My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 766

You just need a reason, such as going shopping, visiting a temple during the New Year while doing other things, or gathering material for an event.

Having a clear purpose means you won't be condemned, and no one has the right to complain. I myself don't need to overthink things.

Private trips are different.

...Wait, what are we supposed to do? I don't understand why we're going to the New Year's shrine together. Is it okay to just go out normally, have normal conversations, and go to the shrine normally?

What is normal (philosophy)?

My questions kept coming.

Moreover, other problems have also emerged.

The most likely place to visit for the New Year is Inage Asama Shrine. Inage Asama Shrine is the largest and most famous shrine in the area.

This means that besides us, there will be a whole bunch of other people.

Things that happened in the summer suddenly came to mind.

Just like that fireworks display, acting alongside me could very well have a negative impact on Yuihama. Sagami Minami used to despise and loathe me, but people like her are not uncommon. They are just ordinary people you see everywhere.

Never forget. The class pyramid still stands firm to this day.

If I misunderstand, it will cause trouble for Yuihama.

Please don't misunderstand.

I repeatedly reminded myself of this.

Emotions, environment, and relationships all contribute to this.

It's easy to make mistakes if you're careless.

Therefore, for your own sake and for the sake of the other party, you must first set up a defense.

"Ah, ah—don't talk about me yet..."

I reserved my choice with vague words and paused briefly.

"...Where are the others?"

That's a clever way of asking the question.

Although it's a roundabout way of putting it, and sounds like it takes into account the involvement of a third party, it's a subtle way of restraining the other party and preventing them from going to the New Year's shrine alone.

So, how will she answer...?

As I was thinking this, a lively voice immediately came through the receiver.

"Yukino wants to go too!"

"Oh, really...?"

I thought so too! It couldn't just be the two of us! Pfft—hehehe, this guy's trying to control us, huh? Hilarious! No, it's not funny…it's so embarrassing. Damn it, I was overthinking things.

Well, whether it's two or three people, going out with a girl is always unusual. But I've heard of companies where the entire department goes to a New Year's shrine on the first day back to work. The manager takes several subordinates to a New Year's shrine, and it doesn't feel awkward at all.

I made up a bunch of excuses and buried myself in the resolve to stand on the battlefield of New Year's shrine visits when a voice suddenly came through the receiver, brimming with inspiration.

"Ah, should we ask Komachi—?"

I held my phone between my shoulder and glanced at the door.

"...Komachi. Wait for me."

I told her that without hanging up, and quickly walked out of the room.

× × ×

Peeking into the living room, I saw Komachi sitting at the kotatsu table eating ice cream and watching TV.

A cup of coffee au lait had appeared beside her at some point, and her cat, Xiaoxue, was lying on her lap, probably as a substitute for a hot water bottle, completely relaxed. It's a bit of a shame it wasn't in cat-ear mode.

This dried fish girl, Komachi, is just too carefree...

Komachi looked at me with a puzzled expression as I suddenly walked into the living room. I cleared my throat and met her gaze.

"Komachi, how about we go for the second year of the shrine visit?"

Komachi frowned.

"Two years of pilgrimages?"

"Um."

"...Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

She stared intently at me, giving me a rude look. I was startled by how impolite her gaze was.

She continued to stare at me thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on the phone in her right hand.

"Is that Yui-neechan on the phone?"

"……right."

I answered casually, and Komachi sighed helplessly.

"……elder brother."

"W-What are you doing?"

Komachi shrugged exaggeratedly, pointed to her face, and began to explain with excessive gestures.

"At that time, Komachi was very sleepy. She didn't go out. She didn't go anywhere."

"Oh, I see..."

I don't know why she started talking like a robot, but I can vaguely guess what Komachi meant.

We can't always rely on Komachi. We can't use her as a reason or an excuse to decide our stance.

That's despicable.

"Komachi isn't going. I'll think it over carefully before deciding. Whether I go or not... understand?"

She glared at me. Her words, which sounded like accusations, caused a dull ache in my heart.

I was speechless.

I was truly despicable. But if we're talking about despicable, what I just said to Yui Hama was also despicable. That statement was so cunning.

I really hate myself.

I deeply feel that I am using "others" or "everyone" as an excuse, as a convenient way of speaking.

I let out a long, sullen sigh.

"I understand. I will handle it properly."

"That's good."

Hearing my answer, Komachi nodded.

Actually, I understand without Komachi saying it. I just haven't been acknowledging it.

I nodded gently in response to Komachi and left the living room.

No matter who it is, everyone has to get things done eventually.

All I can do now is regret my hypocritical words.

× × ×

After walking a few steps in the cold corridor, a chill ran down my spine. That chill prompted me to quicken my pace and return to my room.

The phone in my hand is still connected.

I held my phone and sighed softly.

"……Hello."

I called her softly, and Yui answered somewhat flusteredly.

"Hello, hello."

Her voice put my mind at ease. I talked to Komachi for a while; she must have been holding her phone and waiting for me. Feeling guilty, I unconsciously lowered my head even though she couldn't see me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting... Komachi said she's not going."

"Yes, I heard you."

Yui chuckled softly.

The thought that she had overheard their entire conversation made him feel embarrassed and speechless.

"……are you going?"

A sweet voice asked politely, teasing my ears.

I couldn't help but squirm. Even though the sound was transmitted through radio waves, my sensitive ears still reacted.

Thankfully, this wasn't a video call like Zoom... My ears were probably bright red...

I coughed a little deliberately, trying to force a change of mood.

Be more cautious than in the previous conversation, don't lie or evade the issue, and try to say what you can honestly.

"I...I'll go. The rest is up to you."

"Huh... um. Okay."

Perhaps it was the slightly cold tone that left her at a loss, as Yuihama's reply was tinged with surprise and confusion.

Was it a problem with how I expressed it? I quickly added.

"Well, anyway, I don't have any plans... I can go with you guys... Anyway, I'll go."

...It's a headache.

Excuses and invitations.

Everything was absolutely rotten.

It would be better if we could handle it in a smarter way.

Even though we didn't meet in person, my hands were sweating profusely as I held my phone, as if my scalp's sweat glands were activated.

Why is it so tiring to say things you haven't thought about beforehand?

I sighed softly, and there was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"…………"

"W-What happened...?"

I asked her, and she seemed to only then come to her senses, hurriedly answering:

"N-nothing, nothing's wrong!"

She smiled, breaking the silence, cleared her throat, and checked its condition.

"I'll text you the meeting point later."

"Okay, thank you for your help."

"Um."

That's all I have to say.

...Logically, that's how it should be, but for some reason, we didn't hang up the phone and silently listened to the silence mixed with background noise.

“…………”

"…………"

She subconsciously listened intently to even the other person's breathing. After a while, Yui suddenly laughed.

"What's wrong...?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just thought it was really weird."

What was so strange about it? I wondered, a sense of mystery creeping in. Now that everything was over, I could have just hung up, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to press that button.

There's a saying that it's polite for the person making the call to hang up. Who knows where this hearsay came from, but it's probably the root of the problem.

Okay, we're not the kind of people who care about formalities. It's no problem for me to hang up.

I changed my mind and spoke again.