286 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 286 "Where are you planning to go?" Miyagi utters in a low voice, looking rather bored. The "where are you planning to go" didn’t seem necessary. Even so, it was a better response than being told "not going," so I flashed a smile and asked her a question. "Anywhere is fine. Is there anywhere you'd like to go, Miyagi?" During the break, I'll be staying home with Miyagi the whole time. Even if she has plans with Utsunomiya, I'd want her to cancel them, so we can stay here together. But if Miyagi is okay with it, I’d also like to go out together. I’m constantly torn between conflicting desires, and these feelings fluctuate wildly. But no matter which side my feelings lean towards, I already know what the outcome will be. In any case, she never actually goes anywhere. Even if we stay at home, I can't imagine her honestly just spending time with me. Miyagi is always complicated. That’s why I have to confirm things one by one. “I don’t have anywhere I want to go, so I don’t need to go anywhere over the holidays.” Miyagi, having raised my hopes ever so slightly, drops words I didn't want to hear and lightly kicks the floor. “In that case, let’s take a morning walk together.” Going somewhere. The destination doesn’t matter. If the goal is to “do something together with Miyagi during the ‘Golden Week’ holiday,” even just strolling around the neighborhood is fine. “Does that mean you want to go for a walk?” “Yeah. Let’s wake up a bit early.” “I don’t want to get up early on a day off, and a walk sounds like a hassle.” “You’ve gained weight, right? Let’s exercise every morning.” “Absolutely not.” Miyagi decisively refuses, and as she attempts to stand up, I propose another idea before she can flee the shared space. “Then, how about a trip?” “Going from a walk to a trip, that's a weird jump.” “It’s not weird. Let's go to a hot spring.” “Didn't I say I wouldn't go to a hot spring?” Apparently, Miyagi remembers the things I’ve said in the past. Last year, during summer vacation, I suggested a hot spring trip to Miyagi. I’m happy that she’s interested enough in me to remember such trivial events, but I’m not thrilled that she’s refusing the trip. “Basically, Sendai-san, you want to save money, right? Enough that you work even during Golden Week.” Again, Miyagi brings up things that delight me while also uttering unwelcome words. Wanting to save money. That is also something I’d said in the past. While I’m glad it’s remembered by Miyagi, I don’t want it to be a reason to decline going out. “What if we use our savings?” I know that this isn't the best suggestion. The money that had gradually accumulated between Miyagi and me during our high school days was once used to rent this room. Since getting it back, its purpose remains undefined. Though I’ve kept it as money for both of us to use, I’m unsure what it should be spent on. While we have used it for small purchases together, we haven’t made any big expenditures. Going on a trip would mean using a big portion of our shared money. Though it makes me hesitate, I also feel there’s hardly another time to use it. “We shouldn’t use it.” Miyagi decisively cuts through my hesitation. “Why?” “…Because I think Sendai-san should use that money instead.” “Why?” Mindlessly repeating the same question, Miyagi gazes intently at me. “If you save it together with your part-time earnings, won't Sendai-san be able to continue living here indefinitely?” Miyagi's unusually serious voice resonates in my ears. If it were the usual Miyagi, she might tell me to save the money and quit working, yet she says nothing more, and just continues to quietly watch me. “…Does this mean you would live together with me?” Using our shared money. If it helps continue this life together with Miyagi, then I think it’s worth it. “I never said that.” An unwavering reply comes back. Miyagi inevitably refuses to act in the way I wish. “Then let’s keep our savings the way they are for now.” “You should use it, for your savings.” “There’s no need to decide that right now. What matters now are the holiday plans.” While keeping everything undecided isn’t great, I feel like having answers for everything isn’t optimal either. Miyagi and I are in a nebulous state, feigning solidity with the term ‘roommate.’ A relationship that hasn’t crystallized seems fragile, so issues that could impact our future together are best left ambiguously. “If both walks and trips aren't an option, where would you go with me, Miyagi?” I ask, bringing the conversation back on track. “There’s nowhere, so we don’t need to go anywhere.” A curt reply returns. “If you aren’t going anywhere, what do you plan to do during the holidays, Miyagi?” “I’ll be at home. Maika and Asakura-san have work.” “It’s the opposite of last year. Last year, I stayed at home because you made it impossible for me to go outside.” “I won’t do anything to keep you home this year, so you can go out with Mio-san.” Miyagi suggests something unpleasant. It’s inconvenient if she keeps me home since I have work, but at the same time, part of me wants her to. Yet, hearing her not do that is boring, and I don’t appreciate her saying to go out with Mio. My holidays are for Miyagi. While working is important and necessary, it also links back to Miyagi. Obtaining a place away from my family’s house means fostering potential to stay with Miyagi. “I told you earlier I want to go out with you, Miyagi, not Mio. If going out is not your thing, let’s do something together at home like last year.” “I don’t want to do anything.” It can't be helped, I guess. It was a miracle that she didn’t reject my holiday outing proposal with an immediate “no” or “not going,” like she usually does. So even though it’s a boring answer, it was expected, and continuing the conversation won’t change the result. “Then it’s fine if we don’t go out or do anything during the holidays, but I’d like to kiss you right now.” I said, standing up to move closer to Miyagi. “That has nothing to do with the holidays.” Sitting in my chair, she was displeased, her bad mood evident as she tried to kick me. This happened recently. It was the day I licked her feet in this very spot, and she had been in a similarly bad mood then. But she doesn’t seem as upset now as she did that day. “Even if it doesn’t, it’s fine. If nothing happens, then let’s seal it with a kiss.” I grip Miyagi’s cheek, placing my palm flat against it, drawing nearer, only to be pushed back by her hand on my stomach. “…I wouldn’t mind seeing penguins.” Without meeting my gaze, Miyagi mumbles softly. That implicitly suggests a visit to an aquarium or zoo is acceptable, and I touch the plumeria earrings I’d given her. “A date reservation, huh?” I tried to say it as nonchalantly as possible, kissing Miyagi lightly on the ear. There are many things that remain unfulfilled between us, but I figured something like this would be permissible. Yet, Miyagi made a blatantly displeased face. “I don’t like that kind of thing.” “What kind of thing?” “Calling a normal promise a date. It’s what people in relationships say.” “It’s not like only lovers are allowed to use ‘date.’ Friends use it too, right? Even Utsunomiya would say something like that, don’t you think?” “…She does, but…” With a dissatisfied expression, she murmured that, then pressed her foot into mine, grinding it hard, glaring at me. “Well, then it’s fine.” I pulled my foot out from under hers and smiled. “It’s not fine.” “In that case, Miyagi, why don’t you come up with a term other than ‘date’?” “There’s no need.” “Fine, it doesn’t have to be a ‘date,’ but what about the penguins?” Upon hearing my words, Miyagi furrowed her brow. She tugged at my clothes, saying, “Come a little closer,” and when I leaned in for a kiss, she firmly denied me with a “No.” “Sendai-san, didn’t you say you’d give this to me?” She tugged at my earlobe along with the blue stone. “I did. It’s yours, Miyagi.” I had given her my ears for her birthday. So, Miyagi is free to do as she pleases with it. “I’m making a promise with what's mine, so don’t give it strange names.” Before I could respond, her lips gently touched my ear. The closeness of Miyagi made not just the touched part, but also my cheek and neck, tingle. Her body heat was so close that everything she touched felt warm. Holding onto her shoulder, her lips parted but soon returned, sinking her teeth into my earlobe. Firmly enough. Enough to engrave our promise, and as I called out her name, she bit down harder. Swallowing the words that indicated pain, I tightened my grip on her shoulder, sliding my hand, seeking the soft part beyond the hardness of the bone, until she finally released my ear. “It’s just a promise to see the penguins, but breaking it is not an option.” She whispered in my ear. In place of a response, I pulled her closer, and her lips touched my ear once more.