My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 769

"Counterfeit goods? That name sounds familiar. I remember the person's surname was Bi, Bi Qi..." [Note]

Note: The Japanese pronunciation of "Pachimon" and "Hachiman" is similar.

"Wait a minute? You're not referring to me, are you? You mean not only my first name, but you can't even remember my last name?"

Yukinoshita, with an attitude that I had wronged her, brushed the hair off her shoulder.

"That was rude, I remember it very clearly."

"You're the one who's rude..."

Oh well, since she remembers, I'll let it go... I changed my mind really quickly.

After all, there are always classmates who are called "Chuan" or something, whose names aren't really remembered! I wonder what those "Chuan" classmates are doing...

(Illustration 010)

× × ×

We walked back along the approach to the main gate, passed through the large torii gate, and came to the national highway.

A cold wind blew across the wide road, and I shivered with cold, pulling my coat collar tighter together with Yui.

On the other hand, Yukinoshita simply adjusted her scarf, probably not feeling the cold much. However, she looked a little tired, and Yukinoshita's sigh turned into white mist and dissipated into the air. Well, she probably doesn't like crowded places. No, I'm pretty much the same.

I glanced at the road leading to the station after midnight, where there were even more people, and sighed.

"I feel like there will be a lot of people in Keisei..."

Yui clapped her hands together.

"Oh, should we go to the Keiyo Line?"

She looked across the national highway towards the sea, in the direction of Sobu High School, where we studied. The Keiyo Line station was a bit far from the shrine, so there should be fewer people than at the nearest station. Besides, it was a familiar route for us, and the distance wasn't far.

"That's true... Is that alright?"

I asked, and Yukinoshita nodded silently.

"Okay, let's go then!"

Yuihama energetically jumped onto Yukinoshita's back, urging her to move forward. Yukinoshita let her push her along, seemingly offering no resistance.

Bright streetlights and the headlights of passing cars illuminated the road. In the nearby park, it seemed young people were celebrating the New Year; fireworks were still going off even after the countdown had ended.

We strolled along the bustling streets late at night, made even more vibrant by the New Year celebrations. Unlike any other night, the air was filled with noise, and the scattered lights created an atmosphere that felt otherworldly, making the two of us walking ahead seem almost dreamlike.

Humming and rhythmic footsteps. Boots walking slowly and quietly on the road, keeping a certain distance from it.

Her coat and scarf fluttered in the wind, and sometimes she would anxiously turn back to check if I was following. Each time, I wanted to laugh. No need to specifically check, I was keeping up.

After a while, as we approached the station, more pedestrians passed by us.

The trams will continue to run from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day. Some passengers will be heading to shrines for the New Year, while others will be heading home after the New Year celebrations.

We followed the crowd into the station. Yukinoshita and I could take the train directly home, while Yuihama's house was nearby. I looked at Yuihama and asked her what her plans were.

"What are you going to do?"

"What... should I do?"

Yuihama glanced at Yukinoshita and nodded in response.

"You can come to my house."

"Really!?"

"Um."

Yukino smiled and yawned, like a kitten.

"Let's go to Yukinoshita's house first."

I had barely finished speaking when I quickly passed through the ticket gates and headed towards the platform for Tokyo. No matter what, I felt bad leaving the girls to go home alone at this hour. It was only right to take them home.

A few people could be seen on the platform, and the trains pulling into the station were also quite crowded. Even so, there were still far fewer people than if one boarded at the station closest to the shrine. Thankfully, there are no large shrines in the coastal area, so this place was unaffected by the two-year pilgrimage.

We sat side by side on the three empty seats, and the tram slowly began to move.

The slight vibration and the warmth emanating from the soles of my feet were very comforting. I subconsciously let out a relaxed breath. Yuihama seemed to hear me and laughed.

"It's so cold outside."

"Yeah, I really shouldn't have gone out on a winter night."

"But it's so much fun! I'll be especially excited tonight!"

Yuihama's eyes lit up. "What was that declaration about your favorite thing to do—night strolls...?" Okay, I can understand, a late-night walk or a trip to a convenience store makes me a little excited...

At that moment, I noticed that the person sitting on the opposite side of Yuihama, on my other side, under the snow, had been silent the whole time.

I glanced to the side and saw Yukinoshita dozing off. Oh dear, did she dream of the treasure ship in her first dream? How auspicious, hehehehe. Wait, wasn't her first dream something she had between New Year's Day and January 2nd? Then it doesn't count as her first dream...

This is the only moment I can maintain a calm and composed attitude when thinking about these things.

Yukino's body swayed slightly, then gradually leaned towards me. Her weight slowly pressed down on my shoulders, and the scent of shampoo wafted from her hanging hair.

The soft touch and body temperature felt through the coat.

And the sound of calm breathing reaching my ears.

The tram's vibrations and the sound of wind blowing against the windows, combined with the passengers' chatter, filled the interior with noise. However, whenever the tram swayed, the faint breathing sounds from the right side would be quite jarring.

The sudden contact made my body stiffen. I could move around and wake Yukino, but I couldn't stay in this position forever.

Because it's embarrassing and awkward.

What should I do? I was at a loss and called out to her softly.

"Hello, hello..."

Yuihama raised her index finger to stop me.

"Yukino looks very tired."

She whispered in my ear, and I naturally couldn't resist. Normally I might keep a proper distance from her, but unfortunately, Yukinoshita's slender figure blocked my way.

Therefore, all I could do was stay put and nod.

Yuihama leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hands on her thighs, and smiled as she gazed at Yukinoshita's face.

My eyes would occasionally meet hers when she looked up. Yui laughed, though I didn't know what she was laughing at. Thanks to her, my emotions became even more unsettled.

As a result, I remained in that position for several stops.

This period of time was so long that I had the illusion that "Chiba is really that big?"

(Illustration 011)

× × ×

The familiar in-car announcement informed us that we were about to arrive at our destination, and the tram slowly slowed down.

They were almost at their destination, and Yukinoshita's delicate lips were still exhaling steady breaths, her flat chest rising and falling slightly.

That little gesture was quite noticeable, but I couldn't just stare at people, so I just sat there without moving.

So, the tram has arrived at the station, what should we do...?

I was at a loss, so Yuihama, who was sitting next to me, simply got up and walked to Yukinoshita.

"Yukino, it's time to get off the train."

She gently rocked her body, calling her name. Snow murmured indistinctly, her eyes opening only a slit.

Then, still half-asleep, he stood there for a while, completely dazed.

She suddenly looked up and immediately jumped up from her seat, probably understanding the current situation.

“S-Sorry…”

"No, it's okay..."

I said I was fine, but my gaze drifted to the side, and I even stretched my shoulders.

The weight that had been pressing on my shoulders a moment ago was finally released, and my neck made a cracking sound. It wasn't as sore anymore, but the warmth lingered.

After getting off the tram, a biting wind blew across the open-air platform. We hurried down the stairs as if we were escaping and passed through the ticket gates.

Even though the station area is usually packed with people during the day, it's quiet at this time. Although there are a few scattered pedestrians, the cold wind actually creates a tranquil atmosphere.

We walked along the quiet winter streets toward the building where Yukinoshita lived. Yukinoshita and Yui walked ahead, while I followed behind at a small pace.

Walking along the narrow side streets, crossing the park near the station, I felt like Yukino and I were drifting further and further apart; I wondered if it was just my imagination. Oh well, I don't know how to face her anyway, so it doesn't really matter...

The dim light of the streetlights illuminated the two figures, which were exactly opposite each other.

Yukino sighed deeply, pressing her hand to her temple, looking like she had a headache. She seemed to be feeling self-loathing for her earlier lapse in composure.

Yuihama exhaled contentedly, as if savoring the taste of happiness, and whispered:

"Yukino's sleeping face is so cute..."

A shiver ran down her spine.

She stared silently at Yuihama, then suddenly turned her head away. Her shy expression seemed to have struck a chord with Yuihama, and she smiled happily.

"I'm so happy!"

"Yeah?"

The voice beneath the snow carried a hint of resentment. Yuihama's reply, however, was so bright it illuminated even the wind-like sound.

"Mmm, I'm so happy!"

Hearing her decisive answer, Yukinoshita and I were speechless, and instead of words, smiles appeared on our lips.

Yes, indeed. It's not boring at all.

As I was thinking this, Yuihama, who was a few steps ahead of me, turned 180 degrees on the spot.

"Oh, right. The sunrise on New Year's Day! We're so close to the sea, let's go watch the sunrise on New Year's Day!"

The sudden, crazy suggestion caused the smile on my face to vanish, and I let out a reluctant sound.

“Eh…”

"Why is your reaction so honest...?"

Yuihama gave a cold look. Because, at this time of year, sunrise is at six in the morning… I can't hold out until then…

"Chiba City faces west towards Tokyo Bay, so the sun cannot rise from the sea..."

Yukinoshita said, puzzled, to Yuihama's surprise.

“Is that so?”

Seeing her reaction, Yukinoshita's smile deepened.

"Yes, the sun rises in the east."

"I know that much common sense!"

It seems she wanted to get back at Yui for bringing up her sleeping face earlier. A year has passed, and their relationship is still just as good...

"Although you can't see it from within the city, the sunrise in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, is quite famous."

Aside from mountaintops and remote islands, Inubozaki, located in the easternmost part of the Kanto region, is the place in Japan where you can see the earliest sunrise. For this reason, it gets incredibly crowded around New Year's Day, sometimes even causing traffic jams. There's probably a huge crowd driving there.

That's all for today's Chiba trivia!

After I finished speaking, they were both dumbfounded.

Yukino sighed wearily, and Yuihama rolled her eyes at me, looking utterly helpless.

"It's happened, Chiba's condition has flared up..."

Mind your own business. I'd rather say, you should all be used to it by now.

During our conversation, Yukinoshita's house arrived.

When I entered the hall, Yukinoshita was facing me.

"That's enough for now... Thank you for bringing us back."

She thanked me with a shy smile. I didn't know how to respond properly, so I just nodded to indicate that it was no big deal.

"...Then I'm leaving."