I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 102: Prostrate Yourself! Theres Nothing Left but to Prostrate!

I experienced despair multiple times during my corporate slave days.

When a shipment of a thousand items arrived due to my mistake instead of the intended ten, when I was told to handle a task that might take ten people until tomorrow all by myself, when I found out that the data storage containing crucial internal data had crashed and the backup wasn’t functioning – the list of such moments is endless.

However, this is an entirely different kind of despair.

Work-related despair felt like being impaled by an icicle through the heart, but being disliked by someone you care about is like a collapse into a dark abyss where the world crumbles beneath your feet.

What could have possibly gone wrong?

Did I unintentionally stare too much at her in a swimsuit? Was it because of the accidental touches? Or perhaps, for some reason, she developed an aversion to me?

“I want to die…”

“You finally said something, and it’s that?…”

Suddenly, I realized that I was prostrate on my desk, with Ginji standing next to me.

Time had been strangely distorted, and I couldn’t recall what had just happened.

“Oh, Ginji… Is it time for the opening ceremony?”

“The opening ceremony ended a long time ago! Are you really okay?”

As I was told this, I finally remembered what had transpired up until now.

This morning, after being avoided by Shijouin-san, I collapsed in shock. After somehow managing to reboot my mental state, I weakly got up, determined to somehow talk to Shijouin-san.

But what awaited me was the merciless reality of Shijouin-san blatantly avoiding me.

No matter how many times I tried to engage in conversation, she would turn away and flee. I couldn’t hold a proper conversation with her.

Even after the gymnasium’s opening ceremony ended and everyone left, she was nowhere to be found. In my despair, I rested my head on the desk, seeking solace in a self-imposed exile.

However… I couldn’t stay like this forever. Whether it’s work or relationships, most issues that become complicated won’t be resolved unless I take action myself.

“Fudehashi and Kazamihara seem to be trying to extract information from Shijouin-san, but it seems like you haven’t had any contact with her yet.”

“I see… Alright, it’s time to end this mental break…”

Scolding my despondent heart, I unsteadily stood up.

No matter how shattered my heart was during my corporate slave days, no one came to my rescue amidst the alienation from my family and the terrible work environment.

That’s why I’ve learned to rebuild my mental state on my own and find solutions even in the face of distress. Though I’m still deeply affected, it’s essential to address the problems that must be solved as quickly as possible.

“O-Oh, you’re getting back to your usual self.”

“I’m not over the shock yet. But I can’t afford to remain in this state of despair.”

” …Oh, by the way, Shijouin-san is sitting on the bench in the courtyard. According to information from Kazamihara-san, she said, ‘When Niihama-kun restarts, please let me know.'”

“Good information, Ginji! Alright, I’m going!”

With that, I rushed out of the classroom.

Though the surrounding students were giving me curious looks as I sprinted down the corridor, I ignored them all and focused solely on one thing – reaching the girl I cared about.

“If I’ve done something to bother you, I’ll apologize! I’ll do anything! So… please, please tell me what you disliked about me!”

With determination, I finally managed to convey my words to the bewildered Shijouin. I had no idea how she would react, but I was resolute in restoring the relationship we had until yesterday.

However…

“…Huh? I disliked you, Niihama-kun?”

“Huh?”

As if she had been told something completely unexpected, Shijouin responded in a daze.

Surprised by her perplexing reaction, I involuntarily lifted my face from its previously bowed position and responded in a baffled tone. (TLN: Sliding dogeza orz)

“Well, you see… You’ve been avoiding me since this morning. Whenever I try to talk to you, you turn away. I thought maybe I did something without realizing it and you started disliking me…”

“What? N-No… It’s not like that!”

When I explained the reason for my prostration, Shijouin widened her eyes in surprise and fervently denied my concerns, vigorously shaking her hands and vehemently refuting my worries.

“There’s no way I could ever dislike you!”

I couldn’t adjust to the sudden shift in her voice, and this time it was my turn to be astonished.

Though I wasn’t entirely sure how deeply Shijouin was considering her words, her affirmation of the connection and bond we had built was like a blessing to me.

In the depths of my despondent heart, a radiant sunlight pierced through. The vice-like grip that had constricted my chest seemed to ease, and I realized my heart and stomach were returning to their normal state from the previous turbulence.

“R-Really? You’re saying you didn’t start avoiding me because you disliked me?”

“Absolutely not! There’s no reason for me to dislike you!”

As I clung to this inquiry, Shijouin raised her voice childishly, repeating her denial with fervor. Each of her words felt like a sweet balm to my spirit.

“Phew… Thank goodness… I’m so relieved…”

“Huh? Umm, Niihama-kun, are you crying?”

Well, tears of relief would naturally flow…

Even though I had been teased by Kazamihara at the beach… I realized anew how heavy the feelings I had been carrying were.

If I were to confess and get rejected now, I might end up as a living corpse for about a year.

“But… then, why were you keeping your distance from me today?”

“…!”

As I brushed the dirt off my pants and stood up from my prostration, I asked the obvious question. However, for some reason, Shijouin froze like a statue for a moment.

“U-Um, that… I apologize for causing a misunderstanding. It’s not what you think. Maybe it’s not that you’re fine, but I’m really not okay. My heart is so jumbled up that even thinking about it makes me feel embarrassingly hot, like my head’s about to boil…”

“???”

Shijouin blushed intensely and appeared more flustered than ever, using frantic hand gestures to convey her chaotic state of mind.

It seemed that both her emotions and thoughts were in disarray, and her mental circuitry was on the verge of short-circuiting.

Hmm…?

Even if I’m fine, she’s not okay?

Just thinking about it is embarrassing…?

From those words, I could deduce…

(Oh…? No, could it be…)

“Well… maybe, just maybe…”

In her state of emotional turmoil, where her feelings seemed to be overheating, I cautiously addressed Shijouin with hesitant words.

“Do you… remember everything that happened when we got drunk at the beach?”

“—!!!”

Upon hearing this, Shijouin went speechless and froze in her tracks.

Then, her already red face deepened in hue, and she gently covered her face with both hands, unable to hide her embarrassment. (TLN: …CUTE.)

She even lowered herself to the ground and assumed a pose reminiscent of a soccer player who had missed a goal, unable to face the situation.

“…Y-Yes… I remember…”

“I see…”

While her tear-filled voice trembled and she seemed to shrink, I had no choice but to respond that way despite my overwhelming emotions.

(TLN) Currently working on filling the queue for next week! If you want to binge them all right now, join us on ko-fi!