My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 236

"I'm fine...wait, you don't mean you want to take a bath with me, do you?"

"Huh? But if we don't wash them together, how can we use them together...?"

The two women stared at each other, completely bewildered, for a long while. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd misheard. So, you two are going to shower together tonight—no, wait, don't talk about this in public! It's easy for people to get the wrong idea, you know!

"Hey, Yurihama—no, Yuihama, let's talk about that when you get back... Otherwise, the others will be very..."

Yuihama didn't understand the meaning of what I hadn't said at first. After finally figuring it out, her cheeks gradually turned red.

"Ah... um."

"Yuigahama-san, you big idiot..."

Yukino complained in a barely audible voice. Seeing her cheeks turn as red as an apple, even I started to feel embarrassed... and with Komachi watching with a smile on her face, I wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear.

"Cough cough cough cough splat! Ugh... Why do I feel this eerie atmosphere as soon as I woke up?"

"Ah, is my chuunibyou brother awake? It's okay to sleep a little longer~ Hehe~"

Zai Muza sat up, looking around curiously. Komachi gave him a knowing smile, which felt terrifying…

Anyway, the highlight of the Christmas party, the gift exchange, has successfully come to an end. So, what's next?

"Once the gift exchange is over, there's really nothing left to say about Christmas..."

Yuihama and Komachi listened and started brainstorming. After a while, Komachi made the first proposal.

"Ah! Speaking of Christmas, of course we have to sing Christmas carols!"

"That's right! That's exactly it!"

Yuihama immediately agreed, and Komachi nodded repeatedly.

"And there will never be a better proposal!"

Really? — Not only did I find it hard to believe, but Yukinoshita also frowned.

"Can singing a song really create a Christmas feeling?"

She asked suspiciously. Totsuka thought for a moment and replied:

"Many Christmas songs are very famous; just listening to them can create a festive atmosphere."

"That's right. The theme song can be considered the face of a work, or its very essence! Songs can also depict a scene."

Zai Muza's words made perfect sense, and I nodded repeatedly in agreement. As for Ms. Hiratsuka across from me, she had lifeless eyes and let out a hearty "wahahaha" laugh, as if she had become a cripple.

"Oh, are we going to sing? Yay! Sing, sing! If you don't sing, I'm going to sing 'The Holy Bell'!"

"Is Professor Hiratsuka drunk? We shouldn't have bought any alcohol..."

As Yukinoshita had said, there were no alcoholic beverages at the party. However, Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to be captivated by the atmosphere. Provoked by her teacher, Yuihama grabbed the microphone and stood up from her seat.

"I! I, Yui Yuigahama, will sing—and Yukino Koyuki too."

"Wait a minute, why am I included too..."

When Yuihime handed her the microphone, she was initially reluctant to accept it, but in the end, she couldn't resist her bright smile and reluctantly took it.

"Hello--"

Komachi also played the tambourine to boost their morale.

...Okay. If it weren't for this opportunity, we wouldn't have heard those two sing Christmas carols, so it can be considered a unique Christmas activity.

In that case, this way of spending Christmas might be considered unique to us.

× × ×

A cold wind howled across the road that stretched out from the station.

The Christmas party came to an end, and as the group left the karaoke bar, the sun had already completely set. Compared to the daytime, there were significantly fewer pedestrians on the street.

Christmas is drawing to a close this year. A touch of loneliness hangs in the air on this little street at night.

Yuihama stretched her muscles and bones with all her might.

"Mmm...that was really enjoyable to sing..."

"In the end, it just turned into regular karaoke..."

Ultimately, what exactly is a "party"? — This question was implied in my words. Yuihama was speechless upon hearing this.

"What does it matter? As long as you have fun."

"However, did this truly convey our gratitude to Komachi and the others...?"

Yukinoshita murmured with slight worry. After all, her original purpose was to properly thank Komachi and the others for their help. However, judging from their appearance today, she knew there was nothing to worry about.

"I see everyone is having a lot of fun, isn't that great?"

"Hmm, I hope so. But, autistic guy, are you really sure it's okay for you to walk this part of the way with us? Even though it was Komachi's request, you don't really have to walk us all the way."

"Yes, my house is already up ahead."

Yukino looked ahead down the alley, towards the high-rise building where she lived. It wasn't far from the station to her house, so I didn't need to make a special trip to see her off. It was only after Komachi's strong persuasion that things turned out this way.

"...You still have cake and luggage to take. I don't mind this little thing."

"That really helped us a lot. Besides, there was so much cake that we couldn't finish it all."

"But seeing a whole cake is really amazing, it's like a dream! I really want to take a big bite!"

Yuihama wore an expression of ecstasy, while Yukinoshita simply watched her coldly.

"If you can eat it, there's no problem... but it's very painful."

"Have you tried...?"

As we chatted, we walked out of the park and onto the main road. We were now very close to Xuexia's home.

"Ah, I see Yukino's house."

"Okay. Hachiman, that's enough to drop you off here."

The three people stopped at the zebra crossing.

"Hmm. So, the cake."

"good--"

I handed the cake that I had brought all the way to Yuihama.

"...And you can take these too."

Then, I took two more packages out of the bag.

Yui and Yukinoshita took the package, but couldn't immediately figure out what it was. After a while, Yui suddenly noticed and cautiously confirmed with me:

"This...could it be...a Christmas present?"

"We each have one."

Yukinoshita let out a soft sigh of surprise.

They stared at me with wide, incredulous eyes, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"This... is a return gift for the cup."

I avoided eye contact with them, my gaze drifting elsewhere.

"...Can we start now?"

"Um……"

Yukinoshita spoke hesitantly, and I gave a vague reply. Even though it was winter, my palms sweated as I imagined their reactions to the gift.

Amidst the howling wind, there was the rustling sound of packaging being opened. Then, the two of them exclaimed in unison.

"Wow……"

"It's a hair tie..."

Their voices were warm, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"The two of us make a perfect pair!"

Yui looked back and forth between her own and Yukino's hair ties and said happily.

"Yuigahama's is blue, and mine is... pink? I feel like the colors are reversed."

"Really? I don't think there's a problem..."

If you were to delve into why I made this choice, I myself couldn't explain it. However, it's a conclusion I've reached after careful consideration, and I believe it's sound; you don't necessarily need to fully understand it. Perhaps this is the true essence of gift-giving.

"yes……"

She murmured softly, asking no further questions. Then, she looked up from the hair tie on her hand and smiled.

"Since it's a gift, I'll accept it with gratitude."

"Yes, thank you... I will cherish it."

Yui stared at me, holding the hair tie to her chest. Seeing my gift treated that way, I was so ashamed I couldn't look straight ahead.

"Uh, um. How you use it is up to you..."

I stammered and looked away, just in time to see the red light on the road turn green.

"Well then, goodbye."

I seized the opportunity and urged them to cross the road.

"Okay, goodbye... and goodnight."

Yukinoshita and Yuihama nodded to each other and stepped onto the road together.

After they walked away, I turned around too.

"good……"

I exhaled softly and looked up.

The winter night sky was exceptionally clear, and Orion was clearly visible. Of course, there are many other constellations in the sky, but unfortunately, Orion is the only one I recognize.

There are countless things visible to the naked eye, but we simply haven't come to know them. Will those overlooked things ever be discovered one day?

Under the starlight and streetlights, I took a step forward.

"Hikigaya-san."

"Um?"

Her name came from behind. Turning around, she saw Yukinoshita standing on the zebra crossing. Yuihama had already walked to the other end and was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

Yukinoshita gathered her long hair into a bun and stood there motionless. When her eyes met mine, she gently combed her hair with her hand.

The pink hair accessories adorning it stood out brightly even in the dark.

She stopped what she was doing, hesitated for a moment, and only took a slight breath when the light started flashing before waving her half-open hand at me.

"……Merry Christmas."

"...Oh...um...Merry Christmas."

These words came out of nowhere, and I froze on the spot, but thankfully I was still able to squeeze out a sound.

Yukino chuckled softly, then quickly caught up with Yuihama, who was waiting at the other end.

They walked back together, exchanged a few words, and then Yui waved vigorously in their direction. Her blue hair accessory swayed on her sleeve.

After witnessing this scene, I turned back around.

"Let's go home..."

Strangely enough, even though I walked all day today, I feel light on my feet and can't help but hum a tune.

Night fell quietly, and a cold wind swept across our faces. However, the streetlights, like the faint glow of candles, warmly illuminated the Christmas season that was drawing to a close.

There must be prayers that are hard to convey and wishes that cannot be fulfilled.

At least today, let us exhale these prayers and wishes along with the white mist.

The breath he exhaled will surely ignite someone's candle.

Whether you're alone or in a group, Christmas is here again this year.

Therefore, to everyone—Merry Christmas.