172.1 Utsunomiya Maika's Summer Vacation (Part 1) - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Utsunomiya Maika's Summer Vacation (Part One) (Maika POV) "Yeah, I know. I'll definitely come back." As I repeat the answer I've already given twice during the ten-minute conversation with my mom, she reminds me once again of the tasks I need to complete before heading home. Clean out the refrigerator, take out the trash, and turn off the main gas valve. I don't want to come back to expired food waiting in the fridge, nor trash piling up. A gas leak while I'm away is out of the question. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything before I head back." With that, she added, "Make sure to lock up properly," and "Don't forget, Maika," before hanging up the phone. I'm going back to my family home for summer break. It's a typical way for a college student living far from family to spend a long holiday. While I want to see my parents, the thought of losing the sense of freedom from living alone is hard to let go. "I'm happy to see them after so long, but..." Part of me wants to spend the summer vacation right here. Shiori mentioned she wasn't going back home, which makes me a bit envious. —Ami was hoping to see her though. I type out 'Are you really not going back for summer break?' on my smartphone and send it to Shiori. 'I'm not planning to go back.' The reply comes in less than five minutes, the same response I heard at school, but I decided to call her anyway. It's still too early to sleep. Shiori should pick up the phone, and after hearing the ring thrice, her familiar voice comes through. "Maika, what's up?" "Nothing much, just felt like talking. Ami said she'd be happy if you came back, even for a bit. Aren't you going back for Obon either?" Though I expected her to say no, I asked just in case. "I told Ami too, but Obon is crowded, and it's a hassle to go back and forth." Shiori gives the expected answer and adds, "I'm not really fond of big crowds." "Neither am I. But summer break is long, why not go back when it's less crowded?" "Well, it is long, but it's easier to just laze around here, so I'm not planning on going back this time. You're going back for quite a while, right, Maika?" "I'm planning to relax, but won't you be bored if you don't go back, Shiori?" "I've got things to do." "Like what?" "Studying, for example." "You don't seem like the type, Shiori." When I said that, Shiori replied with an unusually serious tone, "I'm a college student now, it's different from high school." I wanted to persuade her for Ami's sake, but it seemed impossible. Shiori's resolve not to go back seemed quite firm. "More importantly, are you ready for your trip, Maika? Don't forget to lock up when you leave." Her words made me sigh dramatically. "My mom just told me the same thing." "Did she? And don't forget to take the trash out before you leave." I heard the same words I had heard earlier again and laughed, saying, "I was told that too."