"Which room should we celebrate in? We have to buy a few cans of beer also."
"I don't think we are allowed to drink beers, Yui-san," Azuma said.
"Aw. I was hoping to try it out since my mom is very strict about it."
I didn't know Ichinose was curious about that stuff. Alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, and vapes were things I have seen many teenagers indulge in. I hated the thought of consuming those products.
If you wanted to join a group of teenagers smoothly, you would need to do those activities. It was something of a bond that connected them. It seemed that the thrill of doing something harmful with each other would be unmatched.
I was different. I kept my distance from those types of behaviors. That was not to say I wouldn't try a pint of beer sooner or later since the drinking culture here was popular. Drinking parties often happen in places of employment.
"I looked at the map, and fortunately, there is another convenience store just right down our apartment. We'll buy more if we need something."
"Alrighty! Let's head to the dorm."
We decided to take the bus from the mall. We had to place our student ID cards on the scanner to use public transportation. I thought it would charge some points, but it didn't. We could basically roam around for free via buses.
Once we arrived at the stop near the dorm, we exited the bus and walked to the convenience store nearby to buy drinks for dinner.
"Any suggestions? Of course, no alcohol for you, Ms. Alcoholic," Saki giggled.
"Hey!"
Ichinose squeezed Saki's cheeks as punishment for the joke. She even stretched them wide until they puffed up red like a baby. I felt sorry for Saki, but she got what was coming to her.
"I'd say banana milk is a great choice."
I loved banana milk. Azuma and I were on the same page here.
"Four of them, ice cold!"
We got to the checkout counter for like the millionth time of the day.
"That would be 476."
As the "breadwinner," I was tasked with paying for the banana milk. I felt like I could let a tear roll down my eye when I read the number on my bank account. In a day, I spent money like a madman.
I scanned the QR code and left the store filled with sorrow.
[39,343 P]
The school would obviously reward more points in the future, but spending that much didn't sit right with me. Saving points was beyond more beneficial in the future. What if there was an urgent need for a lot of points? I needed to prepare for such situations.
The time was almost 6:00 PM when we reached the dorm's lobby.
"I hope we're on the same floor," Saki folded her hands and prayed.
"Even if we don't live on the same floor, we'll come visit each other a lot anyway. You don't need to worry, Saki."
Ichinose was right. If that happened, we would only be separated by one flight of stairs. We could visit each other at any time if we pleased.
"We can all agree that Hiryu-kun's room is our usual gathering place, right?"
"What?" I was stunned. "When did all of you come to that agreement?"
"Earlier when you were dozing off at the coffee shop. Hanging out in a girl's room is weird, you know?"
"So is a boy's room."
"In most situations, I would agree, but your minimalist mindset would make your room a perfect place to hang out," Ichinose intervened.
"Did Saki tell you that?"
"Yeah. She told me you live very cleanly too."
I glared at Saki for telling them my personal information so carelessly like that. She averted her gaze and faced the ceiling to hide her guilt. I needed to give her a lesson later on.
"Fine. Don't trash my room," I said sarcastically.
"We're clean too!" Saki rebuked with a pout on her face.
The intense atmosphere was quickly replaced with a happy one. There went my freedom. They could show up unannounced, and I couldn't do a thing about it. I pictured every awkward situation I could imagine and prayed that these intrusive thoughts would never happen.
At the reception desk, we presented our ID cards and received the keycards to our room. I was about to see which room I was assigned to before Saki grabbed my hand and stopped me.
"What's going on?" I confusedly asked.
"Let's reveal our keycards at the same time."
"What is this? A game show?"
I sighed and decided to follow her game anyway. This was just a waste of time, but they seemed happy with these childish games, so I had to compromise.
On the count of three, we revealed the number on our keycards. Everyone was shocked by this against-all-odds turn of events.
[605]. [Ichinose Yui]
[610]. [Azuma Hiyori]
[601]. [Hirawa Saki]
And me. [602]. [Hinode Hiryu]
We were all on the same floor, like some miracle that God graced upon us.
"My prayer worked! I knew it! HAHA!"
Saki was about to go ballistic if it weren't for me calming her down. I was somewhat happy also, but then I remembered my room being a gathering place, and the smile on my face disappeared quicker than the wind passing by.
After having our mini-celebration, we boarded the elevator to the 6th floor without much wait. Dinner time was occupying the students, it seemed.
"Before gathering in my room, put the stuff you bought today in your room first. I don't want you all to carry them back and forth."
"You're right. I would've gone to your room immediately if you hadn't reminded me," Azuma gently smiled.
"I almost forgot about that too. Thanks, Hinode-kun."
"No problem. I'll help too."
I didn't realize until seconds later, but we were on -kun terms now. It made me happy in some ways because this was the progress I had hoped for. I could confidently say that Ichinose was a friend of mine.
Just as I told them, I helped the girls put the stuff in their room. The moment I was waiting for had come, and all the positive feelings came at me. I would be able to rest now. Finally, I met my room, the place I would call a sanctuary, for the first time.