My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 800

I nodded seriously, and a smile spread across Yuihama's face.

It's so cold today.

The temperature will probably be about the same as yesterday.

However, it felt particularly cold.

The reason I started to feel cold was probably because I came into contact with warmth.

...Um, it's so cold.

So walking close together like this is something we have no choice but to do.

× × ×

The distance between us walking side by side is not long enough.

It only takes a few minutes to walk from the seaside park to the school building.

This stretch of road, however, felt incredibly long.

Maybe it's because I just finished running such a long distance in a marathon, and it was more tiring than I expected.

Or perhaps I fell and injured myself during the competition. Although Yuihama gave me a quick disinfection, the wound is still throbbing. I shuffled my feet slightly to avoid aggravating the wound.

The two reasons above significantly slow down our walking speed.

The reasons are not limited to this.

The main reason is probably that I'm not used to having someone hold my hand while I walk.

The person who grabbed my hand seemed to be one too. Yuihama was also walking somewhat cautiously.

There were a few students leaving school on the way, who would occasionally turn around and look at us.

Not surprisingly.

I don't usually attract attention. Especially when I'm out and about like this, it's impossible for anyone to be interested in me.

Thinking about it carefully, most people walk alone on the street, so who would see them and think, "Wow, that person is an outsider! They must be really good at playing guitar!"?

Note: The female protagonist of "Lonely Rock!", Goto Ichiri, is the guitarist in the band.

One of many people, merely a scene in everyday life. Even if they come into view, no one will pay much attention to them or even recognize their existence.

However, once it's labeled with "school" or "uniform," the situation changes.

It is precisely because of the premise that "junior high school students and high school students act in groups" that people find it strange for them to act alone during school activities and when they are in the classroom.

A marginalized person is marginalized because they live alone in narrow spaces like schools and classrooms, in closed communities. Once stereotypes, fixed ideas, and preconditions are removed, the label of "marginalized person" no longer applies.

Seeing a lone gazelle on the grasslands is particularly noticeable because we know gazelles are herd animals and prey for carnivores. Without this knowledge, seeing a lone gazelle would likely only elicit thoughts like, "Oh! It's a gazelle! Or maybe an oryx?" Incidentally, gazelles and oryxes can be distinguished by the markings on their rumps. Just a little tidbit.

In other words, when humans see images that do not conform to their common sense and rationality, they will feel something is wrong.

To use the current situation as an analogy, it's like Yui and I walking side by side.

Yui Yuigahama is also very eye-catching.

Her slightly pinkish brown hair, her still-childlike yet adorable appearance, her cheerful and friendly smile, and her enviable figure—all these factors combined with her regular interactions with popular figures like Hayama and Miura significantly boosted her profile within the school community.

Given her fame, it's natural that people would turn around and look at her curiously when she's walking with a strange man.

Moreover, rumors are still circulating that she is dating Mr. Hayama and that she is having a love triangle with her friend Ms. Miura. It's easy to imagine that a certain number of people have positive or negative feelings towards her.

Despite the fact that they were likely to attract curious glances, they still walked with me.

Seeing this, no one will still gossip about Hayama and Yuihama being together. My goal—to eliminate the strange rumors surrounding Hayama Hayato and him—should be achieved soon.

however.

I have a feeling that this will lead to new problems.

Some might even say that Yui Hama is with a boy from another school—correction, what does Yui Hama have to do with me? For example, bumping into our Sagami Minami at the fireworks party.

Anyway, it's because fireworks displays are a really atmospheric event, and we got caught red-handed there. For a school event like this, with the excuse of caring for the injured, it shouldn't cause trouble for Yuihama... right? I don't know... boohoo.

I was a bit confused, staggering along the road like a zombie.

Needless to say, my eyes were lifeless, and my brain was unable to organize logical thoughts. A regretful "Ah..." and a remorseful "Wow!" echoed repeatedly in my mind. I even wanted to start singing the theme song of "Full House" like crazy: "Ah ...

I was feeling down, but my legs kept moving forward on their own.

This place is a bit far from the seaside park; it's the last straight road leading to the main gate of the school. You can reach the school after crossing the zebra crossing. The number of students is also increasing.

As the school buildings came into view, I felt myself subconsciously quicken my pace.

Yui, walking beside me, looked up in confusion, matching my pace. She didn't try to start a conversation, tilting her head in thought, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she gasped softly.

She took a half-step closer, hid in my shadow, and whispered something to me while putting her hand to her mouth.

"...I'm a little shy."

After she finished speaking, Yui added an embarrassed laugh, making me choke on what I wanted to say.

No, it might be stuck in my chest. That adorable sentence made my innocent heart scream like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone.

After rambling on and spouting a bunch of grand principles, and after much deliberation, my feelings can ultimately be summed up by Yuihama's words just now.

I do get shy. You could say I'm a little embarrassed. Maybe it's just because I'm naturally very sensitive to other people's gazes.

However, there is a more important reason.

Will Yui Hama encounter something unpleasant because she's with me? This anxiety lingered in my mind.

My influence as a mere passerby will not bring shame upon Yuihama.

She is stronger than I thought.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have used this method to quell the rumor. So, I must be worrying unnecessarily.

The brain understands, but the heart cannot accept it.

This kind of thinking stems from overconfidence and a sense of self-importance. Ultimately, no one is interested in Hachiman Hikigaya's interpersonal relationships, and it doesn't matter whether I'm alone or with others.

If I were the only person involved, I could simply ignore it and cut off any unnecessary attention or information.

I can't ignore the stares of others, and worrying about this kind of thing means I believe there's some kind of relationship or connection between us, and I even feel relieved about it—it's disgusting. Knowing it might leave her with bad memories, I still let myself sit idly by; how useless I am.

As a result, from the moment I realized that people are connected, I subconsciously kept other people's opinions and thoughts in mind.

Just like someone before.

I glanced at Yuihama beside me and cleared my throat.

We unknowingly walked to the vicinity of the main gate.

The school building is ahead. Being helped by the arm will definitely make me more noticeable than when I'm outside. Let her help me this way.

"...Um, I really can walk by myself."

"Um."

Yui answered verbally, but did not let go of his hand.

I didn't shake off that hand either.

I couldn't bring myself to ask her, "Can I let go now?" and kept in that position while changing into my indoor shoes. During this time, Yui gently placed her hand on my shoulder to support me.

A sharp pain shot through the wound that wasn't on my foot.

Yui Hama helped me with one hand and put on my indoor shoes with the other. After she changed her shoes, we left the main entrance and walked down the corridor of the deserted special building.

I thought we were going straight to the classroom, but she grabbed my sleeve.

"That needs to be returned."

She pointed to the first aid kit in my hand.

"Oh right... I'm going to the infirmary."

I gripped the somewhat heavy wooden first-aid kit tightly again and headed towards the special building. For some reason, Yui followed me.

"I want to go too. Yukino is probably still in the infirmary."

"Oh, really? Then could you please return it for me?"

It's just a matter of returning the first-aid kit; there's no need to send two people specifically. My overly cautious, workaholic mindset, focused on strictly controlling time costs, led me to say something like that.

"...Um, um. Yes, yes, that's fine."

Yuihama was stunned on the spot, a stiff smile on her face, looking extremely unwilling.

"...Just kidding. I'll go return it."

"That's good."

She grabbed my hand and said sullenly.

She was right.

Things borrowed must be returned.

Not only things, but also words, sentiments, and warmth.

There's no need to resort to troublesome theories like the principle of reciprocity.

One day, I will repay you properly.

Perhaps it will be my time to repay this kindness; one day it will come.

× × ×

The school building was deserted, and it felt even colder than the square we had just been in.

Most students are either still at the marathon venue or enjoying their free time.

We walked slowly down the deserted corridor.

The strong wind rattled the window frames of the building. Just hearing the sound made you feel cold, and there was wind seeping in from who-knows-where in the corridor, a chill creeping over your feet.

"Will she be waiting for a long time...?"

Yuihama, standing beside me, sounded uneasy and quickened her pace slightly, as if urging me on. With my arm being held, I could only move forward in accordance with her.

The timing is rather awkward; it's impossible to determine whether Yukinoshita is still in the infirmary.

If it were Yuihama, she would probably wait obediently like a loyal dog for the other to return. But it's hard to say about Yukinoshita... No, until just now, the school building was still a frozen wasteland with no heating on, and she might have stayed there to keep warm, just like the cat sunbathing in the corridor.

I knocked on the door of the infirmary.

"Please come in."

The voice that answered me was familiar.

It seemed she was still waiting for us. As expected, Yukinoshita was right there when I opened the door. She was wearing a gym uniform, sitting in a chair, looking at me with surprise.

"Hikigaya-san?"

"Um."

Yukina saw that there was someone behind me and tilted her head to peek.

The man immediately let go of my hand.

"Hi! Yukino-chan!"

"Yuihama-san is here too..."

Her tone held a hint of surprise. Upon closer inspection, Yukinoshita was dumbfounded.

Her clear, sapphire-blue eyes reflected my image and Yui's. Yukinoshita stared at us, an unexpectedly cute, silent breath escaping from the corner of her mouth.

"I'm sorry I'm so late!"

Yuihama didn't understand her expression, and barked as she walked into the infirmary and sat down opposite Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita quickly came to her senses, gently shook her head, and smiled at Yuihama.

"It doesn't matter."

Her voice was as clear as ever.

I listened to their conversation, searching for the place where the first-aid kit was. I paced back and forth in the infirmary and found an empty space in a cabinet against the wall. It must have been placed here originally.

I opened the cabinet, stood on tiptoe slightly, and stuffed the first-aid kit inside. A sharp pain shot through the wound on my foot. I groaned softly, and Xue Zhixia looked surprised.

"Hachiman... are you hurt?"