My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 497

I had my head turned away, so I couldn't see Yang Nai's expression, but I could hear a hint of sympathy and pity in her voice. Her lonely yet gentle voice startled me, and I immediately looked back, but she had already transformed into the perfect demon superhero. Her terrifyingly beautiful face bore a wicked smile.

"So, now, may I ask you: what do you call the relationship between the three of you?"

Yang walked around to the front of the bicycle, resting her hands on the handlebars and basket, leaving me in a dilemma. She raised her eyes and stared intently at me, as if to say that she wouldn't let me go back until I answered.

"...Good kids, bad kids, and ordinary kids, the Kindon trio?" [Note 62: A Japanese trio where the three members play the roles of a good kid, a bad kid, and an ordinary kid respectively in the variety show "Kindon!".]

"Oops~ You answered wrong. I asked about the relationship between the three of you."

Even though I didn't answer correctly, at least I did give an answer, but Haruno still wouldn't let me go and wouldn't reveal the correct answer... Does it really mean I have to answer correctly to go home? Or is it that I have to give Haruno the answer she wants to hear before she'll let me go? Or is she just repeating the question she asked in the reception room?

However, if you're asking for an answer she likes, it's actually not that difficult.

The problem was that the answer was really hard to say, so it took me quite a while to come up with it. During this time, Yang Nai kept staring at me, making it even harder for me to speak. When it was finally time to say the answer, I subconsciously turned my head away and raised my voice an octave.

"...three, triangular relationships, and so on."

Yang Nai was stunned for a moment, then opened his mouth halfway to think, and after understanding, he suddenly let out a "pfft" sound, and finally burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! You think so? Hehe, and you even said it out loud, isn't that hilarious? Hahaha! My stomach hurts so much from laughing, it's about to cramp up, it hurts so much, hahaha!"

"You're laughing too hard..."

Yang let go of her bicycle and laughed uncontrollably, clutching her stomach. My self-esteem and sense of self were gradually being eroded, and I really wanted to just go home. But before that, I had to ask some questions.

"What is the correct answer?"

"Huh? The correct answer? Oh—the answer... the correct answer is..."

Yang wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, beckoned to me, and put her hand to her mouth. This was probably her way of asking me to come over and listen. Although I didn't know why she was being so mysterious, I obediently moved closer. Yang also brought her face closer, and the sweet scent of honey wafted over, her gentle, smiling breath brushing against my cheek.

I was itchy and wanted to turn my face away, but Yang Nai touched my chin with her other hand, preventing me from turning my head. Unable to move, she brought her beautiful lips close to my ear.

"This is called interdependence."

Her soft whispers were icy cold, more real than any real object.

I had read about it in a book before, so I roughly understand what the word means. Codependency refers to the feeling of being bound by a relationship with a specific object.

"Didn't I say that wasn't trust?"

Yang chuckled with pleasure. The next moment, her smile twisted into a lewd contortion.

"It feels good to be relied upon by her, doesn't it?"

The seductive voice pierced my ears, sending chills down my spine. At the same time, I was able to fully recall the subsequent events described in the book. It's called "codependency" because not only the dependent party has this symptom, but the dependent party does as well. They find their sense of self-worth, satisfaction, and security in the needs of others.

As the meaning of famous terms became connected with the actual situation, I began to feel a little unsteady.

People have told me this before, and others have warned me that I spoil the other person too much, saying that I seem happy when they depend on me. Every time, I use "because I'm the older brother" or "because this is my job" as excuses to deceive myself.

Overwhelmed by shame and self-loathing, I felt a wave of nausea. I realized how ugly and despicable I truly was. I always feigned aloofness, yet when someone needed my help, I eagerly offered assistance, even finding pleasure in it, using it to reinforce my own sense of purpose. It was terrifying. I had unwittingly tasted the pleasure of being relied upon, and then greedily craved it, masking my unfulfilled desires with loneliness. This vile nature was utterly repulsive.

What's worse is that I'm now using self-criticism to make excuses for myself. I can't even stand looking at myself like that. My ears are twitching, and I'm drooling. I try to swallow it down and take a breath.

Ah, if you're to say that Yukinoshita and I have a codependent relationship, that's certainly true. Regardless of whether Yukinoshita is dependent on me or not, my recent behavior, compared to before, could even be described as pathological. If I were to take a codependency test now, I imagine many of the items would apply to me.

Yang Nai gave a mocking smile and walked ahead. I slowly followed, finally reaching the path beside the park between the school and the station. She looked up at the roadside trees that hadn't yet sprouted buds, grown leaves, or blossomed, and murmured:

"However, your interdependent relationship ends here. Yukino will become independent safely and grow up to be more mature."

Her tone was proud and her voice was cheerful when she spoke of her younger sister, but her face held a hint of loneliness. I had a feeling of déjà vu. She had said something similar on a night that was slightly colder than it was now.

I did say that. Just like now, walking a few steps ahead of me.

I remember her words very clearly. Whenever they inadvertently surface in my mind, I let them fade away, presumptuously ignoring them for someone else's sake. But in the end, I never forgot them.

As the sun began to set, the streets were enveloped in twilight. Before we knew it, we had walked the narrow path and arrived at the main road in front of the station. The station was bustling with pedestrians hurrying home in the evening.

"That's enough for now. Goodbye."

Yang waved lightly and left gracefully.

"that……"

I looked at Yang Nai's feet and called out to her in a hoarse voice.

Yang Nai, who had already walked away, turned back and looked at me with a bright smile, silently waiting for me to continue.

Her eyes were so gentle that I forgot to breathe for a moment.

"...What would she give up to become an adult?"

A smile so similar to hers, twisted into a sorrowful arc.

"...Like me, I've given up a lot."

Yukino Yukinoshita simply said this and disappeared into the crowd. She didn't actually answer anything, but her answer was clearer than any words.

Volume 12, Chapter 7: Even knowing that this choice will inevitably lead to regret.

On the day the four warm days rained in the morning [Note], I spent a peaceful day unlike the previous few days. After a drowsy day at school, I yawned and slowly packed my things to go home when I heard hurried footsteps. Yuihama, just like the previous days, came over and patted my shoulder. [Note 63: Refers to the rain that fell on the four warm days in the phrase "three cold days and four warm days".]

"Let's go home!"

I thought back to the scene when I left the reception room and just sighed. Yui Hama responded like a cat, tilting her head and asking me, "Aren't you leaving?" I immediately understood that this was her thoughtful gesture.

"...Okay, let's go."

In response to Yuihama's concern, I stretched like a cat and slowly got up.

We left the school and headed to the station. Because of the rain this morning, I took the same route home as Yui. Yui happily waved her umbrella and kept talking to me.

"Oh, and then, we were talking about handmade cakes before, right? I told my mom, and she said I could come over and make one. I don't know why, but my mom was more excited than I was. How should I put it, it's so embarrassing..."

"It's really embarrassing... But thanks to your second half of that sentence, I'm even more embarrassed to go to your house..."

Yuihama gave a wry smile and took her phone out of her pocket.

"Hmm—but if I make a cake at your house, Komachi will find out."

Yuihama glanced at her phone screen, immediately exclaimed "Huh!", and stopped in her tracks.

"...The ball seems to be in trouble."

She handed me her phone. The screen displayed a LINE group called "Service Club," with members "Yukino Yukinoshita" and "Iroha Iroha." Although I wanted to complain, seeing the latest message immediately made me forget all about it.

"...What happened? The school decided to cancel the dance? Weren't they supposed to continue negotiating?"

"Should I ask them on LINE?"

"...No need. It'll be faster to ask the higher-ups directly. I'll make a call."

I walked a few steps away and dialed the number with my back to Yui. While waiting for the call to connect, I glanced at Yui. She was staring at the LINE screen with a serious expression, and she kept looking over at me with concern.

I listened anxiously to the ringing phone, and then, Hiratsuka-sensei's sigh came through.

"What's wrong with the dance?"

I spoke before Hiratsuka-sensei could. After a long sigh, she said wearily:

"...I'll explain everything to you properly later. I'm handling this on my end too, and I'll explain it to you when things are more settled..."

"No, how many days would that waste? By then it would be too late to make up for it."

"There's no point in trying to salvage this. Besides, are you planning to help organize the dance?"

"Uh, no... I was just thinking that it would be troublesome if it were to be held again later."

"...Really? I think that's unlikely."

Her tone was very certain. I immediately objected in my mind.

Having been forced into that situation and refusing to back down, how could Iroha Soshiki give up so easily? The key point is that Yukino Yukinoshita wouldn't easily abandon her wish that she finally voiced. How could we let her give up?

Hiratsuka-sensei probably heard my anxious breathing, and murmured softly, seemingly giving up the fight.

"It seems I have no choice but to tell you... The reason I didn't inform you of the ball's cancellation was at Yukino's request. Do you understand now? Now I'll ask you one more time: do you still have a reason to help with the ball?"

The moment I heard those words, all the words I wanted to say vanished, and even the concept of time disappeared.

When I heard Hiratsuka-sensei's voice calling out, I realized I was standing there, stunned.

"If you stay silent on the phone, no one will know what you're thinking. That's a bad habit of yours. Speak your mind properly... I'm waiting for you."

She called on me again in a gentle, calm voice, and I finally understood the situation. The key was the reason, the reason, the reason.

"The reason is, well... we're in the same club. And also, since we're already helping, we might as well go all the way."

I turned my head and finished speaking in one breath, but there was no response from the other end of the phone.

All I could hear was breathing, nothing more. That really infuriated me. You know me perfectly well!

"How can you explain something like this clearly? That's precisely why it's not discussed. It requires careful consideration and a step-by-step approach to avoid mistakes... Aren't you the same, teacher?"

You yourself haven't mentioned leaving the company, have you? Isn't that important—I gritted my teeth to keep from accidentally blurting it out. Yet, even I knew that my words implied that.

"...Hachiman, I'm sorry. But I'll still wait for you... So, please say it properly."

I have never heard a teacher apologize with such a sad voice and such gentle words.

The reasons have already been fully stated. All the reasons I can think of are related to work, clubs, and Komachi. Even if I change the wording, it will still be inextricably linked to these things in the end.

So even if I'm about to squeeze something out into the microphone, in the end I just keep changing my mouth shape and can't form any words.

The final reason is "we." Because we are interdependent—simple and clear. The need to be depended upon to confirm one's own existence—effortless to state. I can easily accept it myself. However, this is not the answer. Interdependence is our relationship, not my will. It can be an excuse, but not a reason.

I racked my brains and exhausted all my efforts, but in the end, all that was left in my heart was worry.

But this is the one thing I don't want to say. Because it's the lameest excuse. But if I don't say it, this teacher won't let me move forward. I know she's using this to get me to make excuses.

Therefore, I pressed my forehead, expressed my reluctance with a heavy sigh, and whispered:

"...Because I promised that I would go and save her someday."

I find it hard to accept that I should use such an old-fashioned and irrational reason as "she asked me to help her," which is too obvious, irrational, and emotional.

"That's enough... I'll make time. Come over right away."

After Hiratsuka-sensei finished speaking with satisfaction, she hung up the phone. I put away my phone and walked back to Yui-hama, who was standing not far away. Yui-hama looked at me and asked how things were going.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long... I'm going to find Hiratsuka-sensei."

I apologized to her first, and then told her about my decision. Yui listened and blinked.

"Oh, I see. What are you going to do?"

"Let's get a better understanding of the situation first. I don't know anything right now, and there's nothing I can do."

The helpless reply made Yui Hama chuckle.

"...Is that so? But with you here, I feel like there's bound to be a way."

She nodded vigorously, giving me her approval. A glistening droplet of water slid down her cheek as she did so. I held my breath instantly. She seemed stunned by my surprise, and noticing the water droplets in her own eyes, she quickly wiped them away with her finger.

"Huh? Oh, as soon as I relaxed, tears started flowing. You scared me..."

She exhaled and rubbed her fingers together. Because her tone was so natural, I suppressed my surprise and asked her:

"I'm the one who got scared... Are you alright? Anyway, let's go home first."

"Oh, it's nothing! Girls often do that."

She pulled out the sleeve of her sweater, pressed it against the corner of her eye a few times, then smiled shyly and scratched her bun.

"Because I had absolutely no idea what was going on before... as soon as I heard even a little bit of information, I felt really relieved. I'm fine now."

When she was looking at LINE just now, her expression was indeed very serious. After she relaxed and let go of that tension, she probably really did shed tears unconsciously. I stared at Yuihama's face, and she smiled slightly.

"Don't make a fuss. You go ahead and do your thing. I'll check LINE when I get home and let you know if anything happens."

She slung her backpack over her shoulder and waved her phone to indicate that she was ready to go home.

"Okay, thanks. I'm off now, see you tomorrow. Take care on your journey."

"My house is super close to here."

Yui waved to me slowly, and I slowly took a step forward.

After walking a few steps forward, I was still worried. I looked back, but Yuihama had disappeared.

I took a deep breath and sprinted away at full speed.

Volume 12 Interlude…

Thankfully, the tears stopped.

I was really startled when tears suddenly streamed down my face. I was a bit too careless. Luckily, I managed to hide it from him.