My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 55

Unable to make a decision, Totsuka turned to me for my opinion.

I'll think about it for a moment.

Karaoke bars and amusement parks can be places to relieve stress. Singing a ton of songs, belting out tunes, and working up a sweat can be quite enjoyable. However, after singing five songs in a row, your throat and energy will be completely exhausted. If a staff member brings you a drink at that moment, the awkwardness is indescribable. Besides, after you leave, you'll likely feel a strong sense of regret, thinking, "What was I doing…?"

As for amusement parks, they offer a decent way to pass the time, but the fighting game area is always dominated by veteran players; the average person will likely get utterly thrashed. Trivia games, on the other hand, are quite fun, especially online multiplayer, which has become a trend, allowing players to compete against challengers from all over the country. Defeating opponents and muttering "Hmph, these ignorant fools" is truly exhilarating. Or, playing Shanghai Mahjong, challenging yourself to conquer the Great Wall, and then realizing three hours have passed is the best way to waste time. Furthermore, the feeling of "What was I doing…" after leaving is also quite wonderful.

The problem now is that no matter where we choose to go, we are destined to end up wondering, "What am I doing...?"

KTV or amusement park, which would you choose tonight? — Right now, I'm facing an ultimate decision, like navigating between two opposing forces. But as expected of Chiba, they've already prepared a solution for this kind of situation.

"Go to the Mu Continent. How about it? Both wishes can be fulfilled."

"Mu Continent" is a comprehensive entertainment center, featuring not only karaoke and amusement parks, but also bowling alleys, billiard tables, and izakayas. However, because it's a very lively place, it's easy for all sorts of people to gather there, so remember to protect yourself if you go.

"Hmm... then let's go to Mu Continent."

Urged on by Totsuka, I pushed my bicycle across the roundabout in front of the station and parked it at the bicycle parking area on Mu Continent.

Let's take the elevator to the amusement park first.

As soon as we stepped into the lobby, the music from the arcade machines swept over us like a flood. In less than a second, we were in a completely different world—colorful lights, wisps of cigarette smoke, and laughter that rivaled the loud music.

The first thing that comes into view is a row of claw machines.

The moment I saw the couple excitedly shouting and operating the robotic arm, I immediately had the urge to turn around and leave. Damn it! What are these thugs doing? They should come and cause them trouble! Then the police should arrive, cut in, and take everyone away.

The man in the couple seemed to be having a tough time with the claw machine, even asking the staff to move the plush toys inside. Apparently, it's now so easy that you can even ask the staff to help you win the prizes – it's gotten that simple!

We walked past and came to the video game area.

"Wow, that's amazing..."

Totsuka couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

I was already used to this sight, but it was quite a novelty for Totsuka.

Ahead of us were fighting game machines, further in were puzzle games and mahjong machines, with shooting games sandwiched between them, and card games on the right. The card game machines were the most popular, while the fighting and mahjong machines were doing so-so, and the trivia games only had a handful of players. However, the shooting and puzzle games were not to be underestimated; sometimes incredibly skilled players would score ridiculously high scores, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

What games does Hachiman usually play?

"Hmm... Trivia quiz and Shanghai Mahjong."

Of course, I can't bring myself to talk about a game like strip mahjong.

If you're looking for a game that two people can play, puzzle games are the safest bet.

My favorite game, QMA (Note 11, "QUIZ MAGIC ACADEMY"), is located next to the fighting game area.

"Here."

Because the noise around us was so loud, I even gestured to Totsuka. Totsuka nodded, grabbed the hem of my uniform, and followed. Hmm… he must have done that because it was his first time here and he was afraid of getting lost. That must be it, there's nothing strange about it at all, it's perfectly natural! Super natural!

As we were about to pass through the fighting game area, we suddenly spotted a man wearing a very familiar coat. He arrogantly crossed his arms, revealing the power braces on his arms. Whenever he deliberately let out a "ha, ha, ha" laugh, the small bun tied at the back of his head would sway along with it.

He stood behind a player with several other people, occasionally whispering and laughing.

"Hachiman, that looks like timber—"

You've mistaken me for someone else.

Totsuka asked me with a surprised expression, and I quickly interrupted him.

Although I have seen that person before, I don't know him.

The person I know couldn't possibly chat and laugh with people like that; after all, that guy doesn't have any friends.

"Really... I thought it was Zaimokuza-kun..."

"Ah, Totsuka, you can't say his name!"

"Hmm? I think I heard someone calling me... W-what?! Isn't that Hachiman?"

...was discovered.

One characteristic of lone wolves is that they are extremely sensitive to their own names. They aren't usually called by name, so when they are, their reactions tend to be quite exaggerated. This is based on my own experience. If they're too surprised, they might even respond with something like, "Yes, yes." To be honest, when I hear "Next stop, Ichigaya (Note 12: in Japanese it's 'ichigaya,' which sounds similar to 'Hachiman')," I instinctively respond immediately.

"I never expected to run into you in a place like this. What are you doing here? This is a battlefield; only those prepared for battle are allowed to enter."

"I only came at Totsuka's invitation."

I ignored his pretentious act and gave him a slightly sad look, which wasn't cute at all.

"So, Hachiman, what brings you here?"

"No, just came to have some fun."

"What! Wait, the Totsuka clan too?"

Zaimokuza was taken aback and stared at Totsuka with exaggeratedly wide eyes. Totsuka was so frightened that he hid behind me.

"Yes, yes..."

"Oh? Hold on, you two."

The woodcutter gave an unsettling smile and jogged away from us, apparently to say goodbye to the people he had been chatting with.

In less than a minute, he returned here, panting heavily.

"Okay, let's go."

"We didn't invite you..."

Without my noticing, the wood carrier decided to join us, ignoring my subtle protests, and began panting heavily, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

"By the way, was that person your friend?"

"No, it's the Holy Spirits (Note 13: The 'Holy Spirits' in this term refers to the fighting game 'Holy Spirit Heart')."

"I wasn't asking what you call him."

"Huh? I didn't mean what to call him. His name is 'Ash the Hound'."

"That sounds awful..."

"He completely crushed his opponent in the game 'Iron Sword.' When the opponent got angry, he punched and kicked the machine and even threw an ashtray at him. He caught the ashtray skillfully, which made the opponent even more annoyed, and he ended up getting a beating. That's how he got his name. He's considered a veteran player on Mu Continent. Nobody knows his real name; everyone calls him 'Mr. Ash.'"

"Oh, I see."

Wow, this might be the most useless information I've ever received. I have absolutely no idea how I could possibly have the chance to brag about the origin of Mr. Ash's name.

"So, what is the 'Holy Spirits'?"

Totsuka raised a question I'd also like to ask. However, if Zaimokuza were to explain, he'd probably assume we understand the technical terms. Anyway, I don't intend to know too much detail; I'll just listen casually.

"'Crowd' refers to a group of people who play the same game. It can be placed after the game name or place name, for example, 'The Chiba crowd is particularly bad among the Holy Spirit crowd.'"

Chiba is trash... Chiba, I love you guys! I mainly love the Chiba part.

"Hmm...so, do you consider us friends?"

"No, it is the Holy Spirits."

"Does that mean we're not friends...?"

Talking to Zaimokuza is exhausting. Even though we're both Japanese, I can't understand their Japanese. What's going on? And what language is "Saint Seishuu"? Isn't that a noun derived from the "sou" in "souvenir" (people)? Oh well, I guess it's a term used to refer to a group.

When the woodworker heard my question, he thought about it for a moment.

"Hmm, are we even friends...? We chat when we meet, we exchange instant messages, and we even go on expeditions to other cities together... But I don't know his real name, or what he does for a living. We mostly talk about games and anime... Do you think Ash and I are friends?"

"I'm the one asking the question now. Didn't the school teach you not to answer other people's questions with questions?"

"Well, it's more accurate to call them 'fellow fighting game enthusiasts' than friends. To me, they're more trustworthy than friends."

"Fellow fans of fighting games... that's quite understandable."

I somewhat appreciate this way of expressing it; it eliminates the ambiguity of the word "friend."

Many terms in the world are easier to understand by describing their functions rather than by directly stating their definitions.

Taking "marriage" as an example, instead of talking about dating or love, it's easier to understand if we say it's a mutual assistance relationship, an ATM, a matter of saving face, or a desire to reproduce.

However, calling it an ATM seems a bit too harsh.

"That's right, so Hachiman and I are considered members of the sports group."

"Eh? Is that so?"

That's a really harsh way to put it, I don't like it. It's like saying "the sports team is particularly bad among all the teams at Soubu High School."

However, I'm glad that the woodwork group indicated we weren't friends, and the sports group was just something I had to do.

"So, I'm in the same group as Hachiman in PE class, so I guess I'm part of the PE group?"

"Huh? Is that so?"

I'm not really friends with Totsuka... That's shocking.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. If they're not friends, it means they could potentially become lovers. Okay, no problem! No, this is a big problem.

"However, it feels amazing to meet more people through playing video games."

"Hmm? Is that so?"

Upon hearing Totsuka's words, Zaimokuza's resolve wavered.

"Yeah, that's really impressive. It turns out playing video games isn't as lonely as I imagined."

"That's a misconception. Fighting games also hold national team tournaments called 'Fierce Battles,' which are incredibly exciting. There have been stories of warriors uniting to win the championship for their sick gaming partners. The entire venue was in an uproar, and even I couldn't help but shed tears."

"It sounds a lot like Koshien (the national high school baseball tournament)."

"Hmm...similar, I guess."

I never imagined he had his own social circle.

Wow, that sounds amazing!

Upon seeing Totsuka clap his hands in praise, Zaimokuza became quite pleased with himself. We loners have a bad habit: once we start talking about our areas of expertise, we become quite talkative and launch into long-winded discourses.

"That's right! It's not just fighting games; video games are a wonderful thing. First, a group of people come together to make games, then another group of people who like those games emerge, and from among them, people make the next generation of games. Don't you think that cycle is beautiful? Someday, I'll be one of those people making games too."

"Oh? Zaimokuza-kun's goal is to make games? That's amazing!"

"Yeah, that's right, hahahahahahaha!"

Huh? Weird?

"What was your original goal in becoming a light novel author?"

"Oh, that? I've given up on it."

He answered that without hesitation.

"Why suddenly..."

"Well, after all, light novel writers are freelancers, they don't get any job security, and it's not guaranteed they can make a living that way in the long run. Most importantly, I don't earn money if I don't write anything. That's really troublesome. If I worked at a game company, I could get a salary as long as I got in."

"You're a complete scumbag..."

"What? You have no right to say such things!"

That's right, they're no different from stay-at-home dads who don't want to work.

"But, can you make games?"

"So I want to become a game scriptwriter, so I can fully utilize my creativity and writing skills. I can live a life free from financial worries and use the company's money to do what I love!"

"Oh, I see... Please do your best..."

Suddenly, I felt that nothing else mattered. Even though it was only for a brief moment, I actually seriously considered this guy's future—what a complete idiot.

"Speaking of which, Hachiman, since you're here to visit, I'll be your host and provide a guided tour. What would you like to do?"

It seemed this was the timber yard's territory, and he suddenly became quite energetic. However, although he offered to provide a guided tour, we could roughly figure out what was there just by looking around, so he was completely meddling.

"Ah, I'd like to try out the sticker machine."

Totsuka also looked around, then pointed to the photo booth area far to his left and rear.

"Hachiman, do you want to take some photo booth pictures?"

"Why... isn't it clearly stated there that it's specifically for girls and couples?"

It's said that the photo-sharing area has always discriminated against men, only allowing women or couples to enter. This discriminatory policy is essentially a modern version of apartheid, and the United Nations should intervene as soon as possible.

We are currently three boys, which does not meet any of the criteria.