My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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One of them looked a little surprised, a little comical, but also very happy.

The other person hunched over, closed his eyes, and hid behind him, his hands clenched into fists.

Ah, just as I thought—that was the only thought that came to mind.

I was worried they hadn't made things clear back then. Now I'm so relieved.

Whether she cherishes the photos or hides them away, I think she's adorable.

So I secretly tucked it back into its original corner.

Forget about it.

Pretend you didn't notice.

Although we can't pretend it never happened, at least we can forget about it.

That must be her plan too.

Instead of decorating it, it was stored away deep within the most precious treasure vault.

I have no intention of speaking out or taking any action.

Maybe I can just ask her directly, make a joke about it. Then, with a smile, I can tell her, "I'll cheer you on, good luck!"

But if we do that, it will probably all be over.

If I say anything or ask anything, she will absolutely deny it with "absolutely not" and refuse to continue the conversation, and then... that's it.

Deny it, pretend you didn't see it, pretend you overlooked it, and let it just pass.

Pretend it never happened, forget it, and eventually lose it.

Therefore, I will absolutely not interfere.

Asking about her feelings is treacherous.

To reveal my true intentions is treacherous.

But I'm also afraid to find out his feelings.

The most cunning thing to do is to shift the blame onto her.

Actually, I noticed it a long time ago.

There was a place I was forbidden to enter. Several times I stood in front of that door, but I had a feeling that I couldn't go in and disturb them, so I could only peek and eavesdrop through the crack in the door.

Actually, I noticed it a long time ago.

I want to go into that place.

That's it.

So, actually—

—I don't want anything "real".

Volume 12, Chapter 3. Suddenly, Komachi Hikigaya sat up straight.

The cold air woke me up.

I groggily looked out the window, where the soft morning light streamed in. The eaves of every house were gradually turning white, reflecting a gentle glow.

The weather is slightly overcast today. The lingering morning mist is like my still hazy thoughts.

I rolled over and glanced at the clock. Normally, at this time, I would have jumped up in fright. But today was the day of the high school entrance exam, and school was closed for the day, so I was able to let my drowsy mind and heavy eyelids lead me to go back to sleep.

In that instant, the words that had come to mind just moments before resurfaced in my mind.

Entrance exam! Oh right, today is Komachi's second day of exams! Her parents should have already left, or at least I should see her off!

I sprang out of bed, bursting out of my room with a "energetic, grumpy morning grump!" feeling, and pounded down the stairs. Suppressing a yawn, I arrived in the living room, just in time to run into the adorable Komachi, who was about to leave. [Note 13: A line from Yumekawa Yui, the female protagonist of *Idol Time Starlight Paradise*. / Note 14: Yumekawa Yui's catchphrase.]

My beloved younger sister followed the school rules, wearing her junior high uniform neatly, and her favorite hair clip was sparkling. As soon as she noticed me, she raised her hand.

"Oh, good morning."

"morning."

I sat down at the table and saw breakfast and coffee wrapped in plastic wrap. This was probably my breakfast.

After greeting me, Komachi turned her gaze back to her backpack, making a final check before leaving. However, it seemed she had only brought her exam admission ticket and stationery, because after patting the backpack a few times, it collapsed.

Looking at her empty and flat schoolbag, I felt a little sad. This feeling of loneliness reminded me that the entrance exam was almost over.

The written exams all ended yesterday, and today should only include the interviews, so there's no need to cram.

Moreover, the interview isn't actually that important. It seems that public high schools in Chiba Prefecture place more emphasis on written exams.

Therefore, it can be said that the performance on the first day determined the outcome.

As a role model for the test takers, Komachi must have already brought back the test paper with her answers filled in to check her answers. It would be best if she did well, but if she was too concerned about the mistakes she made and couldn't concentrate on the interview, her older brother wouldn't be able to bear watching.

I was worried about that, so I decided to ask tactfully.

"How does it feel?"

I picked up my coffee cup and took a few sips, trying to ask casually in a relaxed and cheerful tone.

It took Komachi a few seconds to react. She rested her index finger on her chin, tilted her head, and fell into deep thought.

"Hmm... so-so. There's no use worrying about it now."

Hanxiao's voice was quite calm.

This kind of awareness is truly admirable. Being as calm as knowing the world is about to end is like being as calm as being turned into a wax figure—that would turn you into Sei-Gama II [Note]. In any case, Komachi seems quite composed now, which puts my mind at ease a little. [Note 15: Refers to the single "Wax House" by the Japanese heavy metal band Sei-Gama II.]

However, calmness is not necessarily caused by positive factors.

"Besides, yesterday's exam pretty much determined the outcome."

Her wry smile betrayed a hint of unease in her added statement. Perhaps when one sees through everything, enlightenment will come in the midst of tranquility. Komachi currently appears as calm as a still lake, but a gentle breeze seems capable of creating ripples.

So let's change the subject and talk about something unrelated. Even if this is just escaping reality and avoiding the problems at hand, the right way to uncover the truth isn't just through reasoning.

"...Let's have dinner together after the exam."

I added a generous amount of sugar and milk to the still-warm coffee, adjusting it to a brown color that was neither too dark nor too light, just the right shade. Komachi grinned, revealing her fangs.

"Oh? Not bad."

"Right?"

"Mmm-hmm!"

I raised the corners of my mouth, and Komachi clapped her hands, then put her hands on her cheeks, pretending to do it.

"If my brother treats me to a meal as a reward, I can work even harder, hehe. Doesn't that give me a lot more points, hehe?"

"I didn't ask you to come. Besides, that score must have been pretty low..."

I spent almost all my money yesterday... But even if half of it was a joke, if Komachi can put in a little more effort, we can still manage to make ends meet.

"Alright, it's a date with your sister after all. I'll pay for the meal."

I jokingly pretended to be wealthy, showing her the extent of Wang's riches. Unexpectedly, this made her expression instantly cool down.

"Uh, I really don't want to go on a date. But since my brother is willing to cover the food and transportation, I'll put up with it."

"No, no, don't take it so seriously... And what's with all this talk about enduring? It makes me really sad. It was just a sweet, brotherly joke... I can only say things like this to you, so what's the big deal..."

"Wow, that sounds even more disgusting..."

I burst into tears, but Komachi added insult to injury with an extremely impatient tone. This person has such a sharp tongue… And how did it turn into me having to pay for the transportation… Besides, where did you learn such industry slang as "all-inclusive" meals and transportation? Have you reached the age where you want to act like an adult? Ugh~ Komachi is taking her first steps on the ladder to adulthood…

I glanced to the side and saw Komachi chuckling. She slung her backpack over her shoulder with a "whoosh," waved her phone, and walked toward the door.

Let's keep in touch after the exam.

"Hmm. I'll think about what to eat during the interview to pass the time."

I subtly hinted to her not to put too much pressure on herself, and escorted her to the entrance. Whether she understood the implication or not, I didn't care.

Komachi put on her shoes, kicked the ground to make sure she was wearing them properly, and then turned back to look at me.

"...Okay, I understand."

She gave me a calm yet somewhat mature smile. She was the only one in the whole world who could sense my feelings without me saying them aloud or asking—I knew it was self-satisfaction, but I still understood it that way.

Komachi put away her smile, took a deep breath, and saluted me with great enthusiasm.

"Alright, Komachi, let's go!"

"Okay, take care."

After saying goodbye, Komachi turned and ran out.

Okay, I'll go check out some food reviews online and get ready to go out.

╳ ╳ ╳

Around noon, I arrived at the bus stop closest to my high school and wandered around for a bit.

I don't know when Komachi's interview will end. The second day's exam only consists of interviews, after which you can leave the exam room. I don't know Komachi's admission ticket number, so I can't estimate the end time. However, the candidates are probably too preoccupied with the exam to care about when it will finish.

In that case, there is only one action I should take.

He lay in ambush near the high school. Hachiman was going to wait for Komachi in a way that would make both Aming and Yuming run away. He's really good at acting cute. [Note 16: Lyrics from Aming's famous song "Waiting"]

That being said, hiding behind a tree next to the school like Hoshino Yuuma's older sister, muttering "Komachi..." while waiting for her isn't really a good idea. Specifically, it's not good for my image. The Hikigaya family's son almost caused another incident that would be posted on the neighborhood bulletin board. His defining characteristic is wearing black clothes! Aren't we a little too fond of black clothes...?

If someone actually called the police, things would get very complicated, so I decided to kill some time nearby.

So, I went to Marinpah next to Inagekaishi Station! I stepped into the now-renamed Aeon department store, browsed the bookstore, bought a few books, and then headed to Saizeriya near the station to really kill time. Saizeriya is still the best! It's perfect even if I go alone!

Besides, the Saizeriya at Inagekai Shore has a view of the road from the second floor of the station building. Seeing many students in junior high school uniforms coming out means their exams are over!

I might be a genius who kills time in Chiba... I walked outside, still amazed by my own talent.

Located by the sea, the wind blowing into the main road made me shiver. The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors was already significant, and with this gust of wind... I wrapped my scarf tighter and buried my face in it.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared out of the corner of my eye.

Next to the entrance of MARINPIA, there's a Saint Marc café facing the street. At the bar seat facing out through the glass, a woman with a black ponytail tinged with blue is busily swaying back and forth.

I looked over there in confusion. The girl with the ponytail was wiping the mouth and blowing the nose of a little girl with blue hair and two braids that bounced around like hers. She was taking meticulous care of her.

Speaking of little girls I remember, there's only one: Kawasaki Kyoka. As for the person who took care of her… well, she's from the Kawasaki something-or-other family!

Their relationship was so sweet, a world apart from that of a certain pair of sisters—the heartwarming scene of the Kawasaki sisters was so captivating that I couldn't help but stare. Then, I accidentally met their large, watery eyes behind the glass.

Jinghua opened her mouth wide, pointing at me on the other side of the glass, her mouth opening and closing repeatedly. My goodness, how can this child be so adorable…

Illustration 006

Now is not the time to let Kyoto distract me. Kawasaki immediately noticed me and met my gaze.

We all nodded slightly in greeting.

Then, they froze, unable to move.

The stable time for Jizo (a Buddhist deity) [Note]. Because it's so Jizo-like, let alone offerings, people might even offer you a straw hat. This Jizo time equals the search time plus a moment of contemplation; therefore, using this time to solve the mystery is perfectly reasonable. [Note 17: From the author's work, *Girl Number*.]

Okay, here's the question. What should you do when you run into a classmate on the street? Answer quickly! The person who answers seven questions correctly wins; three wrong answers disqualify them! 7○3╳ [Note 18: From the comic "Guessing King," the original title means "7○3╳"]!

However, there's no need to answer so many questions. The answer is simple.

If it's someone you've only spoken to a few times, it's best to pretend you didn't see them. If they're not close classmates, a simple greeting is fine. If they're good friends—since you're so close, you must see each other often, so why bother stopping for pleasantries? So you can just walk away. In other words, no matter who you run into outside, just get out of there!

That's how it is. It would be best if I could just slip away smoothly, but the other person is Kawasaki. I subconsciously considered my relationship with her and stopped in my tracks.

Perhaps that's why, even through the glass, I sensed Kawasaki's hesitation. This sense of distance was like encountering your own cat outside. If you take just one step closer, the cat will dart away.

This predicament has left me rooted to the spot. I desperately want to shout for help like Shinichi Tsutsumi [Note]. Someone please help me! [Note 19: From an advertisement by the insurance company Axa Direct.]

I silently cried out for help to Axa Direct, but it wasn't Axa that offered assistance; it was Jinghua.

Jinghua smiled and waved to me frantically. If it were a regular invitation, I would simply decline with "if I'm free," but if it was an invitation from a young girl, I would absolutely not refuse.

Oh no, the other person is a minor! No matter how tempting they are, if my guardian doesn't agree, I'll be arrested and locked up!

I glanced at Kawasaki, wondering if I should ask for her guardian's permission. Kawasaki looked a little troubled, said a few words to Jinghua, and began to comfort her. However, Jinghua puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away. Kawasaki sighed softly.

She took the things from the seat next to her, glanced at me tentatively, her lips twitched, and she seemed to say something.

Judging from the shape of her lips, it seemed like she was asking me, "Want to come?" But she turned her head away immediately, so I couldn't see it clearly.

Alright, since you've granted permission, I'm extremely grateful. Go and say hello. A greeting from the Stone Chamber Poet Shi Shi, a lion lover who vows to devour ten lions.