My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 340

That was their collective achievement, a time that belonged only to them, and we outsiders had no right to step in.

Even Yuihama couldn't get a word in edgewise, let alone me.

I don't understand their past relationship. Even if I did, it wouldn't help much.

All I can do now is sip my bitter coffee, continue listening to their stories, nod occasionally, and let my imagination run wild.

I vaguely remember being asked this question before—

What would it be like if I went to the same elementary school as them?

What was my answer at the time?

Halfway through my thoughts about the past, I heard someone sigh and put down their cup. I looked over and saw Haruno resting her chin on her hand, staring at Hayama and Yukinoshita with cold eyes.

"You guys were so cute back then... but now... you've all become so boring."

Her lips were beautiful and vibrant, making her words sound even colder. Beneath her icy smile, neither of the two people she mentioned could utter a word.

Yukinoshita clenched her fist on the table, Hayama gritted her teeth, and looked away. Yuihama seemed confused and glanced at me.

After a moment of silence, Yang Nai chuckled again.

"It's alright, now we have Hachiman. I'll pamper you a bit first~"

"No, I can't handle that kind of 'pampering' from sports clubs..."

"That's exactly why I want to cherish you even more~ Very good~ I really appreciate it~"

She reached out her hand, wanting to pat my head, but I leaned back to avoid it.

"Oh dear, they managed to escape."

Yang Nai's current smiling face is like that of a kind and approachable older sister. Having a beautiful older sister smile at you is a rare experience, and the feeling isn't bad at all. I even think that even a fake smile is fine. If it's like Isshiki Iroha, where the other side of the smile is to highlight one's cuteness, then there's nothing strange about it. Anyway, everyone might be like that, so it's not scary at all.

Yukino Yukinoshita is different. When she reveals something hidden deep within her, something indescribable, it is quite terrifying.

However, she didn't seem to intend to say much more, maintaining that smile as she changed the subject.

"Speaking of sports, your marathon is coming up soon, right?"

"Ah, yes. By the end of this month."

She seemed a little surprised by Yuihama's answer.

"Oh, right. It won't be held in February this year..."

"I heard from the consultant that this year's event was moved up a little due to the weekdays."

Hayama resumed his gentle smile and calmly replied, as if nothing had happened.

Ah, sure enough, a few dark clouds have appeared overhead under the snow. There's no way around it, this person is naturally lacking in stamina; running a marathon must be incredibly difficult for them.

In any case, the cheerful atmosphere at the dinner table was finally restored.

The way these four people chatted happily easily attracted attention. While they weren't exactly glamorous, they were undeniably charming. This group was certainly very eye-catching…

From the very beginning, I have had the feeling that people outside are watching us.

Their conversation was indeed a bit loud, but the real reason was that they were all handsome men and beautiful women. A group of them walking down the street would definitely attract the attention of passersby.

Thanks to the four people present, my presence became even more inconspicuous. I'm just a shadow... But the stronger the light, the deeper the shadow, making the light even more dazzling. (Note 17: A line from Tetsuya Kuroko in *Kagemusha*.)...

Since there's nothing much to do right now, I might as well become a complete hater. However, this statement reminds me more of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (Note 18: a well-known Japanese author, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and host of the long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room").

I didn't join their conversation, choosing instead to be a machine repeatedly bringing the coffee cup to my lips. After finishing the last sip of my coffee, as I turned to ask the barista for a refill, I saw a woman in a kimono walking in my direction.

The woman had her long, dark hair styled in a bun at the back of her head, exuding a composed aura. She looked younger than my parents. She had a well-proportioned figure and walked with a graceful, almost silent gait. What struck me most was her familiar, clear face.

My intuition told me that the face looked familiar.

Without hesitation, the other person walked over to our seats and began to speak:

"Yang Nai".

Her voice rang out clearly even amidst the conversations of customers and the music playing in the store. Furthermore, it possessed a quality that drew the listener's attention. I couldn't help but think of someone.

Yang Nai turned her head when she heard her name called.

"Oh, have you finished talking?"

"Yes, that's why I came to find you guys for the dinner later. Hayato, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

"No, please don't worry about it. Everyone's here, so it's not boring at all."

Hayama answered casually and looked at us. The woman followed his gaze.

"Oh my..." She seemed surprised to see Yukinoshita there, and let out a soft exclamation, followed by a gentle smile.

"Yukino, you're here too. That's great..."

"Mother……"

Yukinoshita murmured helplessly, her voice filled with disappointment.

In that sense, this woman is very similar to Yukinoshita in both her demeanor and the aura she exudes. Decades later, Yukinoshita will probably become like that too. The reason I didn't recognize her at first glance is because of her undeniable charisma. She truly possesses a kind of majesty that makes people hesitant to approach her. Thinking of this, I subconsciously straightened my back.

Yukinoshita fell silent, hugged her arms around herself, and awkwardly looked away.

Her mother smiled calmly, seemingly unsure how she viewed her daughter's reaction.

Yuihama, sitting to the side, exclaimed in a low voice:

"Wow—it's so beautiful..."

After nodding to us, Yukinoshita's mother looked at Hinano.

"Yinnai, are we friends?"

"Yes, it's Hachiman and Hihama-chan."

Yang Nai, whether feeling he hadn't had enough fun or too lazy to explain, gave a very simple introduction.

"Ah, I'm Yui Yuigahama, Yukino's friend."

Yui quickly bowed and introduced herself, and I followed suit, bowing my head in return, but I hesitated whether to give my name. Introducing myself to a girl's parent always makes me a little nervous... At the same time, Yukinoshita's mother, having overheard Yui's words, seemed to have noticed something.

"'Xiao Yukino'..."

She stroked her chin, squinted, and looked Yukinoshita and Yui back and forth.

"Oh dear, forgive my rudeness. So you're Yukino's friend. You seem quite mature, that's why I thought..."

"Mature...hehe."

Yuihama looked happy, but I felt that what she said was rather unusual.

To be honest, I think Yuihama looks rather young. At least from her behavior, she doesn't seem very mature.

However, this was probably just a minor, insignificant mistake. Yukinoshita's mother pressed her hand to her cheek and happily continued talking to Yuihama.

"I see... Of Yukino's classmates at school, I only know Hayato... You should get along well with her."

"yes!"

Seeing Yuihama respond with enthusiasm, Yukinoshita's mother gave her a slight bow. Although she had missed the chance to introduce herself, the other party didn't seem interested in her. Besides, they probably wouldn't see each other again, so it probably didn't matter—thinking this, she turned to Yukino and Hayama.

"Then, we can set off."

"good--"

Yang was the first to stand up, Hayama picked up the bill and stood up as well, but Yukinoshita, who was sitting in front of me, didn't move at all.

Her mother saw this and spoke calmly.

"Yukino, you're coming too, right?"

This sentence, at first glance, seems to be asking a question, but it is not. Several meanings are hidden within these few short words.

"I……"

Yukinoshita spoke with reservation, then earnestly added:

"This is also to celebrate your birthday."

Her gaze was kind and warm, and her voice was as gentle as soothing snow. But on the other hand, it also contained a forceful power that left no room for refusal.

"..."

Yukinoshita lowered her head, biting her lip, and glanced at me. It's no use looking at me now...

Yang Nai also joined the ranks of those trying to persuade him.

"Yukino, this won't do."

She spoke sternly with a ferocious smile, a hint of pleasure flickering in her cold eyes. Yukinoshita's shoulders twitched.

Then, another silence fell.

Haruno kept staring at Yukino, while Hayama watched the two of them uneasily. Yuihama shrank back, looking restless, while I looked out the window to escape the awkwardness and secretly sighed.

During this time, no one spoke. The atmosphere was so heavy that I could hardly breathe.

—No, it's not just me.

The same goes for Yuihama and Yukinoshita.

To be honest, everyone in that place might be like that.

My mother, standing beneath the snow, was pressing her temples, seemingly also suffering from a headache. Suddenly, her gaze drifted to me.

"Yes, I hope you two can participate too... What do you two think?"

She smiled at me and Yuihama.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you all for so long..."

I uttered those words and immediately stood up. Since it was a family gathering, we really had no reason to go along.

Moreover, Yukinoshita's mother's true intentions were so obvious, how could I not see them?

"I see... If it's convenient for you, we'd love to have you."

Needless to say, she had no intention of persuading him to stay.

"...Then, we'll take our leave."

Goodbye.

Yui bowed and said goodbye, and I nodded briefly in return. As we were about to leave, Hayama whispered goodbye to us, and Haruno waved with a smile.

Yukino finally stood up and glanced at her mother. The woman slightly lowered her chin and nodded to her.

She walked us to the coffee shop entrance, then lowered her head and said:

"...I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Seeing how remorseful she was, Yui Hama quickly waved her hand.

"How could that be! Meeting Yukino's mother today was totally worth it!"

"Really? That's good..."

Yukinoshita finally looked up, but her face remained gloomy, and Yuihama's expression darkened as well. However, she quickly thought of something and began fiddling with the bag tucked under her arm.

"Oh, right. Here, this is for you. Even though tomorrow is your birthday."

Then, Yui handed the bag containing the gift to Yukinoshita. Since she had already given the gift, I might as well give it to her too.

"Happy birthday."

"Ah, thank you..."

Yukinoshita's mind went blank for a moment, and she just stared blankly at the bag in her hand. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a few words. She hugged the gifts we had given her tightly and smiled broadly.

Yuihama smiled when she saw her smile.

Let's celebrate properly after school starts!

"Well then, goodbye."

"Um... goodbye."

She gently waved her half-open hand under the snow. After saying goodbye, we headed towards the elevator.

It would be a while before the elevator reached the current floor. During the wait, Yui sighed in relief.

"That person is Yukino's mother... They really do look alike."