I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School! - chapter 14

TL:Netori-kun
ED:Anima

 

14.Preparation for a battle is essential.

“What are you doing, Aniki?”

　Kanako asked me curiously in the living room, where the sizzling and delicious sounds echoed.

“Don’t you see? I’m making takoyaki.”

　Yes, right in front of me is a takoyaki machine that I won in a lottery at a nearby shopping district a long time ago.

　It’s pretty good for something cheap, and when I flip the dough over with my pick, it turns out to be quite crispy.

“No, I know that when I see it, but ……, why all of a sudden again? Are you having a takoyaki party?”

‘Well, in a nutshell, it’s for Shijoin-san. I want to stop her from being sad.

“Is……? The sadness will stop with takoyaki ……? What’s up with that? Does eating powdered food make Shijoin-san feel better?”

“Of course not. Don’t make fun of Shijoin-san.”

“Aniki is overwhelmingly lacking in words! Or rather, my brother’s intelligence level drops when Shijoin-san is involved!”

　What do you say?

　How can that be? ………… No, well, it’s possible that when I think about Shijoin-san, my mind becomes happy and my thoughts become a little simpler… ….　

“… I’m sorry for the phone call.”

　The number on the phone was one that I was familiar with.

“Oh, Domo! I’m Nihama! Thank you for taking your time!

“! ?”

　When I start the call, Kanako’s face somehow turns into a scared expression.

“Thank you for the estimate! And the price is …… Oh, I see. I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough money in my budget, so I’m afraid I’ll have to ask another company. …… Yes, yes!”

　Oh, I miss this kind of negotiations.

　Well, it’s the same old thing.

　I’ll give it one more push, okay?

“So, you see, I was wondering if I could ask you if I could get a little discount! Oh, could you do that for me? Oh, no, I’m so sorry! Well, I’ll contact you again in anticipation of the delivery date soon! Yes, yes! Oh, thank you, excuse me!”

　I end the call and close the phone with a snap.

　After all, a foldable phone is so convenient to carry in your pocket.

This is good ……, that’s it …… Hmm? What happened to you, Kanako?”

“What’s wrong with you is my line! What’s with that creepy businessman talk?

“Ah……”

　I wasn’t aware of it at all, but when it came to business meetings, I seemed to have unconsciously switched to the external mode of my company slave days.

　

It’s scary how habits can become ingrained in your soul. ……

　You say I talk in a creepy way, but this frank and fast-paced way of speaking can make negotiations go quite smoothly, you know?

“No, I was just talking to a vendor …… right now. I just matched it because he was talking like that.”

“Hmmm …… Well, it’s not the first time my love-struck Aniki has behaved in a strange way, so that’s good.”

“Strange ……”

　Well, just now, that may have been strange behavior for sure, but …… for her to call it strange behavior is …….

“I’m not sure what to make of it, but I’m sure it will be worth it. You’re trying to do something for Shijoin-san, aren’t you?”

　Hey, this girl’s …… got a sparkle in her eye for a change!

　She thinks that what I’m doing is funny. ……!

“You know, ……, I’m not trying to make an interesting show for you, okay?

“Hahahaha! The story about how you yelled at the stupid Yankees who were robbing you and made them scared, as well as the story about the “second-rank”  guys who tried to shame you with false confessions was so funny that it made my stomach hurt! I’m a big fan of yours, you know Aniki?”

In front of my sister, who smiles with a cute face, the only thing I can do as a brother is to say, “Good grief,” and let her do as she pleases.

　Good grief.…

“Well, yes. What I’m trying to do this time is–

　When I explained my plan, my sister burst into a hearty laughter.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha! Seriously! You’re going that far! And you’re already fully prepared, I’m going to be the president of your fan club!”

“Don’t laugh so hard that you cry …… I’m dead serious here.”

“Haha, sorry, sorry! Well, you know, …….”

　Then Kanako turned her gaze to me, looking somewhat happy.

“It’s an idea that Aniki would have never come up with even if he stood on his hands. You’ ve already told me about your feelings many times, but …… I think the reason why you’re willing to go that far is because it’s an important love that you rarely encounter in your life.”

　With a strangely mature expression on her face, my younger sister speaks.

“I’m really popular, but you know what? no matter how many guys come to me, I can’t find someone who says, ‘I love you so much!” so I feel empty. Bitchy girls love to have ‘boyfriends to show off’, but I don’t have that kind of taste.”

　No, you know, this …… guy, what are you really? I mean, how can you talk so much about love in middle school?

　Does being popular make you mature that much in romance philosophy?

“So, don’t ever let Shijoin-san go, Aniki!  You may never find someone you can love that much again!”

“Yeah, I know.”

　I nodded strongly to Kanako, who clenched her fists and gave me a cheer.

　I know exactly what my sister is implying.

　In my previous life, I went out into the society and met a lot of women through my work, but I never had feelings for any of them.

　On the other hand, I have been in love with Shijoin-san ever since before I returned to the past.

　There are a lot of women out there, but a person you can fall in love with is quite rare.

“In the meantime, tomorrow I’ll start my plan and raise my affection while dispelling Shijoin-san’s worries.”

“Yes, yes! I’m glad to see you understand, Aniki! I’m scared that you’re already thinking of something like terrorism, but you’re really doing well!”

“Oi!”

　By the way, since it was a special occasion, we had a family takoyaki party with my mom and ate a lot of food while having a good time.

　My mom smiled happily at me, so I thought it might be a good idea to do it again, and afterwards, I finished all the preparations for tomorrow.

　And – on that day, there was no progress at all in the class festival presentation meeting.

“I’m so tired of this! If you want to do something other than the exhibition so badly, you can do it on your own! We who want the exhibition won’t help you!”

“No, you can’t do that! We all need to work together on the festival’s presentation! Please discuss it properly!”

“Yeah, yeah! Let’s have a blast with everyone! Something that stands out!”

　Noroda, who wanted to avoid trouble as usual, Kazamihara, who only wanted to prioritize the rules and reach an agreement through discussion, and Akasaki, whose voice was loud even though he only had an image without any specifics.

　When I think about it, the root of all evil was when Kazamihara first said, “Let’s not have a majority vote, let’s discuss it thoroughly.”

　At first, there were  lots of meaningful discussions about this idea or that idea, but then Akasaki said, “Isn’t that too normal and uninteresting?”  As Akasaki continued to make complaints, everyone eventually became annoyed and abandoned the discussion.

　”It’s too much trouble and I want to end it quickly”, but Noroda got mad at the situation and said, “Why don’t you make a simple display? That’ s too much work! It’s too much trouble!”

(Do they realize that the important time for preparation is being wasted while they do this?)

　And as time was wasted, the face of Shijoin-san, who was looking forward to the cultural festival with the whole class, became more and more cloudy.

　The other students were also exhausted, and everyone had already given up on the situation, saying, “Let it be what it is.” There was no longer any way to resolve the situation.

　So I’m going to turn this thing around.

　I let out a breath and try to stand up from my seat.

(……..hmmm…….?)

　For some reason, my movements stopped.

　The reason for this came to mind immediately.

　It’s the past me that’s inside of me.

　The gloomy part of me rejects my actions as a dull pain.

(Haha, I thought I got rid of it pretty well after I went back in time, but …… it’s still in there inside me, isn’t it? )

　In my previous life, when I was in high school, I never stepped outside of the small territory that was my seat.

　I never raised my hand to express my opinion, actively tried to expand my friendships, or ran for a position.

　I tried to be inconspicuous under my breath and trembled in fear that someone would hurt me.

(I’ve had to deal with people attacking me a few times before, but that was just to defend myself, and they were separate individuals. This time, I’m going to take on a whole class… and I’m going to do it proactively. I guess my timid side is starting to hurt.)

　But… I’m not the one who lets my cowardice get the best of me anymore.

　The past that kept me from getting up from this seat in fear of pain is over.

(Well, ……, let’s go then.)

　The sound of a chair being pulled with a jerk echoed through the classroom.

　I stood up in that moment, drawing the attention of the whole class.

 

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