114 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

The Time Left for Me and Miyagi Chapter 114 "We won't meet until the exams are over." Miyagi, who made this reasonable and fair suggestion, is now lounging around after completing everything. Both she and I have taken all the necessary exams. While the results are still unknown, we've done all we can, so it's only natural to feel a sense of release. Yet, Miyagi is in a bad mood, perhaps because I immediately asked how her exams went when we met. It was obvious from the moment we met that she didn't want to be asked about it, but I couldn't hold back. I shouldn't have brought it. From my usual spot, I glance at the bag containing chocolates. I debated bringing them right up until Miyagi called me over, and now I've completely lost the chance to give them to her. Miyagi sprawls on the bed, clearly not in a mood where she'd appreciate receiving chocolates. The fact that we skipped Valentine's Day due to our agreement not to meet until after exams makes handing them over even harder. On top of that, I still don't know how her exams went. Last year was simpler; I could hand over chocolates without overthinking—and that's becoming a cherished memory in comparison. Not attending school during free-study days has added unnecessary weight to these chocolates. Last year, while making chocolates for Umina and others, I also made some for Miyagi without fuss. But this year, it feels like I made them just for her. Participating in seasonal events is something I do. It's not a motto, but when you're with friends, you end up joining in. Thus, on Valentine's Day, we exchange chocolates. Today is supposed to be the same. Last year, Miyagi mentioned she didn't exchange chocolates with friends, but I was going to give them to her. However, without the guise of passing them off as something I made for friends, it's awkward to do so alone. I stand up and go to the bookshelf. After petting the black cat plushie placed among the comics and confirming there are no new books, I hear a voice from behind. "Sendai-san, here." Turning around, Miyagi is no longer on the bed. She stands there holding a red box tied with a ribbon. Though not large, it's not very thick either. "Is that..." As I return to the table without a manga, Miyagi pushes the red box into my hands. "I picked it up while shopping because it caught my eye." I sit down while staring at the box that just landed in my hands. Undoubtedly, it's wrapped for Valentine's, complete with a brand name. It's definitely chocolate inside. Yet, the idea of Miyagi handing me chocolates seems unimaginable. "...Wasn't today Cat Day?" I question. Last year, that's what Miyagi had called Valentine's Day. I remember it well. Given that, it wouldn't be surprising if the box contained dried sardines instead. Sitting next to me, Miyagi wears her usual somewhat irritable expression. "Last year, you told me not to talk like a guy desperate for attention, didn't you, Sendai-san? If you don't want it, give it back." From her words, I'm convinced there are chocolates inside. "I'll take it. Thank you. I have something for you, too." I hurriedly open my bag and pull out a box of chocolates. Now is my only chance to hand it over. "Here, although it's late, these are for you, Miyagi. They're homemade." I offer the box wrapped in light pink paper. My delivery might be clumsy, but I lack the composure to be suave. "Did you make them for Ibaraki-san and the others even though we're not attending school?" The way I phrased it must have made it sound like I made chocolates for others, which isn't true. Miyagi looks at me as if I've concocted a reality that never existed. "Yeah, you can open it. Can I open mine?" I inadvertently tell a small lie. Somehow, I find it hard to admit I made them just for her. "Do what you want." Miyagi responds curtly, starting to unwrap the paper on the box I gave her. I, too, carefully unwrap the paper without tearing it. Inside the box, I find six chocolates. The same number I gave last year. I doubt Miyagi remembered and matched the number intentionally. It's likely just a coincidence, but receiving the same number back from Miyagi—who's not one to return gifts on White Day—makes me happy. If only she could have given it to me in a bit of a better mood; then surely the world would end tomorrow. "Want me to feed you like last year?" I tease. I point at the chocolates Miyagi holds. I had made the same truffles as last year, in the same quantity. I considered making something different, but handing over something elaborate felt overly formal, so I refrained. "No, I'll eat them myself." Miyagi picks up a small white chocolate dusted with powdered sugar and pops it into her mouth. Her expression remains unchanged. Without any comment, I can't tell if they taste good or not. Her fingers hover, contemplating picking another, before she pulls a tissue from the dispenser on the crocodile. "How do they taste?" When I ask while she wipes her fingers, I get a small "Good." "...Thanks." She thanked me last year, too, and that alone is a relief. I prefer hearing they taste good, and of course, I appreciate the thanks. Technically, she didn't say "delicious," just "good," but expecting direct words from Miyagi is unrealistic. "Aren't you going to eat, Sendai-san?" "Yeah, I will." "Then hand it over." Miyagi points at the chocolates in front of me. "Is that an order?" "It's an order." "You're not asking for them back, right?" Though I doubt it, I ask just to be sure. "I didn't say that." Feeling reassured by her denial, I obediently hand over the box of chocolates. "Open your mouth." Miyagi picks up a square chocolate and instructs me. "...Is there a catch?" I instinctively pull back. Probably, Miyagi intends to feed me a chocolate. But that's fundamentally odd. It's impossible that she would just feed it to me straightforwardly. Miyagi handing me food—it's happened before, but the memories are only of unfortunate events. The fact that she prepared chocolates for me alone is unthinkable, and feeding them to me straightforwardly is even more so. If she insists on feeding me, there's surely a catch. Doing something unusual is Miyagi's baseline. "If you want to eat by yourself, that's fine." Miyagi retorts bluntly and attempts to return the chocolate to the box. I hurriedly grab her hand. "Sorry. Feed it to me." I'm curious about what twist the act of feeding entails, but given that any outcome from her order, unpleasant or otherwise, will ultimately be accepted, it's pointless to worry. "Alright, your mouth—" Before she could finish, I obediently open my mouth, and a square piece of chocolate approaches. Almost immediately, Miyagi presses the chocolate into my mouth with her fingers. Her fingers touch my tongue; the warmth causes the chocolate to melt slightly, leaving a sweet taste. As I gently bite down on the chocolate, her fingers withdraw. Only the chocolate remains in my mouth. It's neither too sweet nor too bitter. I look at Miyagi. She doesn't seem inclined to do anything odd or pick up another piece of chocolate. Her command was straightforward, with no hidden options attached. "How does it taste?" Miyagi repeats the question I asked earlier, wiping her fingers with a tissue. "Want to taste it?" The chocolate was delicious. However, I don't feel like explaining it with words. "It's yours, Sendai-san. I don't need to." "Don't worry about it." I grasp her arm. When I gently pull her closer, Miyagi's brow furrows. Yet, she doesn't say anything. So, I pull her in and press my lips to hers. The last time we kissed was the day of that charm. We haven't seen each other for more than a week since then. Perhaps Miyagi's complacency today is due to the time apart. I pry open her lips with my tongue. Miyagi grips my arm, but she doesn't resist. While not enthusiastic, she permits my intrusion. Normally, she'd be exasperated, insisting this isn't a taste test. Yet today, Miyagi is unexpectedly gentle—enough to make me anxious. But I can't bring myself to pull away, so I brush her tongue with mine. Even as I prod the tip of her tongue, there's no response. When I entwine my tongue with hers more insistently, she grips my arm tightly. Her slick tongue conveys Miyagi's warmth, more intense than her hand, quickening my heartbeat. I can't discern the chocolate's flavor. But it's sweet, I think. Wanting to feel deeper closeness with Miyagi, I kiss her more fervently. It's warm, sweet, suffocating. Breathing becomes difficult, and I pull away. It felt more like I was tasting Miyagi, and I have a feeling she'll get mad. "It's hard to tell the taste with that," she remarks, pushing my shoulder to create distance. "Then, we just have to do it until I can." "Eating it myself would be quicker." Though she doesn't seem angry, her voice lowers as she reaches for the box that is now mine. Before she can pinch a chocolate, I grab her wrist and pull her back. "Sendai-san!" Her voice sounds annoyed, but she didn't say stop. So, without hesitation, I kiss her again. This time, her lips part slightly, allowing my tongue easy entry. Yet the taste remains elusive; it's just sweet, and I crave more, plunging my tongue deeper into her. Miyagi's hand grips my shoulder tightly. Her fingertips dig in painfully. I'm curious why Miyagi isn't pushing me away as she usually would, so I pull back. "You're not mad today?" Upon my question, Miyagi furrows her brows once more. "If you know I'd get angry, don't do it." She voices her displeasure. Yet, Miyagi wasn't truly angry.