My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 603

She lowered her head, her eyes filled with confusion, fear, or longing, as if they were about to spill over at any moment.

How dare you make my daughter look like that... I don't know who you are, but I'm going to kill you...

I clenched my fists tightly on my thighs, when someone tapped my hands with a fan. I reflexively glanced to the side; my wife was shaking her head slightly.

No, no, I almost revealed my true nature. After reflecting on my actions, I vowed to be a quiet and good father and husband.

As her father, what should I say to my daughter who is hanging her head in sorrow? As I pondered this, before I could even speak, Yang Nai made a move.

"I'm sorry, I kept teasing you," Yukino said, gently patting Yukino's head to comfort her.

"Don't worry. He understands even this small thing. Rather, you're just someone who puts a lot of pressure on people and is very difficult to deal with."

Yukino's hair was ruffled, and she turned her face away. Then, she mumbled shyly:

"My sister has no right to talk to me like that... You're difficult to deal with too..."

Honestly. He went and made a scene, then afterwards went out of his way to comfort her—that's such a twisted way of showing love. Who does he take after? I smiled wryly as I watched my two beloved daughters. Yukino squinted at Yukino and poked her cheek.

"Better than that kid—he's the type who'd dig a tunnel through the city to escape when they surround him from outside. Even if we brought him here, he'd probably find all sorts of ways to run away, wouldn't he?"

"...Yeah, probably."

Yukino sighed, a sigh that was hard to tell whether it was relief or helplessness.

At this moment, his wife tapped her fan with a "snap" and nodded in satisfaction.

"Then we have no choice but to completely block his escape routes."

My wife, with a beaming smile and seemingly in high spirits, spoke in a lighthearted tone, yet a chill ran down my spine.

It wasn't just because what she said was terrifying, nor was it just because her eyes were shining while she was saying such terrifying lines.

It was probably because I remembered that feeling that I felt a chill run down my spine. The feeling of being cornered, like the prey I had experienced more than twenty years ago, came back to mind.

This extremely personal feeling could not be shared with anyone else. In fact, Yukino tilted her head in confusion, probably not yet understanding what her wife was trying to express.

"...Is that so? Then we'll have to block Yukino's escape route first."

"What? Wait a minute, sister. What are you trying to do? I don't know what you're planning, but it's definitely not going to be anything good, so please don't."

Haruno's sudden remark confused Yukino even more. She nervously grabbed Haruno's hand. However, Haruno, saying "Okay, okay," restrained Yukino and turned to look at me with a bright smile.

"Hey, Dad. Yukino said she wants you to meet someone."

“…Huh?”

Yukino's mouth dropped open, and she froze on the spot. Then, she seemed to understand what Haruno meant, and her cheeks gradually flushed red.

I was able to ignore them when they brought up that topic earlier because I'd been kept out of the conversation. But now that she'd called me out on it, I couldn't pretend I hadn't heard. I straightened my back and stared into Yukino's eyes.

"Yukino...is that so?"

"Huh, no, there isn't..."

She kept waving her hand, constantly adjusting her bangs, fanning her face, and combing her hair with that other hand, unable to stay still.

"Yukino."

But when her wife called her in a steady voice, Yukino lowered her hand. She lowered her head to hide her flushed cheeks, and after a short while seemed to give up struggling. She took a deep breath and whispered something in a soft voice, as if in secret:

"Um... well, neither he nor I are used to those kinds of situations. We're not good at handling them, and we don't like them either, so it'll probably be a long time... not now..."

She turned her face away shyly, occasionally glancing at my expression, then immediately looked away again, speaking haltingly.

I could only listen silently. My daughter was speaking so earnestly and carefully, so careful not to say the wrong thing, and so sincerely telling me her story. Who could bear to interrupt her?

"Someday, I will introduce him to my dad."

More importantly, seeing her happy, shy smile, it was impossible to refuse.

"Hmm... Oh, really..."

I felt a lump in my throat. My breath was heavy with sadness.

When my daughter was born, I knew this moment would come someday, but it came sooner than I imagined, and without any warning.

If I don't say something, I'll probably just keep sighing. That would be too embarrassing, so I decided to nod first and say something that sounds like normal conversation.

"Oh, I see... But I'm busy with things right now, so I'll talk about it later..."

That's right. I guess I'll gradually get used to it. Get used to my daughter leaving my side.

So, I hope this period can last a little longer...

I had barely thought that when my wife snapped the fan shut and made the decision on her own.

"Yes. I'll be available in mid-June, let's book then."

"Why should it be your decision...?"

I asked in a trembling voice, and through my slightly tearful eyes, I saw my wife smile.

"If we don't do this, you'll escape. We have to strike first."

Her bright, piercing eyes, like those of a girl falling in love or getting ready for a date, have remained unchanged since I first met her; she is still beautiful and endearing.

Even after more than twenty years, I still don't think I can compete with that alluring smile that is far from pure and innocent, yet subtly reveals a cute and scheming little devil.

I stared in disbelief, then out of the corner of my eye I saw Haruno whispering to Yukino.

"Yukino, that's how it should be."

"Been taught a lesson……"

Seeing Yukino nodding repeatedly, I silently felt sorry for him, whom I had never even met.

One day, he'll be driven to the same dead end as me, reduced to a state of utter helplessness. He won't even be able to move his mouth.

Now, the three goddesses of the Yukinoshita family have left me aside, imagining our upcoming encounter, chatting freely.

"But if you invite him in the normal way, the kid probably won't come."

"If only we could create an opportunity..."

As Yukino spoke, she poured the liquor into a whiskey glass. Yukino pressed her hand to her soft lips, lost in thought. Judging from the wrinkles between her brows, the problem seemed to be troubling her. But her wife gently opened her fan and immediately gave the answer.

"The opportunity... I see. If it were an event like a dance, my dad and I might naturally get involved with him."

"Yeah. As long as you use work as an excuse, that person will accept most things."

Yukino mentioned that person with a helpless yet slightly proud expression, and his wife put her hand on her cheek and smiled happily.

"Oh, that's great news. He's an ideal workforce member."

"I mean, it would be better to do it at a different time, right? Usually, I don't have time to deal with other things because of exams. That guy is the type who will use exams as an excuse to say disgusting things like, 'For our own good, it's best to keep our distance for now.'"

Haruno laughed loudly, but Yukino's face remained completely expressionless.

"He could really say something like that, it's worrying..."

"Otherwise, Yukino will be the one to say it."

Yukino burst into laughter without any restraint, while Yukino was clearly displeased. The wife looked at the two of them with a gentle smile.

"That's true... How are his grades? Have you heard which university he's aiming for?"

"Hmm, hmm... they'll probably be applying to the same school as me..."

Under his wife's persistent questioning, Yukino gave a flustered answer. Haruno, using this as a snack, swirled her whiskey glass and cheerfully tossed out a sentence:

"Different universities...new encounters...accidental reunions...the future looks bleak."

"Sister, shut up."

Ignoring the fact that the two were about to start arguing again, I silently left the living room.

Listening to these young girls chattering any longer isn't good for my heart. Needless to say, my wife is also young enough to be called a young girl.

Before leaving, I glanced at the wall clock; there was still some time before midnight. The shop should still be open.

I haven't thought about drinking alone in a long time.

Unlike when I came down from the dorm, I walked up to the second floor with lighter steps. I quickly changed my clothes and headed to my usual bar.

I took the coat my wife had hung up for me from the closet, quickly put it on, and tiptoed to the entryway. I knew I'd be so drunk I could barely stand when I got home.

I quietly closed the door and walked carefully on the stone floor to avoid stepping on the small pebbles laid out on the ground.

As you pass through the gate, cherry blossoms fall one after another under the bright moonlight.

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

My enemy, who tried to take my beloved daughter away from her father.

My formidable foe, who will soon stand alongside me against the goddesses.

—It seems I have gained another enemy today.

Finish

Note 25: The kidnapping incident that occurred in Asama Sanso, Japan in 1972. Police used a crane to carry an iron ball, smashing down the walls of the villa and storming inside.

Note 26: The Japanese word "厳しい" also means severe or serious.

Short Story Collection 1: Yukino Side - Afterword

Postscript (by Hiroshi Ishikawa)

Men's underwear is definitely the best.

If I had to recommend one item first, it would be GUNZE's BODY WILD series 3D-shaped boxer briefs. Few seams, high elasticity, excellent breathability—it's practically perfect. At 1000 yen, it even rivals UNIQLO. Starting your list around it is definitely a safe bet. If I had to point out a drawback, it's that there are practically no patterns, so people who like brightly colored underwear won't like it. Also, the pouch area is just one piece of fabric, so it's easy for the penis to sag, which is a bit worrying.

UNIQLO's boxer shorts are too tight, I don't like them (I don't know about the styles from the last two or three years).

The recent AIRZ series from BODY WILD offers a fit that's on another level; it's simply breathable. However, it might feel a bit stuffy, possibly due to the inclusion of rayon in the material. Once this issue is resolved, it should be a top-tier underwear brand.

The Swedish brand Frank Dandy is known for its fashionable patterns. The pouches lack dimension, instead spreading horizontally to create a sense of space. Perhaps only the underwear I bought has this issue, but the tag sewn onto the elastic waistband was too irritating, so I simply cut it off. Overall, it feels like a low-value product…

I'd heard that Andrew Christmas boxer briefs had a liberating feel in the pouch area, so I bought some and tried them on. Rather than a liberating feel, the appearance was more like a bouncy, elastic texture. I was puzzled by this, so I checked their official website and found they sell "enlarged" underwear, underwear with only a hole in the buttocks, tank tops that barely cover the nipples, etc. Then I understood everything. I recommend them to anyone who wants to stand out in the locker room.

My hobby is hiking, so I also pay attention to outdoor base layers. My favorite is Phenix boxer shorts (I forgot the model). The mesh fabric is incredibly breathable. They also feel smooth to the touch. These are my ultimate underwear; when I see them at Comiket, I hope people will think, "Oh, he's wearing those today too!"

I thought they'd be easier to walk in than boxer briefs, so I bought Montbell's Merino wool briefs. However, the edges are a bit tight around the groin, making walking feel a little awkward. They're quite small, suitable as spare underwear.

I recently bought a pair of ICEBREAKER Merino wool boxer briefs, which are supposed to be a foreign size, but the waist is really tight. I'm still considering whether to actually wear them in a workout.

A man's life is a long journey in search of his ideal underwear.

It means that Totsuka doesn't know what kind of underwear to wear.

石川博品

Postscript (by Sagara Sou)

Ever since I watched the first episode of "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU" almost nine years ago, I've been thinking about it.

What is Yukino Yukinoshita thinking?

While Hachiman Hikigaya often conceals his true intentions in his speech, at least this story is told from his perspective. Yui Yuigahama frankly expresses her emotions from the very beginning. Iroha Isshiki is quite easy to understand in a certain sense (※opinions vary). Saika Totsuka is adorable. As for Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, well, let's just say he's not a good fit.

However, I feel that Yukino Yukinoshita has a slightly higher number of lines that make people wonder, "Why would she say something like that at this time? What kind of feelings did she have when she said that to Hachiman?" compared to the other characters.

Of course, all the answers lie in the author Watari's heart.

However, since I have a rare opportunity to participate in the short story collection project, could you allow me to write about one possibility of Yukino? There are as many Yukino as there are readers' subjective opinions.

I wrote this short story with these feelings in mind. I hope everyone can laugh it off, thinking, "Maybe Yukino has this kind of thought process somewhere."

By the way.

The original work mentions a scene where Yukino should know shogi, but please, dear readers, don't look for it. In my world, Yukino doesn't know shogi.

Sagara Sou

Postscript (Tianjin)

Hello everyone. I am Xiang from Tianjin. Thank you for reading "Guo Qing's Short Stories Collection".

Someone actually asked me, someone like me barely surviving in the corner of the entertainment industry, "would you like to participate in that Guo Qing short story collection?" He really dared to gamble. Although I don't know if I won or lost that bet, I haven't seen that person who contacted me for a contribution since. I hope he's doing well.

This time I'm going to write a short story by Yukino. Judging from the lineup of writers, I should be the worst writer, so I tried to find a subject that only I could write, and the result is the "manzai" category.

That was the reason I started writing. I didn't expect that Yukino and Hachiman's usual conversations would be similar to manzai (Chinese stand-up comedy). I wrote smoothly and happily and finished the story without any problems.

The editor of my light novel, "Kuz and the Angel's Second Cycle Life," commented after reading it, "It's so much more interesting than the usual Kuzu and the Angel's Second Cycle Life!" I really don't know if he was praising me or mocking me.

I hope you'll find it interesting. Thank you.