My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 530

That statement is absolutely true. I'll tell Komachi everything sooner or later after everything is over.

But not now, but in the distant future where the time is uncertain.

"...Okay, I understand."

Komachi remained silent for a long time before smiling and obediently answering.

I understand that not asking further questions is Komachi's kindness. However, simply accepting her kindness without question makes me feel a little guilty. Therefore, I added:

"...I'm sorry. Given the current situation, it might be difficult to get everyone together to celebrate for you."

A while ago, on Komachi's birthday, she made a small request of me. However, it seems impossible to fulfill it. I want to let her know about it first. I know very well that this is just self-gratification, but it wouldn't be honest to say nothing at all.

Such an ambiguous and extremely brief statement couldn't possibly convey anything. Komachi's gaze held a gentle, almost helpless look.

"Is that so... Well, there's nothing we can do about that."

Komachi answered with a smile. Although her tone was cheerful, her smile carried a hint of loneliness.

However, that only lasted for a moment.

Komachi sighed, stretched out her finger forcefully towards me, and circled it repeatedly, saying earnestly:

"Didn't Komachi say that in the worst-case scenario, as long as her brother is there, everything will be alright?"

"Yes, is it..."

I was intimidated by her imposing manner and flinched slightly. She then poked her finger into my cheek.

"Or rather, Komachi is planning a surprise for her brother's birthday celebration, a gift for him, so this is actually perfect! It would be too embarrassing if other people saw!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Komachi screamed and covered her face, looking shy.

"Huh... What a surprise... I'd still be touched even if I knew beforehand..."

I played along with Komachi's joking attitude, and she proudly puffed out her chest.

"Right? This sentence got a high score, didn't it!"

"Yeah...it's quite difficult for me...can I act surprised...?"

Ignoring my unease, Komachi put on a very serious expression and solemnly said:

"Sigh, let's just invite family this time and keep it low-key."

"What kind of talk is this? It sounds like a funeral..."

As I muttered to myself, Komachi smiled.

"Alright... let's have breakfast."

Komachi stood up, humming a song as she walked towards the kitchen.

Little Snowflake climbed out from under the kotatsu. It seemed to be breakfast time for her. Perhaps because she'd been hungry for a long time, her claws, usually tucked into her paw pads, were peeking out and scratching the floor with a creaking sound. Hey, stop scratching! You'll scratch the floor.

I listened to Xiaoxue's footsteps with the heart of a head of household, thinking, "It's time to trim her nails," and watched her with the heart of a pet owner. Suddenly, the sound stopped.

Turning my head, I saw Xiaoxue looking back at me, meowing softly as if urging me to do something.

"Ah, brother, help Xiaoxue take out the minced meat."

Hearing the cat meowing, Komachi tiptoed out from behind the open kitchen.

"Okay—"

I jumped up with a "whoosh," and Xiaoxue nudged my feet with her head while purring. Looks like this cat knew Xiaomachi was busy and came to urge me on. Ugh, how come my cat is so smart…

I glanced at the clock; it was a little earlier than usual when I ate breakfast.

Oh well. It's rare for me to get up early. Today, I'll indulge my beloved cat a little, something I haven't done in a long time.

× × ×

I stared at my fingertips in the classroom in the afternoon.

This morning the sky was clear and blue, and the temperature rose as the sun climbed higher. Although the wind was strong, the air carried the warm, humid feel of the south.

Once inside the heated classroom, the temperature was much more comfortable. Combined with lack of sleep, I was constantly overcome with drowsiness after arriving at school, which led me to doze off at my desk the whole time.

I've just woken up from a comfortable afternoon nap. However, because I used my arm as a pillow and fell asleep in an unnatural position, my fingertips are unusually cold due to pressure.

Although it's been warm these past two days, it'll probably get cold again starting tomorrow or the day after. It will get cold and warm again every two or three days, repeating this cycle until spring gradually arrives.

The cherry blossoms along the riverbank I saw on my way to school showed no signs of budding yet; their branches and leaves were still sparse. But in another month, they will surely become magnificent cherry blossoms worthy of the name Hanamigawa.

By then, Komachi will already be on that road to school—I imagined the future scene in my mind and yawned.

I glanced at the clock through the few tears that streamed down my face as I yawned; there were still a few minutes left before get out of class ended. Perhaps because it was the sixth period, everyone, including myself, was distracted, and a lazy atmosphere filled the classroom.

What's more, we're currently taking math classes. People like me who plan to apply to private liberal arts universities won't have math classes after the third year. Because there won't be any exams, so learning it would be pointless.

I turned to observe the others, trying to pass the time. Some were dozing, some were playing on their phones under the table, some were staring blankly outside; everyone was using their own way to relieve boredom.

On the other hand, perhaps because final exams are approaching, some people choose to study other subjects instead of paying attention in class. If they just add a math textbook outside to pretend, there's room for turning a blind eye. But some people act like, "What's wrong with me? I'm studying!" They blatantly pile reference books on their desks, with red transparent boards used to cover the answers barely visible, completely oblivious to everyone else. I won't name names, but Minami Sagami is that type.

However, rather than genuinely preparing for the upcoming exams, she seemed more like she was trying to show off how hard she was working. Otherwise, she wouldn't have pretended to be serious during breaks, saying things like, "It's all over! There's no university I can get into! I only got a C on the mock exams, I definitely won't pass—", and asking her friends to comfort her, "Don't worry!" In this day and age, getting a C basically means you can apply to any school, and you can even choose a better one.

Is this little girl from the south like this at home too...? Her younger brother must have it tough. By the way, does Chuan also have a younger brother? Like a neighbor auntie, I looked towards the window seat at the front of the classroom.

The girl with the black and blue ponytail was slightly hunched over, seemingly knitting something. She appeared to be doing something else entirely… Only Kawa exuded a Showa-era charm…

Of course, there are also students who pay attention in class. In fact, most people fall into that category. One student, sitting diagonally behind me in a gym uniform, had a very endearing attitude towards the lesson.

There's no need to hide it, that student is my friend, Totsuka Saika... Let me say it again. My friend, Totsuka Saika.

Totsuka stared at the blackboard, nodding frequently while taking notes with a mechanical pencil. Then he suddenly stopped and pondered, pressing the pencil against his lips.

Just then, Totsuka noticed me watching him and waved his pencil in my direction. Sunlight streaming in from the window illuminated his silky hair, and his smile seemed to shimmer. Oh, how adorable! Like mysterious moonlight shining in the night sky (note)? So dazzling…

Note: This is a transformation line spoken by Madoka Kaguya in the anime/manga series *Pretty Cure*. Madoka Kaguya shares the same voice actress, Mikako Komatsu, as Totsuka Saika.

I was a little embarrassed when Totsuka noticed me, so I nodded slightly and turned my face back to the front.

get out of class was almost over. I flipped through my notebook on the desk and copied down some of the words on the blackboard. If I kept glancing around, I'd be considered weird. Although I already was.

As I was writing, the bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class. The class meeting, which was only briefly briefed on some matters, then ended as well.

There's only one plan after school.

Explain yesterday's events to Yuihama and ask about her wishes.

Listening to the noise in the classroom, I slowly began to pack my things. But I didn't have much. I put on my coat, wrapped my scarf around my neck, and that was about it.

Next... I pretended to be thinking about something, opening and closing my empty backpack repeatedly, taking the opportunity to peek at Yuihama at the back of the classroom.

The students walked out of the classroom in small groups. By the corner window, in a well-lit spot, the old classmates gathered.

Centered around Yumiko Miura, who sat in her seat with her long, beautiful legs crossed, Yuihama and Ebina, wearing coats, borrowed nearby chairs and chatted idly about everything under the sun. Hayato Hayama watched from the side, offering a mature smile and agreeing, along with the three idiots, Tobe Ooka and the others, who were responsible for expanding the conversation, creating a scene that was all too familiar.

They still exuded an air of high-class sophistication that was difficult for outsiders to approach. And they seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

This makes it even harder to find Yuihama.

I had a similar situation not long ago. I managed to strike up a conversation with her, but then she asked me, "Can't you call me normally?"... Normal is the hardest thing.

Therefore, we need to think about it from a different perspective. By utilizing human ingenuity, we can accomplish things without even speaking. As Murasaki Shikibu herself said, even things that are difficult to say aloud can be conveyed through a letter!

I silently took out my phone and turned on the text messaging function. The next second, a text message I was typing caught my eye.

The title and body text are blank; only the recipient's name is filled in.

I spent the whole day yesterday typing this message, but by midnight I still didn't know what to type, so I never sent it and kept it as a draft.

I briefly typed "Are you free today?" in the text box and pressed the send button.

The text message seemed to arrive quickly, and Yuihama reached into her coat pocket. She took out her phone and chatted with Miura and the others while glancing at the screen.

Then, she turned and glanced at me. I nodded in response, and Yui sighed wearily.

"Ah, I'll be right back."

She didn't say much, just smiled and said she was leaving for a while before walking towards me. But with each step she took, her expression grew increasingly dissatisfied. By the time she reached my seat, her cheeks were puffed out.

"I told you to contact me the normal way!"

Perhaps because there were other people around, Yuihama lowered her voice, but her tone was lecturing.

"...Uh, I just chose the most appropriate way."

"Who would text at such close range!"

"The advantage of text messaging is that it eliminates geographical distance."

Even the shyest person can't help but swear online. After all, lately even the most outgoing people are causing a ruckus online...

I made up a random excuse, and Yuihama narrowed her eyes, looking down at me coldly. I pretended to clear my throat, avoiding that icy gaze.

Okay, let's ask her normally this time.

"Are you free today?"

"today……?"

Yui repeated my question, her body stiffening for a moment, her right hand tugging and pinching her bun—I don't know if it was an unconscious action. She seemed confused because my invitation was so sudden. Judging from her reaction, today didn't seem convenient for her.

"Um……"

She fell silent as if deep in thought, glanced at Miura, and then gave a faint, bitter smile.

"I might not be free. I might go out with Yumiko and the others."

Perhaps... you mentioned it twice, isn't that a bit too uncertain? The only thing that would use "perhaps" so many times is probably an advertisement for Kamogawa Marine World (note)...

Note: The word "maybe" is pronounced the same as "duck" in Japanese.

I almost blurted out another casual joke, but I tried to swallow it back.

Actually, Yuihama probably hasn't decided on her plans for today yet. Based on their previous chat, she might detour to other places on her way home. Since that's the case, I didn't want to bother her.

It's okay if I don't specifically choose today. I'll definitely be able to tell her someday, and that's fine. Even if today isn't convenient, I'll definitely find time to explain it to her later—that's my decision.

I looked at the calendar on my phone; it was completely blank.

So, I, with my more relaxed schedule, should cooperate with Yuihama.

"It doesn't have to be today. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, the day after that, or the day after that are all fine."

"You have too many choices! Just how much free time do you have...?"

Yuihama was both surprised and horrified. However, I must say that her thinking was somewhat incorrect. I corrected her seriously.

"No. I'm not free. I have a lot to do."

For example, watching pre-recorded anime, accumulating piles of books, playing Maker after conquering the first island and then abandoning it, doing weight training that I excitedly bought protein powder for but couldn't sustain for more than three days, hosting a one-person Aikatsu! full-season screening on an anime platform—there are just too many things to do, more than I could do in a lifetime. Even just constantly rewatching Aikatsu! would finish my life. Ahh~ If only I had five lives! I'd use all five of them to watch Aikatsu!

I intended to respond in that way, but Yui Hama made a slightly admiring exclamation first, causing me to miss my opportunity.

"Oh, what do you need to do?"

Yui tilted her head, her large eyes fixed on me with curiosity. It seemed she asked the question simply out of interest. Looking at me with such innocent eyes, I couldn't bring myself to utter that string of nonsense I'd just spouted.

"...Well, there's a lot to do. Really a lot? But... we can do it anytime."

I looked away, stammered, and ended the conversation, coughing a few times to regain my composure. Then, I looked back at Yuihama.

"So, I can accommodate your schedule. Let me know which day is convenient for you later."

Yuihama crossed her arms and began to think, a faint gloom appearing on her face.

Finally, a smile appeared on her face, and she nodded shortly afterward.

"Hmm—let's do it today then."

"May I?"

I looked at Miura and the others, asking as if to say, "Didn't you make plans with them?" Yuihama chuckled and replied.

"Hmm. We haven't made plans yet, so it's okay."

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry."

I bowed slightly in apology, and Yui gently shook her head, indicating that it was nothing to worry about.

"Then I'll go get the things."

As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately jogged back to Miura's place, probably to pack up and say goodbye.

I went to the hallway first. It would be too embarrassing for others to see me leaving the classroom with Yui.