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

<Sasaki-san, I have something I want to talk about, so could you meet me at xx Park around 4 PM after school today? I’d like to meet in a shaded area with benches.>

While looking at the message displayed on my smartphone, I pressed the send button. I hesitated a bit, but instead of wasting time, it was better to send it and settle things quickly. I informed the captain that I would step out during today’s club activities and turned off my smartphone. The captain asked why I was leaving the club, but when I said it was because I wanted to be sincere in my confession, she made a sour face but accepted it.

Since I sent it in the classroom, I could clearly see Sasaki-san’s reaction. Maybe she saw the message because she looked around and glanced at me. I was just watching from the side, so our eyes didn’t meet, but it goes without saying that Sasaki-san’s demeanor changed. It’s now before the sixth period, so she might be a bit anxious during the sixth period, but I hope she can forgive me.

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At the bench square in xx Park. I had sneaked out of club activities. When I arrived at the park, Sasaki-san was already there, looking at her smartphone while enjoying the breeze from a fan.

“I’m sorry for making you wait.”

When I called out, she looked up as she noticed me.

“No, it’s just that I arrived too early, so don’t worry about it.”

It’s September now, but the temperature is still hot. By the time classes are over and we finish cleaning, it will be around 3:30, so she probably won’t be waiting too long in this heat, but I’m worried about heatstroke.

“So, what’s the story?”

“…Sasaki-san, remember when we measured for the cultural festival costumes the other day?”

“Yeah.”

When I said that, for some reason, Sasaki-san’s face turned pale. She only nodded in response with a faint voice.

“That kiss… It was because I liked you, but was I wrong?”

“That’s not it.”

For now, I’m relieved that I wasn’t being conceited. But thinking about being rejected from now on makes my chest ache. If I were in the opposite position, I would want to escape from this place without hearing a response, yet Sasaki-san stands firm. Then, I have to respond to that feeling. That’s what I think.

“Sasaki-san, you’ve been on edge since earlier, but I’m not actually angry about the kiss.”

“…Huh? But…”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I have someone I like too, so I can’t reciprocate your feelings, Sasaki-san.”

I lightly bowed my head and told Sasaki-san. When I raised my head, I saw Sasaki-san looking somewhat refreshed.

“Is the girl you like Sakura-chan?”

“Was it that easy to understand?”

“No, it’s about someone you like. I get it. Like, oh, you’re following her with your eyes right now.”

I felt a bit down, wondering if it was that obvious. It might not be the right time to say this, but I thought that Midori must have noticed this, and he was just deliberately staying silent.

“I see… Takai-kun feels the same way as I do. I got rejected, but I thought all along that Takai-kun liked Sakura-chan… so, somehow, I feel relieved.”

“I’m sorry. But thank you for having the courage to tell me.”

“No, no. Thank you for rejecting me so firmly even though I haven’t properly confessed yet… Then, see you tomorrow!”

After saying that, Sasaki-san turned her back to me and left the park. I caught a glimpse, but her eyes were filled with tears, and I thought to myself, “I’ve made her cry again.” She mustered up the courage to confess her feelings to me like this. I can’t let her down.

For now, I’ve replied to Sasaki-san, so I think the next one will be Nitta-san. Our first meeting was quite an encounter, so I have various thoughts about it. However, I’ve come to realize once again that I like Miwano-san. I can’t reciprocate Nitta-san’s feelings. For now, since Sasaki-san had disappeared from sight, I thought I’d run back to the gym before the captain scolded me.