The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best - Chapter 47

Clap clap!

“Everyone was really great. Taketo-chi has a nice voice too. I wonder how many girls you’ll win over with that singing voice.”

Taketo-chi? That’s me, right? Well, whatever. Everyone is nodding along to Nene-san’s words. Nene-san is so dramatic.

“No one will fall.”

Huh? Why is Fukata-san shaking her head?

“Ahaha. Taketo-chi is so funny. Yeah, we don’t plan to use this studio for a while, so I’ll leave this with Tsukuchin (Kirishima), Sacchin (Makino), Saorin (Kimishima), and Kacchin (Fukata), so feel free to use it.”

After saying that, Nene-san showed me the key to this studio.

Moreover, Nene-san suddenly calls everyone by their nicknames, surprising them and making them laugh. I could never do that.

“Of course, even if I say you can use it as you like, don’t touch the equipment that isn’t necessary, and make sure to contact me properly before using it. I’ll also show up when I have time.”

The studio here is located about a 30-minute walk from the school, so it’s quite close, and I appreciate this suggestion. I wonder if everyone feels the same way.

“Thank you, Nene-san.”

It was Kimishima-san who received it. Huh? It seemed like Kimishima-san had no choice but to take it since no one else was stepping up, but I watched with curiosity.

“Saorin!”

“Ah, wait, wait a minute, Nene-san!”

Kimishima-san was bewildered when Nene-san hugged her. I see, so that’s how it is. Fukata-san, I don’t think that’s the right place to give a thumbs up.

*****

We ended up talking more than I expected, and by the time we left the studio, it was just before noon.

When I get home, I need to make an appointment with the netTuber I’m visiting next week. As I was thinking about that,

“Taketo-kun, we were thinking of having lunch together, would you like to join us?”

Sachiko-san (Makino) said that and then tugged at my sleeve. The reason she’s started calling me by my name is because Nene pointed it out.

If we keep holding back from each other, we won’t be able to give a good performance. Besides, since we’re in the same band, it’s normal to call each other by name.

“Hmm, yeah…”

I try directing my gaze towards Tsukune-san (Kirishima), Saori-san (Kimishima), and Nanako-san (Fukata).

I was planning to decline if everyone else looked annoyed, but everyone else ended up inviting me to go.

“Well then, should I join you? Have you already decided where to go?”

It seems to be a nearby family restaurant. That said, I’ve never been there myself. Have you all been there multiple times? I see.

I’ll send a message to Kaori-san saying that practice is over and we’re all going to the family restaurant, so she’ll be fine on the way back. Since she hasn’t read it right away, it seems like she’s busy with work.

Along the way, everyone’s expressions were bright. I was the same. Being able to sing until the end with everyone’s performance was significant. It also made me feel more at ease.

Moreover, Nene-san has kindly recorded today’s performance, so we can listen to it again later.

“By the way, Tsukune-san.”

“Hmm?”

When called by name, Tsukune-san responds a bit shyly.

“Has the title for this song been decided?”

“Y-yeah. I tried making it ‘By Your Side’ for now, but what do you think, Taketo-kun?”

“‘By Your Side’… yeah, I think that’s good.”

“I’m glad.”

Tsukune-san, who is smiling with relief, is being told “I’m glad” by Sachiko-san. Did they think I was going to criticize them?

Just playing one song at the cultural festival feels a bit dull… When I brought it up, it seemed everyone else was thinking the same thing, so we decided to cover a couple of recent hit songs.

I’m worried about whether I can sing since there are only songs sung by women except for Sawakaze-kun’s songs, but I’ll practice a bit later.

“Oh.”

When I entered the family restaurant, it was usual for the women inside to turn their gazes toward me, so I sat down at an empty seat without caring. This atmosphere feels a bit nostalgic, almost making me want to cry. Maybe I used to come here often in a past life.

I ordered a Japanese-style hamburger set meal. Everyone else got pasta. The meat pasta, carbonara, and peperoncino look delicious.

“Want to try it?”

Nanako-san tilts her head and says that. Before I can say I’m fine, she puts carbonara on my plate. Then she looks at my hamburger… She wants to eat the hamburger, huh?

“Thank you. I’ll have some too, Nanako-san.”

“Hehe.”

“Then, mine too.”

Next is Sachiko-san. Even though I didn’t ask for it, everyone ended up giving me pasta, so I decided to cut up my hamburger too, and now I only have half of it left. Sniff sniff. Oh, but the pasta is delicious too.

“Oh, Gouda-kun!”

While I was eating a hamburger, someone called out to me. Who? Everyone who had been eating pasta also paused and turned their faces toward the voice.

“Ah, um, you’re the manager of the clothing store, Aikawa-san, right?”

“Haha, you don’t have to say it so uncertainly; you’re right. I’m sorry, I’ll just excuse myself for a moment.”

Hey, Aikawa-san. You sat next to Tsukune-san because you were blocking the aisle. It’s a six-person seat, so it’s fine, but Tsukune-san looks a bit squished and is making a “mm” face. It’s kind of cute.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your meal. I saw Gouda-kun and couldn’t help but say hello.”

“Haa… but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to it…”

“I’m sorry, no. Gouda-kun, model again! Please!”

From what I hear, the products I modeled are selling well, but others aren’t doing as well as expected. They just launched the brand, and even though they switched to winter items, they felt anxious. They happened to see me and decided to talk to me, but they were planning to contact me soon anyway.