When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem - Chapter 27

The club training camp was over, and our basketball team was given a week off. Since the only time off that overlapped with our manager, Shimozono-san, was that week, we decided to go out during that period. The location was Yokohama’s Chinatown, which is a bit far from the school but not too far for a day out. Standing at the ticket gate of Kannai Station, waiting for someone, I feel the gaze of various people on me. 

(Well… It’s because I’m a head taller than everyone else…) 

My height exceeds that of a vending machine, so I stand out quite a bit. When I’m with the basketball club, I don’t stand out as much, but when I’m alone, I definitely do. Maybe that’s why Shimozono-san quickly spotted me and ran over.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting!!” 

“I wasn’t waiting at all, so it’s fine.” 

“Thank you! I picked out some places I wanted to eat at! Let’s hurry!” 

Pulled along by Shimozono-san, who seemed to be a bit more girly than usual in her casual clothes, we headed to Chinatown. As expected from the places Shimozono-san had picked out in advance, everything was delicious and very filling. It might have been a bit too much for Shimozono-san’s stomach, so we shared some dishes and had a fun time overall. After enjoying a decent amount of food and walking around, we decided to take a break in the park. 

“Isn’t it hot…” 

“Shimozono-san, are you okay with the heat?” 

Since it’s still July, it might be cooler compared to the scorching heat of August that burns the skin, but it feels the same to me. I sit on a bench in the shade of the park to take a break, but I have a strong desire to go indoors. 

“Shall we go somewhere?” 

Just as I’m about to say, “I’ll look for a place now,” Shimozono-san grabs my arm and interrupts me. Shimozono-san was sitting next to me as she stood up and stood in front of me. 

“Shimozono-san?” 

“Takai-kun. I, I.”

Shimozono-san talks to me, but she can’t find the words to continue. In the scorching sun, where the heat haze starts to become visible, all I can hear are the sounds of insects. The cicadas are noisy, chirping incessantly. Is this the kind of atmosphere it is?

“I… Takai-kun, I like you.” 

“…Yeah.” 

Just responding to Shimozono-san, who said she likes me, was all I could manage. As Midori said, I want to at least be grateful that she liked me. I want to apologize for making her crush on a 37-year-old man who only has ulterior motives, ruining a glorious part of her youth, but I can’t say that. I haven’t told my family or relatives, and I haven’t told Midori either. I can’t say that I’m actually time-traveling just because she confessed to me. Anyway, I have to respond to Shimozono-san’s confession. 

“Shimozono-san.” 

“Yeah.” 

Shimozono-san looked nervous but also somewhat disappointed. 

“I can’t reciprocate your feelings, Shimozono-san… because I have someone I like. As someone in the same position who has someone you like, I admire your courage to confess, but… I’m sorry.”

“Yeah… Thank you for shaking it off properly. Thanks to you, I feel like I can move forward.” 

Shimozono-san smiled, but tears were welling up in her eyes. However, I couldn’t point it out or wipe them away. 

“I’m sorry, thank you for spending time with me today… I’m heading back first, but don’t worry about it. See you later.” 

With that, Shimozono-san ran off in the direction of the station. 

“Haa… I don’t want to make her cry.”

After I lost sight of Shimozono-san, I muttered to myself. I consider myself 37 years old, and I have no intention of dating a minor. I realized that I like Miwano-san, but I don’t feel like confessing my feelings will change anything. Besides, a police officer engaging in sexual acts with a minor would be a laughingstock. I was a bit troubled, but I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy anything further here, so I decided to head towards the station.