The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best - Chapter 42

The MAIN from Kaori-san was about wanting to return the loungewear she borrowed.

[There are other loungewear options, so you don’t have to worry about it. It’s fine anytime.]

[I happened to be nearby for work, so if it’s not too much trouble, may I come by now?]

I see, so that’s how it is. Since Kaori-san is busy too, it might be more convenient to do it while she’s at it.

[Yes, it’s fine.]

…Oh. That’s right.

I ended up responding in my usual manner, but I was actually practicing with the band. I haven’t done anything wrong, but it feels a bit off. Maybe I should call MAIN for a bit… Oh, but I should probably bring everyone some tea first; they might be waiting.

When I returned to the underground shelter in a hurry, I felt a bit relieved to see the four of them sitting on the sofa and relaxing.

“I’m sorry for being late. I’ll put the tea on the table.”

“Y-yeah, thank you.”

Everyone turns away from me when they respond. They know it’s because of my singing, so pretending not to notice is the right move here. Oops, I shouldn’t take too long here. I need to contact Kaori-san on the MAIN phone…

Ding-dong!

Woah, Kaori-san is quick. Everyone suddenly looks at me.

“I’m going to step out for a bit.”

There are monitors in this room too, but without taking them to the gate…

“G-Gouda-kun, there’s a monitor here?”

Everyone looks worried. No, I knew it. I knew there was a monitor in this room too.

Ugh, but it would be unnatural for it not to show up on the monitor like this, right? But you know…

“Y-yeah. It’s probably okay because they’re acquaintances.”

“I see.”

I was relieved that Kimishima-san was satisfied, but it was short-lived.

“Gouda-kun, if you don’t call and let them know, they might misunderstand and think you’re not home and leave.”

Fukata-san has a look on her face as if to say, “I said something good, didn’t I?” She’s even giving a thumbs up, and it seems she thinks she was being kind. Thank you.

“Y-yeah, that’s right.”

When I checked the monitor, it was indeed Kaori-san.

“I’ll be there right away.”

“…A beautiful person.”

Kirishima-san, when did you get behind me? When our eyes met, she made a surprised face and quietly returned to the sofa.

“I’m sorry, I’m going to step out for a bit.”

Everyone responded differently, some saying “yes,” some nodding, some raising their right hand slightly, and some giving a thumbs up, but since they all seemed fine, I dashed to the gate.

“I’m sorry for the wait.”

“That’s not true.”

As expected from someone who said she was just stopping by after work, Kaori-san is in a suit today. She looks cool, like a capable woman.

“Thanks for the loungewear.”

I want to say it’s my fault, but if I do, Kaori-san would be troubled, so I won’t say it.

“No, no.”

Kaori-san handed me a paper bag, so I took it. My loungewear has been washed and neatly folded inside.

“Also, I bought a cake because I thought it would be nice to eat it with Taketo-kun… but, um, is there a guest here? I heard someone else’s voice from the monitor earlier…”

Apparently, she could hear Kirishima-san’s voice.

“Yeah, my classmates are here. You know, the ones who are going to sing at the cultural festival. The members just arrived, and we were practicing.”

I can only sing a little bit so far…

“That member is a girl, right? Is that okay?”

Kaori-san asks shyly.

“No, actually, I’m in a bit of a bind…”

Kaori-san told me, but I haven’t heard anything from the other members. I convey that I’m wondering if it’s okay for me to keep pretending not to know and continue singing.

“That’s a bit difficult, isn’t it? But you can’t just leave things as they are… right?”

It seems like Kaori-san is seriously thinking about it, as she keeps tilting her head. Speaking of which.

“Kaori-san, I can use relaxation techniques, so I was thinking it might be good to try them out. What do you think?”

“Relaxation?”

After I mentioned that I could use relaxation techniques, Kaori-san placed her right hand on her cheek and began to mutter to herself, but it only lasted a few seconds before she turned back to me.

“Gouda-kun, that might be due to relaxation…”

According to Kaori-san, my singing voice resonates deep within the chest and feels really good to listen to.

Just as we enter the chorus and the excitement builds, that feeling reaches its peak… and I can’t hold back anymore.

In other words, it is said that I am unconsciously using relaxation, and when I enter the chorus and it gets more exciting, its effect becomes stronger, and I end up in a state of excessive relaxation.

She says she thinks that way because she experienced it by listening to my song.

*****

“Are you listening, Taketo-kun?”

“Y-yes, I’m listening.”

“Everyone too.”

“”””Yes.””””

For the time being, I thought I would check on the relaxation and return to the underground shelter. Kaori-san also came along, saying it would be a problem if something happened.

The underground shelter is a sealed space. Inside, there were four high school girls.

“Taketo-kun, are you practicing here?”

“Yes. Um, let me introduce you. This is Kimishima-san, Fukata-san, Kirishima-san, and Makino-san, the band members.”

Everyone, though hesitant, bowed their heads to Kaori-san in response to my words.

Then, Kaori-san also introduces herself.

“My name is Nohara Kaori. Gouda Taketo is my most important person.”

Huh? I felt like I just heard something amazing, but then Kaori-san scolded me for lacking a sense of urgency, and I couldn’t focus on anything else.

Because it’s a confined space, Kaori-san pouts, saying that there are times when we end up thinking and acting on things we wouldn’t normally consider.

That’s true. I haven’t heard it from them directly, but when I sing, it turns into a big mess for everyone. If I see everyone like that…

“I was only worried about the sound leaking and didn’t properly consider everyone else. I was thoughtless. I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s not true.”

“Yeah, since we asked you for this, we should actually be the ones apologizing.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, Gouda-kun.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, Gouda-kun.”

After that, Kaori-san arranged for us to use a studio run by an acquaintance of hers, and we can use it anytime as long as we contact them in advance. Thank you very much.

Everyone was also thanking Kaori-san and exchanging MAIN.

So, I realized that the singing was my fault. I was unconsciously using relaxation.

When you put your feelings into the lyrics, the relaxation effect is even stronger. Kaori-san told me there’s no doubt about it.

This is something I learned from Kaori-san after everyone had left.

I could only sing once, but Kaori-san noticed it well. Were you watching the flow of psychic energy because I was teaching you about relaxation? That’s amazing.

By the way, everyone left enthusiastically saying they would build up a tolerance to male singing voices, completely unaware that it was due to the relaxation.

Controlling my relaxation has become my challenge.