My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 176

After ordering, we waited a short while before our ramen was served.

We picked up our chopsticks and clasped our hands together in front of our chests.

"Let's start."

Wow, look at how heavy this thing is hanging from the chopsticks! I'm about to ascend to heaven!

To achieve such a thick broth, even coating the noodles, is something probably only Toranoana in Chiba can do. Delicious! So delicious!

"Yukinoshita, this is for you."

The teacher ladled some noodles and soup into a small plate and placed it in front of Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita hesitated for a moment, then finally made up her mind and picked up her chopsticks and spoon. She first tucked her long hair behind her ears, then scooped up the soup and noodles and put them in her mouth. As she drank the rich soup, the way her throat slid down seemed strangely charming, and I couldn't help but look away.

She wiped the soup from the corners of her mouth with a napkin and said in a very serious tone:

"...It's a ferociously delicious treat."

Yes, you're absolutely right!

Although it's a bit of hindsight, while enjoying the ramen, I started to wonder if going out like this was a good idea, and couldn't help but ask my questions.

"But is it really okay for teachers to lead by example and do this?"

The teacher maintained a relaxed expression as she answered:

"Of course not, that's why I'm paying you hush money."

"That's definitely not how a teacher should behave..."

Yukinoshita was equally unimpressed, but the teacher not only remained unmoved, but calmly continued eating her ramen.

"Teachers are human too, adults are human too, and it's inevitable that we'll make mistakes, whether intentional or unintentional."

"Won't I get scolded if I give myself away?"

Moreover, I might be affected by it.

"You won't get scolded; at most, you'll be called in to read a few lines as a formality."

"That's just getting yelled at..."

My opinion is the same as Yukinoshita's. After finishing her soup, Professor Hiratsuka put down her bowl, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and looked at us.

"It's different. Not causing trouble and being asked to resolve trouble as quickly as possible are completely different things."

"I can't tell the difference."

"...Me too, maybe it's because I haven't been scolded much."

Yukinoshita rested her hand on her chin, her fist slightly clenched, as she searched for memories of the past. Hiratsuka-sensei nodded and said:

"Hmm...is that so? Well then, I'll give you a good scolding. I thought I'd already scolded you quite a few times before, but it seems I was too polite."

"No need, it's enough."

I quickly waved my hand in refusal. If my body were to suffer further harm, or if I were deemed a defective product, then the teacher would have to take responsibility and marry me… Ah, could this be her true purpose?

Ignoring my unease, Yukinoshita spoke casually.

"Anyway, I haven't done anything that would get me scolded, so I'm not worried."

"Being scolded by Yukino isn't a bad thing; it means someone cares about you."

The teacher's words caused Yukinoshita to slump her shoulders and lower her head. What emotions were surfacing in her eyes at that moment, I have no way of knowing.

The teacher gently patted her shoulder.

"Go ahead and try to make mistakes; I'll be watching you closely."

After returning by taxi, Hiratsuka-sensei walked in the opposite direction from the hotel.

"I'm going to the convenience store to buy wine for the banquet. Be careful on your way home. Goodbye."

Is that really okay?

After the three of us waved goodbye, Yukino and I turned around and walked back to the hotel together. We didn't speak to each other on the way, which was already quite natural to me.

"..."

"..."

Yukino walked ahead, keeping a few steps behind me.

Suddenly, she stopped and looked around.

...I can understand what problem she encountered; this is what is known as the rule of thumb.

"On the right."

"……Um."

She pulled up the coat she hadn't yet returned to Professor Hiratsuka, covering her face as if to shield herself from the wind.

I sighed with a wry smile and walked in front of her. Okay, I'll help lead the way.

Yukinoshita realized my intention and followed a few steps behind.

However, after walking for a short while, her footsteps seemed to fade into the distance.

I turned around in confusion and saw that the distance between us was even greater than before.

"You're so far away, be careful not to get lost."

"No...that..."

She didn't explain herself clearly, and buried her face in her raised collar, her voice growing weaker and weaker.

I had no idea what she wanted to say, but it would be troublesome to get separated from her, so I simply waited for her to come over.

We're looking at each other from a distance. What kind of trick are we playing?

After a long while, Yukino finally gave up, sighed, and complained:

"You could have left first..."

She reluctantly walked to my side. This is probably what it feels like to make a stray cat behave.

"Even if I leave first, it won't make much difference, the hotel is already there."

"...You may not care, but I will."

"What do you care about?"

Yukinoshita's words were vague, so I pressed her for details. Although, out of courtesy, one should pretend not to hear and not pry if the other person has something they are uncomfortable saying.

"If...someone saw...us together at a time like this, it felt a little..."

It wasn't particularly cold, but people were still pulling their coats up to cover their faces under the snow.

“…I see.”

After she said that, I reconsidered the current situation.

This wasn't the first time we'd met at night and spent time together.

Therefore, I don't need to care about anything or think too much. There's nothing strange about it, and it's not a big deal.

However, I have never seen snow like this before.

She kept an eye on her surroundings, while also watching my feet so she wouldn't lose her way back.

She lowered her eyes in embarrassment, and when she realized I was walking too fast, she reached out her hesitant hand, wanting me to slow down, before suddenly pulling her hand back as if she had just realized something—I had never seen her do these things before.

I was affected by her stiff movements and unconsciously became clumsy myself. Because of this, even though the hotel was very close, it felt incredibly far to me.

We always kept our distance, never walking side by side.

After finally getting back to the hotel lobby, I was exhausted.

Next is an area where students are likely to appear. If Yukino is concerned, we'd better split up here.

I stopped and let her go first, raising my hand to say goodbye.

"Good night."

"...Okay, goodnight...Thank you for bringing me back."

After finishing her sentence, Yukinoshita walked forward. Inside, she was still wearing her coat, the hem fluttering as she walked quickly.

She'll probably remember to return the coat to the teacher, right? Thinking about something unimportant, I went back to my room.

The mahjong battle in the room is still going on.

"Ah, Hachiman, welcome back."

Totsuka and Zaimokuza are playing Joker.

"That's been too long. Where did you go?"

"Really?"

Okay, it did take a long time. A full two hours passed from when I went out to when I came back.

"Where are my drinks and my ramen?"

"ah."

I had completely forgotten that I was being punished by being sent out to run errands.

"Have you forgotten?"

The lumberjack looked at me like I was an idiot, which was really annoying, so I defiantly replied:

"...Ha, how could I forget? It's just... stored here."

I pointed to my stomach, and the woodcutter's face contorted in astonishment.

"W-What! You actually went out to eat ramen... This person is terrifying..."

He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at him with respect. Ah, what difficulty is there?

However, another person thought differently.

"Then let's go buy it again."

Totsuka smiled and ordered me to run the errand again. Waaaaah, Totsuka is so scary…

mail@Kyoto←→Chiba

Hikigaya Komachi

Brother, how's Kyoto?

Hikigaya Hachiman

Nothing special, just ordinary.

Also, people here don't talk like you.

Hikigaya Komachi

How boring! Today, Komachi was chatting with a friend and heard that the Kamo River is a great place, many couples visit it, and it's highly recommended!

Hikigaya Hachiman

There are orca shows there, which are naturally very popular.

Hikigaya Komachi

Kamo River Ocean World!

No, it's not the one from Chiba.

Why is my brother's mind filled with Chiba? Be careful, it might have a negative impact on his brain.

Hikigaya Hachiman

Let's not talk about that anymore. What are some famous tourist attractions along the Kamo River that you mentioned?

Hikigaya Komachi

The Kamo River... the water must be very clear, right?

Hikigaya Hachiman

Are those couples fireflies? Otherwise, why would they crowd around the clear water?

Volume 7, Chapter 7: Unexpectedly, Miura Yumiko saw it all.