My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 390

I carefully pieced together the clues that had appeared so far, and gradually deduced an answer.

This means—

That is to say-

...Can I call Totsuka over too?

"Okay, I'll take care of the liaison work!"

Upon hearing this answer, I instinctively cried out. Isshiki jumped in fright, then looked at me with a "don't come any closer" expression, still unsettled.

"Why is the senior suddenly so motivated...?"

Hearing Isshiki say that, Yui chuckled twice, telling her not to take it to heart.

"Haha, the reasons why autistic men always become like this are pretty much the same, just ignore him."

"Yes, I can roughly guess why. It's okay to leave it alone."

"Uh... I see..."

Yukinoshita's words were full of helplessness, and Isshiki replied with a tone of "It really doesn't matter what."

Oh, it's so kind of you two to understand me so well. But this probably also means they've given up on treatment...

"Yukinoshita-senpai, I'd like to discuss the dishes we'll be ordering. I think it would be better to decide on a few options first, otherwise we won't be able to place the order."

Iroha was completely ignoring me and continued explaining, pulling out a whole bunch of dessert recipe books from her bag. Yukinoshita nodded in agreement and then picked up one of them to read.

"There are so many kinds, I don't know which one to choose... Chocolate cake, Sachertorte, truffles... or to be on the safe side, I could make chocolate cookies. Making chocolate directly is definitely not an option. After all, there are beginners here, so I have to consider the level of difficulty..."

Yukino turned to the next page with a troubled expression. "I think so too," she thought. "Even though they're all chocolate desserts, the variety is endless."

I don't really understand this part, so it's best not to interrupt. To be honest, I'm so clueless that I might mistakenly call Sahar cake "Saru cake" (Note 14 is from a scene in *My Love Story!!* where the protagonist, Takeo, pretends to know everything while chatting with Rinko, calling "Sahar cake (ザハルテルト)" "Saru cake (ザツハルテルト)").

Nevertheless, there are still fearless individuals in this world who speak regardless of their knowledge. Yuihama is one such person.

Yuihama quickly raised her hand and leaned out to speak before anyone else could call on her.

"Pick me! Pick me! Chocolate fondue looks good! It feels like a chocolate party, sounds like it'll be so much fun!"

"Choppa... what's that?"

Yukinoshita seemed to be hearing this term for the first time, several question marks popping up above her head. Judging from the context and past experience, "Chokupa" was probably short for chocolate party or chocolate fondue party. It seems that the Hama Language Proficiency Test Level 2 or the YUEIC test is now a piece of cake for me.

Before the question mark above Yukinoshita's head had disappeared, Isshiki beside her made an "Oh—" sound and nodded slightly in agreement.

"Yes, if we want everyone to have fun together, this idea is indeed feasible. Organizing such an event would be great."

She actually agreed... But, how should I put it, whether it's a takoyaki party, a hot pot party, or a curry party, you guys who can throw any kind of party, you're really party-crazy people who are always running around to parties...

"However, this event is, after all, ostensibly a cooking class..."

Although it was a little embarrassing to say, Isshiki still made a small "X" with her finger. Seeing this gesture, Yuihama also lowered her head in disappointment.

Snow, who was watching from the side, nodded slightly.

"It seems like it's better to teach the most basic chocolate making. Beautiful-looking chocolate that's also easy to make..."

Yukino quickly flipped through a dessert recipe book, then suddenly stopped looking at a certain page. That page seemed to be an advertisement, with promotional text for new products catching her eye.

"There are also DIY kits that come complete with everything from ingredients to tools... They even skip the measurement steps, so you should be able to make chocolate easily."

"Ah, I think I could do that too."

The moment Yui uttered those words, I was speechless. Wait, what did you just say...?

"..."

"Don't stay silent!"

My silence was instantly swallowed by Yui's sorrowful cries. After the cries subsided, Yukinoshita gently stroked Yui's shoulder and told her in a voice as gentle as could be:

"Yuigahama-san, wouldn't it be a good direction to focus your efforts on packaging?"

"Don't try to comfort me!"

Yui burst into tears. But she had no idea how important packaging was! Just tie a blue rope around her chest to emphasize her breasts, and she'd definitely become a sensation! (Note 15: This refers to the decorations worn by Hestia, a character from "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?".)

As I pondered these trivial matters, Isshiki let out a soft sigh.

"Sigh... If we use a combo pack, the taste probably won't be too different, and you won't be able to tell at first glance... But since we're having an event, it's best not to use a combo pack."

"That's true, after all, the combo packs are quite expensive."

"Yes. Although I plan to charge participation fees based on actual expenses, the lower the cost, the better."

"...Huh? There's a participation fee?"

I inadvertently revealed my thoughts entirely through my tone and expression. Isshiki, seeing my reaction, let out an incredulous cry.

"You look really reluctant, senior... Okay, it'll probably be a few hundred yen... But you guys don't need to pay. After all, you're here to help."

"That's good……"

"I see. Since there's a participation fee, the budget might be more than you originally thought... Could you tell me the amount first? I'd like to use that as a reference to select items and estimate the materials and costs needed."

"Okay, thank you."

After finishing her explanation, Isshiki took out a document from the transparent folder, which contained the financial plan for this event. Yukinoshita confirmed the contents and then began evaluating feasible items again.

However, all the cases we've received so far have come with troublesome conditions, so it's no wonder she's having trouble finding a job.

Chocolates perfect for gifting; chocolates you won't feel embarrassed giving to someone you like; chocolates easy to learn how to make and present; chocolates even children can enjoy the process of making—

As for the most troublesome condition—it's something that Yukinoshita has been muttering to herself like a dream ever since she started talking.

"Chocolate that Yuigahama-san can make... Chocolate that Yuigahama-san can make..."

"Yukino is going too far!"

Yuihama cried loudly and clung to Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita seemed a little impatient, but continued to flip through her dessert recipe book.

She seemed to have found a few feasible items and wrote down the materials and quantities needed for each. Yuihama was still holding her tightly, peeking at the notes from the side.

Then, Yui suddenly smiled happily.

Perhaps because she was bothered by the laughter around her, Yukinoshita looked at Yuihama with a displeased expression.

"……why are you laughing?"

"Ah...no! It's just...I feel a little nostalgic."

Yui quickly waved her hand to indicate it was nothing. After gently lowering her hand, she replied in a somewhat melancholic voice. Her eyes, which were looking at Yukinoshita, narrowed slightly.

Why does she feel nostalgic? I know the answer to that question. And Yukinoshita probably knows too.

"……yes."

Yukinoshita gave only a brief reply. However, even long after her words had faded, she still looked straight back at Yuihama with a fixed gaze.

Finally, Yuihama gave a shy smile, moved her chair closer to Yukinoshita, and the two of them sat side by side directly opposite me.

"...Right?"

She tilted her head, and from a distance, asked me softly in a confirming tone. That childlike gesture made me laugh.

"Um."

I gave a brief reply and looked away.

It hasn't even been a year since that day, yet I feel such nostalgia. That room, where everything hadn't even begun, truly started operating from that very moment.

"Iroha, thank you."

"Huh? Ah, um... no... you're welcome?"

Iroha looked puzzled by the sudden thank you. Yuihama seemed amused by her reaction and chuckled softly. After the laughter subsided, she sighed contentedly.

"This year is almost over, and I'm so glad it seems like it'll have a happy ending..."

"Isn't this year just beginning?"

"To be precise, it should be this academic year, right?"

After Yukinoshita and I each made these comments, Yuihama puffed out her cheeks slightly, clearly unhappy.

Iroha chimed in, unable to bear it any longer: "My God, aren't you guys being a bit too fussy..." This kind of casual chat should probably come to an end. Iroha looked at us, sighed deeply, and stood up.

"Thank you for the black tea. I'll be troubling you all then."

"Ah, yes. Please take care of me on the day of the event!"

"See you another day. I'll give you the cost estimate soon."

After Yuihama and Yukinoshita said that, Isshiki bowed his head in thanks and left the club office.

Once it was just the three of us left, the feelings of nostalgia that had just welled up became even more pronounced.

However, the reason we feel nostalgic is probably because many people and things are no longer the same, because the identity disappeared at some point, and because we understand that we can never get the same things again.

Therefore, we feel nostalgic.

If everything does start working... then one day it will definitely stop and end.

Yuihama smiled innocently and chatted casually with Yukinoshita, who squinted at the smile.

This was such an ordinary scene, yet I felt inexplicably distressed.

× × ×

In winter, I often end up staying in the bathroom for too long when taking a shower.

Perhaps because I had been cycling all night on a dark and long road, I naturally soaked myself in the bathtub and took a deep breath.

I didn't leave the bathroom until I was almost completely dizzy from the bath. To avoid catching a cold right after showering, I put my feet under the kotatsu table and lay down on the floor.

Things I've been trying to avoid thinking about have unexpectedly resurfaced, giving me a sense of unease.

I was rolling around on the ground when I accidentally kicked some kind of soft, fluffy ball.

My beloved cat, Xiaoxue, crawled out from under the futon table, looked at me with an unhappy expression, and then began to groom herself with her tongue.

A short while later, it seemed to hear a sound and pricked up its ears to look towards the door. Almost at the same time, the sound of the door opening came from inside.

It seems Komachi has returned home. After a series of footsteps going upstairs, the living room door opened.

"I'm back--"

"Oh, welcome back."

When Komachi put down her schoolbag and was about to take off her coat, Koyuki rubbed against her feet, hoping for a hug.

"No, the uniform will get covered in lint."

Komachi dodged away, so I had to pick up Yuki instead. Sweetie, I'll play with you~ Don't bother tired Komachi, okay?

I don't know if Xiaoxue sensed my intentions, but she started struggling desperately in my arms. This cat is so oblivious to romance...

And speaking of Xiaoxue, I only hugged you, did you have to be so disgusted? Please stop punching my face with your cat fists...

As I took the cat's punches, I glanced at Komachi. She was lifting one foot, trying to maintain her balance, as she prepared to take off her stockings.

Even though the heating is on in the room, my feet must still be cold. Girls shouldn't let their bodies get cold, you know? I looked at her with the caring gaze of a mother, and she noticed my gaze, tilting her head slightly with a puzzled expression.

"Ah, Komachi, go run the hot water."

"Oh, right? Ah, I just finished showering too, there's still hot water in the bathtub."

"Okay, so Komachi will go and run the hot water."

"Didn't I say I just finished showering and there was still hot water in the bathtub?"

"Yeah, that's why I'm replaying it."

Komachi repeated the same words in a serious tone.

...Wait, what does that mean? After I gave her a reproachful look, Komachi waved her hand.

"Please, Komachi wouldn't bathe in water that her brother used, would she? It's already turned into her brother's broth. No way!"

"Please don't talk about others like they're made of pork bones, okay?"

I wonder if Koi will ever be disliked by Wakame-chan like that one day... The bathwater used by the Isono family must have tasted pretty good (Note 16: The Isono family's names are all seafood in the super long-running Japanese manga and anime "Sazae-san").

Thinking about it carefully, has this guy always refilled the hot water after me every time he takes a shower? Isn't that a bit too much? When I take a shower after Komachi, I always enjoy Komachi's broth... Hmm, no wonder she felt disgusted.

Although I used to call her "Clever and Cute Elichika" when she was little (Note 17, adapted from the nickname of the character Elisa Ayase in LoveLive!, "Clever and Cute Elichika"), she's now a teenage girl...