My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 426

He followed the needle with his eyes only.

It followed the same rhythm, moving its hands precisely and single-mindedly, as if it had been decided beforehand. One week, two weeks, it returned to the same place, appearing before people as usual. Even so, something was different. Although the second hand itself remained unchanged, time did not stop to wait for it.

Suddenly, Ms. Yang saw the gift wrapping and said:

"I should give her something too, since it's been so long—"

Then, her gaze shifted slightly:

“Right, Hayato?”

"...Yes, that's right."

Ye Shan shrugged slightly and looked out the window at the streetlights in front of him.

But were they really looking at streetlights?

I looked at Hayama's reflection in the glass and couldn't help but fall into thought.

What kind of gifts has he given in the past?

Act Two

The awkward time passed.

It's been about thirty minutes since Ms. Haruno and Yukino talked on the phone. It should only take a little while to get here from her apartment. Since I've already called them out, I can't just go back on my own.

The coffee I was slowly sipping had been emptied, and the teapot that should have been steaming hot had gone cold.

Not only me, but Yuihama also turned her head anxiously several times.

The only calm one was Ms. Hinano, wasn't she? She kept fiddling with her phone, seemingly looking for a gift for Yukino. She occasionally held the phone up to Hayama and asked him:

"How about it?"

"Sure, it looks pretty cute."

Hayama answered with a smile, while Haruno seemed somewhat dissatisfied and pouted.

"That's a very Hayama-esque answer."

Hayama reluctantly loosened his grip. He didn't know what the question was asking, but Hayama's answer was far too generic and official—but yes, that's how Hayama Hayato always is.

Just as I was thinking this, Yang Nai stood up, walked to my side, and brought her phone screen closer.

It looks like some kind of pajamas, a sheer, slightly transparent fabric with large patches of candy-like colors colliding together.

They are really cute.

Yui turned her head to look, and also lowered her voice to exclaim in surprise.

It seems Yang Nai has carefully chosen a gift for her younger sister.

"What do you think, Hachiman?"

Yang Nai leaned her head to one side, resting it entirely on her hand, and smiled maliciously, while waving her phone in her other hand.

No, be a little more ladylike! Now I don't even know where to look... Can you please straighten your clothes? Kids will be so annoyed by this...

Yang Nai leaned in a little closer—

Their faces are too close... too close... too close...

"Sure, it looks pretty cute."

He coughed twice, feigning an attack, and looked up at the ceiling.

"This sense of irony, it's so typical of Hachiman Hikigaya~"

Yang covered her mouth and chuckled, then sat back down in her seat.

Yang Nai casually scrolled through her phone after ordering an extra small meal.

call,

so tired……

I don't know why I'm so tired.

He sighed, closed his eyes, and lowered his head to breathe slowly.

Just then, Yuihama made a sound as if she had noticed something. I looked in her direction and saw Yukinoshita walking briskly towards us without any hesitation.

"Xiaoxue—, here, here—"

Yuihama waved as she spoke, and Yukinoshita noticed her and walked towards where we were sitting.

"Yuigahama-san...you've arrived too."

Yukinoshita said with a surprised look.

I haven't even mentioned it on the phone yet.

"Yes, yes. Well... how should I put it, Xiaoqi and I got caught by them when we came to buy things..."

"Buying things...is that so..."

Perhaps troubled about whether to tell her it was a gift she had come to buy, Yuihama's words were subtly ambiguous. Upon hearing her words, Yukinoshita and I exchanged surprised glances.

It's quiet again now.

Other customers were also talking in hushed tones, the clinking of spoons and plates, the footsteps of the waiters to the accompaniment of quiet music, and Ms. Yang's soft laughter...

How strange, it was so quiet before.

"Sit down first?" Ye Shan said.

Yui Hama also straightened up and made room for one person on the sofa, inviting her to sit there.

Yukino took off her coat, carefully folded it, held it in her hands, and then sat down.

"I'm sorry, sister, I've caused you trouble."

"It's...it's okay."

Yuihama answered with a cheerful wave, seemingly relieved. Yukinoshita turned to me, looking up at me with a peering gaze.

"Hachiman, um..."

"It's nothing. I'm pretty free anyway."

Actually, after shopping, there were no other plans. In fact, it was more relaxing not having to be alone together anymore. That being said, it's not entirely that good.

The culprit behind this was wearing a provocative smile, and said to Yukinoshita in a mocking tone:

"Yukino, you're so slow—"

"You really have the audacity to suddenly call someone out like this..."

Yukinoshita glared at Haruno-san, who met her gaze without flinching. Caught in the middle, Yui-hama smiled awkwardly. A chaotic brawl! Please, Yukinoshita sisters, spare me…

"Never mind, it seems Yukino is in a real rush too..."

The cheerful, familiar voice seemed to ease the tense atmosphere. But the unfamiliar address made me turn to look at him. Then, the owner of the voice, Hayama Hayato, looked at me with a "Oh no!" expression, and immediately put on a smug smile.

Wait, why did Hayama just call Yukinoshita that?

Yukino watched him quietly.

Ye Shan put down his cup and waved his hand.

"...Then let's have black tea."

Upon hearing this, Hayama quickly poured the ordered black tea, while Ms. Yono let out a soft sigh.

"It's been so long since we've all gathered together for tea like this..."

"Yes." Hayama handed the poured black tea to Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita picked up her teacup, keeping her eyes closed. After the conversation broke down, Yuihama spoke up as if trying to start a conversation.

"Ah, um..., Hayato-kun, did you know each other before?"

"Yes, yes. Hayato is an only child, right? So, Hayato's parents love us very much. Right, Yukino?"

"I didn't do that."

"That's not true. It's not just my parents; everyone loves you both very much."

Even when Haruno-san spoke to her, and even though Hayama was all smiles, Yukinoshita's attitude remained unchanged. However, Haruno-san didn't seem to care and gazed quietly into the distance.

"I really miss those days... When we were little, I was the one who took care of you two when our parents had to go out."

Upon hearing this, Yukino frowned.

"It's just that being dragged around everywhere by you is such a hassle."

She slammed the cup down on the saucer, silently casting a cold glance at Ms. Chao Yang. Hayama also reacted to this:

"Ah, for example, when we went to the zoo... we suffered quite a bit in the amusement park area..."

"The same thing happened at the seaside park. Sometimes it would wander off somewhere on its own, and sometimes it would just keep swaying around on the tour bus..."

Perhaps recalling past events, both Hayama and Yukinoshita wore somber expressions. Meanwhile, Haruno-san happily nodded and hummed in agreement.

"Ah, that's right, that's right. Speaking of which, Yukino was basically crying the whole time."

"Wait... don't talk nonsense, there's no such thing!!"

“I didn’t make this up—right, Hayato?”

"Haha... I don't quite remember."

As Ms. Yang spoke, Hayama smiled and echoed her words, while Yukinoshita silently lowered her head.

Watching the three of them reminisce, I suddenly felt a sense of reality.

The time that has accumulated between them is real, and no one else can touch those memories even if they want to.

Even Yuihama couldn't join in the conversation anymore. Let alone me.

I don't know what kind of relationship they had. Even if I did know, there's nothing I could do.

All I can do is occasionally sip the bitter coffee, echo their stories as I listen, and let my imagination run wild.

Once upon a time, someone asked me this question.

If I had gone to the same elementary school as them, would the outcome have been different?

What was my answer back then?

As I was lost in memories and thoughts, I heard the sound of a teacup being set down with a sigh. I looked in that direction and saw Ms. Hinano resting her chin on her hand, looking at Hayama and Yukinoshita with cold, emotionless eyes.

"You two were so cute back then... but now... it's so boring."

Her beautifully shaped, vibrant lips looked lovely, yet they uttered icy words. Stared at by that frosty smile, we hesitated for a moment.

Yukinoshita gently clenched her fist on the table, while Hayama bit his lip and looked away. Yuihama glanced at me with some confusion.

The table was completely silent, and Miss Yang chuckled quietly.

"Well, now that Hachiman is here, I guess I'll just show him some affection?"

She lowered her head and murmured to herself, "...And now things seem to be getting quite interesting."

"No, my affection for the sports club department is a bit..."

I unconsciously swallowed.

Yang's peering eyes seemed somewhat dark.

To avoid being drawn into that darkness, I tried to avoid looking at her face as I answered.

"It's in places like this that people want to cherish you even more. Eight, Banner~"

As she spoke, she stretched out her arm as if to touch my head. I leaned back to avoid her hand.

"Oh dear, they've escaped."

Ms. Yang, speaking with a cheerful smile, seemed like a kind and gentle older sister. I've never been treated with such kindness and smiles by a beautiful woman older than me, which isn't so bad.

Even if that smile is a lie, I don't think it matters. Just like Iroha Isshiki represents, it's that duality that everyone has—wanting others to see their cute side.

It's not exactly scary.

But what's truly terrifying is what Yukino Yukinoshita reveals—something of unknown origin lurking within her.

However, the way Ms. Yang is now, who doesn't intend to say much and just smiles, is a completely different story.