I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School! - Chapter 45
Chapter 45 – Tea time in the room of my favorite girl(part 1)
I was very nervous, in a different way from the interview with Tokimune-san.
Anyway, I’m currently in Shijouin-san’s bedroom, sitting on a chair in front of a table in the middle of the room.
(I thought it was a lie when I stepped into Shijouin-san’s house, but… just being in her room already makes me feel like I’m in a dream…)
The room was four or five times bigger than mine, and I could tell that all of the furniture was luxurious, but there’s nothing exceptional beyond that.
However, I can’t help but fantasize about it.
At that study desk, Shijouin-san worries about her studies for the final exam, reads light novels in her casual clothes on her days off, and in the morning, she gets up from that double-sized bed, rubs her sleepy eyes in her sleepwear, opens her closet, and changes into her uniform.
And after taking a bath, she’d walk around this room without a single piece of clothing on――
(What the hell is wrong with my head!? Don’t you dare let your head turn pink at the innocent girl who let you into her room!)
I don’t know… But, when I think about the fact that I’m in the same space that… Shijouin-san spends most of her life, my imagination starts to run wild…
“…? What’s wrong, Niihama-kun? You seem to be very nervous…”
Shijouin-san, who was sitting across the table from me, tilted her head.
Despite my agony, she looked as innocent as ever.
“No, I mean, this is my first time going into a girl’s room…”
“Really? But there’s nothing really special about it compared to the living room…”
It is special!
Very special!
(Shijouin-san’s innocence is nothing new, but… when she makes that kind of face in a situation like this, it feels like I’m a pervert who deceived a girl into letting me into her room…!)
“Excuse me, Oujo-sama.”
Just then, a light knock sounded, and a young female servant―Fuyuizumi-san, as I recall― entered the room with a food service wagon.
Nevertheless, although it’s a little late now, the thought of having a girl referred to as ‘Ojou-sama’ in modern Japan, makes me have a great sense of fantasy.
“Thank you, Fuyuizumi-san! Ah, let me serve the tea!”
“Very well… Please be careful not to spill it, okay?”
“Don’t worry, It’s fine! I would never make such a silly mistake in front of a guest.”
The interaction between Fuyuizumi-san, who is concerned about Shijouin-san as if she were her older sister, is very endearing. I guess the people working here have the best salary and working environment.
“Now if you’ll excuse me… Oh, and Niihama-sama.”
“Y-Yes!?”
Surprised by Fuyuizumi-san who suddenly called my name, she gently put her mouth close to my ear and whispered.
(I think it’s fine to be a little offensive as long as you keep it in moderation, right?)
“Wha…? Wait, eh…?
“Take your time then.”
In contrast to my dismay, Fuyuizumi-san bowed and calmly left the room.
Erm, does this mean that… the people working in this house don’t object to me getting close to Shijouin-san just like Akiko-san…?
“Help yourself, Niihama-kun! This is my favorite blend!”
Before I had time to do anything, Shijouin-san had finished preparing everything for the tea party.
The tea, poured into a gleaming bone China cup, gave off a very alluring scent, and the sweets that were served along with it had an impressive appearance.
“Uwa, Amazing…! It’s so beautiful that it’s kinda a waste to eat…!”
The confectionery, which Shijouin-san probably homemade, was a gorgeous fruit tart.
Strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, melons, and peaches were all piled up, like a jewel box that was filled with brilliance.
“I was wondering what kind of sweets would make a person happy, and decided to go with fruit tarts because I thought it would make them excited when they saw it at first glance, though I’m not sure if it would be something a boy would like…”
“No, it’s amazing! And it’s really beautiful!”
(I ate too much during lunch and it was painful, but now that some time has passed after the interview with Tokimune-san, I guess I can at least afford to eat some dessert. A youth’s digestive power is amazing―Wait!?)
“U-Umh, Shijouin-san, …perhaps you prepared more than one dessert…?”
“No, I tried to make more, but mom and Fuyuizumi-san stopped me, saying, ‘That amount is definitely enough!’ is it not adequate?”
“No, it’s enough! It’s totally enough! In fact, I thought it was perfect!”
Hearing me say this desperately, Shijouin-san put her hand on her chest and said, “Well, I’m glad to hear that.” I was also relieved, I was going to give up if I had to eat a big serving of dessert.
“I’ll have it then… Oh, this is so good…!”
The sweetness and acidity of the fruit melted with the cream, made it irresistibly delicious.
“I’m glad to see that you are enjoying it so much.”
Shijouin-san said happily while watching me munching on the fruit tart.
(Delicious… cute, happy… What is this place? There’ s nothing but happiness in this place…)
A wonderful fragrant tea, a beautiful girl smiling in front of me, and a sweet treat she made for me.
“Um… Nihama-kun. I’m sorry about my dad earlier. I invited you here today as a thanks for the study session, but he was rude to you…”
Shijouin-san suddenly put down her fork and said so.
She looked apologetic and seemed to think that I was really offended.
“Haha, well, I was certainly surprised by the sudden Interview with Tokimune-san. But… he’s a really good father.”
“Eh…?”
“I’m not saying this just because he’s your father, but because I truly believe so. I’m sure he’s very busy with his company, but he really cares about his family and even listened to my words as a mere friend of his daughter.”
Well, I can’t defend his lack of maturity in suddenly locking up a high school student and giving him a serious pressure interview, but at least I had begun to develop some respect for him.
Winning the heart of the person you love with the strength of your feelings, doing a great job, while taking good care of his family.
I guess I could say that he’s my ideal image.
“So don’t worry about it. It was a bit difficult for me to get along with him at first, but after talking with him for a while, I enjoyed talking with him in a friendly manner.”
Well, the truth is, it wasn’t ‘a bit difficult to get along,’ but rather, his hostility was deadly and difficult to deal with.
“Oh, I see… If dad and Niihama-kun have become friends, then I’m more than happy.”
“By the way, he wants to know how you’re doing at school, Shijouin-san..”
“Is that so? Then I can tell him about it next time… It seems that all I can talk about is my time with Niihama-kun lately.”
“No, please, as much as possible, focus the topic on Shijouin-san herself, okay?”
As I imagined Tokimune-san’s anger rising every time Shijouin-san mentioned my name, I softly said this, while breaking out in a cold sweat.
