361 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 361 Even the day after the festival, my feet were sore. But I managed to utterly defeat Sendai-san in the game. I even played through her incessant "one more round" requests, making it a pretty good day overall. Today, however, doesn't seem like it will be as pleasant. "Shiori-chan, you look down. Classes start this month, so would you like the vacation to be extended a bit?" Mio-san, who should be working at her part-time job, says in a carefree tone, seemingly abandoning her duties. "Shiori, you’re one of those opposed to extending the summer break, right?" Maika's cheerful voice chimes in from across the table, taking Mio-san’s playful comment in stride. "Really? I thought you wanted classes to start sooner, Shiori-chan?" "Not really...," I reply. "I’d actually prefer a longer summer break," says Sendai-san seriously, sipping her café au lait while seated next to me. Less than two weeks remain until the end of summer break. Though I had no plans for these remaining days, plans have changed, and today is turning into anything but a lazy day. The instigator is the devilish message we received in the group "Strange Birds," created by Mio-san. "Come visit me at the café where I'm working," Mio-san's message read. Maika responded with an enthusiastic "I’ll come," involuntarily dragging both Sendai-san and me along to gather at the café. Meeting individuals one-on-one might be fine, but when four of us gather, nothing good ever seems to happen. "Even if the break was extended, you wouldn't hang out with me, right?" Mio-san pretends to wipe a tear, glancing at Sendai-san, who stands beside the table. "That's not necessarily true." "You say that, but I feel a certain implication on the ‘not necessarily’ part. It’s heartbreaking!" "You're not really that hurt, though," I point out. Mio-san still avoids returning to work, replying lightly, "True, but... Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday, Hazuki. I hadn't said it directly." Maika follows, adding a bright "Happy Birthday." "Thank you, both," Sendai-san replies softly. "Is that necklace a birthday present from someone?" Mio-san grins, pointing at Sendai-san's necklace. Of course, it's the necklace I gave her, and Sendai-san wears it openly with a four-leaf clover for everyone to see. The café isn't particularly crowded, but I think Mio-san should get back to work soon. Being late afternoon, most patrons are regulars who don't mind her absence. There's a tranquil atmosphere in the air. "Something like that," Sendai-san responds with a refreshingly honest smile, pulling gently on the chain of her necklace. I fixate on her T-shirt. The necklace wasn’t a birthday present. Sendai-san adheres to my request to "wear it always, wherever you go," but she's lying about its origin. But I would be in trouble if she told the truth and said it wasn’t for any special day, as it would fuel Maika and Mio-san's curiosity, leading to a lot of hassle. "Who, who? I'm dying to know who gave Sendai-san a necklace," Maika’s voice rings with an almost tangible excitement, making me want to bury my head in my hands. Amidst this, I hear Sendai-san say "Miyagi," and my eyes instinctively meet hers. Her brightest smile of the day greets me. I want to glare at her, but I can't do that here. "Wait, it was Shiori who gave it to you?" "Yes," Sendai-san answers immediately, with Maika's eyes now fixated on me. "Shiori, giving jewelry as a birthday present, huh? That's unexpected. But it's cute, you know? It feels like something nice will happen." Maika shifts her gaze from me to Sendai-san's neckline, flashing a smile. "Why a four-leaf clover?" she asks. "Why, you ask... It’s because it's cute." The reason for choosing a four-leaf clover is clear to us, but it's a secret only Sendai-san and I need to know—nothing to be aired in public. Naturally, I stick to the innocuous response; there's nothing strange about it. And yet, there's a heaviness in my chest. "Miyagi, you have a thing for cute stuff." Hearing Sendai-san's voice, I respond, "Not particularly." "But you like them quite a bit, Shiori," Maika comments almost teasingly. The necklace is a symbol that Sendai-san is mine and serves to visibly reinforce that she belongs to me. It’s important—and a truth I want to voice without lying. Yet, I can't speak it aloud, only resulting in more lies. It feels terrible. I take a sip of iced tea. The knot in my chest doesn’t fade. I take another sip. It doesn't melt away like ice; my hand wants to caress the four-leaf clover. I capture my right hand with my left, gripping tightly. "Shiori-chan likes things like this, huh," Mio-san comments lightly, reaching toward the four-leaf clover on Sendai-san's chest. I almost reach out, almost say something, but restrain myself. Mio-san's hand inches closer to the four-leaf clover I so badly want to touch. Five centimeters more. That much, and the knot in my chest tightens further. I press my right hand down harder and harder. Just a little more. Mio-san's hand nearly touches the four-leaf clover, but it never quite makes contact. "Hazuki, what's this? I can't move my hand," exclaims Mio-san, startled, her hand pinned by Sendai-san’s to the table. "It's a penalty for skipping work," replies Sendai-san. "That's pretty strict. Well, I was just about to get back, so it's perfect timing." "In that case, the penalty is over," Sendai-san releases Mio-san's hand, adding, "Be sure to work diligently." "I’ll make up for the time I skipped... But first, one thing." Mio-san clears her throat, continuing, “So, since Shiori-chan, who likes cute things, has a birthday coming up, I was thinking... How about we have a joint Hazuki & Shiori birthday party?" In the course of exchanging messages within the group, Mio-san had asked about my birthday. I reluctantly shared it, having sensed this might happen. And now, unsurprisingly, it has. I look at Mio-san, who is all smiles, and ponder how to refuse. But before I can come up with an answer, Sendai-san states firmly: "That day, Miyagi and I already have plans." "Wait, are you two planning to celebrate together?" Mio-san’s curiosity piqued, and Sendai-san replies, "Yeah, something like that." "Oh, that reminds me, you celebrated together last year too," Maika recalls, prompting Mio-san to jump in. "Come on, let me join! You'd want to join too, right, Maika?" "Well, I'd love to say 'let me join,' but I'm sure you two who live together want to celebrate alone... How about another day?" "Yeah, that makes sense. But at some point, let us celebrate both your birthdays together," Mio-san insists, wearing a smile that radiates genuine friendliness as she looks at Sendai and me. In this situation, saying "no" isn't an option. There's only one answer, so I put on a smile and say, "Sure, let’s get everyone together." "It would be great if you could do that," Sendai-san says brightly, and Mio-san says "Alright then," heading back to her job. The remaining three of us order some more cake and share stories of what happened over our summer break. Stories about Sendai-san's job I didn’t quite care to hear. Maika's tales of her trip back home, which I eagerly listened to. And the story of how I beat Sendai-san in a game. As we exchange anecdotes about our summer, the drinks flow into our stomachs, and the cake vanishes. Sendai-san starts recounting our trip to the festival, and Maika's eyes light up. "Did you both wear yukatas?" "We did. Miyagi looked great in hers." "I didn’t." I quickly deny Sendai-san's comment, and Maika chuckles softly. "I wanted to go to the festival too—wanted to see you in a yukata, Shiori. Do you have any photos, Sendai-san?" "I do, but if I show them without permission, I’d probably be resented forever." "I wouldn't hold a grudge." Even as I downplay it, Sendai-san teasingly asks, "So, it’s okay to show them?" I lightly push her shoulder. "Of course not." "You guys are as close as ever. Any fun stories from the festival?" Maika giggles and leans in closer. "I hadn’t had cotton candy in ages, but it tasted really good." Among everything we ate that day, the cotton candy stood out the most to me. It's not something I usually indulge in, but it brings back a fluffy, sweet nostalgia from childhood festivals. "I want some cotton candy—it’s so festive! Next year, we should all go to the festival together in yukatas." Maika says excitedly, alternating her gaze between Sendai-san and me. Her eyes are filled with hope, making it hard to refuse. It's not something you'd say to dear friends. Still, the idea of going with Sendai-san bothers me, and the thought of wearing a yukata cannot be brushed aside. "I won’t wear one." I can’t say I don’t want to go with Sendai-san, so I firmly reject the only part I can. I won’t wear a yukata again. The last time was an exception. "You should wear one. Shiori, I think you'd look great," Maika suggests encouragingly. "Miyagi, you really did look great in it. Why not wear it again?" Sendai-san concurs, smiling at me. At times like these, Sendai-san really gets under my skin, always saying things that make me uneasy. "I want to see Shiori in a yukata too. It would make for a great memory of our college days if we all went to the festival." Sendai-san adds recklessly, fiddling with her necklace, leaving me with no choice but to relent and say something I’d rather not. "...Maybe, if I remember." "Promise!" Maika says with satisfaction, as Sendai-san squeezes the four-leaf clover pendant next to me.