My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 754

I don't think I have the right to decide in this situation. Hachiman knows that. Choosing the wrong shop in a situation like this would be met with laughter. The proof is Kaori from the Orimoto family and her friend, a girl from a certain town.

So, I looked at the snow beside me without changing my expression.

Yukinoshita didn't seem to have any particular craving for food. She shook her head and looked at Yuihama.

"Um... I'm fine with going anywhere..."

She smiled as if trying to brush it off, then her gaze returned to me. Hmm—back to square one…

If this continues, it might lead to a lifetime of reincarnation.

Okay, since there's no particular place I want to go, it's probably better to just list a few shops and let them decide. Sometimes, you can use elimination to filter out the answers.

Therefore, I casually suggested:

"And what about Salia?"

I looked at Yui's face, observing her reaction. Yui answered immediately without changing her expression:

"Yes, that's fine!"

...Huh, is that okay?

Unexpectedly, she answered in a second, causing me to reflexively look at Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita didn't object, and it seemed she had no complaints.

Huh, really, eating Saizeriya is fine? I absolutely love Saizeriya, so I don't mind at all. But thanks to Orimoto and that certain Machi-san, I've always felt that girls don't really like Italian food...

No, wait. Given Yui's personality, she might accidentally mistake Italian food for fried rice because Italian cuisine is sometimes abbreviated as "Italian rice." But if we have to be precise, Saizeriya is closer to Chiba cuisine than Italian food! No wonder it's a restaurant originating in Chiba! I have a suggestion: how about Saizeriya, this Italian restaurant, collaborate with the anime to release ita-meal? Please consider this project!

It's not a fried rice restaurant or a themed restaurant, is it really okay to eat ordinary Salia...? Has this guy never heard of Salia? After all, the name Salia sounds pretty trendy at first glance! It's a bit like Champs-Élysées! Sometimes, it even sounds like the superhero Sanzirio, oozing with heroic vibes! [Note] I need to double-check!

Note: Saize is the Japanese pronunciation of Salia, Syanzerize is the Japanese pronunciation of Champs-Élysées, and Syanzerion is the Japanese pronunciation of Syanzerion.

"...Really, eating Salia will do?"

"Huh, I'd like to ask, is it okay to eat Salia?"

I asked tentatively, and Yuihama looked confused and asked me back hesitantly.

"No, it's not that it's bad, in fact, it's fantastic, Salia is absolutely perfect... right?"

I turned to look at Yukino, as if seeking her consent.

Whether it's perfect or not is your subjective opinion, and I'm not in a position to comment, but I also have no reason to object.

Yukino gently brushed aside the hair that fell over her shoulder and answered in her usual tone. Two votes in favor, the proposal passed…

That being said.

That's true.

A certain emotion welled up inside me and got stuck in my throat, causing me to unconsciously clear my throat.

"No...no, no, wait a minute. Thinking about it, I'm not in the mood to go to a beverage bar and have a good drink right now. I've had drinks while watching movies. So, I think a trendy-looking coffee shop or something like that would be more suitable."

"Fashion……"

Yuihama wore a very complicated expression, seemingly speechless yet dumbfounded. Huh?! She didn't seem to have that feeling at all when Saria was mentioned; in fact, her reaction was quite positive! Anyway, she had to correct her statement…

"Ah—I'm sorry, there's no fashion place in Chiba. I apologize."

"Hey, you autistic guy, what do you take Chiba for!? There are actually some nice cafes around here!"

"I don't know if you're trying to praise Chiba or belittle him..."

I already apologized to them with "I'm sorry, muah☆", but they still reacted like this. You two really like Chiba~ Oh dear, I love Chiba's strengths and weaknesses deeply. True love isn't about blindly believing, is it?

I wanted to express my love for Chiba, but it seems unnecessary. After hearing what I just said, Yukinoshita rested her chin on her hand and said:

"If you want to go to the kind of shop you mentioned, I've thought of one."

"Does Yukino have any recommendations?! Are they cute?!"

Yuihama's reaction was unusually agitated, which startled Yukinoshita.

"Ah, no... it's a shop I've passed by several times and was a little curious about, but I've never actually been inside."

"Great! Let's go there!"

Yuihama looked at me, seeking my opinion.

Since Yukinoshita has her own ideas, I have no objections. I wouldn't have even minded going to Salia anyway.

However... I can't help but feel that it's okay to go to other places occasionally, or rather, it's a rare opportunity to try something new.

"Yes, that's fine."

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita nodded gently.

"Is that so... Let's go then."

"Um!"

"...Um, Yuihama-san. It's hard for me to walk like this."

Yukino tried to pull Yui's hand away and walk towards the café she had mentioned. However, Yui, perhaps wanting to warm herself in the winter, showed no intention of letting go. I had assumed Yukino was used to being clung to, and that she might lack experience in maintaining that kind of distance while moving.

Beneath the snow, where she walked unsteadily, lay Yui, who clung to her relentlessly. I maintained a delicate distance from them, following behind.

These two were already strikingly beautiful, and now they exuded a fragrance reminiscent of lilies, naturally drawing even more attention. Even I would feel a little embarrassed to be near them…

Anyway, I'm really good at pretending not to know people! My classmates often pretend not to know me either! Hooray! My past experience is finally coming in handy!

× × ×

After walking for a while from the station, we arrived at an area that is considered an upscale residential area.

This area is a high-rise district built during the development of the new city center. Due to its upscale appearance and neat streetscape, it remains very popular to this day. The building where Yukinoshita lives seems to be a representative of this. In addition, the local residents in the area are divided into those who want to sell and those who want to rent. I heard that there is a rift between the residents of the lower floors and those of the higher floors. This was mentioned by Hachiman's mother when she was gossiping with me. I don't know the details.

...Don't worry! It must just be a rumor! We are all good friends in Chiba!

It truly lives up to its reputation as a prestigious and upscale neighborhood, surrounded by many trendy shops.

The cafe that Yukinoshita and others are going to is probably one of them.

He strode forward without hesitation, walking half a step ahead of me in the snow.

"...You seem to know this area very well."

"Oh dear, is that just casual sarcasm for you?"

Yukinoshita flashed me a bright smile. Oh dear, you know you have no sense of direction, huh? This isn't the time for smiling. Yukinoshita's eyes were truly icy cold.

"An autistic man..."

Yuihama squinted her eyes and puffed out her cheeks as if accusing me, tugging at the hem of my coat. It was as if she wanted me to apologize.

"No, I wasn't being sarcastic. I meant I admire her or felt reassured, okay?"

I made up a flimsy excuse, trying to brush it off, but Yukinoshita's gaze remained sharp. So, I chose to look away.

I glanced around absentmindedly.

I'm fairly familiar with this area. A long time ago, my family would often go to a nearby pasta restaurant on holidays. Their pasta was incredibly delicious, and as someone who appreciates the ideal wife and mother, I became completely obsessed with that place. Thanks to that restaurant, I'm now determined to become a skilled professional cook who can make such delicious pasta. Unfortunately, it's closed now, so I can't recreate its flavor.

I felt a pang of nostalgia as I strolled lazily along Valentine Road [Note].

Note: In 2005, the Chiba Lotte Marines held a championship parade starting from Fujimi-ji. In 2006, this road was renamed Valentine-ji Road after their head coach, Bobby Valentine, who lived there.

Soon, the end of the coastal road came into view. Xuexia stopped and looked back at us with a slightly uneasy expression.

"This is the shop..."

"Oh……"

I adopted a "This is the coffee shop that woman recommended!" attitude and observed the coffee shop from afar. The shop, located on the ground floor of a high-rise building, had a stylish exterior and exuded a faint aroma of coffee.

Colorful sofas, round chairs, foliage plants, various sundries, and many other items that girls would love.

Yuihama stood in front of the shop, peering inside through the huge glass window used to help with lighting.

"Oh...so cute!"

"Really? That's good... Let's go inside."

With a relieved expression, Yukinoshita stepped into the store.

The shop assistant greeted us in a gentle voice and led us to the sofa area inside. I gave the soft sofa against the wall to the two of them and sat down on the firmer sofa in front.

Looking out the window, you can see the warm winter sky gradually being dyed red by the setting sun.

The restaurant was comfortably heated and playing soft music. Besides us, there were only a few other customers at a few tables. It wasn't too crowded, making it quiet and comfortable. The approaching end of the year probably had some impact on the atmosphere.

Overall, the clientele was predominantly young, and all of them were women. I didn't see anyone tapping away on their MacBook Air or gesturing wildly while talking.

Strange... Coffee shops are supposed to be places for direct sales to recruit people...

Although it sounds strange, this store is extremely normal.

I see. Maybe Yukino is actually a little embarrassed to go into shops with a lot of young female customers. I definitely won't come alone either.

However, it seems I worried for nothing. Yukinoshita, sitting across from me, seemed quite comfortable in the shop. Her mature demeanor, displayed by the company office, suited the shop well; perhaps it was because Yuihama was with her that she was relaxed. Who knows, she might come alone sometime.

As for Yui Hama next to her, she certainly wouldn't seem out of place. She's well-suited to a beautifully decorated shop, befitting her young woman status. She also seems more mature than she did in school.

I just thought that.

"ah."

Yui gave a soft exclamation, then immediately stood up and jogged to the store entrance. Curious about her intentions, I watched as she pulled a magazine from the shelf and ran back to her seat.

"What's wrong? What's that?"

I asked, and Yuihama smiled and showed us the magazine she had just picked up.

"Recruitment magazine..."

Snowflakes frowned slightly.

"Yeah, with magazines like this in a place like this, wouldn't you be tempted to pick one up and read it?"

"I understand how you feel..."

"It's unbelievable that Hikigaya would look at this kind of job posting."

As she spoke, Yukino tilted her head to the side.

"Uh, I do look at those too, okay? Besides, this kind of thing is everywhere. It's not just job postings; there are also columns that publish job-related tips like interview etiquette and resume writing."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

As expected of Yuihama, who loves reading job magazines. She nodded in agreement. Since she understood, things were simple. I nodded in response as well.

"Right? That's why I watch it to pass the time while I'm working."

"You watch it while you're working!?"

"At least I worked hard during that time..."

Yuihama was taken aback, and Yukinoshita sighed, pressing her temples with her hand.

But when I'm working, my free time is really boring... I can't read books or use my phone... I'm not close enough with my colleagues to chat... so I can only look at job magazines.

In my mind, this is a common occurrence when working (because it's a job, after all [Note]), but these two people couldn't understand it and gave me the cold shoulder.

Note: The Japanese word for "part-time job" is "baitoaruaru", and the Japanese word for "part-time job" is "Arubaito".

Hmm, hmm... I thought I'd see those kinds of people everywhere. Could it be that there's something wrong with the place I work...? I cleared my throat several times to dispel the regret.

"Never mind that, let's order first."

I placed the menu on the job posting magazine that Yuihama had spread out. I usually order a mixed coffee at times like this, so it's not too much of a hassle.

The two girls were screaming as they looked at the menu. It was mainly Yui who was screaming.

"Let me ask you, which type of black tea is better?"

Yuihama's gaze was drawn to the dazzling array of black teas, and she tugged at Yukinoshita's sleeve.

"Well... the basic options are Assam, Ceylon, and Earl Grey. Herbal teas include chamomile, rosehip, and mint. If you want something a little more special, you can choose cherry blossom black tea."

With her usual calm expression, Yukinoshita smoothly listed the types and brands of black tea. Yuihama's face slowly darkened, and she finally began to groan, probably because of a headache. After Yukinoshita finished speaking, Yuihama stared at her with a serious expression.

"...Are you chanting a spell?"

"It's black tea."

She let out a sigh of exhaustion and emptiness.