My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 718

"Well—some people don't really like karaoke, so—by the way, I don't really like it either."

As she said this, she made a cross in front of her with her finger, making her look like Miffy with a cross on her mouth.

"Oh... That's quite surprising. You seem like the kind of person who would like that..."

I thought most girls liked karaoke, but have young people changed these days? Well, there are fewer songs that everyone knows now, and everyone's musical tastes are becoming more segmented. The era of going to karaoke with a group of friends is probably over. I thought of those old men sitting under the eaves, and I tried to understand. But Isshiki waved her hand in denial.

"No, no, it's not like that. Going to karaoke with people you don't know well wouldn't be right, would it? You wouldn't want to, would you?"

“Ah, I see…”

Indeed. Ultimately, the purpose of class reunions is to deepen the relationships between people who are not familiar with each other, or conversely, for a group of people who are not yet that close. Even during a meal together, there's always the thought, "Will I be able to say anything? I'm so nervous..." So going to karaoke is even more difficult.

If there were someone like the Minister of Revenue who could break the atmosphere or someone who could easily make everyone around them feel at ease, it might be fine, but for those who are more honest or don't like to talk much, it becomes like hell.

"If it were me, I definitely wouldn't want to go..." I was speechless for a moment. Tomioka, who had just looked like she was about to cry, also couldn't say a word.

"I also...feel very shy when I sing..."

Tomioka said it with some embarrassment, patting his already flushed face.

If she's like this now, she probably wouldn't dare make a sound at karaoke. The women I know are either quite composed or very good at reading the room; her reaction is quite novel to me… I found myself staring at her like that, like a little animal.

Well, if Oofu doesn't want to, then let's skip the karaoke. ...Wait a minute? Maybe it'd be nice to see shy Oofu trying her best to sing? I feel like I'd like to see her sing off-key, her face turn bright red, and her frantic attempts to keep up with the beat?

As I was deep in thought, a few coughs came from the seat next to me. I straightened up instantly and turned around to see Yukinoshita fiddling with her fingers, her hair tied up with a ribbon, staring listlessly at her teacup.

"Yeah, I'm a little... shy about singing in front of other people."

Although she spoke very softly, it was clearly heard.

In an instant, questions swirled in the air.

"Um?"

"Eh?"

"ha?"

Yuihama, Komachi, and I spoke up almost simultaneously, looking at each other.

--Yukino, weren't you singing very enthusiastically before?

—And she sings exceptionally well…note

Translator's note: This sentence is from Komachi.

—Exactly… And it's the same during the school festival… (note)

Translator's note: This quote comes from Hachiman Hikigaya.

In a split second, we communicated silently with our eyes. No, no, although you speak so serenely, you can't really sing...

She seemed to notice our impolite gaze.

"What's wrong?"

Yukinoshita's voice, which had been soft, became authoritative as she swept her sharp gaze over us. We smiled and shook our heads slightly, silently indicating that "nothing happened," as she stared at us. Perhaps because our gaze was too gentle, Yukinoshita slightly pouted and added softly.

"...It's a different story if you're with someone you're close to."

Although the voice was extremely faint, Yuihama heard it clearly and chuckled. "Yeah, it's fine with close friends. Let's all go to karaoke together sometime..."

Just as we were having a good time, Isshiki on the other side started pouting.

"No, I can go with people I'm close to. In fact, I'd rather go with people I'm close to."

Isshiki speaks like she's squeezing bubble wrap, she seems a little sulky. Hmm, that's how it is with LOHAS too, let's go together next time...

I looked at Isshiki with a tender gaze, but she glared back at me without any politeness.

"Also, when I go to karaoke, it's often the guys who cause me trouble. Seriously, I don't know how to deal with guys I don't know well. At times like these, guys always get really excited and try to close the distance by coming over to strike up a conversation."

"oh oh……"

She's acting like I'm the one who should do it. Oh no, what can I do... Aside from making a scene to get attention, guys basically don't know any other ways to express themselves. Hey guys! Don't do that! Doesn't it give girls a headache?!

Although I wanted to pretend it had nothing to do with me, I can't deny that a long time ago I also went through a phase where I had all sorts of wild thoughts, just like other silly guys, and it's hard to forget them. I could only utter a "gurgle..." and couldn't say anything else, but at that moment, the person next to me spoke up for me.

"There's not much you can do about it. There are probably a lot of guys who would want to talk to Isshiki."

Upon hearing Yukinoshita's comment, Isshiki gave her a disgusted look.

"...I'm not that kind of frivolous girl."

She let out an impatient sigh and squinted at the floor. She seemed somewhat frustrated, judging from the way she bit her lip.

"I'm sorry if you misunderstood, that's not what I meant."

However, Yukino immediately denied it.

The stern voice compelled us to focus. We, along with Isshiki, all looked up in the direction of the snow.

Yukinoshita brushed aside her long hair that was draped over her shoulders, rested her fingers on her chin, and gazed at Isshiki with a gentle smile.

"...Because you're cute."

Her sweet, intoxicating voice made all other sounds disappear, relentlessly pounding against my eardrums. Although her eyes seemed to hold a hint of teasing, there was no doubt that they contained genuine emotion.

Oh my, Yukinoshita is so handsome... Watching from the side, my girlish heart is pounding.

And what about the person who was said those words...? Looking to the side, I saw Isshiki staring blankly with his mouth agape, blinking hard two or three times.

Then her cheeks turned bright red, and she began to fidget with her bangs, speaking indistinctly.

"Well, well, that's definitely how it is."

However, this did not seem to completely cover it up. As if to change the subject, Isshiki began to speak rapidly in Komachi's ear.

"Speaking of that guy, what's up with him? Hey, isn't he supposed to be handsome? Seriously, he's really good-looking, really good-looking. I like him so much."

"Well, after all, it's Yukino-nee. Komachi often asks her to help me fix my messy tie."

"Yeah, yeah, basically Yukino is more handsome than anyone else."

"To have someone say that to my face makes my heart race..."

Komachi clasped her hands together and closed her eyes as if in prayer. Yuihama, for some reason, started nodding smugly. Tomioka placed her hands on her chest and opened her mouth in surprise. Komachi, it doesn't really matter, but your school uniform doesn't have a tie...

When everyone said that, even Yukinoshita started to blush.

Her fair, almost translucent skin began to redden, and as if to hide it, Yukino turned her head away.

"Isn't it normal for girls to say things like that? Yui-hama-san says that all the time too."

But such a cover-up was a complete failure. As if seeing through this, Yui chuckled, as if teasing her.

"Because Yukino is so cute!"

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita was speechless and could only lower her head. Yuihama, meanwhile, repeatedly exclaimed how cute it was. "Hmm—that's great! Japan's world-famous Cawaii! Note culture… I really want to promote it."

Translator's note: Pronounced the same as "cute".

I became a wall, observing the interaction between the two people, while the girls continued their conversation.

"Well, Yukino-senpai, and Miura-senpai? It would be a completely different story if people like them were around~ Otherwise, those guys would just keep getting cocky and arrogant—?"

"Ah, like Senior Hubu."

Komachi nodded in agreement with Isshiki's astonishing statement and directly attacked him by name. Isshiki, however, persisted relentlessly.

"Yeah, yeah. It's annoying even when we're not talking. Even breathing itself is annoying, breathing!"

"I really wish he could stop breathing!"

Komachi muttered to herself with a troubled expression, while Isshiki said, "Yeah, that's right," and held up his index finger in agreement.

"However, Mr. Hubu seems like a nice person."

Tomioka, who had been listening to the two chatting, cautiously chimed in. Thinking about it, the reason Tomioka had started talking to us about the class reunion was because of Tobe's fuss. Maybe Tomioka felt grateful for that. Even if Tomioka seemed a bit clumsy, she wouldn't be fooled by that kind of self-aggrandizing tweet about "I may seem frivolous and irresponsible, but I will give up my seat to the elderly when other young people don't." Hmm, no, well, actually Tobe is a good person…

As I was contemplating whether to agree with Tomioka's words, Isshiki began to chuckle dryly and gave Tomioka a lecturing reply.

"But that's all."

"Stop talking..." (note)

Translator's note: This quote comes from Hachiman Hikigaya.

I couldn't help but interrupt her.

"That sounds really sad..." (note)

Translator's note: This line comes from Yukinoshita.

"Hmm, you being so blunt is a bit..." (note)

Translator's note: This sentence comes from Hiramashi.

Hey, what's with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama?! I'm starting to feel sorry for them! Ah, isn't calling them "direct" a bit too much? Aren't they pitiful? That's going too far! Saying they've stopped breathing is one thing, but telling the truth isn't good!

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Isekai chuckled "Heh heh," trying to brush the matter off. Then he continued talking as if nothing had happened.

"Well, you can just ignore people like Senior Tobe. But people you're meeting for the first time are really hard to deal with. Some people will take advantage of the atmosphere and lean on your shoulder. You really can't handle those kinds of people."

"Ah──..."

After Iroha finished speaking in a rapid-fire manner, Yuihama seemed to agree, saying, "Yes, yes~". Hearing such annoying things, I also started rubbing my arms with my hands.

"Eh... what... horrible... Are there really people like this? Don't normal living people only put their shoulders together during things like rugby matches?"

There were also new religions and seminars, and things like that... I was wondering if there were other things when I heard a surprised "Oh~". I turned around and saw Tomioka-kun with wide eyes and her head tilted.

Have you ever played rugby?

"No. He was just saying it casually, like any other day."

Before I could deny it, Yukinoshita answered for me. She pressed her temples as if she had a headache and sighed silently. Although what Yukinoshita said wasn't wrong, wasn't that way of putting it a little inappropriate?

"Usually... I see, haha."

Tomioka glanced at me. Was it just my imagination? She seemed a little disappointed. The way she looked at me made it seem like I loved to brag…

Well, I can't say I'm wrong for speaking carelessly.

Although I don't think I'm bragging yet, I feel like I've picked up a way of speaking that only those around me can understand.

It seems that Yuigahama, Isshiki, and Komachi have completely gotten used to my casual way of speaking. Isshiki completely ignored what I had just said and continued talking.

"If the approach is natural, it's fine, but if it's particularly stiff, it's bound to be disgusting. Well, it's already disgusting from the moment they misunderstand the sense of distance. It's also terrible to think that just because you don't usually talk much, a class reunion atmosphere will suffice."

Although I've never done anything like that myself, Isshiki's words were quite sharp, so I'm having a bit of a headache... Is it because I often misjudge the appropriate level of distance...?

As my gaze drifted, in the corner of my vision, a light peach-colored bun was swaying.

"Hmm... Well, in situations like this, changing seats, going to the restroom, or getting a drink—changing locations is fine... Oh, and if you feel someone trying to get close, you can just quickly move away, right?"

Yui suddenly realized this and raised her index finger, waving it. However, the others reacted rather indifferently.

"...Is that so?"

"How did you do that?"

Isshiki and Komachi asked, somewhat surprised. Yukinoshita and Oofumi nodded, seemingly in interest.

"What does 'avoid' mean?"

Yuihama seemed to shrink back for a moment when she was being stared at like that.

"Eh... That's it, just like that, dodging with a 'whoosh!'. With a 'whoosh!'"

As Yui spoke, she swayed her upper body from side to side, using her body and gestures to teach. Her movements were exaggerated, like Conan's, but they didn't express what she was actually doing.

"Ah, no, I don't understand what you mean by 'Sa!'..."

Iroha imitated Yuihama's movements and began to wave her arms, instantly reminding people of the practice scene in the "Gym Leader" note.

Translator's Note: This is an early work by Yui Aragaki, the actress who played your wife, and a manga adaptation that aired on Nippon Television in 2006.

"It's a bit difficult to explain... um, for example..."

As Yuihama said this, she moved her chair to a spot right next to mine. "Eh, what are you doing…?" I leaned back, slightly raising my body to create some distance, but my school uniform sleeve was grabbed tightly. And then I was pulled over like that.

"Don't guys usually lean in like this?"

"No way?"

"Okay, okay, it's just for show. Hurry up."