Book 3 - Chapter 58 : Sarah Gets Settled In

= Sarah POV =

"Well, now that you both got to know each other, that makes you both friends," Mizuki grinned and stood up "Come on, Yoshida, let's go see if there is any space at the teacher's quarters for you,"

Fairfield sat up a bit straighter "Why is she going to the teacher's quarters?" 

"Oh, she came late, so there aren't any more rooms left," Mizuki explained, going over to get my suitcase.

I sighed and let the clipboard fall to my lap.

"Yeah, can you imagine? I came all the way from Hokkaido, hoping to start my college life on the right foot, only to end up being stuck far away from any hope of a college romance?" I sighed and turned to look at Fairfield. 

As I looked at her, Fairfield grew silent and just stared at my face as if she was taking me in. Her gaze was intense, making me gulp.

"I'm sorry, is everything ok, is there something on my face?" I asked, raising my hand to touch my cheek, wondering if there was something there.

Fairfield got up and sat down next to me, taking my hand in hers.

"Why don't you stay with me? I am actually renting out a whole unit, so I don't have a roommate. That way, you can stay here at the student dorms; what do you say?" Fairfield asked.

I smiled and clasped her hand with both of mine.

"Would you? You're a lifesaver! That would be amazing!" I said as Mizuki dragged my suitcase over to us.

"Seriously? But I thought your room was specially arranged to be just for your cause you don't like to share your space with others," Mizuki said, looking a little perplexed.

"Well, it's only for a little while until she gets placed somewhere, right?" Fairfield said "I mean I don't even have an extra bed, so she'd have to sleep with me," Fairfield added casually.

Mizuki laughed, "Oh my, you two in a tiny single bed? Yoshida, save yourself, at least at the teacher's quarters, they are willing to give you a room to yourself," 

I shook my head "back at home I used to share my bed with my siblings all the time, so I'm fine. If it means I can stay on campus, I'd much rather take up Fairfield's offer," I replied.

"Alright, let me just check with the office" Mizuki said and walked over to the admissions office. 

I took out my handphone and turned to Fairfield.

"Let's exchange Lines," I smiled. Fairfield took out hers, and we exchanged contacts while waiting for Mizuki to return.

After listing Fairfield as my emergency contact on the registration form and having her officially add me to her room's roster, Mizuki and Fairfield escorted me to her dorm. The dormitory was built on a hillside, with each room positioned at a slightly higher elevation than the one below it. Fairfield's apartment was among the highest, offering a breathtaking view of the student-run farmland below. The fields, tended by agriculture students, were lush with fruit-bearing plants, their neat rows stretching out in rich, green abundance.

Standing by the window in Fairfield's room, I felt an overwhelming urge to paint—the view alone was enough to keep me inspired all day.

The room itself was spacious, with an attached bathroom. A single bed sat against one wall, accompanied by a study space, a cozy couch, and an armchair arranged around a small coffee table—perfect for reading and unwinding. A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe provided ample storage, and the bay windows flooded the space with natural light. One corner of the room remained completely empty, and when I asked about it, Fairfield admitted she wasn't sure what to do with it. She casually suggested I set up a study desk there while I waited for my own housing assignment, a kindness that made me feel unexpectedly welcome.

"Alright, I'll leave you girls to unpack and get settled in, I've got to get back to my rounds, Shall we exchange contacts just in case you need any more help?" Mizuki asked me and I nodded, taking out my phone. 

After exchanging contacts, I said, and Mizuki left, closing the door behind her. 

I set up my suitcase and backpack under the windowsill of my corner of the room and sat on the floor, just staring up at the ceiling.

A can suddenly appeared in my vision. I reached up and took it as Fairfield sat down on the floor next to me, cracking open a can for herself.

"What's this?" I asked, looking at the can. Everything seemed to be written in English.

"Oh, it's grape juice. I thought you might be thirsty. I brought it over with me from England; it's really good," Fairfield said as she gulped down hers.

I cracked open mine and took a sniff. It smelt nice, so I took a few sips.

"Wow, this is delicious, thank you," I said and smiled, turning to face Fairfield.

"You know you really saved me back there, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. To be honest, thinking of staying at the teacher's quarters is kind of scary, as it's a mixed gendered area" I admitted.

"And staying with me isn't scary?" Fairfield suddenly said, leaning forward towards me.

"W-Why would you say that? You aren't scary," I said and smiled, wondering if there was some kind of mistake in translation. 

Fairfield leaned back and took another sip of her grape juice. 

"Oh, my bad. I thought…" Fairfield said, a frown passing across her features for a moment.

I tilted my head to the side "Sorry, did I say something wrong?" I asked softly.

 Chris then got up, shaking her head, "Nevermind. Also, call me Chris; it's so weird to be called Fairfield all the time, especially by someone who is going to be living with me," 

"Oh! Ok….Chris," I said and felt myself blush " You can call me Sarah," I said, sipping my drink. 

"I know," Chris said as she finished her can. She crushed it and threw it with expert ease across the floor, grinning as it fell into the wastepaper basket.

"Are you hungry? The kitchen is down the hall, so I want to go make dinner before it gets dark. I'll make something for you if you're hungry," Chris said as she turned to me, her grin softening to a gentle smile.

"Oh yes very, the walk from the bus stop to the college took so much energy, I'm starving" I said, cradling my can of grape juice.

"Sure, I'll be back in thirty minutes, make yourself at home" Chris said and left, taking the little plastic basket with her can in it with her.