147 The Path with Sendai-san - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

The Path with Sendai-san Chapter 147 "Shiori, are you sure you don't want to go back?" Across from the table, Maika lifts her gaze from her smartphone to meet mine. "Yeah." I know I should head home sooner rather than later. I understand that. Yet today, just like any other day, I find myself reluctant to return. On Monday, the awkwardness stemming from the events of Sunday was the only excuse I needed to avoid going home. But now, it's different. The longer I stay away, the harder it becomes. "The person you're fighting with is probably really worried about you." "I know that." Today as well, I received a message from Sendai-san asking when I would be coming back. Her messages always carry concern for me, making it clear that she worries. Each time I see one, I'm reminded that I need to return. I also wonder how she's spending her days without me around. I imagine her going to university, attending classes, and chatting with friends just like usual. And I want things to continue that way. But part of me also hopes she might not feel quite the same as before — maybe she'll even take a day off work today. It's frustrating that this side of me that desperately wants to return can't bring myself to do so, and I end up disliking myself even more. The same goes for how I keep causing trouble for Maika. I hate how I can't seem to stop troubling her despite my promises otherwise. "Being away this long... Is it really just an argument?" Maika looks at me intently. "Just an argument." One lie leads to another. If I think about the weight of the lies told to Maika so far and those I'll need to tell in the future, maybe I should reveal that Sendai-san is my roommate. However, just extracting and communicating that one fact seems incredibly difficult. "Shiori." "What?" "Is there something you want to tell me?" Maika's voice carries a rare seriousness. "No, why?" I sip my orange juice along with another lie. "No reason. But you should really make up soon." "Yeah." I know things as they are now aren't good. If I leave it, my relationship with Sendai-san could very well fall apart. Back in high school, it was always Sendai-san who pieced things back together when they seemed on the verge of breaking. After the time I covered her in popcorn and doused her with soda. After I'd tried to kiss her, only to push her away. Sendai-san used to close the gap I created, drawing us back together. This time, I have to close it myself. I must go back — if not today, then tomorrow. That's what I tell myself. I take another sip of my orange juice and reach for my phone. I intend to message Sendai-san, but my fingers don’t move. I can't even type the few simple words saying I'll come back tomorrow. As I struggle, the doorbell rings, and Maika stands up. "Oh, they're here. I'll just be a moment, Shiori, stay put." Something feels off about Maika's tone, as if she's been anticipating someone's arrival. We haven't ordered delivery, and it's not the usual time for packages to arrive. "...A friend?" "Probably will be soon." Not yet a friend, but someone who might become one. I can't imagine who would seek her out at this hour. It's not a typical time for a less familiar acquaintance to visit. The layout of the room is such that with a slight shift, I can see the entrance. As I lean forward, oddly curious, a familiar voice reaches my ears. "Just let me drop by for a quick chat here." I stand up involuntarily. There, past Maika, is the face I've both dreaded and longed to see. "If you're going to chat right here in the entrance, you'd be bothering the neighbors, so come in." "...Excuse me, then." Why? How could it be possible for her to be here? I feel my limbs grow cold. "Miyagi, I've come to get you." Sendai-san smiles warmly. "—Maika." Faced with the incomprehensible, I look naturally towards Maika, who let Sendai-san in without hesitation. "I ran into Sendai-san at the university, and I suggested she come over." "...What?" This doesn't make sense. How could she run into Sendai-san at the university? And how did that lead to her suggesting she come over here? None of it adds up. Yet, if I say the wrong thing, I risk revealing secrets that must stay hidden. The fact that Sendai-san is here probably means at least one of those secrets is out. I don’t know how or why it happened, but it's clear that some connection between me and Sendai-san has been exposed. If I could, I'd escape right now, but Maika and Sendai-san block my path to the door. "Miyagi, since you weren't returning home, I went to the university to find you, and that's how I met Utsunomiya by chance, which led to this." "This situation..." It's a problem. A huge problem. My head rejects the notion of processing it, and my brain refuses to accept this scenario either. "Sendai-san approached me at university, saying she was searching for you, so I brought her here. You should really talk things out." Maika states it as if it's the most natural thing. I try to piece together the small fragments of information presented, but they won’t connect smoothly. All I comprehend is the unacceptable fact that two people who shouldn't be together are standing together. "…Maika, you never mentioned Sendai-san was coming." "I asked her to keep it a secret because I knew you’d leave if you found out." Had I known Sendai-san was coming, I wouldn't be here right now. Even now, I want to run away. It's cruel of her to silence Maika given how predictable my actions are. I want to discuss everything with Maika on my own terms. —Though I don't know when that would be. "We can discuss the details at home, so shall we head back?” Sendai-san maintains her smile. I know I should return, but my head can't keep up with these sudden events. While I remain frozen, she comes closer and takes my arm. “Hey—” I start to adamantly push her away, but swallow my words. This is Maika's home, and she's watching us. If I make a scene and vehemently say no like usual, who knows what Maika might say? "Why not sit down to chat, instead of standing over there?" Maika says leisurely, trying to diffuse the tension between me and Sendai-san. "Still, Shiori, it’s really mean of you to lie about living with relatives." Maika continues with a gentle voice, despite her accusation. "And the part about not being close with Sendai-san back in high school was a lie too.” “…I'm sorry.” Maika at least knows Sendai-san is my roommate. I'm curious about what else Maika might have learned from Sendai-san, but considering the lies I've told her, apologizing comes first. I feel like I should apologize as many times as needed. Yet the unexpected way my lie was discovered and the unforeseen people now in the same room stall my words. “Well, I have a mountain of things I want to say, but I'll save them for later. For now, why don't you two have a seat?” Unable to defy Maika's suggestion, I quietly sit back down. Sendai-san also takes a seat opposite me, and Maika conspicuously clears her throat. "Alright, you two, make up right here and now." "Really?" The conversation takes another unexpected turn, causing me to speak up reflexively. "Yes, really. Shiori, you got into a fight with Sendai-san, right?" Prompted by Maika's reminder, I nod, recalling the lie I’d fabricated. "I invited Sendai-san here so that you two could reconcile. Discuss whatever you need to and then shake hands or something, and head home together." "Shake hands?" This time, it's Sendai-san who questions. "You don't have to go that far, but you should leave on good terms. I can't have Shiori living here forever." Maika smiles warmly at me. The atmosphere feels somewhat amicable, which calms me slightly, yet there's a fragile tension underlying it that makes me uneasy. "You can take as long as you need to talk things out. Sendai-san, would you like something to drink?" "Thanks, but I plan to head home soon, so I'm fine. If I do want something, I'll just take Miyagi's." "No, you won't." I pull my half-finished glass of orange juice closer with a definitive tone, only for Sendai-san to casually say, "I'll just have a sip," and drink it anyway. Normally, I'd protest, but with Maika watching, I swallow my frustration. "Is Utsunomiya usually the assertive type?" Sendai-san sets the glass down and turns to Maika. "Not normally, but sometimes you have to be assertive. There are too many unknowns and it's confusing. I mean, I invited Sendai-san, sure, but even I can't quite believe this situation. If you told my high school self that this group would be gathered at my place, I wouldn't believe it." "Nobody could have predicted this," Sendai-san agrees, and Maika responds with a confirming nod. I feel a headache coming on from the absurdity of it all. This isn't what I wanted, even if it's a result of my own lies. "Miyagi, do you want to just head home for today? We can talk about whatever you need to once we're back." Though I can't bear this vaguely pleasant yet uncomfortable atmosphere any longer, I still can't bring myself to say that I'll go home. "Shiori, you don't have to go, but if you choose to stay, be ready for a marathon round of questioning till morning." "There you have it, Miyagi. What do you want to do?" Confronted with this ultimate dilemma as Maika eyes me, I drain my orange juice. "...I'll go." Upon voicing the inevitable choice, Sendai-san stands up. "Thanks for everything, Utsunomiya. You've been a real help." Maika offers a warm "Don't mention it," and hands me my belongings. Having chosen to leave, I really have no choice but to follow through, and I stand as well. "We're going to head out now. Can I reach out again later?" Sendai-san asks with a friendly tone, to which Maika responds equally warmly, "Of course." Whether this newfound camaraderie is genuine or superficial, I can’t discern, but I'm not thrilled by it. It's as if Sendai-san has grown closer to Maika, and vice versa, and I feel somewhat left out. With lingering unease, I head to the entrance alongside Sendai-san. She thanks Maika once more before putting on her shoes. I tell Maika, "Sorry for crashing at your place for so long. Thank you." As Sendai-san steps outside and I prepare to follow, Maika tugs on my clothes. "I'm not asking now, but you have to tell me later why you're living with Sendai-san." I wish she would never ask. But I know that's not possible. "...Okay." I reluctantly force out the words before stepping outside.