My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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I smugly lifted my jacket, revealing my employee uniform underneath, as if I were showing off. Yui didn't laugh or mock me; she just nodded in response.

Your reaction makes me even more embarrassed than an awkward silence... I'll subtly flatter her in return.

"...However, no one is as suitable as you."

"Yeah?"

I nodded in affirmation, and Yui looked happily at her uniform.

"This uniform is really nice, isn't it? Why don't you just come work at this store?"

"Not bad."

Based on my experience helping out for a day, the working environment at this shop was quite good. The manager was easygoing, I knew people there, a friend lived nearby, and the customer base seemed decent. All of this made it a rather ideal place for Yuigahama to work.

I readily agreed, but then Hibina made an unexpected suggestion.

"Let's work together then. Me, you, and Yukino."

"Three people together?"

"Is someone missing? Have you forgotten her?" I asked indirectly, while Yui silently looked away.

"Iroha didn't do anything today, so..."

"The review standards are so strict..."

Even though we're discussing a hypothetical topic, the standards are really high... I'm a little scared. Yuihama continued to delve deeper into that hypothetical topic and started racking her brains.

"Ah~ But~ it would be nice if Yukino came as a guest... Sitting by the window reading a book, it would be wonderful if she occasionally noticed me watching her and waved to me..."

"This is the kind of thought the Dream Woman might have..."

"However, Yukino should still be the manager. I'll be the front-of-house staff, and the introverted guy will be in charge of making the food and drinks."

"Am I putting too much pressure on myself?"

"I think it suits you very well."

Yuihama took a small sip of Karuwa MAX and nodded. In my heart, Karuwa MAX is a masterpiece, and I'm quite happy to receive praise from others.

"You can drink it all."

I smiled gently and said this, but Yuihama shook her head expressionlessly.

"You don't need that many."

"Your reaction is too honest... It's making me wonder if my compliment earlier was genuine?"

"No."

Yui waved her hand, bent down and hugged her arms to cover her body.

There are many reasons.

“Yes, yes…”

"Yes, that's right."

She shoved the glass toward me.

"So you should drink it. Here, drink it quickly."

"Wait, don't do that... I have my own pace..."

Whether it's drinking or anything else, everyone is different. Haven't you heard of the term "alcohol harassment"? This is practically alcohol-free harassment. Although I do drink. I'll drink if I can. I quickly rattled off a bunch of nonsense in my mind, then took a small sip of my Kaluwa MAX.

"...It tastes good."

Even though I mixed it myself, I was moved again. Yuihama laughed, dumbfounded.

"Are you drinking too much MAX coffee?"

"This isn't MAX coffee, it's Karuwa MAX."

"They're almost the same. Why do you like MAX coffee so much...?"

This time, Yuihama was completely dumbfounded, or rather, a little terrified.

However, no matter how terrified others are, I gradually become drawn to it, so I can't help it. If you ask me why, I can't give you an answer.

Something to say.

"I can't help it. I just like it."

It will only be meaningless words.

Yui blinked, still looking dumbfounded with a helpless smile.

"Oh, I see. Since you like it, there's nothing I can do about it."

As we moved a few centimeters to the left from the shore, the area we came into contact with increased, and our intertwined body temperatures gradually rose.

We were just talking about non-alcoholic cocktails; nobody knows if there's any hidden meaning behind them.

That's what it seems on the surface.

Naïve thoughts, unfamiliar distance, and unfulfilled relationships are only permitted and acknowledged at this moment.

Because we know that things will change someday.

So, it's fine to continue being a mock story for now.

"to be continued"

Epilogue to Yui's Story (Part 2)

Goodnight everyone, this is Watari.

Today, I'm writing this afterword in the Watari Room on the fifth floor of Shogakukan in Kanda-Hitotsubashi-Jimbocho, Tokyo, a rare occasion. Did you all notice? The Watari Room has moved from the fifth floor to the eighth floor. It's a bit taller now, and the space is a bit bigger. I think it's like how Prison Masters get more tatami mats. Before, I was always treated like a prisoner, but now I'm an excellent Prison Master. I've also gained a new title... So far, I've acquired many titles, or rather, ranks, positions, and jobs. Here's a list of those I can think of: Salaryman, Light Novelist, Scriptwriter, Game Scriptwriter, Producer (The Idolmaster), Master (FGO), Trainer (Uma Musume Pretty Derby), Admiral (Kantai Collection), Teacher (Azure Archives), Doctor (Arknights), Manager (Tokyo 7th Sisters), Prisoner (imprisoned at Shogakukan, serving a life sentence), and many more... This person has spent their entire life playing games.

Note: In the Edo period, the leader of prisoners was called "Kōnen-no-shū" (prison leader). The Kōnen-no-shū would sit on several tiers of tatami mats to monitor the other prisoners.

However, just as prisoners are paroled in very rare cases, I sometimes felt liberated from these titles. At those times, I would see the world from a different perspective. For example, the feeling of "Jimbocho at dawn is so beautiful... This is true freedom... Is this what it means to come home...?"

Everyone will probably encounter that moment. He, she, and they were no exception.

This concludes the second episode of "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax".

The following is an acknowledgment.

ponkan⑧ is a great god. Thank you for your hard work. This was also incredibly helpful. Guoqing always has projects going on, and we've really benefited from your support. There will be many events this year too… Please continue to support us in the future. Thank you very much.

Editor Hoshino-sama. Hahaha! Wow, it was really easy! This time the time was so tight that that's all I could say. Next time it really will be easy. I wasn't lying this time. Thank you for your hard work. Hahaha!

To the staff across all media platforms: I have received your support in various media, including the anime, manga, and more. The anime is celebrating its 10th anniversary※, and there are many things I would like to ask for your continued assistance with.

I'm grateful for everyone's hard work in giving me the opportunity to celebrate this memorable year. Thank you so much. Looking forward to your continued support in the future.

And to all the readers. Thank you all for your continued support. The ability to continue writing "The Fruit's Green Knot" is all thanks to your warm support.

I will dedicate all my energy and strength to running at full speed as a way of repaying you. I hope you all read to the end. Because of you, Guoqing exists!

That's all for now. Let's meet in Guo Qing's other works.

I tried drinking Kaluwa MAX sometime in January.

Travel

*All dates mentioned in the postscript refer to the publication dates of the original Japanese work.