Comics, daily stories

Eriri Sawamura put down her chopsticks and looked over as well.

Yukino finally spoke her first words, tinged with guilt: "I'm sorry, Mai, this morning..."

Mai Sakurajima gently shook her head, picked up her chopsticks again, glanced at the Service Club members, and smiled: "I know you didn't forget on purpose, so you don't need to apologize. There are always some things that can't be done by willpower alone, and we should all recognize that fact."

Yukino's lips moved slightly.

Mai Sakurajima turned to look at her, her voice softer: "Especially you, Yukino, don't push yourself too hard, don't think it's your fault, and don't be too demanding of yourself."

Yukino Yukinoshita was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath: "I understand."

She reached out, took out paper and pen, and said seriously, "I'll write down these past few days so I won't be confused tomorrow."

Nomiyama glanced at Megumi and Eriri, who had also started recording, then lowered his head and continued eating his meal.

Anyway, let's eat first.

“Nomiyama-kun.” Yukino Yukinoshita shifted her gaze to him.

Nomiyama puffed out his cheeks, looked up, and blinked blankly.

"You must remember Mai, and you must remind us, even if we can't remember; I will write this down in my notebook as a reminder if we forget." Yukino Yukinoshita's expression was quite serious.

"Okay, I promise you." Nomiyama simply agreed and continued eating.

Eat your fill first, because only when you're full will you have the energy to think.

Kato Megumi quietly put down her pen and looked at him as he swallowed his food in large gulps: "Kazehaya, slow down a bit. Come to my house again next weekend."

Nomiyama stopped eating, tilted his head back to swallow the food in his mouth, frowned and said, "It was arranged."

Kato Megumi reached out and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand: "Mai-senpai's situation is more urgent. I will explain to my parents."

Nomiyama took her hand in return and squeezed it gently: "I'm sorry, we agreed to go this weekend."

Yukino Yukinoshita's eyebrows twitched repeatedly. "Going to Kato's house this weekend, right? Meeting his parents, right?" Her gaze swept across the table, and suddenly she felt an urge to grab a bento box and smash it in his face.

Mai Sakurajima quietly picked up her food and watched the three people's expressions change, but when her gaze shifted to Megumi Kato, her eyes couldn't help but show a slightly complicated expression.

Should we address our own issues first?

However, she did manage to spare a little attention and glance at Eriri.

Eriri Sawamura chewed on her chopsticks, grinding them between her teeth, her eyes fixed on the two people over there.

Meeting the parents? Why are we suddenly meeting the parents? Aren't you only sixteen? What do you need to meet the parents of at sixteen?

Sakurajima Mai withdrew her gaze from Eriri and, satisfied, resumed eating.

Gritting his teeth.

Very good, the Service Club really needs Eriri, otherwise it wouldn't be as enjoyable.

......

“Let’s go buy some daily necessities,” Yukino Yukinoshita said, taking the lead in defining the nature of the operation.

"Yeah, Kazehaya's side should need some ingredients too. I took a look at the lunch boxes at noon, and they were a bit bland, so the ingredients must be almost ready." Kato Megumi added casually.

But as soon as she said that, everyone's attention turned to her.

Nomiyama's lips twitched. It was one thing to read minds during a chat, but how could he deduce the contents of the refrigerator from the daily bento box?

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned. Just how much did they know about this situation? How could they even deduce the food reserves?

Mai Sakurajima quietly moved toward the item she wanted to buy, deciding not to get involved.

Eriri Sawamura bit into the bitter melon-flavored candy in her mouth, her face contorted in pain as she couldn't speak.

Nomiyama thought for a moment, then gave up. Oh well, whatever. This time, he was just pushing a shopping cart. Once they finished buying their things, he would just pull the cart and follow.

Yukino Yukinoshita turned around and walked in front: "Let's go, let's go buy some daily necessities for Mai first."

Nomiyama looked at her, then glanced at the sign above her head.

His mind, which had been gradually sinking into dementia, began to awaken, and Nomiyama's thoughts accelerated wildly.

Wait, why is it for Mai-senpai? Why is it in the women's products section?

Yukino Yukinoshita walked calmly ahead: "I'll probably forget Mai very easily now, Nomiyama-kun, I'll have to rely on you for the time being."

"Remember Mai, and don't do anything perverted to Mai."

As soon as she said this, the four people behind her all stopped in their tracks.

Living together? You want me to live with another girl? Even if it's for Mai-senpai's sake, isn't your sense of righteousness a bit too much? Aren't you afraid of problems? Nomiyama looked utterly bewildered.

What are you talking about? You let a girl go to his house? Kato Megumi's brows furrowed, a rare sight.

Yukino? Did I hear that right? Eriri Sawamura's eyes widened.

Huh? Mai Sakurajima was overwhelmed with emotion and didn't know what to do.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

209 Going to my girlfriend's house for dinner

Yukino Yukinoshita turned around and looked at them: "Tomorrow, I will probably forget Mai, but I can't let her wake up to find that she has been forgotten, and then follow me to school while she is forgotten."

"There are priorities and urgency in matters of nature."

Seeing her serious expression, Nomiyama pulled the cart over and said, "Okay, girlfriend."

Then he was pushed aside.

Mai Sakurajima quickly walked past her junior, took Yukino's hand, and led her forward, saying, "Yukino, let's get away from that scumbag junior."

?

Nomiyama raised an eyebrow: "Senior, do you even realize one thing? You're about to move into the house of this scumbag."

Yukino Yukinoshita, pulling Mai along, stopped and turned to look at him, her voice calm: "Nomiyama-kun, are you looking forward to it?"

Nomiyama looked somewhat innocent: "Where did I express any expectation in my words?"

As Kato Megumi passed by him, she casually pinched the flesh on his waist and said in a light tone, "Kazehaya, don't do anything reckless during this time."

Nomiyama nodded solemnly: "I promise to remain chaste for you."

Eriri Sawamura said nothing, but took a few steps forward, glared at him, and stomped on him.

Then it was dodged.

Eriri Sawamura was furious and stomped on it again.

Nomiyama hid again, then tilted his head and looked at her.

"What are you doing, Eriri? Men and women shouldn't touch each other. Don't get close to me."

Eriri Sawamura exploded and pounced on him: "Nomiyama Kazehaya!"

"Yes, I'm here."

Nomiyama reached out and held her head, watching with great interest as she flapped her little arms.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked over there and sighed, "Eri, ignore that dirty bacteria. Let's go buy some paintbrushes. Didn't you say you didn't have enough paintbrushes?"

......

Mai Sakurajima looked up at the person walking ahead, but instead of going up to walk alongside him, she looked at him from behind and said, "I thought Yukino and Megumi would go home with you to prepare dinner."

Nomiyama, carrying two full plastic bags, explained simply: "Occasionally, but Megumi is going home early today. Her sister found a good job, and the family is going to a barbecue restaurant to celebrate later."

He added the key point: "The two of them have an agreement that they cannot be alone in my house when the other is not home..."

Mai Sakurajima sighed, "What a pity..."

Nomiyama's expression remained unchanged: "What a pity."

Mai Sakurajima considered for a moment: "It's a pity we can't see the chaotic scene?"

Nomiyama looked at his house not far away: "It's so nice. It's not a pity that such a cute, beautiful, sensible, well-behaved, generous and intelligent person is my girlfriend."

"Doesn't the junior already know?"

"After all, I'm not stupid."

Nomiyama walked into his yard, glanced back at Mai-senpai, thought for a moment, and then spoke.

"What does 'liking' mean, senior?"

Mai Sakurajima followed him and asked in return, "Have you heard any rumors about me, junior?"

Nomiyama was somewhat surprised: "Huh? No scandals means no boyfriend. So you're the type who wouldn't deliberately hide it if you had a boyfriend?"

"However, sometimes, even if you've never been in a relationship or liked anyone, you still have some understanding of the word 'like.' I know someone who writes light novels, and she has a lot of ideas about 'like.'"

Mai Sakurajima said casually, "After all, there's nothing shameful about dating me. Since we like each other, there's no need to hide it."

"As for what 'like' means, I think I'll only understand what it is when I experience it myself."

“I see.” Nomiyama walked to the door, tilting his body slightly. “Right side, jacket pocket, key. Thanks.”

Seeing him carrying the convenience bags in both hands, Mai Sakurajima took two steps forward, took out the key, and opened the door herself, asking casually, "So, what is the meaning of 'like' that you mentioned earlier, junior?"

Nomiyama walked around the entrance hall, kicked off her feet, changed into slippers, and went into the living room. He didn't answer first, but said something trivial: "As for slippers, there are new ones in the shoe cabinet, just pick any pair."

"But you don't need to change your shoes. We'll go eat somewhere else first."

Looking down at the several pairs of women's slippers on the shoe rack, Mai Sakurajima's eyes finally stirred.

That junior is such a jerk.

With a sigh, Mai Sakurajima opened the shoe cabinet and looked at the two pairs of new shoes that were clearly wrapped up inside.

Red, pink.

Without much thought, she took out the pink pair, unpacked them, and placed them on the shoe rack, alongside the other shoes.

Sakurajima Mai frowned, looking at her own pair of slippers on the shoe rack, and felt that something was off.

Nomiyama put the groceries in the refrigerator, and placed another bag of household items on the sofa. He walked to the entrance and glanced at Mai-senpai, who seemed to be struggling with something: "What's wrong?"

“No.” Mai Sakurajima shook off her thoughts and continued to ask the question, “You still haven’t explained the meaning of ‘like’.”

"Hmm." Nomiyama opened the door, went out first, and then turned back to look at her.

"'Liking' is the only cure for two terminally ill patients."

Looking at the orange light that fell on him and at his rare gentle smile, Mai Sakurajima sighed, "Junior, it seems we need to discuss the definition of 'unique'."

Nomiyama turned and walked ahead: "They need me as their antidote, and I cannot do without any of their antidotes, because I might die if I lack any one of them. I'm just getting sicker and need to take more medicine. How can you say that the essential medicine that saves lives isn't 'the only one'?"

"Junior."

"Ah."

"You've completely distorted the meaning of 'unique'."

"Thank you for the compliment. By the way, would Mai-senpai like some candy?" Nomiyama took out some candy and started unwrapping it.

“Yes, I want it.” Mai Sakurajima took two steps forward, walked to his side, and held out her hand.

Taking the candy, she slowly unwrapped it and casually said, "Junior, have you noticed a symptom of yours?"

“Symptoms?” Nomiyama thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No symptoms found.”

"It's masochism, junior. You can only get weird candies every time, but you still enjoy being tortured," Mai Sakurajima explained casually.

"Please call this a positive attitude towards life. No matter how terrible the next candy tastes, I look forward to the moment it blossoms on my taste buds. After all, who knows, it might be chocolate? That would be a surprise," Nomiyama retorted.

"The chocolate is with me, you masochistic junior." Mai Sakurajima savored the sweet and bitter taste in her mouth.

Nomiyama's face contorted as he tasted the sudden burst of stinky herring in his mouth.

"So, where are you planning to take me, junior?" Sakurajima Mai looked at him as he suddenly stopped, raising her lips as if she had eaten something special again.

"Go to that house." Nomiyama said, pointing across the street, his voice heavy with sadness.