My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 25

"We'll be found out soon!"

"That's true. Otherwise, you just need to stay on the field, and I'll figure out the rest."

"...What are you going to do?"

"Since ancient times, there has been a forbidden move in tennis called 'Turning my racket into a rocket!'"

"That's violence!"

"...Or, the worst-case scenario is that I show my true skills. If I do, I'm willing to kneel or lick shoes, no problem."

"You've completely misunderstood..."

Yui sighed, looking defeated by me, then chuckled and stared at me with her red, tear-filled eyes. I couldn't tell if she was crying from pain or from laughter.

"Ugh!! Autistic guys are really stupid, and they have terrible personalities and are so stubborn, they're hopeless. Even back then, you didn't give up at all, you rushed over like an idiot and made disgusting noises... I remember it all very clearly."

"What are you talking about—"

She interrupted me, saying as if giving up:

"I can't continue playing tennis with you..."

She left behind words that sounded like farewell, turned and walked towards the bewildered audience, shouting at them, "Get out of the way! Don't block the way!" before disappearing into the crowd.

"...What is she saying?"

I remained alone in the center of the tennis court, watching Yuihama walk away. Just then, an unsettling laugh reached my ears.

"What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your friend? Did you get left behind?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I've never argued with a friend in my entire life, and I certainly don't have any friends close enough to argue with!"

"What"

Hayama and Madame Butterfly were truly stunned.

Huh? Shouldn't you guys be laughing right now?

I see. If you don't have a certain level of acquaintance with someone, telling such self-deprecating jokes will only scare them away...

However, Cai Muzuo desperately tried not to laugh. I clicked my tongue and turned my head, and he immediately pretended to be a passerby, muttering incomprehensible self-talk as he blended into the crowd.

...That bastard actually ran away... Oh well, if I were in that situation, I would definitely pretend to be a passerby and run away too. Totsuka also cast a sorrowful glance at me.

It seemed there was no other way, so I had to resort to my true skills and kneel down before them.

To abandon dignity and flatter wholeheartedly when flattering—that is my dignity.

I was the only one on the field who felt awkward and out of place, but suddenly, the crowd started making noise again, and the human wall automatically separated.

"What's with this stupid commotion?"

Yukino Yukinoshita appears with a very displeased expression, wearing a sports uniform and tennis skirt, and carrying a first-aid kit in one hand.

"Oh, where did you just run off to? And why are you still wearing that outfit?"

"God knows. Yuihama-san kept asking me to change my clothes, and I had no idea what was going on."

Yukinoshita turned around, and Yui appeared from the side. She was wearing Yukinoshita's uniform, so it seemed the two had exchanged clothes. But where were they changing? Outdoors, perhaps? Hmm…

"I would be very unhappy if we lost like this, so please let Yukino play."

"Why are you looking for me...?"

"Because the only friend I can ask to help with this is Yukino."

Upon hearing these words, Yukinoshita's body suddenly trembled.

"Friend?"

"Yes, friend."

Yui answered without hesitation. Wait, are you sure?

"Do you usually ask your friends to solve your problems? I just feel like I'm being used by you."

"Sigh? I wouldn't ask someone like this if we weren't friends. You can't just entrust important matters to any random person."

Yuihama didn't even blink, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Oh, I see...

I was often tricked into doing cleaning duty by the phrase "We're friends, right?", so I didn't really feel anything about it. Oh dear, so they really are my friends after all—no, how could that be?

Yukinoshita probably had the same thought. She gently placed her hand to her lips, pondering silently.

It's normal for her to have doubts; after all, even I wouldn't easily believe someone.

But if the person who said that is Yui Yuigahama, then it's a different story, because she's an idiot.

"What she said is probably true, because she's an idiot."

My words dispelled Xuexia's doubts. As usual, she smiled defiantly and brushed aside the hair that fell over her shoulders.

"Please don't underestimate me. I'm very confident in my judgment. Anyone who can get along well with Hachiman or me can't be a bad person."

Your reasoning is rather pathetic.

"It's just the truth."

Yes, you are absolutely right.

"Playing tennis is fine... but could you wait a moment?"

After finishing her speech, Yukino walked towards Totsuka.

"You should be able to treat your wound yourself, right?"

Totsuka was surprised as he accepted the first-aid kit that Yukinoshita offered.

"Huh? Ah, um..."

"Yukino, you even went out of your way to get the first-aid kit... You're so kind."

"Really? It seems a male classmate secretly called me the 'Ice Queen'."

"How...how did you know?! Did you see my 'Never Forgive List'?"

Oh no, that list is a collection of every word I could think of used to attack Yukinoshita's diary.

"I can't believe it. Did you really say that? Whatever, I don't care what others think."

Yukino turned to look at me, but her expression had lost its usual coldness and instead showed a hint of confusion. She had started speaking loudly, but then her voice grew softer and softer, and finally she even looked away.

"...So...even if I'm treated as a friend...I...don't mind."

A blush crept onto Yuki's cheeks. Holding the racket she had taken from Yuihama, she covered half her face and looked shyly at the ground.

Seeing Yukinoshita's adorable actions, Yui couldn't resist hugging her.

"Xiao Yukino!"

"Hey, can you stop sticking to me like that? It's so hot..."

...Huh? Shouldn't she be shy with me now? Why is she only shy with Yuihama? That's not right, this would turn into a romantic comedy with male and female leads.

Are all the gods of romantic comedy idiots?

After finally managing to break free from Yui's embrace, Yukinoshita cleared her throat and continued:

"Teaming with that guy was really not my choice... but I seem to have no other option. I'll accept your request, as long as we win this game, okay?"

"Hmm! Sigh, I can't make the autistic guy win on my own."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you."

I bowed my head to the snow, but she still looked at me coldly.

"...Don't misunderstand, I didn't step in for your sake."

"Haha, you're being arrogant again."

Oh my, really, hahaha, I haven't heard such a standard arrogant statement lately.

"Tsundere? That word sends chills down my spine."

...Just as I suspected. Yukinoshita couldn't possibly know what tsundere is, and besides, she wouldn't lie. No matter how harsh her words were, they were the truth. So, she really wasn't standing up for me.

It doesn't matter, I'm not planning on winning her favor anyway.

"As for that list, bring it to me next time, and I'll help you revise it."

Beneath the snow, a smile bloomed upon me like a flower, yet I felt no warmth. Why is this? How terrifying! I think I see a tiger appear before me.

Since there's a tiger in front, I imagine there must be a wolf or a horse behind ("tiger in front, wolf behind" is a Japanese proverb meaning constant misfortune).

"Yukinoshita-san? Did I call you by the wrong name? Let me make this clear, I won't hold back. You're a rich girl, aren't you? If you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you give up."

I turned my head and saw Miura making her curly hair even curlier and wearing an arrogant smile.

Ugh, Miura, you idiot! Provoking Yukinoshita is a death sentence.

"I'll go easy on you, don't worry. I'll crush your worthless dignity."

After Yukino finished speaking, she revealed an invincible smile. At least, that's how it is for me.

If you're against Yukinoshita, she's undoubtedly a nasty person; but if you're an ally, she's extremely trustworthy. So those who are her enemies are truly pitiful.

Hayama and Miura were on high alert. Yukinoshita's cold smile made one straighten their back, yet one couldn't help but find that smile incredibly beautiful.

"How dare you bully my friend..."

At this point, Yukinoshita's face flushed slightly again. Yes, that word was indeed quite embarrassing.

She shook her head and repeated:

"...You dare to bully my club members? Are you prepared? Let me tell you, don't let my appearance fool you, I'm someone who holds a grudge."

I can tell you're very vengeful!

× × ×

Once all the characters were present, the competition entered its final stage.

Hayama and Miura took the first serve, with Butterfly Lady and Long Curly serving Miura.

"I'm telling you, Yukinoshita-san probably already knows, my tennis skills are pretty amazing."

She kept tossing the ball to the ground and catching it again, like a basketball player dribbling, but Yukinoshita just urged her to continue with her eyes.

Miura grinned, revealing a wild, aggressive smile that was completely different from Yukinoshita's.

"I apologize in advance if this hurts your face."

...Wow, that's terrifying! This is the first time I've ever heard someone make such a dangerous warning.

Suddenly, the ball whizzed through the air and bounced to the ground with a crisp sound.

The tennis ball hurtled towards Yukino's left side at high speed, almost touching the left sideline. For a right-handed player like Yukino, this was undoubtedly outside her swing range.

"...You underestimate me."

However, Yukinoshita was already prepared to counterattack. She took a step with her left foot as a pivot, spun around in a waltz-like motion, and then caught the ball with her right backhand.

The gesture was like drawing a sword in a flash.

The tennis ball bounced near Miura's feet, causing her to let out a soft scream. It was an astonishingly fast ace.

"You probably don't know this, but I'm also very good at playing tennis."

Yukinoshita picked up her racket and pointed it at Miura, her icy gaze as if she were looking at a louse. Miura took a step back, glaring back with a mixture of fear and hostility, a curse escaping his lips in a slight twist. Yukinoshita was truly terrifying to be able to elicit such an expression from the queen-like Miura.

"...You actually managed to return that shot."

Miura had previously boasted that he might hurt Yukinoshita's face, but Yukinoshita was unaffected and responded directly with an accurate counter-attack.

"Because she looks exactly like the classmates who played pranks on me, I've long seen through their vulgar thoughts."

Yukinoshita smiled smugly and began her attack. She even turned defense into offense; the idea that "attack is the greatest defense" didn't apply to her—defense itself was attack. Her serves did indeed fly towards the opponent's court, and the opponent's returns were all hit back.

Her superb ball skills captivated the audience.

"Hahahaha! Our army has achieved an overwhelming victory! We've wiped them out completely!"

When Zaimuzu realized he had a chance to win, he suddenly reappeared on the sidelines, completely switching sides – it's infuriating! However, the fact that he's back on our side means the situation has reversed.

When Yuigahama and I went on stage, we were at a disadvantage, but now the audience has switched their support to Yukinoshita. I should say, most of the boys have started looking at Yukinoshita with adoring eyes.