The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best - Chapter 145

The recording has successfully concluded, and we are heading home.

Of course, after greeting the program staff and co-stars, including the MC.

“Taketo-kun, let’s work together again.”

“Yes, certainly. Thank you for today.”

Saijou-san told me to be careful, but in the end, I received nothing but warm words from the co-stars and the show staff.

There were even people who cried and regretted our parting, which was a bit bewildering, but I’m glad I could work with such good people.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“…”

Well, the TV station staff I just passed by didn’t show any friendliness or anything to me, a guy, either going or coming back, just as Saijou-san had said. So honestly, I might not want to come to Minamin TV that much. I thought that, but…

——Speaking of which…

The program staff might have had a similar impression at first… But on the way back, they were so friendly it felt like a lie, and that impression was so strong that I forgot about it.

At the end of the year, there was nothing special with Sawakaze-kun, who had been annoying me…

“Hey, Gouda Taketo! Just because you can ride a skateboard now, don’t get all cocky. Soon enough, I’ll… Ugh, why would I teach someone like you? Hehehe. Hey, old hag! On the way back to Hustle. Drop me off at Hustle, got it?”

Sawakaze-kun is heading back as he is being followed by the expressionless old lady and three expressionless guardians.

Manager Nakayama-san was hidden by everyone so that Sawakaze-kun couldn’t see, so it’s okay.

Well, whether he was overweight, whether his singing and dancing had gotten worse, or whether the five guardians had become three, I was curious about what Hustle really was, but that was it. Nothing special.

However, since this time it was a recorded session that could be edited and not a live broadcast, it’s possible that nothing happened. So, if we end up working with him again in the future, we should be cautious.

But the woman who caught his eye must have had a hard time. He didn’t care even during recordings and would hit on co-stars anywhere.

Today, he was more obsessed with the female co-star than with me. Although he ended up with a sulky face, since no one paid him any attention. Well, of course, everyone came here to work…

Ah, but during the collaborative song, if he can’t collaborate well with the other person and ends up throwing a tantrum and quitting halfway through, that’s just not acceptable.

Even with his signature song “I’ll Do My Best from Tomorrow,” it felt nostalgic as if I had heard it somewhere before, but he was singing it alone.

It seems he was rejected for collaboration by the co-star because he kept persistently reaching out.

Of course, but the show staff were giving him cold looks. They didn’t seem to be holding back, though.

While I was thinking about such things, the Shining Boys were waiting outside the building.

While we were greeting each other, he disappeared, so we didn’t get to greet him.

“Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for today.”

“Please stop, Aniki. Aren’t we close?”

Seeing Aiki-san flustered, the other members vigorously nodded in agreement, as if to say, “Oh right, that’s true.”

“Haa…”

We just met today… and I’m actually younger than them.

“More than that, this.”

I was handed a business card by Aiki-san.

“What is this?”

I ended up accepting it without thinking, but this is…

“Minamino… san’s business card.”

——As expected.

“Yeah, it seems so.”

Once, Mil-san had torn Manager Minamino-san’s business card to shreds. I thought, “Again?” but this card seems to be a normal one. Mil-san nods, indicating it’s fine. Then, she quickly hands it over to Manager Nakayama-san.

Even so, I can’t help but turn my face towards Manager Minamino-san, who seems to be watching us from behind.

After something like that happened, it’s impossible not to be suspicious, right?

For a brief moment, it felt like our eyes met, but then Manager Minamino-san quickly averted her gaze.

Soon after, Manager Minamino-san approached us, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

“Ah, back then… well… I was young. It’s not that I didn’t know anything, but I felt like I knew everything within my small world.”

I had no idea what she was talking about, but Manager Minamino-san, while saying such things, suddenly reached for the necklace she was wearing around her neck, quickly took it off with practiced hands, and held it out towards me.

“Please accept this. It’s not something worthy of an apology, but it’s something I always carried as a talisman.”

What is this person doing… or rather, is this something I should accept? As I struggle to make a decision,

“It’s not something you’ll regret having.”

Manager Minamino-san said that, and then threw the necklace—no, was it a pendant?—toward Mil-san.

“…”

Mil-san immediately confirmed it without touching the pendant, using telekinesis to catch it.

“The craftsmanship is not done, is it? It looks like an ordinary pendant.”

It seems there was no problem, and Mil-san immediately handed the pendant to me. That means I can accept it, right?

“Is this a family crest?”

“That’s right. The Minamino family crest is engraved here. T-that, if possible… I hope you don’t dislike it… ahem. I-I mean, if there’s another opportunity, I hope you can perform with these guys again.”

The decorative pendant top had what seemed to be the Minamino family’s crest engraved on it.

The pendant not only has the family crest but also sometimes includes symbols indicating the person’s status or position, but this one has only the family crest.

This doesn’t show as strong a bond as the family crest bracelet given at the time of marriage, but it does indicate a willingness to lend a hand if needed. It’s a sign of being close enough to receive a family crest.

Why would she give me such a pendant? I have various thoughts about it, but I can’t disregard her kind gesture. As soon as I put the pendant around my neck, I smiled and extended my hand for a handshake.

“Thank you very much. If that’s the case, I’d be happy to.”

I thought she wouldn’t shake my hand, but since I was receiving a pendant with the family crest, I felt I should show my sincerity as well.

“Ah, uh, um.”

Manager Minamino-san showed a momentary look of confusion but did not refuse. Slowly extending her right hand, she shook hands with me.

“Haa…”

Huh?

Her face and ears were not just red, but even her neck was bright red, but it would be kinder not to mention it.

Manager Minamino-san looks a bit dazed. There’s no sign of the high-handed demeanor she had when we met in the dressing room; it’s almost unbelievable how gentle she seems. Oh, the handshake, not letting go, hmm, hmm? Ah, she let go.

The people watching from the back, including Aiki-san, looked puzzled by Manager Minamino-san’s unusual behavior.

Manager Minamino-san glanced at my face for just a moment, and she then immediately turned on her heel, still red-faced.

“H-hey! We’re going home!”

Manager Minamino-san called out to Aiki-san and the others. Her tone, which had been quite different until just now, was now considerably stronger. It was the same tone she used when she first called out to them.

“”””Yes!””””

The Shining Boys all responded cheerfully to that. Manager Minamino-san immediately started walking, but the Shining Boys, having straightened their posture,

“Well then, Aniki. Excuse me for going ahead.”

“Ani-san. Thank you for your hard work.”

“An-chan. See you later.”

“Take-nii, let’s meet again next time.”

“Ah, ah. See you later.”

After bowing to me, they followed Manager Minamino-san.

Since they are such friendly Shining Boys that they call me Aniki without permission, I hope we can continue to have a good relationship from now on.

However, it seems that contact with them will go through Manager Minamino-san, so I decided to leave the rest to Manager Nakayama-san as well.

Thus, the singing collaboration we participated in this time will be broadcast in two weeks and will have quite an impact on a certain industry.