Chapter 280: The world may change, but Miyagi remains the same — 280

Chapter 280: The world may change, but Miyagi remains the same — 280

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

I would like to meet you once.

I heard those words from Kikyō-chan not only once but many times. Each time she smiled and gave me an uncertain answer, I never knew why she wanted to see Miyagi.

「Uhh, thank you very much.」

Kikyo’s cheerful voice was followed by Miyagi’s surprised「Eh?」reply.

「Sendai-sensei told me that she picked out my pen case with you. So I thought it would be nice to meet you and say thank you.」

Her smiling, happy face and crisp voice are directed at Miyagi, not at me. The friendly atmosphere that I feel when I teach her her studies every week has not changed. But her voice remains a little higher than usual, so maybe she is nervous in front of someone she is meeting for the first time.

「It’s not like I’m being thanked. I didn’t pick out the pen case with you, I just followed you, and I didn’t pay for it, so don’t worry about it.」

I hear a more cheerful voice than when it is just the two of us.

「Sendai-sensei’s cat pen case was chosen by Miyagi-san, wasn’t it? I heard it was a Christmas present. That is so cute!」

「I don’t think it’s as cute as it could be.」

「It was cute.」

「...Thank you.」

When I looked at Miyagi at the sound of annoyance in her voice, there were none of the wrinkles I often see between her eyebrows. Instead, the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted, as if someone had pulled a string on her lips.

Perhaps it is the word “cute” that is the cause of the problem.

「Miyagi-san, do you tutor as well?」

「I don’t do that kind of thing. I’m not good at studying.」

Miyagi’s voice is a little stiff.

I thought she was trying to create a softer atmosphere than when she was with me, but her voice was dry like a sponge cake that has lost its moisture. The air in the stream is also dry and my throat hurts.

This is not good.

This is not a good topic.

This is a conversation that should be terminated.

「Miyagi, you don’t work part-time, right?」

Soft and normal.

Calm and gentle at all times.

I’m used to that kind of thing, so my voice and words come out naturally, without being bland.

「Ah, I’m also in the camp that doesn’t want to. I’m with Miyagi-san.」

Conversation is uninterrupted.

Kikyō-chan’s interest continues to be directed toward Miyagi.

Her expression is almost lost from Miyagi.

And I have pain in my temple area.

「Yeah, well...」

「I’d love to share a room when I go to college too!」

「Well then, Kikyō-chan. Let’s continue to study hard to become a university student.」

I curve my lips gently and make a soft sound.

I don’t want her to talk to Miyagi any longer.

「I wish Sendai-sensei would come more often.」

「I’ll need to discuss it with you.」

「Okay—.」

I made an exaggerated voice and told Kikyō-chan,「We have an appointment, so we’d better get going,」and made a disappointed expression on my face.

「Okay.」

I waved to Kikyō-chan, who made a cheerful sound, and said,『See you later.』

I call out to Miyagi,『Shall we go?』and put my feet forward.

One, two, three steps later, Miyagi walks out of the grocery store to overtake me. She takes one step ahead of me and pushes forward down the sidewalk without a destination in mind.

I increase my walking speed.

I go next to Miyagi and walk side by side.

The wind, too warm for April, caresses my cheeks.

The city, still early in the evening, is calm, if a little dusty. The air is calming compared to the gray paint dripping in the air a few minutes ago. But Miyagi didn’t seem to think so, and her brow was furrowed with deep, deep, very deep wrinkles.

「What’s the deal? You haven’t made any promises to anyone.」

Miyagi says in a low voice without restraint.

「My promise to watch a movie from now on.」

「I didn’t promise that, and I’m leaving. If you want to watch a movie, go watch it with the girl who just came in.」

I had noticed, but Miyagi had never called Kikyō-chan’s name.

She knows her name, but she never calls her Hanamaki or Kikyō.

「I’m kidding about the movie, but why don’t we go see something more?」

「I’m leaving.」

Miyagi says while avoiding people coming from across to her.

I keep pace with her to avoid being followed.

The sky is blue and there are no clouds.

It’s a feel-good day, appropriate for a day out with Miyagi.

But the too warm wind is uncomfortable and I put my hand on my neck.

I stroke my neck to wipe away the dust that tries to cling to it, then grab Miyagi’s arm, which seems to be about to run away.

「Then, what about the bookstore?」

「I didn’t promise to do that, so I’m leaving.」

Miyagi said in a strong voice and took a big step forward.