My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 715

"Um... I'll answer properly next time I'm asked... Sorry."

I took a step forward and lowered my head.

What you think in your heart becomes a lie once it is spoken.

No matter how much one tries to approach "truth," it's impossible to fully express human emotions, so the words deteriorate the moment they're spoken. Therefore, probably no one can truly know how much of my words have been conveyed.

Using words alone doesn't feel sincere enough, so at least bringing nicely packaged snacks is a proper way to express one's thoughts.

"Is that so..."

However, Yukinoshita, who had been muttering softly, appeared to be smiling. Her pouting lips suddenly parted, her eyes softened, and her hand, which had seemed unsure of where to put it just moments before, gripped the gift box packaging.

Then, I thought she was going to use her slender, nimble fingers to grab the wrapper a few times, but the next second she started to tear it off.

"Hey, what are you doing...?"

Yukino didn't stop, happily unpacking the packages like a cat left at home. "Um, this is for your mother and the rest of the Yukino family to try..."

I was stunned, while Yukinoshita responded with a smile.

"Let's do this next time we see Mother."

"Eh... is there going to be a next time...?"

"Of course."

After giving a brief reply, Yukinoshita smiled. This is the first time I've ever seen such an unpleasant preview for the next episode. It only makes you imagine a character with a countdown timer on their head.

"Well then, this is a rare opportunity, let's all eat together!"

With a "snap," Yukinoshita opened the box. Cheers erupted: "Great! Komachi was thinking of buying one for herself too!" "I love this shop's sweets—" "Eh—, I think this is my first time trying them." Even I, who was handing over the box, leaned forward, saying, "Eh? Is that alright?"

Translator's note: Yuihama's statement

Translator's note: A monochromatic statement

Yukinoshita arranged the various colored sweets on a plate.

Then I'll start eating without being polite! The moment I reached out my hand, the plate slid away, as if trying to avoid me.

It felt like I had traveled through time... I half-opened my eyes and glanced sideways at the prisoner.

"...Hey, what's going on? Are you bullying me?"

"It's not bullying, it's discipline."

As Yukino calmly spoke, she picked up the peanut pie I wanted, unwrapped it, and held it up. Then she held out her other hand to stop me.

"Hachiman, wait a minute, wait a minute, you can eat at home."

"You don't need to specifically tell me, and I'm basically always at home."

I answered Yukinoshita, who seemed quite happy, with a pained expression. Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita put her hand to her mouth, as if she was thinking about something.

"Really? Then I think it's necessary to take you for a walk."

After saying this, Yukinoshita paused, coughed lightly, blushed, and continued in a voice that seemed somewhat shy and different from usual.

"Well, like this... this weekend..."

"I'm not going..."

After I answered instantly, tears seemed to well up in Yukinoshita's eyes as she stared at me.

"ha?"

“Eh…”

Could you please not say "Huh?" in such a low voice? It's been so long since I felt that dread again… Come to think of it, if we had said we were going for a walk, we probably really would have just gone for a walk. We're both so bad at improvising… We should probably renegotiate this now.

However, before I could say anything, Yukinoshita continued.

"Do you have any plans? I knew you didn't."

"They're giving people way too little time to answer. Freestyle competitions are round-based; you have to follow the rules!"

Also, I hope you can lift the "wait a minute" order. Yukinoshita stubbornly held the peanut pie, refusing to put it down. Is that alright? Doesn't your arm get tired? As we were talking, a sigh of what seemed like annoyance came from behind us.

"...Now that's why we're inviting you to our home to cook this."

Turning around, she saw Isshiki, munching on a fried snack while pouting. Seeing this, Komachi refilled her cup of tea.

"Even at home, Komachi often disciplines her older brother."

"Ugh, what's wrong with this brother and sister? They're so scary, disgusting, and frightening..."

"What!? That's so rude! But I can't deny that my brother is disgusting..."

"That's right."

Isshiki immediately pointed at Komachi in agreement, and Komachi chimed in, "Yeah!" The two of them started nodding to themselves, which made me feel uneasy. But I couldn't really interfere with them right now.

After all, Yukinoshita-san's discipline was still ongoing. She was somewhat angry and coldly pressed for an answer.

"Is there a problem? Time? Place? Purpose?"

"We have them all, we have them all!"

I feel a little ashamed to talk about this here! Could you perhaps look into TPOnote? Please remember this too! I'm getting a little confused about who's being disciplined, but seeing the peanut pie being held high suggests I'm still the one being disciplined.

Translator's note: The TPO principle means that clothing should take into account Time, Place, and Occasion.

However, a figure was quietly approaching the peanut pie.

Yuihama tiptoed silently closer to Yukinoshita from behind. When our eyes met, she winked playfully and put a finger to her lips. Since Isshiki and Komachi were both watching silently, I decided to pretend I didn't see anything.

"What about today? You'll definitely have time, right?"

"Oh, you do have a lot of free time... Aren't you going a bit too far...?"

I answered Yukino's probing questions like this, but behind her, Yui had already pounced on her.

"Hey"

Then she started eating the peanut pie that Yukinoshita had been holding up.

"Huh?... Yui-chan? Hello..."

Caught off guard, Yukinoshita opened her eyes wide and looked again at her palm and Yui. Just moments before, when Yukinoshita had scolded Yui, Yui had already retreated a few steps as if fleeing, while still eating her pie.

"No, Yukino~"

After swallowing the peanut pie with satisfaction, Yui licked her fingers and gave a seductive smile, like a little devil, with the air of a victor.

"If you don't hold on tight, I might just take it."

"..."

Yukinoshita seemed stunned by that smile, and paused for a moment.

But it was only for a moment. She quickly stood up and tossed her long hair over her shoulder. Like a famous actress, she was defiant and fearless, her smile like that of a goddess.

"There's a thief here. This is all my property."

"Really? Well, that's hard to say. If you look away even for a second, it might be taken away. I'm quite greedy."

The moment their eyes met, the atmosphere became almost suffocating. Yet, smiles played on their lips and in their eyes, and even the sounds that had just echoed in the office seemed cheerful.

Yukinoshita's gaze remained indifferent throughout, while Yuihama smiled provocatively. Komachi's eyes tensed, while Isshiki watched from a distance.

Perhaps this is our new relationship. We can hurt each other more easily, and that's how we build a strong bond.

This fallacy is certainly not correct; it can be determined to be wrong. But it is precisely because of this that the present and that year are connected.

If that's the case, then I should get involved.

I stood up abruptly, interrupting them both.

"Wait a minute, that peanut pie is definitely mine!"

"Brother, why are you grabbing it too? This has nothing to do with you, sit down. Hey, here, have some of this."

I was immediately pulled back into my chair by the hem of my coat by Komachi. Then she shoved the last peanut pie on the plate into my hand.

"Oh, thank you."

I couldn't hide my smile as I unwrapped the peanut pie. This is it! The scent is amazing… I laughed out loud, my posture somewhat embarrassing. Yukinoshita and Yuihama, seeing this, both sighed, exchanged a glance, and lost interest.

"Let me make some tea."

"Hmm, I want it a little warm."

Yukinoshita smiled gently, while Yuihama flashed a bright smile. Then the two of them began preparing tea together.

I glanced at the two of them from afar, wondering if it was time to start enjoying this peanut pie. Just as I opened my mouth...

"It's really... too gentle..."

A gentle, mature, yet somewhat anxious voice came through.

Hmm? The moment I turned my face in that direction.

At that very moment, Isshiki leaned out from the opposite seat and made a "Hmm" sound.

A strand of hair fell beside my ear, and suddenly the peanut pie in my hand was pecked.

While I was still stunned, Isshiki took another bite, pushing his luck.

"Eh... this is the last one..."

It's over. It's finished. Okay, it's over. Such a simple yet heartless act fills me with despair. Iroha completely ignores me, puts her hand to her mouth, and stares with wide, seemingly deeply moved.

"Ah, this is delicious!"

"It's delicious, of course, after all, it's a Chiba specialty that Chiba is very proud of..."

I bitterly praised the heritage of the Dutch House, but Isshiki wasn't listening at all. He just gave a perfunctory "Hey—" and focused on finding a plate to put the food on.

"At times like these, I'm willing to try everything~. Ah, the rest is for you."

"Oh no, you said you were giving it to me... but it was originally mine..."

I glanced instinctively at the pie in my hand; a third of it had been bitten off, and the bite mark was still clearly visible on it.

"Eh—...Eh, eh..."

"It's delicious!"

As Isshiki said this, he tilted his head slightly.

She wiped her lips, which were stained with color, with her finger and whispered as if in secret.

"Other people's food always tastes the best."

She smiled alluringly, sticking out her pink tongue as if in jest. Her smile was so sweet it seemed to melt one's bones; I felt a little dizzy just looking at her.

Then, bang.

A teacup appeared before me.

"..."

"..."

A faint warmth rose up, accompanied by a cold silence. I glanced to the side and saw Yukinoshita and Yui-hama staring at me coldly.

I coughed twice and turned to Komachi.

"Komachi, here's half for you..."

I neatly broke off the part that Isshiki had bitten and handed it to Komachi. Komachi let out a mournful sound.

"Ah, no. Don't touch it directly with your hands. Komachi won't be able to eat it then."

"Hey? Isn't that a bit much?"

As I said this, the office became noisy once again.

Mixed in with the sounds were fresh noises. From the corridor came the sound of hurried footsteps, like someone skipping along. Then came a knock on the door.

We looked at each other, our gazes eventually settling on the door. A figure was faintly reflected in the glass window embedded in the door.

Who is it? It must be the new client.

Yukinoshita opened her mouth, but quickly shook her head, smiling silently at Komachi. Komachi smiled and nodded in response.

Komachi took a deep breath and shouted with full energy.