My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

I was about to hand the cat to Yui, who was standing closest, but she jumped back a step... No, I want you to hold it. This time I called out to her and handed the cat over again, but she darted to the side again.

"what happened?"

"Ah, no, no, it's nothing!"

Yuihama timidly reached out her hand, and when Yuki saw the hands, she meowed. Startled by the meow, she withdrew her hand.

"Are you... afraid of cats?"

"W-What? How could I be afraid of cats? I actually love cats! Oh my, they're so cute! Meow meow meow~"

But her voice was trembling. What was the point of forcing herself like this? There was absolutely no need.

"Please, Komachi."

I handed Xiaoxue to Komachi, and she immediately purred contentedly. How pathetic, even the cat dislikes me.

"I'll be right back."

You should be able to find cardboard boxes in the school office. Although different cats have different preferences for cardboard boxes, my cat isn't picky and will accept almost any kind of cardboard box.

In addition, Xiaoxue has a strange fondness for plastic products. She loves licking the plastic shrink wrap on comic books; does that stuff taste good?

I'll also ask for a few plastic bags... As I walked, I pondered how to increase the cat's affection for me. Just then, Yui quickly chased after me from behind.

"Um, it's not that I don't like cats..."

"Hmm? Oh, it's okay to dislike cats, just like Yukino dislikes dogs, and I also dislike insects."

To add to that, another thing I hate is "people".

"No, I really don't hate them, and I think cats are cute..."

"Or are you allergic to cat hair?"

"No...it's because cats will eventually disappear, right? So, I feel a little sad..."

Yuihama, unlike her usual energetic self, seemed unusually quiet. There was a hint of loneliness in her eyes, and she slowed her pace, so I matched her speed.

"I used to live in an apartment building, and back then it was very popular for people to secretly keep cats."

"This is the first time I've ever heard of an event like this."

"That's an experience only kids who live in apartment buildings have, because you can't keep pets in apartment buildings, right? So I secretly kept a stray cat as a pet without telling my family. But then, it suddenly disappeared... so I don't really like cats~"

As usual, she glossed over her last sentence with a laugh.

What exactly does "separation" feel like for young Yuihama? Perhaps it's a feeling of regret, a sense of betrayal. She had taken such good care of it, been so close to it, and they were so connected on a spiritual level—why did it just disappear like that?

However, Yuihama should be quite clear about this by now.

When a cat knows its death is coming, it will quietly disappear from its owner's side.

If that's the case, what were Yuihama's feelings about that farewell when she grew up? Perhaps she felt regret.

These are just my own imaginations; perhaps the truth is quite different. However, I still believe she would feel sadness, and that she is a kind person.

We stopped talking and silently carried the not-so-heavy cardboard box back.

× × ×

After entering the cardboard box, Xiaoxue used its front paws to check the texture. It stomped three times to flatten the bottom, then made a satisfied purring sound, as if to say, "Hmm...not bad."

Okay, now we just wait here for Kawasaki Saki to appear. But there's a problem: we don't know when she'll show up, because the timing of Hiratsuka-sensei's lectures varies depending on her mood that day.

"To be on the safe side, let's assign tasks first."

Thus, Yukinoshita, who proposed animal therapy, took charge of the overall command, Totsuka monitored the area in front of the faculty office, Yuihama guarded the bicycle parking area, Komachi was in charge of relaying messages, and I was responsible for carrying cardboard boxes around.

My task was a little different from the others; I had nothing to do until I received my orders. During the wait, I went to a nearby vending machine to buy a SPORTOP to replenish my energy. After buying the drink, I opened the box, inserted the straw, took a sip or two, and then walked back to where I started. Then—

Meow~~

Xiaoxue let out a meow that I knew all too well.

"Meow--"

A girl made an unfamiliar meowing sound.

I couldn't help but look around, but apart from Xuexia, I didn't see any other girls. I could only speak to her retreating figure:

"……What are you doing?"

"What?"

She answered as if nothing had happened.

"You weren't just talking to the cat—"

"Instead of this, I should have ordered you to await instructions, but you still couldn't do something so simple. I already considered your incompetence, but I didn't expect it to be this outrageous. How am I supposed to give orders to someone whose brain is less developed than a primary school student's for them to understand?"

Yukinoshita spoke without any mercy, her coldness increased by half again. Most importantly, her eyes were saying, "Say one more word and I'll kill you."

"Understood, I'll go back and wait for orders immediately."

I was about to walk back to the bench where I had been sitting when my phone suddenly vibrated. A number I'd never seen before appeared on the screen. The only people who would call at a time like this are Komachi, Yui, Totsuka, and Yukinoshita. Since I have Komachi and Yui's numbers, and I met Yukinoshita a few seconds ago, she shouldn't need to call… So, it must be Totsuka?

"Hello?"

"Oh, is that you, brother? I got this phone number from Hachiman."

"I have neither a younger brother nor a godbrother!"

I hung up the phone, but he called back immediately. It seems he won't give up even if I ignore him, so I...

I had no choice but to answer the phone, resigned to my fate.

"Wait a minute, why did you hang up on me!"

"What's up?"

"Um... I heard you're going to use a cat, but my sister is allergic to cat fur."

...Wouldn't this mean the plan would fall through?

"Why didn't you say this sooner?"

"I'm sorry, I just found out too."

"Okay, I got it. Thanks for reminding me, bye."

After ending the call, I rushed to Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita was squatting in front of Yuki, scratching its throat and pinching its paw pads.

"Under the Snow".

As soon as I spoke, Yukinoshita quickly released my hand and glared at me with a "what now?" look. Oh dear, I had just forgotten about what happened before, but your glare reminded me of it all.

"Dazhi just called and said that Kawasaki is allergic to cat fur, so even if we leave the cat here, she probably won't pick it up."

"...Sigh, let's cancel the plan."

Yukinoshita stroked Yuki's head with a look of reluctance. Meow~~

After notifying everyone that the plan was canceled, the strikers returned from their respective posts.

"Brother, did Kawasaki call you?"

"Yes. However, you can't just give your phone number to anyone. What if something dangerous happens? You must be very careful when handling personal information."

"However, isn't Hachiman's personal information not very valuable?"

Yukinoshita teased me in a joking tone.

"It wasn't me, it was Komachi. Did you understand? You can't just give out your phone number to anyone, especially if it's a guy."

"Ugh~ Komachi knows that kind of thing very well~"

Komachi laughed it off. Actually, she's exceptionally good at this; it seems she might have handled those things even better than I did.

On the contrary, we need to put in even more effort. Animal therapy has failed, so we need to find another way. I turned to Yukino and asked her if she had any other solutions.

However, Yukinoshita just kept looking back and forth between me and Komachi, murmuring:

"...You siblings have such a good relationship...it's a bit enviable."

"Huh? Oh, maybe only children would think that way, but that's not a good thing."

"No, I... never mind, it's nothing."

It's rare for her to swallow back what's on the tip of her tongue. Usually, she's so quick-witted, yet she has the time to use a bunch of unnecessary things to mock me. Did she eat something bad? Like she ate some cookies made by Yuihama.

"What's next? We need to think of other methods."

“Um, um…”

Totsuka timidly raised her hand, her gaze shifting between Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, and asked them with uneasy eyes, "P-may I speak...?" Of course you can! Even if others don't agree, even if this is an forbidden love, I'll still agree!

"Please speak. We welcome your free expression of opinions; it will also benefit us."

"Well... should we ask Hiratsuka-sensei? Some things are indeed difficult to talk about because of the close relationship with one's parents; but perhaps it would be easier to bring them up with other adults?"

Wow, that's a very insightful point. Some things are indeed very difficult to talk about with your parents. For example, things like pornography, or issues related to relationships—you definitely wouldn't want to discuss those with your parents. Other things you can't bring yourself to say include finding your desk in the hallway after arriving at school, having trash thrown into your shoe locker, or being thrilled to receive a love letter only to discover it's a prank by a classmate.

In situations like these, a third party becomes crucial. Moreover, this third party must be a reliable adult with rich life experience. Asking them for help might be a good approach.

"But, Hiratsuka-sensei...?"

That's the problem. All I can say is that she's an adult. I think only her breasts qualify her as an adult.

"I think Hiratsuka-sensei cares about her students more than any other teacher, and there is no one more suitable than her."

"Hmm...Okay."

Yukinoshita is right. As everyone's mentor, Hiratsuka-sensei is incredibly dedicated. She usually talks to her students and observes them carefully before recommending students with problems to places like the Service Club.

"Then, I'll try to make the contact."

I emailed my teacher a summary of the incident and details about Saki Kawasaki. I had always thought I would never need to use my teacher's mobile email, but it unexpectedly came in handy.

"...That's all. For details, please proceed to the building entrance." That should bring her, right?

I concluded the letter like this, and then waited for the teacher to appear.

Knock, knock... Five minutes later, we heard loud footsteps.

"Hachiman, I understand the situation. Let me hear the details."

The teacher walked over with a serious expression and stubbed out her cigarette in her portable ashtray. She listened quietly as I explained everything we knew about Kawasaki Saki and our current speculations, then let out a short sigh.

"It's a serious matter that our students are working late at night. This is quite urgent, so let me handle it."

After Hiratsuka finished speaking, he laughed arrogantly, "Heh, heh, heh~".

"Just you wait and see. I sent Kawasaki back before I came here; she'll be here in about two minutes."

...What's going on? Why do I feel an inexplicable unease? Why do I have such a strong feeling that she'll become cannon fodder?

"You absolutely must not resort to fists or kicks."

"How could that be? I... I would only resort to physical violence against you!"

"Uh, not cute at all..."

A little while later, Saki Kawasaki arrived at the building entrance. She walked casually, yawning occasionally. Her backpack slipped off her listless shoulders, but she didn't seem to care, letting it dangle from her elbow.

"Kawasaki, wait a minute."

Hiratsuka-sensei suddenly appeared and called out to Kawasaki from behind. Kawasaki turned around, straightened his hunched back, and squinted his eyes as if he wanted to glare at the other person.

Ms. Hiratsuka is quite tall, but Kawasaki is not far behind. Her long legs are encased in loosely tied boots, and she lightly kicks a small stone next to her.

"...What is it?"

Her voice was hoarse and lifeless, yet it seemed to carry a thorn—to put it bluntly, it was terrifying. The terror wasn't the unfriendly malice of a thug, but rather the kind of world-weary older woman you'd find in a suburban pub, sitting alone in a corner, a whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

On the other hand, Ms. Hiratsuka also exuded a certain kind of terror. However, she felt like a young office worker arriving at a Chinese restaurant in front of a satellite city station, eating assorted barley noodles while chugging bottled beer, and complaining to a televised baseball game like a tired middle-aged man: "Get rid of that lousy pitcher!"

What's going on now? Is this the final battle of monsters?

"Kawasaki, I heard you've been coming home really late lately. Have you been staying out until almost dawn? Where have you been and what have you been doing?"

"Teacher, who told you this?"

"I cannot disclose the client's information. In short, answer my questions quickly."

Ms. Hiratsuka smiled confidently, while Noriyuki Kawasaki sighed lazily. In a way, it seemed as if she was mocking the teacher.

"It's nothing. Besides, I can be wherever I want, as long as it doesn't bother anyone."