My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 474

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After turning the doorknob, the group of people stepped into the entrance hall.

The layout of Yukinoshita's house is roughly 3LDK (3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathroom). When I visited before, I only stayed in the living room, but the house is actually quite spacious. I remember being able to see the master bedroom door from the hallway.

However, I always feel that this place is a little different from the last time I came here.

From the entryway to the hallway and the living room, everything was kept clean and tidy, and the decor remained unchanged.

Only under the snow could the source of this strange feeling be discovered.

She looked at the side table next to the sofa, and I followed her gaze. There was something there that looked like fried spaghetti. Yuihama's room had something similar. I vaguely remembered it being a room air freshener.

Upon closer inspection, a wooden stick resembling a Pocky stick was inserted into the bottle, with a large amount of liquid resembling medicine at the bottom.

The fried spaghetti absorbed the liquid, and the aroma it emitted was probably the source of the smell we just smelled.

A delicate floral fragrance. Sweet and luxurious, with a touch of elegance.

But the fragrance, which should have calmed people down, instead exuded a dangerous aura.

An unseen, strange smell wafted into my nostrils, and the atmosphere in the room suggested that someone else was present. Yukinoshita's appearance left a slight impression.

So, this is the truth behind the feeling of something being different?

This scent really doesn't suit Yukinoshita's image, which is why I noticed it. This air freshener was probably brought by Haruno. My personal impression of Yukinoshita is more of a clean and refreshing minty or soapy scent.

Yukinoshita herself didn't seem to like the scent, frowning slightly. Like a cat whose privacy had been violated, she glanced at the air freshener several times, but then went to the kitchen to boil water. It seemed she was going to prepare some black tea for us.

Yukinoshita was sullen, while Hinano was in the opposite mood, in high spirits. Humming a song, she opened the refrigerator, took out a wine bottle and a wine glass, hopped onto the sofa with small steps, and then rolled around.

Yang Nai placed the wine bottle and glass on the small cabinet next to her, stretched comfortably, and her long legs stretched straight out from her loose shorts.

I tried to keep my eyes from drifting to her disheveled appearance, my gaze wandering. Just then, Yang Nai waved to us.

Please make yourselves at home.

"Why is it my older sister who makes the decisions?"

Yukino sighed helplessly, returned to the living room, and placed the black tea on the low table.

She brewed four cups of black tea. We roughly found our seats by observing the position of the cups.

Haruno reached for her glass, downed it in one gulp, and let out a satisfied sigh. Then she poured herself another glass of champagne. Yui watched curiously from the side.

"Is that alcohol? Does Haruno-neechan drink often?"

"I drink everything: beer, spirits, sake, Shaoxing wine, whiskey."

"Wow, it's so cool that you know so much about alcohol!"

Yang Nai chuckled.

"Actually, I don't know anything about it. As long as you go to a high-end store, you can find good wines everywhere. I just tell the staff how I feel and what I like, and they help me choose."

What? That makes you look more like an expert. Awesome...

Once they start talking about topics they like, they get carried away, right? Those clueless college students who've only just learned how to make Mori Izo, Maou, and Dassai, and then act like they know everything, are really infuriating.

In a sense, Yang Nai's method of selecting sake is much more sophisticated.

Guys who flaunt their knowledge while drinking and lecture other customers are incredibly annoying. For example, someone who rave about Belgian beer while dismissing Japanese dry beer. This symptom often appears in the second year of working life, hence the name "Social Year 2 Syndrome"! Why do guys always like to show off their knowledge even when no one is asking… Well, that's just how men establish their status.

However, it's also quite sad to have absolutely no relevant knowledge. For example...

"A sommelier, a sommelier, right!"

"Don't spout nonsense just because you know a little bit..."

Look at Hihama-kun in front of me, her eyes are sparkling. People with such limited vocabulary also have a problem. The vocabulary of young people these days is really terrible, simply terrible, utterly terrible. Language is truly a profound and complex subject—

However, the effects of alcohol should not be underestimated. There are indeed people who advocate for social interaction over drinks, so alcohol must have some effect. For example, no matter how harshly you insult someone, you can blame it on alcohol and it'll be fine. Just kidding. The person being insulted will never forget it.

In any case, thanks to the fact that Yang Nai is drunk now, it is indeed easier to interact with her than usual.

Yuihama probably also felt that Haruno had become more approachable, and the distance between them had narrowed considerably.

Yang swirled his wine glass, savoring its rich aroma, then tilted his head back and downed it in one gulp. His movements were so practiced and skillful that Yuihama exclaimed in admiration.

"Wow—so handsome..."

"...Will it?"

Okay, yes, Haruno himself is very handsome, but praising him so much seems a bit strange... If drinking people are handsome, then those middle-aged men who gather near the Nakayama Racecourse and for some reason have no front teeth are also handsome. Do all the middle-aged men who drink in Koiwa or Kasai during the day become handsome men?

However, Yuihama didn't seem to associate alcohol with the drunken, slovenly adult; her eyes shone as she looked at Haruno with respect.

"I don't know why, but girls who can drink seem really cool!"

"I urge you to quickly abandon that kind of thinking..."

Ugh! This makes me really worried about my sister, Bibin! Even when I go to university, I'll join a respectable club! I've made a promise with you, brother!

Even so, I can somewhat understand what Yuihama said. Deep down, we all harbor a longing for the adult world.

Perhaps it's because society dictates that only adults can smoke and drink that we yearn for it. Obtaining such tools would allow us to easily, quickly, and conveniently experience what it's like to be an adult.

But if there are people around you who have bad drinking habits, you won't have that kind of impression of alcohol... Like my dad, sometimes he comes home drunk, and I heard that he often takes off his clothes when drinking with clients, and I always feel like "it's really disgusting..."

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but sigh.

At the same time, I heard another sigh. Looking to the side, I saw Yukinoshita, who had gone back to the kitchen, return with a bottle of mineral water and hand it to Haruno, wanting to exchange it with her wine glass.

"What's cool isn't the act of drinking. What's cool is knowing how to appreciate wine in moderation and rationally."

"Yes, yes, like me."

Yang chuckled, clutching the bottle tightly, refusing to hand it over. Yukinoshita helplessly put her hand over her hip.

"Do you want more?"

"Everyone has days when they really want to drink. Besides, alcohol is the lubricant of life."

"...I think in most cases, that's the root of the problem."

That's right, that's right. Anything that calls itself lubricant is utterly worthless. The same applies to job interviews; anyone who compares themselves to lubricant will never be hired. Because companies always need cogs!

However, there are occasionally people who are as slippery as lubricant, preventing many things from getting to them.

In fact, Yang ignored Yukino's rambling and took another sip of champagne.

"Don't worry, I'll listen to you carefully."

Her tone was completely calm, without a trace of drunkenness. Yukinoshita seemed to understand, so she took back the bottle of mineral water that Haruno hadn't taken, and smiled faintly.

"...That's true, after all, you won't listen to people just the same even if you don't drink."

"That's right~"

She responded flippantly, swirling her glass and gazing through the glass at the snow below. Even through the pale golden liquid, her sharp eyes showed no softening.

"So, what do you want to tell me?"

Yang asked casually, lightly tapping the rim of the cup with her slender fingers. The sound, which should have been crisp and pleasant, inexplicably carried a chilling, unsettling quality. In the end, only the hissing of bubbles remained in the cup.

For a brief moment until the sound completely disappeared, as if no one else could intervene, Yui and I could only hold our breath and wait.

Yukinoshita had already told us that she hoped we would witness the end. Therefore, we did nothing, not even utter a word, and waited quietly for her to speak with wandering gazes. When our eyes suddenly met, we simply looked away awkwardly, finally fixing our gaze on Yukinoshita's lips.

During this time, Yukinoshita remained silent, enduring Haruno's gaze. As if carefully choosing her words, she cautiously opened her mouth and then closed it again.

The movement is so subtle that it's impossible to tell whether it's inhaling or exhaling.

However, that hesitation only lasted for a moment.

A faint smile appeared beneath the snow, and she spoke slowly.

"About us...about us in the future."

Her voice was elegant and clear, and although not loud, it filled the entire room. Or perhaps it was her gaze that created that illusion. That straightforward look, unwavering and unyielding, might have touched the listener's heart.

Yang Nai was no exception, and sighed:

"You're willing to tell me about it too."

"Hmm... because it's related to me, you, and our mother."

Upon hearing this, Haruno narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly. She thought for a moment, then, probably realizing what Yukinoshita was going to say, she shrugged dejectedly.

"...Oh, is that what it is? Looks like I don't want to hear about it."

She sighed and shifted her gaze.

"Is that right?"

Haruno turned to Yuihama for her opinion. Her gaze made Yuihama tense.

However, Yukinoshita leaned out and interrupted her.

I still hope you'll listen to me.

Yukinoshita's tone was firm, her voice was as usual, her volume was not loud, and her speaking speed was not fast.

That's why you can see their determination.

This statement, devoid of confusion or bewilderment, and certainly not wrong, truly moved Yang Nai.

Haruno slowly sat up from the sofa and placed the wine glass she was holding on the side table. With this gesture, she gestured for Yukino to continue.

"So, I need to go home. I want to talk to my mother about my hopes for the future... Even if they don't come true, I don't want to have any regrets."

Let's stop here for now.

She lowered her long eyelashes and let out a trembling sigh. Her slender shoulders swayed, and her cascading black hair obscured her face.

I couldn't see Yukino's expression, I only heard her continue speaking:

"At least... this is the only thing I want to clarify, something I want myself to be able to accept."

After speaking, she brushed her hair aside.

A snow-white face was revealed, adorned with a serene smile.

Seeing her expression, I couldn't help but gasp. Yuihama probably felt the same way.

Her beauty beneath the snow is breathtaking. Her clear blue eyes, brimming with unwavering resolve, frame a face flushed with a gentle blush.

Perhaps that's why no one could bring themselves to reply to her.

Only Yang exhaled a breath that sounded almost like a sigh.

I couldn't help but look over, and once again held my breath. Haruno's expression at that moment was remarkably similar to Yukino's smile.

A beautiful, kind, and gentle smile. Yet, it held a hint of coldness.

"Is that so? That's your answer."

Yang Nai said softly.

Yukino nodded silently. Haruno continued to stare at her with cold, emotionless eyes, as if giving her a score, for a long time. Even so, Yukino remained unmoved. Finally, Haruno sighed softly.

"Okay. At least it's somewhat presentable now."

It was as if she was speaking to herself. Then, Yang Nai picked up her glass again, drank the rest of the champagne in one gulp, and held the glass up to her eyes.

I had no way of knowing what the curved glass in front of Yang Nai reflected, I only saw a drop of water slide down the rim of the glass.

She looked at it with satisfaction and nodded slightly.

"I understand what you mean. Since you're serious, I'll help you."

"……help?"

Yukino looked at her in surprise, seemingly unable to believe what she had heard. Haruno responded with a smile.

"right."

She affirmed with a single word, yet Yukinoshita's expression remained grave. Me too. Anyone with even a slight understanding of Yukinoshita Haruno's character would find it impossible to accept her words without question.

So, despite knowing so much, I couldn't help but chime in.

"...Excuse me, how exactly can I help?"

"Your mother probably won't change her mind easily, so it'll be necessary to spend time having a proper talk with her. Therefore, I'll find an opportunity to say a few words on your behalf."

When Haruno answered, she even winked mischievously. Indeed, as she said, Yukinoshita's mother was unlikely to change her mind easily. Although I hadn't talked to her mother in depth and wasn't familiar with her, I could imagine this from overhearing her conversation with Yukinoshita. Based on my extremely subjective impression, Yukinoshita's mother was the type who didn't need anyone else's opinion.

When that person spoke to her daughter, it felt like she was actually talking to herself. If their conversations were always like that, Yukinoshita probably wouldn't get anywhere talking to her herself.