My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 774

In short, the atmosphere at the scene returned to a relaxed state.

This is certainly a good thing, but the sight of these four people chatting and laughing is truly eye-catching. Unassuming, yet incredibly charming.

These people are very conspicuous...

I've always had this feeling that someone is standing at the door peeking at us.

Aside from the fact that it's a bit noisy right now, all four of them are exceptionally good-looking. They're the kind of people whose eyes can't help but wander over when you see them on the street.

Thanks to them, my presence has become even less noticeable. I am a shadow... but the stronger the light, the deeper the shadow, further highlighting the whiteness of the light... [Note]

Note: This is a line from the protagonist Tetsuya Kuroko in the manga/anime series "Kuroko's Basketball".

With nothing to do, I decided to become a complete troll. The phrase "become a complete troll" is reminiscent of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi [Note].

Note: Japanese female entertainer.

I didn't join the conversation, becoming just a machine that brought the coffee to my mouth, and ended up drinking the whole cup of coffee myself.

The timing is perfect; I can use this as an excuse to leave gracefully.

"Excuse me, I'll be back in a bit..."

I briefly told the others and quickly got up and left.

It's not that I have anything to do.

However, in most cases, when eating in a cafe or restaurant, if you say "I'm leaving for a bit..." most people will understand that you need to go to the restroom. You will usually not be obstructed and can leave your seat very naturally.

That's why people choose to drink beverages with diuretic effects, such as tea, coffee, and alcohol, when meeting others.

In other words, tea, coffee, and alcohol can have the effect of calming the atmosphere or refreshing it.

For example, even if you're at the same table as someone you dislike at a party, you can use going to the restroom as an excuse to leave, and when you return, you can sit at another table without batting an eye. Would adding mysterious advertising slogans like "traditional social drink!" to tea or coffee from now on lead to huge sales? The answer is no.

As I pondered this pointless matter, I walked outside the shop, when a terrifying voice came from behind me.

"Oh, I also have something to do."

The tone was light and bright, yet there was a sense of forced affectation. Then came the sound of footsteps, and I was immediately patted on the shoulder.

...I turned around, and there she was. [Note]

Note: This is the Japanese title of the Japanese drama series "Living Better Than You".

"Just spend some time with your sister. It won't take you too much time."

Yukinoshita tilted her head and smiled slightly, as if she were toying with me.

"Uh, I have something to do..."

With a stiff smile, I politely declined, and continued moving towards the store exit while she held my shoulder. At this speed, I should be able to escape!

No sooner had I thought that than the hand on my shoulder moved down and hooked around my arm.

"What does it matter? You're so cold... Hachiman, let's go on a date."

She suddenly pulled me close and whispered in my ear.

It is both a temptation and a threat.

I froze on the spot, unable to resist, and she pulled me away by the arm.

The relationship between the Yukinoshita sisters is forever unpredictable.

Not long after leaving the coffee shop.

When I got close to the escalator, I gently pulled my arm away from hers and asked Yang Nai.

"...Um, where are you going?"

Since we were holding hands just a second ago, even saying such ordinary lines still made me feel uneasy. I could almost feel that her whispered words, along with her sweet fragrance, still lingered in my ears.

I was talking to her, but I didn't dare look her in the eye. I just listened to Yang Nai's light footsteps and followed behind her.

Yang stopped, turned his upper body slightly, stared at my face, and smiled happily.

"Didn't I tell you? I just need you to come with me to buy something."

"No, you didn't say..."

...You clearly said you wanted to go on a date! A date! Hey, you girls! Can you please stop toying with the hearts of innocent young men!

However, protesting to Yang Nai now won't change anything. She's already humming a song, jumping confidently onto the escalator, completely ignoring what I said.

She spun around on the spot. Her skirt fluttered in the air before slowly falling. I was mesmerized when Yang Nai beckoned me over.

"I've already decided what I want to buy, it really won't take too much time."

Her smile and unexpectedly mischievous actions made her seem so youthful that you wouldn't guess she was a woman older than me.

Actually, you can't relax for even a second when facing this person, but seeing that expression lessened the fear I had always felt towards her.

"That's not the issue..."

I answered in surprise and followed her onto the escalator.

The escalator moved slowly downwards and finally reached the bottom of the building.

Yang jumped down directly and moved forward without hesitation.

The store was packed on its first day of business in the new year, but as Yang Nai walked along, the crowd automatically parted to the sides. Is that Moses?

Okay, I can understand why people couldn't help but make way for her. Me too. If a beauty like Yukino were walking down the street radiating dazzling light, I'd probably unconsciously move into the shadows to make way for her. Or slow down to protect my eyes. But now that I've glimpsed a corner of Yukino's dark side, I won't do that.

Beauty is an aura, a form of intimidation. Add confidence, and it's like a fish in water, a tiger with wings, a sailor suit with a machine gun. It's perfectly normal for those who encounter it to shrink back in fear.

Perhaps that's why Yukinoshita Haruno often spends time alone.

It's probably not that I don't have friends... I guess so.

I know nothing about Yang Nai's social circle. My very subjective feeling is that she doesn't seem to have any friends, and I might even be her best friend.

However, some clues suggest that she does indeed have friends.

Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that she was with friends when we first met, and she was also waiting for her friends when we bumped into her at the donut shop. Her former mentor, Hiratsuka-sensei, also mentioned that she had a wide network of connections at school.

despite this.

She seems to enjoy being alone.

Appearance, talent, and family background. Having everything that most people desire, yet still yearning for solitude, is very similar to the aloof lifestyle I used to aspire to.

It's very similar to the lifestyle of Yukino Yukinoshita that I used to misunderstand.

Therefore, the fantasy I saw in Yang Nai is probably wildly wrong.

Because although she enjoys solitude, she is absolutely not pursuing it.

The evidence is his obsession with his younger sister, Yukino Yukinoshita.

Whether it's her obsessive behavior of calling her relentlessly today or her tendency to constantly provoke her, Yukinoshita is undoubtedly an existence that Haruno cannot ignore.

In other words, it was evidence that she genuinely longed for Yukinoshita, and also evidence that she did not seek loneliness.

As for the reason why Yang Nai is so obsessed with her, I naturally have no idea. In terms of simple family love or sisterly love, it's a bit too much.

I also have a younger sister, but I would never deliberately go and cause trouble for her or interfere in her private life. Yes, I would.

When Komachi is home, I'll often tease her for no reason, and I'll interrupt her while she's reading, trying to keep flies away from her. It's very common. That's what siblings are like!

So, sisters do this too... Huh? Then what Haruno did is normal, isn't it?

I fell into deep thought, my brows furrowed, and looked at Yang Nai walking ahead of me. Suddenly, she stopped.

"This is it."

Yang pointed to a shop.

On a floor primarily catering to women, the store, with its soft color scheme and dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, was quite eye-catching. I glanced at the merchandise; it seemed to sell loungewear and bath products.

I glanced at it briefly; there were loungewear, indoor socks, blankets, bathrobes, nightgowns, headbands...

The store is filled with cute ice cream and dessert designs and is packed with female customers.

It's definitely not a place for someone like me to step into.

"...Um, I'll wait outside."

The atmosphere inside the store made me feel intimidated and sweaty, but Yang Nai smiled when he heard this.

"Hey."

She gave my back a little push.

I lost my balance and took a step across the boundary between the inside and outside of the store.

...Ah, this is how the shop assistant will start by asking me with a stiff smile, "What are you looking for? --?" in a threatening manner.

In this situation, I wouldn't know how to answer. I could only reply like a famous actress, "No, it's nothing..." I felt disgusted with myself for not being able to have a proper conversation, and cold sweat poured down my back. Seeing me sweating, the shop assistant, with 80% fear and 20% gentleness, would ask, "Wow! You're sweating so much! Is the heating too strong?" and offer me tissues. Their thoughtful gesture, coupled with the fact that I had startled them, caused me to sweat even more. Please, could this gentleness be kept to the mild level of a pain reliever? That's how I feel right now.

However, this is something only men—or rather, gloomy people—worry about. Women are the main clientele anyway, so there's nothing to be afraid of. Men with girlfriends or who go out often probably won't feel nervous coming to a place like this.

Unsurprisingly, Yang Nai walked into the store with ease and composure.

I made a whimpering sound like a sea lion as I watched Yang Nai's figure. That suspicious behavior was more like that of a babbling infant than a sea lion.

I stood there, and Yang Nai, probably wondering why I hadn't followed, turned around. She looked puzzled for a moment, then immediately realized what I was worried about.

"Don't overthink it, they sell men's clothing here too."

She stood next to me and took my hand.

They've already gone this far, I can't just stand still. In fact, getting this close to Yang Nai is even more shameful.

I pulled my arm away from Haruno's grasp and followed behind her with the same trepidation as Bambi.

Waaaaah... All the guests were women, it was so scary...

I activated my invisibility skill to the maximum to avoid being noticed by others. Yang Nai hummed a song as she picked out some loungewear, then suddenly turned around and showed the clothes to me.

"Look, look, this garment is all fluffy."

I was a little surprised that her tone and cheerful smile seemed more childlike than usual.

"...because that's the kind of material it uses."

We chatted as we strolled around the store.

I don't like being in this kind of space, so I was a little nervous about what I was doing.

Yang Nai, however, always kept a distance of about one and a half steps from me, and would strike up a conversation with me from time to time. Thanks to her, I didn't feel too uncomfortable. No, being with Yang Nai was hardly comfortable at all.

Fortunately, she didn't attract suspicious glances from female customers and staff around her.

When we arrived at the area where clothes in different colors were sold, Haruno picked up a piece of clothing at random.

"Oh, look. This is men's clothing."

In her hand was a gray and white striped hooded loungewear set, also fluffy. It had two pom-poms attached to the drawstring, making it very cute.

I reluctantly took the dress she handed me and picked it up to look at it. The price tag fell out, revealing an astonishing figure.

"...So expensive. Wow, so expensive!...So expensive!"

I couldn't help but check the price twice. I even subconsciously checked it a third time. Why does a mere set of pajamas cost five figures...? A T-shirt and shorts are enough for summer, and a tracksuit is sufficient for winter...

The dark side of the fashion industry sends chills down my spine, Yang chuckled.

"After all, you're a guy, you probably aren't interested in this kind of thing. But the men's clothing here has pretty good reviews. Why don't you try some on?"

“Eh…”

I tried to imagine myself wearing that cute and stylish loungewear, and couldn't help but let out a reluctant sound.

Waaaaah... I'm definitely not suited for such cute clothes...

That outfit is loungewear, not something to wear for others to see, so whether it suits you or not is irrelevant. But there's a more serious problem.

My inner high school sophomore is screaming. Wearing these designer menswear brands that girls like feels like you're trying to attract girls to tease you about it. If things go smoothly, you might even become more popular—how lame! Seeing those frivolous guys who seem to know women's clothing brands so well makes you think, "What's wrong with this guy?" right?

The hatred directed at someone seemed to be reflected on my face. Seeing my expression, Yang Nai laughed.

"Your face is so sour at times like this. I really admire you."

"I'm an honest person, and I accidentally—"

"Then do the same as me."