My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 535

"You're so rude... Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm quite good with body language. I'm confident that with just a wry smile, a waterfall of sweat, and a sigh, I can convey 'I want to leave' to the whole world."

I was drenched in sweat, and sighed with a bitter smile. Isshiki slumped his shoulders in despair.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it... Yukino-senpai is really bad at talking."

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow and said:

"Isshiki-kun? That's a huge misunderstanding. Some people even think that speaking directly to someone of higher status is arrogant. Don't you know that?"

"Ugh, this person is terrifying..."

Yukinoshita brushed aside the hair that fell to her shoulder and smiled at Isshiki. Isshiki involuntarily took a step back. So this kind of culture exists! I see, there are social status distinctions even in modern times. People who hold the highest level of the Order of the Nation are basically safe no matter what they do (Note).

Note: This refers to the incident where former Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kozo Iizuka was involved in a car accident that resulted in the deaths of a mother and daughter, but the police did not immediately arrest him.

I wholeheartedly agree. The student council secretary, a few steps away, cautiously reminded me:

"Um, it's about time we headed to the gym..."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Yukino apologized to the secretary and gently broke free from Yuihama's embrace.

"I have to go now... Well then, goodbye."

"Well, bye."

Yuihama waved her hand, Yukinoshita nodded, and gestured for Isshiki and the others to step out.

Before leaving, Isshiki ran over here, put his hand on my shoulder for support, stood on tiptoe slightly, and whispered something in my ear.

"...Please ask your senior for help that day. Or rather, I welcome your senior to help me anytime."

"If you have time..."

"Since you're so free, why don't you just say you'll come and help? You're such a difficult person."

I stepped aside to create some distance between myself and her, to avoid the sweet scent wafting past my ear. Ichiro puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, muttering to herself as she jogged after Yukinoshita and the others.

After watching her leave, we turned and headed towards the main gate.

"Great, it looks like it's going very well."

"yes."

I answered Yuihama's bright voice in this way, while asking myself the same question.

Did I perform well? Are there ways to perform even better in the future?

After taking their first steps, the distance between them gradually widened. Their goals were no longer the same.

That relationship only existed because of the temporary, special circumstances. Now that cracks have appeared in that situation, the distance between me and Yukinoshita has naturally changed.

Just like getting used to that time and that space.

The strange feeling one has about this relationship will surely dissipate gradually.

They will definitely get used to it and gradually drift apart after becoming familiar with each other.

Volume XIV, Prelude 3

After listening to what I said, she sighed softly.

"yes……"

She murmured to herself, then fell silent.

As night deepened, the evening breeze began to carry a chill.

As I listened to the sound of the wind rustling through the treetops, I unconsciously hugged my arms.

The feeling of cold might not just be due to the wind, but also to this brief silence.

I secretly observed her reaction, wanting to know what she would say, and then we made eye contact.

She smiled, shifted her body to get closer to me, and then asked gently:

"What did you say to him?"

Its big, round eyes looked up at me with a mischievous glint in them.

Her eyes were equally gentle. Though veiled in curiosity, they held a glimmer of reason. She concealed her cleverness so well that her wide eyes glistened with tears. Her gentleness captivated me.

Looking into those eyes, I truly felt I had no way of deceiving her now. I slowly uttered the words I had spoken to him, words utterly sincere.

"I said, I had a great time... This year I spent with you all was full of unprecedented experiences, full of unknowns, very... enjoyable."

Although the words were empty, she still lowered her head slightly, closed her eyes, and nodded as I spoke each word.

"Me too... It's so strange, it sounds like you're about to wrap things up."

A short while later, she raised her face, a smile on her lips. However, the words she added with that shy smile carried a hint of sadness, and I unconsciously lowered my gaze.

"Yes. Because this is the last one."

"what?"

She asked back, her expression and tone completely different, showing no surprise whatsoever. That's to be expected. Because since the beginning of this winter, we've always known that this relationship was over.

"The match is over."

Her expression darkened, like a light that had gone out.

"Can you please not end this abruptly...? I clearly had no intention of ending this at all..."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry. But I've already decided to end it."

Unable to conceal my cowardice, words slipped out. I wished I could have expressed myself better. But conveying this to her without lying or stating the truth was too difficult. Instead, I held her hand tightly.

"Therefore, I at least want to fulfill your wish. Because your wish is also my wish."

"...I don't want you to do that."

She squeezed my hand back. The grip wasn't strong, but it was warm. I looked up, and her gaze met mine directly, her long eyelashes fluttering.

"I want to accept everything. Everything will remain as it is."

That was what she said to me on that snowy day.

That sentence has probably been pushing me from behind all along. Ever since I heard it, ever since he denied it…

I believe that wish was a shared dream between him, her, and me. That time was so comfortable that it inspired such thoughts. That's why I understand. Her wish was unlikely to be fulfilled in that way.

"...Although it can't be perfectly matched, I think it will become something similar."

So this is the right thing to do. Logically speaking, this is the right outcome—I whispered, as if in prayer.

He will definitely make all of these things happen for you.

He's the only person I can truly call a friend. It's because of her that I hope he can fulfill her wish.

I didn't want to put such selfish sorrow into words, so I just gazed at her silently.

"Who knows..."

She tilted her head, gave a troubled wry smile, and stroked the bun on her head.

"I always feel that he will use unimaginable methods to fulfill my wishes, making it difficult to frankly ask him for help..."

Her words made me laugh. It's true. Based on past experience, it's not hard to imagine. Up until now, he's always used methods we couldn't imagine, or forms we wouldn't want, to fulfill someone's wishes. I suddenly remembered a short story I'd read before.

"...I kind of understand. It's like a monkey's paw (note)."

Note: A short story by British novelist W.W. Jacobs.

"Monkey paws? Why?"

She tilted her head and blinked.

This gesture was kind of cute, and I couldn't help but smile.

"It's nothing... I was just saying that he has an eccentric and awkward personality."

"Hmm. He always comes up with weird methods when a normal approach would suffice..."

I was affected by her tired sigh and laughed along with her.

"That's right. I really hope he considers our feelings."

"Yes."

We were all laughing when suddenly a sharp pain shot through our chests.

Realizing that he would no longer be affected by his actions, the laughter stopped abruptly.

I didn't know how she felt about the awkward silence, and she looked at me with concern, asking what was wrong. I gently shook my head.

"...Let's go out and have fun together during spring break."

I started a completely unrelated topic and tried my best to put on a smile.

I know I feel very awkward, clumsy, and stiff. But starting tomorrow, I must smile more naturally.

Actually, I had no idea how to face him, whether I could make eye contact with him, whether I was confident that I could have a natural conversation with him, and I couldn't think of any topics to chat about. I also couldn't remember how I used to get along with him.

but--

After that, I will definitely perform better and do better.

Volume 14, Chapter 3: Whenever I smell this fragrance, I am reminded of that season.

Inside one of the private rooms at the KTV in front of the station.

The deep bass from the next booth was clearly audible. I leaned my head against the wall and looked up at the ceiling to make the sound even more pronounced.

Rather, you couldn't hear anything except that sound.

Strange, there are clearly seven people in this private room...

In the relatively large private room, there was no singing, not even conversation; all that could be heard were coughs, sighs, and people drinking beverages through straws.

The only other sound was the cold clanging of plastic. I looked toward the source of the sound and saw Miura Yumiko propping her cheek up, scrolling through her phone with displeasure.

On either side of her were Ebina and Yuihama, forming the girls' group. A short distance away, sitting next to Yuihama was me, followed by Zaimokuza, Sagami's younger brother, and Hadano, forming a simple "ㄈ" shape.

The boys and girls were divided into two sections with me sitting in the middle as the dividing line, giving me a feeling of being Moses. Thanks to sitting in the center, I could see the situation on both sides clearly.

Miura looked sullen, Ebina seemed detached, and Yuihama smiled helplessly. On the other side, the Zaimokuza and the game club duo were fidgeting, their eyes darting around.

This should be a victory celebration, but there's nothing here to cheer you up; your consciousness is drifting further and further away, towards another world.

We were having a great time chatting in the gaming club, but now it's completely silent. You guys seem really down. Did you take some kind of depressing medication? Or maybe some kind of mood-boosting lotion?

Well, it's the first time the game club members have met Miura and the others, so there's nothing we can do about it.

People like us tend to adopt a superior attitude when facing our own kind, but become shy around girls we're meeting for the first time. At my level, it's not just the first meeting; I'm still afraid even on the second and third meetings. My mindset remains perpetually that of a newbie, a lifelong "fresh person."

As a result, we haven't spoken to Miura and Ebina to this day.

No one was singing, and the atmosphere was incredibly tense. Yui tugged at my sleeve and whispered in my ear:

"This feels a little awkward..."

The refreshing scent of citrus wafted into my nose, like a soft whisper in my ear, making me feel ticklish.

"yes……"

This might be the first time I've genuinely agreed. I sighed and shifted my body. You're getting too close... It's embarrassing! Especially when there are strangers around! Look, Miura and Ebina glanced this way!

But I don't mind at all. I'll trouble you again next time I have the chance!

I stopped Yuihama with a look and slowly distanced myself from her. Yuihama paused for a moment, then, probably realizing my intention, quickly turned her head away shyly. That puts my mind at ease… I breathed a sigh of relief, but then she tugged at my sleeve with a slightly lighter touch, moving closer to me. Why?

"Let's think of something..."

"It's impossible..."

I answered with a wry smile, maintaining my composure, leaning slightly forward, gently freeing myself from Yuihama's fingers, assuming the Gendo pose, and falling into deep thought.

In this situation, no matter how hard I try to liven things up, it's just a one-man show. I might even beat up the jukebox and then just retire. (Note)

Note: Sumo wrestler Himafuji Kohei once used a karaoke remote control to beat up Yoshiji Takanoiwa, which eventually led to his retirement.

"What did you tell Miura and the others?"

"Huh? I said I wanted to go sing karaoke with you guys..."

Yuihama tilted her head and said casually.