134 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 134 The climax is over, and the end credits are rolling. Sendai-san continues to watch the screen intently. Throughout the movie, she occasionally engaged in conversation, but unlike last time, she avoided unrelated topics. If there was an issue, it was that the distance between us had almost disappeared. As it stands, Sendai-san is so close that our shoulders are nearly touching. When we started the movie, we weren't this close. There must have been a bit more space between us. "I don't usually watch anime, but this was enjoyable." As the movie ends, Sendai-san nudges my shoulder lightly. Our arms are pressed together, and I become acutely aware of the parts where we touch. Sendai-san seems to have a skewed sense of personal boundaries. Sharing her thoughts on the movie doesn't require her to be this close, and I'd prefer if she kept a little distance. "Well, I'm glad you liked it. —But how long will we stay like this?" I lift our clasped hands. "Until you ask me to let go, Miyagi." "Then, let go." As soon as I say this, our interlocked hands tighten to the point of pain. "Sendai-san, let go." "Do you dislike being touched by me so much?" The arms that were glued together separate, but she does not release my hand. The grip merely loosens. "Why are you suddenly asking this?" "If it's bothersome, I'd like to know why." "Don't you dislike being touched by me, Sendai-san?" I counter her question with another, and Sendai-san turns her fixed smile towards me. "Do I look like I dislike it?" "...No, you don't." "Then it's Miyagi's turn to answer." Her grip on my hand tightens, not painfully so, but enough to suggest evasion is not an option. "I don't particularly mind, but..." Reluctantly, I open my mouth to speak. "But?" "But I'd prefer if you let go now." Being touched isn't bothersome, and I don't have an issue holding hands, per se. However, being perpetually connected is unsettling. During the movie, I focused on the film and ignored our linked hands, but now that it's over... The hands should part. Yet they remain clasped, inducing a restless sensation, as if something is hiding behind my heart. "Sendai-san." I call her name with a hint of protest. "Okay, okay." Accompanying her audible sigh, my hand is released. I flex and release my newly freed hand, but despite repeatedly opening and closing my fist, it feels foreign. As I gaze at my palm, Sendai-san's voice interrupts. "The movie's over, but should we do something else? It's too early for dinner." "I'm going back to my room." As I prepare to stand, Sendai-san grabs the hem of my shirt. "Stay a bit longer." She tugs slightly, stretching the hem of my top. Though I could force myself up, dealing with a stretched shirt isn't appealing. I choose to settle back down and voice my complaint. "Let go." "Didn't you say touching was a penalty game earlier? Aren't you going to go through with it?" "No, let go." "My Golden Week was ruined because of you, Miyagi." Sendai-san releases my clothing and gestures to her neck, pointing to a red mark I left. It was there yesterday, and though faint, it's not gone today. "Can't you spend a little more time with me?" She flashes an annoyingly broad smile. "...What do you want to do?" "How about I give you a makeover, Miyagi?" "No." "Come on, I'll make you look super cute. I'll do your hair to highlight the earrings too." Sendai-san reaches out to touch my hair, attempting to tuck it behind my ear. I bat her hand away. "No. Don't touch my hair." The firmness in my voice startles even me, and as her smile starts to waver, I add, "Sorry." It's not that I don't want my hair touched. I just don't want the earrings exposed. But I don't want to say that out loud. The room's ambiance turns icy, leaving me at a loss. Unsure of how to proceed, I try to stand up when Sendai-san chimes in brightly. "Okay, I won't touch your hair, but let me at least do some light makeup." With her effort to accommodate me clear, it's hard to refuse, yet I don't want to be made up either. Crouched on my knees, I offer a compromise. "Let's do something else." "Then how about dressing up?" "Dressing up in your clothes?" "Exactly. I'll lend you something that suits you. Try it on." "Why do you only suggest strange things?" I don't want to reject everything outright, but Sendai-san's suggestions are hard to agree with. A more sensible proposal would be appreciated. "It's fine if you have something you'd prefer, Miyagi. Do you?" "...Not really." "Then it's settled. If there's nothing else you want to do, choose between makeup or dress-up." Though I don't want to be her plaything, rejecting both isn't an available option. As I contemplate alternatives, nothing comes to mind for this room, nor for an activity with Sendai-san. With Maika, we'd chat about whatever and pass the time seamlessly. With Sendai-san, I'm clueless about activities suited to this situation. What I know for sure is that I don't want Sendai-san to see me with makeup or in her clothing. Whichever I choose, I know she'll comment on it, and I'm unwilling to exhibit either. "If you don't choose, I will." "If I absolutely must choose, I'll borrow your clothes." Choosing makeup means having my face and probably hair touched—she might even touch my ears. The thought makes borrowing clothes the lesser evil. I never aspired to be a dress-up doll. Not to mention, Sendai-san and I have different body types. Whether the skirt or pants fit is uncertain, and it would be embarrassing if the zipper didn't close. Our facial structures differ, and I doubt her clothes would suit me. "Alright, dress-up it is. Face me, Miyagi." She tugs at my arm, which is hugging my knees. "It doesn't matter which way I'm facing. Just bring out the clothes." "Come on, just face me." She tugs my arm harder, and I reluctantly turn my body towards her. "First off, take off your clothes." With that, she nonchalantly grabs the hem of my top, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, preparing to pull it up. "Wait a minute." I hastily stop her. "Hmm?" "Not 'hmm', I'll do it myself so get out. Also, bring the clothes first." "I'll give you the clothes once you take off what you're wearing. Besides, this is my room, you know?" Even though it's clearly Sendai-san who's in the wrong, she looks at me as if I'm the one at fault. Granted, this is her room, but her actions are unreasonable. Normally, you don't make someone change without first giving them the clothes. "So what? Just lend me the clothes first." I extend my hand, urging her. Yet instead of handing over the clothes, Sendai-san draws closer and deftly slips her hand under the hem of my top. Her palm grazes my side. Her hand skims over my body, brushing against my ribs, and the ticklish sensation compels me to seize her frivolous hand through the fabric of my top. "Sendai-san, all you're thinking about is perverted stuff!" "I'm not thinking anything perverted. Just take it off already. You can't wear new clothes without taking off the old ones." "I'm absolutely not taking it off. Just stay outside until I've changed. And bring the clothes out beforehand." "Nope. If you don't want to change in front of me, then let's do makeup. You won't have to take off your clothes for that." The decision had been made from the start. That's always how it is with Sendai-san. She pretends to offer choices, but never allows me to truly choose. "Sendai-san, you're infuriating." I glare at her, uncomfortably close, and she withdraws her hand from my top. "I'll give you one more chance to choose, Miyagi. Makeup or dress-up, which will it be?" "...Do whatever you want, Sendai-san." "Alright, makeup it is." With that decision, Sendai-san brings over a fairly large case. She sits down in front of me again, assuring me that she'll try not to touch my hair too much.