The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

It’s Gouda Taketo. Gouda Taketo is following me closely behind. I did say that if he followed me, there wouldn’t be a problem, but no, it must be a fluke.

This will do!

As I dash onto the stage, I leap into the air. I put in a bit too much effort and soared higher than usual, but I landed without any trouble. But for Gouda Taketo… what!?

Gouda Taketo landed next to me. And he did it so smoothly… I can’t believe it.

Everyone else is off to their usual start, huh!? What about Sawakaze Kazuya? No way, could it be Sawakaze Kazuya? He was supposed to start in front of Taiki, who is serving as the master… What the heck, he can’t even ride a skateboard? Given his build, it’s not surprising.

Sawakaze Kazuya has one foot on the skateboard with a regretful expression while holding the microphone confidently.

“We are~♪”

When I vocalize to the music, I run the skateboard again.

A little later, Gouda Taketo also follows behind me. Huh? There’s a different voice from the four of us. Is Gouda Taketo singing?

And yet, he harmonizes well without breaking the image of our song.

What the heck is this? It’s more profound than usual…

I can’t hear Sawakaze Kazuya’s voice, so he’s probably just mouthing the words. He’s standing there blankly, not moving. It seems like I can just leave him alone. But.

Ugh.

Before I knew it, I had increased my skateboard speed more than usual. I was frustrated. Why, why can he keep up? How can he sing while riding a skateboard?

At that moment, Kaiki gives the signal. I didn’t want to go this far, but as I silently nod, I soar into the air, and everyone beautifully intersects.

I got as close as possible to Gouda Taketo, who had been following me, and imagined that he would lose his balance and fall. But that didn’t happen.

No way…

Gouda Taketo narrowly twisted his body and quickly dodged. Moreover, he changed direction in mid-air. Such a sudden change of direction consumes a lot of psychic energy. Yet, he maintained a composed expression. Could it be that Gouda Taketo has more psychic energy than the seniors (the women)? That thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head, dismissing it.

Did my impatience show? Saiki immediately gave the signal. We’re going to make our move on the next spin jump.

Following my spinning jump, Gouda Taketo also executes a spinning jump, but Saiki charges in. If he tries to dodge here, he should lose his balance, and that would be the end for Gouda Taketo… or so I thought, but…

Huh?

Gouda Taketo soars even higher and performs a sharp horizontal spin.

The sparkling gazes of the audience and fellow performers are focused on Gouda Taketo, who has soared one step higher than everyone else.

That!

Even Minamino-sama is smitten by Gouda Taketo, but this is bad, this is really bad.

It seems I wasn’t the only one who thought so; Taiki was trying to land a bit forcefully at the moment he did the backflip.

But this is bad!? It’s going to crash. With a face that looks like he’s messed up, he’s desperately trying to adjust the landing position.

However, Gouda Taketo not only lowered his stance but also suddenly increased his speed, making a sharp turn and then spinning to close in behind me.

Ahaha… What the heck is that? We were the ones bragging, and now we can’t do anything.

When I thought that, I was struck by the sensation of my strength leaving my body, and I staggered unsteadily.

I quickly understood the sensation I had experienced many times before. I had consumed too much mental energy.

I was running my skateboard faster than usual and dashing around at top speed, so I ended up using more psychic energy than usual.

No way, I can’t put any strength into it. The moment I thought I was going to collapse, huh?

Gouda Taketo wrapped his arm around my shoulder as if to support my body. Is this… being helped?

I’m sorry… At the same time, I felt very embarrassed and guilty about my actions, which were trying to bring shame to Gouda Taketo, who was sincerely working on our collaboration, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

Gouda Taketo slows down while still with his arm around my shoulder, and at that moment, the song ends, and he bows his head towards the woman.

Clap clap!

The applause from the women is incredible. There are voices saying, “You were so cool,” and “I want to see it again.” But I can tell that those voices are directed at Gouda Taketo. His singing voice and skateboarding skills were amazing.

“Taketo-san, um, thank you very much.”

I was swaying a bit as I thought of calling him Taketo, no, Taketo-san, no, I want to call him Aniki. He’s younger than me? Doesn’t matter. But I can’t bring myself to do it.

If that’s the case, then at least a handshake. With that thought, I extended my right hand, and Aniki responded with both hands. What a wonderful person he is.

“Me too.”

“Ah, can I have some too?”

Kaiki, Saiki, and even Taiki asked for a handshake, which means they acknowledged Aniki. It’s no wonder after seeing such techniques.

We’re trying to cover it up, but while we’re at our limit, panting heavily, Aniki seems completely unfazed and still has plenty of energy left.

Before we collaborated, our relationship was far from good, but he helped me. It’s no use. I can’t help but want to follow such a big-hearted big brother.

“Can I call you Aniki?”

Ah, crap. I meant to call out in my mind, but it slipped out.

“Ani-san.”

“A-chan.”

“Take-nii.”

It seems that it wasn’t just me who thought that, but everyone in the group as well.

Just seeing Aniki’s strained smile, I slightly regretted calling him Aniki so soon.

“I see you understand your place well, realizing that I didn’t even need to show my strength. You can call me Kazuya-sama. Show me proper respect.”

A person who was bound to cause trouble appeared there and was naturally ignored.