I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 128: Before I Knew It, This Distance Became Natural

Haruka and I set off for home together.

Perhaps due to the pleasant autumn temperature, the cityscape illuminated by the setting sun had a very calm atmosphere, making it very comfortable.

And in such clear air, we walked side by side as usual, chatting away.

“So, it seems Mishima-san was hesitant about becoming a manager. Your father apparently went directly to the manager to ask for her appointment. He said to rely on him for the workload for now,” I explained.

“I see… You can’t really refuse becoming a manager when the president asks you directly,” Haruka replied.

We were discussing the behind-the-scenes story of Mishima-san, who we work with at the part-time job, being officially appointed as the manager.

For a president to personally ask an employee is a directive with a lot of authority. It also shows how important the president considers that shop. But for Mishima-san, who wants to remain a casual mob employee, it must have been a lot.

“From society’s perspective, it’s a big promotion, though…”

“And when we all congratulated her, she had a really complicated expression…”

Mishima-san, lovable because she’s capable but can’t take it easy, flashed through our minds, and we both gave wry smiles.

Well, do your best, Mishima-san. I think that from now on, you’ll keep piling up promotions and responsibilities, but a capable woman who secretly loves alcohol and has a penchant for laziness probably attracts attention.

“Well, I plan to continue the part-time job a little longer and help Mishima-san! Well, even if it’s just a little, it’s better than doing nothing,” Haruka said.

“No, no, I think you’ve really gotten used to it. Especially being able to deal with customers who complain, I think that’s really amazing,” I said. This wasn’t flattery, but a genuine compliment.

Getting angry customers to calm down with words alone is truly impressive. At least in my previous life, as a gloomy otaku high school student, I think I would have found it impossible.

“R-really? Well, I did think I was getting used to it compared to the beginning… But it makes me happy to hear you say that, Shinichirou-kun!” Haruka replied, smiling shyly.

Haruka’s smile was like admiring a beautiful flower. She smiled naturally, like when she looked at pretty flowers.

“But really… Shinichirou-kun, I’m glad I started working part-time to follow you. Trying out a real workplace has given me a bit of confidence. Even I can become a decent adult. At the very least, I don’t feel like I’m such a useless existence that it’s not even worth talking about… That’s what I’ve come to think,” Haruka confessed, her voice filled with deep emotions.

I listened to her words, but I couldn’t help but feel a certain way.

“Yeah… I guess that’s how it is,” I thought to myself.

Over the past six months, I’ve come to understand something about Haruka.

She’s innocent, but she’s not emotionally weak. She’s very earnest, has a high learning ability, and with enough experience, she can learn how to deal with significant stress.

I had a vague idea of why she pushed herself so hard in the future until she became a wreck.

Well, it’s not really that important anymore.

In just half a year, Haruka has changed significantly.

Already, she’s developing a foundation that won’t easily be swallowed by malice. From here, the possibility of her ending up in that future seems quite low.

“What’s wrong, Shinichirou-kun? You look like you’re thinking about something difficult…” Haruka asked, looking up at me, puzzled.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing,” I said, smiling back. I should always consider the future, but I shouldn’t let it occupy my thoughts when we’re walking home together like this.

“Oh, right. Speaking of part-time jobs, it was payday the other day, wasn’t it? Did Haruka decide what she’s going to use the money for?”

She said her reason for starting the part-time job was for work experience, so it didn’t seem like she had something she wanted from the beginning…

“Hehe, for now, I’ve decided to use it for buying light novels! If it’s my own money, even if I buy a hundred, my father won’t get mad!” Haruka exclaimed.

“I’ve said it before, but isn’t that too much?! We might face another ban on light novels!?” I retorted.

I knew from my previous life that Haruka read light novels, but this was the first time I learned that she was so into them.

Perhaps when I first talked to her seriously in my previous life, when I was still gloomy, recommending light novels led to this…?

“But, there are so many I want to read! Besides, I get a lot of recommendations from you every time we walk home together!” Haruka said, blushing slightly, perhaps embarrassed by her announcement of buying a large quantity.

But well, it’s true… since the time loop until now, we’ve enjoyed having common topics, and I’ve probably recommended a lot of books.

Yes, every time we walk home together—

“However… we’ve had more chances to walk home together like this,” I mentioned, expressing the feelings that had suddenly welled up in my chest.

Come to think of it, when I first walked home with Haruka, I was nervous. After all, she’s the jewel of youth that shone brightly in my memories even as I became an old man.

Just exchanging words felt disproportionately significant, and my heart was pounding with a thrilling sweetness.

But now—

(It’s not that my feelings have dulled as much as they have, but rather—)

“Yes, that’s right. Honestly… I never imagined I would become this comfortable with you, Shinichirou-kun, when spring had just arrived,” Haruka said, reflecting on my words.

“Compared to back then, I don’t get as nervous, but… that’s probably because our personal space has become closer,” she added.

“Personal space… Ah, you mean the distance between people.”

“Yes, I read about it in a book. Humans have a kind of barrier-like distance they don’t want others to approach. Becoming close to each other means gradually stepping over each other’s barriers,” Haruka explained.

Hearing this, I suddenly realized.

The distance between Haruka, who was looking up at me, and me could be described as being shoulder to shoulder. Compared to six months ago, the distance between us had unbelievably shortened.

Without either of us deciding to do so, it had become like this at some point.

“We’ve always been together. That’s why our personal spaces have become very close, and before we knew it, it became a natural state. Actually, being near you, Shinichirou-kun, is very calming,” Haruka said, her words flowing naturally, in very close proximity.

(Ugh!)

In such close quarters, Haruka spoke so naturally. She smiled easily, just like she would with family.

(That unwitting attack on my heart is about time to tone down! While it’s true that our distance has certainly grown closer, there’s no way I’d get used to such an unfair attack, right!?)

As Haruka said, the distance between our hearts had become very close. However, no matter how natural it had become for us to be together, her unintentional charming remarks still managed to greatly fluster me.

(TLN) Pull the trigger my guy! I was joking about the cliffhanger. Though this will be the last one for today. Gonna fill the queue tomorrow.