289 Today, Miyagi Is Next to Me - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Today, Miyagi Is Next to Me Chapter 289 I spent a few days of the holiday in a way that might not seem significant—watching movies and reading manga with Miyagi in my room—but it meant a lot to me. And now, today. Sitting across from me is not Miyagi, but Hanamaki Kikyo-chan. I had no intention of skipping my part-time job, nor did I have any complaints about it. I find teaching enjoyable and well-suited to me. However, there's a part of me that wishes to return home. Because Miyagi had been acting in a way to appease me. Though I sense it's probably not the case, and I know Miyagi wouldn't do something like that for my sake. But the things she did made me yearn to return to the mundane daily life with her, even while at work. I value my students and know better than to treat them carelessly, yet part of me wants to drop everything and be by Miyagi's side. —This isn't good. I press my nails, painted in a color Miyagi said suited me, and look at Kikyo-chan. She's a diligent student, dutifully completing everything I ask of her. She never neglects her homework, nor does she try to slack off during our lessons. Even during this holiday break, she's sitting attentively before me. This was not the case when I tutored Miyagi. Well, Miyagi is unlike anyone else, anyway. I respond to several questions Kikyo-chan poses, and assign new problems. The days of Golden Week pass just as any other, and, before I realize it, our allotted time draws to a close. "Time's nearly up. Do you have any questions?" I ask Kikyo-chan, who's scribbling in her notebook. After some thought, she speaks. "Do you have any plans during the holiday, Sensei?" "Plans... you mean with my students?" I smile, replying regarding further "tutoring plans." "Other than that." "Other than tutoring, I'll just be at home, no specific plans." While I do have plans to see penguins, it's not something I'd share with a student. "Don't you go out with your roommate, Miyagi-san?" Kikyo-chan sets her pen down, watching me intently. Ever since meeting Miyagi, she's begun mentioning the term "roommate" frequently. Maybe even before they met. "No plans for that, really," I say, smiling and lying. It pains me, but telling the truth seems like it might lead to a troublesome result. "That's a shame, especially with the holiday. Are you two fighting?" "No, no, we're getting along fine." "Miyagi-san said she’s not one for part-time jobs, but could she be busy with one now?" "Something like that, perhaps." While it feels wrong to enshroud things concerning Miyagi with lies, I figure it's better than revealing the truth. It’s an approach I’ve always used and am familiar with, but I haven’t been resorting to it much lately, leading to a twinge of guilt. "University life seems tough," Kikyo-chan observes earnestly. "It has its challenges." "If I had a roommate, I'd like to spend holidays having fun with them." "In that case, I hope you find such a roommate." Whether she truly yearns for a roommate or has some other reason, I can only offer harmless responses. "Indeed." Kikyo-chan's agreement is uncertain, and she adds, "Sensei, it's time." Checking the clock, I see our scheduled time has indeed elapsed. "Then that's it for today." "Yes." Hearing Kikyo-chan's reply, I start to tidy up the reference books and pencil cases from the table. As I shoulder my bag to leave the room, she accompanies me to the entrance, as usual. "See you later." At my words, Kikyo-chan bows slightly in gratitude. As soon as I'm out the door, thoughts of Miyagi fill my mind. I want to get home quickly. My stride naturally quickens, reflecting my eagerness. The scenery rushes past faster than it did when I first came. I briskly navigate the nighttime streets to catch the train, thinking of how, today, Miyagi is home. She mentioned everyone else is working part-time, so she'd stay home during the holidays. Hence, she'll be home tomorrow and the day after, too. In my high school days, my haven was Miyagi's room. Now, the home we share is my refuge and Miyagi's as well. Though I don't believe in eternity, I wish I could endlessly remain in that house as Miyagi’s roommate for as long as I’m a university student. Continuing to work part-time, commuting by train, and returning to the home where Miyagi awaits. These are the days I wish to repeat over and over. As I try to keep thoughts of the inevitable reality at bay, the station where I get off arrives, and I step onto the platform. Exiting through the gate, I walk a path where I often meet Mike-chan. However, it tends not to appear at night, so I reach home without seeing it. Upon unlocking the door and entering, I notice Miyagi's shoes are in their place. Heading into the shared space, I find her wrestling with a frying pan and call out. "I'm home." "Welcome back." Without looking at me, Miyagi offers a greeting and asks, "Hungry?" "I am... Is that mapo tofu?" I guess tonight's menu based on the aroma in the shared space. "Probably." "Probably?" Hearing her uncertain tone, I draw closer to her. Glancing into the frying pan, I see something that resembles mapo tofu, though lacking any visible tofu. "It all ends up the same once it's in your stomach," Miyagi excuses herself. "It looks tasty. I'll just put my bag down, so wait for me." Even if the tofu has lost its shape, it should still taste like mapo tofu. Besides, regardless of taste, I would never complain about something Miyagi cooked. I return to my room and set my bag down. In no time, I'm back in the shared space, helping with dinner preparations. We arrange the meal of rice and mapo tofu on the table. Spoons rest on the plates. Chopsticks on the cat-shaped holders. And Miyagi opposite of me. Once everything's set, I join her in sitting. "Let's eat." In unison, we begin to eat the mapo tofu. I want to sit next to her soon. Thinking this, I take a bite of the mapo tofu, which looked like it was playing hide-and-seek.