My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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"right."

"...I understand. But I can't leave you to take responsibility alone."

I searched for "picture book division of labor" on my phone and showed the search results to Kawasaki.

"Look."

"This picture book...is every page illustrated by a different person?"

"Yes. We'll be dividing the work like this for the recent picture books. You'll be in charge of the important pages, and I'll draw the rest, imitating your style. This should cut the time in half."

"That would certainly be a great help to me, but I can't let you do so much."

"It's okay. You've made me realize how important it is to care for your family, so let me help with this little thing. Besides, who do you think I am?"

I smiled and placed my hand on my chest.

"I am Hachiman Hikigaya of the Service Club."

"Thank you—bye-bye—"

Jinghua waved happily as I left the Kawasaki house, watching her go. Kawasaki walked beside me.

"You really don't need to see me off. You didn't sleep last night, did you? Get some rest at home."

"It's just a short distance, what's the big deal?"

We walked side by side. The streets were quiet at night, making our footsteps all the more distinct.

"The birthday celebration was a great success."

"Yes. Jingjing is very happy too, that's great."

We sang "Happy Birthday" with Jinghua, who was overjoyed to see the cake, kicking off the birthday celebration. Then we enjoyed a feast prepared by Kawasaki, followed by cake for dessert. Jinghua's mouth was covered in whipped cream as she ate, and Kawasaki looked at her tenderly, a sight that left a deep impression on me.

"By the way, have you given your Mother's Day gift yet?"

"Not yet. I'll deliver it when I get home today."

"Oh, I see. You don't need to say I picked it. Your mom will be happier if you picked it yourself."

"yes……"

Then there was a moment of silence.

"Just drop me off here. It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night."

"...I would like to formally thank you."

Kawasaki stopped and bowed slightly to me.

"Thank you. To be honest, I didn't expect it to take so long."

"Don't do that. Besides, I also made a calculation error."

Although we rushed to finish the picture book, it took longer than I expected because I didn't include the time spent discussing the character designs.

However, seeing Jinghua happily reading the picture book made me feel incredibly fortunate to have given it to her today. Jinghua must have been genuinely happy, because she received a picture book that was unique in the world.

The evidence is that when she saw me off, she was still holding a picture book in one hand.

"You did everything your sister could do, didn't you? I think you're amazing."

"That's good. Because Dazhi and Jingjing are both important family members to me."

I remembered that Kawasaki had previously taken a part-time job to support her younger brother. She's really hardworking, but her behavior is too easily misunderstood, making it difficult for her to receive positive feedback.

He's a clumsy person. He's on par with me.

"Your brother and sister must value you a lot too."

I put my hand on Kawasaki's head. The movement was as natural as when I patted Komachi's head, but I immediately regretted it. Oh no. She'd probably unleash a barrage of "Don't underestimate me" and similar phrases. I've messed up—

I closed my eyes, but I wasn't scolded; time passed quietly. I opened my eyes in fear, and there before me was Kawasaki, his head slightly bowed and his cheeks flushed.

"Um, that—Kawasaki-san?"

As soon as I spoke, she snapped out of her daze and shook off my hand.

"...I'm going back!"

Then, leaving those words behind, she dashed off in the direction of her house. I watched her retreating figure, wondering what Kawasaki's silence had meant.

Then comes the ending.

After that, I went home and gave the gift to my mother.

She was very happy and asked me if I had picked it myself.

At that moment, I recalled the conversation at the Kawasaki family's birthday party.

"Did your older sister draw this herself?"

"No, it was drawn by my older sister and this Hachiman brother together."

Kawasaki answered like this.

I told my mom that it was a friend I trusted who helped me choose it.

Mom was very happy.

I'm glad I chose it with a trustworthy friend.

I feel like I can understand it, but at the same time, I don't seem to understand it.

However, seeing that the recipient likes the gift does indeed put you in a good mood.

Kawasaki then sent a text message.

"Oh, right, Dazhi's birthday is coming up soon too, and I'd like to give him a picture book this year as well."

I decided to ignore the text message.

Finish

The names of Lafayette and Michael, both listed in the 16th note, end in el.

Short Story Collection 4 Allstars However, the unspoken meaning behind that sentence is deeper.

Author: Duhang

—This is probably the last time I'll see cherry blossoms in this office building.

I looked at the scenery outside the window and didn't say those words out loud; I just thought about them silently.

April is already in its latter half, and the season of warm breezes is approaching.

The blooming cherry blossoms fell like snowflakes, replaced by tender green leaves peeking out. Although a few flowers remained on the branches, they could already be called leaf cherry blossoms.

With pale pink white petals, as if to show the fact that it once bloomed and the passage of time, it was swept up and piled up in a corner of the courtyard, with nowhere to go.

Like lingering snow. However, the unspoken meaning behind that sentence is deeper.

The thought of not being able to see this view next year makes me a little lonely. I find that, without realizing it, staying in this office has become a matter of course for me.

When the new service society first started, I felt lost and strange, but as the days went by, I got used to it.

I've become so used to seeing my younger sister, Komachi Hikigaya, humming a song while tidying her desk in her Soubu High School uniform. But I still haven't gotten tired of it. Isn't my sister just too cute? I could watch her for a lifetime.

However, the same applies to the other members as well, as long as they never get tired of watching it.

Yukino Yukinoshita brewed black tea with nimble movements, her actions becoming more skillful and elegant.

"Please."

She handed over the mug with a smile, giving off a gentler vibe than before, which amplified the destructive power of that smile. However, there were also occasional moments that were more terrifying than before, so in a sense, the positive and negative effects balanced each other out.

"Ah, thank you—!"

Yui Yuigahama accepted the black tea, her tone more energetic than before, and her radiant smile even more dazzling.

"...I brought some with me too."

However, the way she secretly took something out of the paper bag next to her schoolbag and gave it to Yukinoshita revealed a touch of elegance and exuded a sense of mystery that had not been felt not long ago.

The person sitting opposite the two, propping their cheeks up and looking at their phone, is Isshiki Iroha, a non-member who is inexplicably in the club office.

As usual, yet a little different.

The changes each day are so subtle that they are easily overlooked, ignored, or disregarded. To want to witness everything is merely an endless dream, yet even so, one cannot help but want to watch over this time that will eventually pass away.

...You mean, Iroha really is exactly the same as before! Not a bit changed. It's actually reassuring. Why are you here? Have you been staying here a lot lately? Well, that's not a bad thing. But are the student council and soccer club okay...?

I watched her with a mixture of worry and suspicion. When Isshiki noticed me looking at her, she glanced in my direction.

As our eyes met, she smiled and tilted her head slightly. Strands of her slightly wavy, flaxen hair instantly fell to the side, dangling near her mouth. Iroha slowly brushed her hair aside with her hand and mouthed, "What's wrong?"

The snow-white throat, outlined with a gentle curve, the gaze rising from below, and the silent murmur.

It felt like we were whispering, making me feel like I was doing something shameful. The inability to distinguish between guilt and a sense of immorality sent chills down my spine.

I shook my head slightly to indicate that nothing was wrong, in order to dispel the feeling.

Seeing that I didn't say anything, Yise laughed out loud and nodded slightly.

The silent exchange caused that tingling sensation to surge up my spine again, and I shuddered.

"Hikigaya-san."

Yukinoshita suddenly called my name, which startled me so much that I straightened my head and puffed out my chest.

"Oh, yes."

My tone was unusually reserved, as if I were asking, "P-what can I do for you?"

Seeing my reaction, Yukino looked puzzled. She narrowed her eyes in confusion, but her gaze gradually softened. As if to say, "What a strange person... Ah, you've always been strange," she nodded, drawing her own conclusion, and handed me the teacup.

"I brewed black tea."

"Oh, oh... thank you."

I respectfully accepted the black tea, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Isshiki's disgusting, sly grin.

Why... I didn't do anything wrong, why am I so tired...?

Let me catch my breath first. I picked up my teacup.

The perfectly warm black tea seeps into my body through my throat, releasing a rich aroma. Mmm, it brings such peace...

The office space really does go well with the aroma of black tea… I thought leisurely, as I caught a different scent. I twitched my nose; it was a refreshing, sweet fragrance.

What is this...? I searched for the source of the scent and finally arrived at the table.

The dessert on the paper plate looks like an apple pie. Every time Yukinoshita carefully cuts the pie into pieces, it releases an even richer aroma.

"Wow, what's this? Did you make it yourself?"

Komachi clapped her hands with delight, overjoyed. Now that she mentioned it, the pie did indeed seem a bit plain and not very aesthetically pleasing. But that actually created a strong sense of handmade quality, giving it a warm and inviting feel.

Yukinoshita smiled as she answered Komachi's question.

"Hmm, it seems so."

"It seems like...? Huh..."

The somewhat mysterious statement made Komachi tilt her head, and I followed suit. Then, at the edge of my slightly tilted field of vision, someone cautiously raised their hand. That hand reached towards the bun on their head.

"...It's...it's on me."

Yuihama touched her bun and said shyly. I made a slightly surprised sound, and Komachi squinted her eyes curiously, "Oh..." Isshiki replied casually, "Oh, right—" with a completely uninterested tone.

Anyway, let's get started.

With a calm smile beneath the snow, she quickly set out the tableware and began the tasting...

We each picked up a fork and drank our black tea.

Yui watched nervously, and Isshiki was the first to comment. She ate while making savoring remarks.

"It tastes pretty good!"

"Yeah, it really is delicious."

Yukinoshita nodded in agreement, closing her eyes to savor the flavor. The force of her nod suggested that she was enjoying everything beyond just the taste.

There was someone next to me nodding vigorously as well.

After each bite, Komachi would pause and ponder, then pick up the plate and examine its appearance from various angles.