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

I was at a loss about how to respond to Nitta-san, and before I knew it, summer vacation was over. There was even an incident where Sasaki-san kissed me, and I immersed myself in club activities, deliberately trying not to think about anything. Despite her confession, I ended up being a jerk by not replying. I feel a lot of remorse.

September 1st. The new school term began. When I went to school, I was met with numerous gazes from unfamiliar students. Being sensitive to stares due to my profession, I couldn’t help but wonder why so many people were looking at me. As I entered the classroom, the previously bustling room fell silent for a moment before buzzing again.

“Ah, good morning, Aki. Yeah, yeah…”

“What is it, stop dragging it out and just say it.”

Midori approaches me with a face that has an overly smug grin.

“Ta-da!! Weren’t you on this special feature page!!”

“Huh…?”

Indeed, I did some kind of shoot with Nitta-san. I received the daily wage via bank transfer.

(Eh, is that being made into a magazine!?)

I’m aware that I’m making a hundred different faces. Perhaps pleased with my reaction, Midori shows me the page where I might be featured.

“I didn’t know either until my little sister and Miku-chan told me. Hey Aki! Why didn’t you call me when you were having so much fun?!!”

“No way, they wouldn’t call me. Besides, I was just summoned by Nitta-san, and I was told my face wouldn’t be shown. I never expected my face to be featured so prominently.”

Indeed, even though my face shouldn’t have been visible, I was still wearing makeup. I wonder if it’s my fault for not thinking it was strange, and I feel a bit down. I thought she was just a reader model, but she’s actually a proper model. I feel deceived, but it’s already in the past. Besides, during the shoot, I was only focused on Nitta-san’s confession attacks, so honestly, I don’t remember much about the shoot.

“Hmm, I see… But with this, Aki will debut as a model too!”

“Good morning, Takai-kun, Yuuki-kun. I saw the magazine too. Everyone I met said that Takai-kun and NANA look great together. I’m a bit envious.”

“Hey, Itou-san.”

At the word envy, Midori’s eyes perk up. That’s right, this guy always wants to connect everything to love stories. I don’t think Itou-san likes someone like me, though.

“Oh, sensei is here, so I’ll go back now.”

“I’ll head back too.”

We said that and returned to our seats. Still, do Nitta-san and I make a good match? When I’m thinking that I might like Miwano-san, hearing that makes me unsure of my own feelings. However, when Nitta-san confessed to me, there wasn’t any overwhelming joy that shook me to my core. So, I guess I don’t like Nitta-san in a romantic sense.

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

While I was carrying those thoughts, it was time for club activities. There, I encountered an unexpected situation. There were a lot of spectators in the gymnasium. Midori said jokingly, “It’s because you’re in a magazine,” but I thought, “No way.” That can’t be the reason.

Midori boasts the best communication skills in the basketball club and is now going up to talk to first-year students he doesn’t know at all, but his loud voice makes everything he says completely audible.

“That’s right! I heard there’s a cool senpai from the magazine in the basketball team!!”

“Eh? That guy is so oblivious that he makes girls cry, so they should probably stop liking him.”

“Huh!? Is he really popular after all!? Ah, but I feel like they’re just fans, so it’s all good!!”

So, while I shoot hoops, I glance sideways at Midori, who is saying, “Are you okay?” I was told I was unconsciously popular, but I have no memory of that at all. Besides, I wish they would stop making me their favorite. I don’t want to stand out unnecessarily in a place like this. My previous high school life was nothing like this; I just did club activities and goofed around with Midori. There were no photo shoots like this. Where have my

“Then, since we’ll be using this place for practice later, if possible, I’d like you to watch from the second floor or up on the stage.”

“Yes!!”

Whether the conversation had come to a conclusion or not, Midori said that to the girls nearby and guided them. Sometimes I think I want to learn this communication skill too.

“Hey, Aki-chan. I knew it, there are only girls here for you. Ugh, I’m so jealous!”

Pouting, Midori is puffing his cheeks, but he doesn’t look cute at all. Midori’s child used to do this a lot too, but I guess children really do take after their parents. While I was thinking about that, the captain started walking towards us.

“Takai, I heard from a girl in our class that you were featured in a magazine, is that true?”

“That’s right, Captain. I heard that Aki, who became friends with the model NANA by chance, was suddenly called to replace her. I heard it from NANA herself.”

I wonder when Midori will get this information. He only talked to Miku-san during break time, right?

“That’s awesome.”

The captain couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“No, I’m sorry for putting you in this situation.”

“No, it’s not really an excuse, but that’s fine. Just be careful of stalkers… Alright, you guys!!! Let’s start the club activities!!!”

I thought again that the captain was a good person and tried to switch my focus to the club activities. However, this quickly turned out to be a failure. The gym was always buzzing and hard to concentrate in, and when I made a shot, it became even more chaotic.

I can see the captain’s temples twitching in my imagination. However, it seems that just because she’s a woman, she can’t speak firmly. The captain also mentioned having female siblings, so she probably knows it’s pointless to say anything.

The next day, a notice was posted in the gym prohibiting entry to anyone other than club members and managers, making it impossible for the gallery to watch. Although, I should also mention that I fell for the captain’s coolness at that time, and my admiration for her increased.