My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 427

"Speaking of sports clubs, the school's marathon is about to start, right?"

"Ah, right. It's the end of this month."

Yui answered, and Haruno looked somewhat surprised.

"Wait, it's not February this year."

"According to the consultant, it seems that the date was moved up slightly due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict."

Ye Shan answered calmly with a gentle smile, as if nothing had happened.

Wait a minute, Yukinoshita's expression darkened. Hmm. Right, she doesn't have much stamina... It seems she's really not good at marathons.

Anyway, the atmosphere became cheerful again.

That's fine, but the sight of these four people chatting happily is quite eye-catching. While not exactly glamorous, they're still quite pretty. These people are really conspicuous…

I've felt someone watching this side from the entrance since just now.

Well, although the noise earlier was partly to blame, they are all good-looking people, the kind who would attract attention just by walking down the street.

Thanks to these four, my presence has become even more insignificant. I am a shadow... but the stronger the light, the darker the shadow, and the brighter the light shines through...

Although it wasn't intentional, some people still ended up working behind the scenes. Speaking of which, the phrase "working behind the scenes" has an unusually high level of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's style!

Sipping my coffee, I realized before I knew it, it was time for a refill.

Is this a good opportunity to slip away from the battlefield?

"Oh, excuse me, I'll be right out."

Stand up quickly. Although it wasn't as urgent as it looked—

Well, when someone suddenly gets up and leaves in a coffee shop or restaurant, everyone understands. So, drinking more fluids at parties does have its advantages, right? If you encounter someone you don't like, you can excuse yourself and come back to sit at a different table...

"Oh, right, I also had something to do."

The sounds were uneasy, yet also cheerful and lively.

As I was speaking, I heard footsteps, and then a hand was placed on my shoulder.

I turned around and saw that guy standing in front of me saying:

"Come keep your sister company, okay? It won't be long, will it?"

That smile looked rather ominous...

"No, I'm a little..."

In short, just get through it and try to make your way to the exit quietly.

However, the hand on my shoulder suddenly wrapped around my forearm. Ah, my King's Power... so soft... ptooey, Hachiman, you're going to get cold!

I felt a warm breath in my ear:

"It's okay, don't be so rude... It's a date with your older sister, a date."

The devil's whispers...

Forget it, I can't resist anymore. I'll just lie down and let them tease me.

He was dragged out of the coffee shop with a stiff expression.

○Even in the end, the relationship between the Yukinoshita sisters could not be definitively determined.

Pulled out and led to the escalator, I finally managed to break free from Yang Nai's grasp and cautiously asked:

"where to?"

The problem is simple.

However, even such a simple question struck me as extraordinary.

It's probably because nothing good ever happens when we're alone together.

—A date, oh a date…

The devilish whispers still linger in my ears.

Perhaps I cared too much, because I didn't even dare to ask Yang Nai in the face.

The crisp clicking sound of high heels stopped.

She turned and looked me straight in the eyes.

Then he smiled playfully:

"I already said you were just coming with me to buy some things, right?"

"I never said that, okay?"

Weren't we supposed to be on a date?! Hey girl! Don't play with innocent guys like this!

Well, whatever Yang Nai says, in the end it'll be impossible to tell whether it's true or false.

Without looking back, she jumped onto the escalator and walked down in the opposite direction like a child, one step, two steps, and then—suddenly raised her head.

Her hands were clasped behind her back on the tracks, and the hem of her skirt fluttered slightly, like petals scattered in the sky, before returning to calm in an instant.

It wasn't until she waved to me that I realized what was happening and blinked hard.

"It's right downstairs. I've almost found the right place. It won't take long."

Her smile looks very youthful; she seems more like a girl than an older sister.

Seeing that expression, the usual fear gradually dissipated.

"No, that's not what I wanted to ask..."

Never mind, nothing special. Stepping onto the escalator step by step, Yang Nai hopped and skipped down to the marble floor as soon as she stood still.

It's usually crowded during the New Year, with lots of young people around. But everyone made way for Haruno, who had a bright, sparkling expression on her face.

Although I can somewhat understand why everyone made way for her: if I were in her shoes, I would also quietly hide in the shadows and not block her way, right?

Beauty is a form of oppression.

It is also a warning.

Add confidence to that, and it's like adding wings to a tiger; it's only natural that others will shrink back in fear.

Therefore, Yang often appears alone.

Of course, she does have friends—Yinnai has a wide circle of friends.

It was also the first time we met.

When I met her at the dessert shop, she seemed to be waiting for someone.

It was the same when Hiratsuka-sensei was chatting with her.

However, she seems to prefer solitude.

With her looks, talent, and privileged background, she possesses all the qualities everyone longs for, yet she prefers solitude. Doesn't that resemble the aloof and proud attitude I once admired?

Previously, I mistakenly believed that Yukino Yukinoshita was like this.

So, perhaps the fantasy I gleaned from Yang Nai is also quite flawed somewhere.

Although she enjoys solitude, she is definitely not pursuing it.

The evidence for this is her obsession with her younger sister, Yukino.

The way she kept making phone calls today, and the way she kept teasing Yukino before, all show that she can't ignore Yukinoshita's existence.

—It's just evidence of Yukino's existence.

This also explains why she doesn't pursue solitude.

Of course, it's unclear what makes her so persistent. If it's just familial love or sisterly affection, it seems a bit excessive.

As someone with a younger sister, I wouldn't deliberately go out and tease her or interfere in her private life... but I think I would. Yeah, I would. At home, she's always joking around, and she often interrupts during exams. She'll also try to keep anyone who tries to get close to her out of the way. It's all very normal, isn't it? That's what siblings are like! So, sisters would be the same... huh? Then, Haruno's actions are just very normal, right?

He was frowning in thought when he was suddenly interrupted by Yang Nai's voice:

"This is it."

I glanced up at the display—fluffy, brightly colored pajamas were scrambled together like they were having a party; all sorts of cute women's clothes were displayed prominently in front. I dared to peek inside, and guess what?! Swimsuits too?!

—A store that mainly sells cute women's pajamas and loungewear.

Blankets, bathrobes, evening gowns, headbands—the candy-like colors transport you to a dreamlike world.

Yeah, right! Someone like me isn't suited to go in...

"Then I'll wait a moment..."

"Alright, alright, we also have men's styles!" Yang Nai pushed me, who had a black line on my face, into the store.

What if a female shop assistant comes over and interrogates me? Those professionally smiling questions like, "How can I get anything for you?" feel like a trial to me. Then, while I'm stammering and racking my brains for an excuse, she seems to notice the sweat on my brow and asks, "Are you too hot?" while offering me tissues… Her tone is definitely one of disgust, yet somehow tinged with pity…

No, no way!

Give me some nitroglycerin tablets, please... I'll pass on the tissues.

This floor is totally for girls and guys with their girlfriends! There's no point in having a guy like me, relegated to the shadows...

Yang's confident demeanor left me no choice but to follow her like a Pokémon following its trainer, my eyes following her every step. A strange, hesitant voice echoed in my mind, as if I were about to give up—perhaps a divine revelation or some kind of salvation from somewhere, "God, save me..."

Invisible, invisible, invisible...

Unfortunately, it didn't work. Yang Nai hummed a little tune, picked up a piece of clothing and held it up to her chest, then turned to me and asked:

"Wow, Hachiman, look! This fabric is so comfortable!"

His smile was innocent and carefree, like a child seeing something for the first time.

"Oh, that's true."

I responded listlessly and continued strolling behind her. Not quite used to this mode of transportation, I moved slowly. Yang Nai stayed only a step or two behind me, occasionally asking my opinion on the clothes she had brought.

Strangely, there was no tense atmosphere as usual.

No staff members paid any special attention to our side.

Gradually, a slightly different display stand appeared in front of us.

Yang reached out and picked up a gray-white striped pajama set with a soft hood featuring animal-ear designs.

"See? See? It's the men's version!"

As she spoke, she flicked the pom-pom attached to it, and it gently landed beside my hand.

I took it and instinctively looked at the label—

"Holy crap, that's expensive!"

Blink hard.

Holy crap, it's true, five figures?

Seriously, why are pajamas, which aren't necessities, so expensive? They're too hot to wear in the summer, and too cold to wear alone in the winter…

While still silently criticizing the fashion industry in her mind, Yang Nai couldn't help but burst out laughing:

"Guys might not be very interested. But the clothes here have great reviews. Why don't you try them on?"

I'm wearing pajamas—

I squinted and imagined it for a moment.

No. It's not suitable, is it?

This cute style doesn't seem to match, does it?

However... it doesn't really matter whether it's an indoor uniform or not.

The spirit of a high school sophomore boy within me is gently guiding me:

Wearing clothes from brands that girls really like could very well become an opportunity for you to be bullied by them, and you might even come across as desperately trying to please them to be more popular. If someone who isn't very popular is familiar with this brand, everyone will probably think, "Huh?"

Yang Nai seemed to read my mind, and feigned disgust, taking a half-step back.

"At times like this, Hachiman really makes a really annoying face~"

Huh? Did I wear my thoughts on my sleeve...?

How could I admit defeat? I straightened my back.