My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 649

But that store was featured in a magazine, and it might become a super famous store in the future. So I probably won't go there again. But now I can say...

"Yuhihama, thank you for taking me to a great shop."

"...Yes, yes. You're welcome..."

She lowered her head shyly.

"Although I don't know the reason... as long as you're satisfied... phew—thankfully, we were saved..."

It's rare that Hachiman gave such a high score, but Yuihama seems completely oblivious. But I doubt she needs my favorability rating anyway.

I want to thank Yuihama for recommending this great shop to me. In a way that avoids putting pressure on her, my gaze fell on the vending machines under the eaves of the shopping street. Of course, they sell Chiba's signature drinks.

"Yuihama, would you like some coffee? It's on me."

"Huh? Why?"

"Of course, it's to thank you for paying for my haircut."

"W-Is it okay? There's a Starbucks over there..."

"Sorry, Starbucks is too shiny and dazzling. A vending machine would be fine."

"Huh—!"

Don't automatically feel the urge to go to trendy places.

"If it's Star Max coffee, I'd be willing to sell anything."

"That shop seems to only sell one type of coffee..."

"If you want to drink, feel free to drink three or four cups, but it's a limited-edition MAX coffee."

"...A punishment game?"

"Come on, choose. Do you want it in a can or a PET bottle? Order your MAX coffee."

I put a lot of coins into the vending machine.

"Eh? Limited edition MAX coffee... and they also have some pretty good drinks like cantaloupe soda..."

Yuihama groaned in front of the vending machine. This wasn't a punishment game, it was my way of treating her, but I'd better not tell her.

8. The main character of "Kino's Journey".

The plot of the movie "Shaolin Wooden Dummy Alley" is translated into Japanese as "Shaolin Temple Wooden Dummy Fist".

Note 10: Merion's ability from the Hunter x Hunter series. He can eliminate his own presence while holding his breath.

11 references to the manga "Hunter x Hunter".

Mandy, the 12th entry, is a Japanese dancer. The Japanese pronunciation of "Mandy" is similar to that of "trouble".

The lyrics to a nursery rhyme from the manga "Sword Master's Death Match" (13 notes).

Note 14 is a parody of the line spoken by a beast-type demon during negotiations with a demon in the game series "Shin Megami Tensei": "I want to devour you."

Short Story Collection 3: Yui Side - Cats, Apartment Buildings, and Schoolbags

Author: Yamemi / Illustration: Kukka

Tonight is a sleepless night. I absentmindedly pulled a book from the bookshelf, the famous work featuring an unnamed cat.

I like cats.

They don't work like livestock, nor are they as obedient as dogs. Cats have integrated into human society and thrive. They enjoy human kindness but don't depend on anyone. They hate being restrained and can enjoy their solitude. That's what cats are.

In this respect, I think I'm very much like a cat. It doesn't matter if I'm alone; the overtly effeminate girl in my class seems to have said, "Compared to Penguin, I'm definitely a cat!" Although I don't think the "cat" here means that. (Note 15)

In conclusion, cats are cute, powerful, and great.

However, some people are afraid of cats.

Yui Yuigahama is one of them.

After school, I went to the Service Society office as usual.

I opened the office door and went inside. Yuihama was using her phone, and Yukinoshita was reading a magazine. It was the same scene as always.

Both of them looked up at me.

"Ah, an autistic man."

"Hi."

I greeted Yuihama and nodded to Yukinoshita.

Then I sat down in my seat, took out a paperback from my bag, and started reading.

The peaceful time passed by. Not long after, Yuihama spoke.

"Oh, right, Yukino."

"……?What's up?"

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out several DVDs. The covers all featured Johnny the panda, the popular mascot of Disneyland.

"I watched all the movies! There were some really old ones too, but they were all so good! Johnny the panda was super cute!"

Yuihama happily shared her thoughts.

Looks like Yukino borrowed her DVD. By the way, when I was in elementary school, we used to borrow games from each other... When will my Mario Tennis be back?

"As long as you like it."

A gentle smile appears beneath the snow.

"By the way, Johnny the Panda's movies aren't limited to these; there are also cartoon versions, 3D animated versions, and puppet show versions. If you prefer feature films, I recommend starting with the cartoon version next time. But of course, watching the original comics first is the best option—"

Yukinoshita talked on and on, and Yuihama, though startled, nodded in agreement. But as Yukinoshita had been speaking for almost ten minutes, she began to show signs of fatigue. Feeling sorry for her, I said to her:

"You suddenly become very talkative whenever you mention Johnny the panda..."

"Oh, Hachiman, so you're here. You were so quiet, I thought you'd become a Buddha."

"You think I'm a ghost?"

Looks like I'd better make my presence known a little... otherwise people will say, "You're quieter than my rice cooker!" This is from when I was working part-time.

"Any movie recommendations for autistic men?"

Yui asked with great interest.

"Well... light—"

"Ah, except for Pretty Cure."

Hmm...why is Hikari amazing...?

"Besides Hikari... then it's that one. A movie about the extinction of humanity."

"Ah—I quite like it too. Although it was tense while watching, most of it was quite touching, it was really good."

"It's reassuring to stay in a safe zone and watch others panic."

"What a lame excuse!"

For the same reason, I also enjoy zombie movies. It's just that those movies tend to turn into human dramas in the second half, which is a bit... I don't dislike human dramas, but I can't help but think that I'd rather see humans with ugly exteriors than those with ugly interiors.

"Isn't it because of this distorted mindset that you seem out of place in class?"

"That has nothing to do with that... It means that being out of place means I'm different from others. On the contrary, you should respect me."

"What are you so smug about...?"

Yuki sighed helplessly.

"What about Yukino? Johnny the Panda is also good, but if you have any other movie recommendations, I'd love to know."

"Let me think... if we don't count Johnny the panda, then French films and cat movies..."

At this point, Yukinoshita instantly showed a surprised expression.

"I'm sorry. I remember you don't like cats."

"Huh? It's okay, no need to apologize!"

Yui waved her hand in front of her face.

"It's not that I dislike it, it's just that it reminds me of the past and makes me sad... Anyway, Yukino doesn't need to apologize."

"Yeah……?"

"Sigh—I've thought about overcoming it too. But it's so hard... Haha."

Yuihama lowered her head slightly and said with a smile. I thought to myself, "She's really difficult to deal with."

"I just don't like it. Everyone has things they don't like. I also hate tomatoes and humans."

I advise you to overcome the latter as soon as possible.

Yukinoshita didn't hold back in her criticism.

Besides the examples I just mentioned, there are certainly a lot of other things I dislike. For instance, class reunions, although I've never been. That "forced-to-enjoy atmosphere"—the more others have fun, the more unsettling it becomes for me. I don't like it. Even if someone invites me, I absolutely won't go…

"I...I'll talk."

Yuhihama raised the volume.

Yukino and I turned around and saw that her expression was unusually serious.

"I've been thinking about this for a while."

Why are you being so serious?

Because it happened so suddenly, I was a little taken aback. Yukinoshita was the same, her expression showing a hint of surprise.

Yuihama slowly began to speak.

"Does the autistic guy have a cat at home?"

"Uh-huh."

"And then, Yukino likes cats."

"Yeah...that's right."

She paused for a moment, then continued:

"So... I wish I could like cats too."

"...Is that what you're thinking of?"

Yuihama nodded in response to Yukinoshita's question.

No, I don't understand. Where exactly can "therefore" connect these two sentences?

"Uh—that..."

Yuihama seemed to know she hadn't expressed herself clearly enough, stammering as if she still had something to say. But she couldn't get the words out, fidgeting with her hands near her navel.

The atmosphere was indescribable.

The silence was broken by Yuihama's voice, barely audible.

"What I'm trying to say is... I'm the only one who doesn't like cats, and I feel ostracized... I don't really like them..."

"Oh, what's so trivial... I'm talking to you."

"Are you an idiot?" I almost blurted out. I swallowed it back because Yui looked genuinely serious.

"There's no need to force yourself to cooperate with others... Are you a Go piece? I mean, there's no such thing as exclusion or not. I don't belong to any group."

"Yeah. After all, Hachiman is ostracized all year round."

"Yes, yes, yes. Not white, not black, I am a colorless, transparent human who has not been stained with any color."

"What?"

Yuihama laughed in relief.

Then, Yukinoshita cleared her throat softly.

"Putting that aside, overcoming weaknesses is a good thing. If you don't mind, I can help."

"Yukino...! Thank you—!"

Yuihama stood up from her chair and hugged Yukinoshita.