My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected

"It'll be seen through in no time!"

"You're right. In that case, you just stay on the court, and I'll figure out the rest."

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

"Since ancient times, tennis has had a forbidden move called 'I'll turn my racket into a rocket'!"

"That's just brute force!"

"...Alternatively, in the worst-case scenario, I'll show you my true abilities. If I unleash my true abilities, I can be made to kneel or lick shoes without complaint."

"You've completely missed the point..."

Yuihama sighed, defeated by me, then let out a "Heheheh," staring at me with tear-reddened eyes. I couldn't tell if she was crying from pain or laughter.

"Hey!! Shut-in, you're such an idiot. And you're mean and stubborn, truly hopeless. Even back then, you just wouldn't give up, charging forward like a fool, making disgusting noises... I remember it all perfectly."

"What are you talking about--"

She cut me off, speaking as if giving up:

"I can't keep playing tennis with you anymore..."

Leaving behind words that sounded like a farewell, she turned and walked towards the confused audience, shouting, "Get away, get away! Don't block the way! Don't block the way!" before disappearing into the crowd.

"...What is she talking about?"

I was left alone in the center of the tennis court, watching Yuihama's retreating figure. Just then, an uncomfortable laugh reached my ears.

"What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your friend? Did she leave you behind?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? I've never fought with a friend in my life. Besides, I don't have any friends with a deep enough relationship to fight with!"

"What?"

Hayama and Madame Butterfly were genuinely stunned.

Huh? Aren't you supposed to laugh at this point?

I see. If you don't have a certain level of closeness, making self-deprecating jokes like that will just scare the other person...

However, Zaimokuza was desperately trying to hold back his laughter. I clicked my tongue and turned my head, and he immediately pretended to be a passerby, muttering incomprehensible things to himself as he blended into the crowd.

...That bastard ran away... Well, if I were in that situation, I'd probably pretend to be a passerby and run away too. Totsuka also cast a sorrowful gaze at me.

Looks like there's no other way. I'll have to unleash my true abilities and kneel before them.

When flattering, abandoning all dignity and flattering with all your might – that is my dignity.

I was the only one on the court feeling awkward and out of place, but suddenly, the crowd erupted in noise again, and the human wall automatically parted.

"What is this foolish commotion?"

Yukino Yukinoshita, wearing a tracksuit and tennis skirt with a displeased expression, made her entrance, holding a first-aid kit in one hand.

"Ah, where did you go just now? And why are you still wearing that outfit?"

"Who knows. Yuihama-san kept asking me to change, so I didn't understand what was going on."

Yukino turned her head, and Yuihama appeared from the side. She was wearing Yukino's uniform, indicating they had swapped clothes. But where did they change? Outdoors, perhaps? Hmm...

"I won't be satisfied if we lose like this, so please, Yukino, go on court."

"Why me..."

"Because Yukino is the only friend I can ask for this."

Hearing this, Yukino's body suddenly trembled.

"F-friend?"

"Yes, friend."

Yuihama answered without hesitation. Wait, are you sure?

"Do you usually ask friends to solve problems for you? I just feel like you're using me."

"Huh? If we weren't friends, I wouldn't ask you for this. I can't just entrust important matters to anyone."

Yuihama's eyes didn't even blink as she spoke matter-of-factly.

Ohh, is that how it is...

I've often been tricked into being on duty with the phrase "We're friends, right?", so I don't really feel anything. Oh, so they really are my friends – no, that's impossible.

Yukino probably felt the same. She lightly placed a hand on her lips, lost in thought.

It's natural for her to be suspicious. Even I wouldn't easily believe it.

But if the person saying it is Yuihama Yui, then it's a different story, because she's an idiot.

"She's probably telling the truth, because she's an idiot."

My words dispelled Yukino's doubts. As usual, she flashed a competitive smile and brushed the hair from her shoulders.

"Please don't underestimate me. I have confidence in my judgment. Anyone who can get along well with Hachiman-kun or myself can't be a bad person."

"Your reasoning is rather pathetic."

"It's just Mari."

That's right, you're completely correct.

"It's fine to play tennis... but could you wait for me for a moment?"

Yukino said this and walked towards Totsuka.

"You can handle your own wounds, right?"

Totsuka, surprised, took the first-aid kit Yukino handed him.

"Huh? Ah, um..."

"Yukino, you even went to get a first-aid kit... You really are kind."

"Are you? It seems a certain male classmate secretly called me the 'Ice Queen'."

"You, how did you know... Ah! Don't tell me you read my 'Never Forgive List'?"

Crap, that list was my diary where I used every word I could think of to attack Yukino.

"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 lost its usual coldness, replaced instead by a hint of confusion. She had started speaking loudly, but then her voice grew softer and softer, until finally she looked away.

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

A blush spread across Yukino's cheeks. She hugged the racket she took from Yuihama, covering half her face, and shyly looked at the ground.

Seeing Yukino's adorable action, Yuihama couldn't help but hug her.

"Yukino!"

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

...Huh? She was supposed to be shy towards me right now. Why is she only shy towards Yuihama? No, this is turning into a romantic comedy where the male characters pair up with males and the female characters pair up with females.

Are the gods of romantic comedies all idiots?

Yukino finally broke free from Yuihama's embrace, cleared her throat, and continued, "Teaming up with that guy was against my will... but it seems I have no choice. I accept your request; all we need to do is win this match, right?"

"Yeah! Sigh, I can't make this shut-in win by myself."

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

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

"...Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not stepping in for your sake."

"Hahaha, you're being tsundere again."

Oh, honestly, hahahaha, I haven't heard such a standard tsundere line in a while.

"Tsundere? That word alone sends a chill down my spine."

...As expected, Yukino wouldn't know what tsundere means, and besides, she doesn't lie. No matter how harsh she sounds, it's the truth. So, she really isn't stepping in for me.

It's fine, I wasn't planning on winning her over anyway.

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

Yukino gave me a flower-like smile, but I felt no warmth from it. Why is that? It's terrifying; I feel like I'm seeing a tiger appear before me.

If there's a tiger in front, there should be a wolf behind, or perhaps a horse? (This idiom implies a situation where one danger is followed by another, like a relentless onslaught of misfortune.)

"Yukino-san? Did I get your name right? Let me be blunt, I won't hold back. You're a rich young lady, aren't you? If you don't want to get hurt, you'd best give up."

I turned my head and saw Miura curling her already curly hair even more, a smug smile on her face.

Ah, Miura, you idiot! Provoking Yukino is a death sentence.

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

Yukino said this, revealing an invincible smile. At least, it was invincible to me.

If you were an enemy of Yukino, she would undoubtedly be an annoying person; but if she were an ally, she would be incredibly trustworthy. So, anyone who makes an enemy of her is truly pitiable.

Hayama and Miura were on high alert. Yukino's cold smile made one straighten their spine, yet it was impossible not to find that smile incredibly beautiful.

"How dare you bully my fri—"

At this point, Yukino's face turned slightly red again. Yes, that word was indeed quite embarrassing.

She shook her head and said it again, "...How dare you bully my club member, are you prepared? Let me tell you, don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a very vengeful person."

It's obvious you're vengeful!

× × ×

With all the characters in place, the match entered its true final stage.

Hayama and Miura took the starting positions, with Madame Butterfly, also known as the long-haired Miura, serving.

"You know, Yukino-san, you probably know this too, but my tennis skills are really amazing."

She repeatedly dropped the ball to the ground and caught it, like a basketball player dribbling, but Yukino just urged her on with her eyes.

Miura grinned, revealing a beastly smile full of aggression, completely different from Yukino's.

"If I hurt your face, I apologize in advance."

...Wow, that's scary! It's the first time I've ever heard someone issue such a dangerous warning.

Suddenly, the ball whistled through the air and bounced off the ground with a crisp sound.

The tennis ball shot towards Yukino's left side at high speed, almost grazing the left sideline. For a right-handed player like Yukino, it was clearly outside her swing range.

"...You're underestimating me."

However, Yukino was already prepared to counter. She stepped forward with her left foot as her pivot, spun around with a waltz-like motion, and returned the ball with a backhand using her right hand.

Her pose was like a sword being drawn in a flash.

The tennis ball bounced near Miura's feet, causing her to let out a small scream. It was a breathtakingly fast Ace ball.

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

Yukino picked up her racket and pointed it at Miura, her cold gaze like she was looking at a louse. Miura took a step back, glaring back with eyes mixed with fear and hostility, her slightly twisted lips spitting out a curse. Yukino was truly terrifying to make the queen-like Miura show such an expression.

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

Miura had boasted earlier about potentially injuring Yukino's face, but Yukino was completely unfazed, responding directly with a precise counter-shot for a point.

"Because she looked exactly like the classmates who played pranks on me, I already saw through their vulgar thoughts."

Yukino grinned triumphantly and began to launch her attack. She even turned defense into offense. The concept of "offense is the best defense" didn't apply to her; rather, defense itself was an attack. The balls she served flew into the opponent's court, and the balls returned were all hit back.

Her exquisite skill captivated the audience.

"Wuhahahaha! Our side is utterly dominating! We'll crush them completely!"

Zaimokuza, seeing a glimmer of hope for victory, suddenly reappeared at the edge of the court, trying his best to hedge his bets. It was enough to make one furious. However, the fact that he was back on our side meant the situation had reversed.

When Hachiman and Yuihama had entered the game, they were still at a disadvantage, but now the audience had turned to support Yukino. Or rather, most of the boys had started looking at Yukino with admiration.