My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 471

Yukino tilted her head in confusion. After she mentioned it, I started counting on my fingers, recounting the people who had gone to Chiba Village with me, and then I arrived at the answer.

"Hiratsuka-sensei... but she's the one who leads the group, so she doesn't really play with us much."

"...From what I can tell, the teacher also seemed to be having a lot of fun."

Yukinoshita frowned. I understand her feelings—yes, that person always seems so self-satisfied. And the Ministry of Revenue was there too, but never mind that guy. I'll always remember you, so please rest in peace. It was all because he asked Hayama those strange questions that made me so depressed; as long as I remember, that's enough.

That summer, many things happened that only remain in my heart.

That bitterness, like silt, lingered in my heart, leaving a knot.

The reason I can't ignore Rumi Tsurumi is because I've linked her to someone else. I guess I can't forgive the obsessive concept of "everyone," whose very existence is ambiguous and only brings peer pressure, which is suffocating her—or rather, has been suffocating her all along.

The outcome of the incident was far from good.

However, that gesture—reaching out even knowing it was a fake—gave me a sliver of hope, a desire bordering on a prayer. This is something only I can truly remember.

However, memories are not controlled by personal will, and those who spent that time together will also have them.

So, she'll probably bring this up again.

"The fireworks were beautiful too."

Yuihama looked up at the night sky and murmured. I looked up too. There was no bright moon tonight, nor any golden threads of light scattered in the air; the night was utterly dark.

"...Fireworks."

"You remember?"

"Yeah. I didn't do much during summer vacation, so I'll naturally remember if there were any activities."

Yuihama's tone was teasing, so I shrugged and made fun of myself.

In this way, we carefully cherish the memories we shared.

All that remained between them were faint smiles, soft breathing, and quiet silence.

She sighed under the snow, as if trying to fill the moment of silence.

"You only remember a few days out of nearly forty days of vacation..."

"What's so strange about that? Summer vacation just ends before you know it... Besides, everyone's incredibly busy after school starts."

"Because the closer it gets to the end of the year, the more events there will be."

"Yes... although most of the problems lie with that chairman."

The mere thought of that person made her speak rudely. Yuihama also pouted.

"Hmm... no comment."

Oh my god! Yuihama is such a good person! People like that don't even need a trial, just send ten to death and beat them to death! But Yukinoshita doesn't seem to agree with me, she shrugged. Oh my god! Is Yukinoshita going to take the gentle route too? I was just thinking that—

"The problem isn't entirely with Sagami-kun."

"Ah—you said someone's name out loud..."

"...How dare you say that? You never intended to hide it, did you?"

Yukinoshita rubbed her temples, looking like she had a headache, and glanced at me with a frown. I replied perfunctorily, "Okay, okay, it's my fault," before she cleared her throat and mumbled:

"That's the result of many factors..."

This statement is very abstract and quite imprecise, but is there any other way to put it? Although she spoke vaguely, we still understood what she was trying to say.

Imposing one's own ideals on others, or because one cannot allow oneself to rely on others and insists on not asking others for help, or because one thinks one is considering others' interests—all sorts of factors.

However, I believe that it is through such back and forth that we gradually get to know each other and arrive at a respectable answer.

Our answers may differ, but in the end we will probably arrive at the same conclusion.

Therefore, Yukinoshita ended the topic with a completely unrelated conclusion.

"Most importantly, the schedule was too packed."

Yuihama and I both agreed.

"Yes, that's right. The graduation trip is coming up soon."

"That's right. The graduation trip was also very rushed."

I'm not going to say anything more here. Later, Yui and Yukinoshita continued the conversation.

"I felt like I didn't get to see much of the sights. At most, Kiyomizu-dera Temple? And a place with tons of torii gates. I didn't get to try many local specialties... But the movie village was really fun! The haunted house there was awesome!"

"...so we were in a rush at the time."

Compared to the excited Yuigahama, Yukinoshita seemed less inclined to agree. They were in different classes at the time, so they didn't do anything together. Even if they did play together, Yukinoshita probably wouldn't go into a haunted house. Because she's not very good at that kind of thing! Well, actually, I'm not very good at it myself either.

"I've visited quite a few tourist attractions. Ryoan-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tofuku-ji Temple, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine... I've also been to other places. As for local specialties, didn't I have tofu hot pot and udon noodles at the hotel? And I also went to the cafe I wanted to visit."

A hint of joy appeared on Yukino's face. So that's how it is; the coffee shop we went to that morning really was chosen by this guy. The shop was indeed very charming, and the food was delicious, so there was nothing to complain about…

Recalling this, Yukinoshita added in a low voice:

"And ramen..."

"Hand-Pulled Noodle?"

A question mark appeared above Yui's head, and Yukino quickly shut her mouth. I filled in the gap:

"Oh, Kyoto has so many famous ramen shops. Kitashirakawa and Ichijoji are really hotspots. If I had time, I'd love to go there... Takayasu, Tenten, Yumeyu..."

"Huh? Huh, what?"

"It's nothing. It's just the ramen shop I want to go to, don't mind me."

"Uh-huh……"

After barely managing to convince Yuihama, who still looked completely bewildered, it was my turn to continue the conversation.

"After that, I was still incredibly busy. I finally got rid of Sagami, but switching to Issei caused a whole host of problems..."

"Haha... Student council elections are super tiring too."

Yuihama gave a wry smile, and Yukinoshita beside her seemed a little deflated. I caught a glimpse of this and also let out a considerable sigh.

"The election just ended, and now there are Christmas events. Listening to them spouting all that 'Logical Magical' stuff all day long is pure hell..."

"I really can't understand what those people are saying... but what you just said is equally difficult to understand."

Yukinoshita smiled as she unleashed her sharp tongue, her curled-up back straightening without her noticing. Yuihama nudged her gently.

"But it's great to get to Disneyland for free! And I even bought a bunch of panda merchandise!"

"...Yes, that's right. It's not all bad things."

Yui chuckled, while Yukinoshita turned her head away. Seeing them like this, even I felt a warm glow.

It's not all bad things.

I believe our actions at the time were meaningful. We cannot be certain whether we fulfilled our responsibilities to Isshiki Iroha, whether Tsurumi Rumi reached the correct destination, or even know the true meaning of her words.

However, I feel that this was not entirely in vain.

That's why I was able to have a peaceful end to the year. I think they, too, felt the same warmth in their hearts.

Therefore, Yuihama, immersed in her memories, spoke in a rather calm tone.

"I feel like time has flown by. So much happened last year..."

"It's super busy right after the New Year... especially in our family, Komachi is taking her high school entrance exams right away."

After the start of the school year, unfounded rumors filled the campus, making me feel like I was constantly busy, with only a few short days at the beginning of the year allowing me some leisure. Thanks to this, all my memories are concentrated at the beginning of the year. Thinking about this, I couldn't help but worry about Komachi's exams.

"I hope the wishes I made during my New Year's shrine visit will come true."

"Hmm? Oh, yeah..."

My worry seemed to show on my face, but Xue Shita encouraged me.

"Forget it, there's no use worrying here."

I said, intending to change my mood. Yui nodded in agreement.

"Yeah... Let's throw her a thank-you party when the results come out!"

"Okay, thank you. Make sure to celebrate her making the list properly."

"……Um."

"certainly!"

I spoke as if Komachi was certain she would pass the exam, but they didn't deny it; instead, they answered with smiles. Thanks to them, my expression softened.

However, Yuihama's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"Exams aren't entirely irrelevant to us, are they?"

"Yes. This time next year will be the time for college entrance exams, and then..."

Yukinoshita lowered her gaze again. The meaning of the second half of that sentence was obvious without even asking.

After the university exams, graduation comes next.

"A year goes by so fast..."

This statement felt more real than I had imagined. In fact, this period of time was merely a casual conversation we had just had. The two people reminiscing with me must understand this very well.

"This is probably the fastest year we've ever had."

Yukinoshita sighed deeply, and Yuihama tapped her palm in agreement.

"I think so too! Why? Well, adults often say that the older you get, the faster time flies, that's pretty much it!"

"Because I'm very busy... plus a lot of people come to the Service Club to ask for favors or discuss things. It's all Hiratsuka-sensei's fault."

"She can be considered the mastermind."

Yukinoshita said with a wry smile. Yuihama and I also had similar expressions.

That's absolutely right. It all started with a single sentence from that person.

The beginning of it was actually quite trivial. I even suspect it was just a whim of hers.

Then, it will be over soon.

To this day, we still haven't clearly determined the winner; the outcome remains ambiguous, as if we're in a fog.

Even so, I will still find my answer, our answer—even if it's wrong, even if it means losing something.

Talking about the past would go on forever. We could talk about the memories of this year for as long as we wanted.

Moreover, they are all pleasant and joyful memories that can be told with a smile.

We only talk about what we want to talk about, and avoid talking about what we don't want to talk about.

He didn't say a single word he really wanted to say.

Everything is either arbitrary or deliberate. Then you'll soon discover that the memories you don't mention are precisely the parts you care about most.

The three of us must all be aware of this.

That's why the conversation was interrupted.

The three of them spent less than a year together. There were many things they remembered, things they forgot, and things they pretended to forget.

There will always come a day when all the memories we can recall are exhausted.

Once the conversation has covered the past and the present, it will inevitably come to an end.

In that case, the next thing to talk about is the future.

That's probably why. The three of us let out a sigh, and fell silent.

It is invisible and unknowable, inexplicable and irreversible.

Things that are unseen and intangible, even if we know nothing about them, once we take a step, there is no turning back.

In the silence, I heard someone re-wrap the scarf, the sound of fabric rubbing together.

"The snow has stopped."

Yuihama looked at the hazy night sky shrouded in a layer of smoke and murmured to herself.

There was no response from Yukino, only a slight nod and a raised gaze. The smile on her lips was like moonlight filtering through thin clouds.

They must be looking at the same view.