My Perfect Youth Rom-Com

“──Well then, to celebrate the basketball victory of Class 5 boys and girls! Let’s have a party!!”

Saiga’s voice energized the nearly forty people packed into a spacious karaoke box.

Saiga, as always, handled the hosting with flair, his smooth talking keeping the atmosphere lively.

He claims that manipulating others’ emotions is fun, and indeed, the mood in this karaoke box seemed driven by his energy.

The first song was a famous, up-tempo track celebrating “victory” that everyone could sing. With everyone raising their free drinks, the excitement was high from the start.

Saiga, who had suggested the party, was the first to take the mic and sing, enjoying himself immensely. He’s the type who finds joy in creating a lively atmosphere, so there’s no need to worry.

I was ready to take the mic whenever it came my way. I practice every day, after all.

“Kouno, are you having fun?”

“Yeah. I just talked to Saiga about which songs everyone would enjoy. My close group is doing fine too.”

“That’s good.”

Looking around, no one seemed out of place or unsure of what to do. The soccer group seemed a bit down after losing their matches, but the “victory celebration” was just an excuse.

Saiga probably knew this, so he wouldn’t make the mistake of singling out the soccer side or overly praising the basketball side.

Then, a LINE notification.

“I’m stepping out for a bit.”

“Oh, got it. Coming back soon?”

“Yeah.”

I told Kouno, who was sitting next to me, and left the room.

From the large hall room we had in the basement, I went up to the ground floor and outside.

Standing under the street trees that formed beautiful dappled sunlight in the May weather, I took out my phone and opened LINE. I sent a message to Kisaragi, who had left due to work.

“Everyone is having fun here.”

‘Good. That’s what matters. I don’t feel left out, but I do feel a bit of a pull.’

“It can’t be helped. It’s supposed to be a class event.”

‘True. Well, I’ll consider it a win just for participating in the ball game tournament.’

“You did great, Kisaragi.”

‘Of course. I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of everyone.’

“No doubt.”

‘…Just like you.’

Her softly spoken words. Just like me──never embarrassing ourselves in public.

“Yeah. You’re Airi, after all.”

‘That’s right. I’m Airi. Just like you’re Godai Ryoma.’

Her tone suggested something deeper. I wondered if she meant something else and asked, trying to keep my voice light.

“What’s up?”

‘…Hey, Ryoma.’

The sky overhead, with the sun still clinging to the day, shone down strongly.

‘Don’t you think the woman who matches you has to be perfect too?’

“….”

A match, huh. Today marked the second time I’d been asked this.

‘…Answer me.’

“Sorry, Kisaragi.”

‘…’

“I don’t have an answer for that. I’ve never thought about who might match me. I’ve only aimed to be perfect myself.”

‘I see… then think about it.’

“Yeah. Not being able to answer means I’m not perfect.”

‘…Right.’

“Kisaragi, are you okay?”

I asked, noticing a tremor in her voice.

She seemed to catch her breath for a moment, then responded softly.

‘I’m fine. I don’t want to go back to needing your help.’

“Is it because of that promise?”

‘Yes. And because I want to.’

She laughed lightly, raising her voice.

‘Well, I’ve given you homework, and I need to get back to work.’

“Alright. Do your best. I’m rooting for you.”

‘Of course. Just as I strive, you’ll root for me.’

“Yeah.”

Laughing at Kisaragi’s typical style, it felt like the conversation was winding down.

With her busy work schedule, I quickly said what I needed to.

“Kisaragi.”

‘What?’

“Thank you.”

It was about Kinoshita. Not for letting her eavesdrop on our conversation, but for the bond that resulted from it. Whatever happened between Kinoshita and Kisaragi, I wasn’t an outsider.

A loud sigh came from the other end.

‘I’d like to kick your back.’

“You can kick it anytime.”

‘Only you think it’s that easy. Do you know how long it took to get close to you? …No point in whining, I’m hanging up.’

“Yeah… see you at school.”

‘Yeah, see you at school.’

The call ended, and I glanced at my phone.

I returned the same sticker Kisaragi had sent, then looked up.

Whether the woman who matches a perfect man is perfect herself… that’s my homework.

“Homework, huh.”

“Wait, was there homework today!?”

Turning around, I saw Kinoshita, stopped mid-walk, looking frozen.

“No, don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, good…”

She sighed in relief, then noticed I was holding my phone. Comparing it to hers, she smiled.

“Were you on the phone too, Godai-san?”

I see, she had stepped out for the same reason.

“Something like that. I just got homework from my call.”

“Huh…?”

Her face showed disbelief.

“Homework doesn’t mean anything unless you do it yourself.”

“No, I phrased it poorly. It’s not that I’m doing their homework; I have to submit it to them.”

“I see… do you need help?”

“You need to do your own homework.”

“Ugh…!”

Laughing, Kinoshita clutched her chest and staggered.

“Thinking I might finally repay you makes me feel weird…”

“Haha. I appreciate the thought.”

Looking at her, Kinoshita had a slightly flushed, unhappy expression. Under the sunset, she looked even redder, making me laugh again.

“Is it necessary to laugh so much!?”

“Sorry, it’s amusing.”

Repay, huh.

What I did seemed to have made her genuinely happy. When Kinoshita said that, it felt like I was the one who had been saved.

“Well, I’ll get out of your way. Are you finishing your call soon?”

“You’re not in the way. I just need to tell my mom I’ll be home later than usual.”

Contacting her mom, huh.

When we practiced at night, she never seemed to worry about home. If that’s changed now, I couldn’t be happier.

“Godai-san.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you again. I reconciled with my mom.”

“That’s great. I was a bit worried.”

“That little concern saved me a lot.”

Smiling shyly, Kinoshita turned to face me.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Hmm?”

“You once told me about the direction of my efforts.”

“…You mean when you said you didn’t know what to strive for?”

She nodded slightly.

I remembered our conversation on the way back from studying at the food court. I had indeed told her to make friends.

“I love your kindness, Godai-san. Because you spoke to me out of concern, I’m happy now. Because I can talk to you like this, I’m happy. Just facing you makes me happy, and I can tell you that…”

Her voice trailed off, and steam seemed to rise from her head.

“That’s really embarrassing for me too.”

“Then show it more!”

Interrupting herself, she continued.

“…Your kindness, your effort to change… why not stop?”

“Huh?”

It was something I had never considered.

“I don’t know about your father, but I know what you did for me. So… um.”

“Kinoshita, that’s a nice sentiment, but.”

Kisaragi probably knows me better than anyone.

If she predicted my future, she’s likely right.

So, my need to change remains.

“Godai-san!”

“Whoa.”

“If you’re not heading towards happiness, or if it gets too hard… if anything happens… I’ll handle it!”

“…You?”

She nodded firmly, saying,

“I can’t imagine living without you.”

“That’s quite a statement.”

“Then at least let me be useful.”

“…I see.”

I still didn’t have my homework answer.

But her determined face said things I hadn’t considered. While I didn’t seek a relationship based on usefulness, a small part of me hoped.

“…Thank you, Kinoshita.”

“…Yes!”

I didn’t know what would happen. But I decided to try.

I never had anyone smile at me like this before.

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tln : it is mostly about kinoshita. this work is. its a decent read, i enjoyed every single chapters. Thanks to all reader both coin reader and my supportive reader. if u guys have any novel u guys wanted to translate, feel free to contact me on discord. u can find me on Hiraeth Translation discord or just add me by takusafuyuki