The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

“Ah…”

Taketo-sama glides gracefully into the air. Higher and more elegantly than anyone else. It was so beautiful that it sparkled in my eyes.

My heart races at his captivating smile. Even though I know it’s wrong, I can’t help but follow only him, his figure, with my eyes.

♪〜

It sounds pleasant to the ears. I want to keep listening to his singing voice.

——Taketo-sama…

From the audience seats where the smile was directed, cheers erupted.

A gentle gaze and a dazzling smile… If I were to be given a smile like that, I would surely…

Since that day a week ago, my life has changed…

* * *

I met Mendou-san (Mil-san), who was the guardian of Taketo-sama, on a year-end program.

I just passed by her. Yet, she noticed my pale complexion and kindly asked if I was okay.

I thought it was just a polite gesture, but Mendou-san was genuinely worried about me, a complete stranger, and gave me a small, round pill, saying, “Take this.”

The color is pitch black, it smells terrible, and to be honest, I didn’t want to drink it, but once it was offered with water, I couldn’t refuse.

Holding my nose, I steeled myself and drank the black, foul-smelling medicine.

It’s hard to believe, but it works immediately after drinking, alleviating the chronic headaches and fatigue, and the symptoms gradually lighten.

There’s no way I would just thank her and call it quits right away. I knew it. Asking for such an effective medicine for free is just too much to ask…

How much should I pay? Will I be charged a huge amount? I was nervously bracing myself, but I was soon taken aback.

Mendou-san tilted her head in confusion, and after thinking for a while, she was asked to explain the manager’s job.

Mendou-san knew that I was Sawakaze Kazuya’s manager.

Many women are curious about Sawakaze Kazuya. While Mendou-san is the guardian of Gouda Taketo, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was more interested in Sawakaze Kazuya. But that wasn’t the case; she just wanted to learn about the manager’s job for Taketo-sama.

Is Gouda Taketo really such a remarkable person? I had that question, but it doesn’t matter as long as I teach her.

Due to time constraints, I could only convey the basics, but even so, Mendou-san was very grateful.

I remember exchanging contact information and saying goodbye, hoping to get in touch again if there was another opportunity, but I felt very envious of her.

Because at that time, I was Sawakaze Kazuya’s manager. The agency conveyed various pieces of not-so-good information, and in the end, I was advised to be careful.

At the time, I didn’t even think that it was someone who was jealous and spread bad rumors because they couldn’t become Sawakaze Kazuya’s manager.

Because the predecessor became Sawakaze Kazuya’s wife and was pregnant with a child, it seems she willingly became his wife, and she is happily spending her time at her parents’ house while pregnant.

So, I lightly thought that they wanted to prevent me, a country bumpkin, from becoming Sawakaze Kazuya’s wife and getting pregnant like my predecessor.

But in reality, his behavior was even worse, and I was quickly disillusioned.

No matter what I did, I was constantly subjected to verbal abuse. It was very tough, and the stress made me gain weight. When I gained weight, the treatment became even worse.

I tried not to worry about it as much as possible, but even so, it was still tough. I reached my limit quickly.

I’m fed up with seeing Sawakaze Kazuya’s face. I decided I couldn’t take it anymore, both physically and mentally, and acted immediately.

I want to resign by the end of this year, and I have conveyed my intention to the company. It was accepted so quickly that I was taken aback.

On one hand, I felt relieved, but on the other hand, I was shocked to learn that I wasn’t needed by the company.

There are plenty of replacements, after all. I had been thinking of returning to my hometown after retiring, but I only recently learned that it was actually out of concern for my poor health. It was a senior who had taken care of me who sent it, and we talked a bit afterward.

Even after parting ways with Mendou-san, I contacted her several times, but on the day I decided to quit by the end of this year, I told her the reason and that I was not qualified to teach her the basics of being a manager.

I never expected to be recruited to become Taketo’s manager and help out, but of course, I intended to decline.

However, as if my thoughts were conveyed, Mendou-san told me to think for a moment and then respond, rather than answering immediately.

I think it was just polite conversation, but at that moment, it made me very happy. That someone needed me, even if it was a lie.

But my mind and body can’t accept it. I’ll refuse.

For a while, I stayed at home and took it easy, completed the moving procedures, and sent my belongings to my parents’ house first. As for the rest… Mendou-san.

Mendou-san’s home is Gouda Taketo-sama’s home. It’s right on the way back to the countryside. This should be just a slight detour.

So, even if it was just a polite gesture, I wanted to see the face of Mendou-san, who needed me, before I went home, and I made my way to Gouda Taketo’s house.

And so, for some reason, I ended up being healed. By none other than Gouda Taketo himself.

A man like him, doing something for someone like me. It felt like I was being tricked by a fox. Is he different from Sawakaze Kazuya…?

Thanks to Taketo-sama, my health quickly improved, and I was able to think a bit more positively, but I still couldn’t make up my mind.

The thing is, I thought the manager’s offer was just a polite gesture, but it turned out to be real. Right now, I’m afraid of men.

So I refuse. I had decided that, but the words won’t come out.

Even with just a little interaction, I can tell. Taketo-sama is different from Sawakaze Kazuya. Deep down in my heart, the desire to become Taketo-sama’s manager must have already begun to sprout.

As a result of the discussion, I was allowed to work on a trial basis.

I realized that I’m easy to manipulate. But since it’s nice to be needed, I can’t help it,

From then on, every day was a pleasant surprise.

The fact that Mil-sama became Taketo-sama’s wife is one thing. Kaori-sama is spending time with him even though she is pregnant (there are various reasons for this, one of which is that usually women return home out of fear of violence from men). Additionally, Nene-sama already has a daughter, and she visits almost every day with her daughter, whom Taketo-sama adores as if she were his own child.

Such are the nights of Taketo-sama, where everyone sleeps together happily.

This is something I realized during the few days I stayed at Taketo-sama’s house until my apartment was decided. I won’t say what it is, but I couldn’t help but wish they would hold back a little.

Even though it’s still the probation period, the treatment is worlds apart compared to my previous job.

Taketo-sama is being considerate of me, even though I’m not used to it.

So, I think it’s only natural to want to respond to that.

* * *

At the end of the song, Aiki-san and Taketo-sama from the Shining Boys put their arms around each other and raised one hand. It looked incredibly picturesque and radiant.

Even the co-stars and the MC have been sending intense gazes to get Taketo-sama’s attention, and honestly, I don’t think I’m any less dedicated to that feeling…

But I am Taketo-sama’s manager. I have to support him and the Armed Girls…

The cameras shouldn’t be rolling anymore, but the audience is still applauding.

I was still clapping, caught up in the audience, but then the other members of the Shining Boys gathered around Taketo-sama and Aiki-san, and I felt like I was catching a glimpse of the kind of male friendship that is only depicted in manga and novels. However, Sawakaze Kazuya soon approached, and everything was ruined…

“Sa… ma…”

Huh?

I suddenly felt like someone was talking to me, so I turned around, and there was Minamino-san, the manager of the Shining Boys, ahead of me.

——Minamino-san…?

Was she excited? Minamino-san’s cheeks seemed to be flushed, and her gaze was not on the Shining Boys… but on Taketo-sama? I thought it was impossible, but considering the future, I decided it would be better to at least greet her.

“I am Nakayama, Taketo-sama’s manager. Thank you for collaborating with us this time.”

Thank you for the collaboration. It was supposed to be a triple collaboration, but since Sawakaze Kazuya was just there and didn’t do anything, he was excluded.

I was surprised to see that the person who used to call me fat had become overweight himself, but it’s no wonder he can’t keep up with the slim Shining Boys and Taketo-sama.

Well, I don’t want to get involved with him, so I probably won’t talk to him now or in the future.

“Uh, um, yeah. That’s right. This collaboration will be a good experience for us too…!? Tch.”

Even though Minamino-san didn’t look my way when I spoke to her, she suddenly turned her face towards me, and then clicked her tongue in surprise.

Whoa!?

Why? I thought, but I was surprised too. Before I knew it, Mil-sama was standing next to me.

The expression is hard to read, but it’s strange how Mil-sama’s current face looks like a smug grin.

“We both had a good experience…”

As soon as Mil-sama said that, she slowly approached Minamino-san and whispered something in her ear.

“My prince…”

What did she say? Minamino-san is usually so confident and always looks down on others, but she was blushing and avoiding eye contact, which was so unlike her.