The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

I teleported back immediately after leaving the school gate.

——No good, I just can’t get motivated…

I was leaning against the back of the sofa as I felt an uncomfortable sensation in my chest. That’s right. I had left Musicun in the chest pocket of my dress shirt.

On the way back, Kirishima-san told me to take it, but everyone seemed somewhat distant.

Honestly, my singing is bad. It would have been better if I had just laughed and said something like, “Let’s practice more.” That would have made me feel much more at ease.

Everyone was really great, so it was really great, so they just told me not to worry about it.

It’s not that we have an overly formal relationship, but just a bit more.

——I feel like I’ve become somewhat of a part of the group, though.

I feel a bit left out and it’s making me down.

“Ahh.”

Leaning back on the sofa, zoning out, I absentmindedly touched the Musicun, and sounds started leaking from the earphones. It’s a song I’ve been practicing for a long time.

♪

I can’t help but hum along to Kirishima-san’s voice… It’s a good song. I really want to sing it properly after all.

“Alright!”

When I stood up from the sofa, I practiced singing for a while. Just so everyone would say I’ve gotten better.

Ding-dong!

Huh? The intercom is ringing. I was so engrossed in the song that I didn’t notice. I wonder if she’s still there. In a hurry, I checked the monitor screen, and it was Kaori-san.

“I’ll be right there.”

————————

“Taketo-kun! I’m glad. I was worried.”

I unlocked the gate and came inside as Kaori-san said that while looking at my body.

——Worried?

Wondering and scratching my head,

Even though I rang the intercom, there was no response, and I contacted you on your smartphone, but since it wasn’t read, I was very worried.

Oh, you’re right. I’ve been getting contacted multiple times on my smartphone.

I didn’t notice while I was singing along to the music. I’m sorry.

“No, it’s fine as long as you’re safe. Yes.”

Perhaps relieved, Kaori-san smiled and handed me a paper bag. Is that… the smell of curry? Did she remember that I said I wanted to eat it before?

“Hehe. That’s right.”

“I really love curry. I’m looking forward to it. Thank you, Kaori-san.”

I let me in as Kaori-san had also gotten used to it and neatly arranged her shoes, and she even arranged mine as well.

Then, Kaori-san said, “I’m sorry about that,” and checked inside the rice cooker. Since she only cooks rice when she’s in the mood, it’s usually empty when she’s alone.

“I’m going to start cooking the rice now.”

“I’m always sorry. Thank you.”

Saying “Don’t worry,” Kaori-san, who knew exactly where the rice was, immediately started cooking the rice.

“By the way, what were you listening to, Taketo-kun?”

Kaori-san’s gaze, as she said, “I listen to Ami-pon and YOARUKI, and also, influenced by my grandmother, I often listen to Yukimi Kamishima,” was directed at the music player on the table.

“This is… a song made by a classmate, and I ended up being the one to sing it at the upcoming cultural festival…”

When I told Kaori-san about everyone’s reactions today, she became serious and said, “I want to hear Taketo-kun’s song too.”

I’m not good at it. Is that okay? Then, after you listen, can you give me your honest opinion? If that’s the case, I’ll sing.

“I’ll take care of that properly.”

Kaori-san nods repeatedly as if she might give an honest opinion.

“I understand. Please wait a moment.”

I take out the speaker for my music from my bag.

This was also borrowed from Kirishima-san. The feeling is a bit different when singing with earphones on compared to singing along with the sound coming from the speakers.

I asked to borrow it because I wanted to practice.

I connected the speaker to the Musicun and immediately tried singing.

“The song title hasn’t been decided yet. Well then, I’ll sing it.”

Only Kaori-san is listening. Now, I can sing without being as nervous as I was back then. If I sing with more feeling, surely…

♪〜

“Fuu… Huh, Kaori-san?”

Kaori-san sat down flatly at the moment I finished singing.

Her face is a bit flushed and she looks kind of sexy, but why?

“Ta, Taketo-kun, could you wait just a little bit?”

“Are you okay?”

Do you want some water? Then I’ll bring it right away. I quickly poured water into a cup and brought it to her, but Kaori-san didn’t even have the strength to hold the cup.

“Are you really okay? Were you perhaps feeling unwell?”

Kaori-san just shook her head, saying to wait a little longer. “Really? I’ll just touch your forehead a bit.”

“Ah!?”

————————

Oh no. I figured out the cause. Everyone wasn’t used to a man’s singing voice, and while they were listening intently, they ended up doing something lightly.

Kaori-san told me with a bright red face because it was a promise. I didn’t know that, so I’m sorry.

Everyone probably couldn’t say it either. That’s why I was told to go back to the classroom afterward, and the distant attitude might have been due to embarrassment. Looking back now, even though there were individual differences, it seems like everyone’s faces were slightly flushed.

And, something that made me happy. They praised my singing, saying it was really good. They also said they wanted to hear it again.

Since Kaori-san, who honestly talked about embarrassing things, wouldn’t lie, it must be the truth.

The results of my practice were really showing. Oh no, that’s not good. I thought I was bad at it, so I’m so happy that I might start grinning.

But can we really sing this at the cultural festival? We should consult with everyone at the right time…

If you think about such things,

“I-I’m sorry for borrowing even your loungewear, Taketo-kun, to take a bath.”

Kaori-san has come out of the bath.

So, Kaori-san, just after I touched her forehead, it turned into a big deal, and she recommended a bath.

While the clothes I was wearing were being washed, I’ll lend you my loungewear.

“No, Kaori-san is rather the victim…”

“Taketo-kun. Taketo-kun’s singing voice was really good. Let me hear it again.”

“Eh? Y-yes.”