325 Not Telling Sendai-san - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Not Telling Sendai-san Chapter 325 On the table sat Sendai-san's bag. I looked up and see Sendai-san's face, devoid of expression. Though not quite ominous, the atmosphere in the shared space wasn't the best. "Part-time job? Miyagi? You're joking," Sendai-san said in an emotionless voice, standing in front of me. "It's not something to joke about." "...It's weird. The Miyagi I know wouldn't get a job." "Even I can get a part-time job. I'm a college student, and Maika has one too." Everyone was working part-time jobs. It was not just Maika; even Asakura-san was working, and indeed, Sendai-san herself was working one. Hence, there was no reason why it should be strange for me to work part-time. —Although I'm not too keen on it. "Did Utsunomiya invite you or something?" "No, she didn't." "Then who invited you?" "No one invited me." I stated firmly, and suspicion was cast in my direction. But truly, no one had invited me. It was my own decision to work part-time. "...What's the reason for getting a job?" I heard her probing for my real intentions. "Because I want money." "That's not it. I want to know what you plan to do with the money you earn from the job. Is there something you want?" Sendai-san's voice grew stronger, almost to the point of being overbearing, and the word "interrogation" came to mind. In this scenario, Sendai-san was the detective, and I was the suspect. Yet, I'd done nothing wrong. "I don't have to tell Sendai-san." "Why not? You could tell me. Or is it something you can't share?" Though it wasn't something significant to hide, I had my reasons for wanting to keep what I would do with the money a secret. If I revealed it, the intended purchase might become too much and impossible to give her. "...It doesn't matter." I want to make it clear that I belong to Miyagi. The words she once said lingered in my mind. On the day we went to the aquarium, she wore the necklace I had given her when we were in high school as a "mark," and when I suggested she should choose a more fashionable necklace, she replied, "Miyagi should choose." Since then, I've wanted Sendai-san to wear a new necklace as a clear indication of "belonging to me." And if I were to purchase such a thing, I believe it should be with my own money, not the money I received from my father. "It's bothers me when you hide things. Tell me." "It's nothing special." Absolutely, I had no desire to reveal it. Once spoken, there'd be no turning back. I had declared I'd work part-time, but deep down, I doubted if I was cut out for it, and I hesitated about giving an item for Sendai-san to wear. Surely, there must be something more suitable for her than what I'd choose. Even with something like earrings, if someone else picked them, I'm sure they'd suit Sendai-san better than my choice. I lack confidence in what I choose. Nonetheless, since I asked Sendai-san to get along with Mio-san, I need to provide a sign of "belonging to me" when she meets with Mio-san. "If you want something, you could use that money." Sendai-san suggested something to make me waver in my resolve. “That money” was essentially the collection of five-thousand-yen bills I had handed Sendai-san when we were in high school. But I don’t think “that money” should be for me to use. While I did hand it over, it originally came from my father, and it's Sendai-san who saved it. A purchase made with such money wouldn't be appropriate as a mark. Therefore, if I intend to give Sendai-san a necklace, I'll have to work part-time, whether I like it or not. "I won't. I don't want to use it." Knowing that Sendai-san was going to have dinner with Mio-san today annoyed me. Throwing past promises in the trash, I felt like I wanted to pretend I'd never told her to befriend Mio-san. I needed something to deal with this feeling. "Have you decided where to work?" "No." "Then why not work part-time together?" Sendai-san took a step closer to me while I was seated. Standing as if to block my path, the already short distance between us grew even smaller. Today, Sendai-san was a bit intimidating, making me want to flee. But with her standing before me, escaping was impossible. "I'll work by myself." "Why not work at a place where we can work together? You haven't decided on a workplace yet, right?" "I won't work with you. Step back a little, will you?" "Then you back off, Miyagi." "While sitting in the chair?" "Yes." "That's impossible. You can see that, right?" "I can't." Sendai-san grasped my hand. Our eyes met, and she squeezed my hand with a tightness that was slightly painful. "Let go." "...If you want me to let go, then give up on the idea of a part-time job." I found myself receiving what I had often said to Sendai-san before. I am different from Sendai-san. Being told to give up on the job makes me want to back out. I never really wanted a part-time job. The part of me looking for an out emerged, whispering in my ear, "Who cares if it's not your own money?" My resolve, as fluffy and soft as cotton candy, could easily melt away. "Miyagi." Sendai-san softly called my name and tightened her grip on our clasped hands. I pulled hard, making her lose balance and grab the backrest of the chair I was sitting on. Closing the distance between us, I sealed her lips with a kiss. For two or three seconds. Just for the span of a moment that felt unsatisfyingly short, I kissed her, then pulled away. "Let me work part-time. After all... I'm letting you work part-time too, aren't I?" I forced her hand free and pushed against her stomach. Our distance increased again, and a sulky voice retorted, "I suppose so." I thought that I might not need her permission after all. However, when Sendai-san had decided to work part-time, she sought my approval, so I reciprocated the gesture. "If you have complaints, then you should quit your job too, Sendai-san." The discontent isn't limited to you, Sendai-san. I have my grievances too, and all along, I haven't been able to embrace the idea of your part-time jobs; I've wanted them gone. Though I've come to accept the idea of Sendai-san meeting her tutoring students. It irritates me, though. I would prefer if she never meets those so-called tutoring students. Still, I've been tolerating Sendai-san’s work. "Say something, Sendai-san." I lightly kicked Sendai-san's leg, prompting her to respond. "...Alright, I'll allow you to work, but only if you give me another kiss. A proper one," she said, reluctantly, grabbing my arm. "What does 'proper' mean?" I wondered how to handle it when there was a 'proper' condition attached to a kiss. I knew the answer, but I asked anyway, only to receive a response that didn't amuse me: "Do you want to know?" That's the kind of reply I got. Sendai-san tends to mess around at times like these, so before she could do something trivial, I firmly stepped on her foot. Then, I stood up and kissed her soft-looking lips. Sendai-san's arms wrapped around my waist, drawing our bodies together. I hadn't given her permission to do anything, yet she pressed her lips against mine, so I lightly bit down with my teeth, careful not to cause any harm. But Sendai-san didn't pull away. If anything, the harder I bit down, the closer she pressed against me. Pushing open my slightly parted lips, I let the tip of my tongue touch hers. It was a soft, springy sensation as our tongues entwined. Allowing just a bit of heat to exchange, I pulled back from the kiss. "Not enough," Sendai-san muttered under her breath. "Doesn't matter if it's not enough. I'm going to my room." As I tried to move past her, she grabbed my arm. "Miyagi, how long will you be working this job?" "I don't know." "Haven't you decided?" "I'll decide later." "You always have no plan, don't you?" Sounding exasperated, Sendai-san released my hand, but only to intertwine her fingers with mine like our tongues had moments ago. Because of this, I couldn't head to my room. "Not always." I responded in a low voice and attempted to pull my hand away, but she wouldn't let go. "Will you be working during summer vacation too? I wanted to know your plans." "Plans?" "In case you have free time." "What if I do?" "I was thinking we could go somewhere during summer break. Next year looks like it will be busy for us." Her unexpected suggestion made the tension leave my grip. "Where would we go?" "Somewhere like a hot spring for a couple of days." "No way." A hot spring was absolutely out of the question. "Why not?" "Because hot springs mean bathing." "Well, yes, that's true. Is that a problem?" "It is. Sendai-san, you'd insist on us bathing together." "It's normal to bathe together at a hot spring." She said it as if it were a given, so I glared at her. "It's not normal for me." To bathe, you'd have to be naked. Being in a vulnerable state around Sendai-san was impossible for me. "Okay, then it doesn't have to be a hot spring. Let's just go somewhere." "As long as you don't decide on the place by yourself, fine." "Got it. We'll decide together." With that, Sendai-san leaned in to kiss me again, as if it were a matter of course, so I firmly stepped on her foot.