My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 770

"Um."

"Okay, goodnight."

I slightly raised my hand in response to the two of them and left the building. Passing through the automatic doors of the lobby, I was once again immersed in the night, gazing up at the dazzling lights of the skyscrapers.

What an unexpected New Year's Day!

The saying "A year's plan starts on New Year's Day" makes me think that this year might be full of ups and downs. But I don't dislike it.

The first month of the lunar calendar is a milestone on the way to the other world, something to be celebrated, yet also something not to be celebrated.

I remember this quote was said by Ikkyu Sojun. It makes you realize that everything has two sides, and different perspectives reveal different meanings. The frustrating thing is that, despite being good at reading between the lines, I always seem to only notice the negative aspects.

I left the apartment while thinking about it.

Then came the sound of an automatic door opening behind me, followed by the patter of footsteps approaching. Turning around, I saw Yui standing there.

"Autistic man".

"What?"

I asked her what she meant, and Yui touched her bun, twisted her body slightly, and then gently inhaled.

"Um... see you tomorrow."

She looked up, as if observing my reaction.

On this special New Year's Eve, we had an ordinary, mundane conversation. It felt strangely amusing, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"...Okay, see you tomorrow."

I looked her in the eye as I answered, and Yui waved and walked into the building. After watching her leave, I stepped into the unchanging new year.

Yui's Story 9 (Sequel 1): Hachiman Hikigaya ponders what he knows and what he doesn't.

Looking up at the clear winter sky, the monorail passes overhead.

I looked at it and sighed. A faint white breath drifted into the air, eventually dissipating in the wind.

Thinking about today's itinerary makes me feel so heavy-hearted, and I can't help but sigh deeply.

No, not just today.

There will probably be similar days in the future.

I understand that there might be a "next time" someday.

I don't know if this can be called an agreement, but that's how I see it.

The problem is, when, where, and in what tone should you say it? If you have little experience communicating with people, this can be a real headache. How do you usually extend invitations when you go out?

lets change a topic.

Let's worry about today's matters first.

After I got home yesterday, Yuihama texted me to discuss buying a gift.

The meeting point is in front of the large screen at Chiba Station. There's no better place to find it. You should be able to find me immediately after exiting the station. And vice versa. Thinking of this, the frequency of my exhaling white smoke increased.

Not long after, Yuihama walked out of the ticket gate. She waved vigorously as soon as she saw me.

"Hi!"

"oh."

"Sorry I'm a little late!"

Yui rushed over, her beige coat billowing in the air, her boots clicking loudly. As the coat swayed, a knee-length knit sweater and denim skirt could be vaguely seen underneath.

"Where are we going?"

I mean, we can browse and pick things out as we go.

Yuihama pointed around the station and stepped out.

"Then it's up to you..."

I'm not really sure what gift to buy for a girl. It's best to leave this to someone who knows what to do.

As the saying goes, knowledge comes in stages, and skills have their specialties; Caesar's things belong to Caesar [Note]. Wait, that last sentence sounds a bit odd…

Note: From the New Testament.

In short, Yuihama's taste should be better. So I decided to obediently follow her.

Chiba is a shopping paradise.

When it comes to shopping places for high school students, Barco is the most popular.

The most powerful ally of Chiba's young people is Barco. Chiba's fashionable young men and women will undoubtedly split into the Barco Cult and the LaLaPort Cult over where to buy clothes, sparking a religious war. Within the Barco Cult, the Chiba Barco faction and the Tsudanuma Barco faction are probably also engaged in ugly infighting.

Stop! Let's all get along! Aren't we all citizens of Chiba?! Even though Tsudanuma is in Narashino City! And Chiba Barco no longer exists! The war is over! If you want fashionable clothes, just go to Tokyo! How could Chiba possibly have anything fashionable!

I loudly proclaimed my anti-war declaration in my heart, pointing forward from the shore.

"Ah, let's start by browsing C·one!"

C·one. I know, that's the one. The shopping center where Ichiran has moved in.

Ichiran Ramen's main selling point is its flavor-concentrating system, which uses wooden boards to separate each seat, allowing customers to focus on their ramen. Incidentally, this flavor-concentrating system is patented. Theoretically, marginalized people are essentially equipped with a life-concentrating system. Hurry! We need to apply for a patent quickly!

I suppressed my wandering thoughts and quickly moved to C·one.

The mall was plastered with advertisements for New Year's sales, and shops lined up one after another. Because it was built using the space under the overpass, there was only one road leading to the end. The atmosphere was much livelier than usual, perhaps due to the New Year's clearance sale.

Yuihama was full of energy while shopping, chatting with the shop assistants about all sorts of things while picking out clothes and having a lively discussion about outfits.

There was no way for the boys to get involved. I was three steps away from them, not just one, and I immediately felt a strong sense of being ostracized.

"Hey, hey, you autistic guy! This outfit! Don't you think it's adorable!?"

"Oh, not bad."

"It's fine either way... but let's not say that."

"I think I can wear this in spring too—"

Yuihama excitedly grabbed one piece of clothing from the east and another from the west. But that's not important; we're here to buy a gift for Yukinoshita, not for our own things.

Yuihama, wearing a fleece hooded jacket, stood in front of the mirror spinning around, extremely busy.

As a guy, I didn't dare to step into the store, so I decided to stand far away and watch from the side.

She looks so youthful. The complete opposite of Yukinoshita.

When I went to buy gifts for Yuihama with Yukinoshita and Komachi before, I was surprised to find that Yukinoshita didn't feel like a modern high school girl at all.

...I have no right to judge others.

Rather, comparing me to Yukinoshita would be incredibly disrespectful to her.

At least Yukinoshita seems to know what kind of clothes suit her and isn't indifferent to fashion trends. Nevertheless, she struggled when buying Yuihama's birthday present, perhaps because she's not good at making choices for others.

That earnest yet clumsy personality really suits her image.

The question is, what will happen when that clumsy lady receives the gift?

"I'll go take a look over there too."

I left Yuihama and wandered around the area. I observed and reflected, hoping to find some inspiration.

Should I give Yukinoshita a gift...?

What should I give as a gift...?

Clumsy Yukinoshita, or simply Clumsy Yukinoshita, is really a headache, you little idiot. Aside from her hobbies, everything she likes is practical. More accurately, gifts related to her hobbies are hard to find. She'll buy her own books; Yukinoshita lives alone, so she probably doesn't lack daily necessities or kitchenware. A cutting board is also a basic necessity for her.

What's going on? What should I give as a gift...?

As I wandered around, I saw a shop selling Dessert products.

Let me think about it... Johnny... she knows her better than I do, so I'll pass.

Continue walking forward, and you'll reach the pet goods section.

Cats…she doesn’t own a cat…she doesn’t own one. Why not get one? Is it forbidden to keep pets in the building where Yukinoshita lives? Giving her a cat photobook isn’t really appropriate either, she seems to have a ton…

But if you go to that shop that looks like a jewelry store, you probably won't find a decent gift...

I pondered for a moment, wandering around the nearby shops before finally returning to where I started.

Yuihama, carrying several pieces of clothing, looked around.

"Hey, you autistic guy! Why did you run away by yourself...?"

She saw me and waved vigorously.

"Uh, because I can't stand staying in a place like this..."

"why?"

Yuihama tilted her head in confusion.

"Why...? Because I'd feel embarrassed..."

"Excuse me? Why?"

Why are you asking "why" over and over again? Are you singing Black Biscuit's "Timing"? Only older men have heard that song.

However, I can't think of a way to explain the reasons clearly. I can only convey my feelings, or rather, my emotions.

"Uh, because, think about it... it's kind of... right? Two people in a place like this, it's kind of... right..."

"What? I don't—"

Yuihama didn't finish her sentence. Just moments ago, she had been tilting her head and frowning, but now her cheeks flushed red.

"I...I think I'm starting to feel something's off too..."

"Right?"

As expected of Hihama-san. Her ability to read the atmosphere or, more accurately, the situation is impeccable. Even though I didn't explain myself clearly, she still understood what I meant.

The problem is that it's even more embarrassing that she saw through my thoughts when we were alone together.

Yuihama muttered, holding her head in her hands:

"I really should have invited Komachi..."

"I think it's difficult..."

She'd just leave us and disappear, probably thinking she was being considerate... She also vanished without us noticing when I went to LaLaPort with Yukinoshita before. That girl seems reliable in these situations, but she isn't.

"I see... That makes sense, Komachi is a test taker."

No, that's not the reason—just as I was about to add, Yui suddenly looked up. Then she clenched her fist and cheered herself on.

"Yes, I'll do my best!"

"Keep it up...?"

Yui ignored my question, seemingly lost in thought. Then, she appeared to have gathered her thoughts, picked up the clothes she was holding again, and tilted her head to observe my expression.

"I'm a bit troubled... Can an autistic guy do me a favor?"

"If you don't mind that I can't help."

"Hmm!...No, I hope you can help me."

I will try my best.

Yuihama listened and walked to the mirror inside the store. I followed behind her.

"I mean, sweaters and cardigans can be worn over shirts, and you can wear them to school too—"

As she spoke, she took off her coat and then the sweater she was wearing underneath.

I felt I couldn't look, and quickly looked away. "Going to the fitting room... Do you think it doesn't matter since you're wearing clothes underneath?" "I do care, please don't do that."

Music was playing in the store, but the rustling of clothes was very noticeable, and Yuihama's breathing was forced into her ears.

"Hey...how was it?"

Only after hearing the sound did I finally dare to turn around.

She was wearing a warm warp-knitted sweater.

"What do you mean, 'How is it...' Not bad..."