My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 506

"How do you think you look...?"

"Hmm."

"Please continue."

"I'm sorry to interrupt you," I apologized two or three times, urging her to continue. Isshiki stared at me coldly, exhaled a long breath, looked down, and casually poked a small stone at her feet with the tip of her shoe before slowly speaking again.

"I only have seniors. So, I'll also say goodbye to seniors, Yukino-senpai, Yui-senpai, Hayama-senpai... and other miscellaneous people like Tobe-senpai."

Her gentle, intermittent voice made me unconsciously smile. Wait, so my junior is the strongest after all? Without a hint of joking, I probably would have even shed tears of emotion.

"Haha, you're such a nice person."

"I did it because I didn't want to have any regrets. It was for myself, not for my senior."

Isshiki straightened her back, deliberately emphasizing it. The vending machine's light shone on her swaying flaxen hair, revealing her slightly reddened ears. I'll just pretend I didn't see them. I don't dislike her attitude of always insisting that everything is for herself.

"...That's why I wanted to throw a ball."

Isshiki gazed up at the night sky, seemingly lost in thought, and murmured longingly.

"Deliberately doing troublesome things like this, spending a lot of time thinking, worrying, getting more and more tired, becoming flustered, starting to feel unwilling and disgusted... finally giving up. And then shouting 'That felt so good!' Wouldn't you want to say goodbye like that?"

Suddenly, Isshiki raised her hands. Seeing her bright and cheerful smile, I finally understood.

The process she described is definitely the path I will one day walk. I will struggle unbearably to the end, just as she said, and accept the separation.

"...Yes, it's not that I can't understand it."

"Really?!"

Hearing my mutterings, Ise replied with a half-joking tone. Though it seemed like she was teasing me, her gaze, looking up at me, was quite serious. Therefore, I didn't try to be witty, but simply responded with a faint, wry smile.

"Since that's the case..."

Isshiki grabbed my scarf, stood up, and then wrapped her hands around my back like a rhythmic gymnast waving a ribbon, tying it around my neck.

"Please be serious."

Although she was smiling, the tone of her reprimand was completely different from her previous frivolousness. Being scolded by a girl younger than me at such close range, where I could feel her white breath, startled me and made me freeze instantly.

"Oh, oh. Sorry..."

I slowly backed away, millimeter by millimeter, and wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck. This was to conceal my ninja-style blush, which had turned red from fright and embarrassment.

Seeing this, Isshiki sighed deeply, then grabbed the end of my scarf and started rolling and twisting it around.

"If you don't take things seriously, we can't get anything done properly. This is really a headache. It's troublesome, difficult, and very troublesome. And it's so troublesome."

She tightened her scarf, twisting the area around her chest into a tight knot. After achieving the perfect position to keep out the cold wind, she gave me a playful punch through the scarf.

"it hurts……"

Thanks to the furry gloves and the scarf I had wrapped around my neck, it didn't hurt at all.

However, it did indeed reach my heart.

╳ ╳ ╳

I turned on the living room light and whispered, "I'm home."

However, no one responded to me; only cold air lingered in the room.

My parents are still at work, and Komachi is probably out. As for my beloved cat... I lifted the kotatsu blanket and found two glowing eyes in the darkness, meeting the gaze of Yuki, who had rolled over.

However, Xiaoxue just stared at my face, neither meowing nor barking, remaining completely still, her eyes conveying, "It's cold, hurry up and cover yourself with the blanket." When Komachi comes home, she always comes out to greet her, but when it's me, she becomes this deadpan. Does this thing not like me…? Feeling uneasy, I told her, "I'm home," and pulled the blanket back over myself. I also turned on the kotatsu (heated table). I always turn it off when no one's home… Let's warm up properly…

After the comfy table for my feline overlord, I switched to a human-sized heater. I pressed the remote to turn it on, and a gentle breeze, neither too warm nor too cold, finally made me feel alive again. I untied my scarf and let out a deep breath.

Normally, I would just laze around at home doing nothing, but now I don't have that time.

I quickly took off my coat, lay down on the sofa, and started researching on my phone. The search terms were, of course, dance parties.

Although I said that to make the ball a success, all I've decided on so far is to oppose Yukinoshita; the specifics are still a blank slate.

I must first investigate the ball and figure out what I can do.

After investigating for a while, I copied the data into my notes, added my own supplements, and repeated the process.

Unfortunately, most of the information I found was almost identical to what Yukinoshita and the others had compiled, so it was essentially a complete waste of time. I felt that even if I had this information, I couldn't come up with a better solution than theirs.

The symptomatic treatment they used wasn't the problem, but it lacked consistency. If the parents or school shook their heads, they'd have to start all over again. That's why they needed to think of a different approach… Hmm—I don't know! I can't think of anything! I have absolutely no inspiration! I'm rolling around on the sofa with a headache.

There are only about two weeks left until graduation. Considering the preparation time required, I only have two or three days left to brainstorm. I need to come up with a proposal before then; the deadline is fast approaching and I absolutely cannot let it pass.

No, wait a minute. We need to be more flexible in our thinking.

...The deadline can't be passed, it's not that it can't be postponed. Right? So that's how it works—making the editorial department more flexible—truly a stroke of genius. Am I a genius?

However, this time it wasn't like the free publications we'd done before. The competitor wasn't the editors, but the event whose dates couldn't be changed. The schedule was much tighter.

The situation is quite critical.

Opinion, change your opinion. This is the time to change your opinion. I rolled off the sofa and shoved my face into the kotatsu (heated table).

Even if it seems strange to outsiders, doing odd things can help you come up with unique ideas. Don't care what others think.

After burying its face in the kotatsu (heated table), Xiaoxue, terrified by the dim light, fled to the corner furthest from me, staring at me with an expression that seemed to say, "This thing is crazy..."

Ah! That's right! This is the time to borrow a cat's paw! [Note 11: The Japanese proverb "wanting to borrow even a cat's paw" means being extremely busy] Pressing a cat's paw against your eyelids can heal tired eyes, calm a restless heart, make birds sing, flowers bloom, the world be filled with peace, and the MechWarrior series will release a new work!

Just as I was about to reach for Xiaoxue's fleshy ball, it shot off the kotatsu table at an astonishing speed.

I peeked out from behind the kotatsu and met Komachi's gaze as she stood there with a serious expression. I wondered when she had returned.

"...Brother, what are you doing?"

Komachi looked down at me coldly. Yuki nuzzled her head against her feet. Komachi squatted down and started groping Yuki with loud "heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho~". Her attitude towards me was completely different.

"Don't roll around in your uniform. Go change, or your uniform will get wrinkled and attract cat hair."

"Whoa whoa……"

I stood up, loosened my tie, and walked into the room.

After quickly changing into her loungewear and returning to the living room, Komachi, who had also changed back into casual clothes, appeared in the kitchen.

"Brother, have you eaten yet?"

"Ah—not yet."

"Mom has prepared hot pot. How about we have hot pot?"

"Hmm... or rather, the only thing we can eat is hot pot."

I went into the kitchen to see if there was anything else. Unfortunately, there was nothing there, just an earthenware pot bubbling on the stove. I don't recall having anything other than hot pot for dinner recently... The summer noodle pitcher and the winter hot pot pitcher have been on the mound for days on end, making this year's relief king competition quite fierce.

Although she was already a little tired of it, Komachi put one hand on her hip and waved a soup spoon at me.

"If you have any complaints, just cook it yourself."

"Yes, ma'am..."

She's right, I can only obediently listen. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for preparing dinner for us despite being so busy. I truly respect you.

Okay, compared to noodles that only use straight balls to decide the outcome, hot pot, with its sumo wrestling hot pot, assorted hot pot, chicken soup hot pot, kimchi hot pot, curry hot pot, and finally, udon noodles to finish off, is definitely better with all sorts of variations... If I post something like this, I'll definitely get a bunch of useless suggestions like, "With a little more effort, there are many ways to prepare noodles!" which I don't want to know. Shut up, we cook noodles at home precisely because it's easy and simple. Why put in extra effort to eat noodles? Isn't that putting the cart before the horse? If I post something like this, I'll definitely get responses like, "Really delicious noodles are good just by cooking them. Come again tomorrow. I'll let you try what you call 'really delicious noodles'." Shut up, you think I'd go tomorrow just because you tell me to? Do you think I'm that free? These kinds of people usually love to harp on the original flavor of the ingredients, telling people to taste the original flavor first or eat it with salt. Ingredient addicts, salt addicts, and broth addicts are really annoying.

When eating, one should not be disturbed by anyone, and must be free—how should I put it, free to be redeemed. In other words, eating with Komachi is the most perfect thing, isn't it? Haven't I been saying this all the time? As long as I have my little sister, that's enough.

Therefore, I took out two bowls, filled them with my and Komachi's portions, and placed them on the kotatsu (heated table).

Next, Komachi, following the proper procedure, placed the hot pot on the ground. After roughly tidying the table and quickly laying out the pot holder, she put down the hot pot, set out the chopsticks and small bowls, and was ready.

Komachi ladled hot pot ingredients into a small bowl and pushed it in front of me.

"Here, which bowl would you like, brother?"

"Is there a difference...?"

They tasted the same... Besides, I wasn't that satisfied with the hot pot... Nevertheless, I still compared the ingredients in the two bowls.

One bowl had more cabbage, the other had more pork. The difference wasn't significant.

However, since they made you choose, you had to choose. I forced Isshiki to choose one can from MAX coffee and red bean soup.

"I see……"

As I pondered this, I stared intently at the bowl, while Komachi looked puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's fine."

I picked up the bowl with more pork, while Komachi took the other bowl, and we started eating with our hands clasped together.

"Alright, Komachi, let's get started."

"Okay, I'm starting."

I repeated after them, silently starting to eat. The cabbage and pork were stewed until very tender and flavorful. Oh—not bad. This is enough, this is enough. To put it bluntly, as long as you give meat to the boys, they won't complain.

Then there was a moment of silence, and from the kitchen in the distance came the crunching sound of Xiaoxue eating her feed.

"You're back very early today."

We haven't had dinner together for the past few days. The last time was probably when the whole family held a small celebration party to celebrate Komachi's success in her exams. Komachi has been going from exam reward parties to celebration parties, eating and playing with friends everywhere, and has been coming home late a lot lately.

Komachi nodded in response to my rambling as she chewed on cabbage.

"Yeah, because I've been busy ever since I got accepted."

"Why are you so busy...?"

When I asked that, Komachi pondered for a moment, then started singing a number song and began counting on her fingers.

"Congratulatory meetings, congratulatory parties, thanksgiving parties, long-awaited reunions, please refer to the church more..."

"How many times is it...?"

Please advise me on what the church is... Who should I advise... Sorrow? Or courage? I have to say goodbye to tears first... [Note 12: Lyrics from the opening theme song of the tokusatsu drama "Space Sheriff Gabone": "Gabone! Goodbye tears. Gabone! Please advise me on courage."]

I was completely confused, while Komachi raised her fist with a radiant grin.

"And then, since I don't have any plans for today, it's my brother's party day—just kidding, Komachi thinks this sentence gets a high score!"

"yes……"

After using the elimination method, I decided it would be the older brother... Hmm, okay, it's alright. Speaking of which, this guy is amazing, his schedule is packed for several days in a row, he has the makings of a party animal who can find any excuse to go drinking. Doesn't he get tired of playing so wildly... I feel like his mental energy, physical strength, and wallet are all going to be drained.

"Having many friends must be exhausting..."

I remarked with a sigh as I sipped my soup. "I could never imitate that kind of behavior." But Komachi replied nonchalantly:

"Yes, besides school, I also know a lot of people at cram schools and the student council. Also, before the start of the semester, classmates would communicate with each other through social media."

So that's how it is. These are the people who attended the "Please Point More" church. What's going on? Having to communicate before enrollment seems a bit too difficult.

"...Won't it be awkward starting school like this? We seemed so close before school started, but suddenly we've drifted apart. It'll be so agonizing to see each other at school!"

Komachi, holding her chopsticks, suddenly stopped and looked at me with a stiff smile and a disdainful gaze.

"What my brother said was really awful..."

"It's true..."

"Hmm—okay, that's true... but what can we do? Isn't this how it is?"

So cold~ Komachi Su~per~ cold~cold. Look at you, arms crossed, deep in thought, then a bright smile appears on your face, and you say it with absolute certainty. My sister's words are so sharp… I'm terrified about my sister's future, and I start to feel restless. Then, something else suddenly occurred to me.

"Was that guy named Dazhi also participating?"

Taishi is Kawasaki Taishi's younger brother, and he also got into Sobu High School. This guy seems to have a crush on Komachi. If Taishi is also a member of that so-called "please point more" church, I need to get rid of any pests trying to get close to Komachi beforehand! I asked with somewhat malicious intent, but Komachi went even further.

"Hmm. Probably."

"So casual..."

She didn't even glance at me, answering as she ladled out hotpot ingredients. Did she think Dazhi was some kind of primate friend...? Her cold attitude almost made me feel sorry for him... though I certainly didn't!

╳ ╳ ╳

We cooked a mixed rice dish to finish off the hot pot, and ate the whole pot clean. Finally, with full bellies, we leisurely spent the rest of the meal drinking tea.

Komachi hummed a song as she combed the fur on her thigh, while I lay there continuing to scroll through my phone.

I had a rough idea, but it still lacked specificity. I searched for various terms like prom and graduation party, but couldn't find any useful information. I could only sigh and turn over.

At that moment, I met Komachi's gaze. Komachi tilted her head playfully, as if asking me what was wrong.