My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 276

I think I heard a pitiful voice.

"...She's pretty amazing too."

I couldn't help but voice my most direct feelings. Ye Shan listened and gave a wry smile.

"Yes, I also have a bit of a headache."

"oh--"

What does that mean? Are you showing off to me? — I complained to myself, but then I heard something unexpected.

"I never expected Iroha to act that way towards you..."

"What?" I didn't understand what that meant.

Ye Shan adopted a serious expression.

"...It's not just me; she's used to showing everyone her cute side. She probably has a clear self-image and maintains that image. She must really want to be pampered. So, it's very rare for her to show her true self like that just now."

According to you, doesn't that mean he's acting the way he really is because he doesn't want my favor...?

After Hobe and Iroha disappeared from sight on the escalator, Orimoto and Nakamachi, who had been waiting at a distance, approached them again. They probably didn't want to be third wheels, or they thought it was best not to get close to the bewildered Hobe and the obviously wary Isshiki.

We took the escalator up to the sixth floor and entered the sporting goods store directly in front of us.

"Was that person a friend?"

"Yeah, you're in the soccer club just like me."

Hayama answered Nakamachi's question, and Orimoto casually joined the conversation.

"That's right, that's right! I can feel it!"

Really... I don't think the Minister of Revenue is the type to play soccer. But if you asked me what sport he'd be better suited for, I wouldn't be able to answer either. After all, I simply don't care to know anything about the Minister of Revenue.

He also had little interest in losing money.

"Hayama-kun seems like someone who can play soccer. Have you been playing for a long time?"

Clearly, this is her main point.

"Yes. However, I only started formal practice after junior high school."

Oh? That surprises me a bit. I thought he must have played on a youth soccer team—my expression betrayed my thoughts. Hayama added with a wry smile:

"When I was in elementary school, I was exposed to all sorts of things, not just football."

I nodded instinctively to show my understanding. Why did I react like that? Was I more interested in Hayama than those two girls? Okay, actually, no. Those things don't matter to me at all. I was just bored and got so engrossed in listening.

To cover up my embarrassment, I casually touched the clothes on display and played with the hand grips on the cabinet diagonally opposite.

However, upon closer reflection, Hayama is also a mysterious figure. Although I myself don't particularly want to know about him, he never brings it up himself. This is somewhat similar to Yukinoshita. People in high society are always particularly cautious, aren't they?

Even I, who wasn't particularly interested, listened attentively to what Ye Shan was saying, let alone the two girls.

"Huh? But the junior high school you went to must have been really good, right?"

"That's really bad. Unlike our junior high school, where the clubs are all incredibly weak. Right?"

Zheben turned to me, seeking my permission. Using self-deprecation to elevate the other person is probably a commoner's prudent approach. So, I nodded.

Then, Zheben suddenly remembered something and made an "ah" sound.

"By the way, you didn't participate in any club activities back then, but I think you received praise during the physical fitness test?"

"Um."

Her mention reminded me of the physical fitness tests I had in junior high. These tests involved students measuring each other, so everyone just made up a rough record. In my case, since my group members weren't really keen on the tests either, for more strenuous events like the 20-meter shuttle run, we'd just grab a number out of thin air and fill it in. Thankfully, I managed to get an A. Actually, even if I hadn't slacked off, the grading standards weren't very strict, and getting a good grade wasn't difficult. Quite a few other students in my class also got A grades.

Hayama must feel the same way.

He picked up a tracksuit and said:

"I remember they award medals for the physical fitness test, right?"

As Hayama tried to recall that period, the doors to my memory slowly opened as well.

"That's right, that's right! Before school ended, they gave out medals as a form of recognition, and everyone found it hilarious when he went up to receive his award!"

Orimoto laughed out loud as he recalled the scene. Nakamachi also imagined the scene in his mind and covered his mouth with his hand, chuckling.

Haha, all I can do at times like this is force a laugh.

This kind of thing easily happens when someone who's usually unremarkable suddenly does something unexpected. Other examples include reading texts aloud in Mandarin and English classes. This kind of culture, bordering on public jury, is the kind of entertainment only the lower classes enjoy.

"The skis are really nice~" The two girls smiled contentedly and began to choose sportswear suitable for Hayama.

I was watching from two steps away when Hayama quietly approached and said:

"...Your junior high school years were really peculiar."

"It's none of your business."

My junior high school years weren't unusual at all. Most people probably have similar experiences. But if I had to say, Hayama's experience was quite different from most people's.

However, that wasn't what Hayama wanted to say. He shrugged and continued:

"That's not what I meant... Did you like that person in junior high?"

He looked at the losses.

"What type of person do you like? I'm quite surprised."

"Don't mention it again..."

Hayama's lips curled into a smile, as if mocking me. Although he always wore a smile and had a way of getting along with anyone, this was the first time I had ever seen him show such an amusing expression.

Actually, there's no need for him to say it out loud; I know it myself.

If I had to say something, I'd say it was because I was young and naive.

Looking back at myself from a few years ago, it doesn't change the fact that I liked Kaori Orimoto back then and confessed my feelings to her. However, that doesn't mean she was a special person in my heart.

"It's not just about her. I also like... I've noticed types who are completely different from her, either introverted or more boisterous."

When the word "like" came to my lips, I instantly felt embarrassed and decided to use a different word.

"Those aren't what you call your type."

Ye Shan's smile turned into a wry one. His mature demeanor struck a nerve, and a wave of almost impatience welled up inside me. I barely managed to suppress it and slowly said:

"...Besides, just because things were the way they were in the past doesn't mean they'll still be the same now."

"……indeed."

He nodded, agreeing with what I said. Our conversation ended there.

However, he still stood beside me.

The two remained silent, with only the music playing in the store and Orimoto and Nakamachi's laughter filling the room.

"in the end……"

Suddenly, Ye Shan spoke.

His tone was full of bitterness, and he stopped after uttering only three words. I looked at his face, waiting for him to continue. Instead, he slightly looked away, gazing at a distant place where this shop didn't exist.

"In the end, I've never truly liked anyone."

Those words made my stomach clench. For a moment, my breathing stopped. I couldn't reflexively refute them; the thought didn't even cross my mind.

My gut feeling was that staying silent wasn't the solution, so I opened my lips slightly as if to say something, but no sound came out.

Hayama gave me a self-deprecating smile as I remained silent.

"...Whether it's you or me."

From his slightly upturned profile, I seemed to see a look of repentance.

That's why we misunderstood.

The whisper dissipated into the air like exhaled white mist.

"Hayama-kun~ How about this one?"

The sound of losses coming from afar reached Ye Shan, who closed his eyes deeply, then quickly opened them again. His usual cheerful smile had returned.

Which one?

He asked the question while walking towards the direction of the loss. His entire posture, from top to bottom, was exactly the "Hayama Hayato" I knew.

However, to my surprise, Hayato Hayama had a tearful expression on his face.

× × ×

I accompanied them as they picked out sportswear until the department store closed. Finally, we moved on to the last activity of the day. By the time we left the department store, the sky had turned a completely indigo blue, and the temperature had dropped even further.

Hayama checked the time and asked the others:

Are you hungry?

I'm hungry!

Orimoto answered without hesitation, and Hayama gave a wry smile. Orimoto considered herself a straightforward girl, and even when asked a question like this, she wouldn't deliberately act like a timid girl. But, you know, at times like this, she should act a little shy to earn extra points. Understand?

"So, what should we have for dinner?"

Hayama continued to ask. Nakamachi thought for a moment, then politely replied:

"I'm fine with either."

"What do you want to eat?"

Zheben turned to look at me, her expression as if she were waiting to see a good show.

Fine, since they asked me a question, I should give them an answer. Anyway, I want to get back quickly, so I might as well just pick a place nearby and finish eating quickly before the meeting ends.

"Salia, how are you?"

Speaking of Saria in the Chiba region, I know her like the back of my hand. Saria it is, case closed—however, Nakamachi looked at me with disbelief upon hearing my answer.

“Eh…”

That's strange. Didn't you just say you were fine with it? What's wrong now? Don't you like Salia? Or don't you like me?

I'll let it go, but please apologize to Salia properly. Even if you hate me, please don't hate Salia! (Note 26: This quote is a parody of Atsuko Maeda's famous statement when she won the AKB48 general election again: "Even if you hate me, please don't hate AKB!")

"Sa...Sa...Salia..." As for the loss, she burst into laughter. It seems that even if we stand here forever, we won't be able to reach a conclusion. In the end, Hayama had to step in and resolve the issue.

"However, I also think something simple is fine. How about that coffee shop across the street?"

He pointed to a trendy and unique shop across the street. Both girls nodded immediately. Come to think of it, you only agreed because Hayama suggested it… I can't foresee a future where they would accept the same suggestion without question. It's the same logic as "Playing in a band won't make you cooler, but cool people playing in bands will make them even cooler."

In short, we quickly crossed the street and entered the coffee shop.

The store's heating was at a comfortable temperature, the lighting was dim, and the overall atmosphere was quite comfortable.

We each ordered our food and went upstairs to the second floor.

Perhaps because it was past mealtime, there were fewer and fewer customers here.

There were several people at the tables near the stairwell, one person at the bar by the window, and no one at the inner dining area. So we chose to go to the inner dining area.

From here you can see the smoking seating area separated by glass.

In the designated smoking area, there was a woman wearing headphones and concealing her face with a hat. She was not smoking, and there was no ashtray on the table.

So she really did follow me...

Yukinoshita secretly waved to me alone.

Well, after all, she said she wouldn't interfere, so ignoring it shouldn't be a problem... Besides, she hasn't intervened so far.

Hayama couldn't possibly have missed Yono, yet he remained silent. It seemed he intended to simply pretend he hadn't seen her.

On the other hand, Orimoto and Nakamachi were completely unaware of Haruno's presence. Logically speaking, this is to be expected. How could they possibly imagine that an older sister who goes to university would specifically come here to watch her younger brother on a date? Even I myself couldn't have imagined it.

Most importantly, they were so engrossed in chatting with Hayama that they didn't care about anything else. Oh, and by "other things," I certainly included me.

Fueled by the warm drinks, the girls chatted more and more enthusiastically with Hayama. I just watched them silently, nodding occasionally as I blew on my coffee to cool it down.

I only looked up when the coffee was finally cool enough to drink. The conversation between the three of us also came to a temporary halt.

Zheben, unable to find a topic to talk about, glanced at me. "Why are you looking at me? I'm giving you a chance to speak, why aren't you?" I wondered to myself for a moment, then realized that worrying about these things was completely unnecessary.

"Aha!" she laughed, saying happily.

"But Salia is so lame!"