My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 422

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

Forget it, I won't stoop to her level. To be honest, it seems some people are just particularly easy to forget, whether it's their name or their appearance.

Act IV

After passing the large torii gate, we left the street parallel to the national highway and began our journey home.

A biting wind swept along the road. My body shivered slightly, and I pulled up my coat collar. Yuihama did the same. Only Yukinoshita didn't have this problem—she had a scarf.

However, Yukinoshita showed signs of fatigue on her face. She sighed, exhaling a puff of white steam that quickly dissipated into the air.

Yes, she's like me; she's not used to crowded places.

I sighed as I watched the crowds growing larger on the street.

"The Keisei Line stations are probably going to be very crowded lately," I said.

"Let's take the Keiyo Line then?" Yuihama said, clapping her hands.

Looking out from Yuihama: the other side of the national highway leads to the sea, passing right next to our school. The Keiyo Line is quite far from the shrine, so there shouldn't be many people there. We're familiar with this road; it won't take long.

“Sure,” I said. Yukinoshita nodded as well.

"Let's go, Yukinoshita." Yuihama chuckled as she took Yukinoshita's hand. Yukinoshita didn't resist and was led forward.

The national highway was brightly lit by numerous streetlights lining both sides. The lights of passing vehicles appeared and disappeared intermittently. In a nearby park, young people were setting off fireworks, seemingly wanting to continue the celebrations after the New Year's countdown had ended.

The sound of three footsteps echoed through the night city. The night wasn't quiet; in fact, noise could be heard everywhere. Two figures in this noisy, bright world seemed like a mirage to me. Humming to the rhythm of their footsteps, I followed them at a leisurely pace. My scarf swayed precariously in the wind; the girls glanced back anxiously every now and then, then laughed for some reason. "Stop looking, stop looking, I'll just straighten it, okay?"

More people appeared at the station; where would the overnight trains take them? Some were going to send off their annual leave, while others probably just wanted to go home after midnight. We mingled into the crowd and went inside the station.

Upon arriving at the station, Yuihama, whose home was nearby and who didn't need to take the train, seemed a little lost. I gave her a slightly puzzled look:

"Yuhihama, are you ready?"

"Eh?! Um..." Yuihama secretly glanced at Yukinoshita.

"Want to stay at my place?"

"Really?!"

Yukino yawned like a kitten, then looked at her with a smile.

"Then, let's get off there." After saying that, we walked through the revolving doors together. It's so late, I still have to observe the gentlemanly etiquette of seeing a lady off. There were small groups of people standing on the platform; it was actually quite crowded, but much less so than the previous station. There weren't any major events happening along the coast at the moment, and as usual, there weren't many people around.

The three of us sat on a bench inside the train; the train started moving.

The warm air radiator under the tram seat was very comfortable, and I couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh.

Yuihama obviously heard this and said with a smile:

"It's still quite cold outside."

"Yes, you really shouldn't go out in winter."

"But it's really fun. Nights are always so exciting," Yuihama's eyes sparkled. What kind of declaration is that, "I love night outings"... Are you an owl? Well, I do go shopping at night quite often, though.

Then, suddenly, she noticed that Yukinoshita, going in the opposite direction from Yuigahama, wasn't reacting; she had already started rowing. Ah, so her first dream of the new year was a treasure-hunting ship? What a good omen! Speaking of which, her first dream was on New Year's Eve, so does that count? However, she only had a fleeting moment to think about these things—Yukinoshita's body began to sway, and then, slowly, she leaned towards them. The gradually increasing weight, and the sudden fragrance. The softness and warmth she felt through her clothes. And the breath she heard beside her ear.

Although the surroundings were filled with various noises, whenever the vehicle swayed, the sound of breathing next to you would tug at your ears.

I thought the sudden physical contact had made my whole body stiffen, and that moving even slightly would wake Yukinoshita. However, not moving at all wouldn't be good either.

Because it's so embarrassing!

What to do? Confused, she tried calling out softly:

"Hey, hello"

However, Yuihama extended her index finger and made a "shh" gesture.

Xiaoxue looks very tired.

She whispered in his ear. Normally, she'd keep her distance, but now the snow was blocking her way…

So all I could do was nod slightly.

Yui rested her head on her knees, smiling as she looked at the snow.

Every now and then, I'd meet those upward-looking eyes, and I felt even more lost and confused...

I turned my head away, trying hard not to look.

I rode like that for a few stops.

The time frame is so long that it gives the illusion that Chiba is actually that big.

Act V

The car gradually slowed down, and the announcement began to broadcast the arrival information for the next station. However, Yukinoshita still managed to let out soft breaths from her moist lips, her thin chest rising and falling. Because she was concerned about this movement, yet couldn't stare, she remained frozen in place.

What should I do……

Finally, Yuihama got up, walked to Yukinoshita, and gently shook her as she spoke.

"Xiaoxue, getting off the bus?"

Yukino slowly opened her eyes, stiffened for a moment like a cat that had just woken up, and then, as if finally understanding her current situation, she stood up abruptly.

"Yes, I'm sorry..."

"Well, it's nothing."

I turned my head away a little guiltily. I moved my numb neck and shoulders; there was nothing there anymore, but I could still feel that warmth.

Stepping off the train, a chilly wind blew against our faces. We hurried down the stairs, through the revolving doors, and walked away as if escaping capture. Even during the day, few people got on or off at this station, and at night, it was even deserted. The silence and the cold wind created a tranquil atmosphere.

Ah, the quiet city in winter.

We headed to the house beneath the snow. The girls went ahead, and I followed a few steps behind. We passed through a park near the station, along a narrow path.

The distance between it and the snow seems to be farther than before.

Yukinoshita also sighed deeply, frowning and rubbing her forehead, as if she was disgusted with herself for her recent lapse in composure.

However, Yuihama said with great satisfaction:

"Xiaoxue's sleeping face is so cute... I'm so happy!"

"...Is there?"

"Yukino said with a hint of resentment," Yui replied. However, Yui answered her in a bright voice that seemed to illuminate even her harsh, north-wind-like reply:

"Yes, I'm very happy!"

After hearing such words, who could doubt them? We quietly continued walking forward.

"what!"

Yuihama twirled around as if the ball was over, then suddenly suggested:

"The first sunrise of the new year! Shall we watch it here?"

That's a somewhat silly idea. I sang in a lazy voice, "Um... well..."

"What a perfunctory response, Xiaoqi."

A slightly harsher reprimand. Couldn't you just let me sleep it off and then watch it later...?

"The beach here faces west towards Tokyo, so you can't see the sunrise," Yukinoshita said, sounding a little troubled.

Yuihama seemed stunned: "Really...?"

"Yes, the sun rises in the east."

"I knew that too!!!"

Yuihama pouted, looking a little annoyed.

You two seem to be having a lot of fun... Yukino is probably getting revenge for what happened earlier, right?

"It's impossible to see the sunrise in Chiba City, but Aki City is a famous spot for watching the sunrise."

Leaving aside the more remote islands, there's the Inhazaki Mountains, Japan's easternmost point. Therefore, the sun rises earlier there than in other parts of Japan. It gets very crowded during the New Year period, and traffic jams are common. That concludes our lesson from the Ochiba Prefecture classroom. Thank you for listening.

I told the girls everything. They both gave me a slightly ambiguous smile. Yukinoshita let out a weary sigh, and Yui looked at me:

"Kihiro is really a Chiba fanatic..."

Go away, I'm used to it.

A short while later, we arrived at the apartment in the snow. She stopped at the door and turned to me.

"Um... thank you for coming out with me this time." Yuihama thanked me shyly.

I didn't know how to answer. I nodded to her.

no big deal.

"Well then, goodbye?" I said.

"Bye," Yuihama replied.

"Good night."

I waved goodbye, walked through the automatic doors, and returned to the embrace of night. Looking out the apartment window, I pondered this peculiar January 1st. They say "a year's plan starts in spring," meaning the year's fortune is set on the very first day. Will I be this busy all year...? Although I don't dislike it, to be honest. Good and bad fortune are intertwined; looking at it from another angle, it's probably a good thing.

However, I always have unintentional thoughts about bad things hidden behind my back, so I can't be too careful.

With that thought in mind, I stepped out of the building.

Suddenly, the door opened, and I heard a buzzing sound and footsteps. I turned around, and Yuihama walked in, slightly out of breath.

"Xiao Qi, that..."

"what happened?"

Yuihama stroked the bun's head and said

"Um...see you tomorrow?"

There was nothing particularly special about what he said, so I felt strange and unconsciously smiled.

"See you tomorrow," I replied, looking her straight in the eyes. Yui waved and went back to her apartment. Watching her small figure disappear at the end of the elevator, I turned and, as always, walked towards the New Year. I hope nothing troublesome happens this year.

Hachiman Hikigaya pondered what he knew and what he didn't know.

Looking up, I saw the empty winter sky, the sun not glaring. The sound of a monorail passing by echoed above. I followed the train intently, and sighed; the wind stirred up a cloud of steam for a moment, but it dissipated just as quickly.

What follows is probably going to be a very difficult test, I sighed involuntarily.

Thinking about it all is pointless; what's meant to happen will happen. Or perhaps it's just a rehearsal for something later...? Should I call it an agreement? Let's just assume it is. The question is, when, where, and how should I bring it up? I don't have much experience interacting with people, so this is a real dilemma. Everyone, how do you invite people out for trips?

Let's leave that aside for now.

Let's deal with today's matters first.

Yesterday, after returning from my first New Year's shrine visit, Yuihama sent me an email about buying a gift.

We met in front of the big screen at Chiba Station. It couldn't be clearer. She'd probably see us as soon as she stepped out of the station, and vice versa. Thinking this, I exhaled more frequently.

Soon, Yui came out of the ticket gate. She saw me and waved enthusiastically:

"Yah hello—!"

"oh oh"

"Sorry, I'm a little late—" Yui hurriedly ran off, her beige coat fluttering in the wind, the soles of her boots making a "clack-clack" sound. As the hem of her coat swayed, I could vaguely glimpse her knitwear and skinny jeans.

"Where to go first?"

Yuihama rested her finger on her chin, pondering for a moment:

"Well then, how about we wander around and see if there are any good places?"

With that, Yuihama pointed around the station and took a step forward.

"It's up to you."

When it comes to choosing gifts, I'm clearly clueless; I guess I should just leave it to the professionals. What's that saying again… "Appropriateness," "Fulfilling one's duties in one's position," "Nepotism"…etc., the last one is inappropriate.

Whatever, I still have a lot of faith in Yuihama's taste; I'll just be her follower.

Chiba is a shopping paradise.

When it comes to places for high school students to buy things, PARCO is the place to go.

PARCO, a powerful companion to the youth of Chiba City. It's likely that nowadays, fashion-conscious young people in Chiba would be divided into the PARCO cult and the RARAPO cult when it comes to buying clothes. And within the PARCO cult, there would probably be a further split between the Chiba PARCO faction and the Tsudanuma PARCO faction, engaging in a vicious and bloody struggle.