My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 381

"Some people just won't learn their lesson until they see the coffin."

I smiled wryly as I caught Yui's foot. Yukinoshita, hearing this, gave me a mischievous grin and looked at me.

"Oh dear, who is this referring to?"

"Generally speaking."

× × ×

The electric heater in the service society was finally repaired yesterday, and the office, which was chilly a few days ago, is now warm and cozy.

While the student council office doesn't make me uncomfortable, I'm most comfortable in my own clubhouse. It's less about my mood and more about a territorial instinct, like an animal. Even cats and dogs will consider a place their territory after spending almost a year there. In this respect, I'm no exception.

Because I've been overwhelmed with dealing with intelligence reports these past few days, the space that should have been my usual routine seems to have become a bit messy.

While Yukinoshita was preparing black tea, Yuihama and I started tidying up the clubroom.

After we gathered the papers, cleaned up the trash, and finished tidying up, I sat down in a chair to catch my breath when Yui suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" I turned around and saw her holding the camera she had used to interview the club.

"Let's take a picture, a picture of the Service Club!"

Yui had barely finished speaking when Yukinoshita frowned. Seeing this, Yui tilted her head towards Yukinoshita, gesturing for her opinion. Yukinoshita shook her head, and Yui tilted her head to the other side.

I watched as the two argued endlessly with their expressions until, halfway through, the office door suddenly opened with a "click".

"I just did a quick job and called it a day!"

As Isshiki spoke, he walked into the clubroom. Forget about saying "just mess around with it"... Isshiki saw Yuihama with a camera and exclaimed "Oh!" in surprise.

"Oh, so the student council's camera is over here. Do you still want to use it?"

"It seems she's going to take photos for the service society."

Yukino answered, as if the matter had nothing to do with her. "You're supposed to be a member of the club, right... wait, you're the club president!"

"Then, shall I take the photos for everyone?"

"Iroha came to film too."

"Okay, I'll be in the picture too later! Before that, let's take a picture of everyone in the Service Club first."

Isshiki politely declined Yui's offer with a smile, extending her hand instead. She was probably thinking of us. Yui seemed to understand Isshiki's intention and handed the camera to her.

"Is that so? Thank you. I'll leave it to you then! Let's take the photos together later!"

"Um, I never said I wanted to take a picture together..."

"Yukino, you're so indecisive."

Yuihama's stern tone left Yukinoshita speechless, unable to respond. In any case, Yukinoshita would eventually agree to her request, even if she pretended to be unwilling at first; the outcome wouldn't change. In that respect, I was no exception.

However, I remembered there was a problem with that camera.

"...Whatever, but the memory card is already full."

"Oh, right. Who taught the senior to take so many photos of the tennis club?"

"What exactly did you film to use up so much storage space...?"

Yukinoshita said with a helpless expression, while Yuihama thought for a while and then nodded vigorously.

"Tennis club... Xiao Cai... well, there's nothing we can do about that."

"Yui-senpai actually accepted it?"

Has she finally given up on me...? No, maybe she's finally accepted me... Just as I was thinking this, Isshiki tapped her palm and put her hand into her coat pocket.

"If the camera runs out of storage, can I use this phone to take pictures?"

She took my phone out of her pocket. So, it seems I gave her my phone today too.

"Ah! That's fine, as long as there's still capacity, it doesn't matter."

"Then I'll use this racket."

Isshiki winked at me, then held up his phone. This was probably some kind of thoughtful gesture from Isshiki; honestly, I really don't understand what he's thinking…

"Then, senior, please sit here, and Yui-senpai and Yukinoshita-senpai will stand behind you."

"Okay!"

"Um...sigh..."

Isshiki swiftly gave the order, and Yui immediately took Yukinoshita's hand. Yukinoshita finally gave up resisting and followed Yui to stand behind me… behind me?

"...Wait a minute? Isn't the composition a bit odd? Isn't this just like a family portrait for Shichi-Go-San (Note 41: a traditional Japanese festival held on November 15th each year, when families visit shrines to pray for blessings and commemorate the growth of their children)? Couldn't we have moved a little further away?"

And—it's so close! Too close! I'm fine with just taking pictures, but I get nervous when we're too close, please don't.

I moved my chair, trying to create some distance, but suddenly a force pressed down on my shoulder. I looked up and saw a cold smile on Yukinoshita's face.

"Hachiman, you're so indecisive."

"That was clearly talking about you..."

"Iroha, that's enough—"

Yuihama also pressed down on my other shoulder and spoke to Isshiki.

"Alright, let's take the picture! One, two, three!"

The flash went off several times in quick succession, followed by the clicking of the shutter. Alas, my expression must have looked absolutely bizarre… I'm definitely going to end up with a family portrait of the Seven-Go-San (Shichigo-San)…

Just as I was getting annoyed, Isshiki ran to my side and returned my phone.

"Senior, here's your... really nice photo."

After finishing her sentence, Isshiki gave me a slightly mature smile. I wouldn't ask her what she meant by that. Anyway, it was absolutely just the literal meaning; there was no other intention behind it.

"Hey autistic guy, remember to send me your photo! Ah, Iroha, let's take a picture together!"

"Okay! Then I'll trouble you to take the photos, senior."

Isshiki patted my shoulder lightly, then ran to Yuihama and Yukinoshita's side.

"I don't need it..."

"No way. Let's all take a picture together!"

"Where should we stand?"

As the three discussed how to pose, I glanced at my phone. The screen displayed the photo of the three members of the Service Club from earlier.

...It's indeed a well-taken photo. But it doesn't quite capture the feel of a family portrait of the Seven-Five-Three.

Moreover, this photograph clearly depicts the role of the service society, which we previously didn't know how to describe in words, and the relationship between us. So, it's indeed a well-taken photo.

I still don't know how to name or define this group of three. It is precisely because we cannot put it into words that we can share it with each other. This photograph shapes the thoughts that, once put into words, would likely lead to disagreements, and it binds us together.

"Hey, you autistic guy, hurry up and take the picture!"

"……learn."

I got up from my seat, picked up my phone, and pointed the camera at them.

Yuihama's face wore her usual lively smile.

Isshiki struck her most photogenic pose.

Yukinoshita, surrounded by the two people beside her, seemed a little troubled and embarrassed, her cheeks flushing red.

How long can this mundane, everyday scene last?

One day, when we reach the age where we feel nostalgic for this photo, what kind of pain will accompany the memories as they pour out?

As I pondered the situation, I pressed the shutter.

Volume 10.5, Part 4: And so, the night deepened at the Hikigaya residence.

The winter night wind rattled against the windows, making the living room glass panes creak and groan. I got up from the heated bed and looked out the window. The night was deep, with only the faint glow of streetlights floating in the darkness.

My parents seem to be having some problems with the company's settlements, so they'll be home late tonight. It'll just be Komachi and me at home, and lately she hasn't even had time to talk to me face-to-face. With exams just around the corner, she'll probably be locked in her room studying hard again today.

I wondered if Komachi felt empty, lonely, or cold being alone in her room... I looked towards Komachi's room but didn't hear anything. It was getting late; she was probably already asleep.

I was almost ready for bed, but I couldn't resist the comfort of the kotatsu (heated bed table), so I rolled over and accidentally kicked my cat, Xiaoxue. She climbed out of the kotatsu and gave me a slightly annoyed glare. "I'm so sorry..."

I apologized to Xiaoxue in my heart. It snorted and began to groom itself with its tongue. After grooming, it pricked up its ears and looked towards the door.

The door clicked open, and Komachi, wearing my old sweatshirt, slowly walked in.

"What's wrong? Aren't you asleep yet?"

"I think I accidentally fell asleep, but I feel super energetic now..."

Komachi looked at me with her big, doll-like eyes. Ah, indeed. People always like to collapse on the sofa or crawl into the futon after getting home, and before they know it, they're asleep, leading to insomnia at night.

Sometimes, a short nap can be quite effective. But this is a crucial time, and doing something like this right before exams could easily disrupt your biological clock.

"You should sleep even if you can't. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time tomorrow."

"Hmm, I'm a little hungry now. I'll eat something and then go to sleep."

Komachi shrugged her shoulders and moved toward the kitchen.

"Ugh..."

Komachi's confused voice came from the kitchen. I sat up and looked into the kitchen, where I saw Komachi standing motionless in front of the refrigerator.

...Oh no. Come to think of it, Mother just asked me to buy something a few days ago. She called suddenly then, making me think something had happened. I was busy working on the intelligence journal and completely forgot about it. After all, I usually finish my own food in no time, so there probably isn't much left in the fridge... Komachi stared at the fridge, groaning incessantly. I'm so sorry, brother forgot to buy anything... No, if this keeps up, Komachi will go hungry because of me!

"...Well, I'll get you something to eat."

I patted Komachi on the shoulder.

"Oh...it's okay."

Komachi turned her head and shook her head frantically at me.

"You're welcome."

"It's really okay. I should say, please stop, brother. Komachi doesn't want to get a stomachache."

Komachi waved her hands a few times, chattering rapidly. This girl is actually saying this to me with such a serious face… But, if I really did something, she'd still eat it, right? What a kind child! But, she should watch her tone!

"Anyway, I'm a bit hungry and want to get something to eat. Yours is just a bonus."

I gently nudged Komachi's back and stood in front of the kitchen counter. Komachi reluctantly nodded.

"Since my brother has said so..."

Although she said that, she still seemed worried and followed me around as I searched the closet and refrigerator, as if she were watching me.

I rummaged through the refrigerator and found eggs, milk, and chikuwa (a type of steamed bun), and dug out a bag of instant noodles and a can of beef from the cupboard. That should be enough, right? I laid all the ingredients on the counter, and just then, Komachi peeked out from behind me.

"It's so late, eating this will make you fat..."

"Don't worry, don't worry, Komachi is cute no matter what."

"Wow~ This person is so casual."

While Komachi was grumbling, I poured water into the pot and turned on the heat. The key is to fill it only about seven-tenths full. While waiting for the water to boil, I prepared to make a stir-fried beef with bamboo shoots.

Komachi came to my side and examined each ingredient on the kitchen counter.

"...Brother, has your dinner been feeling like this every day lately?"

"No, we eat what Mom cooks when she cooks. Today it's just because I forgot to buy anything, that's why it turned out like this."

"There are absolutely no vegetables..."

"The word 'nutrition' doesn't exist in a man's diet. Besides, cows have already eaten vegetables, so there's no need to worry."

"Cow feed is mostly grains... I just can't do anything about my brother..."

Komachi opened the closet, desperately tiptoed, and reached her hand inside.

"I do have seaweed. Then, soak the wakame seaweed... and open a can of corn."

"Wow, this looks like a feast..."

I watched Komachi prepare the ingredients with ease, feeling genuinely impressed, and then reached for the carton of milk. Komachi noticed me, grabbed my hand, and looked rather serious.

"Brother, what is that milk? It looks so scary, please stop."

"Didn't you know? Adding a little milk will turn it into tonkotsu flavor!"

As I spoke, I poured the milk into the pot with a gurgling sound. Komachi screamed instantly.