281 Things I Want to Say to Sendai-san - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Things I Want to Say to Sendai-san Chapter 281 I never promised to watch a movie. Nor did I promise to go to the bookstore. And I definitely did not promise to meet up with someone described as a random student. Nonetheless, Sendai-san, who refuses to release her grip on my arm, continues to chatter away beside me. Words like "Wait" and "Miyagi" are thrown my way, only to be swallowed by the bustling noise around us. "Miyagi, hold on a moment." Sendai-san calls out to me once more, but I can't bring myself to stop. Ever since we left the shop, she has been repeating my name. I do respond, but the surrounding clamor makes it impossible to tell if my replies are actually being heard correctly. The crowd is inconvenient. People approach from the opposite direction and from behind. Conversations from a distance transform into a murmur that seeps into my mind. I can't focus on anything, with this persistent noise tightening around my head. "Miyagi." A sharp voice cuts through. I know why she's not being gentle; it's because I won't stop walking. While moving doesn't necessarily uplift my spirits, it's something I can't bring myself to stop. "Miyagi, for goodness' sake." If only that voice, like the one calling out to her student, could simply disappear. I quicken my pace, but so does Sendai-san, ensuring her grip on my arm remains firm. Her voice clings to me, blown along by the wind. It's unsettling. Everything is unsettling. I look straight ahead. I avoid looking up. The sky, aggravatingly bright and pleasant, offers no solace. "Miyagi, stop for a bit." Desperate to shove away a voice trying to penetrate my defenses, I divert my attention outward. Amidst a lively street, focusing on trivial noise — footsteps, ringing phones, faint music — turns the chatter and the sound of racing cars into one amalgamated noise, drowning out Sendai-san's voice. Yet somehow, inexplicably, her words slip through, isolating themselves from the rest of the noise, ringing in my head. "I feel bad about what happened with Kikyō-chan. I didn't expect to meet her there, and I didn't think she would bombard you with questions. I'm sorry. But she's not a bad kid." That's not it. Sendai-san's misunderstanding. Whether that girl is good or bad isn't the point. Her unexpectedly approaching me and speaking so cheerfully with Sendai-san caught me off guard— Compelled to stop, I do so abruptly. Startled, Sendai-san lets out a surprised "Wha—" before continuing. "Miyagi, give a heads up if you're going to stop." "Sendai-san." "What?" "I'm going to the bookstore." "Huh?" "I said I'm going to the bookstore." "Didn't you say you wouldn't?" "You want to go to the bookstore, don't you?" "I do, but... why this sudden change of heart?" That girl really isn't something to worry about. Her friendly demeanor threw me off because it didn't align with someone I’d just met. But since we probably won't cross paths again, it's best to forget today altogether. I feel a bit uncomfortable about Sendai-san tutoring her the same way as when Sendai-san was tutoring me, but she won't do the same things as she did with me. They open textbooks and study. That's all there is to it. Thinking otherwise would be strange. "It's not that I've changed my mind. I just remembered there's a manga I need to buy." The fact we're neither going to see a movie nor head to the bookstore would remain unchanged whether I met Sendai-san's student or not. But if we went straight home, it might seem like a reaction to meeting that girl, potentially giving Sendai-san the wrong impression of jealousy. Avoiding such a misunderstanding is essential. I don’t want to behave in ways that would reinforce false perceptions. "Do you really have a manga to buy?" Turning a questioning gaze my way, Sendai-san tries prying information from me. I pull away her hand that’s clinging to my arm and shift my direction. Our destination is a bookstore, simply because Sendai-san mentioned it. But I’m unsure. "…Where are we?" I glance around. "Well, who knows. I’d like to say that… But considering we simply kept walking straight, I assume there’s no bookstore nearby." Her voice neither cold nor warm, Sendai-san adds, "Shall we search for one?" "The bookstore?" "Yes. If you really want to go, I can look it up for you." "I can find it myself without your help, Sendai-san." I have my phone. Locating a bookstore won't be an issue. "Is it worth going to such lengths?" Having asked this, Sendai-san surprisingly answers her own question. "Let's just head home." "Why?" "Because I want to relax at home." She smiles reassuringly, her voice soft. "Miyagi, it's alright." "What is?" "I don't know. It's just a feeling." "If you don't know, stop saying random things." "Random or not, it's fine, right?" Sendai-san's hand reaches mine. A firm grip, she tugs gently, guiding me as she walks on, ponytail swaying. A glimpse of a blue earring, distinctively hers, complements the hairstyle. I don't mind it, but the thought that others might notice something only I should know makes me uneasy. "Why the ponytail today?" "I just felt like it." A vague response escapes her. Honestly, I would mark her today preventing such a hairstyle if I could. "Sendai-san, are we really heading home?" Gripping her hand firmly, I inquire. The answer, "Yes," comes clearly, loosening my hold. Yet, her hand remains entwined with mine, warmth radiating between us. To my dismay, Sendai-san refuses to recognize trivial matters as what they are. She extends emotions I never needed, magnifying them into something significant — revealing things unseen, only to challenge me with them. Messy, filthy, feelings I'd rather dispose of. Yet, she makes me aware of their presence. "Let go of my hand." "No." A snap response meets my elevated gaze. The sky is still untouched by sunset hues. Inappropriately warm for spring, a breeze teases her ponytail. It's not something I should say after suggesting it myself, but going out is really not a good idea. It ruins what could have been a calm, pleasant day staying quietly at home. Hence, accompanied by regret, I exhale deeply.