Uika Misumi and Umiri Yahata

Where should we start, Misumi-san?

Let's see... It's been a while since I've been to a mall, so I kind of want to look around a bit.

Sounds good. Work wrapped earlier than planned, and we still have time before we need to be at the next location.

Then why don't we take our time and wander around?

Yes. Let's go.

Everything on this shelf, please.

Huh? The whole shelf?!

The new collection as a set, please.

Oh...

From here to here, please. And yes, every color variant too.

Um... Umiri-chan?

Yes?

Don't you think you might be buying a little too much...? I mean, look at all these bags.

It has a nice weight to it. It really feels like I bought something.

The heavier the bags, the lighter my stress gets. Well, it is also just a reward for myself.

A reward?

For surviving exam period.

Well, I guess that makes sense.

Now that you mention it, you have not bought anything yet, Misumi-san. Was there nothing you wanted?

Ahaha... I guess I couldn't really find the right moment...

The moment you want to buy something is the time to buy it. A big shopping spree can be very refreshing.

But are you really okay buying that much?

Yes. My arms can still carry more.

That is not what I meant...

If you mean money, there is no need to worry about that either. I manage my finances properly.

You do?

I used to have income from support gigs too... But now I am focused solely on Ave Mujica.

I set a spending limit, then make full use of it.

I see...

(Maybe I do not need to stop her, then. Umiri-chan seems to be enjoying herself.)

(And... even though I am only watching, I am starting to feel a little refreshed too.)

Oh, Misumi-san, look at this. It is a mechanical pencil in Doloris' colors.

Oh, you're right.

Did you not say you wanted a new mechanical pencil?

I did. The one I have now broke... Wow, this is cute.

Misumi-san. When you want to buy something... That is "the time" to buy it.

R-Right...! You're right.

I'll go check out, then...!

When it has two distinct real roots, find the range of values for the constant m...

Hmm...??

This page has a hint for how to solve it.

Huh, really?

Yes. From there, you use the formula...

Sorry, Umiri-chan. I keep making you help me...

Please feel free to ask. I was the one who invited you to study for the test.

And math is one of my stronger subjects.

Thanks. You're really saving me.

If I were on my own, I might have panicked.

There is no need to rush. It is not as if you are bad at studying, Misumi-san.

I guess not being able to make it to class much is really catching up with me...

Right. When you have work, it must be difficult to make it to class regularly.

Yeah. Trying to make up for all of that right before tests is hard every time...

Fortunately, Taki-san lets me borrow her notes, so I have never had too much trouble.

Oh, really?

I do not think I could keep up just by borrowing someone's notes.

Taki-san's notes are easy to follow, and for all her grumbling, she still lets me borrow them. It helps.

Hehe. It must be nice to have a friend like that in your class.

You have friends like that too, Misumi-san.

I saw your classmates all rushing to offer you their notes.

Yeah. Everyone is so kind to me, and it really helps.

But with you and Taki-chan, it feels more relaxed... Like neither of you has to worry about owing the other anything.

I guess I am a little jealous of that.

Neither of us has to worry about owing the other anything...

I see. That is one way to look at it. I had never thought of it that way.

Really? At least, that is how it looks to me.

Hmm...

Putting the relationship aside, it is only proper to thank her. I think I will get her a gift.

Huh? That came out of nowhere.

Something occurred to me.

For now, we should focus on the test... After that, I will think of something.

Right. Test first!

When someone helps you, thanking them is only proper. That way, both sides can stay sincere.

Hehe. You're right. I should thank everyone properly too.

I wonder what they would like... Maybe snacks?

For Taki-san, what would it be... Almond milk, perhaps.

She does drink that all the time. But that might be a little too predictable.

In that case, what should I...

Right... We were supposed to be focusing on the test.

Ahaha, that's right. Let's do our best on the test.

Yes.

Okay, um... Let's eat.

Let's eat.

Oh, that rolled omelet seems good. Did you make it yourself?

Yeah. The rest is leftovers from dinner and frozen stuff, though. I made the omelet this morning.

Very nice. Eggs are a complete food.

Um... thanks?

Nutrition matters. In that sense, CalirinMate is excellent too.

Yes... The texture is just as usual.

Ahaha... That's good.

(Why did Umiri-chan suddenly ask me to have lunch with her...?)

(We've been in the same class this whole time, but we haven't really done this before.)

...

(Can she really get full from just CalirinMate...?)

(No, wait. That's not what I should be thinking about...!)

(She probably asked me because she wants to talk about something. Maybe about the band...!)

Hmm...

This new lychee flavor really grows on you. The mismatch between the flavor and the texture is strangely addictive.

L-Lychee flavor? That's kind of unusual for a nutrition bar.

Would you like a bite too, Misumi-san?

Oh, no, I'm okay. You don't have much, so I'd feel bad taking any...

I have one that hasn't been opened yet, so please take this. It is good.

Th-Then... Thank you.

Oh... This is actually pretty good...

I'm glad you like it.

(Wait, maybe...?)

Then in return... Do you want some of my omelet, Umiri-chan?

May I?

Yeah, go ahead.

Then, thank you...!

...! Yes, this is good, Misumi-san.

Hehe. I'm glad.

(Maybe she just wanted to eat lunch together.)

(We're classmates, after all. We don't need a special reason to have lunch together.)