The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best - Chapter 52

During lunch break, I enjoy a delicious bento made by a classmate. It seems that today it was Andou-san, who usually has a quiet demeanor, who made it. Thank you very much. I wonder if she made it herself instead of her mother, I don’t ask because it would be rude, but this fried chicken is incredibly delicious. It’s the best.

Andou-san, who had been looking at me anxiously, finally picked up her chopsticks and started eating her own bento, looking relieved. It’s okay. I’m just grateful that everyone made bentos for me. I couldn’t help but give a thumbs up. Andou-san’s face turned bright red. I’m sorry, it wasn’t because it was spicy. Kanno-san next to her, while saying “That’s nice~,” poked Andou-san in the side, judging by Andou-san’s reaction.

Sometimes the members change, but this group of about 20 people who share lunch boxes (I call them that in my mind) has been great. Recently, everyone has started chatting while eating their lunch boxes. It’s really nice.

Until recently, it felt like they were holding back around me, even when they were talking…

However, I feel bad about always having things made for me, so I need to find some way to show my gratitude—though I can’t think of anything at the moment.

It seems like it will take about a month to complete a full cycle, so there is plenty of time, but will this favorable situation for me still be in place a month from now?

It’s something far in the future, so there’s no point in thinking about it, but I don’t want to go back to bread now. Maybe I’ll make my own bento then.

“Thank you very much. It was very delicious.”

“Y-yes.”

I hand the empty lunchbox to Andou-san.

An empty lunchbox… What a piece of work I am. I can’t help but chuckle wryly.

When I tried to pay for the lunch boxes once, everyone was worried about Gouda-kun eating bread (health-wise), and besides, we took turns making them, so it wouldn’t be a burden. So I was told with a sad face not to worry about it.

Since then, I always made sure to express my gratitude.

“I’m going to go see Katou-sensei for a bit.”

“That’s right… Hmm, should I walk with you partway?”

Saying such things cheerfully is Sachiko (Makino)-san. Since her face is smiling, it’s probably a joke.

“Thank you, but since it’s the staff room, it wouldn’t be interesting to come along. Well then, I’m off.”

When I got up from my seat, the band members were being asked questions about the band by everyone. I wonder if it’s because I left my seat…

I slightly quickened my walking speed.

Maybe it was because I danced the folk dance? On my way to the staff room, I was talked to quite a bit by girls from other classes (first-year students).

“Are you going to the staff room, Gouda-kun?” Something like that. I answered “Yeah” even though I found it strange, but when I thought about it more, it was obvious they knew since we were all taking gym class together. I realized that later.

*****

“Gouda-kun. I’m sorry about today.”

We moved from the staff room to the career guidance room, sat across from each other at the table with Katou-sensei, but the moment we sat down, the teacher apologized.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about…”

I am bewildered by the sudden turn of events. It seems that the teacher feels bad for the way this lesson’s content has placed a burden on me.

I said I would help to the best of my ability, so I was somewhat prepared for it…

But I was mentally exhausted from not knowing where to look and worrying about being accused of sexual harassment for touching a girl’s body… or so I thought, but it seems like I’m surprisingly okay with it.

“It’s okay. Thanks to today’s PE class, I feel like I’ve gotten closer to everyone in the other classes too.”

“When you say that, it makes me feel a bit more at ease too.”

Originally, I thought I would be reprimanded for using telekinesis during class, so I felt a bit relieved, though it’s inappropriate to say so.

After that, she asked if I was having any problems, but since Katou-sensei is a gym teacher, I wondered what it could be. The restroom? Oh, maybe a changing room too. But I figured there was nothing I could do about it as the only male student, and just as I was about to give up, Katou-sensei said she would talk to the principal about it.

After the teacher finished talking and we returned to the classroom, she was still excitedly discussing the band.

“Oh, Taketo-kun.”

It seems like she was asking everyone what cover song would be good. Yeah, that’s right, we need to decide quickly or we won’t be able to practice. I need to work hard on my singing and control my telekinesis.

After school, we all went to the studio and practiced. Some of my classmates said they wanted to come and watch, but since Nene-san apparently can’t come to the studio today, we decided to skip it this time. I’m sorry, it’s not our studio.