19 - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

**Chapter 19** Removing my blazer isn't an action I particularly resist. I've taken it off in this room many times before. However, I've never done it because Miyagi told me to. "...I want to know what the experiment is about first." I can predict what comes after the command to remove my blazer. And if that prediction is correct, I don't want to, nor is it something befitting the relationship between Miyagi and me. Hence, I wanted to confirm the nature of the experiment. "I'll tell you once the blazer's off." Of course, that's what she would say. I let out a small sigh. If she were a person who candidly explained what she intended to do, she wouldn't have issued such a command to take off my blazer. The reason she avoids mentioning the details is because there's something weird about it. However, this order doesn't violate any rules, so I comply, quietly taking off my blazer and placing it on the bed. Then, another order follows. "Roll up your sleeves." Unbutton your blouse. I thought the place where this experiment was going to take place was such a spot, but apparently, it isn't. "So, why?" Even though I can guess what Miyagi wants to do, I decide to ask. "Hickeys disappear with lemon, right? The experiment is to see if that's actually true using Sendai-san's arm." Miyagi sometimes, no, quite often says things that are hard to understand. Applying a hickey and then removing it. I had anticipated that was what she wanted to do. However, I have no idea why she'd want to do such a thing. "If the experiment fails, it'll be a problem." "If it's on your arm, even if the mark doesn’t disappear, you can hide it with your blouse, so it’s not a problem." "It is a problem, a big one." Leaving a mark on my body. The connection between Miyagi and I isn't like that. In the past, we've licked each other's hands and feet, bitten and been bitten, but they never left long-lasting marks. But this time is different. Even if it can be hidden under a uniform, if I can't remove the mark Miyagi leaves, it'll linger on my body for some time. That's not something I can welcome. "It's not like I'll do it here, so it's fine." Miyagi lightly touches my neck. Her fingertip glides smoothly downwards, landing atop my collarbone. Since I had unbuttoned two buttons of my blouse, she could have gone further down if she wanted, but I brushed her hand away. "If you mark me somewhere like that, I'll knock you out." "Knock me out? You're forgetting your pure character, Sendai-san." "Miyagi, you're different at school too, aren't you? Any character is fine." "Any character is fine, but roll up your sleeves." Miyagi firmly asserts that her orders are absolute, gripping my right arm. I have a reason to refuse. Changing for gym class might expose it. That's a reasonable reason according to the rules, which should pull Miyagi back. However, I accepted her words. I unbutton the cuff and roll up my sleeve. "Is this okay?" I doubt that our relationship would end just because I declare it a rule violation, but Miyagi is capricious. One moment she pushes me away, and today she seemed unusually close. Just like her changeable feelings, it's not strange if she suddenly decides not to pay the 5000 yen anymore. A Sendai Hazuki loved by everyone, including the teachers. I needed a place where I didn't have to pretend, and I valued Miyagi's presence, where I didn't have to be considerate. "Here should be fine." Miyagi mutters as if to herself and presses the middle of my forearm – somewhere between the wrist and the elbow. "Do whatever you like." "I will, even without being told." I know. I answer in my heart, as the soft inside of my arm feels like it's being touched before an injection. After a slight pause, lips press against it. However, unlike an injection, there’s no instant prick. A tongue makes contact, slowly and gradually exerting more pressure. There was nothing particularly special about it. Being licked or bitten felt more like being touched by another person. So, it wasn't a big deal. It was merely lips and a tongue resting on my skin, without any heat or pain. However, although the lips and tongue weren't particularly warm, they strangely felt hot. "That's enough." I push against her head. Then, I sense my skin, which had been drawn in, is released, and Miyagi looks up. "It definitely left a mark, so I guess it was a success." When I follow her gaze down to my arm, there’s a clear, small red mark. It's similar to the marks I used to make on my own arm as a playful child, and it looks just like the one on Umina's neck. However, being a mark left by Miyagi makes it unlike any of my past experiences. A sigh escapes naturally. Unlike in childhood, now I know very well what it means for someone else to leave such a mark. The red mark connects to something frequently appearing in the mangas Miyagi reads. I rub my arm, as if trying to erase a stain. It would be problematic for Miyagi to claim ownership. She probably doesn't intend to, and I may be overthinking it, but having something on my body that reminds me of her every time I see it is not a good thing. —I must get rid of it quickly. While warming my arm with my palm, I ask Miyagi, "So, do you have a lemon?" "You've seen the inside of my fridge, haven't you?" When we made fried chicken, the refreshing emptiness of the fridge in this house was apparent. So, I knew. I figured there wouldn't be any. That's what I thought. I press hard on the mark Miyagi made. "Since you can cover it with your uniform, it's fine. Plus, apparently, you can make it disappear by warming or cooling it, so try experimenting." Miyagi looked at me, denying any responsibility. It irritates me. A lot. I lower my blouse sleeve and button it. "Well then, Miyagi, lend me your arm too. Take off your blazer and give me your arm." "Is that an order?" "It's not an order. It’s a request." I have no right to give commands, having received 5000 yen. So I had no choice but to express my intention as a request. "Is that how you make a request?" "Yes." "If you ask properly, I might consider lending it." Why should I have to humble myself? Miyagi is the kind of person who claims to do experiments without any intention to, leaving nothing but marks on people. I don't think there's any need to be that obsequious. Yet, as she says, I must "properly request." "...Please lend me your arm." I dragged her down to my level. To do that, a little sacrifice was unavoidable.