The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

“Um then, everyone, it seems like the tension has eased, so I would like to move on to the talk time. Um, we have scheduled 60 minutes for the talk time, but we would like to proceed in a Q&A format from the women’s side. Women who have asked a question can either line up again at the back or approach another man they are interested in… Also, please make sure to shake hands with the man before asking your question. If the man wants to ask a question, he will answer the woman’s question first, but please also shake hands before asking your question. Um, do you have any concerns or questions up to this point?”

After the host asked that question, she slowly looked around the venue. Then,

“Yes!”

Immediately, several women raised their hands, and the host selected one of them. The chosen woman stood up straight and,

“What happens if the man doesn’t shake hands?”

She was a woman with a dignified demeanor who spoke clearly and confidently.

“We would like men to respond to handshakes from women as much as possible, but it is not mandatory, so there may be cases where this doesn’t happen. In such cases, you can continue asking your questions as is, or you can approach another man.”

“Thank you.”

Satisfied with the host’s answer, the woman immediately sat down after expressing her gratitude.

Hmm. It’s not mandatory, is it? But since I’m participating in a matchmaking party, it would be rude not to respond when someone asks for a handshake…

After that, questions arose about whether it was okay to move immediately when talk time started, whether one should not sit during talk time, and so on… It became clear that once talk time started, moving around and getting up was allowed. It was also understood that one could freely drink beverages by asking the staff around.

“…Then, it seems there are no more questions, so thank you for your patience, everyone. Now, let’s start the talk time!”

As soon as the signal to start is given, relaxed background music plays, and the women stand up together, walking towards the men all at once.

“Um, um…”

“Hm? Oh, I’m sorry.”

I was sitting in the closest position at the same table, and when Ootaka-san called out to me, I immediately stood up.

——!?

To be honest, I can’t even say my special makeup style looks better than other men; in fact, it would be an understatement to say it looks quite bad.

Since it seems like we can move freely during talk time, I was thinking maybe only Nene-san would come.

Yet, the women at the same table suddenly stood up and started moving, lining up in front of me…

This might be the effect of the handshake game we just played to relieve the tension, but I’m a bit worried it might have worked too well. No, it might just mean there were a lot of women who weren’t used to being around men. After all, opportunities to shake hands with the opposite sex are quite rare…

“Uh, um…”

Before we played the handshake game, Ootaka-san didn’t even look my way, but now she is blushing and extending her right hand, so I quickly shake her hand with both hands to avoid being rude.

“…”

Ootaka-san raised a voice that couldn’t be heard and turned even redder. She immediately looked down, but her face was quite flushed. With her head still down, Ootaka-san opened her mouth.

“Um, does Okada-kun like older women, um, um…”

That voice was like a mosquito buzzing. She looked strong-willed, though. It was a whisper that I could barely catch if I leaned in. Even so, I couldn’t quite catch the end… but she was probably asking if I liked older women.

“Well… if I like someone, age doesn’t matter to me, but if I had to say whether I like or dislike them, I think I like them. Yeah. I think I like them…”

I think of Kaori and answer like that. But in reality, Kaori is older, but I didn’t care about age.

Moreover, in this world, everyone is younger than their age (based on their previous life) because of the mysterious power called telekinesis. Even Ootaka-san is supposedly 31 years old as she looks like she’s in her early 20s.

I hadn’t noticed, but all the women in this venue were older than me. The typical responses from men my age are “I don’t know,” “I’m not interested,” or “I don’t care,” and none of them say they like it.

“I-is that so? Okada-kun likes older women, huh? So you like older women, huh? T-thank you very much!”

Eh… she doesn’t have to say it so loudly. We were just talking in a low voice a moment ago, right? Wow, even the women lined up with the other men are looking over here.

With a very happy expression, Ootaka-san bowed her head and moved to the next line of men… Huh? She lined up again in my line. The line of women in front of me is getting longer…

Huh?

As I was surprised by the unexpected sight I never imagined, Mil-san patted my shoulder. A drink? Is it still okay? If you get thirsty, just let me know right away? Thank you, Mil-san. From Mil-san’s perspective, knowing the situation, I must have looked like I was wearing a costume, so she was probably worried. But, even though it’s quite thick, strangely, it doesn’t feel hot.

“Okada-kun…?”

Oh no. I got lost in thought. The next person in line was Uchiki-san. Uchiki-san has long bangs, so it’s hard to read her expression.

So, even though we shook hands, I started to worry about what I might be asked and braced myself a bit.

“Okada-kun, do you have a favorite food?”

No big deal. I was a bit taken aback by such a common question. I quickly switched gears and the first thing that came to mind was curry rice. Oh well.

“Maybe curry rice…”

“Yeah, I see. Thank you.”

Although Uchiki-san didn’t look very happy, for some reason, Uchiki-san was lining up in my line again.

Taking turns answering questions from women, the eleventh woman said,

“Taketo-chi!”

“Whoa! N-Nene-san!”

It was Nene-san. Moreover, instead of shaking hands, Nene-san hugged me.

According to Nene-san, it’s a hug. Nene-san insists it’s just a greeting. If it’s a hug, then let go immediately.

“Oh, Taketo-chi. This is amazing. It feels completely natural.”

Still hugging me, Nene-san keeps poking around my stomach and staring intently at my face. She talks to me in a low voice, but I can’t shake the feeling that others might notice, and it’s making me anxious.

“Nene-san, everyone is watching. Should we move away and then ask?”

“Oh, that’s right. Then… Haha, I hadn’t thought of anything.”

“Haa, I guess it’s typical of Nene-san, but…”

“Hmm, I feel like Taketo-chi just made fun of me a little… Ah, heh, well then, let me ask you this. Do you like me, Taketo-chi?”

“Uh, w-what’s with that question?”

“A question is a question, no matter what. Now hurry up and answer.”

Nene-san probably wanted to see me flustered and laugh with a mischievous smile like a child who just thought of a prank… but I’ve grown too, Nene-san.

“Yes, yes. Of course, I like you. I like Nene-san.”

“Eh, u-um, no… no way, right? Ah, ah, I see. So you like me as a person, as a life mentor. Not bad, Taketo-chi. You almost made me a bit flustered.”

The words I said on a whim to try to unsettle her were instantly seen through.

“Ahaha. But Nene-san is attractive as a woman too, so if you push forward, I feel like you could build a good relationship with the man you’re interested in.”

“Push, huh… push forward, you say? Hmm, I see, that’s good to know. Thank you, Taketo-chi♡ (The ♡ is a wink).”

That said, Nene-san didn’t line up with the other men; instead, she sat at a table close to me and looked over with a cheerful expression.

The women who were lined up after Nene-san were closely watching her interactions, and now instead of shaking hands, they started hugging her. Nene-san, what are you going to do about it?