My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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"I'm sorry I wasn't here this morning. I'll be back at work this afternoon... I'm really sorry."

I was dumbfounded and couldn't say a word.

Why? Why are sumo wrestlers here?

"I took Miss Yumihama to her house to pick her up."

Yukinoshita spoke in her usual indifferent tone.

"To set a good example for other employees, it was necessary to severely reprimand her at that time. However, it's not perfect if the aftermath isn't handled properly. I'm sorry to trouble Ms. Yumihama, who wasn't working today, and thank you for coming with me."

"No way, I don't mind at all!"

Yumahina waved her right hand with a smile.

"I don't want Xiaoshengmei to resign either!"

I looked toward sumo wrestling.

"So you're not going to quit your job?"

The sumo wrestler nodded nervously.

"I have nowhere to go if I resign... And Ms. Yukinoshita said she would talk to the higher-ups on my behalf."

Yukinoshita said nonchalantly:

"In fact, in a sense, the sumo wrestler was a victim in this incident."

"……what?"

"Minister Eimoto of the review department was relentlessly pursuing her. He used that list as a reward for their relationship. The sumo wrestler was momentarily blinded by greed and now deeply regrets it. She returned the list to the minister and intends to turn over a new leaf and work diligently. Right?"

"Yes," the sumo wrestler answered in a barely audible voice.

Yukinoshita continued:

"I wouldn't say the sumo wrestler was entirely innocent, but I think Manager Eimoto who instigated her bears more responsibility. It could be described as a form of power harassment and sexual harassment. Rather than a problem with an employee, it's a problem with the Maruhishi Sinko system itself. The sumo wrestler will receive some punishment, but Manager Eimoto should receive a more severe penalty."

Hearing her say that, I understood.

In other words, she planned to orchestrate things this way.

That was the "script" written by Yukinoshita.

Based on their previous conversation in the lounge, Ebisu—or rather, Captain Ebisu and the sumo wrestler—it was definitely consensual. I don't believe it was harassment or sexual harassment. However, it had to be designed this way. The sumo wrestler's punishment remained at the level of reprimand, while her testimony was used to penetrate deeper into the upper echelons and purge them—

That was the plan under the snow.

real purpose.

Upon closer examination, it's quite normal. Exposing the misconduct of a mere part-time worker...That's enough. Our inspectors won't be satisfied with such a trivial result. We won't dwell on the sumo wrestling's mistakes; we'll aim for bigger prey. That's it.

"This is called that, plea bargaining or something... How despicable."

I'm not interested in your opinion.

He spoke coldly beneath the snow, facing the sumo wrestler.

"From now on, I'm counting on you to work hard, Ms. Sumo. Whether it's faxing documents or cleaning the refrigerator, please take pride in your work. Don't pass it on to others."

"…………yes."

"Speak louder. I can't hear you."

"yes!"

The sumo wrestler shouted in despair.

Seeing this, Yumahama laughed.

The incident has come to a peaceful conclusion.

Nice job.

The last day of the inspection.

On her last day in this hellish place, Yukinoshita suggested, "Let's have a farewell party together, the three of us!" Yukinoshita frowned slightly, but in the end, she didn't refuse and came with us to the izakaya in front of the station.

We frequent this place, so the owner let us sit in a private room. We toasted with medium-sized beers and chatted for a while, but it was mostly Yumie doing the talking. The topics ranged from work-related jokes like "There's a strange customer" to her recent obsession with writing novels to lose weight. Yukinoshita nodded earnestly at every comment, responding with "I see," "Indeed," and "That makes sense."

Soon after, the scene quieted down.

Yumihama, who had drunk two glasses of beer, passed out and fell asleep on the table.

Yukinoshita draped her coat over her shoulders.

"You really spoil Yumihama."

Seeing her reminds me of old friends.

Even sitting in the izakaya, he maintained an upright posture under the snow. His every movement betrayed no sign of drunkenness. Calm enka music flowed through the establishment, occasionally drowned out by the laughter of the intoxicated patrons.

"I experienced something similar in high school."

"What?"

"This incident...something similar happened during my high school years."

Yukinoshita looked at the sleeping Yumahama and said.

"Was it also solved by the famous detective Yukinoshita back then?"

However, she shook her head in denial.

"Back then, I couldn't do anything. I was at my wit's end. I was exhausted from the pointless competition and almost crushed by the excessive workload. But—at that time, I was saved by 'him'."

he.

Her tone was somewhat sweet.

"So this is your benefactor?"

Yukinoshita shook her head again.

"Although I have been redeemed, I feel that 'his' actions were wrong, and I don't want to be sure. So, I often ask myself again, what would I do in this situation?"

Ask yourself again—that's what Yukinoshita said.

I keep asking myself that same question from my youth. Countless times—

"I really want to meet the man you mentioned."

What kind of man could make this snow woman say such things? I'm intrigued by him. How clear-headed is he? How broad-minded? How…

Yukinoshita denied it categorically.

You're completely wrong.

Don't read other people's minds so naturally, okay? It's terrifying.

"Somewhat like you. But, definitely not the same."

Yukinoshita looked at my face. She looked at me, but she wasn't looking at me. Perhaps she was looking at "him" through me.

"Since he's such a good man, why not just grab him?"

I said half-jokingly, and Yukinoshita shook her head, a self-deprecating smile playing on her lips.

"Looking back now, was he just a phantom that existed only in my youth—like snow gradually melting away? He was necessary for me to maintain my sense of self. But things are different now. We're no longer teenagers. So I have to ask myself again, lest I make the same mistake again—"

Yukinoshita finished speaking in one breath and then shut her mouth.

She shook her head as if to end the conversation, and stood up. She took out banknotes and change from her bulging wallet, splitting the bill in one-yuan increments. Truly a bank clerk.

"Thank you for your help this past month, Matsutani SV."

She bowed deeply, and I lowered my head as well. "Thank you for your hard work." These were words I hadn't even thought of when I met her, but they came out naturally.

"Finally, I'll tell you some good information."

"What?"

"If you like cats, go to Carrefour... oh, it's called Aeon now. Check out the pet stores there. You'll find plenty."

I couldn't help but blush. When we first met, I was watching cat videos during work hours. I never expected her to bring it up now.

"I know. Because I go to that store often."

Yukino chuckled. A wonderful laugh, a delightful surprise at the end. Uh, I was really startled. This woman can laugh out loud...

"I wish you and Ms. Yumihama happiness."

It seems that was a farewell.

After Yukino left, I finished the rest of my beer.

The beer had gone cold and tasted very sour and unpleasant. However, what I was tasting now was a different kind of bitterness.

"Where did we go wrong?"

Having worked for ten years, I believe I have done everything I was supposed to do.

However, I can't feel proud of my work... I guess I've gone astray somewhere.

Is there a way for me to ask myself that question again?

Just like her. Or just like "him".

Life can never be turned back, no matter when.

A wrong answer will remain unchanged forever.

The only way to overturn that answer is to find a new solution.

Therefore, let's ask ourselves that question again.

In order to find out the correct answer.

In order to meet her again—

You can stand tall and tell her.

I won't make the same mistake again.

Finish

Note 23: Nao Touyama is the voice actress for Yuihama, and Takuya Eguchi is the voice actress for Hikigaya.

Sumo wrestler characters in the 24-bet game "Final Fight".

Short Story Collection 1: Yukino Side And so, a new enemy appeared before him.

Author: Duhang

As the saying goes, a man who steps out of his house will have seven more enemies.

Especially those who run a company while also serving as a county councilor. Holding two positions simultaneously keeps them extremely busy and creates twice as many enemies.

Of course, there are many companions, but in the Demon-Subduing Hall where people gamble their dignity with hypocrisy, one cannot expect to build relationships based on honesty and openness. Besides, since entering society, I don't recall ever genuinely interacting with anyone without weighing the pros and cons or calculating my own intentions. This has nothing to do with titles or positions; many adults in the world probably feel this way.

Therefore, I often deeply agree with the saying, "When a man steps out of his house, he will have seven more enemies."

But I'm not stupid enough to say that out loud. Given the current trend, it's not hard to imagine that simply limiting people to men would be considered outdated. Furthermore, viewing everyone around you as an enemy could also be seen as prejudice.

More importantly, if she were to accidentally say something like that in my house, she would definitely use her frighteningly beautiful face to smile and say, "Oh, so you mean there are no enemies in the house?"

It's really frustrating not being able to immediately dismiss this issue. I don't see them as enemies at all, but what's troubling is that I can't be sure they're allies either.

His wife and two daughters were usually described as saints, virtuous men, and wise mothers. But sometimes they would reveal a demonic side that far surpassed that of an evil and tyrannical king.

So, well, after offsetting each other, let's describe them as little devils.

...No, that word might be a bit insufficient. Their existence is far too vast to be called "little devils." They can be incredibly terrifying when they want to be. Especially the wives, they are truly terrifying. The eldest daughter has also become very terrifying lately. The second daughter is terrifying in ways unknown to others.

However, it is precisely because it is terrifying that it is even more destructive when it reveals its cute side. It easily shatters my wall of rationality, just like the iron ball in the Asama Sanso incident (Note 25).

They cannot be categorized as friend or foe; calling them little devils is both too cute and too terrifying.

In that case, calling them goddesses would be the most appropriate term.

In countless myths and legends, goddesses are not always companions. Sometimes they are symbols of fear and chaos.

Like goddesses in many myths, his wife and daughter possessed both extreme qualities of love and terror, easily stealing the hearts of ordinary people. Her striking beauty was undeniable, but the occasional glimpses of her girlish charm also exuded a goddess-like aura.

A man who steps out of his house will gain seven more enemies.

When you return to Yukinoshita's house, you will see the three goddesses.