When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem - Chapter 12

May has begun, and I heard the rumor that Nitta-san will be returning to school. Personally, I think it would be better if she took a bit more time to calm her mind. Within the school, the incident where Nitta-san was raped by Minoru-sensei has become so well-known that there isn’t a single person who doesn’t know about it.

She was originally also active as a model and had name recognition, which made the incident even more famous. It seems that because those around her are trying not to talk about it, it has become even more difficult for her to interact with others. I think it would be nice if her friends from the same class and those who were originally close to her could still be friendly, but I guess it would be difficult.

The class representative calls out the order, and as the sixth period ends and the teacher leaves the classroom, Nitta-san enters the 5th-grade classroom, looking around curiously.

“Takai-kun, do you have a moment?”

The surroundings were a bit noisy, but why?

“Since I have club activities, it’s fine if it’s just a little.”

“Is it okay even in the classroom? By the way, why is everyone staring at us like that? It’s so embarrassing!!”

From there, as if suddenly realizing, the classmates each went home or headed to their club activities.

“I wanted to take you somewhere to thank you the other day, but I thought it would be difficult to go… so I brought some sweets.”

The sweets I received were from an unknown brand, but they were quite large and heavy. Given their size, they must have cost quite a bit, but if it makes the person feel better, I want to accept them.

“Thank you. I’ll send my thoughts after I go home and eat slowly.”

“Yeah!! I asked the manager and some people from the company for recommendations, and I think the place I picked will be delicious!”

“Thank you for spending time with me.”

I remembered that saying “I’m not worth it” at times like this would have the opposite effect, so I held back. I’m also worried that the sweets might melt, but it’s still May, so it should be fine.

“No, no! I’m the one who should apologize for suddenly dropping by! Well then, see you later, Ayame! Let’s go home!!”

“I haven’t acknowledged the relationship between Takai-kun and Nanami yet, you know!”

“W-What are you saying, Ayame?! Don’t say weird things!!”

While they were saying such things to each other, the two of them left the classroom. As they hurried out, the wound peeking out from the hem of her skirt was probably from that time. Nitta-san, whose wound hadn’t completely healed yet, was putting on a brave face. Was my response appropriate?

“Aki, you’re still as popular as ever, huh?”

“No, it’s obviously just a picture of someone being thanked.”

“Huh? This is why popular guys are different. Normally, when Sasaki-san and Nitta-san leave, you’d have a conversation like, ‘Wait… could it be that I’m liked by Nana…!?’ or something like that!”

While Midori is protesting, swinging the shoe bag around, I still feel that I can’t develop romantic feelings for someone 17 years younger than me, so no matter how they approach me, I don’t think I’ll ever be swayed.

“I think I’m good with love and all that… after all.”

“Why not?! You should do it, love! Life is so much more fun when you like someone! Every time something happens, you think, ‘Oh, does so-and-so like this?’ or ‘What are they doing now?’ Just imagining it is so much fun…”

Astonished by the usual calmness of Midori, who wore an expression unbefitting a high school boy, I gathered my things and headed to the clubroom.

“Midori seems to be enjoying life because you have someone you like, and that’s great.”

“Whoa! I-I never said anything like that!!”

I was told that with a bright red face, but I already knew that he would marry the girl he got close to in his second year of high school during college, so it had no persuasive power. By this time, he must have already liked that girl.

“Ha… with a face that is red, you lack credibility.”

“S-Shut up!”

Today, I was relieved to see that my best friend seemed well. By the way, the sweets I received were a mix of chocolates and cookies, and they were very delicious.