374 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

**Chapter 374** — "As long as 'that day' is not specified, it's fine." Miyagi answered softly yesterday. Even if she refused, it would be okay. But I didn't want her to refuse. The words I spoke became a promise tinged with ambiguity, providing me with relief. The fact that the day can't be specified means I don't even know if it will be before Mio's birthday party, but the essential part is that Miyagi made a promise. The details don't matter. Yesterday, I left 'the promised day' to Miyagi, and today, I have no regrets. I don't know when I will hold Miyagi in my arms, but that's okay. Since this promise was prompted by the upcoming birthday party, I believe the day isn't too far off. Probably, certainly. But even if it isn't, that's okay. I'm happy that Miyagi has taken a step towards me. Sometimes she declines things that no one would, without batting an eye, so the promise I received yesterday is meaningful and precious. I pause while cutting tomatoes, looking at Miyagi, who's locked in a staring contest with the frying pan to prepare breakfast beside me. "No need to worry, the yolk is intact." A voice, unfit for the refreshing morning, reaches me, and I reply, "That's not what I'm worried about." "Then why were you watching?" "I was just thinking you've gotten better at cooking." On the day after we made our promise, Miyagi's voice only carries extreme displeasure, but even so, I want to savor the presence of her cooking next to me. Miyagi from some time ago probably wouldn't have stood beside me on a day like this, and I doubt she would have cooked. "Fried eggs aren't really cooking." A statement I would never have heard from Miyagi a few years ago reaches my ears, and I tell her, "It's a fine dish." After finishing cutting the tomatoes, I glance at the toaster, soon ready to serve the bread, and set the butter and jam on the table. "This Saturday, how about we stay up till morning planning for winter break?" As I prepare the dishes, I ask Miyagi, and she suspiciously questions back. "Winter break plans?" "Yeah, winter break plans." "This coming Saturday is still October." "Yep." "Isn't it too early to plan? And talking all night, how many plans are you thinking of making?" Her suspicious tone shifts to overt annoyance as she glares at the eggs instead of me. "Why not? It's just planning, and chatting about where to go is fun." "It's not fun." Her unsociable voice negates my words. But I'm not planning to give up. "Then what does Miyagi find fun? If you tell me, we can do that on Saturday." "Don't just decide we're doing something on Saturday." "Do you have plans with Utsunomiya on Saturday?" I gently probe her steadfast demeanor. "...No." "Then we don't have to talk about winter break. We can watch movies or play games all night instead—let's just make plans together." "That attitude's annoying." With a dissatisfied voice, Miyagi places the fried eggs on a plate, arranging the tomatoes I cut. A sharp sound from the toaster announces the bread is ready, but I watch Miyagi instead of the bread. "I want you to make plans with me." The birthday party organized by Mio. The promise I made with Miyagi yesterday. Though these plans are indefinite, they aren’t in the distant future. That’s why I want us to increase our time together. I want to create moments where even if we can’t fully embrace those close to us, Miyagi might be okay with having a second birthday celebration. Even if the promise we made yesterday remains unfulfilled, if the birthday party set to happen soon can be overlooked, I want to fill Miyagi’s mind with thoughts of me. "If you’re busy on Saturday, then I’ll give up. If you don’t want to be with me, come up with a reason." I take the bread from the toaster, placing it on a plate and taking it to the table along with the eggs before going to Miyagi’s side. "...If I'm free Saturday, we do something together until Sunday morning?" "Exactly." I want to be with Miyagi both Saturday and Sunday. That's the essence of this conversation, with no hidden motives. But likely, even if I say so, Miyagi wouldn't believe it. Thus, I decided to stay up all night to ensure she doesn't suspect 'the promised day.' "...What do you plan to do in the morning?" Miyagi questions, as if seeking something. "We eat breakfast. After that, I’d like to do something together. If you're tired, we can rest in our own rooms." Nothing strange or peculiar. I know there's little trust in such words from me. "...You said you'd stay awake, so make sure you don't fall asleep." "Of course. I promise." Breakfast is laid out on the table, but there's something I must do before eating. I reach for Miyagi's ear. I trace the flower blooming on her earlobe with my fingertip. This cold gesture is meant to solidify our promise, and gently leaning in to transfer warmth, I press my lips against it. Hard yet soft. The feel of the earring and ear connects Miyagi and my promise. I withdraw my lips, pressing them once more against the plumeria earring. "Miyagi, promise me too." I whisper in her ear, and she replies, "Promise about what?" "Seal yesterday's promise on my earring so you won't forget." Such a ritual isn’t truly necessary. That's why I didn’t bring up kissing the earring yesterday. I don't believe Miyagi would break our promise, and I trust her even without an oath. However, I ask her to seal it to have a part of Miyagi's warmth before heading to university. "Even without it, I'd keep my promise." "I know." "Then why ask for a pledge?" Miyagi softly kicks my ankle, glaring in dissatisfaction. "I've sworn it, so shouldn't you as well?" I say. Miyagi frowns as she grabs my shirt. The fabric around my stomach is pulled taut, filling my ear with warm breath. The sensation on my ear prompts me to wrap my hands around Miyagi's waist. As I draw her closer, something hard grazes my ear, bringing a dull pain. "I wasn't asking for a bite." I whisper, and the pain deepens. However, the hardness soon leaves, replaced by a light bite on my neck. Gently, not leaving a mark. Far from a vow, it ends quickly as Miyagi's warmth pulls away from me. "If you arbitrarily decide the date, today's promise is off." "I understand." I smile at the grumpy Miyagi, and she adds a note to the promise I initiated, "And on Saturday, if you fall asleep, I'll wake you up." Miyagi touches my necklace. Her fingertips trace the four-leaf clover and press it firmly. "Don't worry. I'll stay up the whole time." I place my hand over hers and vow, "I promise."