My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 91

"Ah, Hachiman really works hard! Really, really!"

Totsuka also clenched his fist and vouched for me, but judging from the current situation, I do seem to be slacking off.

"I understand that autistic men are always serious about some strange things."

Yuihama chuckled as Yukinoshita looked up from behind her.

"Isn't it obvious just by looking? Also, stop wiping your face with work gloves; it looks really bad."

The snow seemed to see right through us.

Ah, it must be because my face was dirty. No wonder Yui offered me a tissue. I gratefully accepted it.

"Thanks."

I think this expression of gratitude is not directed at any specific person.

× × ×

Komachi walked over with Ms. Hiratsuka, her basket filled with vegetables.

They seemed to be talking about something, laughing very happily.

I could more or less guess what those two were talking about; it was most likely about me. Basically, I'm a very self-conscious person; if I hear laughter in class, I assume I'm being mocked. So, this level of reasoning is a piece of cake for me. Ugh, being popular is tough… really tough.

The thought of being nagged by Hiratsuka-sensei again made my heart sink.

"What's wrong, Hachiman? You seem a bit listless. Doesn't this bookworm like outdoor activities?"

"What a literary youth..."

I do enjoy reading, but I don't eat books.

"Hey, Komachi, what were you saying to the teacher?"

"Hmm? Komachi is promoting her brother, saying that he specially brought out his old essays to help with Komachi's study notes, and he's been helping her a lot. He's such a reliable and good brother! Ah, this is a big giveaway after Komachi accumulated a lot of points♪"

"Okay, I think I understand. You're going to cry."

When did that kind of grading system come about? Anyway, she definitely told the teacher everything about my reading notes and essays.

"Why...? Komachi said that because she wanted what was best for her brother..."

Komachi kept complaining, and I was about to flick her forehead as punishment, but in the end, Hiratsuka-sensei smoothed things over.

"Okay, that's enough for now. Actually, we mostly talked about our complicated relationship, and I also heard a lot about your childhood—"

"Ahhhhh, that's so unfair... Komachi's score is going to drop way..."

Komachi's face grew increasingly red, and she quickly coughed a few times to cover it up, while still glancing in my direction.

"Ah, Komachi's reaction just now should have earned her points, right?"

"Are you an idiot...?"

I didn't know what to say at the time, but I also found her so cute that my anger had already subsided.

"Stop talking nonsense and get started making the curry. Don't forget we still need to cook rice."

If we keep chatting with Komachi, we'll never get to eat dinner. I snatched the vegetable basket from her hand and quickly took it to the cooking area.

Komachi stood there stunned for a while, then nodded and followed.

The cooking area is actually just a large countertop where pre-preparation tasks such as rinsing rice are all done.

Pork belly, carrots, onions, potatoes—our ingredients weren't particularly plentiful, just the usual curry ingredients found in Japanese households. However, this was already more fulfilling than my real life.

"For a picnic at the sixth grade level, it's quite suitable for them."

Yukinoshita made a fairly standard comment.

What she meant was: "This is a safe choice; although it won't result in a lavish and luxurious meal, it won't be a complete failure either."

"Yes, real homemade curry has different flavors depending on who makes it. My mom's curry has all sorts of ingredients, like fried tofu."

"Oh, I see."

Yukinoshita's response was devoid of emotion.

While it's true that she doesn't usually express much emotion, this statement sounds more like a simple reflex, as if a robot is speaking.

"No, I mean it. The curry also has glass noodles and radish. I really want to say, is it supposed to be hot pot?"

"Yes, yes, they also play with bamboo wheels."

"Y-yes."

The Ministry of Revenue's sudden interruption was so unexpected that I didn't know how to respond. Hey, hey, hey, don't pretend to be so familiar; I might think you're a friend!

However, he didn't seem to care and kept muttering things like, "Is chikuwa supposed to be served with seafood?"—things I couldn't understand. Since he was willing to talk to me, he might actually be a good person.

If he really is a good person, then it would have been rude of me not to chat with him more. Because I was so rude, I've decided to stop talking to him to avoid causing him any trouble.

Yuihama hummed a song as she peeled potatoes with a peeler. A knife lay a little further away; it seemed she had already tried peeling potatoes with a knife before giving up.

"My mom's curry does look like that. I even saw some strange leaves in it the other day. I guess it's because my mom often daydreams."

If we're talking about spacing out, aren't you the same? You must have inherited your mother's genes. Please remove the sprouts from your potatoes; eating solanine can be poisonous.

"Ah, look, these are the leaves."

Yuihama casually peeled the skin a few times, then ran off to pick a leaf from a small twig.

It's nothing, just an ordinary leaf... Oh, she probably meant bay leaf, right? That's a very common spice.

"The leaf you mentioned, is it Laurier...?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

The words Yukinoshita uttered automatically conjured up an image in my mind.

Laurier (six years old): "Waaah... there are leaves in the curry..."

"I'll search for it on pixiv when I get home"—just as I was thinking this, Yukinoshita gave me a disdainful look and said:

"Let me make this clear first, laurier is the same as bay leaf. You're such a lolicon (Note 29: the first part of laurier (ローリエ) and lolicon (ロリコン) sounds similar)."

That was terrifying!

Miss Yukinoshita, do you have mind-reading abilities?

That said, I'd say I'm a siscon, so who is she referring to as a lolicon...?

"I know it's a laurel tree."

Of course I know about such trivial matters.

However, Yuihama seemed unaware of this and was therefore somewhat shocked.

"Laurier...it wasn't referring to Renia after all..."

This is not genetics at all, but evolution, and at a super-evolutionary level.

× × ×

After a brief division of labor and the completion of the preparatory work for the curry and rinsing the rice, our dinner preparations came to an end.

Next, they set up the rice cooker and used it to stir-fry vegetables and meat. Ebina suddenly blurted out, "Vegetables sound like 'Yaoi'... How obscene!" (Note 30: "Yaoi" refers to manga and novels about male homosexual love, and its pronunciation is similar to "vegetables"). Miura tapped her on the head. No one paid any attention to Ebina except Miura, who was willing to make a comment; perhaps she's actually a good person. Unfortunately, violent female protagonists aren't very popular these days, so I still suggest you actively hang up the "ignore" sign.

After the water in the rice cooker boils, add two kinds of curry cubes. This will bring out the fat from the pork belly and the delicious flavor of the curry cubes. Then, simmer slowly.

As expected of a group of junior and senior high school students who can cook regularly, the cooking process went very smoothly.

Smoke rose from many chimneys around us. For the elementary school students, this was their first picnic experience, so many groups were struggling.

"If you have time, go and inspect the various places, and help them out in any way you can."

Hiratsuka-sensei's implication was "I won't use it," and I share the same opinion.

Speaking of which, why do people like to interact with each other in real life? Do batteries also use alternating current?

"Great, that's perfect, we don't get many chances to talk to kids."

Ye Shan seemed very interested.

"But there's still something cooking in the pot now."

"Hmm... In that case, let's pick a squad that's relatively close to us and see."

That's not what I meant... Why did he think I was agreeing? Doesn't that usually mean, "The pot is still cooking, so you can't just run around, right?" How did it become that I was giving him advice?

"I'll stay and watch the pot..."

I uttered those words, quickly shrugged off all my work, and turned to walk back. But the next moment—

"Hachiman, don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on things for you."

Hiratsuka-sensei smiled maliciously and blocked my way.

So that's how it is. This was one of the special training methods that enabled me to "get along well with others"...

Hayama walked at the front, arriving at the squad closest to us. Why does it feel like he's the one in charge of our Service Club? But that's not important at all.

The elementary school students seemed to treat the high school students' visit as a pleasant surprise, and warmly welcomed us.

They not only explained how special their curry was, but also insisted that we try a half-finished product before leaving, just like an old lady from the countryside.

No matter who makes it, the taste won't be too bad; that's Japanese curry for you. I doubt anyone here will make anything too strange.

Surrounded by children, Hayama and his friends mingled warmly with everyone. I really wanted to praise them for being so real-life types, but in fact, the reason was more than that.

Elementary school students are the group that looks down on adults the most. They don't understand why adults are adults, and they think that adults are easy targets. This is based on my personal experience.

They didn't understand the value of money, the meaning of education, or what love was, and they took what they received for granted, without understanding the underlying reasons. It was a time when they only saw the surface of the world and thought they understood everything.

After entering junior high school, they will experience setbacks, regrets, and despair, and gradually realize that surviving in this world is not an easy thing.

If the child is perceptive, they may notice this fact earlier.

For example, the girl who was ostracized and had a weak sense of presence.

The elementary school students are used to her solitary behavior, so they don't pay much attention to it, but from an outsider's perspective, they still feel concerned.

Do you like curry?

Hayama spoke to those who wanted to study in the US.

Seeing this, Yukino sighed softly, so softly that it was almost inaudible.

I share the same view.

That approach is not good.

When speaking to a lone wolf, it must be done privately, without being discovered by others; you must be as considerate of her as possible to prevent her from becoming the center of attention.

When a high school student, and one with striking looks, speaks to Rumi, it emphasizes Rumi's uniqueness and makes her image of being alone even stronger.

To put it simply, being in the same group as the teacher is more embarrassing than being alone. That kind of pity and sympathy is actually the most hurtful. We don't want to be treated kindly; instead, we hope others will mind their own business.

When alone, one is as colorless and transparent as air, unharmed; but being assigned to the same group as a teacher can cause as much trauma as being an unemployed virgin.

Therefore, that approach is not good.

When Hayama takes a step, those around him follow suit. Whatever the high school student, who is the center of attention and admired by many, is what the elementary school students will do.

Now, those who have studied in the US are being thrust into the spotlight, becoming veritable "central figures."

An unknown lone wolf suddenly becomes a superstar, fantastic! Like a Cinderella story. She must be a time-traveling Cinderella, congratulations, congratulations—of course, things can't be like that.

I think other elementary school students wouldn't think, "Wow, that high school student talked to Liu Mei! That's amazing! Let's be friends with Liu Mei too!" Instead, they would think, "Huh? Why can she talk to a high school student?"

Under the curious gazes of high school students, and the hateful and envious gazes of classmates, the feeling was like sitting on pins and needles.

Studying in the US has left them in a helpless predicament.

No matter how she answered Hayama's questions, she couldn't win over her classmates. If she responded kindly, she would be seen as arrogant; if she responded coldly, she would be seen as "Who do you think you are? Don't be so arrogant." Both answers would attract negative feedback.

Rumi was somewhat surprised when Hayama asked her a question.

"...No, I have no interest in curry."

She tried to remain calm, gave a curt response, and then quickly left the scene.

Having no cards to play from the start, the only option is a strategic retreat.

Rumi tried to avoid being seen by the crowd and retreated to the outer edge, which was where I was. Incidentally, although Yukinoshita kept her distance from me, she was standing on the same side.

The aloof loner possesses ample personal space, and the strong negative aura emanating from them prevents others from getting close—an effect so potent it's almost like a "natural barrier." Simply put, people keep their distance from us, and that's the reality.