My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 48

Without MAX Coffee, what kind of Chiba Prefecture would it still be? Wouldn't it become a sun cake without the sun?

"...Yes, there is."

Kawasaki whispered this, and Yukinoshita immediately looked over with displeasure. "So, why don't you two get along?" she thought. "That's scary."

"So, what are you doing here? You can't possibly be on a date with someone like that, can you?"

"How could that be? If you're talking about the thing next to me, even if it's a joke, it's incredibly tasteless."

"Um... you guys can argue all you want, but please don't involve me, okay?"

Don't refer to me as "that kind of person" or "that thing"!

If it were just the two of them talking, things would never get any progress, so I spoke first.

"I heard you've been coming home very late lately. Is it because of this part-time job? Your brother is very worried."

After I finished speaking, Kawasaki chuckled and laughed, as if he looked down on me, which was really annoying.

"You've come all this way just to tell me this? That's quite a journey. But do you think I'd just obediently listen to a stranger's lecture and then quit?"

"Being called a stranger by classmates, this autistic guy is really something..."

I actually impressed Yuihama because of this... Wait a minute, I don't know Kawasaki either, so this match is a draw, right?

"No wonder people have been bothering me lately. Was this your idea? Did Dazhi say anything to you? I don't know how you all know each other, but I'll talk to him myself when I get back. You don't need to pay attention to him... In other words, don't have anything to do with Dazhi anymore."

Kawasaki glared at me.

Is she telling us outsiders to stop interfering? However, Yukinoshita isn't going to let this go so easily.

"Of course I have reasons to stop you."

Yukinoshita's gaze shifted from Kawasaki to her own watch, checking the time.

"It's 10:40 now... If you were Cinderella, you'd have an hour left, but unfortunately, your magic has already been broken."

"After the spell is lifted, isn't there a happy ending?"

"Are you sure, Miss Mermaid? I think what awaits you ahead is not a happy ending."

They went back and forth, not allowing anyone to interrupt, their imposing manner perfectly matching the setting. The two were exchanging sarcastic remarks, like a game the upper class enjoys. So, why don't you two get along? Weren't we just meeting for the first time today? It's terrifying.

Just then, someone patted me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear:

"...What are they saying about the autistic man?"

Oh, Yuihama. Having someone like you, a commoner, by my side makes me feel so at ease…

According to the Labor Standards Act, individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from working after 10 PM. Kawasaki's continued work at this time suggests she's using a "magic spell" to lie about her age, but this spell has been broken by Yukinoshita.

However, Kawasaki remained calm and composed.

"Aren't you still planning to resign?"

"Hmm? I don't plan on that. Even if I'm fired here, I can just find another job."

She casually wiped the bottle with a cloth as she spoke. The way she spoke, as if she didn't care at all, really annoyed me. But Yukinoshita only took a sip of her Pei-Li… or Harris?

In the tense atmosphere that seemed ready to erupt at any moment, Yuihama cautiously began to speak.

"Um... Kawasaki-san, why are you working here? Well... actually, I do work when I'm short of money, but I wouldn't lie about my age to work this late..."

"It's nothing... I just need money."

Kawasaki put down the bottle, making a slight "thump" sound.

That's a perfectly reasonable answer. Most people work for money. While some may seek value in their work and meaning in life, I'm not sure about that aspect.

"Ah, I think I can understand now."

As soon as I said that, Kawasaki's expression immediately froze.

"How could you possibly understand... someone who jokes about their own future, how could they possibly understand?"

I don't remember how long ago it was, but I ran into Kawasaki on the school rooftop. It seems she still remembers that internship survey form we saw back then.

"That's no joke..."

"Oh? If you're not joking, then you're still a kid, taking life way too simply."

Kawasaki threw the cloth he had used to wipe the bottles onto the table and leaned against the wall again.

"You... no, not just you, Yukinoshita and Yui-hama wouldn't understand either. I don't work for money to play around with, don't compare me to that kind of idiot."

Kawasaki stared at me with a powerful gaze, his eyes conveying a strong message of "Don't get in my way," but tears welled up in his eyes.

But is that really considered strength? From what I heard, her saying that no one understands her shows her regret and disillusionment at the lack of empathy. Perhaps she really longs for someone to understand her?

In contrast, look at Yukino. Even if no one around her understands her, she will not sigh or be discouraged because she believes that sticking to her beliefs is a kind of strength.

Then look at Yuihama; she never gives up trying to understand others, nor does she run away from it. That's because she hopes that even superficial efforts can undergo some change over time.

"Hmm... But some things, if you don't try to say them, others won't understand. Maybe if you say them, we can help... and you'll feel more at ease..."

Kawasaki looked at Yuihama with a chilling gaze, but her words trailed off mid-sentence.

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. Would it help? Would it make you feel better? Then, could you give me money? Or, could you give me something my parents can't afford?"

"This, this..."

Yuihama couldn't refute it and lowered her head. Kawasaki is truly terrifying!

"Please stop now, if you keep arguing..."

The voice beneath the snow was chilling to the bone, and the fact that she only left things unsaid only amplified the terror. Wait, what are you planning to do?

Even Kawasaki paused for a moment, but then clicked her tongue and turned her gaze to Yukinoshita.

"I heard your father is a county councilor, is that right? You have nothing to worry about, how could you possibly understand my situation..."

She spoke these words very softly, as if she were talking to herself. Moreover, her voice sounded as if she had given up on something.

Suddenly, the sound of a glass tipping over was heard.

I glanced to the side and saw that the emerald water was spilling from the overturned glass, while Yukinoshita was biting her lip tightly, her eyes fixed on the table. Yukinoshita would never normally react like this, and I couldn't help but stare at her face in astonishment.

"...Under the snow?"

"What is it? Oh, I'm sorry."

After she snapped out of her daze, her expression returned to normal—no, even colder than usual—as she casually wiped the table with a towel. From the unusual atmosphere, I sensed a landmine beneath the surface. Thinking about it, I realized she'd had that same expression a while ago… I started searching my memory, trying to recall when that had happened. Just then, someone slammed their hand on the table.

"Wait a minute! What we're talking about right now has nothing to do with Yukino's family!"

Yuigahama glared at Kawasaki, her attitude unusually firm. She wasn't joking, nor was she egging him on; she was genuinely angry. So this is what he looks like when he's angry?

Kawasaki's voice lowered, whether because he saw her suddenly change her attitude after she had been grinning foolishly, or because he realized he had said something he shouldn't have.

"...So, you have no relation to my family, right?"

If that's really the case, then there's no point in discussing anything further.

This matter has absolutely nothing to do with me, Yuihama, or Yukinoshita.

If Kawasaki's behavior violates the law, teachers and parents should condemn it, and the law will punish her. However, for us outsiders who aren't even friends, there's nothing we can do to help her.

"You might be right, but that's not what we're talking about right now! It's about Yukino—"

"Yuigahama-san, please calm down. I just accidentally knocked over the cup, it's nothing, you don't need to worry about it."

Yuihama excitedly tried to stand up, but Yukino gently stopped her. Her voice was calmer than usual, but also colder.

Early summer has already passed, but the air here is still freezing cold.

It seems there won't be any progress today; these three girls simply can't have a calm and proper conversation.

However, I have a few things to keep in mind, and I should be able to resolve them after I take care of them.

"I think I'll head back now. I'm sleepy, and I'll leave after I finish this drink."

That being said, I still have more than half a cup of ginger ale left.

"you……"

"Yes, yes, Yukino, let's go home for today!"

Yukino sighed, looking exasperated, as if she wanted to say something to me, but Yui stopped her. Yui and I exchanged a glance and nodded; it seemed she had also noticed that Yukino's condition was unusual.

"...Alright, then let's head back first today."

Yukinoshita herself seemed to have sensed something as well, so she miraculously followed my advice. Without even glancing at the bill, she placed a few bills on the bar and got up to leave, and Yuihama followed suit.

I spoke from behind Yuihama:

"Yuihama, I'll send you a letter later."

"...Huh? Hmm, I understand...I'll wait for you."

Under the indirect lighting, Yui's face looked particularly red. She hesitated for a moment in front of her chest before waving goodbye. No need to wave; that's just too inappropriate for such an upscale place.

After watching the two leave, I picked up my glass and turned to Kawasaki. Before speaking, I moistened my throat with the drink.

"Kawasaki, could I borrow a little time tomorrow morning? Can we meet at McDonald's on this street at 5:30?"

"Huh? Why?"

Her tone was even colder than before, but I was confident that I could change her attitude with the next sentence.

"I'd like to talk to you about Dazhi."

"……What?"

Upon hearing this, she looked at me with surprise—or rather, hostility. I downed my drink in one gulp, then got up and left, so as not to meet her gaze.

"We'll talk about that tomorrow. Bye."

"Wait a moment!"

I nonchalantly ignored the calls behind me and, with an air of nonchalance perfectly matching the atmosphere, prepared to leave the bar.

"Wait! We don't have enough money!"

...Hey, Yukinoshita, you didn't pay for me.

I silently returned to the bar, took out the only thousand-yen note I had, and received sixty-yen in change. Hmm... you absolutely can't ask "why" in a situation like this, right?

A glass of ginger ale costs almost a thousand dollars... Is this the only place still in the bubble economy era?

× × ×

The next morning, it was just past five in the morning. Actually, I hadn't slept all night and was now dozing off in McDonald's while drinking my second cup of coffee. The sky was already bright, and sparrows were calmly pecking at food on the ground before flying back into the air.

After the three of us left the hotel, we each went home. After I got home, I only asked Komachi for a few favors before coming out here again to kill time. Actually, I could have taken a nap at home first, but I wasn't sure I could get up before five o'clock.

The reason I've been staying up all night is—

"Are they here...?"

The automatic door opened, and Saki Kawasaki, looking exhausted, dragged herself in.

What do you want to tell me?

Kawasaki looked particularly displeased, exhausted from not having slept all night. Faced with her ruthlessness, I had a fleeting thought of kneeling down to apologize, but I dismissed the idea and tried my best to appear calm and composed.

"Anyway, you need to take a cold medicine... calm down first."

I bit my tongue, trying to appear calm but failing miserably. Oh well, Kawasaki is just that terrifying. But because I bit my tongue, I was able to relax and continue speaking smoothly.

"The others will be here soon, please wait a moment."

"Others?"

Kawasaki asked me with a surprised look. At that moment, the automatic door opened again, and Yukinoshita and Yuigahama entered the store.

After parting ways with them last night, I sent a letter to Yuihama, asking her to tell her family that she would be staying at Yukinoshita's house tonight, and then come to this McDonald's with Yukinoshita at 5 a.m. In short, it was a simple and concise communication.

"It's you again?"

Kawasaki looked impatient and let out a deep sigh.

However, there was another person present who was equally unhappy.

Yuihama seemed to be throwing a tantrum, refusing to even glance at me.

"Is she sleep-deprived?"

I asked Yukino, and Yukino tilted her head in confusion.