My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 231

Upon hearing this, Totsuka covered his mouth and chuckled softly.

"Hehe, really? Besides, I'm a guy too."

He tilted his head, closing the distance between us, and looked me up from below. This was clearly a test, and I was momentarily speechless. Then, the lumber carrier also turned and stared at me. "What are you doing?"

"That's right! Hachiman, he's so cute, how could he be a girl!"

"Ugh! That's right, Totsuka is definitely a boy... Damn it..."

Seeing that we were chatting idly, Professor Hiratsuka came over and picked up a box of MG Gundam to examine it carefully.

"It's Gunpla. I heard that girls have started playing with these things recently... Maybe in the future, playing with models will become a factor in attracting the opposite sex."

"Really? Komachi seems a little interested too... Kirara☆ (Note 76: Kirara's catchphrase from *Gundam Build Fighters*. Voiced by the same person as Komachi.)"

Komachi's eyes lit up, and Hiratsuka-sensei gave a provocative smile.

"Oh? Hachiman, wanna have a Gunpla duel?"

Sparks flew between the two, and then, for some reason, Yukinoshita also took a step forward.

"Since we're going to compete, there's no reason to lose."

"He usually seems unmotivated, but the moment he hears about a competition, he perks up immediately. This guy is just too competitive..."

That said, how exactly is the Gunpla duel supposed to go...? It's about whose model has a higher level of completion? Despite her inner turmoil, Komachi seemed completely unconcerned about who won or lost; she simply had boundless energy. She flashed a smug smile, pointing towards Hiratsuka-sensei and Yukinoshita.

"Hehehe, no problem! Komachi accepts the challenge! If you beat Komachi... you can get your brother as a prize!"

"oh--"

Ms. Hiratsuka's gaze sharpened as she looked at Komachi. This was bad; she was serious!

"...Wait, Komachi? Don't make it sound so nice. You just want to get rid of this troublemaker, okay? Let me make it clear, it's like—"

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

Before I could finish speaking, Yui interrupted me. Seeing how anxious she was, I couldn't help but look at her.

"Oh, that's... not really a good idea..."

"Ah... I should say..."

We met eye contact, then immediately looked away.

"..."

"..."

Then, no one spoke again. What's going on? I feel like dying... Komachi also noticed Yimeng and looked me and Yuihama up and down.

"Oh? Oh? This atmosphere, which has never appeared before, could it be...?"

Her eyes grew brighter and brighter. "Ugh, don't look at your brother like that!" At that moment, Zai Muza, who was watching from a distance, spoke up with little interest.

"Hachiman—have you guys had enough? I want to choose Gunpla—"

"Huh? Oh, right. I'll go take a look too."

I hurried toward the timber shed. As I left, I heard Komachi click her tongue behind me.

"Tsk, that chuunibyou... he actually ruined things when the atmosphere was just right..."

"Hmm, looks like the match will have to be postponed. Well then, let's look around."

"That's what Mr. Hiratsuka said. So, everyone started looking for their own things in the Toys"R"Us."

Zaimokuza and Totsuka were looking at Gunpla. I stood next to them and sighed.

"I'm exhausted..."

"Ah, Hachiman, would you like to choose something too?"

Totsuka noticed my appearance, turned around and spoke.

"I'm not very familiar with the latest models, so I probably wouldn't be able to assemble them even if I bought them..."

"Don't worry. Everyone is free to be creative in how they assemble the Gunpla!"

Totsuka spoke enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling. His smile was dazzling…

"Now that you mention it, I suddenly really want to build one... So, let's choose this one..."

I compared several models and chose the one that looked best to me. When the woodworker saw the model I had chosen, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh—are you sure you want to choose that? You really won't regret it?"

"W-What's wrong? Is it not okay?"

I looked at the timber stand in confusion, but his answer was the same as no answer at all.

"Actually... it's not impossible. I won't force you if you really want it... but..."

"So annoying... So you otaku... Enough already, this is it. I'm going to use this machine... to become a super pilot (Note 77 alludes to the character Asimusno from *Mobile Suit Gundam AGE*. His voice actor is the same as Hachiman's)!"

Seeing that I had made up my mind, the wood carrier struck a cool pose.

"Heh, interesting. In that case, I'll repay you tenfold with this machine that shines in the storm (Note 78: 'Shines in the Storm' is the theme song for the anime 'Mobile Suit Gundam 08 MS Team')."

The two stared at each other, a sly smile playing on their lips. The next second, Yui clapped her hands a few times and came over to interrupt our standoff.

"Okay, stop—we don't know who will get the gifts we choose now, so please reconsider."

"Hmm, that makes sense..."

I obediently put the models I had chosen back on the shelf with Zai Muza. According to Yui Hama, we should choose Gunpla that is more acceptable to the average person—I came to this conclusion and was about to pick up another box of models when she stopped me again.

"Stop, choose again—each person can only choose one gift!"

"You're my mom..."

Komachi stood at a distance, observing the miserable state of us boys. She thought for a moment, humming in agreement, then tapped her palm and spoke:

"If we stay here with them picking things out, we might not have time to buy other gifts. How about we let them explore freely from now on?"

"Yes, that's fine too."

Totsuka expressed his approval, and Yuihama also raised her hand in agreement.

"No problem—everyone, after you've bought your cakes, please meet in front of the cake shop!"

"Okay, see you later."

After Yukino finished speaking, everyone dispersed.

...Now it's time for me to pick out a gift.

× × ×

I left Toys "R" Us and wandered aimlessly through the shopping center. Although there were all sorts of shops, I couldn't find anything I liked even after glancing inside. And every time I looked, a salesperson would immediately come over to try and sell something, so I had to quickly leave.

I finally found a department store where the staff didn't actively try to sell me anything. I looked around for ages, but I still had no idea what to choose.

"Sigh, choosing a gift is so hard... especially for someone indiscriminately... It has to be something that won't become a burden no matter who it's given to, and it also has to be somewhat practical. It's just too difficult..."

I muttered to myself (a special skill) while trying to organize my thoughts. Just then, a figure appeared behind me.

"Hmph, looks quite troubled—"

"Oh, it's you, Komachi. I'm certainly having a lot of troubles right now."

I turned my head and saw Komachi looking very proud of herself, raising her finger and saying:

"In situations like this, it's best to choose consumables."

"Consumables?"

What is that? Oh my god? That's a fire truck. Seeing I didn't understand, Komachi added:

"Yes, things that don't leave a physical form are less burdensome, and they're also easier to throw away."

"I-Is that so... it's based on the premise of throwing it away...?"

What this person said was pretty scary... but I roughly understand it now. Simply put, you should choose things that will be gradually consumed and reduced after use, such as snacks, tea, and daily necessities. As Komachi said, these things can be easily disposed of.

Komachi continued.

"The jewelry and other things worn on the body seem a bit too expensive."

"How terrifying... My sister is showing me her feminine side... Anyway, I'll look for her."

"Okay, good luck! See you later!"

"learn."

She had probably found her target. After saying goodbye, she left me behind and ran out. I slightly raised my hand, watched her leave, and then scratched my head.

"Things worn on the body are too expensive, right...that makes sense."

If the gift is too valuable, the recipient will likely have a headache.

"Alright, let's get serious. A gift that will make Totsuka happy, a gift that will make Totsuka happy—"

I roused myself and went into a nearby shop.

× × ×

This shop seemed relatively quiet inside the crowded shopping mall. I walked in and looked around for a while.

This place also sells daily necessities, with a wide variety of items on the shelves, including decorations, trinkets, and tableware. In terms of variety, it is sure to satisfy.

However, having too many options can make it difficult to know where to begin. This is only natural. I am currently in this predicament.

"Sigh... what should I buy... I've been looking at all these things and I still have no idea what's suitable..."

I was muttering to myself. The person on the other side of the shelf heard me and spoke up:

"Oh, you're an autistic guy. You're picking out gifts at the household goods store too?"

"Hmm? Yuihama. I'm here to pick out a gift too, but I don't know what exactly counts as household items."

I put some strangely Asian-looking object, whose purpose was unclear, back on the shelf. Yui looked at it, gave a wry smile, and walked over to me.

"Yeah. It feels like I could give anything as a gift, so I don't know what to choose..."

"Giving anything as a gift is actually quite dangerous. Choosing something with a specific definition for the individual as a gift will most likely not end well."

It's not just gifts; things where consensus hasn't been reached are also potential sources of conflict. In situations like these, we need to build win-win relationships through consensus in grand design. Wow! I feel like I've become an elite!

"Don't overthink it. The sentiment is the most important thing. Isn't it a happy thing to know that someone cares about you? That's why I say you can choose anything."

Yuihama poked her index finger and spoke her innermost thoughts. Indeed, I can understand the principle that "the heart is the most important."

However, what value do unspoken feelings and words truly hold? Besides, I don't believe that anything can be accepted simply because there is sincerity.

I let out a soft sigh.

"Anything is fine, but making a decision is the hardest thing... Like if you received a Gunpla model, you probably wouldn't know what to do with it either, right?"

When I asked Yui Hama that question, she blinked several times and secretly looked away.

"Hmm... As for me... I might be a little... worried about what kind of person the other person thinks I am..."

"Isn't that right? Giving a gift is not the point; it should not lead the recipient to have other ideas. Therefore, whether the giver likes it or not, they should choose the gift carefully."

If the recipient, after receiving the gift, remained silent for a few seconds before forcing a smile and saying thank you, I'd probably feel like dying. I imagined this scenario as I rummaged through the shelves with a gloomy mood. Then, Yui suddenly smiled.

"You always take things seriously in strange ways... Well then, I'll take choosing a gift seriously too."

"Yes, you'd better be serious. You never know who will end up with the gift."

"yes."

We kept picking up cutlery or small items, glancing at them a few times, and then putting them back on the shelf. After a while, Yuihama spoke up, somewhat embarrassed.

"...But I really hope you get the gift. I haven't even properly reciprocated the birthday present you gave me..."

"what?"

It took me a few seconds to realize what she meant—I gave Yui a gift on her birthday. Although it felt like a long time had passed, it was only about half a year ago. Besides, I was just using her birthday as an opportunity to erase the sadness caused by my misunderstanding with that gift.

"Oh—but that's not what I meant by giving the gift, you don't need to take it to heart. I originally intended to give that gift as a thank you. Going back and forth like this will only go on forever."

I'm afraid I only came up with this theory for my own sake. I can't think of any other theory right now, so this is the only way I can tell her.

Yuihama didn't look over, and murmured softly:

"I think it's okay if things continue like this..."