167 I Want to Get Closer to Sendai-san - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

I Want to Get Closer to Sendai-san Chapter 167 Even though the exams are approaching, I can't concentrate on my studies. I'm just sitting at my desk, constantly thinking about Sendai-san who hasn’t come back from her part-time job. When I glance at the clock, the time for dinner has long passed. I leave my room and head to the shared space. I’m not all that hungry, but I decide to make stew, pulling out a knife and a cutting board. I prepare carrots, potatoes, and onions, peeling their skins. If this had been last year, I probably would have opted for instant stew rather than make it myself. However, things have changed since living with Sendai-san. I’ve begun to think it's okay to make simple meals, and cooking feels preferable to dwelling on unnecessary thoughts. With stew, all I have to do is cut the ingredients, sauté them, and add the roux. There’s no need to worry about seasoning, so the chances of it turning out poorly are low. I cut the vegetables on the cutting board into bite-sized pieces. Even though I’m used to being alone, it's still boring. On days when Sendai-san has work, it’s particularly dull even after she comes home, as she often talks about students I’ve never met, which isn't entertaining. Typically, I’m thrown off balance when she’s occasionally not around despite usually being here. Because Sendai-san hasn’t returned early, I’m at risk of cutting my finger during this simple task of chopping vegetables. I stop cutting the potatoes. What if I accidentally cut my finger instead of a potato? What if I cut it so deeply the bleeding won’t stop? — What would Sendai-san do? I let out a sigh. Cutting my finger wouldn't make Sendai-san quit her job. I understand it’s irrelevant what Sendai-san is doing and where, but ever since Maika visited, I find myself wanting to interact with Sendai-san more than before. “I should have just gone with instant.” Despite cooking to escape thinking too much, my mind is cluttered with unnecessary thoughts. However, it’s too late to switch to instant stew, so I continue cutting the remaining vegetables and chicken, then sauté them. While simmering with some water, I absentmindedly skim off the scum. I turn off the heat to add the roux, then reignite the flame to stir and prevent it from burning. Just as I add milk, Sendai-san returns. “I’m home.” While standing in front of the pot, I reply with ‘welcome back,’ and she approaches, sniffing the air like a dog. “Miyagi, something smells good.” “It’s not me. It’s the pot.” “Did you make stew?” Sendai-san stands beside me. Close enough that we could kiss, I can’t help but look at her face. At times like this, it's usually Sendai-san who initiates a kiss. But there's no reason I can't be the one to start, and right now, just a slight move closer could lead to one. There are no rules about who initiates or when, so I can kiss her without reason. "Miyagi?" Called by my name by Sendai-san, I shift my gaze from her face to the stew. Without much thought, I realize being kissed for no reason might prompt a remark, and it's not that I genuinely want to kiss without reason. I just felt we were at that kind of distance, and there's no need for a kiss. Maika’s visit has just left me feeling a bit off. “You didn’t have to get so close. The scent alone tells you it’s stew.” I push gently on Sendai-san’s stomach. “I was wondering if there’s a portion for me too.” She steps back a couple of paces and checks in. “I wouldn’t make just a single serving of stew.” “I see. Is it almost ready?” To her cheerful inquiry, I answer with “Yes.” “I’ll put this away, so hang on.” Showing me her bag, Sendai-san heads to her room. I turn off the heat, take out two plates, serve the rice, and pour the stew. She returns almost immediately and helps set the stew and spoons on the table. "Let’s eat." Our voices overlap as we speak and take a bite of the stew. Even though the ingredients and roux are the same, it tastes better when Sendai-san makes it. While all food is the same once in your stomach, it’s still preferable if it’s delicious. “Miyagi, you’ve become quite the cook. It's delicious.” Her voice resonates with sincerity. “…Thank you.” I reply with a word of thanks. Still, Sendai-san would say anything tastes good. Even if it wasn’t delicious, she’d likely still say it was and finish every bite. While I don’t dislike this aspect of her, I do wish for honesty sometimes. There are moments when I don't want things to be glossed over. — Like the day Maika came over. While I asked about their conversation, there are things still on my mind. That day, when Maika asked if there was someone she liked, Sendai-san didn’t provide an answer. She's the only one who didn’t, and it lingers in my mind. It's not something we typically discuss, so the chance to hear the answer hasn’t come up since. It’s not something to pry into, but Sendai-san not answering feels unfair. I answered, so she should too, even now. Her silence might mean there’s someone she likes. "Sendai-san." It doesn’t matter to me who she likes, but I don’t need anything else like her part-time job that takes precedence over me. Although, even if I don't think she needs it, if Sendai-san deems something essential, I understand I can't do much about it. However, if there is such a person, I at least want to know who they are. “What?” Swallowing her stew, Sendai-san looks at me. Conversations about who you like are common—I've had them with Maika, with Ami—it's a casual topic. Yet the words catch in my throat, as if this were a difficult conversation. “Next time, Sendai-san should make the stew.” Different words spill from my mouth instead. “Sure." She agrees, her voice light. It’s not something I need to ask right now. I've only become unsettled because of the unusual topics Maika brought up. I quietly sigh, making sure Sendai-san doesn’t hear.