Chapter 31: Miyukis Sincerity
<b>Chapter 31: Miyukis Sincerity</b>
Were here. Get out.
.....
Miyuki just stares nkly ahead.
Considering weve been holding hands for nearly five minutes, its
understandable.
Im tense myself; I can only imagine how she must feel.
Ive held Miyukis hand a few times beforelike when we went to the hospital
after I was beaten, or when we stood up after eating lunch on the rooftop. But
back then, it was more of a light grip; we werent sharing each others warmth
or feeling the sweat form on our palms like today.
My current feelings...
They can only be described as fluttering.
After a moment spent gathering my whirlwind emotions, I snap my fingers in
front of her.
Snap!
Uh...?
Focus returns to Miyukis eyes, her gaze darting around as if waking up from
hypnosis.
So, what does that make me, a hypnotist? Not a bad role-y, I guess.
I break into a slight grin and say, I told you, were here.
Already?
Why, you wanted it tost longer?
What? No, why would I...!
Miyuki, visibly flustered, grabs her handbag. She opens the passenger door,
steps out of the car, and looks back at me.
...Matsuda-kun, um...
What is it?
No, never mind... Just go safely.
Hesitating, she speaks in a muted tone.
Are you hiding something?
Whatever it is, its definitely not bad if it involves me, right?
With a knowing smile directed at Miyuki, I drive away.
Inside the car, a subtle scent of plum wafted through the air.
It came from my right hand, the one that had been holding Miyukis.
Did we just share hand cream?
Chuckling to myself like some kind of pervert, I immediately called Miyuki as
soon as I got home.
After a few rings,
-Yeah, Matsuda-kun. What is it?
Miyuki picked up the phone. Judging by the echo in her voice, was she in the
bathroom?
If youre about to take a shower... can you send me a nude pic?
Why does it have to be, What is it? I called you just because.
-Ah... are you home?
Yeah. What are you up to?
-I was about to take a shower... did you get home okay?
So she really was in the bathroom.
Her voice seems particrly cautious today. She sounds like shes so shy she
could die, but that reaction isnt so bad either.
I just got in.
-I see... You didnt forget about our dinner, did you?
You mean the one your parents invited me to?
-Yes.
I havent forgotten.
-So, would you like toe over this weekend?
Look at that forwardness. Extending my hand during the car ride was the right
move.
You should check with your parents first.
-They said anytime is fine.
Alright, then. Saturday? Or Sunday?
-Hmm... Saturday seems good.
Got it. Ill keep my schedule open.
-Youre usually free, Matsuda-kun. Why pretend to be busy?
Miyuki starts to tease me a bit. Annoyed, I retort,
Are you picking on me again? Want me to scold you?
A tinyughes from the other end of the phone. She must be feeling more
rxed. Once she lies down in bed, shell probably start thinking about the
fact that we held hands.
Going forward, just seeing something like a carousel will probably remind her
of todays events. For example, like the merry-go-round at the yground.
-Sorry. I need to take a shower, so Ill contact youter.
Alright.
-Youre always ticking away... like a fool.
What? Hey, you
Click.
Before I could even finish my sentence, Miyuki hung up on me.
Cheeky. Ill make a mental note of that.
**
Miyuki.
Yes?
Why do you seem so out of it today? Did you stay upte studyingst
night?
At Tetsuyas questionden with concern, Miyuki, who had been trudging along
with slouched shoulders, shook her head from side to side.
Its just... I have a lot on my mind.
Miyuki had dark circles under her eyes since she left her home. A clear sign
she didnt sleep well. She probably stayed up until dawn, lost in her
thoughts.
For a moment, Miyukis gaze darted in my direction. After scanning the
expression on my face, she let out a small sigh. Considering she has so much
weighing her down, she must find my serene demeanor vexing.
You should catch some sleep before ss starts.
At Tetsuyas considerate suggestion, Miyuki managed a weak smile and
responded.
Im fine... but thanks for worrying about me.
Alright... Should I get you a warm drink then?
In this weather?
Maybe not, huh?
Listening to their fruitless conversation, I silently followed behind. Then, I
discreetly opened the front pocket of Miyukis bag and slipped in a jelly.
Soon, we made our separate ways to our lockers in the hallway.
After pulling out my textbooks for ss and entering the ssroom, I noticed
Miyuki, already seated, holding the jelly in her hand.
She was gripping a packet adorned with a big plum drawing. When she saw me,
she broke into a genuine smile, a sight so enchanting it was hard to look
away.
I settled into my seat with a deliberately unimpressed expression just as my
phone buzzed.
[Thanks for the jelly, but dont go opening other peoples bags.]
A message so like Miyuki, who has a bit of a righteous streak, had arrived.
Suppressing a chuckle, I tapped out a reply on the keypad.
[Give it back then.]
[Nope.]
Along with her firm refusal, arrived an emoticon of a cute rabbit smiling.
Lifting my head slightly to look at Tetsuya, I see hes absorbed in his book,
oblivious to everything else.
Its oddly thrilling, as if Im secretly dating Miyuki.
Leaning back in my chair and stretching, I hear,
Youve beening in early these days, Matsuda.
Startled, I straightened up and responded to the professor, who seemingly
appeared out of nowhere.
Im a student, after all.
Does that mean you were not a studentst semester when you were making a
habit of beingte and absent?
Well, I was trash back then. Still am, to be honest.
As I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck, soft chuckles erupted from
various corners of the ssroom.
Even if Im not well-regarded among other sses or upperssmen, in this
ssroom at least, the walls people have built up against me have
considerably lowered.
Its nice, I suppose, but theres a tinge of bitternesslike Im losing my
identity.
**
Miyukis head slowly rises and then abruptly fallsher drowsy nods are
adorable.
Should I wake her? We need to go eat...
Tetsuya pondered as he watched Miyukis slumbering figure.
Weve got plenty of time, lets let her sleep a bit more.
Alright. Ill run to the convenience store. I should probably get her some
kind of energy drink or something.
Good idea.
After sending him off, I walk up to Miyuki and my eyes catch something
interesting. A doodle is sketched in the corner of the notebook on her desk.
The female character gracefully declines the date request from the male
character who looks like a mischief-maker.
It was a charming doodle, making use of the pre-printed letters in the
top-right corner of the notebook meant for the date and page number.
As I looked closely at the drawing, I couldnt help but smile.
It was clear at a nce.
These male and female characters represented Miyuki and me.
If theres a w, its that the drawn characters have different hairstyles
from reality... But it was likely an unavoidable choice to capture the
adorable art style.
Quite skillful.
It seems hastily drawn, but the quality is good.
She was scribbling something during the break in the third period; she must
have been drawing this.
Its so adorable, its driving me mad.
As I gently gazed at Miyuki, who was lightly dozing with her mouth slightly
open, I pulled the textbook over to cover the drawing.
Hmm...
Did she sense my movement?
Miyukis eyes fluttered open.
Rubbing the corners of her eyes, she looked around.
Why is everyone gone?
Its lunchtime.
Really...? What about ss?
You dozed off. Dont you remember?
I, I didnt know... Why did the professor just leave me?
You started dozing off about five minutes before the ss ended. The
professor said to just let you be.
She let out a sigh of realization. Ah...
Tetsuya-kun...?
He went to the store to buy you some energy drink.
Really? He didnt have to do that...
Miyuki trailed off, beginning to organize her desk.
Then she noticed that her textbook covered her notebook, and her expression
turned puzzled.
It was as if she couldnt remember whether she had covered the notebook or
not.
I should pretend I didnt notice.
Maybe Ill tease her about it when we hang out at her ce over the weekend.
Why are you fidgeting?
Caught off guard by my question, Miyuki twirled her hair between her fingers.
Ah, no... Im just hungry...
When Miura gets back, lets go eat.
Sure... oh, Matsuda-kun, this...
Rummaging through her desk drawer, Miyuki pulled out a small container and
offered it to me.
Upon opening it, I found three cookies inside.
Whats this? Cookies?
... You gave me cake, so I wanted to give you a thank-you gift. The top one
is chocte, the middle one is cranberry, and the bottom one has nothing in
it.
Alright... Ill enjoy them.
If its not enough, just tell me... I have more at home.
I was about to grab a cookie when I hesitated.
A thought fleetingly crossed my mind.
She has more at home?
Inspecting the cookies, I noticed that the edges were slightly uneven and
protruding.
They were cute enough, but not exactly a masterpiece. Clearly not something
youd sell in a store.
That left only one possibility: Miyuki had made these cookies herself.
Hey, Miyuki.
What is it?
Did you make these?
Yeah... they dont look great, do they? But they taste good, so try one.
Was it because of these cookies that youve been whining so much today, and
even dozing off in ss? And when you hesitated before getting out of the car
yesterday... was it because you wanted to ask if I liked cookies?
Im touched by the effort. It makes the cake I bought for her seem even more
worth it.
I looked into Miyukis eyes, shining with anticipation, and took a bite of the
chocte cookie. I began to chew with gusto. She asked, seemingly perturbed:
Why are you eating it like youre going into battle?
Having swiftly devoured one cookie, I nodded.
I was hungry. This is incredibly good.
Is that apliment?
Of course it is. Bring all the ones you have at home tomorrow.
Miyuki recognized the sincerity behind my brusque words. Her tired face
instantly brightened.
I can give them to you when youe over for dinner this weekend.
What about tomorrow? You want me to starve?
Starve? These are just snacks...
Do you really take all my words that seriously?
How could I not take it seriously when you look so serious...! Anyway, Im
d you enjoyed them. I should let Tetsuya-kun try them and get his opinion.
Shes saying something I cant just let slide.
Why would you give them to Miura?
Yes? Well, I made a lot, so naturally...
Werent these made for me?
Well, yes, but I can also give them to a close friend...
Tetsuya isnt a friend, hes a rival, okay?
I red at Miyuki for a moment, then relented.
Fine, you can share them. But make sure you save some for me, I said, and
after a second, addeda little more generously. Then just give him one.
...Why are you so stingy?
One.
Matsuda-kun, do you realize how childish youre being right now?
One and a half. No more than that.
Isnt it better to give one than to give half more...? Not that Im saying I
will.
Fine, then. One it is.
This is ridiculous...
Anyway, what time should Ie over on Saturday?
When I swiftly shifted the topic, Miyuki quickly responded.
Ah, I asked my mom about it this morning. She said noon should be fine. How
does that work for you?
Noon? Doesnt matter. Ille at noon, then.
Right. And you do know noon means 12:00 PM, not 1:00 PM?
She still remembers the ignorant mistake I made during vacation. Must have
left quite an impression.
Wearing a resigned expression, I wordlessly ate the second cookie.
*