My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 517

That sense of distance, where you could hear even the faintest breath and see even the smallest movements in the dark, is something I miss.

As a result, we remained silent, lost in the stillness. Then, suddenly, another sound broke the silence. It came from my pocket. I reached for my thigh and felt the vibration; someone was calling me.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

I informed Yukino, and she gently shook her head, telling me not to worry. I nodded and took out my phone; the caller ID on the screen was Yui. Just as I was about to press the answer button, the phone stopped vibrating.

What's going on? Just as I was wondering, I heard the sound of heels scraping the ground. Yukinoshita turned around to face that direction faster than I did.

Goodnight, Yuihama-san.

"Hmm... Hi, Yukino."

Yuihama lowered her voice in response to Yukinoshita's calm greeting, waved gently in front of her chest, and slowly walked towards the bench. Illuminated by the streetlights, Yuihama had already put on her coat and towel, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and was ready to go home.

"...What's wrong? Did Hayama reply to you?"

"Well, he said if you don't mind talking over a meal, you can make time... that's why I called you."

Yuihama waved her phone in response. Since I'd already made arrangements with them, there was no need for me to wait any longer. If we were to talk over a meal, we'd probably meet near the station.

I finished the rest of my coffee and stood up.

"Work?"

"Um."

Yukinoshita looked up and asked me, and I confirmed. She then checked the time, put the MAX coffee in her pocket, and got up from her chair.

"I've gone back to work too."

"etc."

As Yui brushed past her, she grabbed her hand. Perhaps out of surprise, Yukino froze, giving Yui a confused look.

Yuihama felt a little shy as Yukinoshita silently stared at her, and she used her other hand to fiddle with the bun on her head.

"It feels like we haven't seen each other in ages. It's so strange, even though it's only been a few days."

"Yes... I've been working non-stop, I don't have any free time."

Yuihama smiled shyly, and Yukinoshita returned a gentle smile. Seeing that smile, Yuihama lowered her gaze.

"No, that's not it... Are you avoiding me?"

She looked up, as if observing Yukinoshita's reaction, and asked cautiously. Yukinoshita looked surprised and emphasized her words slightly.

"You've got it wrong, that's not true. It's just because of preparations for the prom and school requirements; there's a lot to do..."

She became increasingly agitated as she spoke, her voice growing softer and her gaze lower and lower. Finally, her voice vanished completely, replaced by a melancholy sigh. Yukinoshita bit her lower lip, lowered her head, and Yui offered a weak apology.

"Yes, that's true. I'm sorry..."

The two fell silent.

I was struggling to think of something to say, but in the end, I couldn't think of anything appropriate, so I just kept quiet.

"...Oh, right."

Yuihama suddenly looked up and grasped Yukinoshita's hands. Yukinoshita seemed startled and also looked up.

"I'm helping the autistic man."

His unexpected remark left me speechless for a moment.

"...Didn't you tell her?"

I stammered. She seemed like someone who would use LINE or similar tools to keep in touch with Yukinoshita; I assumed I had already told her. I should have been the one to tell her first. An awkward silence fell over the room, and I regretted letting Yui say it.

Yukino glanced at me, shook her head, and told me not to take it to heart. She turned back to Yuihama, took her hand in return, and said gently:

"It's okay, I understand."

"...You don't understand."

Yuihama's expression was contorted with sadness.

"I want to handle this properly. I'll handle it properly after this is over... So, Yukino's wish won't come true."

She gazed into Yukinoshita's eyes and spoke each word earnestly. As if to confirm that Yui had finished speaking, Yukinoshita nodded once.

"...I see. I hope your wish can come true."

Her smile held no sorrow, only sincere prayer.

Yuihama still looked worried, took two or three shallow breaths, and looked at Yukinoshita with an expression that seemed to be trying to convey something.

"...Do you know what my wish is? Do you really know?"

"Yes. Because I think it's probably the same as mine."

Yukino answered without hesitation. Her kind smile revealed clear friendship, and her clear eyes showed no trace of confusion.

"Is that so...that's good."

Yuihama exhaled deeply, released Yukinoshita's hand, and took a step back. Yukinoshita watched with a faint smile as Yuihama's hand fell limply to her side.

"Then I'll be leaving first."

As she said this, she grasped the hand that was now free. I responded to Yukinoshita with my eyes, while Yuihama kept her head down.

Yukino sighed in distress, then turned her back to us. Her flat leather shoes clattered on the brick-paved stone floor, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the courtyard, fading away with each step.

I watched her leave, sighing softly. But the heavy emotions lingering deep within me did not lessen at all.

"It's about time we went."

I said to Yuihama, who was standing there, "I don't think it's the right thing to say, but I have nothing else to say. It's really useless."

She gave a barely audible "hmm" but made no move.

Walking into the shadows of the school building beneath the snow, the dreamlike silhouette seemed about to melt away, and the sound of footsteps sounded particularly loud.

Before the sound disappeared, Yui suddenly looked up and ran out.

I heard footsteps beneath the snow as I walked slowly, and I turned around.

Yui immediately rushed over and hugged her tightly.

Yukinoshita let out a surprised and confused sound, staggered, and almost had her coat slip off her shoulders. Yuihama pulled her into her arms, coat and all, and buried her face in Yukinoshita's thin shoulder.

"After the dance, we can have lunch together. Also, I want to stay at your place again. Let's go to Disneyland together during spring break, and then you can stay overnight at my place. Until April..."

She spoke in a trembling voice, sniffed, and then raised her head as if to catch her breath, revealing a smile.

"What should we do in April? There are so many things I want to do with you. Eat together, go shopping together, go for a rock bath together, anything is fine, there are so many that it would take years, even decades, to finish them all."

Her eyes, beneath the snow, reflected the soft orange glow of the streetlights. She opened her clasped hand and cautiously reached out to Yuihama's shoulder, touching it carefully. She pressed her forehead against it, as if trying to hide her expression.

"That's... a lot. Is there any way to finish it?"

"Yes, that's fine. We'll stay together until we've finished... so don't worry."

Yukinoshita let out a confused sound as she was held tightly in her arms. However, Yui ignored her and hugged her even tighter.

"Do you understand?"

She gently touched Yukinoshita's neck with her cheek, as if she were playfully teasing her. Yukinoshita squirmed, probably because it tickled.

"Okay, I understand. I understand..."

"You really know?"

"Well, so... relax a little..."

She said that, but she didn't actually push Yui away. Every time the distance between them widened, Yui would move closer. Watching them, I let out a short sigh.

We're still the same as ever, utterly incapable of expressing ourselves. We think we've spoken, we think we know, we think we understand, but all this time, we feel like we haven't grown at all.

We both knew that there was actually an easier way.

However, I don't think that's the right thing to do.

Therefore, hopefully we won't make a mistake.

I gazed at the two of them with a heart full of prayer.

╳ ╳ ╳

After seeing Yukino off to the student council, I headed to the station with Yuihama.

As the sun set and the temperature gradually dropped, we moved through the residential area, avoiding the oncoming cold wind. I pushed my bicycle, the squeaking of the tires mingling with the howling wind and disappearing into the distance.

During the journey, Yui kept chatting with me, but didn't mention her conversation with Yukinoshita earlier. It felt like she was doing it intentionally. I realized it was a thoughtful gesture from Yui, and didn't bring up the topic.

The topic naturally shifted to other directions.

"The soccer club practices until really late."

"Yeah, that's right. It's especially late today."

Our school's playground isn't very big, yet it has to be used by the soccer, baseball, rugby, and track and field clubs. Everyone is always considerate of each other, so there's no fixed area or time for activities; it's all coordinated by the individual clubs themselves.

Upon hearing what I said, Yui Hama blankly uttered an "Eh--".

"Oh—you know so much about this."

"No, I'm fine..."

This sentence clearly didn't have any profound meaning, but for some reason it gave me the feeling that I was very interested in the football club, which made me cough involuntarily.

"Oh, right. I'm planning to take photos tomorrow."

I changed the subject to cover up this, and Yui followed suit, nodding as she shifted her attention.

"Ah—the photos."

"I'd like to take photos at the beach. Could you be my model?"

"Huh! Me?"

Yui touched her bun with her furry mittens.

"A shot from behind is fine. When I see photos like this, I think it would be nice to find two or three people to take similar pictures."

I pushed my bicycle aside, took out my phone, and showed her the reference photos. Yuihama walked over in small steps and peeked out.

"I see—the back view should be passable... I'll go ask Yumiko and Hina."

She maintained this closer distance, walking alongside me. This sense of distance made me a little embarrassed, so I pulled my coat tighter, drew my scarf to my mouth, and quickened my pace.

Soon after, we made our way through the crowds in front of the station to Saizeriya.

I parked my bicycle, went into the store, and looked around for the person who had arrived first.

Salia couldn't possibly have changed much in just a few days. The only noticeable difference was Hayato Hayama's sunny smile and cheerful wave to us.

Hayama specially changed seats to make room for me and Yuihama on one side of the four-person seat, and lowered his raised hand as if to say, "Miss, please sit down."

That affected mannerism was quite convincing, it was really annoying to watch... And there was something even more annoying, the guy sitting next to Hayama, leisurely eating spaghetti...

"Why is the Ministry of Revenue also involved?"

"Cough cough cough!"

As soon as I sat down, Yuihama asked a question before I could. Kebu was immediately speechless.

"Wow... Can't I come? Hayato said everyone should eat together, so I came along..."

The Ministry of Revenue looked at Yui Hama with concern. Yui Hama waved her hand gently and replied with a smile:

"Oh, no, I was just a little surprised that you came when no one else was looking for you."

"...Ah, um. Nobody came looking for me, but I still came..."

Although Yui probably meant no harm, saying something like that with a smile was still quite hurtful. Tobe's lips twitched, and he awkwardly put down his fork, stealing glances at me and Hayama. Just from his eyes, he conveyed, "Huh? Is that not okay? Going back? I'd rather go back? Oh no..." It was really annoying.

"...It doesn't matter whether you're here or not."

After I finished speaking, I looked at Hayama. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hobe muttering, "Hey... why do you talk like that..." Hayama smiled wryly at us.

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time."

"How could I refuse Yui's request?"

Yuihama clasped her hands in apology, and Hayama replied with a smile. "If it were my request, would you refuse...?" I looked at him suspiciously, and then Hayama took the initiative to start a conversation.

"So, what do you need me for?"