When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem - Chapter 17

“Lastly, we have a message from the advisor. Sensei, please take care of it.”

“We have a one-week training camp during summer vacation, and since the managers will be preparing lunch and dinner on the first day, managers, please make the necessary preparations.”

The managers all gasped in surprise at such a director, but they quieted down at the coach’s greeting to be quiet. Considering there are only three managers in total, I think it would be difficult to support the meals for the basketball team, which has nearly 50 members.

“That’s all for today’s club activities. Thank you!!”

“Thank you!!!”

I express my gratitude, but I think everyone is probably worried about the manager cooking for various reasons. My main concern is whether the manager is taking on too much burden. Before I knew it, I found myself rushing over to Manager Shimozono-san without thinking.

“Shimozono-san. You were shouting earlier… Are you okay?”

“Takai-kun… I can’t cook. It’s over…”

Shimozono-san said that in a voice that sounded like she had lost her sanity. If someone said something like that when she can’t cook, she’d think it’s over. Besides, it’s not like I’ve been doing housework for years as an adult, so I think it’s difficult to suddenly be told to cook.

“How about asking the advisor if I can practice cooking during the exam period?”

“Wait, Takai-kun can cook?”

“I’m not particularly good at cooking, but I can manage it like anyone else.”

As someone who has been living alone for nearly 15 years as a working adult, I take pride in my average cooking skills. I haven’t made anything as complicated as a curry made with roasted spices or smoked dishes, but I can peel ginkgo nuts and cook a variety of home-cooked meals.

“Not particularly good. Only people who can actually do it say things like that.”

“Senpai, if we have such a reliable ally, we can be at ease!”

“Seriously! Takai-senpai, you can cook too! Impressive!”

I was being praised by the managers one after another, and it was a bit embarrassing. I thought my face might turn a little red, and then I felt a jolt as something crashed into my back.

“Are you opening a cooking class, Aki!? I’ll be the taste tester!!”

“Haa… well, fine. I’ll talk to the advisor, so you should head home early today.”

“Okay! Sensei, please take care of it!!”

Perhaps because Shimozono-san had executed a crisp salute, the two kouhai managers also decided to do the same while saying, “We’ll do it too!” I couldn’t help but laugh at how amusing it was, but Shimozono-san seemed displeased and pouted.

“As Aki said, we’re disbanding today. See you later!”

“Yuuki-kun and Takai-kun, bye-bye!”

After saying that, we parted ways and headed to the advisor’s office. I’m glad the advisor is here today.

“Advisor, I have a favor to ask…”

“Oh. Takai and Yuuki. What is it?”

“I came to ask if you could help cover the practice costs for teaching the managers how to cook. She is still a high school student and not living on her own yet, so she has little cooking experience. If she gets injured while cooking, it could interfere with her main job as manager. Additionally, if your child were to be asked to do the same, she would need practice as well. Therefore, could you please cooperate in preventing burns and knife injuries?”

The advisor thought for about 30 seconds and ultimately succeeded in securing the funds for the ingredients to be used in practice.

“Indeed, if I were asked whether I could do the same thing for my own daughter, I would think it’s impossible. I do check what I’m buying before I purchase it and I do get a receipt, but since it’s coming out of the club funds, don’t waste money too much. And! Since it’s test week, make sure to study. Tell the manager this too.”

“Thank you. I will give my all to both.”

I got permission, and I was able to achieve what I wanted to do. Since I dragged Midori around for a long time, I thought I should at least apologize, so I opened my mouth to speak.

“Midori, I’m sorry for taking so long. Let’s go home.”

“Hey, can’t you be nice to me like you are to others?”

“The way I look after you and the way I look after the managers are different.”

“Geez, what is that?” He said. I grabbed the towels and water bottles. By the time I finished packing, Midori had already finished and was waiting for me. I thought to myself, Midori really does pay a lot of attention to his surroundings.

Since practice should ideally be based on a menu that simulates the real thing, I think I should decide what to make before buying the ingredients. I was thinking about such things as I headed home.