My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 209

Even if we could attend the same school, I probably wouldn't deliberately go looking for my sister at school, just like I did in elementary and middle school. To Komachi, I'm not exactly a brother she can be proud of. Maybe I'll unconsciously show off my sister, but there's no one around for me to brag about.

For Komachi, there is no benefit or need for her to attend the same high school as me. However, if this is Komachi's wish, then there is no problem.

Komachi stopped writing, looked away from her notebook, and stared as if she were gazing at the approaching future.

"...Hmm. There are still things I want to do."

"What kind of things do you want to do? Club activities or something?"

When I asked her, Komachi seemed to be thinking and paused for a moment.

"Hmm...that's about it."

Which club do you want to join?

"Hehe, it's a secret."

As Komachi spoke, she blinked and put her index finger to her lips. Every move she made was so adorable it was almost infuriating.

However, if Komachi wants to join the club, I need to remind her of one thing.

"Anything is fine, just don't join the service club. That club might get dismantled overnight."

"Huh, is that so?"

Komachi's expression was as if she had been suddenly punched; she stared straight at me. The smile and frivolous atmosphere that had been on her face just moments before vanished like smoke.

All that remained in the room was the unique silence of the night.

I took a sip of coffee, forcing the words that were stuck in my throat to the depths of my heart. Once I was sure they were suppressed within me, I spoke.

"I don't know how much longer I'll stay in the Service Club, and neither does Yuihama. I don't know about Yukinoshita... Anyway, that's how it is. If anything happens, this club will be wiped out immediately."

The Service Club has only three members, all of whom are second-year students. Although unlike sports clubs, there isn't a clear retirement period, this time is limited to the period before graduation. Aside from the time spent together, the bond between the three is very fragile.

Komachi reached for her coffee, took a sip, and then made a bitter expression.

"Brother... what do you mean by 'what if'?"

"...I don't know either."

I laughed it off.

Perhaps I noticed it a long time ago.

Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman Hikigaya, and Yui Yuigahama. Their club activities will one day come to an end. Regardless of our stances, circumstances, or personalities, we have nothing in common. One day, the connection between us will vanish.

It's not just the three of us; the connections between people are inherently fragile. And perhaps even more so than I imagined.

Coming to my senses, I realized I was staring intently at my coffee. Unsettled ripples spread across the surface of the black liquid, reflecting my own dim eyes.

"elder brother?"

When Komachi called my name, I responded reflexively.

"I'm listening. What did you just say?"

"He wasn't listening at all..."

Komachi looked helpless. However, she quickly cheered herself up and gripped the mechanical pencil tightly.

"It seems this is the only way. Komachi, you must work hard and get into Soubu High School!"

"Well, whatever you do, just keep it up!"

I suppressed my uncontrollable smile and downed the coffee in my cup in one gulp.

One dayMobile talk Hachiman&Zaimokuza

Hikigaya Hachiman

Preparing for the battle of a thousand horses is troublesome.

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

...Huh? What's wrong with you all of a sudden...?

Hikigaya Hachiman

Staff allocation is a real pain. Isn't there an easier way?

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

...Hmm. You're really bad at texting; even I find it ridiculous. If you don't check if the other person is free first and add a question mark at the end, it's hard for them to reply.

Hikigaya Hachiman

That knowledge you found using terms like "girls," "text messages," and "writing style," right? Whatever it is, I want to deal with the clothing part first.

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

Hmm, but I'm not familiar with role-playing.

Hikigaya Hachiman

Never mind then. Bye.

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

They gave up too quickly! To cut costs, we have to start with the design of the clothing.

Hikigaya Hachiman

Speaking of which, can you design this?

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

Ahem, I hope you don't misunderstand and think that just because someone is a homebody, they can do everything. I can't design clothes, I can't draw, I'm not very familiar with railways, and I know absolutely nothing about computer settings... But why does my mother keep asking me computer questions...? When I tell her I don't know, all I get is a disdainful look...

Hikigaya Hachiman

That's what they call a "mom," isn't it? Would it be faster to find someone who understands design?

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

The prerequisite is that you can find that kind of person.

Hikigaya Hachiman

I have a general idea of ​​what's going on, although I'm not sure if the other person will agree.

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

Oh—to know such a talented person.

May I ask your name?

Hikigaya Hachiman

My impression is that it's something like "Kawa"... it should be "Kawachi".

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

Sendai... a light cruiser? Sounds like she likes night battles...

Hikigaya Hachiman

Mostly correct. Anyway, please submit the cost-cutting proposal to me this week. Thank you.

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

I understand... Hmm? You mean, were you serious when you said "this week ago"?

Zaimokuza Yoshiki

Hello? Wait a minute—something's not right—it's already Friday night—?

*One dayMobile talk Hachiman and Zaimokuza*

Volume 6.5, Part 5. In conclusion, Hachiman Hikigaya had a premonition.

There were even more people in the classroom during lunch break than usual. One by one, the students who went out to buy lunch returned.

I am one of them.

I took the bread out of the paper bag and placed it on the table. I usually eat lunch in a more open space, but that's not an option today.

Water droplets slid down the window and raindrops pattered on the balcony railing.

The rain that started in the morning neither intensified nor stopped; it just continued to fall in equal amounts. Watching this lingering rain, I felt a chill creep down my spine.

However, the atmosphere in the classroom was even colder than the rain.

The damp, chilly atmosphere emanating from the front of the classroom made one wonder if the wind and rain had blown inside.

It seems the Sagami Theater is also open for business today. I can see it clearly from my seat, which is slightly towards the front.

The theater is currently showing a new program: the opening performance of "Suddenly becoming a sports meet committee member because of something someone I care about said, but then someone I hate suddenly appears and I get gossiped about by them—it's so pitiful!" The title is quite long. How should I shorten it?

The actors portray Sagami, who is deliberately making a gloomy expression, the girl in his class sitting opposite him, and another girl standing next to him as if she is concerned about Sagami.

"Then, they indirectly told me to quit..."

"What?! That's going too far!"

In an instant, I felt several gazes directed at me. Oh dear, don't stare at me like that! It'll make me think you like me!

The ability to detect mocking and contemptuous glances is standard equipment for a lone wolf. A lone wolf is someone who stands against the entire world; daily life itself is a battlefield. This skill is acquired to protect one's life and spirit. The principle is similar to a martial arts master's ability to sense a person's presence and killing intent. Yet, it seems somewhat different. Completely different?

If you know in advance, you can prepare accordingly. The same applies to rain outside. If you know it's going to rain, preparing an umbrella isn't difficult. Although even with an umbrella, you might still get wet.

"Although it's their fault that things weren't handled very well, but—"

"That's not how it is at all, the mistake is clearly—"

The Sagami low-pressure system is currently exerting its influence and is continuing to grow stronger, seemingly attempting to expand its affected area to other places and beginning to attack passersby.

"Wow—seriously—the rain is insane! The floor in front of the cafeteria is completely soaked."

The target of the attack was the Ministry of Revenue. It seems he probably lost a bet, so he was in charge of buying lunch for everyone; he was carrying a lot of bread in his hands.

His attitude was as frivolous as usual, and as he passed the front of the classroom, he was swept up in the low-pressure atmosphere.

"Hey, Mr. Revenue. Have you heard about that?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Hobu stepped forward to listen, the paper bag full of bread rustling in his hand. The girl leaned close to Hobu's ear... Huh? Hobu, your face is a little red. Could it be that she's saying something completely innocuous like, "Actually, I like Hobu"? That damn girl...

Just as I was staring intently at Tobe with my Mystic Eyes of Death Perception (Note 39, a special ability that appears in "Tsukihime" and allows one to see the death of things), he suddenly leaned back sharply and slapped his forehead.

"Wow, I knew it! It's way bigger than a penguin—"

"Hey, hey! Mr. Hubu, your voice is too loud..."

I thought a theatrical version of "Love Story of the Tobe" was about to suddenly appear, but it seems there's no need to worry, because the topic of conversation is still me. As the center of attention, I'm just too popular!

"Sorry—but it's even more outrageous than a penguin, it doesn't even cooperate with people—"

Ugh, you're bringing up old grievances again... Don't you guys get tired of talking about the same things over and over again? Oh well, once someone makes a mistake, they'll be endlessly criticized and ridiculed forever, so there's nothing we can do about it. But, people who keep repeating the same topics can be disliked, you know?

The Ministry of Revenue seemed to intend to join their conversation, placing the paper bag on the table.

Is this alright? Wasn't that lunch someone asked you to buy?

Just as I was thinking this, it happened exactly as I expected.

A series of clicking sounds, like fingernails tapping on a table, rang out. It seemed that a surge of extremely high pressure was rushing towards the center of the low-pressure system.

I glanced back and saw Miura looking displeased. Her wide eyes seemed to burn with intense flames. That's why I said you were scary…

"Hey, hey—! Ministry of Revenue, hurry up—"

Yuihama noticed Miura's impatience and quickly waved to Tobu. Tobu, noticing her, immediately waved back.

"Ah, I'll be right there—sorry, someone's calling me, so I'll have to go now—"

"Ah, oh."

The low-pressure system unexpectedly released Hubu. Was it because it didn't matter if the person she was complaining to wasn't Hubu, or because she saw Miura behind Hubu and avoided the situation? Probably both. However, this attitude only made Miura more unhappy.

"Sorry—"

As he spoke, the Ministry of Revenue placed the bread pieces one by one on the table. Some of Hayama's group expressed their gratitude, while others greeted him with "Thank you for your hard work." Only Miura seemed rather displeased, her eyes narrowing.

"too slow."

Although Miura made no attempt to hide her frustration, her mood seemed to gradually calm down as she reached for the bread. She picked up a chocolate spiral bread and gave a defiant "humph" laugh. She was probably just hungry, wasn't she?