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

Chapter 83: The Ideal Summer I Dreamed of Back Then (2)

It wasnt my first time talking to Shijouin-san on the phone. However, as the ringtone goes prururururu and I wait for the person I like to answer, theres always a mixture of nerves and a slightly sweet anticipation.

And then

Hello, hello! Is this Niihama-kun!?

Uh, yeah, its me. Sorry for calling out of the blue.

Shijouin-san picked up the phone much quicker than I expected. Ive been teased by Gingi as someone with a romance-focused brain, and I cant really deny it. Just hearing her cool voice makes me feel so happy.

No, its totally fine. But, whats up today? Oh, maybe youve finally thought of a way to use that right to make me do anything I offered as an apology the other day?

No, its not that! And, uh, I dont remember ever receiving such a terrifying thing!

Please dont casually mention things like a war breaking out with that really bright voice! Thats like a nuclear bomb!

Well, the thing is, were actually planning to go to the beach with everyone, so I was wondering if youd like to come along?

Huh

I had prepared the contents of my message beforehand so that my words wouldnt get stuck. Im not used to inviting girls to the beach, and its a forbidden act reserved for the most popular among the popular. It really doesnt suit me, who has lived a life as an introvert.

But No matter how incompatible it may seem, and no matter how much my heart feels like its about to explode from nerves, nothing will start unless I speak up about my wish.

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Well, I mean Were planning to go play at the beach today, so, would you like to join us?

Huh

The air conditioning is on, but Im sweating from nervousness. Inviting a girl to the beach is like crossing into the territory of the most successful of the successful in romance. As someone who has led a life as an introvert, I wasnt expecting a positive response.

Buteven if it doesnt match my character at all, and even if my heart is pounding, nothing will start if I dont speak up.

I said everything I had to say in one breath, trying not to stutter.

How can these guys who are all so calm and collected deliver lines like this so smoothly? Is their humor lighter than hydrogen or something?

Well, I mean, if youre busy or anything

Ill go!! When and where are we meeting? Oh, I only have school swimsuits, so I need to buy a proper swimsuit

Huh!? W-wait, really!?

What do you mean by really Did you think I was lying!?

No, I mean, Im 100% serious, but

Phew, good! I was about to cry from happiness if it was just a tease!

I thought I had chosen a situation that Shijouin-san would like, but her reaction was beyond my expectations. When I asked for her email address before, she also reacted with great enthusiasm, but her excitement now is even higher.

Uh, well, I didnt expect you to be this happy. Im actually quite surprised

Shijouin-san and I have definitely become good friends. However, this time, there are no excuses like school events, the library committee, thank-yous, or emergency evacuations this is a pure invitation to hang out as friends.

And moreover, its a trip to the beach. I was prepared for the possibility of her avoiding it, but

You must know that Ill be overjoyed! Its the beach, the beach! Its like a dream to be able to go to the beach with you and everyone else!

Its as if shes a child who had just been promised a trip to an amusement park by her parents. Shijouin-sans voice is filled with unreserved joy.

But you Ive never done anything summer-like with friends until now.

With a self-deprecating laugh, she said, Since I was a child, Ive never had the chance to do things like camping or going to the beach with friends. Ive had plenty of summer experiences with family and the housemaids, of course, and they were fun, but Its different, you know? Its not the sparkling summer spent with friends thats the typical subject of conversations.

Yeah, I understand.

The time spent with family and that spent with peers are indeed different. Especially the latter, it shines even more brilliantly, and thats why its called youth.

Especially during the summer, doing things like going camping or to the beach with friends is considered a classic, but in reality, Ive never had the chance to experience it Ive always admired it!

I could hear the excitement in her voice as she talked about it. If we were in the age of smartphones, I wouldve used video call to see her cute face.

So thank you for inviting me! Ive always admired those things, but I never had the courage to propose such plans to others myself. So, Im really happy you reached out to me!

Shijouin-san

This is the first time ever (including my past life) that Ive invited a girl to hang out, and seeing her genuinely delighted makes my heart swell with happiness. We havent even been to the beach yet, but I feel overwhelmed with emotion.

(I used to think of Shijouin-san as someone living the life of the most popular of the popular rich, super popular, with lots of friends, and living the perfect youth)

However, as I get closer to her, I begin to see aspects of her I didnt know before. That she had also longed for a summer with friends, and that, depending on how I do things, there could be a future where we go to the beach together These are things the previous me never knew.

Im really glad I mustered up the courage

Huh?

Oh, I meant myself. Anyway, Ill ask the others too. Ill plan and discuss the details with you later.

Sure! I want to be part of the planning too, so please feel free to talk to me about it! Talk to you later!

With that, the call that lasted over ten minutes came to an end.

I placed my flip phone on the table and looked around the living room. Naturally, there were no changes in the scenery around me. Outside the window, the summer scene was the same as before, and the air conditioner continued to blow cool air into the room.

Yes, there were no visible changes in the world I could see.

But a revolution had taken place within my little universe.

Yes! Yessss! The beach! Its going to be the beach with Shijouin-san! Yeehawww!

I abandoned the composure I had barely maintained during the call and shouted with a victorious pose. Well, its impossible to stay calm in a situation like this. Being at the beach with the person you like is something that felt like it only belonged in romantic comedy manga, almost like fiction.

But, it was made possible with just one decisive phone call.

Of course, this result is the accumulation of what Ive experienced in this life. But, its also the result of taking the initiative and not being afraid of rejection or failure, something I shied away from and merely waited for in my past life.

Well, since were going together with everyone, I guess there wont be any intimate events with Shijouin-san. But, for now, spending time together at the beach is enough! Hoooh! It feels amazing!

In my excitement, I danced a joyful dance like a primary school kid, completely losing my mind.

And before I knew it, Kanako, standing at the entrance to the living room, had witnessed my bizarre behavior and commented with a sarcastic tone, Has the heat turned your brain into tofu, big brother?

Bonus Chapter 1/2