323 Only Miyagi and Me are Needed - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Only Miyagi and Me are Needed Chapter 323 "Sendai-chan, your face is scary," Noto-senpai says with a nonchalant tone, as if she hasn't considered my expression at all. "I'm making it scary," I reply. "And why is that?" "Don't you have any idea?" "An idea? Hmm, not really. Anyway, could you let go of my arm?" She smiles pleasantly and nudges my hand. I had heard about how Miyagi and Noto-senpai encountered each other at Utsunomiya's part-time job about a week ago. Since then, I've been reaching out to senpai, but although I've received replies, she hadn't provided an opportunity to meet, so I have no intention of letting go. Miss this chance, and who knows when I'll next meet Noto-senpai, given her casual approach to scheduled meetings. "I'm fine with letting go, but do you have a moment?" I ask. "Oh, you did say you wanted to talk. Want to chat over something to drink somewhere?" she responds cheerfully, ready to walk with her arm still in my grasp. I'm done with all my necessary lectures, so I have time. But the discussion I want to have isn't the kind meant to be had casually over drinks. Still, it's not one for a walk between school buildings, either. In short, there's no ideal place for a conversation with Noto-senpai. "Here is fine. It'll be a short conversation... You met with Miyagi, right?" I say, giving her arm a gentle tug. "It's true," she responds, ruffling her hair as if suddenly recalling the meeting. "I met her at her friend's part-time job, but why does that matter?" "What did you talk about?" I had checked with Utsunomiya to see if Noto-senpai had previously visited her workplace, and aside from the incident I knew about, she had not. So, there must be a reason for Noto-senpai's visit. She's not someone who acts on pure instinct, like Mio's simple enthusiasm for fun. "You'd be better off asking Miyagi-chan directly." "I did ask her. She said it was nothing significant." "In that case, that's all there is to it. Just some small talk. We had a good time. Did Miyagi-chan say it was enjoyable?" With a smile, senpai gently nudges my hand again, signaling me to finally release her arm. "I haven't heard anything from Miyagi, so I'm not sure. But, senpai, you're sure it was just small talk with her?" "Yes, just small talk." "You're hiding something, right?" "If that's the case, it might mean Miyagi-chan is hiding something from you too. Are you fine with that?" "I don't like it, but it's fine." In truth, I can't forgive the idea that Miyagi might have secrets she can't share with me. I want to know everything she's thinking, everything she's doing. Be it what she's up to at university or what she's doing at home when I'm working part-time—I want to hear all of it from her. But I know she won't tell me everything, just as I have things I can't tell her. For instance, the fact that I love her. That's something I can't bring myself to say. "Sendai-chan, are you okay with that?" Noto-senpai asks to confirm my resolve. "I am," I reply, and she looks at me intently. "Miyagi-chan is certainly cherished," she says, in a tone devoid of mockery, yet it feels as if something intangible and unsettling is clinging to my back. "...What are your intentions?" I ask, as I can't shake off this feeling. Miyagi met with Noto-senpai. Miyagi kept it a secret. Neither sits well with me, which is why I sought to track down Noto-senpai—I doubt Miyagi would disclose what I want to know if confronted her directly. Miyagi tends to hide "bad things." She wouldn't even tell me when she was unwell, and she would slip away and hide when inconveniences arose. "Intentions?" she questions back, "If anything, it's for Mio's sake. She's been an important junior to me since she was in high school, after all." "Mio? That has nothing to do with Miyagi," I retort. "It might, or it might not," she ambiguously answers, beginning to walk. I almost reach out again but stop myself, knowing her pace isn't that of someone attempting to escape. "If Mio's that important, why not keep her on a leash or something?" I sarcastically suggest, matching her pace slightly behind her. "I'm hardly going to leash her like a dog. So, Sendai-chan, is your couple's cohabitation with Miyagi-chan going well?" "No need for concern there." "So, it's going well then?" The unsettling feeling resurfaces with Noto-senpai's words. What is this tingling sensation on my spine? Think, think, think. "Or were you just roommates?" she splits my thoughts with her question, bringing me to a halt. The word she uses remind me—it has been a while since I last heard that term. The day Miyagi suddenly said she was "done being roommates." On that day, Miyagi was acting strange. I've long suspected something was off, and now it seems that her meeting with Noto-senpai might be the reason. Utsunomiya couldn't exactly recall when Noto-senpai visited, but if it was that day, everything begins to make sense. "Are you listening, Sendai-chan?" Noto-senpai calls from ahead, looking back at me. Our eyes meet. Surely, Miyagi and senpai met on that day. I don't know what senpai told her, but it's definitely not good. This is something I cannot allow. "Senpai, please stay away from Miyagi," I declare. I've been grateful to Noto-senpai, but there are places she must not intrude. "Does that mean it's fine to stay involved with you?" "Keep things as they are with me. But stay away from Miyagi, please." "There's no need to say it twice. I'll refrain." Though her speech is monotonous and gives no indication of her thoughts, I can't bring myself to trust her words, so I reassert myself. "Not just refrain—absolutely make sure not to get involved. If there are issues between Miyagi and me, we'll solve them ourselves." "Interesting. So, there are issues between you two?" I don’t sense any malice in her questioning. Nor do I think she intends to harm Miyagi. However, my body moves instinctively, reaching out to grab Noto-senpai's arm. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, Sendai-chan. Rest assured, I won't do anything bad to Miyagi-chan." Noto-senpai peeled my fingers away from her arm one by one with a cheerful voice, saying, "I'm off now," and started to walk away. But then she stopped, turned around and looked at me. "Oh, right, Sendai-chan." "What is it?" "Are you thinking about taking on more students?" "Not at the moment." "That's a shame. I've heard you have a good reputation," she smiles warmly, but I can't bring myself to reciprocate. I probably don't look very good right now. Yet Noto-senpai doesn't seem to mind at all. She waves off the tense atmosphere and departs, leaving me standing there. What on earth is with that woman? Is she just amusing herself, or does she have another purpose? I can't quite figure it out, but it's certainly not a pleasant feeling. The issues between Miyagi and me are for us to deal with, and no one else should interfere. Even if we're stagnant or hit a wall, it's up to Miyagi and me to sort things out, whether we succeed or fail. I exhale deeply. I want to get home quickly. While I have no intention of discussing what just happened, I want to see Miyagi's face. "...Let's head home," I murmur, turning on my heel to go to the place I should be. But before I can start walking, a lively voice breaks into my thoughts. "Hazuki, I found you!" Before I can utter, "Mio," she rushes towards me and grabs my arm the same way I had just done to Noto-senpai earlier. "You haven't been checking your phone, have you?" As I reach into my bag to pull out my phone at her accusing tone, she says, "Don't bother looking now. Just tell me if you're free." "What if I am?" I reply, though I'm in a hurry now. I was free, but that moment has passed. However, as a small penance for missing Mio's message, I feel obligated to hear her out. "Hazuki, you look scary. You're in a bad mood, huh? Did something happen?" "Not really... sorry." Something did happen. But right now, the problem is more about being stopped from going home rather than what had happened. Of course, it's not Mio's fault, but the timing is just unfortunate—too unfortunate. "Don't apologize. Let's grab an early dinner," Mio suggests. I'm not feeling up to it. I just want to go home and see Miyagi. "You can invite Shiori-chan, too." Her cheerful suggestion rekindles a memory. Oh, that's right, Miyagi mentioned. "Get along with Mio." To earn Miyagi's trust, I need to be on good terms with Mio. Despite this, I've kept declining Mio's invitations. I've asked her so many times about Noto-senpai that at least treating her to dinner as thanks would be right. "Alright, dinner sounds good. Miyagi is probably busy, so let's go just the two of us. My treat." "Yay!" "Just give me a moment to send a message," I say, pulling out my phone from my bag. I type, "Having dinner with Mio, so I'll be home a bit late," and send it. Almost instantly, Miyagi replies with an indifferent "Got it."