My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 335

Yui gave her own fortune slip to Komachi, accepting her unlucky one. Yukinoshita, seeing this, rested her hand on her chin, lost in thought.

"Yuihama-san, could I borrow that autograph?"

"Hmm? No problem..."

Yukino took Yuihama's slip and tied it to her own.

"On average, both fortune slips will turn into minor good fortune."

"How did you calculate that...?"

Inauspicious + Auspicious ÷ 2 = Minor Auspiciousness × 2? Thinking of mathematical operations is indeed characteristic of the science group, but the idea itself is closer to the humanities group. Is this the recently popular "science and humanities group"...?

"That way everyone will get a good result!"

Yuihama said happily, and Yukinoshita smiled with satisfaction.

"Yes... so, it's a tie."

"Is this your real purpose?!"

"That's a flawed solution under a lax educational system..."

Other similar examples include everyone playing Momotaro in a class performance, or everyone holding hands and running across the finish line together at a sports meet.

"Just kidding."

Yukino smiled again.

Komachi signed for Daikichi and put him in her wallet, then looked up and asked:

"I've already visited the shrine and drawn my fortune stick. What's next?"

"Let's go browse the stalls!"

Earlier, when they arrived at the shrine, Yuihama had shown great interest in the stall. Yukinoshita nodded in agreement with her suggestion.

Since we were on our way back anyway, I didn't have any objections. However, the truth was probably that I had no right to speak at all. The three girls had already left me behind and strode away.

We followed the path we came from back to the corner where the vendors gathered. Here we found common items like assorted omelets and takoyaki, as well as sweet wine stalls that warmed us up in the winter.

Interspersed among the food stalls were some prize-winning booths. It turns out they weren't just regulars at summer festivals; they appeared in winter too. At that moment, a soft murmur arose from beneath the snow.

"Why are there stalls like this during the New Year...?"

She stared at the stall with an incredulous look on her face.

"It is indeed quite strange. However, many children come to the New Year's shrine for worship, which is a very profitable time for them."

"This is so strange... to find it in a place like this..."

However, Yukino didn't listen to me; her gaze sharpened as she stared at the prizes on the stall. That's when I noticed something—Johnny the Panda seemed to be on the shelf. Ah, I see… now I understand…

"...Want to play?"

"No need, I have no such plans."

Although she outwardly denied it, she couldn't hide her eagerness. I dare say she absolutely wanted it...

Yukinoshita continued muttering to herself, her gaze fixed intently on Johnny the panda. It seemed we wouldn't be able to move forward until she got that prize. So, what should we do now? Although I wasn't entirely confident in my skills, should I give it a try…?

"ah."

Just as I was starting to consider the limits of my wallet, Yuihama made a slight sound and tugged at my sleeve.

"What's up?"

"Um."

Then, she beckoned me to crouch down. I obeyed and lowered my head slightly, and she brought her face close to her ear as if to whisper something.

I'm quite aware that we're very close now. At this point, there's nothing surprising about it, and I don't particularly care about it.

However, she was wearing a different citrus perfume today than usual, the scent teasing my nostrils. Coupled with her rosy cheeks, flushed from the cold wind, I was a little unsure where to look.

I let out a slight breath and urged Yui to speak with my eyes. She also let out a soft breath and whispered in my ear:

"What should I do about Yukino's birthday present?"

"Ah, right..."

It was only after she reminded me that I remembered.

Yukino's birthday is coming up soon. We promised to go shopping for presents together at Christmas a few days ago.

First, I want to clarify that I haven't forgotten this agreement at all. In fact, I've been thinking about the best course of action for the past few days. I've been using the 5W1H approach, constantly considering: which day and where to buy the gift? Who to go with? How to buy it? What to buy? And how to start the conversation? Inviting someone is truly difficult, and deciding on a date is a major challenge. If I decide on a time, the other person might not be available; if I ask them to suggest a time when they're free, they might feel like I'm taking the invitation too seriously. What's the point? Wouldn't I never reach a conclusion this way?

Fortunately, this time it was the other person who brought it up first. If I kept dragging it out, I might start overthinking again, and eventually lose all motivation and say something like, "Hachiman is going home now (Note 8 is a line from the LoveLive character Ayase Eli)." Therefore, I decided to get it over with quickly.

"...Are you free tomorrow?"

"Huh? Yes, I do have some free time."

Yuihama was a little taken aback and scratched the bun on her head.

"Okay. Then, tomorrow..."

"good……"

After she responded like that, she stopped making a sound, and I also shut my mouth. At that moment, Komachi came over and tugged at my sleeve.

"Brother, Yukino-neechan is standing there without moving..."

When Yuihama saw Komachi, she suddenly looked up and spoke to her.

"Oh, Komachi, would you like to come along?"

"Huh? What's up?"

"Tomorrow, we're planning to buy Yukino's birthday present—"

"Wow, that sounds great!"

Komachi was only happy for a moment, then, as if remembering something, she forced an unnatural smile and said:

"...But, Komachi still has to prepare for her exams."

"Ah, indeed... um~~"

Yuihama had recently given her lucky fortune slip to Komachi, and thinking about the upcoming entrance exams, she couldn't help but murmur with a sense of unease.

After hesitating for a moment, she suddenly raised her head and took Komachi's hand.

"No, well, it's nice to change things up! Yukino will be so happy to know you also gave her a gift! And, besides, I'd also like to hear your advice..."

"Huh... I see... Hmm..."

Komachi was surprised by Yuihama's actions and secretly glanced in my direction.

"It's a rare opportunity, why not give it a try?"

Upon hearing my answer, she tilted her head to one side and muttered softly:

"Hmm—how come you've regressed again... Didn't you go with just the two of you last summer...?"

Well, the reasons are complicated. How should I put it... I guess I just haven't quite figured out the right distance between us.

"Alright, since that's what you say, brother—"

Komachi's tone still held hesitation. However, Yuihama nodded happily and took out her phone.

"It's a deal then! We'll keep in touch via text message later!"

Just then, her phone vibrated.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Yui walked a few steps away to answer the phone. Judging from her expression, it was probably someone she knew calling. Who the caller was was not something she should concern herself with. She wouldn't presume to do so out of a sense of shame.

We couldn't leave Yui behind, so we had to stay put and wait until she finished her call. However, even if Yui wasn't on the phone, we still had to stay where we were as long as Yukino didn't leave the prize-shooting booth.

I turned to the stall and saw Yukinoshita walking back in disappointment.

"What, have you seen enough?"

She gave a sad smile and spoke decisively:

"That's right. We're better off without that kind of thing..."

"What?"

I quickly checked the stall to find out what had happened. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the doll Yukino had been looking at for so long wasn't Johnny the Panda at all, but rather "Johnny the Bear"... Ah, that's right. When visiting a traditional temple fair, you're bound to encounter these kinds of counterfeit items, such as colored pencil Shin-chan or Action Kamen.

Komachi, upon seeing this, also displayed an expression of understanding.

"Oh, it's a counterfeit."

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita gently stroked her chin and asked in confusion:

"A counterfeit (Note 9: the original text is "パチモン", pronounced similarly to Hachiman)? I think I've heard that name before... isn't it called Hi, Hiki...?"

"Wait a minute, you're not talking about me, are you? And besides, one thing is one thing, but why can't you even remember your last name?"

She feigned surprise and brushed the hair off her shoulder.

"How rude of me. I remember it very clearly."

"You're the one who's being rude..."

"Let's not talk about that anymore. Where's Yuigahama-san?"

Is this how my name ends...?

"Make a phone call over there."

I gestured with my chin. Yuihama held her phone to her ear, looking around anxiously.

"Yes, right, the place where we just went down the stone steps. We're here now."

"Ah, I see it."

Yumiko Miura, also holding a phone in one hand, walked over. A luxurious fur shawl draped around her neck, and her long, slender legs were exposed beneath her mini-skirt; even in a crowded place, she was hard to miss.

Following behind Miura was Hina Ebina.

Happy New Year, Yui! Happy New Year to you all too!

Unlike Miura, Ebina was willing to greet us. She's such a kind person!

"Happy New Year."

Wow~ Happy New Year—long time no see!

"We haven't seen each other since summer vacation~"

She greeted Komachi and the others, and I simply nodded in return, watching the group chat.

"So it was Miura..." I finally realized who had called earlier.

Yui heard my murmur and nodded slightly at me.

Behind them were two or three familiar faces.

The smug blond Tobe, the indecisive and slow-witted Yamato, the opportunistic virgin Ooka—the new Three-Hit Killer. I've finally realized that Tobe's hair is closer to brown than blonde. I'd never noticed it before because it was so insignificant.

They kept their distance from us, speaking loudly from a short distance away.

Each of the three men held a paper cup, presumably filled with sweet wine. The Minister of Revenue tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp, making a "whoosh" sound.

"The first drink of the year, it's great! You guys should drink it too!"

"Mmm."

Ooka chimed in, raising his paper cup and downing it in one gulp, then letting out a satisfied sigh. "Hmm, it's just sweet wine, after all."

"Wow~ I must have drunk too much~ I feel so warm right now. Hey, don't you think it's super cold today? I'd probably die running a marathon in this weather~"

"Mmm."

"real."

I couldn't help but want to raise my glass and say to him, "True story..."

Following Yamato and Ooka, I nodded vigorously in my heart as well. This year, due to the week, the marathon, which is usually held in February, has been moved to the end of January. The days ahead will only get colder, so we'll have to run on the frigid beach.

On the first day of spring, my mood sank to the bottom... I looked at those three idiots, Tobu, Yamato, and Ooka, with eyes full of resentment.

Then, I noticed something unusual.