My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 494

"Right! It's changed its packaging several times before, but the current pop-style packaging is absolutely the best! It's incredibly cute!"

"You're getting way too excited! Besides, I didn't even know what the original packaging looked like..."

I accidentally got excited, and Yui sighed helplessly.

"Fine. I'll take some pictures too."

She took out her phone, walked over, stood next to me, and snapped a photo without even signaling. Her movements were so fluid that I didn't even have time to refuse. Therefore, my expression in that photo would probably look quite ridiculous. However, even if she had asked for my permission first, I would most likely have blushed and looked away, ultimately ending up with the same ridiculous expression.

So, the photos are still pretty good now.

"...They also sent me the photos."

"Um."

Yuihama stared at her phone, answering quite calmly. She deftly made a few gestures, and my phone immediately vibrated. I opened it and saw a message from her.

The photo tucked into the message was bathed in bright white light, filled with glittering stars, and the two people even had dog ears, noses, and whiskers... It was edited like that, so there was absolutely no need to worry about infringing on their portrait rights. I smiled wryly and protected the photo.

"Alright. Mission accomplished, let's go home."

"We've reached that point. Can't we go back yet...?"

I was full of confidence and ready to embark on my journey home when Yui sighed and tugged at my sleeve.

"How about we check out the IKEA over there? They have a lot of miscellaneous goods."

She pointed to another building. IKEA is a furniture retailer founded in Sweden with stores all over the world. Its first branch in Japan was in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. No wonder it's Chiba; it's number one in Japan.

Wandering aimlessly around the spacious LaLaPort was inefficient, so changing locations was definitely a good idea. I nodded in agreement, and the two of us headed towards IKEA.

The commercial area in this area is by the sea, and the sea breeze is still cold at this time of year. As soon as we stepped out of the shopping center, we felt the strong temperature difference. Yui and I jogged across the pedestrian bridge, constantly shouting, "It's so cold!"

Not long after, we entered IKEA, and we both breathed a sigh of relief. The store was warm, needless to say, and the sofas and carpets near the entrance looked cozy too.

Let's wander around for a bit first.

I followed the skilled Yuihama up the elevator to the exhibition area. Here, you can pick up and look at the furniture, home decor, and miscellaneous items on display. There are also sample rooms with pre-arranged furniture and themes such as "A three-person family living in a Kachidoki Ward apartment building" and "LDK that makes you smarter," making it feel like a small theme park.

Wow—this is my first time in a furniture store, it's quite interesting. "Kaguya-sama: Love Is War" [Note] is also quite interesting. That's about it... a simple thought popped into my head as I looked around the store. [Note 59: Adapted from the Japanese manga "Kaguya-sama: Love Is War" by Aka Akasaka; "furniture store" and "Kaguya-sama" are homophones in Japanese.]

As they passed the "Enjoying a Leisurely Life Alone in Urayasu" showroom, Hihama peeked inside.

Was there anything interesting that piqued her curiosity? Like an armchair that wouldn't break even after 6.3 million uses...? I also went into that section.

The decor is predominantly white, with wardrobes and storage cabinets arranged in an orderly fashion, making the not-so-large space feel spacious. The space on the walls and cabinets is also cleverly utilized, with small decorative items neatly displayed. Further inside, there is a small kitchen and a place to put the washing machine.

Even if I lived alone, I could certainly live a leisurely life. I chased away my inner mother who kept whispering to me, "Hachiman, you should move to a place like this," while Yuihama walked around inside.

She looked around the room, exclaiming in admiration, then, probably because she was tired, sat down on the bed against the wall. Then she turned to look at me and casually asked:

"Will you move out and live alone after you go to college?"

"It depends on the university and department. If I get into a school in Tama or Tokorozawa, I don't want to commute from home. Although the universities I'm currently considering are all within my commute."

I picked up the delicate little bottle on the table and examined it, replying in this way. Yuihama responded with a mixture of admiration and surprise.

"Have you decided where you want to take the exam...?"

"Based on my grades, there aren't many private liberal arts schools that I'm suitable to apply to. I'm just picking a few departments that I might be interested in. It's less about deciding where to apply and more about elimination."

I put the empty bottle back in its place. Even though it was completely empty, it made an unusually heavy sound. To shake off the thought, I added:

"There's nothing in particular I want to do."

That's why I had to go to the university to look for it—I couldn't bring myself to say that.

I also vaguely realized that even if I went to university, I probably wouldn't encounter a fateful meeting or a life-changing dream.

Throughout my life, I've never been passionate about anything. With this kind of personality, I'm probably not suited to pursuing my dreams. Even if I discover something that interests me, I'll either encounter setbacks, give up halfway, or deceive myself into thinking, "I don't actually like it that much." These are all predictable outcomes.

I don't think there's anything to be pessimistic about. Most people feel the same way.

Yukino Yukinoshita said that this is how humans grow up by experiencing many sacrifices.

Some people never even had a goal before they gave up. Like myself. So, what will become of someone who can't even give up?

I realized that because of these random thoughts, my conversation with Yuihama had been interrupted for a long time.

I quickly looked at Yuihama, whose gaze fell on the empty bottle beside me.

"Yukino has already made up her mind, hasn't she? Wow, so fast..."

Her murmurs could be interpreted as either a sigh or a lament. I was speechless, unable to think of a response.

However, Yuihama didn't seem to need a response. She let out a soft breath and smiled at me. Then, noticing that I was still standing, she moved her body with a "whoosh," making room for me to sit.

The creaking sound of the spring was surprisingly immersive, startling me. But Yui had made room for me, and refusing her kindness wouldn't be good; it would make me seem like I cared too much, which would be disgusting. Although I really did care, and I really did feel disgusted! So, I carefully sat down.

What was your dream when you were a child?

Perhaps it was because we were sitting on the bed, but Yui's tone suggested she wanted a bedtime story. My answer to this question wasn't very detailed, but I thought for a moment and then began to speak:

"It depends on how you define a dream... If you include anything that comes to mind, there are many. Company president, rich person... professional baseball player, hero, cartoonist, idol, police officer... doctor, lawyer, prime minister, president, plus oil tycoon."

"It's all about money, it doesn't feel like a dream at all..."

"Yeah, that's right. Even I'm wondering what I'm saying..."

I was even a little frustrated, feeling utterly unlovable, even now… I silently loathed myself. Yuihama seemed to sense what I was thinking and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Ah, but... but! I feel like my idol has a lot of dreams!"

"That doesn't comfort anyone at all. Let me tell you, I was super cute when I was little. If I had any reason back then, I would have become an idol long ago [Note]. So, what about you?" [Note 60: From a promotional slogan for *The Idolmaster SideM*.]

Yuihama crossed her arms and murmured softly.

"Hmm... I have many dreams too. Like opening a flower shop, opening a cake shop, becoming an idol, and things like that!"

"That's about the same level as me."

She spoke with such radiance, like a child in a daydream, that I couldn't help but smile wryly.

However, that innocent and carefree expression only lasted for a moment. The next second, she put on a mature expression.

Yuihama chuckled softly, got out of bed, and slowly walked forward, as if leaving her childhood dream behind.

"...And, being a bride."

Yuihama said to me with her back to me, then turned around.

She was standing in the kitchen deep inside the show flat. The walls and floor tiles there were pure white, and the glass windows, designed to resemble skylights, let in a light that looked like a wedding dress.

What Yuihama just said is too realistic in terms of dreams; I can't just laugh it off, nor can I brush it off with a wry smile.

I slowly walked towards the kitchen, thinking about what jokes I could make.

"Not much different from me... Being a stay-at-home dad is a pretty good dream, right?"

"Now that you've said that, I'm not dreaming anymore..."

She slumped her shoulders and smiled helplessly. I think she was smiling for me.

Even in the artificially bright light, the gentleness of that smile was palpable. Embarrassed, I silently lowered my head.

The kitchen in the show flat wasn't actually usable, but it was fully equipped with everything from cookware to tableware, so realistic it felt like you could live there. These pieces of furniture are products, so they naturally have a sense of realism, but for some reason, they just looked like fiction to me.

The furniture, tableware, kitchenware, and beds were all real, yet also imitations. What caused the difference between them? As I pondered this, I unconsciously touched the cabinet.

At that moment, Yuihama clapped her hands.

"Oh, how about the handicrafts?"

"Huh? Furniture?"

"No, I was talking about gifts. Like making a cake."

I didn't understand what she was saying at first, and my thoughts wandered elsewhere. It wasn't until she mentioned the gift that I suddenly remembered. The gift for Komachi, right? I remember, I remember, I just hadn't recalled it, I hadn't forgotten. As I desperately tried to explain myself, Yui's inspiration continued to surge.

She laid out the plates, cutlery, and even the mug beside her, and said excitedly:

"Then, when they brought out the cake, they also served a drink in a mug...that mug was actually a gift! How wonderful! I thought it was so classy!"

She pressed her hands to her cheeks and shouted with joy.

"...Oh, really? It's high-class?"

"Don't worry about it so much! A little surprise is good enough!"

When I calmly asked her that question, Yuihama lost confidence in her own taste. She blushed slightly and awkwardly put the cutlery back in its place.

"However... the handmade items are indeed quite nice."

She looked so cute when she was being difficult that I couldn't help but laugh, and then I made a suggestion.

"So, how about we grab some dessert and do some research?"

"Okay! Let's go!"

Yuihama enthusiastically pushed me away from the sample room.

In fact, the idea of ​​a handmade gift isn't bad. It can deeply convey your feelings, and more importantly, the fact that you "put in the time and effort for yourself" is touching. And if it's someone you already have a good impression of, it goes without saying.

This can indeed shake people's resolve.

...So, try your best to make cakes for Komachi! I might discover a new dream because of it.

That's right, becoming the legendary pastry chef, Pretty Cure [Note 61: from *KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode*]...

╳ ╳ ╳

"The country is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain" is a line from Du Fu's poem, while "My dream is shattered, but my hometown remains" is a line from my poem.

My dream has been shattered. After indulging in delicious desserts under the guise of research, I discovered an obvious truth—I could never make something like that. My dream of becoming a Pretty Cure has been shattered. Therefore, I went home and angrily went straight to bed.

However, dawn will still break.

The day after shopping with Yuihama, I spent my school days peacefully, and school ended again.

Yesterday, Yukinoshita mentioned in the student council office that there was no more work for us. Neither she nor Isshiki have come to contact us since.

It's already this late and I haven't heard from her yet, which should mean I can go back now... I'm a little uneasy, and I glance at Yuihama unintentionally. If anything happens, she'll be the one who gets contacted first.

Yui noticed my gaze, nodded in response, and then left when her conversation with Miura and the others came to an end, walking over to me.

What are your plans for today?

Hearing her ask that, I realized she really didn't need any help.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going back now."

"Oh, I see... Me too."

She immediately ran back to her seat, said goodbye to Miura and the others, and then came over with her things. She quickly put on her coat, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and wrapped her scarf around her neck.

"Go home!"

"oh……"

Although we haven't fully gotten used to it yet, we've recently started walking home together naturally after school.

Just as we were walking toward the door, it suddenly shook and slid open with great force.

The door opened so loudly it startled me. From behind it stood Isshiki Iroha. She seemed to have rushed over, still panting.

"Great, you haven't left yet..."

As soon as she saw us, she instantly felt exhausted and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"What's wrong?"

"...Anyway, can you come with me first?"

She turned and walked away as soon as she finished speaking.

Yui and I exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what had happened. However, seeing her grave expression, we could only follow her to find out what was going on.

We followed closely behind Isshiki, who was walking briskly, until we reached the bottom of the stairs and walked side by side. I glanced at her.

She noticed my gaze, but perhaps didn't have time to explain, and simply kept her eyes fixed ahead as she sped up.

"Things are getting a little complicated."

Isshiki only said this much before shutting his mouth. His solemn expression revealed that the matter was of utmost importance.

We had already arrived at our destination before she could explain in detail.

The room in front of me was located in the same corner as the faculty offices, administrative offices, and the principal's office, with a sign on the door that read "Reception Room." I had never entered this room before.