172.1 Volume 6 Extra: The Morning We Should Have As Roommates (part 1) - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Volume 6 Extra: The Morning We Should Have As Roommates 1 (Miyagi PoV) Night is meant for sleeping, yet I barely slept at all. The reason for my restlessness lies in the room next door, and I dread facing Sendai-san, the person who caused it. But, despite my wishes, morning has arrived, and if things continue like this, we'll inevitably see each other. What Sendai-san and I did last night wasn't something roommates do. That hasn't changed even now that it's morning. I still carry the weight of having done something with Sendai-san that breaks the boundaries of what roommates should do. What should I do? I still don't know what expression to wear when greeting her with a simple "Good morning." Curled up in bed, wrapped snugly in my blanket, I glance at the black cat plushie beside my pillow, brought along when I moved here. Yet, I can't bring myself to kiss its forehead as I did yesterday. If my lips touch it, I would only be reminded of Sendai-san, who gifted the black cat to me, and if I speak to it, I'll surely imagine her voice answering back. I don't want this. Right now, I don't want to think about Sendai-san. And yet, she's just on the other side of wall, and when the time comes for her to wake up, she will emerge from her room. If it were a normal morning, we'd share breakfast and engage in conversation. Under such circumstances, it's impossible not to face her, and equally impossible not to think about her. I clutch the blanket tightly, squeezing my eyes shut. If I could, I would melt into this bedding. I wish I could make myself disappear until I could meet her with a straight face, as if nothing had happened. But that’s even more impossible than avoiding her altogether, and I let out a small sigh. There have been times I've cursed the sun for bringing the morning—for trivial reasons like a tedious lecture or an unwanted event—but never like today. Right now, I am explicitly cursing the sun, and my emotions have sunk to the deepest depths. That’s how much yesterday's events have affected me. I sigh so heavily I felt like I might collapse from lack of oxygen, and I prop myself upright. Glancing at my phone, the time reads just past four. Soon, it will be time for Sendai-san to get up. She hardly ever oversleeps. Even if I barricaded myself in my room to avoid facing her, she would knock on my door around the time we would leave for university. If I still didn't come out, she might even come inside. I could lock the door, but an indoor lock can be easily opened from the outside if one intends to. This means I'll have to face her, whether I like it or not. Summarizing my thoughts, there is only one course of action for me to take: leave before Sendai-san wakes up. By doing so, I won't have to face her. I stand up and venture into the shared space, flicking the light switch absentmindedly before realizing my mistake. Sendai-san might wake up. If she finds me in this state, she’ll undoubtedly question what I was doing at this hour, and we would end up facing each other. Quietly, I retreat to the washroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face silently before returning to my room. Changing my clothes, I stare intently at my closet. I hesitated a little, considering my next move. A not-so-good idea was forming in my head. Sendai-san will be worried, and I'll inconvenience Maika. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I draw a breath and exhale. After tugging at my bangs, I reach into the back of the closet to retrieve a large bag. “...I wonder if Maika will be okay with this.” This bag is what I'll use to stay at her house. Though I should confirm with Maika before proceeding, it's still too early. Therefore, I resolve to plead with her at university, packing my belongings in the meantime. Sendai-san and I have always been physically close. But now, that closeness suffocates me. Having her as my roommate, who witnessed a side of me I had never shown anyone, and heard a voice I had never let anyone else hear—that’s what this means. I need time and distance to slowly digest and accept this fact. Picking up the black cat plushie sitting on the bed, I place it on the bookshelf. Our eyes meet, and I reach to stroke its head only to stop midway. “I’ll be back soon.” I whisper to the black cat, who doesn't reply. I gingerly gather my bag and slip out of the room. I leave the lights in the shared space turned off. In the darkness, I tread softly down the hallway, making sure not to make any noise, before casting a glance back. “I’ll be staying at Maika’s for a while,” I whisper towards the quiet shared space, sliding my shoes on at the entrance. There are countless ways to pass the time before lectures begin. “...I’m heading out now,” I murmur in a voice even quieter than before, opening the door to leave.