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

I wake up in the morning in the bed I used when I was in high school, or rather the bed I’m still using now, and the first thing I feel is a sense of relief. Even though I finally got to date someone I like, it would be no laughing matter if I reverted back to the person I was when I was a police officer.

Yesterday, I called her name and now I look at the calendar in despair. Today is Saturday. Yes, since Sakura-chan is an ordinary high school student, she doesn’t come to school on Saturdays. I was just waking up early because I had club activities. Moreover, I should have been informed the other day that the club activities were canceled in the morning today due to gym repairs.

How much am I on cloud nine if I didn’t even notice something like that? My mood has been all over the place since this morning, but for now, I can’t help but feel happy and my lips naturally curl into a smile at the thought of being able to date the person I like. I finally feel like I understand what he meant when he said to find someone he likes and date her. I’m sorry for everything up until now, Midori.

But until now, I’ve only had one-night stands. Besides, the age difference is significant from my perspective. I confessed my feelings, I’m happy that we started dating, and I genuinely have romantic feelings for her. If I say there’s no problem because we look the same age, that’s that, but somehow, I feel a bit of a disconnect.

After all, since I’m older, I think I need to take the lead, and I don’t want her to feel anxious. Of course, this might also be because of my pride as a man. But I don’t know how to lead. The only one close to me was Midori, but that guy has been steadily progressing step by step since high school, so he isn’t a reference at all.

Other colleagues are the same way. There are quite a few people who got married without worrying about superficial things like looks after becoming adults. It’s mostly for reasons like a good annual income or because they hit it off at a mixer. When I think about it this way, I realize that Midori’s place must have a really good relationship.

What does it mean to lead in that? Should I come up with a date plan or something? But even if I think about a date, my age gets in the way, and I can’t imagine anything suitable for a high school student, like going to a drinking place or a hotel for a meal. Should we just go to a café or something?

I wonder if Sakura-chan is doing any part-time work. I spend so much time on club activities that I don’t have time for a part-time job, so I don’t work. School is busy too, and even if there is some time to work part-time, it would be very little, so the time available for part-time work would be minimal.

If she’s not working part-time, then we have to keep the costs low. Girls have a lot of necessary things like cosmetics and clothes, so I can’t let her spend so much money on a date with me.

Even so, the sound of a date with me is nice. There’s just something special about it. I end up grinning to myself again, and I think to myself that I feel kind of creepy. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, but I lay down on the bed and thought about it again.

“A date…”

It’s embarrassing to say it out loud. I wonder what Sakura-chan likes. Even though she’s about someone I like, I don’t know anything about her. I only know that she’s cute. Also, she’s really short. Also, she has a small animal-like quality, as if it were a mix of a Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and Toy Poodle. Dog… dog café? How about something like that? And then, lost in thought, I suddenly come to my senses and wonder what I was thinking.

Rather than worrying alone, I prefer to share opinions with others and move forward together, so I want to discuss it with Sakura-chan. Anyway, I think we can’t do anything until Monday.

At this time, I completely forgot that I could contact people using my smartphone, a marvel of modern civilization.

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

In the afternoon, I headed to school. When I arrived at school, I was charged by the overly energetic Midori.

“Aki. Thank you for all the advice back then!”

I wondered what it was about, but then I remembered it was about when we do it. Even though we have club activities coming up, I turn back to Midori, thinking how wonderful it is to be young.

“…That’s great. Oh, I confessed to Miwano-san and she said yes.”

“Hey, that’s great… Wait? Whaaaatttttttt!!!!!?????”

The loud noise made my ears ring. I thought I heard the manager’s annoying voice in an auditory hallucination.

“You confessed?! Did it work!? Eh!? Congratulations!!

“Ugh…”

“Eh, but it’s my best friend’s first love coming true!? How can I not be happy about it?”

I’m grateful that he’s happy, but the downside is that he’s a bit too energetic. Well, Midori is probably just high on adrenaline after successfully spending his first night with Miku-san. I should leave him be.

“Thank you, Midori.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.”