148 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 148 I walk with Sendai-san along the path that I walked with Maika for several days. There's never been a day more fitting for the term "self-inflicted." The streetlights illuminate our journey through the night, but Maika's parting words linger in my mind, making me feel as though I'm trudging through a path devoid of light. I know it's my fault for lying, yet I can't resist grumbling at Sendai-san. "What's your deal, Sendai-san?" "What do you mean?" "You told Maika that we're living together, didn't you?" "I did, but it wasn't something I could avoid." "We had a pact not to tell anyone about us." "That was a promise limited to our high school days." Sendai-san speaks without turning to me. Though she walks beside me, her gaze is fixed on things other than me. "Even with limitations, it's still awful to tell someone we're living together on a whim." I recognize this as lashing out, but recalling that encounter with Maika makes the words spill from my mouth. "I think you're the awful one, Miyagi. You never came back, and you didn't tell me where you went. Isn't it natural for me to worry and come looking for you? Plus, you were the one who said you told Utsunomiya about us living together. Hearing that, it's not odd for me to ask Utsunomiya about your whereabouts." She's right. The fault lies in my hands. I had told Sendai-san that I informed Maika about my roommate, so her actions were justified. Yet, I doubt Sendai-san believed I revealed the truth to Maika. She might have presumed I was lying, thus keeping silent was an option she could have taken. Of course, no matter how you look at it, I'm in the wrong. Blaming Sendai-san is not fair, and deep down, I know that. I shouldn't complain or accuse her. Hence, all that remains is to express my unfulfilled intentions. "I was planning on returning without you coming to find me." "When was that, exactly?" "Tomorrow." Though it remained a mere thought, I had considered it. "There was no such notification," Sendai-san murmurs. Still, she doesn't look at me. She stares at the ground as if determined to win some silent confrontation with it. Her voice doesn't sound angry, but she avoids eye contact. Surprisingly, I find relief in her reluctance to meet my gaze, even though a part of me feels slightly disheartened by her indifference. "Sendai-san arrived before I could contact you." "If you intended to, you should've reached out sooner. I've been waiting," she admits quietly. Finally voicing the apology I should have offered the moment I left Maika's house, I say, "I'm sorry," but Sendai-san doesn't meet my gaze. Instead, she mutters, "Sorry for telling Utsunomiya about us," still focused on the ground. I had thought I was the only one feeling awkward, yet it seems Sendai-san shares that sentiment. Nevertheless, our conversation continues, thanks to Maika, who, like a guiding streetlight, illuminated our path. Her buoyant optimism helps us avoid getting too bogged down in seriousness. "Why did you come looking for me all the way to the university?" I know it's because she was worried, but I can't help myself from asking. "Like I said, because you didn't come back, Miyagi," she replies softly. Once more, she doesn't face me, leaving me unsure of her expression. I consider grabbing her arm and calling out her name, but thinking about her possible nonresponse takes away my courage. Without knowing if stars are out in the night sky, we walk toward the station. "You didn't have to speak to Maika." Without meeting her eyes, I inquire, and she responds in a hushed tone. "I saw Utsunomiya before you, so I had no choice. I felt bad, but I was at my limit, and if you weren't around, I'd have to ask Utsunomiya." "Did you talk about anything other than living together?" "I mentioned borrowing money at the bookstore. Utsunomiya didn't know we lived together, so she asked why. I said we're friends for now. I told her to ask you for details, so she might ask you something." Her words are shockingly irresponsible, and she walks two steps ahead. Instinctively, I cling to her clothing. Though being questioned by Maika is my own fault, I didn't expect Sendai-san to shirk all explanations and throw everything at me. "It's not just a might; Maika already asked why I'm living with you. What am I supposed to say?" "Didn't you tell Utsunomiya something back in high school?" Sendai-san moves forward with my hand still gripping her clothes. "Of course not. We promised not to talk about what happened after school to anyone." "Utsunomiya thought we might be friends, so didn't you share a little?" "And did you tell your friends?" "Even if we didn't make a promise, I couldn't have said anything." Sendai-san sighs deeply and halts. As I let go of her clothes, she finally looks at me. Under the streetlight, her features are as composed as ever. Though her usual smile isn't visible, her face is the same as when she heads to university. Looking at her makes it feel like those ordinary days by her side have returned. "What should I say when I meet Maika next?" I take my large bag slung over my shoulder and lightly bump it against Sendai-san. "Honestly, just say that living together started with you giving me a few orders for five thousand yen." "I can't say that!" "Then handle it by saying our friendship grew because of a loan," she responds, her voice brighter than before, and starts walking. The streetlight illuminating her two steps ahead seems excessively bright. "But what about the time in high school when I told Maika we weren't close?" "Say that it was hard to mention back then since we lacked connections at school." "You're just making things up without a care because it's not your issue, Sendai-san. Think it through seriously. I doubt Maika will be mad, but if I say anything too half-hearted, who knows what would happen." "Apologize if she's angry. Utsunomiya seems like the type to forgive you if you're sincere." "I'll apologize and probably be forgiven, but I can't be sure that she'll accept a vague reason." Just as Sendai-san suggests, Maika is likely to forgive me once I properly apologize. Even if my reason is flimsy, Maika wouldn't push further if it seems important to me, and she'd pardon me despite whatever she might say. But with the numerous lies about Sendai-san, this time seems unpredictable. "Tell her that I wanted to keep it a secret from Umina and the others that we're friends, so I had you keep quiet," she suggested. "That makes you the villain," I replied. "It's fine, I'll be the villain," Sendai-san said casually with a smile. It's unfair how she can muster a smile so effortlessly at times like these. It makes the ever-kind Sendai-san seem even more gentle, making me want to stay by her side all the more. "But it's not fine," I protested, coming to a halt and bumping my bag against her. Yet, Sendai-san continued walking. "It's fine. This will cover up why you couldn't say anything in high school, and as for how we became friends or why we kept being roommates a secret, we can figure those details out later." She spoke lightly while continuing to walk ahead, forcing me to watch her retreating figure. "Stop standing there, Miyagi. Keep walking," she called out, turning around about ten steps ahead. Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. "Why are you so kind to me, Sendai-san? Like I said before, I would have returned by tomorrow even if you hadn't come looking." "Really?" "I planned to contact you." "Even if you'd contacted me, I might've still come searching." Her voice remained flat, and I couldn't decipher the meaning behind her words. "Why?" "Because... what if I said I couldn't wait until tomorrow?" "Can't you wait just one more day?" "I wanted to see you so much that I couldn't wait another day," she stated in a voice so earnest it almost felt forced, advancing toward me. One, two, three steps forward, she stopped in front of me. "You're such a liar," I said, my voice neither strong nor weak. Sendai-san chuckled a bit helplessly. For some reason, I felt as though I had committed a grave mistake, rendering me immobile. There was no doubt she had been worried—her messages proved that much. But it's hard to believe Sendai-san wanted to meet me so urgently. Reflecting on our past interactions, I remember nothing that would make her eager to see me. I was constantly selfish, pushing her away repeatedly. Even this time, I ran off secretly on my own. It's nonsensical for her to want to see someone like me. "Not as much as you, Miyagi," she said, flashing the smile I was so used to seeing. "It's late; let's head back," she added gently. Though her voice was tender, my legs refused to move. "If you don't start walking, I'll have to drag you along by the hand," she teased before starting to walk away again. As I silently watched her back, she soon turned around once more. "Miyagi, come on, let's go." "Didn't you say you'd hold my hand if I didn't walk?" "Stop acting like a kid and walk by yourself," she sighed, returning to pull on the strap of the bag I held. Though our hands didn’t meet, the load lightened as she began walking, and I moved to follow the bag being pulled ahead. "And why didn’t you come back until today?" Sendai-san asked quietly as we walked side by side. "...I just couldn't face you," I confessed. "That's what I thought," she replied. "I'm sorry." I apologized softly. "Hey, Miyagi," she called my name in her usual tone, with her usual gaze. "What?" "Let's go buy earrings together." "Earrings? For you?" "For you. I'll buy you something cute," she suggested warmly, giving my bag a gentle tug. "I don’t want any." "It's part of the penalty game. You broke the rule of notifying me when you stay out, so just let me buy you a pair of earrings." "I did notify you." "That wasn't notifying. If I hadn't reached out, you would’ve come back without saying anything." It’s true, but I didn’t want to admit as much. Well, having an extra pair of earrings won’t cause any harm. Even though I didn’t particularly want Sendai-san to buy them for me, there seemed to be little I could do about it. "When do you want to go?" "Whenever you feel like going, Miyagi." Her gentle voice seemed to blend with the night sky. Sendai-san walked with a leisurely pace. Matching my steps with hers, time itself appeared to slow down.