TakuJo

"Ugh, why can't I just die in peace?!"

Sugiyama Jo had a morbid plan: to join his family in death as soon as he graduates from high school. And now on his second year, this scheme of his is coming closer into becoming a reality. To him, pointless things such as youth and romance are but mere distractions that could potentially deviate him from his death. Which is why he abides by a strict code to never get involved in anything that will expose him to "a rose-filled youth".

But it seems that fate had other plans. Due to the meddling of his guidance counselor, Jo now finds himself cascaded into a series of events that forces him into his "romantic comedy youth era". With his plan at risk of failing, Jo desperately tries to escape the clutches of youth.

My Funeral Was Ruined By The Start Of My High School Rom-Com

I asked Mr. Hirashi. Yes, I had given up on anything related to the volunteers club and to Kurebayashi. So what am I even asking this for? Simple; I'm a nosy person. And while I won't go out of my way to know more about some mundane rumor, I will eagerly try to find out something if the information is readily available.

"Oh? What's with the sudden curiosity?"

"It's not a curiosity. More like a fleeting interest. You know, like when someone says something you didn't quite hear the first time so you ask them to repeat it again."

"Uh-huh. So, you're not at all interested in how Kurebayashi-kun is involved in the mishap that happened with the baseball team, right~?"

I see what he's trying to do. He's pulling that reverse psychology crap on me. God, I hate when he gets all smug like this. Though he is right about that. I'm a bit perplexed as to how she's connected to whatever accident happened to that guy.

But there's no way I'm ever admitting that to him.

"N-no, I'm not! It's just that I hate all popular guys. And it brings me great joy to see one having a rough time like that. So, I simply want to know what happened so I can be even more happy."

"That's a twisted sense of happiness you got there, Jo." Mr. Hirashi says with a disapproving look.

"You really think I'm going to tell you after that little soliloquy you gave? Nope, not happening."

Well, can't say I didn't expect him to just outright refuse. Still, it was worth a shot. But I don't see why he doesn't just tell me what happened with the baseball team. Is he hoping for some kind of teaching moment with this? Damn it all to hell! Of all the guidance counselors in the world, why did I have to get stuck with this guy?!

As we draw near to his office, he stops just shy of a few centimeters in front of the door. He turns to me and begins to say something.

"Well, if you really must know, then…"

He pauses as he grips the doorknob and turns it to open the door.

"Then I guess you'll have to socialize and get the answer from other people."

He says with a dubiously triumphant smile on his face. So that's how it is, huh?

Part 22: A Damning Soliloquy