My Sweet Roomies Re-Written (Miyoko Neyane/ Aoi Mizusawa Route)

Chapter 41 - Fruitless Support

It's not less than a month before the teacher's license exam.

Miyoko is spending every spare minute of her day studying.

"Um...So if that happens then this goes..."

"Morning, Miyoko! Are you studying while you eat, again?"

She has a pen in one hand, scribbling furiously at the dining table.

"Yeah...I don't have much time..."

"I...I see."

Recently she has been out since early morning and doesn't come back till late.

So the time we have together has lessened significantly.

"I really want to enjoy a nice breakfast with you, but..."

"Ahahaha, don't worry about me. You just keep up that study."

"But please don't over exert yourself."

"I won't, Thank you."

"Wait...is that the time already?!"

She bounds up from the table.

"I have to get to college! Here Mina, you can have this bread!"

"Hmp?!"

She shoves the bread into my mouth before racing out the front door.

"I'm going now!"

"See you later."

I see her off, chewing the bread she gave me.

(I know I chose to support her in her dream, but...)

(What can I possibly do to help her?)

Tens of minutes after she left for class I leave Famille' as well.

I walk through town, wondering if there is anything at all that I can do for Miyoko.

(Hm..? That's the store Miyoko paused at on the way to that school...)

"I know!"

Maybe it would make Miyoko happy if I bring her here for a break away from her studies.

"Okay! Now that's decided...!"

I immediately call her cellphone.

"Hello? What is it, Mina?"

"Sorry to bother you all of a sudden but are you free after class this afternoon?"

"After class...? Yes, I think so?"

"What do you say to taking a break and coming out to the sweets shops with me?"

"The sweets shop?!"

She jumps at the idea like a shot.

"I'll go! Of course I'll go!"

"Ahaha, all right then. I'll meet you at the campus gates after class."

"Great! I'm looking forward to it!"

Glad to get her agreement, I end the call.

(Alright! Now I know I can help her somewhat...)

However...

I am waiting by the campus gates for her to come out of her class.

I felt my phone vibrating in my back pocket

(Oh, Miyoko's calling...)

"Hello?"

"Mina, I'm sorry!"

"I can't go to the sweets shop with you after all."

"Oh, did something came up?"

"Well, I haven't finished studying for today...I'd probably finish late."

"By that time the shops probably gonna be closed."

"Oh, I see...I guess it can't be helped then..."

She sounds truly apologetic as she responds.

"I am really sorry! I was glad you asked me...but."

"No, no. It's okay. We can go another time, I'll just wait for you here so we could go home together okay?"

"O-okay..."

"Just focus on your studies."

"Thanks, I love you..Later."

*beep*

"Yeah, later."

I finish the call and turn back to the school campus.

(She really is busy studying...Maybe my invite had the opposite effect to what I wanted...?)

She still continues to be busy studying in the days to come.

She's holed up in her room most of the day, and when she does come out to the living room...

"Ahh~I'm knackered..."

She collapses onto the sofa.

"Are you alright, Miyoko?"

"Mhm...My head's spinning..."

"Eh? Have you eaten anything?"

"Mh..."

"I've been drinking water and gone out in the sun, so I'll be fine..."

"You're not a plant you know..."

"You need to eat properly. I'll make you something right now."

"Eheheh, Thank you~"

She spends so much time in her room, it's not unusual for her to be so listless.

Everyone had been so worried about her, and apparently have been taking food to her room.

(But...Seeing her like this really is worrying...)

(But it's not like I can go to her room and interrupt her studies...)

I set about making her dinner, thoughts tumbling in my head.

"Mina..."

She followed me in the kitchen looking worried.

"Hm, what is it? If you want dinner it's nearly done..."

"I'm sorry..."

"Huh? Sorry for what?"

"What are you apologizing for?

"Because I've been so busy lately..."

"And because I haven't been spending much time with you."

"Oh! Ah..."

She is acting unusually despondent, and I run over to her.

"There's nothing to apologize, Miyoko."

"I told you, If you're going to work hard then I will support you."

She stares at me, looking as if she wants to say something while patting her head.

"I see..."

But instead she says nothing, and smiles her usual smile instead.

"Thank you."

"I know I can do this with you at my back."

"It's the least I could do."

"I am super hungry though! Is it ready yet?!"

"It'll be in a moment, give it a few minutes in the mean time get your plate ready.

"Okay!"

She returns to her studies the moment she finishes eating.

I can't help but worry as I watch her go.

(Am I really doing anything to help her?)

(I'm sure there must be something else I can do...)

And so the frustration continues day in day out, until one day.

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