253 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 253 Spring break is delightful. It means more time spent with Miyagi in this house, and just lazing around in the same room makes me feel cheerful. The thought of possibly going to the aquarium or the zoo together makes it even more exhilarating. However, thanks to a call from Mio, the first day of spring break has taken a more gloomy turn. "Sendai-san, aren't you eating?” The voice from across the table makes me look at Miyagi. She's watching me intently, holding toast with butter and jam in one hand. "Huh? Oh, I am." The simple breakfast of toast, ham and eggs in front of me hasn't been touched. Miyagi takes a bite of her toast. Watching her, I nibble on the egg white of my sunny-side-up egg, then take a bite of butter-and-jam-covered toast. Yesterday, I promised Mio—or rather, was made to promise—that I would tell Miyagi about meeting Mio and get her approval for it. Unless I clear this mission, my spring break will likely remain far from enjoyable. "Miyagi, you don’t have any particular plans for spring break, right?" I lightly poke at the soft yolk with a fork. "I don’t want to go anywhere." "I haven't even said anything yet." "It seemed like you were going to suggest going out together, so I just said it." "What about the zoo or the aquarium?" "I'm not going. You’ll be at your part-time job anyway, right?" Her unenthusiastic answer comes back, and I poke at the yolk again, breaking it, before taking a bite of the yolk-covered ham. "I told you, I’ll be working during spring break, but not that much." I’d mentioned this to Miyagi a few days ago, and she should have understood. But her mood isn’t particularly good. Like during winter break, I’m working at the café, but I don’t plan to work so much that it consumes most of my break. The tutoring job is practically over as well. Kikyō-chan has completed her entrance exams, and the results should be in soon. If she passes, there’s nothing left for me to do. I’ve been asked to continue tutoring her even after her advancement, but that conversation will only happen if she passes. "Miyagi, you don't have to go out, but could you grant me a favor?" Ideally, I’d like to go out with her, but first, I need to tackle an even more daunting task. "A favor?" Even before I can explain, Miyagi furrows her brow. The promise I made with Mio could be brushed off by saying something random, but knowing Mio, if I ignore it, she’ll just plan another meet-up. There’s plenty of time that can be considered a break, including Golden Week, summer vacation, and even regular Sundays. None of these would prevent the promise from being fulfilled. Mio's visit is likely inevitable; thus, I want to address it promptly. "Don’t make such a displeased face; at least listen, okay? So, Mio wants to come over—" "On that day, I’ll meet Maika. Once the date’s decided, let me know, and I’ll head out so I won’t be in the way." Miyagi interrupts, not letting me finish. "No, that’s not it. On the day Mio comes, I’d like you to be here, too." "Why? Isn’t Komatsu-san your friend?" "She is, but she wants to meet you." "Absolutely not." The crease in Miyagi’s brow deepens. I’d like to furrow my brows too, but I consciously maintain a smile. "Come on, she’ll be here for just half a day. Can’t you meet her?" Contrary to the bright tone I’m using with Miyagi, a low voice inside me says, "I don’t want Miyagi to meet Mio." During spring break, Miyagi should only be meeting with me, and there’s no need for her to befriend Mio. I want to accept Miyagi’s reluctance to meet Mio and inform Mio right away that Miyagi won’t be available. But, if I hold back just this once, my university life will likely be more peaceful from here on out. It might not be perfect, but it’ll get closer to that tranquil life. Avoiding an unnatural scenario where Miyagi doesn’t meet Mio might also prevent Mio from getting suspicious and probing unnecessarily. "I don’t have anything to talk about with her, so no. Besides, what’s Komatsu-san's aim in meeting me?" "Aim? Hmm, maybe she just wants to get closer to you." Those words feel unpleasant, making my chest churn. Mio isn’t at fault, but it doesn’t sit well with me. Miyagi, who isn’t mine, shouldn’t be anyone else’s, especially not Mio’s. Although that's unlikely to happen, the mere possibility makes my heart feel as if it’s been smeared with oil. Miyagi shouldn’t belong to anyone—not to Mio, not to anyone else. "It's the same as when Utsunomiya came over; just stay home. I’ll grant any of your wishes, so please?" I down some orange juice to wash away the oily feeling accumulating inside me. "So, I can give you orders?" "Yes." "Stop offering orders so cheaply, Sendai-san." “If you'd prefer something other than orders, what would you like? Any request?” "I have none, so just meet with Komatsu-san by yourself." "That’s not acceptable. I’ll offer any exchange, so just keep half a day open." As my voice hangs in the air, I hear the sound of a fork clattering lightly against a plate. It’s not loud, but it catches my attention, and I glance at Miyagi’s hands—she’s impaled a side-dish cherry tomato with her fork but lets out a small sigh without eating it. "…Then, join me when I go out with Maika." Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, resonates in my ear. "With Utsunomiya?" "Yes. That’s the exchange. In return for meeting with Komatsu-san, go out with us anytime." I can't outright refuse, and it’s not like I dislike the idea. It’s just that, somehow, the thought makes my chest flutter. This feeling is nothing more than petty jealousy on my part. There’s nothing wrong with Utsunomiya, as I understand. Also, if I accept this proposal, I’ll resolve the matter with Mio, and everything will end amicably. "I don’t see why that has to be an exchange. I’d be fine going out." "Let's keep it as an exchange." "If you’re okay with it, Miyagi, then fine. So, where are we going?" I take another bite of my toast and gaze at Miyagi. "It hasn't been decided, but she was saying she wanted you to help pick out clothes." Miyagi snaps up the cherry tomato as if it had wronged her. "Want me to pick out clothes for you too, Miyagi?" "No need." "Why not? I’ll pick something cute. Let me!" "I don’t need clothes or cute things." "You seem to dislike being called cute, Miyagi—is cute not your thing?" "My opinion isn’t important now. We’re talking about Maika." Her irritated voice pulls the conversation back on track. "Got it. I’ll ask Utsunomiya what kind of clothes she wants." "Are you speaking with Maika?" Miyagi asks as if it's a given with a low voice. "It’s hard to choose without knowing her preferences. So, when’s a good time for you, Miyagi?" "A good time for what?" "You know what I mean—the day to meet Mio." I take a bite of ham, waiting for a reply. But Miyagi remains tight-lipped. Even after finishing her toast and egg, she stays silent. As I prompt her with, "Miyagi, when's good for you?” she eventually mutters in a low voice. "As late as possible." "And when would that be? Maybe the end of February?" "...March." "Got it. I'll let Mio know for March. Oh, and one more thing. Keep the 'Niboshi Day' open." "...Why do you have to call it that? Just say February 14th." "Back in high school, you're the one who called February 14th 'Niboshi Day,' remember? Did you forget?" It was Valentine's Day during our second year of high school. I remember distinctly when I was about to give Miyagi friendship chocolates, and she called it that. "That's just mean." "I don’t mind being mean, just keep it open." Miyagi doesn’t respond. However, she tends to voice her dislike if she doesn’t want something, so her silence likely means she doesn’t object. Thus, one plan for my spring break is now confirmed.