162 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Chapter 162 "Are there really cats around here? I mean, can we just go back? I'm not particularly dying to see a cat." She had barely been outside for fifteen minutes, and already Miyagi’s voice was laced with discontent. It was my idea to drag Miyagi out on this cat-hunting walk, despite her evident lack of enthusiasm from the start. "But it's not like there's anything waiting for us at home, right? Let's walk a little longer." I coax her as we stroll under the dappled shade of the street trees. While we wander somewhat aimlessly together, there’s no sign of the calico cat either by the road's edge or lurking in the shadows of parked cars. Though, honestly, I’d already half-expected as much. I tend to spot the calico cat when returning from university, but who knows if it would appear on a lazy Sunday afternoon like today. "When you say a little longer, how much longer is that supposed to be?" "A little longer is just a little longer." Even with all the time in the world, Miyagi seldom steps out with me unless it's necessary. If there’s nothing she has to buy, she won't accompany me shopping, and if there’s nothing she specifically craves, she won't agree to dine out. We need a reason to go out together. Which is why today, just to satisfy my occasional urge to spend time with her, I concocted this mission of seeking out the cat that sometimes appears around the neighborhood. I wish we could just go out without a reason. If I were Utsunomiya, perhaps I could go out with her for no reason at all. But I am not Utsunomiya, nor do I wish to be. I gaze up at the sky. Despite the lingering rainy season, the sun is brilliantly shining. As we walk through the windless town, it feels more sensible to stay indoors rather than out, yet I still wish to savor this time just a bit longer. If it were high summer, we might have fainted from dehydration by now, but since it’s not that hot, we continue our search for the cat. “You said we’d only look around the neighborhood, Sendai-san. You liar.” With that, Miyagi gives my shoulder a firm nudge. The calico cat is usually spotted within five minutes of leaving home. But by now we've been sauntering around for about fifteen minutes, which feels slightly too far to still call it the neighborhood. “I did say that. But since we’re dressed all cute, a little further won’t hurt, right?” With the sun beaming down, skirts felt cooler, so I had insisted on wearing them. While she didn’t allow me to put makeup on her, getting her to wear something cute was victory enough. “This skirt, you were the one who said I should wear it.” “Well, yeah. But there's a family restaurant up ahead if you wanna stop by?” “No way. It’s hot, and I want to go home.” Though she hasn’t furrowed her brow, her voice has dropped an octave. She genuinely seems eager to return, and I find myself thinking she’s being a bit stingy. “Alright, how about this then? If we skip the restaurant, we can keep looking just a bit longer. Cats are cute after all, and if they're in a good mood, they might let us pet them.” Despite Miyagi's wish to head back, I'm not ready to call it quits. “Are there really cats around here?” “There are.” In all likelihood, there aren’t any cats nearby. We’ve drifted away from where I usually spot the calico, and it isn’t the usual time I see it either. The chance of spotting one here seems slim, yet the thought of this minor deception towards Miyagi doesn’t weigh on me too heavily. This little dishonesty should be forgiven. While restraint isn’t exactly my strongest suit, I am, to a certain extent, a compliant roommate who chooses to respect Miyagi’s wishes most of the time. Thus, I think I'm allowed to enjoy these minor outings. “By the way, do Borzois typically just stroll around town like normal?” I question Miyagi, whose pace has visibly slowed, in an attempt to steer the conversation away from “going back.” “I suppose they do, why?” “Because I’ve never seen a Borzoi being walked, ever.” “Neither have I.” “Oh, I see.” The conversation trails off, and I glance across the street. There’s no Borzoi sauntering about, and no calico cat either. I search for anything to keep Miyagi from uttering “let’s go back” again. As I mull over topics like university or indoor matters, a name, which had just flitted through my mind, surfaces in our talk. “Miyagi, when is Utsunomiya coming over?” “…It hasn't been decided yet.” Miyagi’s reply is almost drowned out by the distant play of children. “It’s already July. You should decide soon.” “You said anytime’s fine for you, Sendai-san. But is it really okay, any time?” It’s not really fine. Or rather, I’d prefer Utsunomiya not come at all. It seems Miyagi wants me to say as much, but I won't. Instead, I deliver what sounds like a more disappointing line for her. “Any time is fine, but it'd be nice if it were this coming Sunday. Since we’ve got exams later in the month.” “…Alright.” “So, when are you deciding?” “I’ll talk it over with Maika.” Miyagi answers, seemingly indifferent to my input. Her stance might be to disregard my opinion, but considering the exams at the end of July, it’ll likely be next Sunday as well. Nevertheless, her insistence on respecting Utsunomiya’s opinion stirs a slight irritation within me. I was aware Miyagi prioritizes her friends, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. “Let me know once you figure it out.” I attempt to hoist my mood from the depths, much like a stone sinking underwater, and move a step forward. Right, left, right. Placing one foot after the other, we resume our slow progress. Miyagi walks beside me, and with each step, her skirt in its cool tones sways gently. While, of course, Miyagi should wear whatever she wishes, I find myself wanting to see her legs extending gracefully from beneath her skirt. I suppose her influence has made me fond of her legs, though I wouldn’t have considered myself a leg enthusiast before. “What are you looking at, Sendai-san?” My gaze rests on her legs. But, if I confessed as much, I'm certain I’d be kicked. “The tiles on the sidewalk.” I respond, raising my eyes, offering an answer closer to my current preoccupation. “Is it interesting?” “Pretty much.” —It’s certainly better than stewing over Miyagi and Utsunomiya. Swallowing what I truly wish to say, I look ahead. Staring at legs isn’t the only option available to me. But even turning my gaze forward yields little excitement, so I end up observing Miyagi instead, taking note of how with each stride, her arms follow the rhythm of her legs, moving steadily—not quite marching but lively in their own right. “Hey, Miyagi.” “What is it?” “How about we hold hands?” I nudge her gently as her arms continue to sway. “No way.” “Why not?” “It’s too hot.” “So you’ll hold my hand once we’re home?” “That’s not what I meant.” The response is exactly what I expected, and strangely, it would’ve felt unsettling if she'd answered differently. "Shall we head home? We're not finding any cats anyway." "Weren’t we supposed to keep looking a little longer?" "It’s cooler at home, so maybe it’s okay to head back." Though it’s disappointing not to introduce Miyagi to the friendlier calico cat, I doubt that continuing our search would lead to a meeting. So, I choose to head back home. "Do whatever you want." Her voice sounds indifferent. I quicken my pace. Miyagi matches my speed, walking beside me. I decide to hurry back. Holding hands inside doesn’t change anything, but still.