My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 478

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Upon entering the store, I couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

This behavior usually stems from temperature and humidity, but I personally think it's due to the radiant smile in front of you. Kyoka Kawasaki's charming appearance is truly heartwarming.

"It's 88—!"

"Oh, long time no see. It doesn't seem like it, we just met recently. How have you been?"

It felt like two years had passed since we last met... I patted her head nostalgically for a while, and Jinghua replied with a smile, "Hehehe~ Great~" patting the seat to her left.

It seems she wants me to sit there.

What a clever, handsome, and wonderful way to invite me... Haha, I get it. This guy is handsome, right? Everyone says I have no resistance to handsome guys, so I obediently sat down next to her.

To be honest, I didn't have anywhere else to sit. Sitting next to Kawasaki is terrifying! Even a slight touch on her shoulder makes my heart race! Don't do that! Please don't try to blackmail me! Okay, okay, I know Kawasaki wouldn't blackmail me, but her expression can be really scary sometimes, so don't blame me.

Therefore, I began my dialogue with Kawasaki across the demilitarized neutral zone of Kyoto.

Why are you here...?

We didn't have much to talk about, so we had to start with something we both knew. Besides, it was strange that they specifically came to Aeon Mall near the school on a holiday. On days off from entrance exams, Chiba high school students either laze around at home or have a blast at Disneyland… Haha, I know, this guy's weirdo. But if that's the case, I'm pretty much the same…

I don’t know if Kawasaki could read my mind, but she casually pointed to the shopping bag that she had just taken off the chair and placed at her feet.

"We've come to buy some things, and then we'll rest here..."

Food items like scallions could be seen through the gaps in the shopping bag.

But why come all the way here on a holiday? There should be other supermarkets near Kawasaki's house... I rephrased my thoughts:

"Oh—you came all the way here?"

"I usually buy things here."

Kawasaki looked away and answered hesitantly. Jinghua, who was standing next to him, immediately raised his hand.

"Points card!"

She shouted triumphantly, holding a card with a dog pattern on it.

Ah—it's the card that makes a dog barking sound when you pay. Jinghua looks so cute. "Jingjing…" Kawasaki scolded softly, blushing, and pushed her hand back. Hmm, okay, kids always want to press the bus stop bell or take out a card…it seems that in the Kawasaki family, Jinghua is in charge of showing the card. Kawasaki probably usually buys things on the way home from picking Jinghua up from kindergarten.

That being said, there are other Aeon malls elsewhere, is it really necessary to make a special trip here on a holiday? Kawasaki probably sensed my doubt and muttered a supplementary comment.

"...By the way, I also came to see Dazhi. He finished his exams today."

She stared out the window, not looking at me.

So that's it, that's the reason. I heard before that Kawasaki's younger brother, Kawasaki Taishi, was also going to apply to Sobu High School. She was probably too worried about Taishi, which is why she couldn't help but run here. What's up with this person...?

"Your brother complex is quite severe. You'd better see a doctor as soon as possible..."

"Huh? Who gives you the right to talk to me like that?"

“Ouch!”

Her fierce glare made me shrink back in fear. I knew she was a good person, but those occasional sharp glances were still quite intimidating…

I hunched my shoulders and trembled, suddenly feeling a chill.

The seat by the window didn't seem to get very warm, and the chill outside seemed to seep into the room through the glass. The biting cold, combined with the awkwardness of the interrupted conversation, made me feel extremely uncomfortable.

Kawasaki, sitting next to me, was probably doing the same, his gaze shifting back and forth between the window, me, and Jinghua. My eyes naturally drifted towards Jinghua as well.

She held the children's cup with both hands and sipped the orange juice through the straw. After finishing the juice, she let out a satisfied sigh.

Upon closer inspection, Kawasaki's cup was already empty. She seemed to be waiting for Jinghua to finish his drink. "It's about time we said goodbye," I thought, as Kawasaki glanced at me.

"Hmm...what about you?"

The question was extremely brief, but it seemed to imply that "we're about to leave." In that case, I should take this opportunity to subtly tell her that I'm leaving.

"Oh, I was just thinking of going to get some food."

"Is that so..."

Kawasaki seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She looked at Jinghua and patted her on the back.

"Bah... uh, big brother said he's leaving."

Kawasaki realized his mistake and immediately corrected himself. Jinghua also calls me "Baba," so it doesn't matter. It's actually the "big brother" title that's more embarrassing… I shifted slightly. Just then, someone tugged at my sleeve.

"Huh—is Hachiba going back?"

Jinghua looked up at me, her eyebrows drooping in a V-shape, looking very reluctant to leave. Her hands, which had been clutching her sleeves, now clenched tightly. I felt so embarrassed to leave... just like how I'd definitely be asked "Are you leaving so early?" when I started working.

Just as I was fretting over what to do, Kawasaki frowned, radiating an aura that seemed poised to reprimand Kyoto in a low voice at any moment. I'd witnessed something similar before when making desserts; it was terrifying…

It's pitiful that Jinghua is being scolded; I've decided to smooth things over first. Being a lightning rod and being Ken Hirai are both my specialties [Note]. No, my features aren't that deep-set. [Note 20: The Japanese pronunciations of "lightning rod" (ひらいしん) and "Ken Hirai" (ひらいけん) are similar.]

"...I'm planning to go to Salia. Want to come along?"

Kawasaki's eyes widened instantly, and his mouth opened and closed.

"Wh...what? No, no..."

"I think so."

As expected. People online had already been saying that girls hate going to Saizeriya with guys. The internet truly knows no bounds; it can find anything.

Jinghua looked sullen, so I patted her head to comfort her, then stood up. Just then, a faint voice called out to me.

"...Ah, wait a minute—"

"Oh?" I turned around and saw Kawasaki with his face slightly flushed, pouting and muttering:

"...It's alright to have a cup of tea here."

"Huh? Ah, yes, yes. If it's just a cup of tea..."

That remark was so unexpected that I instinctively responded with polite language and reluctantly sat back down. Jinghua cheered and leaned against me.

This is a real headache; I completely missed the chance to leave... So, I'll have to order something too.

"Would you like something to drink?"

I asked casually as I got up. Kawasaki suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly looked at Jinghua's hand.

"Ah, well then, a hot cocoa... and an iced coffee."

"learn."

She cares about Jinghua before herself; she's such a model older sister. I quickly walked to the counter, trying to hide the smile that I couldn't help but let on.

After the three of us had our meals, I carried the tray back to the bar counter made of plywood.

The tray had the hot cocoa, iced coffee, and hot latte I had just ordered, as well as freshly baked chocolate croissants.

As soon as I returned, Jinghua stared at the croissant with sparkling eyes, letting out a sigh that sounded like "Sonny Chiba" [Note]. Kids really can't resist sweets. I was a kid once too, so I understand kids' feelings perfectly; in other words, I'm practically a kid master. [Note 21: Refers to Japanese action actor Sonny Chiba, a fourth-dan in Kyokushin Karate and a second-dan in Shaolin Kung Fu, famous for his breathing techniques.]

Therefore, I will say what Jinghua most wants to hear right now.

"...Want to eat?"

Jinghua's sparkling eyes instantly turned to me. Ah, it seems the plan succeeded… I'm like a politician suddenly showing concern for elderly care and pension issues before an election—a man who can effortlessly gain favor without batting an eye. Incidentally, I'm also using this to demonstrate my interest in politics, hoping to collaborate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on the next 18-year-old election campaign. Dear Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, are you even watching?

Jinghua was completely unaware of my scheme and was extremely excited.

"I want to eat—I love 88!"

She patted my arm vigorously, full of energy.

"Haha, right? But these kinds of slight physical contacts can easily lead to misunderstandings for guys, so you can't just do that to other people~"

"Okay! I'll only do it to Hachi!"

Good heavens, this girl is so young, yet she already knows how to seduce men? How terrifying… Any man in the world who heard this would be instantly knocked out. Before long, Jinghua will become a "man-killer" of massacre scale, etched in history… However, I'll probably be the first one to be engraved on a memorial stone. For world peace, this female terrorist must be dealt with as soon as possible! Just as a sense of mission was burning within me, the hidden female terrorist beside me sighed:

"What kind of nonsense are you teaching this kid...?"

Kawasaki rubbed her forehead, looking annoyed. She reached around from behind Jinghua and tugged at my sleeve, then gently beckoned, bringing her face close to Jinghua's head and whispering to me:

"I said, what you're doing isn't right."

"what?"

What's wrong with me? Am I planning to win over Kyoto and mold her into a perfect lady, like Genji? I'm like a highly motivated Columbus searching for my dreams, welcome here! [Note 22: Lyrics from the single "Paradise Galaxy" by the Johnny's idol group "Genji"]...

Kawasaki glanced out the window at the sun, which had not yet reached its zenith.

"It's not even noon yet..."

"Ah, oh—"

I see. Children have small appetites; if they have a snack now, they won't be able to eat lunch later. Although I don't know what they plan to eat, I don't want to trouble them. In English, it's like saying "no ninja."

However, to increase the little girl's favorability, I specially bought this chocolate croissant... What should I do? Then a brilliant idea struck me. I secretly pushed the chocolate croissant in front of Jinghua and whispered to her:

"...Then we'll split it in half. Don't tell your sister, okay?"

"Hmm! I won't tell!"

I raised my index finger in a "shh" gesture, and Jinghua imitated me. A shared secret—or rather, doing bad things together—is what unites everyone best.

"I saw it all, okay...?"

Jinghua chewed on the chocolate croissant she had cut in half with relish, and I watched her with satisfaction. Kawasaki, on the other hand, sighed in dissatisfaction and glared at me unhappily.

"Don't spoil her too much."

"...Just once in a while."

"What do you mean 'once in a while'? You do this every time."

"It's not that exaggerated... Kyoto is an exception. There's also Komachi."

"...Don't you realize it?"

Her slender, icy blue eyes shone even sharper. Hmm…she's gotten even colder! Should I include Kawasaki in this? Is that where the problem lies…I really don't understand what girls are thinking. This question is as difficult as "Do you know why I'm angry?"—it's an undefendable technique where you can't possibly answer correctly no matter what.

I didn't know what to do and started to feel lost. At that moment, Kawasaki's expression changed instantly; he lowered his gaze guiltily, as if about to say something difficult to state, and began to speak:

"I'm glad you're willing to play with Jinghua. However, she needs to learn to be patient..."

"Yes, I'm very sorry..."

I reflexively apologized. To look so dejected right after getting angry... what could I possibly say...? Kawasaki probably didn't intend to pursue the matter further, and we fell silent.

The sudden silence overhead made Jinghua look up in confusion. She glanced back and forth nervously at us, her cheeks still smeared with chocolate.

"You can't argue, okay?"

"We didn't argue. Jingjing, turn your head."

Kawasaki smiled gently, took out a wet wipe from his shopping bag, and wiped Jinghua's face. Jinghua seemed relieved and continued eating her chocolate croissant.

Okay, Kawasaki probably isn't really angry. She'd be even scarier if she were truly angry... When she was arguing with Yukinoshita or Miura, I thought she was some kind of delinquent.

However, she now gives a much gentler impression.

She used to carry around things like wooden swords, chains, and yo-yos, but lately she's been switching to shopping bags and long green onions. The way she carries those shopping bags is just too perfect for her…

Spending time at Saint Marc with a child who looks like me really gives me the feeling of being a young mother.

Because of this, being with them makes me feel like I'm part of the family. If I were to drive a minivan like the Elgrand or Alphard, I'd end up like the people you often see at the Aeon Mall in the suburbs. I'd probably like manga like One Piece and Naruto, put white cushions on the dashboard, and hang flax leaf air freshener under the rearview mirror.

I thought about it and it made me quite embarrassed.

Jinghua's face was covered in chocolate, while Kawasaki rested her chin on her hand, watching with a wet wipe in hand. I just stared at them from the side. The scene made me even more embarrassed.

It was too embarrassing to continue looking, so I turned my gaze to the window.

Students who looked like junior high school students walked past the coffee shop. They were probably students coming out after their interviews.

Kawasaki also noticed the students in uniform. She let out a sigh of relief, as if to relax her shoulders.

I understand how she feels. Seeing the other test takers, I also worry about Komachi. These people can be considered Komachi's formidable rivals, obstacles to her success, and thoughts like whether she should get rid of them now come to mind.

In that case, eliminating the closest obstacle is the best strategy! First, there's the boy lurking around Komachi! That's right, it's Kawasaki Taishi! So, I decided to gather information on the enemy.

"How did Dazhi do on the exam?"

"……have no idea."

I suddenly asked a question, and Kawasaki tilted his head in thought, "Hmm—". It was quite unexpected; I thought this brother-obsessed older sister—correction, the one who worries so much—would know how her younger brother did on the exam… Kawasaki sniffed, looking distressed, and said:

"If you ask, he'll just get upset..."