My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 124

Her answer and performance were absolutely perfect.

Therefore, I think she was simply responding to an attack that was within her expectations.

She then raised her other leg and continued speaking.

"How could my little sister, who's always chasing after me, not be adorable?"

Always chasing after Haruno means that Yukino is always a step behind her older sister.

That is such a cruel thing, like an absolute victor smiling at a foolish challenger, like treating the other party like a child.

Yang smiled at Yuihama with her flawless beauty, which showed no hint of harshness.

"And Yuihama, what about you? Do you like Yukino?"

Yang's question was quite direct, which made Yui Hama pause for a moment, but she still tried to piece together the words while stammering.

"I...I really like Yukino! She's cool, honest, and reliable, but she often says really silly things, which is so cute. The way she looks sleepy makes me want to hug her tight. Also, although her personality is hard to understand, she's actually very gentle... um, and then... ah, hahaha... I think I've rambled on about a bunch of random things..."

At that moment, the bursting fireworks illuminated her shy, smiling expression.

"Hmm...that's good."

A tender expression flashed across Yang Nai's face for a fleeting moment, which was quite out of character for her.

However—or rather, as expected—the next moment, she switched to a demonic gaze.

"Everyone praises her at first, but in the end, they all become jealous, hateful, and ostracize her, cutting off all contact with her... I hope you won't be like those people."

Her smile was so poignant that anyone who saw it would feel a deep sense of pity for her.

"I……"

Yuihama was stunned by Haruno, and her words became hesitant again.

No, it won't.

Then, Yui looked back with a strong and powerful gaze, never looking away.

Yang shrugged and glanced at me.

"Hachiman, you should know what I mean, right?"

"Um……"

How could I not understand?

I've seen this kind of thing countless times. It's not just Yukinoshita; exceptionally talented people within a group are always ostracized. The most outstanding stake isn't knocked down (Note 73, a Japanese proverb, similar to "the tallest tree catches the most wind" or "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down"), but rather uprooted and discarded, then gradually rot in the wind and rain.

"Yes, yes, I really like that look in your eyes."

I turned around when I heard that, and my eyes met Yang Nai's. Yang Nai's cold gaze sent a chill down my spine. The next second, she suddenly smiled.

"Hehe, Hachiman, you're really great. I like your ability to take things easy and let go of your attachments even in strange places."

I don't think that statement is a compliment at all.

I already knew that this person often spoke with hidden meanings, so there was no way I could misunderstand.

Such partial affirmations, citing a particular characteristic of the other person to express liking, are absolutely unreliable. "I really like your taste" and "I like you, including your taste" are two completely different things. This is based on my personal experience during my middle school years, and I will no longer fall into this level of narrative trap.

"So, does Hachiman like Yukino?"

"My mother told me not to say whether I like or dislike something."

Yang Nai laughed happily upon hearing this.

As the night deepened, the fireworks display continued in grand style.

The grand finale was a dazzling golden waterfall. A golden curtain descended from the sky, met with thunderous applause from the audience.

"Well, the fireworks are almost over."

Yang got up from his seat.

"I need to get back before the venue gets too crowded."

She then looked at us and asked what we planned to do.

Seeing this, Yuihama also got up from her seat, turned around and said to me:

"Let's go back too."

"Um."

The thought of being trapped in the crowd, unable to move, sent chills down my spine. Following Yang Nai's footsteps and heading home early was the right choice.

So the three of us started our journey back.

Next to the ticketed viewing area, there is a small path leading to the parking lot. Leaving the venue via this path will allow you to avoid the massive crowds.

Upon arriving at the parking lot, a rental car slowly drove towards us.

It's unclear whether Yang had contacted the driver beforehand, or whether being a top-notch driver meant it was only natural to act ahead of time.

The car stopped beside the path we were walking on.

"If you'd like, would you like me to give you a ride?"

“This…”

Yui looked at me, implying that I should make the decision.

I didn't say anything, I just stared at the rental car.

I recognize that car, and I'm sure I'm not mistaken—

"No matter how hard you search, the visible scars have already disappeared."

Yang chuckled lightly.

However, neither Yuihama nor I could laugh at all.

Yang was puzzled by the sudden silence and put away his relaxed expression.

"Huh? That's strange. Didn't Yukino tell you guys? I think I said something I shouldn't have..."

Her tone was apologetic. Although there was no lie in her words, the atmosphere remained heavy.

"So...she really did..."

Yuihama's voice was so faint that I could barely hear it.

I know very well what she didn't say.

—Yukinoshita knew about that matter as well.

Yang was surprised by our reaction and quickly tried to smooth things over for Yukino.

"Ah, but don't misunderstand, Yukino didn't do anything wrong."

I am very clear about this... So far, Yukinoshita has not done anything wrong, because she is always maintaining her own "correctness".

"She was just sitting in that car, she didn't do anything wrong. Hachiman, can you accept this?"

Yang then confirmed with me.

This is the first time I've heard any of this. Nevertheless, the outcome remains unchanged. Regardless of Yukino's position in that incident, it doesn't alter the facts.

"Well... after all, she wasn't the one who bumped into me, so it has nothing to do with her."

My tone was colder than I had imagined. Tonight was supposed to be a tropical night (Note 74: refers to a nighttime low temperature above 25 degrees Celsius), yet my body temperature was plummeting.

The sound of wooden clogs came from beside me, and Yui took a step closer to me. With someone there to support me, I managed to raise my voice.

"Besides, it's all in the past. My principle has always been not to dwell on the past. Moreover, if you have to look back on everything, life becomes too dark, and I don't want to become like that..."

Huh, that's strange. Why did your tone turn cold towards the end? The trauma from the past is truly terrifying.

"I see. Since you think it's over, then it's fine."

Yang breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere at the scene eased slightly as a result.

"...Well then, let's go back."

"Okay, sure."

She let us leave without any attempt to stop us.

The driver noticed we had ended our conversation and came out to open the car door for Yang Nai. Yang Nai whispered "thank you" and got into the car.

Goodbye, Hachiman!

She waved goodbye to me with a bright and cheerful expression. But if I could, I would rather never see her again.

The driver closed the back door, quickly returned to the driver's seat, and started the vehicle.

Yuihama and I also silently took our first steps.

Perhaps we all need some more time to put our thoughts into words.

× × ×

Although we had left the venue early, many others had the same idea, so when we arrived at the station, there were still quite a lot of people inside.

The tram seemed to be affected by the fireworks display, arriving at the station later than originally scheduled. The carriage was so crowded that there were almost no seats, so we stood directly in front of the doors.

It's only one stop from the venue to the station closest to Yuihama's house by tram, and I expect the station I get off at is only three stops away, not far at all.

Less than five minutes into the journey, an announcement was made that the tram was about to arrive at its destination.

"that……"

Yuihama broke the silence and spoke softly.

I used my eyes and breathing to show that I was listening. She paused for a moment and then continued:

"Have you...heard Yukino mention that before?"

She actually knew the answer in her heart, but she still asked me.

"No, I've never heard of it."

"I see... Well then... Ah."

Just then, the tram stopped at the platform, swaying slightly. As soon as the doors opened, the sweltering heat of the night rushed into the carriage.

Yui looked at me, then at the train's exterior, hesitating about what to do. Unfortunately, the train doors closed and the warning sound didn't wait for anyone.

There was no time for thought or hesitation. I sighed softly and stepped out of the carriage. Yui, who was getting off the train after me, asked with slight surprise:

"Are you sure it's okay for you to get off here?"

"It's never pleasant to be interrupted halfway through a conversation... Did you deliberately choose to start speaking just before we arrived at our stop?"

"No, that's impossible! They just couldn't bring themselves to ask!"

Seeing her flustered and desperate attempt to explain, I really don't believe she didn't do it on purpose.

Yuihama is truly a strategist.

"...I'll take you to your neighborhood."

"Thanks……"

She thanked me in a low voice.

The station seemed to be not far from Yuihama's house, but she walked rather slowly because she was wearing wooden clogs that she wasn't used to.

On the silent street, only the slow footsteps of the two of us could be heard.

As the night deepened, a breeze began to stir. Even when walking outside, the humidity and heat were no longer so oppressive.

"Have you heard her say that?"

I continued our conversation from the train, and Yuihama shook her head helplessly.

"But... I think some things are hard to say. Once you miss that moment, you'll never have the chance again... That's true for me too..."

Yuihama also only brought up the accident more than a year later, and only confessed because I exposed her first.

"I kept thinking I needed to prepare myself mentally and think things through before I said it, so I kept putting it off."

Yes, I can understand to some extent. It's especially easy to feel this way when the topic is serious, not to mention when it involves apologizing or confessing. Things that are already difficult to say only become harder to say the longer they're left unsaid. Besides, there are some things that you have to really make up your mind to say.

"Furthermore, Yukino's inability to speak up might be related to her family situation... but I don't know much about her family. Her older sister, Haruno, seems quite scary..."

She probably wasn't speaking up for Yukinoshita.