My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 753

"What kind of logic is that... We're not visiting a zoo..."

I felt a little powerless, and Yukinoshita looked up in surprise.

"...Ah. Hikigaya-kun. Hello."

She was at a loss and quickly hid the phone she had been holding in her hand behind her back.

I suspect they came out together and took some selfies.

Photo booths have a long history and remain very popular; you can still see people taking photos of them recently. This is because while you can easily edit photos with your phone, some "effects" can only be achieved with a machine. Because it's the heyday of social media, the reliable ability to "produce the desired effect" using a machine is perhaps the reason why photo booths were chosen.

"It's rare to see you guys come to an amusement park."

I glanced at the photo booth area and then started scrolling through my phone.

"Ah, um. We took some photo booth pictures."

Yukinoshita grabbed Yuihama's hand tightly as she tried to show me the photos, giving her a sharp look and a piercing voice.

"stop."

"...Your eyes are so serious."

Her imposing manner greatly startled Yuihama, and Yukinoshita pouted as if she were throwing a tantrum.

"Of course I'll take it seriously...that photo is strange."

"Huh? No way!"

She handed over her phone as she spoke.

"Look. This one has absolutely no special effects. What's strange is Yukino's face, which doesn't need any effects at all!"

"My face looks strange..."

Yuihama probably wanted to praise her, but her choice of words was so bad that Yukinoshita was silently hurt and hung her head in frustration.

"Oh, they're complimenting your cuteness!"

"Is that so...? Well, thank you for the compliment..."

Yuihama's explanation, however earnest, seemed to rouse Yukinoshita somewhat. But she appeared to have no intention of letting me see the photograph, gripping Yuihama's hand tightly.

Hmm—the way it's hidden, I'm actually starting to want to see it...

Yukinoshita already has fair skin and big eyes. If the photo is edited too much, she'll definitely look like someone else. The parts that need editing are other parts... No, it's fine without editing!

However, if we're talking about not needing to edit photos or add effects, I think Yuihama is the same. Maybe she takes photos all the time, so she doesn't mind too much.

"It's rare to take a photo... Ah, let's take one more time!"

"...We'll talk about it next time."

Yuki sighed wearily, replying to Yuihama in a voice that sounded almost like she was being coquettish. The conversation was quite heartwarming.

After Christmas, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama seemed to have gotten even closer. Although they had just met at the Christmas party a few days ago, that time seemed to have little meaning between them.

This is also thanks to the things that have accumulated over time.

The phrase "after the rain comes sunshine" may be a cliché, but having experienced that period of emptiness, it can be said that it took their relationship to the next level.

Yeah, I hope they stay together as they are, always sticking together in a lighthearted yuri relationship.

Yukino quickly put her phone, which was hidden behind her back, into her bag, as if to say that the topic of photo booth pictures was over, and glanced at the piece of paper in my hand.

"Hachiman-kun, are you... here to watch a movie?"

"right."

I held the movie ticket between my fingers, fiddling with it. Yukinoshita leaned closer, read the movie title printed on it, and tilted her head.

"I never expected this. I thought you weren't interested in that kind of thing. In my eyes, you're the kind of person who would criticize popular works of this type for being commercial or pandering to the masses, who would look down on them from the beginning, list a bunch of flaws, and feel satisfied with that. Your feelings are like garbage."

"...What do you take me for? You've hit the nail on the head most of the time, and it's hard for me to refute you, so could you please stop saying things like that? I watch these kinds of shows to pass the time too, okay?"

It's more accurate to say that high-budget blockbusters are best seen in theaters. Even if the plot is unremarkable, the sheer scale and immersive experience will make the time worthwhile. Choosing a mediocre film, especially one with a poor plot or presentation, can be quite disappointing.

"We'll see..."

I paused for a moment, and Yukino glanced at me sideways, urging me to continue. Feeling her gaze, I straightened my back and answered:

"I'm the type of person who only criticizes a film as worthless after watching it."

"The result will still be criticism..."

Yukino sighed, pressing her hand to her temple as if she had a terrible headache. Yui hooked her arm around Yukino's, pointed to the movie tickets in my hand, and looked at Yukino's face.

"Hey, let's go see a movie too!"

Under the snow, her arm being pulled and tugged, a troubled expression flashed across her face, but she quickly gave a faint wry smile and replied in a tone that contained a hint of teasing:

"Yes, that's possible... but didn't you want to buy something?"

"Huh, ah..."

Yuihama's gaze shifted back and forth between the snow and my face as she fell into deep thought, her eyebrows drooping into a V-shape.

Upon seeing this, Yukinoshita suddenly burst out laughing.

"Let's come again next time... and if you don't mind, I can go shopping with you after the movie."

"May I?"

It seems that Yuihama Yukinoshita is the one who asked today, and there was a hint of guilt in her voice. Her large, tearful eyes resembled those of a scolded puppy, and Yukinoshita's voice naturally softened in response.

"Um."

Yukino smiled and answered, and Yui nodded happily. They then took her hand and walked towards the movie theater.

"Okay, let's go! Is this the first time the three of us have watched a movie together?"

Yuihama, who was walking ahead, turned around and said.

Indeed, upon closer reflection, although the time spent idling in the office overlapped considerably, the three of us never went shopping without a purpose, a request, or work, let alone went to the movies.

"Yeah...yes."

Even if given the opportunity, only Yuihama would choose this option.

As Yukinoshita, who was also walking ahead, probably understood, she continued in a smiling, almost joking tone:

"However, the seats are assigned, so we'll probably be sitting separately."

"Ah... um, it's okay."

Yuihama, still holding Yukinoshita's arm, took a step toward the escalator leading upstairs.

× × ×

I spent a few minutes waiting for them to finish buying their tickets and other things.

This is a good way to kill some extra time, as the movie is about to start.

After they returned, we walked together toward the aisle leading to the theater.

The huge screen, coupled with the quiet yet subtly whispering atmosphere before the show started, created a unique ambiance of anticipation.

I really like the atmosphere before the show starts.

On the stairs leading to my assigned seat, I could feel my heart pounding with every step I took, fueled by tension and anticipation.

Whether the movie is a masterpiece or a disaster, the joy of this moment remains unchanged. Wow—the movie is really great—I haven't seen it yet.

"See you later!"

Yuihama uttered those words and walked to her seat before me. Yukinoshita followed behind, fully prepared with caramel popcorn and a cola. Yukinoshita-kun, you seem quite interested...

I said goodbye to the two of them and walked to the seat in the very center of the last row.

Looking down from the last row, about 70% of the seats were occupied. Although it's the end of the year, the audience was quite large for a normal day.

There were quite a few customers, but what caught my attention were the remaining empty seats. My gaze tends to drift towards the scattered spaces; it's probably a habit of mine.

I always subconsciously search for what's missing. Even though I'll soon know I'm not satisfied, I can't help but want to confirm it. Even if I do specifically confirm it, it doesn't mean the void will be filled.

While playing the "Find the Void" game, a game about emptiness, my gaze was fixed on a single point.

There were two people sitting two rows in front of me.

I could recognize them just by their backs. I watched them huddle together, smile at each other, and then the lights in the theater started to go out.

The screen appears in the darkness, playing advertisements for the new movie.

However, the information about the new film I wasn't planning to see didn't grab my attention; my gaze unconsciously followed those two people. Even seeing the familiar movie thief [Note] wriggling around on the screen, I still couldn't settle down.

Note: This is a promotional advertisement about etiquette that is played in Japanese cinemas before the main feature begins.

The light from the screen gently illuminated the faces of the two people sitting in the first two rows.

Whenever the shadow of the bun bounces in the air, the jet-black hair sways gently as if smiling. It seems that the world of shadow puppetry is unfolding a more delightful story than that on the silver screen.

There is no sound, only subtle movements, and the background sound effects, music, and dialogue are all out of sync, yet it possesses a magical charm that captivates the viewer.

I found myself staring at the scene without realizing it, completely oblivious to the movie's content.

End 1 Yui's story 2 In a place filled with the faint aroma of black tea.

One by one, the lights came on, and sighs followed from all directions.

Audience members rose from their seats to discuss their thoughts with friends and loved ones before heading towards the exit.

I looked at the darkened screen, let out a sigh of relief, gulped down the remaining Coke, and stood up.

The audience members, ejected from the theater, slowly moved along the cinema's corridors. Ahead of the flow, someone stood in front of the vending area in the corner of the lobby, waving at me.

"Ah, an autistic guy. Hey—"

Yuihama and Yukinoshita left before me.

Yuihama stood on tiptoe and stretched out her arms as if she were stretching.

Um...it's kind of embarrassing to be called that in public...and also, there's a certain "absolute territory" between the knee-length sweater and the boots, how should I put it, it's like, skin is faintly visible, you can see a bit of thigh, please don't do that. They really can see it. It made me so anxious I had to jog instead of walk.

After meeting up with them, I didn't say anything in particular, or rather, I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. We hadn't specifically arranged to meet here, so it would be strange to suddenly thank or apologize for this, but not reacting at all wouldn't be right either.

Although I don't think she sensed my hesitation, Yui nodded in response and stepped forward, as if to lead us. Yukinoshita naturally followed behind.

We walked silently to the outside stairs. The evening breeze made me instinctively shrink my neck.

I wrapped the scarf around my neck several times and caught up with Yui and the others.

Yuihama walked down the stairs with light steps, looking at Yukinoshita beside her.

"Wow, that's spectacular. It feels like...whoosh!"

What kind of description is this? Is it *Slayers*? Yuigahama's description of the film is incredibly childish, yet just as incomprehensible as the words of an elite…

However, the amount of information seemed sufficient to Yukinoshita; she smiled gently, like a mother listening to her child.

"Yes, the special effects are also gorgeous, and they really liven up the atmosphere during the climax. The actors' performances are also very realistic."

"Ah, right! So beautiful—!"

The conversation took place about two steps away from me. From a movie perspective, it was quite normal, but listening to it from the sidelines, I found it quite novel.

It turns out Yui Hama actually got into the movie... That's a surprising and novel thing, but aside from that, I've never heard a girl comment on a movie before, so I'm very curious.

People like me and Zaimokuza often can't help but criticize the work. Perhaps there's a difference between men and women in this regard.

Why is it that when guys share their thoughts, it always ends up being a rant about how bad the script, animation, direction, acting, and the original author are—especially the light novelist who's practically scum? Everyone! Please try to think about how praise can help people grow!

In short, the movie is over. I looked at Yuigahama and Yukinoshita walking ahead of me and wondered if we should break up here.

After arriving downstairs, Yui turned around.

Are you hungry?

After she asked that question, I looked up at the sky and saw the sunset slowly spreading across the western sky.

It's a bit early to have dinner now. I only drank Coke while watching the movie, so I still have room in my stomach.

The problem is Yukinoshita, who ate a ton of caramel popcorn... I glanced at Yukinoshita; she was resting her chin on her hand, looking slightly annoyed.

"...I can have a cup of tea with you."

"Oh—it's decided then! Where to go?"

After Yui finished speaking, she stared at my face. Uh, why are you looking at me like that...?