When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem - Chapter 28

Click, click. Amid the dazzling lights, for some reason, I ended up doing a magazine shoot with Nitta-san. This all started two days ago when Nitta-san sent me a message saying, “Are you free the day after tomorrow?”

<I want you to come to this station the day after tomorrow!>

<I’ll explain the details the day after tomorrow!>

On a day when I was thinking it was boring because the club activities were canceled, I followed Nitta-san’s request.

=========================

“Ah, Takai-kun! Over here!” 

“Nitta-san, good morning.” 

Since the meeting time was 8:30, we greeted each other. I was so used to being immersed in club activities every day, with practices starting at 6, that I didn’t feel any discomfort with this meeting time, which scares me a little. 

“Good morning. Alright, I’ll guide you to the destination, Takai-kun.”

After saying that, I was brought to a mixed-use building where some company seemed to be located. When a person who looked like an employee at the entrance confirmed Nitta-san’s presence, she called out.

“Nana-chan!” 

“Nice to meet you. I am Sudou, the manager of NANA. Thank you for this opportunity.” 

“Y-yes. Nice to meet you.”

I was thinking that greeting is the basic etiquette for a working adult. But I couldn’t keep up. Nana is definitely the activity name of Nitta-san, the model. But being told “thank you for this opportunity” by her manager, what kind of situation is that? I thought. 

Just then, before I knew it, I was made to sit in a chair and was being made up. Since I had been doing a full skincare routine as an adult, I was doing it as usual. But I never thought I’d be seen up close by a professional. 

“Wow, Takai-kun, your skin is so smooth. Do you do any skincare?” 

“Um, I at least use some toner…” 

“Really? I want my son to learn from you too.”

The makeup artist was applying makeup to me like that. When I think about how women in the world don’t touch their faces after putting on makeup, I think they’re amazing. 

Then, looking well-groomed, I was put in a car and shaken for a while. During that time, I was trying to liven up the conversation with Nitta-san and her manager, using the experiences from my days as a working adult.

Just when I thought we had finally arrived, the place I ended up at was the problem. It was a pool venue. Moreover, it seemed that this shoot was going to focus on a date feature centered around Nitta-san. I heard that I would only be in the background, with just my arms or something showing. Hearing that reassured me, but I couldn’t help but wonder if someone like me could handle such an important role. I’ve never been involved in the entertainment industry in my life.

However, when I actually tried it, it turned out to be surprisingly natural, and I approached the photo shoot while learning various things from senpai, Nitta-san. 

“Okay, NANA-chan, could you move a bit closer to Takai-kun?” 

“Okay!”

Nitta-san presses even closer to my arm. Even though it’s just a photoshoot, I’m a guy and Nitta-san is a girl. We’re both in swimsuits, so there’s a lot of skin exposure, and where we’re touching, our skin is in contact. I wonder if models don’t mind that kind of thing. If that’s the case, it’s impressive, considering we’re the same age.

“Hey, Takai-kun.” 

I leaned in to listen to Nitta-san’s whispering voice. 

“I like you the most in the world.” 

“Huh?”

Without thinking, I blurted it out. Because there had been no hint of it. Yet, a sudden confession. Caught off guard by an attack from an entirely unexpected angle, I was utterly taken aback.

The filming from that point was hell. Every chance she got, Nitta-san expressed her feelings for me. It wasn’t that she liked me or anything, but she’d say things like my abs were well-defined and cool, or that she liked my height. She confessed by listing my personal traits.

The director, seeing me after Nitta-san confessed to me, teased me with comments like, “You look so fresh!” I don’t think it’s good at all, but the filming doesn’t end. Since I took on this role, I have to see it through to the end, and I am overwhelmed by a sense of duty.

She probably saw it coming, which is why she confessed halfway through. It’s tough being toyed with by someone younger, but at the same time, the Midori in my head is exciting because my popularity suddenly spiked. After finally finishing the shoot, I covered my face. 

(Oh no, my makeup!!)

Remembering that I had been wearing makeup, I immediately let go of my hand. As I took a breath, the site supervisor approached me. 

“Takai-kun, you looked like a really fresh high school student halfway through! Until then, you had an aura like you were around my age. I was relieved to see you as a proper high school student. The photos we took this time are scheduled to be published in next month’s magazine, so be sure to check them out!”

“Thank you.” 

The site supervisor looked to be in their early 40s, and indeed, they were around the same age as me. I guess people who spend a lot of time with others can tell just by looking at me that I’m a 37-year-old guy. It’s surprising. I was escaping reality like that, but I still haven’t replied to Nitta-san.

“Takai-kun! Thank you for today!! I’m planning to take solo photos from now on, so you can head back first! It’s about a 15-minute walk from the station! Thank you for today! See you at school!!” 

“Y-yeah.” 

It didn’t seem like there would be a good opportunity to talk to Nitta-san, so I decided to go home. After saying goodbye to everyone, I left. I was already feeling a stomach ache thinking about the major event ahead, where I would have to turn down Nitta-san.