275 The Time Without Sendai-san - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

The Time Without Sendai-san Chapter 275 I bite into the second piece of fried chicken and swallow it down. It's been such a long break that my body hasn't fully adjusted to being back at university. However, unlike me, Maika and Asakura-san seem to be thoroughly enjoying their lunch. The spring break ended, university started anew, and we've become second-year students. Before I knew it, everyone resumed attending lectures as if there never was a break. It seems I'm the only one who still longs for spring break. The bustling noise of the university cafeteria remains unchanged from before the break. "Doesn't it feel like spring break ended too quickly?" I swallow my sigh and direct the question to Maika and Asakura-san, who are eagerly consuming their food. "Not at all. Didn't it feel incredibly long? If it were any longer, people might just turn into something useless," Maika responds lightly, skillfully twirling pasta onto her fork and taking a bite. "It's nice to work a lot during breaks, but if they're too long, that's another issue," agrees Asakura-san, while eating her omurice. Yet, I can't agree with the two of them. "A longer break would be better. I'd rather lounge around at home." Looking around at the bright cafeteria, filled with glittering people laughing joyfully at who knows what, I can't help but feel out of place. If Sendai-san were here, she’d likely blend right in, laughing naturally in the crowd. I don't dislike university, and being with Maika and others is fun, but unlike Sendai-san, I feel more comfortable at home. "Shiori, not wanting to go out defeats the purpose of being a university student." With a sound of exasperation, Maika's voice is followed by Asakura-san's. "Miyagi-san, you really are an indoor person, aren't you? Isn't it hard to just laze around at home with someone else sharing your place? Oh, but Sendai-san probably doesn't lounge around, does she?" "The only one lounging is Shiori, while Sendai-san seems pretty organized," Maika says with a chuckle, twirling more pasta onto her fork. Their harsh words ring true nonetheless. Even during breaks, Sendai-san maintains a more disciplined lifestyle than I do. Be it summer or winter, every break follows this pattern. Meals at proper times, cleaning, laundry, keeping her room tidy. She is always organized and neat. Both in appearance and in life, everything. I don't think there's much discrepancy between the image people have of Sendai-san and reality. But there are parts of her known only to me. The Sendai-san who lies on the bed, only I know her. And again, I find myself thinking about such things with her—but— "Shiori, you're zoning out again. Wanting more break doesn't justify being so absent-minded, does it?" Called out by Maika, my attention, momentarily ensnared by thoughts of Sendai-san, snaps back. This isn't the place to be thinking about such things. "I'll focus for the Golden Week." I voice a modest goal, biting into the fried chicken once more. Drinking down miso soup and bringing rice to my mouth, Asakura-san, who has eaten about half of her omurice, speaks up. "Miyagi-san, aren't you planning to work during Golden Week?" When university resumed and Maika mentioned she would be working, Asakura-san asked, "What about Miyagi-san?" I responded with the same words I use now. "I'm not cut out for part-time work." I had remarked to Sendai-san during spring break, "Maybe I should work, too," but that wasn't serious. She likely knew I wasn't serious as well, just a burst of frustration. I don't want to hear about Sendai-san's part-time job. And yet, I can't stand her not talking about it either. This contradiction spurs unnecessary words from my lips. I don't expect her to stop working because of such comments, nor could I make her quit. Still, I can't help but voice pointless remarks. "Aren't you bored staying home all the time?" "With Sendai-san around, I'm sure Shiori's covered." Maika answers before I have the chance, adding, "There must be plenty to do." But Asakura-san, still curious, looks at me and asks. "Room-sharing doesn't mean you spend the entire day together, does it?" "Our rooms are separate, so it's not like we're together every moment, but we often do things together." "Oh, I see. But I still can't believe you and Sendai-san are sharing a room. It's hard to imagine what conversations you two have." Asakura-san, echoing words I've heard before, takes a bite of her omurice. "Speaking of, didn't Sendai-san pick up more part-time work? Since you'll have more alone time, how about working too, Shiori?" "Where could I work?" I detest part-time work. I have no desire to do it. Even so, I can't throw a tantrum and outright refuse here. "How about joining me? Let's sell hamburgers together. They’re recruiting." "I can't do customer service." "Then how about the café where Sendai-san worked?" "That's customer service too." "Busted. Then how about tutoring?" Playfully suggesting a job, Maika continues, and I respond with "Absolutely not." Indeed, it's impossible. Tutoring is something I particularly dislike, so much so that, even if I were more capable than I am now, I wouldn't do it. Yet, Sendai-san increases her tutoring jobs. I gaze down at my own fingers. Even though I thought I knew her better than anyone, it isn't enough. As I know Sendai-san more deeply, she penetrates my thoughts more profoundly. Mentioning her name in casual conversation connects everything back to her. "Everyone's working, it's boring." I exaggerate a sigh. I don't like an empty house, but during high school, being alone was nothing unusual. But now that part of me, accustomed to solitude, has vanished, and I wish for Sendai-san to always be around. This makes what should be ordinary seem unacceptable. On days when she has a part-time job, she just comes home late. I've never been able to forgive that since she started working there, and now I can't forgive it any more than before. At times like this, I wish I had my blue scarf. If I grip it tightly, I might feel a little more calm. "If you find it so boring, you should really consider working too, Shiori. Working together with me might be fun." "I'm fine being with Maika, but work is impossible." "Even if you don't work now, what about after graduation, Miyagi-san?" With a serious look, Asakura-san turns to me. "Well, I’ll have to get a job." "Oh, that face says you're really not looking forward to it." Laughing, Asakura-san comments while taking another bite of her omurice and finishing her plate. "Maybe Sendai-san could support you," Maika casually suggests. "Our room-sharing is only until we graduate though." "Why not live together after finding jobs? Sharing the rent would make life more comfortable." My heart wavers at the future Maika nonchalantly proposes. Forever. From now on. Even after graduation. If I'm with Sendai-san, my home becomes a place where "someone is there." The future beyond university graduation is blurry, its color and shape indiscernible. I can't imagine myself working, nor am I sure if I even can secure a job. Yet, I can envision a home where "someone is there." "...That's true, but that wasn't the arrangement," I sigh softly before finishing off the rest of the fried chicken from my lunch, pushing it all into my stomach.