My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 698

We observed the atmosphere, read their expressions, and watched them leave in unison.

I, on the other hand, stayed in a new place that suited my style.

He and she left first, and the rest of us left the activity room and headed to the coffee shop we had just talked about. This coffee shop will be my temporary refuge for the day.

The coffee shop recommended by Iroha is indeed very trendy, giving off a sense of keeping up with the latest trends.

However, because this shop isn't located on a busy main road, it exudes a tranquil atmosphere. There aren't many customers, and many people probably don't even know it exists. It's a place where one can leisurely enjoy a peaceful moment.

The store features a wooden theme both inside and out, creating a warm atmosphere, making it perfect for a casual chat after school.

Moreover, the season is currently between spring and summer, and there are occasional breezes blowing through the open-air area, which is really pleasant.

The outdoor seating isn't all regular chairs; there are also those camping-style fabric chairs... I don't know the technical term, but they're basically camping chairs! I think people who enjoy outdoor activities will really like this place. In one corner of the wooden-themed outdoor area, there's even firewood for starting a campfire, which really gives it that feel.

Talk about it.

Although he gives the impression of completely disliking outdoor activities, I think he probably doesn't dislike things like campfires and camping, considering he previously piled up a really high stack of wood for a campfire. He probably doesn't dislike fireworks either; as long as it's not crowded, it should be fine. He seemed quite happy last summer.

I wonder how he will spend this summer.

Just as I was pondering these things, Iroha, who was sitting diagonally across from me, took the straw out of her mouth, rested her chin on her hand with a bored expression, and said:

"They've all gone to say hello to their parents; it seems the outer moat has been successfully filled in!"

She fiddled with the straw with her fingertips, making it swirl around in the cup, an action that stirred my heart as well.

I took a sip of blackcurrant orange vanilla tea, and my mouth felt sour and astringent. My voice became soft and indistinct.

"Is that so...? He and my mother have met before..."

After I made that lighthearted remark, Yise's expression twisted in displeasure. She squinted her eyes, as if glaring at him, who wasn't even there.

"Huh? Really? He's really capable..."

"If the outer moat is filled in, he will immediately start digging the inner moat. That's the kind of person my brother is."

After Iroha spoke unhappily, Komachi, sitting next to her, replied nonchalantly. I knew Komachi was defending him, so there was nothing I could do but smile wryly.

Perhaps Komachi's words had an effect, because Isshiki nodded in understanding.

"Ugh, they're just human trash."

"It's trash!"

They leaned forward, pointed their fingers, and said happily. It looked so funny that I couldn't help but laugh.

Even though he wasn't here, he appeared in the conversation; they really like him. Of course, I feel the same way, which is why I unconsciously joined in the chat.

"Yeah, what a scumbag..."

I muttered to myself, reflecting on the past year, the events of the previous month, and so on. The words sounded more profound than I had imagined, and I laughed again.

At that moment, Komachi turned her head towards me and leaned forward even further than before.

"Right! He's clearly a person with communication difficulties, but when he makes excuses, his words flow like oil. He's just a taciturn, pretentious jerk!"

Komachi said excitedly, panting heavily. Iroha and I were overwhelmed by her aura and couldn't help but smile wryly.

"I didn't say that..."

"No, Xiaomi, you seem really happy..."

Yes, Komachi looks really happy at times like this...

I felt somewhat relieved; this meant she liked him that much. But Iroha seemed genuinely frightened by her.

She opened her mouth slightly and squinted her eyes.

She then nodded again and muttered softly, "He's a senior after all." She then cleared her throat, turned to me, and unlike before, her expression was quite serious.

"Yui-senpai, let's think of something."

Hearing her say that, I couldn't help but show the wry smile that I've been wearing lately.

"Hmm...but this is tricky. Hehehe."

I gave a vague answer and touched my hair, which was tied up in a bun.

I used this to get away with it.

But Iroha not only didn't look away, she became even more serious.

As if trying to see right through me, she narrowed her usually round and adorable eyes. Then, she pouted her rosy, glossy lips in dissatisfaction and sighed.

"Besides, didn't you return to the Service Society with a clear conscience?"

She waved her fingers and spoke to me as if offering guidance.

Her voice was more serious than I had imagined, like that of an older sister, which made me lower my head in frustration as I listened.

"Yes, that's right, that's exactly it... that's definitely it."

You are absolutely right... That is indeed what I intended to do, really...

As I spoke, I hunched my shoulders and listlessly slumped onto the table.

"But I get completely flustered when I'm in their presence!"

I ran my fingers through my hair and asked myself again the questions I'd been pondering lately.

What can I do? I don't know what to do.

I like that person, I like her, I like that place.

So, I want to stay there forever.

This matter is so simple, yet it is so difficult.

I lay sprawled on the table like a biscuit taking a walk in the middle of summer, and when I looked up, I found Iroha looking down at me with icy eyes.

Even though her mouth barely moved, I felt like her rosy lips were saying, "This person is really troublesome..." which startled me so much that I sat up abruptly. Iroha can be really scary sometimes... how to put it, she seems uninterested in everything, and incredibly mature...

She was startled when she saw me, as if she realized that her expression was not good.

She immediately cleared her throat to cover it up, put on a cute expression, touched her chin with her finger, tilted her head, and said:

"Wouldn't seeing them all lovey-dovey in front of you actually motivate you? You know, you only feel like something belongs to you when you snatch it from someone else?"

"Terrifying! This person is terrifying!"

I was terrified! Her expression was cute, but what she said was absolutely horrifying! Despite seeing how scared I was, Iroha didn't seem to care at all, just grinning. That only made it more terrifying!

Although it's terrifying, it's also very much in line with Iroha's style, which I admire from the bottom of my heart. Well, I'm also quite shocked at the same time...

It seems I wasn't the only one who thought that way; Komachi, sitting next to her, was also looking at Isshiki with shining eyes.

"Oh~ As expected of Iroha-senpai, she's such a jerk~"

Komachi clapped her hands gently and said quietly with delight... "This child is indeed a bit strange..."

They really are siblings, I thought, and my whole body relaxed a little.

Perhaps that's why I couldn't help but ask, "What do you think as the younger sister?"—a question I'd always wanted to ask but never dared to.

"Komachi, what do you think? Your brother is so conflicted, don't you feel bad about it?"

I knew it was a cunning question, but I still paid attention to my wording and asked her the question in a way that felt like a casual conversation.

Then Komachi tilted her head and looked at me, then immediately gave a confident smile and clenched her fists in a victory pose.

"Since it has no direct connection with Komachi, I'm very happy to accept it! Let them compete, and we'll just choose the best one in the end!"

"This kid is terrible!"

I was terrified! She even had a smug look on her face, as if she had said something amazing!

Just as I was completely shocked, Komachi gave me a rather cool smile and a thumbs-up. No, no, no! You didn't say anything impressive! What you said was terrible!

—Just as I was about to speak, Iroha made a sound of disgust first.

"Ugh, Xiaomi is such a scumbag... I can't even stand him..."

Hey... how dare you say that...? I think both of you are unbearable...

I gave the two of them a cold look, and they exchanged a glance.

"Just kidding."

"Yes, I was just kidding♪"

Iroha gave a slight smile and shrugged, while Komachi nodded with a smile. Then, they both tilted their heads in different directions and looked up at me with gentle eyes.

So what are you going to do?

Their smiles told a story.

I lowered my head, a weary, bitter smile appearing on my face.

"Please stop testing me like this..."

I sighed wearily, and Iroha and Komachi looked at each other again and smiled happily.

My head hurts.

I might be being teased by my female classmates.

But that's not all; they were probably also very worried about me and cheering me on.

Because they are fully aware of this, they cannot get angry or blame others.

Most likely, there's no way to give up.

× × ×

So what can I do?

Maybe we can't do anything at all.

As I pondered these things, I chatted with them, and before I knew it, the sunlight shining on the outdoor seats gradually slanted.

As dusk fell, the wind shifted along the coastal street, carrying a faint scent of the sea, but now mingled with a sweet fragrance.

On the table were freshly baked Amish country-style cakes, berry cakes, and classic chocolate cakes.

Iroha, Komachi, and I each ordered different cakes and shared them with each other to replenish our sugar levels.

So, my mind and heart, which had been contemplating, gradually calmed down.

But it wasn't just the sweetness; the texture of the nuts, the tartness of the berries, the bitterness of the cocoa beans—all sorts of flavors have stayed with me.

The taste and the mood were both very complex, and I might have even shown it directly on my face.

Iroha glanced at me, took the fork out of her mouth, waved it around like a conductor's baton, and then went back to the topic she had been discussing.

"In my experience, being too cautious only creates distance and makes relationships more distant. You're only being cautious because you want to get along well; if it leads to distance, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"

"Hmm...you're right."

I took a bite of cake and a sip of vanilla tea, swallowing all my emotions, and then nodded frankly.

I have been deeply moved by this matter throughout the year.

I think we've probably always been like this.

Delicate, and sensitive.

It is precisely because it is important that I do not want to hurt it; it is precisely because it is precious that I cherish it like a treasure.

That's why some things were misunderstood.

If one party has concerns, the other party will arbitrarily interpret the true meaning behind the behavior, draw conclusions on their own, and choose a course of action that will not harm either party.

You might mistakenly believe that the reason the other person doesn't touch you is because they don't want to be touched, rendering your gentleness futile.

Knowing this, I couldn't help but purse my lips.

Seeing that I quietly agreed, Iroha nodded vigorously. Then she leaned forward slightly, cupped her face in her hand, and looked up at me.

"Right?"

Her smiling eyes, tinged with a hint of smugness, shimmered in the setting sun. She lightly touched her lips with her fingertips, a gesture brimming with confidence, which made me sit up straight, awaiting her next words.

Then, Iroha smiled.

"Therefore, you should be even more aggressive when things are awkward."

Then he blinked gently.