My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 160

On my first day of high school, I was in a traffic accident. I was full of anticipation for my new life and left home an hour early to attend the entrance ceremony. Little did I know that this action would be the beginning of a tragedy.

It was around seven o'clock when Yuihama was walking her dog near the high school. Suddenly, the leash she was holding came loose, and the dog ran away. At the same time, Yukinoshita's luxury car drove up.

The accident then occurred.

Because of this accident, Yukino Yukinoshita met Hachiman Hikigaya.

Even things that people usually hesitate to say, Yukinoshita dares to say out loud. Yet she says she doesn't know me and never touches on the topic of that accident.

A long silence fell between us.

As the setting sun gradually painted the room red, Xuexia stood motionless with her head bowed.

She maintained that posture, with only her lips moving to produce sound.

"...That's not a lie, I didn't know you at all back then."

It seems like similar conversations have happened before.

However, what followed was quite different.

Yukinoshita raised her head, looked me straight in the eye, and smiled as she said:

"...However, now I know you (Note 92: Here, 'know' means to understand deeply, not just superficially know a person. In Japanese, both 'know' and 'familiar' are written as '知る'.)."

Seeing her expression, I finally understood.

"Is that so..."

"Yes, absolutely right."

Snow seemed quite pleased with herself.

No, I just can't beat this girl. Seeing her adorable expression, I simply can't argue with her.

Unconsciously, the words the fox once said flashed through my mind.

Words are the source of misunderstandings.

That's absolutely right.

We cannot undo the misunderstandings that have already been made, nor can we rewind life and start over; wrong answers will remain wrong forever.

Therefore, in order to get a new correct answer, I will double-check again and again.

In the past, Yukinoshita and I knew nothing about each other.

Moreover, we don't know to what extent it qualifies as "understanding".

In fact, this can be understood simply by looking at each other's situations. What is truly important is not what the eyes can see, because we always unconsciously look away.

I……

us……

It took us almost half a year to finally understand each other's existence.

We used a mosaic technique to fill in the gaps between what was originally just a name and a fragmented image of a person, eventually forming a complete virtual image.

Although this virtual image is still far from the real image, it is sufficient for now.

After a long summer vacation and a school anniversary celebration that was as fleeting as fireworks, we have finally returned to our daily routine, where everything seems indifferent yet leaves us feeling helpless.

Like the sound of everyday footsteps, a knocking sound rang out on the door.

"Hi-lo~"

The person who opened the door was Yui Yuigahama.

I can't figure out why she's here. If nothing unexpected happens, she should be celebrating with everyone.

"Yuihama? What brings you here?"

"Thank you for your hard work at the school anniversary celebration! Let's all go to the after-party!"

"I'm not going. Also, what's the after-night festival?"

"Rejecting it without even having heard of it? Yukino~ Let's go, let's go~~"

Yuihama sat down in her assigned seat, next to Yukinoshita, and immediately began to shake her body, begging. Yukinoshita seemed a little troubled, but did not refuse again.

"I'm not quite sure what kind of event it was?"

Yukinoshita asked Yuihama, who looked up at the sky and thought for a while.

"Hmm...like...a large victory celebration... kind of event?"

"You don't even know it yourself..."

Yuihama's understanding of this word was so casual that I couldn't help but shudder. Yukinoshita, on the other hand, was pondering, stroking her chin.

"Judging from the literal meaning, it should be understood as the opposite of the eve of the festival, right?"

"That's right!"

Yuigahama Asayuki pointed sharply, declaring that she was right. Wait, is that really not wrong...?

She went on to explain, but her explanation wasn't very credible.

"This is an event planned by Hayato and his group. They booked a venue at a live house near the station, and they said they would invite not only classmates, but everyone they could..."

"I see, so Hachiman is also on the invitation list?"

"No. I'm in the same class as them, so I'm already considered one of their 'classmates.' Is that right, Ms. Yuigahama?"

I asked her for confirmation, feeling a little uneasy.

"Hmm, it's a borderline case. Hayato also asked me to invite you out."

"What do you mean by 'playing it close to the line'... If you don't want to go, then don't. Why do me a favor? And inviting me to those kinds of events, I won't go. I don't want to accept that kind of favor."

The saddest thing in the world is an invitation made out of pity. This kind of social etiquette only leads to unhappiness for both parties, and I suggest it be abolished as soon as possible.

Seeing that I was getting agitated, Yukinoshita calmly comforted and reassured me.

"There's no need to be so resistant. This is a rare opportunity, why not join them, as a supporting actor (Note 93: the original text is "引き立て役ん", which sounds similar to "Hikigaya-kun" in Japanese)?"

"Hey, don't just casually call me by the wrong name. And what do you mean by 'supporting actor'? Can you please stop lumping me into the cast so easily?"

First of all, I have no chance of becoming a supporting actor; at most, I'll play a passerby. If I'm unlucky, I'll become a sidekick to other actors. But most likely, I'll never become an actor at all.

"No, no, please! This is a rare opportunity, please go!"

"No need. Even if I go, I'll just huddle in a corner by myself. It would only make me feel bad if I ruined everyone's mood."

As I spoke, I continued to organize the report I was writing.

Work is still the best... When you need to refuse something, "work" is a very useful excuse. If I really become a corporate slave in the future, my loner personality might become even more severe.

"...That makes sense, and the after-night festival isn't organized by the school anniversary executive committee, so I really have no reason to go."

"Eh... The autistic guy has work to do, so it's understandable that he can't go, but Yukino..."

Under the snow, I picked up my pen again.

"Yukino, what are you writing?"

"Intention Survey Form"

"Oh, well then, I'll wait until you finish writing."

"I didn't say I was going..."

It seems Yui is determined to wait for her. Despite Yukinoshita's slight unease, Yui continues to watch her with a smile. Hmm, it seems Yukinoshita can't escape. Yui says she'll wait, and she really will wait until the end of time; after all, she's a loyal dog at heart.

The fiery red sunset shone into the room.

The celebration has ended.

Everything is a foregone conclusion.

Life can never be rewound and restarted, and even this irreversible moment will eventually be lost.

One day, I will definitely regret what I have lost—that's what I thought to myself, as I concluded my report on the school anniversary.

Postscript to Volume 6

Hello everyone, I'm Watari.

The autumn atmosphere is getting stronger. Autumn is the season for reading, art, and sports... Among all kinds of autumn, what kind of little autumn have you found? (Note 94 "Finding a Little Autumn" is a Japanese children's song.)

As autumn deepens, I wonder what the people next door are doing. (Note 95: This allusion comes from a haiku by Matsuo Bashō.)

Anyone with eyes can see that my younger brother is busy with work.

Autumn of labor, autumn of corporate slavery... I can't take it anymore!

And so, the sixth episode of "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU" has finally been released, and the season in the story has entered autumn. The pace may be slow, but the story is definitely moving forward little by little.

A year and a half has passed since I started writing this work, or half a year in the story itself. Now, I finally feel I understand these men and women, though this understanding may only be in my own opinion.

In short, the road ahead is still long, and I hope to gradually understand them, bit by bit. It would be my honor if you, the readers, would continue to accompany me.

The following is an acknowledgment.

Dear ponkan⑧, with each new episode, your beautiful illustrations always seem to evolve even further. Are you perhaps the Death Bizarre (Note 96, the final boss of "Dragon Quest IV," who possesses seven transformation forms) who has the secrets of evolution? Thank you so much.

Editor Hoshino-sama, I'm so sorry for making the plans seem like a rushed march. But really, it's not because of that... *cough cough*! Thank you so much.

Mr. Tachibana, now that I think about it, the reason why the abbreviation of this work includes "Gael" was your plan. Because of you, everyone is in a state of great confusion, constantly asking "Is it 'Fruit Blue' or 'I made a mistake'?" I will never forgive your book cover recommendation (Note 97: The book cover recommendation for this volume was written by Tachibana Koushi, the author of "Date A Live": "Go back to Chiba. Your family is waiting for you... I'm really looking forward to the 'Fruit Blue' anime! Especially Tachibana Komachi's activities... Ah, no, she still has the surname Hachiman." The first half is adapted from Gael's victory line in "Street Fighter". "Gael" and the original abbreviation "I made a mistake" differ by only one syllable.).

Dear writers, I was unable to join you for drinks due to my extremely tight schedule. However, I firmly believe that you all don't dislike me, but rather are thinking of me. Thank you.

To all our partners across the media platform, thank you so much for your help. Words cannot express my gratitude. Please continue to support us in the future.

In writing this book, I also consulted Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince," translated by Natsuki Ikezawa (Shueisha Bunko).

Finally, to all the readers. In the blink of an eye, this work has reached its sixth volume. Thanks to everyone's support, the story has finally reached its midpoint. Thank you all so much. The story will continue! (Note: A line from Master Roshi in Dragon Ball 98)

So, please allow me to put down my pen here.

On a certain day in October, somewhere in Chiba Prefecture, I sipped a warm cup of MAX coffee on a long autumn night.

Illustrations for Volume 6

Volume 7 Pre-departure Research Report for Graduation Trip

The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light

Scanned image: Ren Leipi

Input by: Ren Leipi

First proofreading: Ren Leipi

Photo editing: Seventeen

Class 2F, Zongwu High School

Hikigaya Hachiman

Research Topic: Yasaka Shrine and the Belief in Spirits

The deity enshrined at Yasaka Shrine is Ushi-no-Tenō (Ox-Head Heavenly King). Originally a plague god bringing disease and misfortune, and despised by many, Ushi-no-Tenō is worshipped as a deity at this shrine. The reason behind this practice stems from "Goryō worship." Simply put, Goryō worship involves treating plague gods who bring disaster as "Goryō" and offering them sacrifices to appease them and prevent them from causing trouble. This is a psychological practice of preventing disasters through offerings, worship, and appeasement of deities. People may harbor resentment and fear, leading to acts of persecution and hatred. However, fortunes change, and deities who receive such treatment may one day be worshipped and worshipped by the people. Examples of those once considered vengeful spirits and hated by the masses becoming deities are not uncommon in this country. The well-known heavenly god Sugawara no Michizane was also once a feared vengeful spirit, but due to people's overwhelming fear of him, he was eventually worshipped as a deity.

This principle tells us that the more someone is disliked, the closer they are to divine existence. Conversely, isn't this the best proof that they are superior to others in this world?

I understand now, I really am a god...

Volume 7① Even so, Hachiman Hikigaya still managed to live a peaceful school life.

Actually, girls are cuter when they're fully covered up than when they're not wearing much fabric—the season that evokes this thought has arrived again.

The school anniversary celebration has come to an end, and the sports meet has also successfully concluded. In less than two months, we will bid farewell to this year.

The temperature has plummeted, and the wind is no longer cool; it's downright cold. Our school is located in a coastal area, so this feeling is even more pronounced.

Not only that, the loneliness around me has become even more pronounced.

My seat in the center of the classroom was like the eye of a typhoon, completely empty around me, like a no-man's land, and no classmate dared to come near me.

Perhaps due to Japanese habits, people always like to huddle in corners and edges, and when taking the train, they will choose seats on the side or in the corner.

If we were to create anthropomorphic characters for "Bianbian" and "Jiaojiao," they might become very popular.

In short, I was sitting in the middle of the classroom, and there was no one around.