My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 273

"How can I help you?"

Did you have a fight with your sister?

Yang ignored my question and went on to ask another completely unrelated one. I don't know if Komachi said something to her, or if she sensed something was wrong. Those two sisters have been arguing for so many years, and it really paid off. But every time I watch you two argue, my stomach hurts terribly. Please, have some mercy, just stop arguing!

"Compared to you, we are nothing."

I replied sourly, and Yang Nai laughed happily.

"Haha, I get it."

"And how do you know Komachi's phone number?"

"Didn't we meet at the monjayaki restaurant on the last day of the school anniversary celebration? That was during our exchange program."

I see… that was indeed their first meeting and conversation. They exchanged phone numbers so familiarly on their first meeting; I never imagined my sister's social circle had expanded so much. Wait a minute, doesn't that mean she knows the contact information for more people I know than I do?

"Let's not talk about that. I heard that someone specially invited you, but you didn't go. Is that really a good idea?"

"I wasn't invited..."

What is she thinking? She specifically called to tell me to face reality? And, Ye Shan actually went to her to discuss it... Please don't go to such lengths...

I began to think about how to sincerely explain that I had not been invited. At that moment, the voice on the other end of the line softened.

"Didn't Hayato invite you? Just accept his invitation."

"Forget it, how could I possibly go..."

If I go, their trip will definitely be ruined. While those two girls wouldn't actually give me a hard time in front of Hayama, they'd find another way, subtly trying to make me think, creating an atmosphere of "You really don't need to force yourself—there'll be other opportunities," so I'd give up on my own. What's going on? Isn't this exactly what I experienced at my class reunion?

"Why not? Isn't it romantic to go on a date with a girl you used to like? Hehe~"

Yang couldn't resist teasing me a bit.

I wouldn't call that "liking".

Which one wouldn't you call "like"?

Without a second thought, I answered, and Yang Nai countered without a second thought. Regarding this question, I've thought it through carefully since junior high, and there's no need to rack my brains anymore. I answered fluently:

"Imposing one's wishes on another person, or simply misunderstanding the situation, cannot be considered genuine feelings."

Because the other person takes the initiative to talk to you and cares about you, you unconsciously start to care about them and think that they are interested in you. In the end, it turns out that you were completely misunderstanding. You just liked the fact that "the other person likes you".

This selfish way of thinking is completely different from romantic love.

The act of "confessing" and labeling someone as "liked" is merely defining that kind of feeling. So, what is true feeling like? I'm not sure I can answer that question, especially not today.

A sigh came from the receiver.

Yang Nai pondered silently for a long time, then let out a soft chuckle. Even though I couldn't see her face, I could easily imagine her now raising the corners of her mouth in a bewitching smile.

She said it clearly to me:

"You're practically a rational monster."

"What is that? I'm not that."

The title sounded pretty cool, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Isn't that right? Otherwise... a self-aware monster would be better."

Her voice this time was devoid of laughter. I knew she was quite serious.

Because of this——

Incredibly, I was surprisingly able to accept it.

There truly exists an incurable self-awareness within me. This self-awareness is so strong that it might even try to deny its own inherent self-awareness. It's like the monster imprisoned deep within a labyrinth in mythology. If I remember correctly, that monster was eventually killed by a hero (Note 19 refers to the "Minoan Labyrinth" in Greek mythology. Minos imprisoned his half-man, half-bull son deep within the labyrinth, and was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus).

Just as I was about to fall into deep thought, Yang Naiming's bright voice pulled me back to reality.

In short! You absolutely must attend the appointment, you understand?

"But I wasn't feeling well that day..."

Even when her mind isn't on the phone, her mouth still answers automatically. It's automatic (Note 20: from Utada Hikaru's song "Automatic").

"So I changed it to Friday for you. You're too lazy to go out on your day off, right?"

Unexpectedly, the enemy was no pushover either. Yang quickly rejected my reasoning. Wait a minute, how did she know what I said? Did she hear it from Hayama? Also, why was this person able to make decisions on her own?

"Me too on Friday..."

"...You've already gone out with Yukino, don't forget about Hihama too."

I recall what happened in early summer this year, and during the summer vacation.

I don't know why, but I happened to run into Yang Nai both times I went out. She probably really has that kind of luck.

Only a very small percentage of people find that one interesting thing after another happens around them, and can only explain it as "divine favor."

However, those two times could hardly be considered dates.

I don't know the correct way to address you. Anyway, I'll just say what comes to mind first.

"...That was just going shopping and running errands."

"This is just a trip for fun. Besides, you're just Hayato's companion, walking the same paths as them."

After she said that, I didn't know how to refute her. If I were to give "going out for fun" any special meaning, I would definitely have to find a special meaning for things like going shopping with Yukino and running errands for Komachi with Yuigahama.

All I could manage were muffled "uh-uh-uh" sounds as Haruno continued her attacks.

Or... are you secretly hoping for something?

"How is that possible?"

I couldn't possibly have any expectations. After I replied, a cheerful laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"So, is everything alright now? Besides, Hayato doesn't usually beg or ask for favors."

"Really? I've noticed he often asks people for favors."

"But he didn't bow his head. He actually has a very high sense of pride."

really?

"If you don't take it, I'll come to your house and drag you away that day!"

Could it be that you're my childhood friend? And you even know where I live? That's terrifying! So, the Yukinoshita sisters and Hayama are indeed childhood friends.

As my thoughts drifted elsewhere, Yukino had already hung up the phone. This person is truly domineering and unreasonable, only allowing herself to speak and ignoring what others say. However, if she weren't domineering and unreasonable, she wouldn't be Yukino Yukinoshita.

After the call ended, I followed Komachi's instructions and put my phone back on the table. Although I could go directly to Komachi's room to return the phone, her attitude towards me would most likely remain the same. Besides, Komachi had just said she was going to sleep, so calling her now probably wouldn't get a response—even if she was just pretending to be asleep.

I'm getting a little tired from talking on the phone.

I was about to back onto the sofa, but I stopped abruptly.

If I really collapse again, I might just fall asleep like last time. It's better to go back to my room while I'm still awake.

Moreover, this makes it easier for Komachi to come out and get her phone.

I deliberately made a loud noise opening and closing the door as I left the living room, went back to my room, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

Although it was just a formality, I was still pushed to go on a trip with the girls. Not only that, but it also included people I had confessed my feelings to in the past.

That being said, I didn't have any particular thoughts. I was just maintaining an existence that was even less noticeable than air, silently waiting for time to pass, like a part-time worker holding up a sign on the street. That was a job where you just stood there, and when the time was up, you got paid.

Friday is the same. At best, I'm just a guest, an accessory to Hayama. My presence is less noticeable than the pickled food in the bento box, not even comparable to the green plastic sheet in the sushi box. Of course, I can't possibly transform into a dragon demon and launch Durona (Note 21: The green plastic sheet in the sushi box is originally called "artificial baran". The dragon demon is Balan, a character from "Dragon Quest: Dai's Great Adventure", pronounced "baran", and can use the dragon aura spell "Durona").

× × ×

Until the day of the agreed-upon trip with Hayama and the others, I received no further notification. But there was nothing I could do; it's our fault for not exchanging contact information… I really am just an accessory. The only accessories that get treated so casually, besides myself, are probably food additives.

I went to school as usual, blending in with the surrounding air as usual, and went into the classroom to sit in my seat.

As usual, Hayama sat at the back of the classroom, surrounded by his friends such as Tobe, Miura, and Yuihama, chatting with them. No one would guess that he was going to go out with girls from other schools after school.

He's probably used to these kinds of dates by now, but I, the mere appendage, have been restless, wondering when he'll finally let me know...

My unease was palpable, which alerted Hayama. He got up and moved among the desks, eventually walking to my seat.

He first selected words in his mind, without speaking immediately. However, what he finally said was very concise.

"When do we set off today?"

What kind of question is that...? Are you planning to go together with someone?

What about your club activities?

Today is a weekday, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Hayama will have to stay and lead the club activity. He's not going to make me wait until the activity is over, is he? Absolutely not.

He answered with complete ease:

"We're suspending classes once today. So many people use the playground, we sometimes have to close the school."

Soubu High School's playground is not large. In addition to the soccer club, other clubs such as baseball, track and field, and rugby also compete to use it, so it is not unreasonable for classes to be suspended occasionally.

"Oh, oh... then let me know the meeting point when the time comes."

In any case, we don't need to travel together for the entire journey from school to Chiba; we can just meet at the designated meeting point.

Besides, I didn't want to dwell on this for too long. Yui was also glancing at the two of us, and I wanted to end the conversation quickly.

Ye Shan seemed unwilling to keep me waiting, so he readily gave in and took out his phone.

"Okay... then at least leave me your contact information, okay?"

"it is good."

I took out a handout and wrote my phone number on the blank back. When I'm at home, I often toss my phone around, until I can't even find it myself, and I have to call the home phone to look for it. After dialing it a few times, I naturally memorized the number perfectly.

"Just the number? It really does look like you."

Ye Shan chuckled as he entered my number into his phone. "Mind your own business! I don't text anyone anyway; one number is enough to get me anywhere."

"Then, I'll contact you later."

He saved the number, left that message, and went back to his seat. I didn't watch him leave; I just rested my head on my hand and closed my eyes to relax.

There were only nine hours left before I was taken to Chiba for sightseeing. Thinking about this, my mood sank lower and lower.

It looks like today is destined to be a gloomy day.

× × ×

After the pre-dismissal tutoring session ended, I was the first to leave the classroom.

The meeting point was in front of the large electronic display screen at Chiba Station. It was likely that Orimoto and the others would take the train there, so it was easier to find them there.

However, it's not a place suitable for staying for long.

I headed straight to Chiba after school, so I arrived more than an hour before the agreed time. I parked my bicycle and went to a coffee shop a few steps away to kill some time.

A cup of coffee inside the window, a street view outside.

The heating from this seat wasn't very strong, but you could feel the outdoor air, making the coffee especially fragrant.

Coffee tastes best on cold days. MAX coffee is delicious all year round, but especially so at this time of year.

As for other brands of coffee, well... of course, they can be delicious sometimes... Sigh, coffee is so bitter.

I put on my headphones and opened my notebook. This coffee shop wasn't upscale, and the customers seemed rather unassuming.

My hands turned the pages of the book, and songs flowed through my ears.

The coffee cup is no longer too hot to handle.

I glanced at my watch on my cuff; there was still some time before the meeting. I started to space out, wondering what to do next. Just then, the streetlights illuminating the twilight streets were suddenly obscured by a shadow.

The glass window made a "click, click" sound.

I turned my head and saw Yukino Yukinoshita waving at me... What's she doing here?

Yang Nai's mouth opened and closed, as if she was trying to say something to me. But of course, I couldn't hear her through the glass, and could only make a confused expression. Yang Nai shrugged and turned to go into the coffee shop.

Observing her objectively through the glass window, I noticed that Yang Nai was someone who easily attracted attention; every man passing by gave her a look that said, "This girl is so cute." Once inside the store, she became the focus of everyone's attention as well.

Yang ordered a coffee at the counter and sat down in the seat opposite me.

What are you doing here...?

That's the question I asked as soon as I opened my mouth.

Yang poured the milk and sugar into a cup and stirred it well with a spoon. Hearing my question, she flashed a wickedly gleeful smile and let out a "hehehe" laugh. Good heavens, this person's smile is darker than coffee…