My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 107

Komachi said softly, and Totsuka nodded. The two sisters were exactly two extremes, yet so alike, like the positive and negative of a photograph.

"I told you to remember to come home during summer vacation, but you just wouldn't come back, so I was worried and came to pick you up."

"How did she know where we were... This is terrifying..."

"It probably found this place using my phone's GPS. Honestly, it's always so random."

I was having a quiet conversation with Yukino when Haruno interrupted us.

"Ah, it's Hachiman! What's this~ You guys really went out together~ Hmm? Were you on a date? You're right? This kid, I'm so envious! It's so good to be young~~"

"Why are you using that same old tactic again... Didn't I already say that?"

Yang kept nudging me with her elbow, which was the most annoying thing ever. But even when I showed my displeasure, she wouldn't give up and even pressed her whole body against me. This person was both persistent and soft, annoying, and had a fragrance. To be honest, I really couldn't stand it.

"Wait, wait a minute! The autistic guy is already upset!"

Yui grabbed my arm and pulled me away. Seeing this, Haruno stopped what she was doing and began to look at Yui with curiosity. I didn't miss the sharp look that flashed in her eyes for a moment.

Yang gave Yuihama a friendly smile and said:

"Hmm~ There's a new character. You're... Hachiman's girlfriend?"

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

"Oh, that's great. I was just thinking about how to deal with the people who are getting in Yukino's way. I'm Yukino's older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno."

"Ah, thank you for your help... I'm Yui Yuigahama, a friend of Yukino's."

"My friend..."

Despite the smile on Yang's face, her tone was unusually cold.

"So Yukino has friends too. That's great, now I can rest assured."

Although she speaks in a gentle tone, if you reach out and touch her, you might get pricked by the thorns within.

"Ah, but you can't attack Hikigaya! Because he belongs to Yukino."

"No, that's not it."

"I already said no!"

Yukinoshita and I denied it in unison.

"Look! Even the words they say are the same!"

Yang chuckled, it was unclear whether she was just trying to amuse us or if this was all an act.

"Yonai, that's enough."

She stopped laughing immediately upon hearing the sound.

"Long time no see, Xiaojing."

"Don't call me that."

Ms. Hiratsuka seemed a little embarrassed, and with a "humph," she turned her face away. I was surprised that the two of them knew each other, so I asked:

"Teacher, do you know her?"

"She was one of my former students."

“That’s—”

The teacher's answer was quite straightforward, and I was about to delve deeper when Yang interrupted me.

"Alright, Shizuka, let's talk about the past another day. Yukino, it's about time we went."

But Yukino ignored those words and showed no intention of moving.

"Hey, Mom's waiting for us too!"

Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita, who had previously maintained a stance of non-cooperation, trembled slightly.

She hesitated for a moment, then sighed resignedly and said to me and Komachi:

"I'm sorry, Komachi. Although you specially invited me, I can't go with you."

"Ah, um... since something's happened at home..."

That statement sounded so serious yet emotionless that Komachi responded with a puzzled expression.

A transparent smile appeared beneath the snow, and a farewell was spoken in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"……goodbye."

Yang Nai pushed her into the car, and they disappeared inside.

"Well then, Hachiman, bye-bye~~"

Yang Nai waved, got into the car, and then gave instructions to the driver.

"Tsuzuki, drive."

The driver bowed respectfully, gently closed the rear door, and got into the driver's seat without glancing at us. It seemed that he was actually bowing to Yukinoshita, not to our group, at first.

We couldn't see inside the car through the black reflective paper.

However, Yukinoshita was probably sitting up straight as usual, only turning her eyes outside.

The car starts up the low-noise engine, drives smoothly up the long straight road, and finally disappears around the corner.

As I stared blankly at the car driving away, Yui gently tugged at my sleeve.

"The autistic man...that car..."

"It's nothing. Aren't all rental cars like that? Besides, I was in so much pain at the time that I didn't even get a good look at what the car looked like."

Even though I know that's not the case, I still answered that way.

In fact, I noticed it the moment I saw that car.

I never saw Yukino Yukinoshita again during the rest of the summer vacation.

Postscript to Volume 4

Hello everyone, I'm Watari.

Writing a story set in the height of summer during the coldest part of winter made me deeply aware of the karmic consequences for light novel authors. How have you all been lately? I'm doing very well.

In conclusion, this story has finally entered summer.

Speaking of summer, it's the season when youth shines brightest. Wearing revealing clothes! Swimsuits! Bras peeking through! But after writing this, I realized my mother might see this too…

Let's go back to summer. Summer is as important to teen romantic comedies as "Waiting in That Summer".

I'm most afraid of summer and I hate it, so writing this episode was quite difficult.

As a representative of Japan who acts as a home security guard, I seize every opportunity to stay home, so it wouldn't be surprising if I were called a frontier guard. I hope the "Guardians" series will release a book titled "Home Guardian." I'm just helpless against summer. As for "Sea Day" (Note 50: the third Monday of July, a fixed public holiday in Japan), it's even more of a discrimination. Some people simply don't go to the beach in the summer, so the government should consider this group and designate a separate "Home Day." Okay, actually, I just want more holidays.

Although everyone often says "summer vacation, summer vacation," once you enter the workforce, there's no such thing as summer vacation; after starting work, you only get a short three-day break in the summer. Are you kidding me? That's the Obon holiday! Quickly apologize to the me who was excitedly thinking, "Wow! Summer vacation! So many days off! That's great! I love long, long summer vacations!"

That's roughly how I feel as I present the fourth volume of "My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected." However, Hachiman Hikigaya's summer vacation isn't over yet, so please stay tuned.

The following is a thank-you note, which in English is Special Thanks, and in German it is...Danke schon.

Ponkan⑩, I wrote the fourth volume of the story precisely because I wanted to see your swimsuit illustrations. Thank you so much for the special edition illustration book too. Anyway, swimsuits are the best!

My editor, Mr. Hoshino, has made it amazing that everything we talked about in casual conversations—from the radio drama CDs to the special edition illustration book—come true. Are you Shenlong? Thank you so much.

Dear Kenji Inoue, I have never met you before, but I am truly grateful for your recommendation on the book cover. When I was panicking over the approaching deadlines, your words gave me immense courage.

Dear writers, despite the looming deadline, thank you so much for providing me with cover and creating an alibi for attending the party. Please continue to do so next time.

And to all my readers. It's thanks to your support that I can continue to work hard. Although it has its challenges, I really love this job. Thank you so much, and I look forward to your continued guidance.

So, please allow me to put down my pen here.

On a certain day in February, somewhere in Chiba Prefecture, Watari was enjoying a warm cup of MAX coffee.

Illustrations for Volume 4

Volume 5 Summer Homework: Independent Research

The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light

Scanned image: Ren Leipi

Input by: Ren Leipi

First proofreading: Ren Leipi

Photo editing: Gay guy

Incredible fireworks by Komachi Hikigaya

Speaking of summer, fireworks are a must! The fireworks in Chiba were beautiful! ☆

Through this independent research, we will explore the mysteries of fireworks.

1

◆Why do fireworks have colors?

★This is because of the chemical change known as the "flame test".

2

◆What is a "flame test"?

★The so-called flame test involves placing salts of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or copper in a flame, causing the metal elements to produce a distinctive color reaction. It is said to be frequently used in the qualitative analysis of metals and as a coloring agent for fireworks.

★However, as long as her brother is by her side, Komachi's world is always full of color! Ah, this is a line that deserves extra points!

3

◆Various flame tests:

★ Komachi has compiled all the most common flame tests here —☆

●Lithium—Dark red

●Sodium—yellow

●Potassium – pale purple

●Calcium – Orange-red

●Strontium—Dark red

●Barium—yellowish-green

●Copper – Blue-green

Other examples include sodium chloride, or salt, which also produces color! And you can buy salt at convenience stores, and there are even cards where you can accumulate points. Ah, this is supposed to earn TSUTA A* points!

*Refers to Tpoint, a points accumulation service that allows users to accumulate points through spending and use them at partner companies.

4

◆ Notation of Flame Test

★To easily memorize frequently tested flame reactions, Komachi created a mnemonic rhyme. Just memorize this rhyme and you'll be all set!

● Lithium (Li) — Red

● Copper (Cu) – Green

●Barium (Ba) – Green

● Iron (Fe) – No reaction

Lyon! Your peers have all turned green! There's no way they'll react!

◆——Research Conclusions——————————————◆

By using flame tests, we can uncover the true nature of mysterious metals and substances!

Conversely, since fireworks are an application of flame coloration, they say...

Who knows what the person Komachi cares about is thinking!

However, people who go crazy at fireworks parties are often morally corrupt, so it's better not to know!

(Imagined dialogue)