My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 248

"Could you please stop calling me that?"

Yukinoshita brushed her hair aside and glared at me coldly. Komachi seized the opportunity to interject:

"That's right, brother should address 'Yukino' properly."

"Uh... well, I really can't say it... it would be life-threatening."

This suggestion was so terrifying that I only dared to utter the last few words. I cautiously looked away, and Yukinoshita followed suit, turning her face away as well.

"No, that's right... I'm also bothered by him calling me that."

"Excuse me, are you done yet?"

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed, interrupting our conversation, so I didn't hear what Yukinoshita said at the end.

The teacher cleared his throat, building up the atmosphere, before speaking:

"...The last question is a chance for a major comeback, a Hammer chance (Note 25 is from the Japanese TV show 'Million Dollar Quiz Hunter,' where the Golden Hammer is a game item)!"

"Ooh ooh ooh!"

The wood base inexplicably reacted to the last word.

The teacher ignored it and went ahead with explaining the rules.

"Use this golden hammer to answer the last question correctly and you'll get 10,000 points!"

"What was the point of answering all those questions before...? I desperately answered so many questions correctly, and now I look like an idiot. Strange, is this a microcosm of life?"

Accumulating effort bit by bit does not guarantee eventual success. There are also numerous examples of plans being disrupted due to pulling strings, using special channels, a sudden whim of higher-ups, or budget cuts.

And just like that, I inadvertently glimpsed another truth about this world...

However, that's precisely why I absolutely cannot lose here. For me, as long as I can win easily and enjoyably, I won't care how despicable, shameless, vile, dirty, or filthy the rules of the game are; but if there are unfair rules that benefit others, I will rise up and fight back.

The wood support seemed to sense my ambition and raised its fist at me.

"Hachiman, it's up to you. Goldion Hammer (Note 26, from the anime 'King of Heroes')!"

"Oh, oh... it should be Golden Hammer."

Is this okay? Is it really alright? Although it's true that a problem isn't a problem until it becomes a problem. Anyway, the question that Hiratsuka-sensei will read next is more important.

After a long competition, we're finally entering the final question, and this one will determine our victory or defeat. To be more precise, regardless of the previous scores, turning the tide with this one question shouldn't be a problem. Is that really okay?

"According to a survey of 100 female high school students in Chiba Prefecture, what is your number one date spot?"

I waited patiently until the teacher read out the keywords before cautiously pressing the answer bell.

Ringing the bell at this time is perfectly fine; it ensures I gain the upper hand. Based on the concept of "first come, first served," I am destined for victory.

The next step is to arrive at the correct answer before the thinking time runs out.

Although the teacher emphasized "within Chiba Prefecture" at the beginning, in reality, high school girls don't differ depending on their location; they're not Pokémon.

Furthermore, they are creatures keenly aware of trends, enjoying fashion and keeping up with all sorts of fads. Therefore, in this question, the restriction of "within Chiba Prefecture" is merely a pretext and is actually meaningless.

Moreover, I can glean insights into the preferences of the women who specifically chose to stop and be interviewed from the phrase "dating spots." To put it simply, the very act of interviewing these women clearly implies that they are proponents of romance.

To explain further, the condition of "high school girl" implies youth and naivety, which can also be interpreted as innocence and longing for adults.

Based on the above conditions, what kind of answer can be derived...?

I've seen the ending! But the answer is a little hard to say...

"...My boyfriend's house..."

The sound of a wrong answer rang out mercilessly.

The scene fell into silence.

Everyone looked at each other, then began to discuss quietly.

"This answer is surprisingly serious..."

Yuihama murmured awkwardly, wishing she could turn around and run away.

Ms. Hiratsuka seemed to be concerned about me and asked gently:

"...Hachiman, was that your own wish?"

"That delusion felt quite real, it's so sad."

The snow falls, delivering the final blow.

If you think about it from a different perspective, the kaishakunin (Note 27: the person who beheads the person committing seppuku in the ritual to help them be released as soon as possible) is actually a form of gentleness, right?

"Damn it, this is so embarrassing... Kill me! Just kill me already!"

Just when I was feeling hopeless about the world, Totsuka and Zaimokuza offered words of comfort.

"Hachiman, it's okay. We can see you're thinking very seriously, and girls will be happy to hear that!"

"That's right. I often fantasize about a lot of things too, and there's nothing shameful about it."

"Yes, that makes sense. It's not surprising at all for a boy!"

Totsuka is practically an angel; I really want to invite him over. But Zaimokuza, your fantasies are a little unsettling!

Rather, the moment I realized that I belonged to the same category as the woodworker, my mood immediately became heavy, and I couldn't help but think, "I really am like this."

Just then, Komachi walked over with a smile and patted my shoulder lightly.

"It's okay, what's wrong with that? Komachi is still at home, and saying that will earn you points."

"Don't comfort me, don't look at me with pity, and don't just focus on boosting your own image! What you said makes me seem even more pathetic..."

With Komachi still at home, doesn't that mean he'll end up with his girlfriend being his younger sister, and they'll be dating every day? Is this some kind of anime set in Chiba (Note 28 refers to the light novel "Oreimo")?

I was attacked mercilessly, my health points were reduced to zero, and I even heard Zero Requiem (Note 29, from the anime "Code Geass R2"). However, this was not the end.

"Since the boys' group didn't answer correctly, the golden hammer will now belong to the girls' group."

Our golden hammer was ruthlessly confiscated, and the chance to turn the tide fell into the opponent's hands. Those who miss their chance will encounter a series of misfortunes; this is the way of the world.

Next, it was the girls' turn to attack.

"It's up to you, Yuihama-san."

"Go Yui-neechan!"

Yukinoshita knew very well that she couldn't answer the question, so she placed her hopes on Yuihama, who was more likely to answer it correctly. Komachi also clenched her fist and cheered her on loudly.

"Okay, sure..."

With the feelings of both of them in mind, Yuihama nervously pressed the answering bell.

"Hmm... the answer is... Tokyo Disneyland!"

The next moment, a bell announced the winner descended from the sky.

× × ×

After the amusement park returned to its bustling state, the noise was even greater than before.

"The results of the match are now announced!"

Komachi shouted cheerfully, then, just like before the competition began, clapped and cheered excitedly for a while. Then, she stepped aside, giving her place to Ms. Hiratsuka. The teacher nodded and announced with a smile:

"The girls' team won with 10,003 points."

"I can't accept this..."

...Forget it, complaining won't change the outcome. No matter when or where, the world is always so cruel and absurd, and the value of hard work is not even comparable to a miracle.

Therefore, the losers can only cheer for the winners who successfully summon miracles, and this behavior is undoubtedly the best proof of "the losers create the winners".

Amid our applause, the girls excitedly discussed the details of the punishment game.

"We won the competition thanks to Yui-neechan, so we'll leave the decision of the punishment to Yui-neechan."

"Yes, that makes sense. I just need to win the game to achieve my goal; there's nothing else I particularly want to do."

Komachi and Yukinoshita both relinquished the decision-making power, leaving Yuihama bewildered. She rarely had the opportunity to make decisions on her own, and being suddenly asked to do so left her mind blank.

"Huh? But I also..."

She racked her brains. Just then, Komachi crept up to her.

"Yui-neechan, Yui-neechan, may I speak to you in private?"

"Hmm? What's up?"

Yuihama looked at Komachi with a puzzled expression.

"So it is, so it is, and so it is..."

"...Um, um...Eek...Oh, this is so embarrassing..."

As Yui listened, her ears suddenly turned bright red, wondering what Komachi was saying to her.

After confirming that they had finished their discussion, Ms. Hiratsuka turned to us and said:

"Now, let's announce the details of the penalty game."

The teacher gestured to Yuihama with her eyes.

"That...that...the autistic guy..."

Yui paused for a moment, and I waited quietly for her to continue.

She took a few deep breaths, adjusted her breathing, and then looked up at him.

"...Let's go play together again next time."

This sentence seemed to be a tentative step into my territory—no, perhaps only half a step; in terms of actual length, it was at most a few centimeters; in words, it was "there is still room."

At this moment, the ambiguous distance between us acts as a buffer zone to prevent friction and wear and tear. Therefore, I am able to maintain a certain distance and respond to her expectations.

"...Okay, well, who told me this was a punishment game?"

That's right. Since it's a punishment game, I have no choice but to obey.

This is the sin that the loser must bear and the punishment that must be accepted. Therefore, going out with her again like today should be within an acceptable range.

Upon hearing my answer, Yui finally breathed a sigh of relief, shrugged her shoulders, and flashed a bright smile. This made me feel embarrassed, and I quickly turned my face away.

Where my gaze lingered, I saw Komachi nod in satisfaction, a look that truly infuriated me.

I've long seen through her thought process and know exactly what she's planning. That's why I simply can't bring myself to be angry with her. It's a truly complex feeling.

As I scratched my head, wondering what to do next, a voice came from the sky.

"Well, okay! Let's play together next time!"

The voice was soft and gentle, like an angel's bra (Note 30: a bra brand launched by Triumph)... no, it was like an angel's feather.

Upon hearing this, Komachi froze and turned to look at the source of the sound.

"……Um?"

Ahead of her, Totsuka walked over happily with light steps. Then, responses of "Oh~", "Okay", and "I'm free" came from all around.

"Huh? To-Totsuka-nii-chan? Komachi meant 'play together' this time, not 'everyone'..."

Komachi quickly tried to insert herself between me and Totsuka, but a huge black figure suddenly appeared and blocked her way.

"Hmm! Well then, I'll go with you too—I-I just said I'd go out with you, don't-don't misunderstand, Hachiman!"

"You're overthinking it. How could I possibly misunderstand you?"

What is this guy, Zaimuza, up to... I'm completely defeated by him.

Yuihama also smiled helplessly and said:

"It feels a little different from what I originally thought... but it's okay, I'm happy this way too."

After she finished speaking, she turned back and smiled at Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita understood the message hidden in that smile, so she sighed softly and nodded gently.

"Okay. Although I'm not good at getting along with people, I'll still hang out with you when I have time if you don't mind."

Yuihama Miyuki looked at him with tender eyes and happily hugged him.

"Okay! It's a deal! I love Yukino the most!"

"Wait a minute, could you not stand so close? I said I'd wait until I had time..."

Yukinoshita twisted her body, trying to break free from Yuihama's embrace, but Yuihama showed no intention of letting go. Hiratsuka-sensei, on the other hand, stared at the two of them with a gaze that seemed to be looking into the distance.