My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 245

While I was lost in thought, Totsuka diligently counted on his fingers, listing various game names to arrive at the answer to "What is playing?" His way of thinking—revealing the truth by finding commonalities among different things—was truly commendable. Moreover, the way Totsuka's mouth slightly opened while he was thinking was so innocently adorable that I decided to help him.

"There's also police catching thieves and lightning pudding."

"Aren't they all the same?"

Yuihama opened her mouth wide, looking puzzled. "What?! You always look so clueless, opening your mouth makes you look like an idiot. Close your mouth right now, or I'll throw something in!"

I glanced at Yuihama with dead fish eyes, and Yukinoshita gently patted her shoulder and said:

"Yuigahama-san, you should know that Hikigaya-san has almost no experience playing games with others, which is why he can't think of many games. You should be more understanding."

After Yukinoshita mentioned it, Yuihama realized what was going on and apologized to me with a face full of guilt.

"Ah, so... I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize so formally, it reminds me of my past."

Also, although Yukinoshita seems to be thinking of me, that's not actually the case at all. How can you say something like that with a smile?

"However, my brother never used to go out to play."

"It's so noisy! I'm a new kind of human living in the future!"

Komachi seized the opportunity to reveal my past as a pretty boy—which was actually my past as a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) student.

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita immediately understood and broke into a bright smile.

"After all, you can't run around and play games outside when you're alone. No wonder you're called an autistic guy. 'Your name reflects your personality' is absolutely right. It's a truly profound statement."

Under the snow, you're too naive, as sweet as MAX coffee (Note 20: In Japanese, both naivety and sweetness are written as "甘い"). I'm not saying anything, how could you be that sweet—wait, using MAX coffee to describe it seems a bit too sweet, let's start with Saizeriya's gelato. Also, how can MAX coffee be sweeter than dessert?

"Ha! Don't underestimate lone wolves. Of course you can play running and jumping games by yourself."

"That's right. My brother often plays boxing with the light cord, and he'll even stand at the three-point line and throw his socks into the laundry basket."

Wait a minute, Komachi, why did you say that? Look, Yukinoshita-neechan's expression has gone blank.

"So you're still playing now, huh... Are you an idiot...?"

"I can't figure it out, who taught me to have more and more fun every time I play?"

To be honest, these games are really fun to play, and lately my favorite is throwing with socks. Imagining myself as the guardian angel coming in the ninth inning, throwing a beautiful pitch to end the game, is incredibly satisfying. By the way, the winning pitch is a finger flick.

I had originally planned to explain the entire match in great detail, but considering everyone's reaction, I decided against it. Even Komachi, the only one who truly understood me, wasn't interested in listening and went on to say:

"Well, even if you act like the older brother for now, you'll still have a lot of fun... Okay, let's go!"

“Eh…”

I always felt like she was leading me by the nose with ease.

Halfway through my resistance, Totsuka happily leaned closer and said:

"Um, actually I was planning to go too... I'd be very happy if you came with me."

"Okay, where are we going? What do we want to do? We're not going home until late tonight!"

What?! Couldn't you have said so earlier?! I'm suddenly starting to look forward to it!

"Hmm, your attitude changed so quickly, it was like a super-fast transformation... It's despairingly cool!"

Seeing my excitement, Zaimokuzai gave me a big thumbs up. I almost did the same, but seeing his face, I immediately changed my mind. Thank you, Zaimokuzai.

"Something feels a bit off... but it doesn't matter, everyone go have fun!"

Yuihama was initially not quite comfortable with my interaction with Totsuka, but later she nodded vigorously and clapped her hands happily.

Yukinoshita tilted her head to think again.

"But what should we play? We're already this age, we can't possibly play tag or pretend anymore..."

"What's so strange about that? In real life, people often play house in the classroom."

Frankly, in reality, people assigning roles to each other and striving to act and behave accordingly does resemble playing house. If they do this subconsciously, it might be considered a happy thing; however, if they realize that such behavior has become a fixed routine, it is a very sad thing. That mindset will follow them for life, and only those who share the same feeling will understand. However, it is also because of that feeling that they find it difficult to get along in the long run.

Yukinoshita seemed to understand what I meant, and suddenly laughed:

"Wow, it's rare to hear you say something so insightful. People who are always playing hide-and-seek in the classroom have a different perspective from everyone else."

"It's nothing. I've always been a master at hide-and-seek. In elementary school, I once hid for so long that everyone went home without me noticing."

"This kind of talent is truly pathetic..."

Yukinoshita pressed her temples and sighed helplessly. See? We really can't get along. But the conversation didn't end there; Yuihama continued:

"But you didn't hide yourself very well in class either. Sitting there alone only attracted more attention."

"I'm surrounded by ghosts on all sides..."

Everyone was acting as a ghost, but no one came to catch me... Hachiman knew perfectly well that the classmates in Class 2-F had a great relationship! Except for me.

"Hachiman, don't worry, you still have me, right? Let's quickly think of where to go, okay?"

An angel—ah, I misunderstood, Totsuka's encouragement was like saying, "Hachiman, I've got you!" At that moment, I felt so blissful, as if I were about to attain Buddhahood…

"Hmm, if you don't have any suggestions, how about going to the amusement park? I highly recommend it."

When I was feeling down, I vaguely heard someone's pleasant voice... Regardless of who it was, Totsuka was right, we should decide where to go as soon as possible.

What do you think?

"Ah! An amusement park! So that's what it's like. Okay, okay~ Komachi wants to go to the amusement park!"

Komachi seemed to have thought of something and immediately raised both hands in agreement.

"Yeah, and it's very close to here. When I went with Hachiman last time, we didn't get to play many games."

"Alright, since Totsuka says so, let's go to the amusement park! I won't accept any other opinions."

Totsuka agreed with Komachi's opinion, I agreed with Totsuka's opinion, Yukinoshita and Yuihama also nodded, and had no other opinions.

"Huh? That's strange, wasn't it me who suggested it first?"

Only the woodworker grumbled from behind. I said, "Okay, okay," and pushed his back as the group headed toward the nearby amusement park.

Hooray! I went to the amusement park with Totsuka! I really hope I can take another photo booth picture with him!

× × ×

Amusement parks are a familiar place for high school students. The deafening noise drowns out the playful banter between couples and the teasing and laughter of friends. Being among the crowd can make us feel alone, allowing our minds to find peace. Thanks to the noise, everyone is equally integrated into the space, and even someone like me can find tranquility.

"It's so noisy here... So, what should we play?"

Yukinoshita was unfamiliar with this environment and looked around curiously. I could understand that. The LaLaport amusement park she had visited before was a general-purpose park, featuring fun and relaxing arcade games suitable for the whole family; this amusement park, however, was filled with high-decibel music and cigarette smoke, clearly exceeding the safety standards. This was probably the first time Yukinoshita had ever experienced anything like it.

"Why don't we look around first?"

Staying in one place isn't a solution, so I suggested we go inside and take a walk around.

Halfway through their stroll, Yuihama suddenly noticed something.

"Ah, that seems interesting."

"Wow, it's really good!"

Komachi followed and looked over.

"Hmm, Mahjong Fighting Club..."

"Wow~ I can connect and play against players all over the country."

In recent years, eight or nine out of ten games emphasize online gameplay. However, shouldn't games that focus more on collection elements be more concerned about players who have no friends, or who have nowhere to go even if they actually venture outdoors (Note 21 refers to the 3DS game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons")...?

"Komachi, do you want to give it a try?"

"Yes~ Komachi wants to play in the national tournament with Yui-neechan!"

"No. You guys are too strong, let's just forget about it."

Then there's Yukinoshita's older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, who seems to be very lucky with the tiles; as for that guy named Kawa, he plays with a completely theoretical approach, which must be terrifying. Judging from this, everyone's mahjong skills are super strong! (Note 22: The voice actors for Yuihama, Komachi, Haruno, and Kawasaki all appeared in the anime "Saki." Haruno's voice actress is the same as Teru Miyanaga, who is known for being "lucky with the tiles" in "Saki"; Kawasaki Saki's voice actress is the same as Kazumi Haramura, who plays a completely theoretical character in the same work.)...

Under the snow, who could never know what I was thinking, I stood at a distance, observing the arcade machine.

"Is mahjong a game that girls usually play? I don't really remember..."

"Yeah, mahjong feels like a game for guys. Everyone plays with such masculinity, it's so cool..."

As Totsuka said, people generally have a good idea of ​​what it's like for boys to play mahjong. For example, on the night of a graduation trip, if you just walk into any boy's room, you'll see everyone gathered around the table, engrossed in a game.

I play a little mahjong myself, but my skill level is limited to knowing the "yaku" (winning tiles). I know nothing about scoring or strategy, and I can't find any mahjong partners. But that's okay, I have the computer to play with.

...Oh no, my gaze unconsciously drifted towards that familiar machine, and Komachi, with her sharp eyes, caught it. She grinned mischievously and said:

"Ah, that's the machine my brother always plays. Whenever a player wins, the characters in the game take off their clothes."

"Idiot, shut up! Don't say that in a place like this! What if Totsuka hears you?"

How could you reveal that your brother plays games that are mentally and physically unhealthy, and spread negative comments about him?

If Totsuka starts to hate me, or blushes and says to me shyly, "Well, Hachiman is a boy, there's nothing I can do about it...", how will you compensate me for my loss? I might think of ending it all, or I might even come to love the lewd pleasure of showing innocent little girls uncensored pornographic books (Note 23 is a famous line from the character Machi in Yu Yu Hakusho).

Thankfully, Totsuka didn't hear Komachi's words, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But at that moment, the icy sound beneath the snow pierced my back.

"...Could you please consider my feelings a little?"

Whether she was angry or surprised, she glared at me fiercely, it was terrifying. I quickly looked away, just in time to see Yui waving at me.

"Ah, come and see, there are quite a few girls playing here too...wait a minute..."

I looked in the direction she was pointing and spotted a familiar figure exuding an aura of sorrow.

"Wow~ I'm having such good luck today, I'm really blessed by the God of Cards, but why am I not blessed by men... Oh, here it comes. Pong, Kong, God (Note 24: The Japanese pronunciation of this sentence is the same as "ponkan god"). -- What am I saying~ Hahaha... Ha, ha, sigh..."

The woman sighed deeply, the smoke from her cigarette obscuring her face, but I was absolutely certain I wouldn't mistake her.

"Hiratsuka... teacher..."

Yuihama cautiously asked to confirm.

It seems that after Hiratsuka-sensei ran away from us earlier, he couldn't find anywhere to go, so he decided to play mahjong at the amusement park. Zaimokuza straightened up and placed his hands on his chest as if in mourning, while Totsuka also sadly lowered his eyes.

The once joyful amusement park was suddenly enveloped in a heavy atmosphere of sadness.

Oh my god~~ I really don't want to talk to the teacher!

Just as I was hesitating whether to pretend not to see her or muster the courage to go up and talk to her, Yukino pushed me from behind and said:

"Go quickly, she's your homeroom teacher."

"Stop pushing it away. And please, don't just dump this kind of work on me without my consent, okay?"

When was this decision made? It's because once it starts, it's bound to go on and on, which is why I hate this kind of thing.

As I was pushing and shoving Yukinoshita, I heard someone muttering to themselves from behind.

"A heartbroken single female teacher... Ah! That works for Komachi too! And of course, the more candidates the better..."

I turned my head and saw Komachi counting on her fingers, seemingly calculating something. After she came to a conclusion, she quickly raised her hand and ran over.

"Leave it to Komachi to handle~"

After she finished speaking, she immediately ran to Hiratsuka-sensei's side.

"Her face was full of smiles."

Yukinoshita was right; Komachi was smiling happily, and that smile looked quite familiar.

"Whenever she gives that smile, nothing good ever comes of it..."

"Hmm... I think I can understand that. Haha..."

Yuihama smiled wryly. "I'm so sorry that my sister is always causing you trouble."

"That's right... although that side of her is also cute."

"My sister complex has resurfaced..."

Yuihama gave me a look that said, "I don't know what to say to you." But please don't misunderstand, I just love my younger sister, it's completely different from a sister complex.

Komachi crept up to Hiratsuka-sensei from behind and spoke in a cheerful voice.

"Teacher♪"

"Huh? Whoa! So, it's Hachiman's sister... Is there something you need?"

Ms. Hiratsuka was startled when someone greeted her, causing her to lean back with a clatter. The beautiful curve of her back reminded me of her supple back. I think a leaning back is incredibly suggestive, though that's beside the point.

At this moment, the younger sister had no idea what her brother was thinking. She rubbed her hands together and leaned close to Hiratsuka-sensei, opening up as she began to talk.