Shuu ni Ichido Classmate wo Kau Hanashi - Miyagi and Hazuki

Shuu ni Ichido Classmate wo Kau Hanashi: Futari no Jikan, Iiwake no Go Sen-en (週に一度クラスメイトを買う話 ～ふたりの時間、言い訳の五千円～) is a light novel series with seven volumes published so far, of which I have read six. It is written by Usa Haneda and illustrated by U35.

The story centers on two high school girls, Shiori Miyagi and Hazuki Sendai, who could not be more opposite in both personality and appearance. Shiori has short hair, is shy and reclusive, and keeps a very small circle of friends. Hazuki is cheerful, outgoing and effortlessly sociable with everyone she meets.

The story begins with a chance encounter. Shiori lends Hazuki some money at a shop during their very first meeting. When Hazuki tries to pay it back, Shiori jokingly tells her to “do something for me instead.” To her surprise, Hazuki takes the offer seriously, and they end up going to Shiori’s house.

There, Shiori asks Hazuki to perform a few somewhat embarrassing tasks, and Hazuki simply complies, partly out of curiosity about what Shiori will request next. After this first incident, the “game” continues. Shiori starts giving Hazuki 5000 yen each time in exchange for spending a few hours together.

This escalating pattern of requests and interactions gradually evolves into a complicated relationship, mostly because neither girl wants to openly acknowledge that she likes the other. There is a layer of sexual tension throughout the story, but it never becomes explicit. It stays within suggestive boundaries handled with restraint and purpose.

Shiori is terrified of what will happen after high school inevitably separates them, and Hazuki struggles with her own family issues. These fears push and pull their relationship constantly. Shiori is extremely moody, withdrawing into her shell when she feels threatened, and Hazuki often has to carefully navigate around her fragility. At the same time, Hazuki occasionally crosses boundaries herself. They are teenagers, so the awkwardness, tension and uncertainty feel authentic.

One moment I particularly liked is when Hazuki uses all the money Shiori ever paid her to partially cover the rent for their shared apartment when they move to university. It ties their long emotional journey together beautifully. Despite Shiori’s initial reaction, it is by far the most sensible and meaningful thing to do, considering how much money had exchanged hands over the volumes.

If I had to make a comparison, I would call this a more direct and physical version of Adachi to Shimamura. While Adachi to Shimamura presents a soft and pure approach to a yuri relationship, this series explores a more tactile, emotional and vulnerable side. Both are valid approaches, and this one is delivered with tact and sincerity.

Up to where I have read, the girls are still bouncing between closeness and hesitation even after moving to university and starting to live together. The emotional distance between them keeps shrinking, though, and I am certain they will eventually be honest with their feelings.

I definitely recommend giving this light novel a try. It is a solid, engaging read with a unique emotional flavor. I will be reading the latest volume in the coming days and will write a follow-up article once I have the time.