My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 8

"It's a little different. The Service Society only provides assistance; whether your wish can be fulfilled depends on you."

This statement sounds like a cold rejection of the other person's request for help.

"What's the difference?"

Yui asked in surprise, which was also my question.

"The difference lies in whether it's 'giving people fish' or 'teaching them how to fish.' Volunteer service is about providing people with methods for self-help, not just giving them results. Enabling them to be independent is the closest thing to saying it."

This sounds like something out of a civics textbook; you'll see this kind of topic in any school.

Therefore, balancing "independence" and "cooperation" should be the guiding principle of this club's activities. The teachers also continuously...

They talk about being hardworking and such, so this must be a club that works hard for students.

"That sounds amazing!"

Yuihama had a look of sudden realization. Seeing her like that, it was a little worrying that she might be tricked into joining some strange religious group.

There's a saying that having big breasts is nothing special, and while it has no scientific basis, there are real-life examples right now.

In contrast, Yukinoshita was quick-witted and eloquent, but her chest was as flat as a washboard.

At this moment, Yukinoshita still sneered and said:

"I can't guarantee that I can fulfill your wish, but I will try my best to help you."

Yuihama then let out an "Ah!" and remembered her original purpose.

"Um... could I... have a cookie...?"

She spoke haltingly, and then glanced at me.

I'm not a cookie. Although my classmates treat me like air, even though the pronunciation is similar, cookies and air are completely unrelated (the Japanese pronunciations of "air" and "cookie" are similar).

"Hikigaya-san."

Yukino gestured with her chin towards the corridor, meaning she wanted me to get out. But she didn't need to use such a coded signal. Wouldn't it have been better if she had simply said gently, "You're in my way. Could you please leave? I'd be even happier if you didn't come back?"

If it's something that can only be told to girls, there's nothing I can do. Such things always happen in the world; you can tell from the phrases "health education," "isolating male students," and "female students attending classes in other classrooms."

...Speaking of which, what exactly were the female students learning? I'm still very curious.

"...I'm going to buy a can of 'SPORTOP'."

I sensed the atmosphere and acted nonchalantly. Wow, I'm so gentle. If I were a girl, I'd definitely fall in love with myself.

Just as I was about to open the door, Yukino seemed to remember something and said behind me:

"I want strawberry yogurt from 'Wild Vegetable Life 100'."

Yukinoshita is quite something, being able to order people around at will.

× × ×

The round trip from the third floor to the first floor of the special building takes no more than ten minutes. If I had walked there and back slowly, they would have finished talking by then.

Regardless, Yuihama is our first client. That means my match with Yukinoshita has officially begun. Anyway, I have no chance of winning; I just need to find a way to minimize the damage.

The mysterious vending machine in front of the welfare center sells unusual cardboard-packaged drinks that you won't find in regular convenience stores. These drinks resemble knock-offs of certain brands, but they taste pretty good, so they shouldn't be underestimated.

One of the sports drinks, "SPORTOP," really won me over. It tastes like a simple pastry, which is a blatant challenge to the recent trend of sugar-free and low-calorie drinks. I admire its rebellious spirit, and the taste isn't bad either.

I put a 100-yen coin into the buzzing vending machine that resembled an aerial fortress, bought SPORTOP and Wild Vegetable Life, and then put in another 100-yen coin.

It felt a bit odd that only two of the three of us had drinks, so I bought Yuihama a can of "Men's Coffee Au Lait" as well.

The total cost was 300 yuan, which meant I lost half of my savings and am now almost bankrupt.

× × ×

"too slow."

Yukinoshita started by complaining, then snatched the wild vegetable life from my hand, inserted a straw, and started drinking it.

I still have SPORTOP and a man's coffee au lait in my hand. Yuihama seems to have figured out who that coffee au lait was for.

"……for you."

Yuihama took out a 100-yen coin from a coin pouch that resembled a small shoulder bag.

"Oh, no need."

Yukino didn't pay either, and besides, I bought the drink without asking Yui. While I have a reason to charge Yukino, I have no reason to make Yui pay.

I didn't take the coin from Yuihama's hand, but instead placed the coffee au lait directly into her hand.

"No, no, that won't do!"

Yui insisted that I accept the money, but I didn't want to bother with the question of whether I should pay, so I simply walked towards the snow. Yui grumbled and reluctantly put away the change.

"……Thanks."

After Yui whispered her thanks, she smiled and held the coffee au lait with both hands, looking a little shy. That was the best thank you I'd ever heard in my life.

It's such a bargain to get this smile for only 100 yen.

With a satisfied feeling, I asked Yukinoshita about what had just happened.

"Have you finished talking?"

"Yes, thanks to you not being here, our conversation went very smoothly. Thanks."

This is the worst thank you I've ever heard in my life.

"...That's great, what should we do?"

"Let's go to the home economics class, and Hachiman will come too."

"Home economics class?"

That's it! A classroom like an Iron Lady torture chamber, where you team up with like-minded people for a so-called "cooking" torture activity. It even has kitchen knives and gas stoves—very dangerous, it should be banned, banned!

"What are you going there for?"

Home economics classes, along with physical education and field trips, are considered three major sites of trauma, places no one would normally want to venture into. The thought of a few close friends chatting happily, only to fall silent the moment I join them, is truly unpleasant.

"I...I want to make cookies..."

"Huh? Cookies?"

I was completely confused, so this was the only response I could give.

"Yuigahama wants to make cookies to give to someone, but she lacks confidence, so she wants to ask our club for help."

The snow cleared up my doubts.

"Why do we have to help... Shouldn't we ask a friend for help with this?"

"Ugh... Well, that's because... I don't want anyone to know. If they find out, they'll definitely think I'm an idiot... This isn't something I should talk to my friends about..."

As Yui answered, her gaze kept shifting.

I couldn't help but let out a small sigh.

Honestly, I can't think of anything more boring than caring about other people's love lives. It's more meaningful to memorize an extra English word than to know who likes whom, not to mention I have to help with that.

I'm just that uninterested in topics related to romance.

I initially thought they were going to discuss something serious, but it turned out to be this... But at least I'm relieved. Anyway, when someone asks me about relationship problems, I just need to answer, "Go for it! You can do it!" And if they fail, I can just say, "That guy is awful!"

"what!"

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but chuckle, and at the same time, I met Yuihama's gaze.

"Ah, ahh..."

Yuihama lowered her head, speechless. She clutched her skirt tightly, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Ha, haha... It's... weird, isn't it? Someone like me making handmade cookies will only be seen as pretending to be innocent... I'm sorry, Yukinoshita-san, I think I'll pass."

"It's fine if you want to give up on me... but you don't need to worry about that guy. He has no human rights now, and I'll force him to help."

It seems the Japanese Constitution doesn't apply to me. Which unscrupulous company is behind this?

"Oh, no need, no need! It's really ridiculous and not suitable for me... Besides, I asked Yumiko and Mari before, and they said that this kind of thing isn't popular now."

Yuihama glanced at me after she finished speaking. Yukinoshita, as if to add insult to injury, said:

"...Hmm, giving handmade cookies is definitely not something a girl as glamorous as you would do."

"I mean, that's why, it's really weird~~"

Yuihama laughed, echoing Yukinoshita's words, her slightly lowered gaze inadvertently meeting mine. Under her gaze, I felt I had to reply.

"...I don't think it's strange that you're doing this, or that it's unsuitable for you, or that it clashes with your personality, or that you're not good enough for me or anything like that. It's just that I'm not interested."

"You've gone even further!"

Yuihama was so angry that she slammed her fist on the table in protest.

"I can't believe you'd say something like that, you autistic guy! Ugh, I'm angry! Let me tell you, if I put my heart into it, I can do anything!"

"It's not up to you to decide, but to make your mom look at you with teary eyes and say those words, like, 'I thought you could do anything if you put your heart into it.'"

"Your mother has already given up on you, hasn't she?"

"A very appropriate judgment."

Yuihama's eyes welled up with tears, while Yukinoshita nodded vigorously.

Mind your own business!

However, it is indeed very sad to be abandoned by one's mother.

I felt bad about dampening Yuihama's enthusiasm, especially since it was a competition, so I reluctantly agreed to help.

"Although I only know how to cook curry, I'll still help you out."

"Thank you."

Yuihama was finally relieved.

"No one expects your cooking skills; you just need to help with tasting and giving your opinions."

As Yukinoshita said, if it's about offering advice as a guy, I can definitely come in handy. After all, many guys dislike sweets, so I should be able to help them find flavors that suit them. Besides, I'm hardly a picky eater; I think most foods are delicious.

...Will this help?

× × ×

The home economics classroom was filled with the sweet scent of vanilla extract.

Yukinoshita skillfully opened the refrigerator, took out eggs, milk and other ingredients, then took out a scale and bowls, and prepared a ladle and other cooking utensils with a clanging sound.

Is she an all-powerful superwoman? Maybe she's even an excellent cook.

After quickly getting ready, Yukino put on her apron, ready to get to the main event of the day.

Yuihama also wore an apron, but seemed rather clumsy, tying the knot haphazardly.

"Your knot is crooked. Don't you even know how to wear an apron?"

"Sorry, thank you... Oh! I can put on an apron now!"

"Okay, then put it on properly. If you do things carelessly, you'll become as hopeless as that guy."

"Don't use me as a teaching example! Do you think I'm a Namahage (a Japanese folk tale about a lazy person)?"

"This is the first time in your life you've helped someone, cheer up... By the way, although I called you a 'nama-ha-ki' (a Japanese term for a bald person), it doesn't specifically refer to your scalp, so you can rest assured about that." (The Japanese pronunciation of "nama-ha-ki" is similar to "bald head.")

"I never worry about that... Don't do that, don't look at my hair with that gentle smile..."

To get rid of the smile that Yukinoshita would never normally show, I covered my hairline with my hand.

Yuihama observed us from a distance, chuckling. Her apron was still not fully on.

"You're not dressed yet? You probably don't even know how to dress yourself... Sigh, come here, let me help you tie it."

Yukinoshita waved helplessly to Yuihama.

“…Is this okay?”

Yui looked back and forth between me and Yukinoshita, murmuring hesitantly, like a child who couldn't find her way.

"Hurry up."

The cold voice beneath the snow interrupted Yuihama's hesitation. She seemed impatient and felt a little frightened.