My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 775

Without batting an eye, Yang Nai answered without changing her expression. When our eyes met, she gave me a captivating smile and whispered in my ear:

"But don't you think matching outfits are kind of cute?... What do you think?"

Her voice had a magical quality, and her breath on my neck was sweet and alluring. I knew perfectly well she was toying with me, but my cheeks burned uncontrollably, making me too embarrassed to even glance at her.

Yang Nai thoroughly enjoyed my reaction, then added with a smile:

"She's paired with Yukino♪"

Thanks to that lighthearted tone, my body relaxed, and sarcastic remarks and helpless sighs came out at the same time.

"Wearing the same thing as me would create a cuter look if sisters wore it together."

"Going too far will have the opposite effect; maintaining the status quo is enough."

I made a sarcastic remark to her, and Haruno, seemingly expecting this, immediately retaliated. Despite it being a pointless conversation, Haruno seemed to be enjoying it, a fierce glint in her eyes. Ugh, I guess I'm really bad at dealing with this person…

However, her eyes suddenly filled with sadness.

"...We used to wear matching outfits quite often—"

This soft-spoken remark sounded as if it were a nostalgic recollection of the past.

"...That's really unexpected."

Therefore, I will honestly express my feelings.

"...It's alright. It was just something our family bought for us, nothing strange about it."

The smile that had been on her face not long ago had vanished, and Yang Nai merely squinted and glanced at the loungewear in her hand.

What surprised me wasn't that the Yukinoshita sisters had ever worn matching outfits. I was even forced to wear outfits that matched Komachi's. It's conceivable that some parents would have that kind of fetish, as a hobby—or rather, one of their pleasures—especially these two beautiful sisters. It's perfectly normal to want to see them holding hands and wearing the same clothes.

So, that's not what surprised me.

Instead, it was Yukino Yukinoshita speaking.

The tone, as if reminiscing about the past, conveys not only tenderness but also other hidden emotions.

If I had to use an analogy, it would be something like loneliness. Her tone conveyed a sense of distance, as if one understood that it was something that could no longer be touched or retrieved.

Why did I sense a desperate distance in her voice? The reason is unknown. I just had that vague feeling. This person remains beyond my comprehension. Perhaps I will never truly understand her.

I don't even really understand the people around me. To want to understand and allow others to get close to me, but to absolutely not allow anyone to step into the heart of Yukinoshita, is as difficult as climbing to heaven.

At this moment, she also seemed oblivious to what I was thinking, flipping through the clothes displayed on the shelf.

"Hmm—I'll stick with this one."

As she spoke, she took out a set of loungewear and put it over her white shirt.

On the fuzzy light gray clothes, pale pink polka dots were scattered in contrast. Yang Nai gently grabbed the collar of the clothes, buried her mouth in it, and looked up at me.

"Does it look good?"

"...It doesn't quite suit your sister's style. But it's alright. Not bad."

Yang Nai puffed out her cheeks and glared at me. This person can actually do something so cute? Hey, hey, hey, your enhanced exoskeleton is just too good... Even knowing your true nature, I'd still be fooled by accident, and even willingly fooled.

"I asked if it would look good on me. Besides, this dress doesn't fit Yukino's size."

Yang Nai gently stroked her chest.

More convincing than any words is the decisive difference between the Yukinoshita sisters. As expected of Haruno, she can say such cruel things. Your younger sister is also a little concerned! Please, absolutely do not tell her! You promised your older brother!

But since she asked for my opinion, I'll respond to her request. After all, she probably dragged me here just for this.

"...What's the point of asking that?"

But what came out of my mouth was this sentence.

To be honest, in terms of appearance alone, Yukinoshita Haruno is practically perfect. So there's no need to ask further; the way she looked when she tried on the clothes for me, and her sudden adorable actions, were all incredibly charming.

The troublesome thing is—

She waited silently for me to continue, implying that my words alone weren't enough; even her stubborn gaze was captivating. Her eyes were pressuring me, urging me to clarify my thoughts.

"...I...I think it suits you very well."

Being stared at made me shy, so I looked away and stammered my answer. Yang nodded in satisfaction.

"Okay, great. I'll buy this one too."

Yang quickly took off the clothes she had just tried on and neatly folded them. Then she picked up a similar pure white dress that was hanging nearby.

"I'm going to pay the bill."

She had barely finished speaking when she strode toward the cashier.

As a result, having lost my protective shield from the stares of other female customers and staff, I decided to move to the men's section as soon as possible. It's barely bearable here anymore…

I happened to see the men's version of the loungewear that Yang Nai had picked up to look at earlier.

Oh... this one is black... Oh... I see... Oh... the same style, but a different color makes it look different... Oh... in that case, it might not look so strange on me... Oh... I see...

The moment I reached for that fluffy loungewear.

"Sorry to keep you waiting—"

A bright sound came from behind me. I quickly pulled my hand, which had been hanging in mid-air, into my pocket.

"So fast."

I pretended to be calm and turned around to see that Yang Nai's expression showed a hint of guilt.

"I'm sorry, the staff said it will take some time to package."

She pointed outside the store and saw a corner of the floor with a rest area with several chairs.

It meant waiting there until the gifts were wrapped. Yang Nai picked up the other bag of clothes she had bought for herself and walked towards the chair over there.

Once she leaves, I'll lose my place in this shop. I have no choice but to obediently follow her.

I sat next to Yang Nai across a chair.

She opened the paper bag, humming a tune as she inspected the clothes she had just bought for herself, and looked at them with satisfaction, saying:

"And you? Have you made your choice?"

"What? Oh... I've already bought the gift."

The sudden question puzzled me. Judging from our previous conversation, she was probably asking about Yukinoshita's birthday present.

However, Yang sighed as if mocking me, then turned and stared at me. The slow movement was like that of a snake raising its head.

"No, I was talking about you guys."

I couldn't breathe for a moment.

The gaze fixed on me felt like it was trying to ensnare my heart, impossible to escape; its black pupils were clear as water, yet unfathomably deep.

If you casually ask her the true meaning of that question and demand an explanation of what she is trying to express, you will receive an answer you cannot escape.

In that case, there's only one thing I can do.

I raised the corners of my mouth and exhaled the air stuck deep in my throat.

"...What do you mean by 'you guys'? I don't usually offer my opinions when we're doing group activities. I'm a very low-key person."

"I quite like this way of avoiding the problem."

Yang revealed a charming smile.

The atmosphere eased a little.

But her eyes remained dark, telling me that this period was not over yet.

"...I don't care. But you don't think things will stay calm forever, do you? It's too unnatural."

These words are quite abstract, but I know exactly what she is referring to.

What Yukino Hiyori forced me to confront was an undeniable truth.

I had already noticed it; it was a trivial, ordinary, and commonplace fact.

However, the phenomenon will not become a fact until it is observed.

So I pretended not to see it.

"...Because the opposite of natural is artificial. Most things related to humans are unnatural. And accepting that unnaturalness is also a manifestation of human nature..."

While onlookers focused on the endless explanations offered by observers in other directions, onlookers scoffed.

He chuckled softly.

A mocking laugh emanated from his throat, interrupting what sounded like absurd talk.

"You said before that such feelings 'don't count as real feelings'... So, what are real feelings then?"

A gentle voice. A cold gaze. Eyes glistening with moisture. Sensual breath.

What was shot at me was a murmur that was hard to distinguish as either blame or questioning.

No one could answer; only the music from the department store suddenly filled the air. The silence lasted for what seemed like both a few seconds and a few minutes—long yet fleeting.

The sound of footsteps pattering broke the silence. I turned my head slightly, and there came the shop assistant from the store, carrying a beautifully packaged bag.

Seeing this, Yang Nai breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and smiled at me.

"Unfortunately, it's time. Our date is over... Let's go home."

She walked toward the shop assistant.

I stared at her retreating figure, unable to stand up for a long time.

× × ×

On the way back to the coffee shop, Yang Nai remained silent the whole time, and I didn't say a word either.

I'm afraid it's because we've already said everything we needed to say to each other.

I couldn't answer even if I asked again, so the question remained unsolved.

Although the two things should be unrelated, Haruno was particularly excited when she returned to the cafe.

"Yukino, this is for you. It's a birthday present. My sister picked it out very carefully!"

Yang leaned closer to Yukinoshita as if to hug her, and stuffed the gift into her hands.

"...Why so suddenly?"

Since it was a birthday gift, there was no reason to refuse it, and Yukinoshita accepted it somewhat bewildered.

Upon seeing the gift wrapping, Yuihama's eyes lit up.

"Ah, the clothes in that store are so cute—!"

"That's right! As expected of Hihama! She really knows her stuff! Picking out cute things for her adorable little sister! I hope she can fully feel her older sister's love!"

Yang pointed at Yuihama and proudly puffed out his chest.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Yukinoshita relaxed her guard slightly, carefully examined the gift in her arms, and sighed.

"...Love?...Yeah, but she is quite cute."

She murmured softly, nodded, and seemed quite satisfied. Yukino gently placed the gift on her lap, grasping the edge. Then, bowing her head, she said in a barely audible voice:

"……Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Yang looked at the blushing Xue Shita with satisfaction and smiled sweetly.

Oh dear, that's how they usually get along, so I was worried the atmosphere might be awkward. What a kind and peaceful world. If the sisters under the umbrella of yuri could always be this yuri, it would be better for my stomach.

I wasn't the only one who felt calmed by this heartwarming scene; Hayato Hayama also watched over the two with gentle eyes.

At that moment, Ye Shan seemed to have thought of something.

He quietly placed his hand under the table and took out his phone to check. It seemed he had received a text message.

"...Sister Yang, it's almost time."

"Oh, it's so late."

Hayama lowered his voice and said, while Yono rolled up her shirt sleeves and looked at the gold watch on her slender, snow-white wrist, her gaze moving from the watch face to us.

It seems the time they had arranged to meet with their families has arrived.