My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 73

Her next words sounded more energetic, but Yuihama's forced cheerfulness only made the sentence sound weak and powerless.

At this moment, a cold voice broke the ambiguous atmosphere.

"It's not a complicated matter."

She stood with her back to the setting sun, surrounded by snow. The sea breeze blew in through the open window, ruffling her hair.

"Hachiman doesn't remember helping Yui, and Yui doesn't remember sympathizing with Hikigaya... You've got it wrong from the start."

"Yeah, that's right."

After I finished speaking, Yukinoshita nodded.

"Yes, so I think that Hachiman's choice to end it all is the right thing to do."

Because we started off in the wrong direction, we naturally ended up with the wrong result. No matter what feelings the other person has, I cannot change my answer.

Even—just hypothetically—even if it's a very special feeling.

I can't take seriously feelings that arise from accidents, sympathy gained through self-sacrifice, or romances that could develop regardless of who saves me.

When I rescued her, I didn't know who she was, so she was saved without knowing me. Therefore, her emotions and gentleness weren't for me, but for someone who helped her.

Therefore, this point must not be mistaken.

I've long since stopped expecting things and ending up with nothing.

I had no expectations from the beginning, nor in the middle, and I had no expectations until the very end.

Yuihama remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice:

"But ending it here feels...awful."

"...Fool, if it's over, we can just start over, right? Besides, you didn't do anything wrong."

"what?"

When Yukino suddenly said something unexpected, I couldn't help but wonder if I had misheard.

She casually brushed the hair off her shoulder.

"Although you've confused who you're helping and who's helping you, aren't you both victims? In that case, you should hold the perpetrators accountable. So..."

She paused here for a moment, using the brief pause to look us both over.

"...Of course, you can also start over properly."

She gave a gentle but somewhat lonely smile.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, I could not know what she saw through her squinting eyes.

"I need to go and report to Professor Hiratsuka that we have filled our membership."

Then she remembered this, turned around indifferently, and walked out of the office at a slightly faster pace than usual, without looking back at us at all.

Yui and I were left behind. Yukinoshita said what she wanted to say, so there was no problem, but the atmosphere was still a bit awkward. You should try to think of something…

Yuihama glanced at my reaction, as if looking for an opportunity, and spoke to me in a confirming tone:

"Um... well... please, please take care of me..."

Regardless of what I thought, she said this to me unilaterally, and for some reason even bowed in greeting.

"Ah... Oh..."

I have absolutely no idea what advice I should give.

Something felt off; it seemed like we'd been fooled by Yukino's words. Using twisted logic and sharp wit is usually my forte, but she managed to turn the tables on me.

I couldn't help but smile wryly. Just then, Yui gently poked my back.

"Excuse me... may I open it?"

"Go ahead and drive it if you want."

Since the gift has already been given to Yuihama, ownership belongs to her, and there is no need to ask for my consent.

She carefully unwrapped the packaging and exclaimed in amazement, her eyes wide.

"Wow……"

It was a collar woven from several strips of black leather, with a small silver tag in the center; it would be quite eye-catching on the brown-furred puppy's neck. I'm not bragging, but this gift was excellent. This is all thanks to years of buying birthday presents for Komachi; my errand-running skills for my sister are top-notch.

Yuihama seemed quite pleased with my choice, calmly gazing at the collar.

"Wait, wait a minute."

She turned away after she finished speaking. Less than thirty seconds later, she looked up again, fiddling with her bangs.

"Is it...good-looking?"

She looked away, somewhat embarrassed.

The black leather choker adds color to the fair neck, and looks very beautiful and well-matched with the brown hair dyed by the sunset.

But it's really hard to say it...

But it's better to explain this to her clearly.

"Actually... that's a collar for dogs..."

If that's the case, why does it look so good on her neck too...?

"what?"

Yuihama's cheeks flushed bright red.

"—Idiot! You should have said so sooner!"

She threw the wrapper at me forcefully. Wait a minute, isn't that obvious? Ah, I get it, because the collar is adjustable.

"I can't stand it... I'm going to call and make a reservation!"

She angrily removed her collar and was about to leave the office. But as she opened the door, she suddenly stopped.

"...Thank you, you idiot."

Yui left those words behind, then slammed the door shut without looking back, not even giving me a chance to respond.

"well……"

I was the only one left in the office. I sighed deeply and looked out the window, at the spot where Yukinoshita had been standing.

My seat was less than two meters away from Yuihama's and Yukinoshita's, but for some reason, I suddenly felt as if there was an invisible line separating us, a line that was hard to cross.

It wasn't long before I understood what it was—the facts, or rather the truth—that had completely separated us from her.

(Finish)

Volume 3 BT! BONUS TRACK! "A Happy Birthday Song Like This"

This bonus track is adapted from the audio drama CD included with the limited edition of Volume 3 of "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU". The CD content is a continuation of the main story of Volume 3, so it is recommended that readers finish reading the main story before listening to the audio drama and reading this bonus track. Additionally, some content differs from the audio drama during the adaptation process; your understanding is appreciated.

Birthday.

This is not only the day I was born, but also the day that brings about all sorts of new traumas.

For example, I was the only one not invited to the birthday party; I thought everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" for me and was touched for a long time, but it turned out they were singing it for another classmate who shares the same birthday; the birthday cake had my name misspelled... What's with the last one? What is my mom doing? Can't she please not misspell her own son's name?

The reason why babies cry when they are born may not be because they are moved by coming into this world, but because they are separated from their mothers and experience loneliness for the first time in their lives.

Therefore, the day you are born is the beginning of your loneliness.

As the ancients said, "Never forget your original intention."

Therefore, birthdays should be spent alone, rather than with a big party with friends... However, the feeling of celebrating for the birthday person is never wrong, right?

× × ×

As I walked down the corridor of the special building, I saw a female student humming a song happily a few meters ahead of me.

That's Yui Yuigahama. She's usually a very cheerful girl, but she seemed especially happy today.

"Hmph hmph hmph~~♪"

"Oh my, Yuihama, you seem very happy? You're humming a song as you walk, something good must have happened?"

I called out to Yuihama, and she stopped, replying with a bright smile:

"Ah, it's Hiratsuka-sensei. Actually, today is my birthday... I didn't expect Yukino to throw me a birthday party!"

Birthdays… teenagers might get excited, but at my age—oh dear, dangerous. All in all, it's a happy occasion for her, and I should definitely wish her a happy birthday.

After all, whether she can still openly accept those blessings when she reaches my age is unknown.

"Oh? It's your birthday today? Happy birthday. Seeing you getting along so well with your friends is what makes me most happy. I can clearly see how much Yukinoshita has grown, but someone else... sigh..."

At that moment, the face of a male student suddenly flashed through my mind. Yuihama seemed to feel the same way, and thus gave a wry smile, unsure of how to react.

"Hmm—actually, he's an autistic guy... Although he's basically a good-for-nothing, he can be quite gentle sometimes, and he even gave me gifts..."

As I watched Yuihama's reaction, the corners of my mouth naturally relaxed.

"Oh? But I haven't even said who it is yet."

"What? Is the teacher setting a trap?!"

She panicked, but it wasn't a trap.

"To be honest, it should be called leading questions. No problem, I'll leave those two to you. I know it will be tough, but you two still need to get along well."

Hmm, I thought to myself that this tone sounded a bit like a lecture, while observing Yui's reaction. She stared blankly for a moment, then honestly voiced her thoughts:

"Yes... I feel like my teacher is like my mother."

"Ugh! I... I'm not that age yet..."

In that instant, my heart felt as if it had been struck hard by a blunt object. I forced a smile, barely managing to maintain my unsteady steps, and Yui quickly added:

"Ah, that's not what I meant. I should say... like a mother or something. Ah! That's right! It's maternal instinct! Teacher will definitely be a good mother! After getting married!"

"Ahem! The teacher knows you meant no harm, so the hurt is actually greater..."

The biggest weakness of the original sword-drawing technique lies precisely in the moment the sword is drawn. If I hadn't read "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" beforehand and understood how to deal with the two-stage sword-drawing technique, I definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand these two waves of attacks and would have been knocked down.

No problem, she was actually praising me. It's not time to give up yet!

Go for it, Hiratsuka!

I tried to pull myself together, and then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Yui spoke up:

"By the way, would the teacher like to come to the birthday party too?"

"Um... thank you for your kindness, but unfortunately I have to attend another event today and can't participate."

"Do teachers also help people celebrate birthdays?"

"No, not at all... Even if you kill me, I won't say anything about the social event..."

Before she asks what kind of event it is, quickly change the subject.

"Speaking of which, is the birthday person just lounging around in a place like this? Everyone should be waiting for you, right?"

"Oh, right. I'll be going now, goodbye teacher!"

"Okay, have fun."

After watching Yui run away, I looked up at the sky outside the window as the setting sun was about to disappear.

"...Sigh, I really want to get married."

× × ×

Yukino and I were reading in the silent clubroom. If it were just like any other day, it wouldn't be any different. What's different today is that after the club meeting, we have other activities to do, which is quite rare.

"Hey, Yukino, there aren't any club activities today, right? Even if there were, we'd probably just sit here reading anyway..."

Yukino didn't even glance at me, but turned a page of the paperback in her hand and replied:

"Hmm, and I also have to celebrate Yuihama's birthday next, so I won't have time for the Service Club activities. Is there anything you're unhappy about?"

"I'm not unhappy, I just feel like I've gotten a bonus by taking a break from club activities. It's so great that Yuihama came into this world. Thanks to her, we don't have to do club activities today."

"I really don't know whether your topic is considered big or small... Sigh, you're still so superficial."

Yukinoshita closed the book with a sigh, but I felt just as helpless. Yukinoshita-san, you really don't know anything.

"Idiot, just because something has content and depth doesn't mean it's good."