At that moment, a strand of glossy, jet-black hair gently fell down, like a curtain veiling her face beneath the snow.

Yukinoshita tucked her hair behind her ear with her slender fingers and quietly closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled, perhaps from nervousness.

She slightly pursed her delicate lips and made a soft, whistling sound.

The flame flickered, then vanished without a sound, and wisps of smoke drifted into the sky.

Happy birthday!

Yuihama cheered excitedly, and we clapped in response.

The ceremony concluded successfully, and Yui cut the cake. The cake was divided into four equal pieces and placed on their respective paper plates.

"Then, say it again..."

Yuihama cleared her throat and led the congratulations.

"Happy birthday, Yukino!"

"Happy birthday."