My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 569

"Huh, really? Ah..."

Upon hearing Ye Shan's words, the Minister of Revenue fell into deep thought for a moment. Then, as if he had thought of something, he snapped his fingers.

"Alright, come on, you're comparing penguins. You're not dating Yukinoshita, are you?"

A commotion immediately erupted inside the oven.

Hayama and Totsuka exchanged glances and sighed in exasperation. Zaimokuza leaned close to my ear and, in a barely audible whisper, rattled off a string of words, "Ugh, how could this be...it can't be, right? Deny it already. It's okay to tell the truth. I won't be angry. Okay?"

"..."

Seeing that I remained silent, the Minister of Revenue turned to me, pressing me for an answer. Ye Shan lightly tapped his head.

"Don't ask that kind of question..."

"Yeah. Didn't I say before? Even if you ask, he'll definitely deny it. So just watch quietly from the sidelines."

Totsuka also lowered his voice and lectured Tobe.

Wait, what's going on... So everyone had already vaguely sensed it, but deliberately kept quiet out of consideration? How should I put it... it really is...

As I wiped my sweat, I glanced up at the ceiling.

Ugh, I want to die...

I truly felt this way, and let out a deep, burning sigh.

Then, without further hesitation, he spoke:

"Minister of Revenue, you just uttered a forbidden phrase, so you're out."

"Out of the game—"

The tatami mat and the base are also well-matched.

"Wait, why! I didn't say I was hot!"

It's so noisy. Such excuses are useless against my "forbidden phrases" (note). Saying "good" and "hot" consecutively is obviously a no-go. The earlier "good bastard" sounds similar, so it's included too.

Note: Yu Kaito's ability in Yu Yu Hakusho.

I waved him away, and the Minister of Revenue reluctantly stood up. Seeing this, the Timberman slapped his thigh and also got up.

"Ugh, I can't stand the heat either!"

"Me too……"

The wood-carrying stool pushed the head of the household away, and the head of the household followed behind, swaying unsteadily.

With fewer people in the room, the oven instantly became quiet.

Now it's just me and Hayama. Hayama remained silent and motionless, as if he were meditating.

We didn't speak, only our moist breaths exchanged between us.

We were like we were having an endurance test, constantly being steamed by the heat. After a while, Hayama finally spoke.

"So what exactly is it?"

He asked the question casually, but the pressure in his words burned my skin. His back even seemed to say that he wouldn't move until I answered.

"No way... or rather, there's no time for that right now."

I sighed and said that Ye Shan swayed slightly, then suddenly burst into laughter.

After finally finishing his laugh, he took a deep breath, stood up, turned halfway back to me, raised the corners of his mouth, and revealed a hearty yet subtly mocking smile.

"...It's really hot."

Ye Shan said nonchalantly, stepping leisurely out of the oven.

× × ×

After taking good care of myself, I felt much lighter, both physically and mentally.

I walked blissfully to the shoe cabinet, texting Komachi, "You don't need to prepare my dinner today." A short while later, I received a reply: "Got it! Good luck with your work! Komachi's going to the dance too."

No need to come... I smiled wryly, changed my shoes, and went outside.

Lifting the curtain at the door, I saw the setting sun painting the other side of the sea fiery red.

As I walked, I used the MAX coffee ice packs I had just bought to cool my forehead and neck. The spring breeze felt wonderfully warm on my skin, and with the dazzling sunset, I couldn't help but squint my eyes.

"Autistic man".

I looked toward the source of the sound, and Yuihama was sitting on a bench waving at me. Beside her, Yukinoshita let out a satisfied sigh as she undid her hair, which she had tied up while working, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Isshiki, sitting next to Yukinoshita, peeked out from behind her shoulder, giving her a reproachful look.

"Senior, you're so slow."

"Aren't you moving too fast?"

Even though I knew I was the last one to come out, I pretended to be stupid and walked towards the bench.

"Where are the others?"

I looked around but didn't see anyone. Yukinoshita replied briefly:

"Let's go eat first."

"Right."

The conversation ended there. They had no intention of startling the donkey and having it join the others.

The three people remained seated, and I stood there too, gently shaking my MAX coffee and pulling the tab.

I leaned against the wall next to the bench and sipped my coffee. No one spoke during this time; everything seemed calm and peaceful.

We didn't say a word, just gazed at the sunset in a daze, taking the opportunity to cool off.

It would be strange if everyone gathered together without any conversation, which would have been both boring and awkward, and people would have taken out their phones to distract themselves.

Incredibly, we were all immersed in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

It's a bit like the community office we used to have after school.

There's not much to say, and you won't get bored; you can stay there indefinitely.

She hummed a dance tune, swaying her legs to the rhythm, her skirt almost lifting up.

I don't know if it's because of the setting sun, but the intermittent melody has a nostalgic feel to it, and it sounds like a lullaby.

With the melody playing and the comforting feeling of her recent bath, Yukinoshita drifted off to sleep. She yawned and rested her head on Yuihama's shoulder.

Yuihama leaned her shoulder over as well, seemingly wanting to cherish the slight warmth emanating from their skin.

Suddenly, a cold wind, seemingly from the previous season, blew up, and I couldn't help but hunch my shoulders.

I glanced sideways at the bench, worried that they might catch a cold. However, the gust of wind didn't seem to have passed.

It was still in a sunny spot.

Similar to the community office bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, it's a comfortable, sunny spot.

Like everyone squinting and gazing at the setting sun gradually illuminating the sea, there was a sunlit spot similar to the community office.

I must——

Or rather, we must—

—It must be because they understood that such twilight would eventually end and such times would never return that they wanted to stay in that sunny spot forever.

However, the time to leave that place came.

It would be a lie to say I wouldn't miss it. It's impossible not to feel nostalgic. I really can't let it go.

I can't believe I even had this thought.

Today, I finally have to admit that I love that place and that time so much. If I didn't admit it, I probably would never have been able to leave.

Too bright and dazzling, it is deeply imprinted in my heart, thus leaving a mark. Damaged, it becomes a flaw, thus making it unforgettable.

Someday in the future, when I see that scar and remember that such a thing really happened, I will be filled with regret.

I took a step before the last rays of sunlight disappeared, leaving that warm place.

"...It's time to go."

I turned and spoke to them. They opened their eyes beneath the still-drowsy snow.

"Um……"

She answered briefly, propped herself up against Yuihama, thanked her softly, and straightened her wrinkled collar. Isshiki didn't wait for her; she straightened her swaying legs and stood up in one breath. Her shoes touched the sand, and she spun around on her heels.

"Yes... let's go."

She smiled gently and spoke to Yuihama in front of her.

Yuihama squinted, gazing at us as we walked away from the setting sun. Then, she quietly closed her eyes, nodded a few times, and murmured softly.

"Well, it's time to go..."

The next moment, she stood up without hesitation, took a step forward, and didn't look back. She caught up with Isshiki, who had left first, and walked alongside her, leaving the place.

Yukinoshita, having tidied herself up, remained on the bench.

I gestured with my eyes that "Let's go too." She nodded in response and prepared to get up.

Without saying a word, I extended my hand to her.

Yukino tilted her head slightly, seemingly not understanding my intention. After a while, she gave a faint, bitter smile.

"I can stand up on my own..."

"I know."

I know she can get back on her feet, and I also know she'll probably say that.

Nevertheless, I will still reach out my hand.

I will probably continue to do this in the future.

The setting sun cast an even more dazzling afterglow, casting inky shadows. Our shadows overlapped, indistinguishable from one another.

Amidst our cheeks and the world tinged crimson, she smiled helplessly and gently took my hand.

Volume XIV Interlude

The ball is about to begin.

The preparations for the opening ceremony are largely complete; now it's time to wait for the guests to arrive.

I was in charge of reception, so there was nothing I needed to prepare, and I just stood there at the entrance, lost in thought.

I stand here, gazing at the place I once frequented.

He and she were discussing things in the rest area. I had been there not long ago.

However, I will no longer exist there after that.

I will just continue as before, watching from afar the places I cannot enter.

"Yui-senpai, what's wrong?"

Looking back, Iroha walked over.

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing..."

I inadvertently gave a response that, no matter how I looked at it, could never be a bad thing, and reflexively laughed it off. Iroha didn't say a word, just listened with a smile.

I didn't know what to say, so I laughed it off again and gently stroked the bun on my head.

"Yui-neechan—"

Another familiar voice distracted me.

Komachi, dressed in our school uniform, ran towards us, waving enthusiastically. Her attire stirred a strange emotion within me, and I couldn't help but reach out my hand.

"Komachi! New uniform! It's so cute! I love it!"

"Mmm."

Komachi made a strange noise in my arms. Iroha looked at her and made a "hmm" sound. I glanced back and saw her looking puzzled, then remembered that they didn't seem to have met before.

"Ah, this is the autistic man's younger sister, her name is Komachi."

I let go of Komachi and helped with the introductions. Iroha squinted at her, then nodded.