My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 247

"Would you all like to go to the ostrich kingdom?"

"Oh~~"

"Oh~~"

"oh!"

Komachi, Totsuka, and Zaimokuza excitedly raised their hands, while Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, who couldn't keep up, were full of question marks.

"What is the Ostrich Kingdom...?"

"That doesn't sound like something I'd really like to go..."

What? They don't know about the Ostrich Kingdom?

"It's a lot of fun there, and the raw ostrich slices are delicious."

"So ostriches are edible..."

Yui was a little startled. But in fact, ostrich meat is rich in protein, low in calories, and has a refreshing texture, making it really delicious. However, ostrich eggs have a rather peculiar taste.

While my mind was occupied by ostriches, the competition had officially begun, and I heard Mr. Hiratsuka reading out the questions.

"Excuse me, speaking of Chiba's mascot—"

Before the teacher had even finished reading the question, the students in the same group, who were in the same group as the woodworking class, rang the bell to answer.

"Hmm, leave this question to me."

He confidently lifted his coat and pointed forcefully at Professor Hiratsuka—

"...Chiba-kun, the out-of-control crimson rabid dog!"

What's that name...?

Ms. Hiratsuka shook her head, and at the same time, the machine made a regretful "beep beep" sound. The teacher continued reading the next number.

"—Then I thought of Chiba-kun..."

"Hmm, it's a trap!"

The woodworker regretfully rang the answer bell. However, this is basic common sense in riddle games and not a trap at all. The manga "Riddle King" also mentions that each riddle has keywords to clarify the question.

"Wooden base, you..."

I glared at him, and he immediately stuck out his tongue and tapped his head.

"Yay!"

"Tsk, you really infuriate me..." My murderous intent was unmistakable.

Ms. Hiratsuka looked at the two of us helplessly and finished reading the question.

"I'll continue. Speaking of Chiba's mascot, Chiba-kun comes to mind. What color is Chiba-kun?"

I finally figured out what the question was asking, and I quickly pressed the answer button, but unfortunately, Komachi beat me to it by a hair's breadth.

"Komachi knows! The answer is red!"

As soon as Komachi answered correctly, the background lights immediately lit up in a dazzling display, and she happily twirled and danced under the lights. No problem, this question was far too easy; it was just a warm-up.

Komachi and Yuihama happily high-fived, but Yukinoshita murmured to herself:

"Why is it red...?"

"W-what...why is that...?"

Yes, why is Chiba-kun red? Chiba doesn't evoke the color red, and it's impossible for him to turn completely red just because he's full of energy...

I was halfway through my thought when Professor Hiratsuka spoke up:

"Can we move on to the next question? Where is Japan's first artificial coastline located in Chiba Prefecture?"

Oh, this question is a bit difficult, and no one rang the bell for a moment. After a while, Totsuka was the first to ring the bell.

"Hmm... Nine, Ninety-Nine Ri River?"

Beep beep, that's incorrect.

Totsuka apologized to me with his hands clasped together, looking guilty.

"I'm sorry, Hachiman."

"Little firefighter, you're very brave! Besides, you can't possibly give the right answer if you don't answer. Don't worry about it!"

I was about to take the opportunity to hug his shoulder when another figure suddenly appeared between us.

"Hachiman! And me too, I'm pretty powerful too!"

Why is this guy always acting cute lately? Is it because he's noticed Saint Bernards are becoming more popular? Unfortunately, he looks more like a Tosa Inu.

"Okay, okay~ I know, I know~ Leave it to me now."

I quickly dismissed the wood stand and turned back to the arcade machine. To ease Totsuka's guilt for answering the question wrong, I naturally had to redeem him this time.

With complete confidence, I pressed the answering bell. Ding-dong!

When Hiratsuka-sensei saw this, the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Hmm, Hachiman, you give me a try."

"...Inage Beach?"

*Gulp* Someone in the room swallowed hard; that person could be myself. After a brief silence…

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong—the bell rang loudly when I answered correctly, as if cheering for my victory.

"Hmph, as long as it's a question about Chiba, nothing can stump me."

Although I spoke with considerable pride, what kind of obscure question is this? If it weren't for someone like me who loves riddles and deeply adores Chiba, no one would be able to answer it.

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded in satisfaction, then held up the number "one" with both hands.

"Both sides have the same light and score. Let's continue!"

The teacher clenched his fist, and I followed suit, putting my hand on the answering bell and entering battle mode.

"Excuse me, in Chiba, what about local residents—?"

"Katsuura Dandan Noodles!"

"Excuse me, Mr. Fang, what are some of your local snacks?"

"The Dutch House!"

"Excuse me, although you're clearly in Chiba—"

"Tokyo German Village!"

"May I ask, who was the great man of Chiba—?"

"Inoue Tadakatsu!"

I unleashed my full fighting power, relentlessly attacking each problem and scoring several points in a row. My unstoppable momentum caused a stir among everyone present.

"Hachiman is amazing!"

"Hmm, Hachiman, you're the strongest!"

Totsuka clapped and laughed at me, and Zaimokuza patted my shoulder with a proud smile. However, I wasn't that good.

"No, the strongest is not me, it's Chiba, although he's only ranked third in the Kanto region."

The top three, firmly holding their positions as the strongest in the Kanto region, are Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba. Wow, that sounds like third in the whole country! And looking at the name "Makuhari New Metropolitan Center," doesn't Chiba already seem qualified to be a capital?

The boys' team was in high spirits, and everyone believed that we would definitely win; in contrast, the girls' team was in a low mood, and Komachi gritted her teeth in resentment.

"Ugh! As expected of my older brother, his love for Chiba is so heavy..."

"If this continues, we'll lose to the autistic guy and his group..."

This casual remark from Hama caused Yukinoshita, who had previously shown little interest, to react, muttering to herself:

"Lost to...lost to Hachiman-kun..."

She mustered her fighting spirit, opened her eyes wide, and quietly moved her hand to the answering bell.

"Little, Little Yukino is burning..."

Yuihama was intimidated by her domineering presence. Hiratsuka-sensei, who loved this kind of development, smiled and began to read the next question.

"May I ask, what are some well-known local specialties of Tōshi City, Chiba Prefecture?"

I'll take this! Even if Yukinoshita gets serious, it's no use. When it comes to Chiba, this is my home turf, my garden, my warm home. Even if I can't beat her in the regular school exams, here, I absolutely cannot lose.

I pressed the answer bell with absolute confidence.

"Soaked pancakes!"

The moment I answered, Hiratsuka-sensei suddenly smiled.

"—It's a wet pancake..."

"Damn it! I was too careless!"

I was so impulsive that I was so overwhelmed by Yukino's domineering presence that I forgot to think for even two seconds!

"Hmph~" Zaimokuza looked over unhappily. Okay, okay, I know, it was my fault...

I avoided looking at the woodwork stand, and Professor Hiratsuka continued reading the questions.

"What's your most recommended way to eat it?"

"Who would know the answer to that!"

Yuihama cried out in distress, but the person next to her immediately pressed the answering button.

"Leave it to Komachi!"

This is bad... Komachi always eats wet pancakes with me, she must know the answer...

"The answer is to bake it in the oven, then drizzle it with mayonnaise and shichimi togarashi (seven-spice powder) and enjoy!"

Upon hearing this answer, Yuihama's expression scrunched up, and Yukinoshita frowned as well.

"It feels like it's packed with calories..."

"Is it really okay to bake these wet pancakes...?"

Of course, no problem. The flavor of a wet pancake remains irresistible after baking. Although I can't deny that it's high in calories.

The next second, victory music played for those who answered correctly.

"It's still the correct answer..."

Yuihama looked incredulous, but it really was delicious; you'll understand once you try it.

Komachi answered the question correctly and proudly puffed out her chest.

"Tell Komachi any little-known facts about Chiba that no one else would even notice! Only Komachi is willing to listen to her brother talk about Chiba, so she naturally remembers them!"

"My God, these brother and sister are so weird..."

Hey, Ms. Yuihama, don't you think your feelings are a bit too blunt? Besides, we siblings have such a good relationship, what's wrong with that? I was about to express my strong protest, but Hiratsuka-sensei didn't give me the chance and started reading the next question.

"What seafood is caught in Chiba Prefecture with the highest catch volume in the country?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Yukinoshita pressed the answer button with lightning speed.

"lobster."

She confidently gave the answer. Wow, how is that possible? The speed was so fast, it was practically a reflex...

"Yukino, how did you know? You really aren't quite normal!"

Yuihama said that, but it's not really surprising. The question falls under the category of geography, and given Yukinoshita's father's work, she's naturally familiar with Chiba.

That being said, most people still wouldn't know this. Totsuka said admiringly:

"I never imagined that Chiba could catch lobsters, and that it would be the top catch in the country."

"That's right, putting the word 'Chiba' on the lobster's crown is no problem at all."

Lobster is written as "Ise Ebi" in Japanese, so why isn't the region with the highest catch volume in Ise? However, when you think of "Tokyo German Village" in Chiba, it makes sense.

Regardless, this question made me deeply appreciate once again the absurdly high mysterious properties of Yukinoshita.

"Snowy Encyclopedia is really impressive."