Oyasumi Moratorium ch1

College life.
Ah~ Shit...
These really precious years go by in a flash.

Studying, sports, circle activities, part-time jobs...
This is going in the scrap heap...
Facing yourself, reaching new heights, working hard with friends... An ere of glorious youth.

...Ng.
No, no smoking... I promised I'd try hard to quit...!
...M-

Maybe just the scent...

sniff~...

That aroma...
Hah~...
I'm currently wasting this hard-to-get time.

Having cigarettes in arm's reach makes her wanna smoke them, but she can just about make do with sniffing them with her nose.

Still, I'm really backed into a corner here.
The deadline for the IlluCon's coming up too...
*IlluCon - Illustration Contest

I'm Shirono Chikage, a 2nd year at a normal university.
Currently being a shut-in from the exhaustion of college to rave reviews.

It'll be bad if all that drawing I skipped lectures for ends up being a waste... I need to do something.
Ah.

Wai-
Gweh!

Oww...
Ah, geez...

Why is it... things never go right for me...?
I'm struggling with drawings... and I'm this close to repeating the year... Oh man, I feel like crying...

I'm home~

Wait, Senpai!? What happened!?
Uuh~ Sumisawa~

I'm so ashamed...
Don't be! I'm just glad you're not hurt!

This girl is Sumisawa Hiori, my underclassman at college.
For some reason, she looks up to me and we ended up living together.

Senpai, did you not go to college today either?
No, I didn't...

Let me know when you go to talk to the teacher.
I'm pretty confident in my begging skills.
Please don't.

Just kidding! That was obviously a joke!
She says that, but this girl probably would come along for real...

Did you go to college, Sumisawa? You weren't around when I woke up.
Yes. I had first period today, after all.

You always get up earlier than me and go to bed later... You doing okay?
No problem. I went up to fifth period today.
You really do have stamina to spare, huh...

You can barely last until third period, Senpai.
Fu... Don't underestimate me.
I can barely handle til second period.

...To be real, though,
I think it's okay to go at your own pace, Senpai.

If worst comes to worst, you can just repeat the year to get back your credits.
Thank you for the food.
Thank you for the food.
You're putting up way too little resistance to me repeating the year...

There's no way I can just do that.
My parents would weep.
Hmm... Indeed...

Ah!
In that case, there'd be no problem if you became a "family" with me, right, Senpai?

Marriage Registration Form

Where did you get that from?

I'll support you and lessen the burden on your parents.
A clever idea if I do say so myself.
Look, you...

The problem with my parents isn't just about money, and I can't rely on you that much, Sumisawa.
If the worst happens... I'll just have to deal with it myself.

Senpai...

You're so brave~!
Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll do everything for you!
Were you even listening!?

Ehehe
Sorry, couldn't help it...
I want to support you since you're working so hard.
Eh...?

You've been drawing all through today too, right?
Thanks for all your hard work!
A-Ah... yeah... I'm no match for you, though...

That's not true!
I really respect you for how much effort you put in every day!

Hm...
Effort... huh...

...Senpai?
Are you okay? Does it hurt somewhere after all...?

...It's like you're buying me, Sumisawa.
To be honest, I'm not amazing at all.

All of today's drawings were scrapped.
It's the same as having not done anything.

I forgot I made cup noodles for lunch, so I had to eat them while they were all expanded.
I keep eating, but it's not going down.
I spilled my tea...

I wasted the entire day just sitting in my room.
I'm just a useless shutin.

So if you feel disgusted with me, no need to hold back...
Senpai.

I think working hard because you think you have to... is wonderful and I support you.
But...

when you're really exhausted, it's okay to give up once in a while.
Sumisawa...

I like our lifestyle right now.

Even if it's just looking after you every day without any goals in mind.
Isn't that kinda disgraceful?

There's a way to enjoy college life called "moratorium".
I'd like you to try it.

Just keep working hard, and if the time comes when things still don't go well,

don't overdo it. Let's laze around together.

...Mg.

...Thanks. You're so kind, Sumisawa.
You always are, though.

Feel a little better now?
Yeah. Sorry for being so glum.

If it's your glumness, Senpai, I'll take on as much of it as you have!
Deeeeen!
Bring it on!
R-Right...

Haha... But I really...
do feel a little better.

Phew~...
Yummy...

Geez~

Cigarettes again~!? You said you were gonna quit~!
Being spoilt by you made me wanna smoke.

Quitting really is tough.
My mouth felt lonely.

I don't really mind~... but it's bad for your body.
That's true.

!

Senpai... If your mouth is that lonely,
how about... you kiss me?

I'll pass.
Eeh~!?
Why~!? It's good for you body!

Kisses aren't really good for the body or anything either...
My kisses are special~!

Okay, I'll head to bed first.
You've been staying up late every night... so you should get an early night once in a while too, Sumisawa.

Okay~ I'll go to sleep once I've finished up here.
Good night~

...Sorry for being so sudden,
but I'm Sumisawa Chikage, a first year at a normal university.

p10

Fufufu...
I'm also, in fact, a baku. [tn: A mythical tapir that eats dreams]

I survive by eating the unconscious stagnation within people's dreams,
and so...

I sneakily... take it like this.

...Yet another nightmare tonight.
To be honest, Senpai's nightmares aren't very tasty.

I want her to have lots of good dreams.
Which is why... I need to make Senpai happy...

...Please let me look after you again tomorrow.

...Good night,
Senpai.

Oyasumi Moratorium ch2

Hiori~ Good work.
G-Good work~

Are you free tonight?
Ah, sorry. I appreciate the invite, though...

You haven't been hanging out with me lately.
Boyfriend~?
It's not a boyfriend...

I've got a hungry roommate waiting for me.
Hmm~ I thought as much.
Eh?

Well, there's been a rumor going on lately
that you've been "keeping a senpai"... so I wondered if that was true~

Hiori is a baku who sucks out her roommate senpai's dreams with a kiss. Her cover hasn't been blowed, but there's these strange rumors.

...That's what she told me~!

Manga Research Club

What a disaster.

We're just living together and yet...
such a rumor is going around...
It's a pain, huh?

It's true that Senpai doesn't leave the house...
and I do all the housework for her, though...
There's no smoke without fire.

Eh!? How did you know Senpai failed to quit smoking!?
That's not what I meant...

But, but!
It's not as if Senpai does nothing!

She's always working hard with her drawings,
Good work. Thank you again for today. I love you. (delusion)
and she's always kind and considerate towards me.

She gives me lots of energy...
so... I don't believe saying that I'm "keeping her" is right.

Hmm...

From the sound of it,
Shirono's doing surprisingly well too.

I'm relieved to hear what's going on.
Tell her to show her face once in a while.

Ah, also, this may be poking my nose into things, but...
? Yes?

Even if you're living together, you're still students, so keep the fraternizing in moderation.
!?
W-We're not fraternizing!!

Shirono at that time.
I messed up...
I totally forgot to order from the online supermarket...

If I tell that girl, she'll probably go shopping instead... and be happy to do it too.
I can't bring myself to do it... but going outside is... What do I do...?

One hour later.
I'm home...
Welcome back, Sumisawa...
Uwah! You surprised me! I'm home!

Hey, um... You wanna...
order pizza?

Thanks for the food! That was delicious!
Thanks for the food.

Delivery once in a while is nice too.
Sure is. But I do feel like I've done something bad.

Because you took the easy option and got something tasty out of it?
It's a sinful taste.
Does that make us criminals?
We may be judged as such.

If I'm with you, Senpai... not even death scares me.
I wasn't expecting the death penalty.

Speaking of pizza, it seems the Manga Club's gonna hold a pizza party soon.
Ah~
That thing where they just show off B-grade manga...

It seems the president is putting on quite the feast this time around.
Delicious pizza, cola and precious shark manga are waiting for you.
Everyone, please take part.
Heh~ How generous.

The president misses you.
Hmm. Maybe I should show my face since it's been so long...?

But to take part in just the fun stuff while shutting myself away and skipping all the lectures...
is a pretty sinful thing... for a college student to do.
Please don't suddenly repent in a serious tone!

But putting aside whether you're sinning or not, Senpai,
you really should go out somewhere to hang out.

It's gotta be stifling just sitting around, right?
Hrmm...
That's true... but going out for no particular reason...
Makes me feel guilty...

There is a reason. It's important to refresh yourself.
Besides, it's fine even if you don't have a reason.

Enjoying blank spaces like these
is all a part of our moratorium.

So please get ready!
Kya!

Wh-What the!? We're going somewhere right now?
It's already dark out!
That's exactly why!

It's a chill & emotional luxury event
that you can only savor during this time.

A night stroll!

Pretty pathetic, if I do say so myself...
to be running out of breath from a simple walk.

My feet hurt... and I'm really sweaty...
but...
oddly enough, I don't hate it...

Are you okay, Senpai?
Shall we take a break?
Thanks, but...

I feel like walking a little longer.

Fufu...
The town at night sure is nice, huh?
It's quiet... and feels just a little kinder than during the day.
Yeah...

I'm always getting told "Don't be a nuisance! Live a decent life!" and such...
It's like the night is overlooking... my antisocialness...

That's how I feel anyway.
I see you've noticed the night's charm~

To think I'd be wandering about aimlessly...
Fu...
You can just call it "enjoying a stroll".

Well then, I'm gonna go buy us some drinks.
Sure. Thanks.

...I thought going outside with no purpose in mind was stupid...
but she was right. Having times like these... might be good...

Sumisawa... was looking out for me again...
I need...
to...
thank her...

Sorry to keep you wait-... Oh.

We walked a fair bit...
so it's no wonder she's so tired.

...
...

S-Senpai... You're wide open~...
If you don't wake up... I might attack you~...

I did it...
And outdoors too... How shameless...

B-But this is Senpai's fault for being so defenseless! Yep yep!

Ah... Sorry, I fell asleep...
...? Something wrong?

N-Nope! Nothing at all!
You seem tired, so let's head home!
? O-Okay...

Thanks for today, Sumisawa.
It might not be too bad to go outside once in a while.

Glad to hear it! It's good to spread your wings a little at a time.
Yeah.

Maybe soon we can go to the shopping district.
I wanna eat ramen or something.
Wah! Sounds fun!

We can buy new trainers too!
Let's get matching ones!
We don't really need to match...
Oh come on~!

The two spending some quiet time that seems like a waste but really isn't.

Oyasumi Moratorium ch3

Hey...
Hah... Hah...
It's okay, right, Sumisawa...? More...

Ah... N-No, Senpai... Any more would be...
Hah... Hah...

You're backing out now?
I can't... hold back anymore...
I mean, Senpai... You're...

You're already totally wasted!
Eh~?

Chikage, who regularly smokes a lot, is a little different today after drinking alcohol.

About two hours earlier.

That illustration contest from before... was no good, huh...

I did my best, but... No...
My best isn't enough.
I know that, but...

I know that, but~!
Waah~!
I thought it was a pretty good drawing~! What was wrong with it~!?

Ah... Come to think of it...
I was gonna drink this as a reward if I won an award...

...
I guess... it's fine...

Sumisawa's probably gonna be mad at me, though...
Drinking in despair over losing.

Let's do this... Alcohol!

And so!
Nyahaha
By the time I realised it, I was having this much fun!

You've been drinking nothing but alcohol...
without any snacks or water?

This is good shit, after all~
It cost a pretty penny.

Also, I was thinking~ that I could get you to make the snacks, Sumisawa~
Ehe ehe
Kh... I want to tell her off, but her cuteness is getting in the way...!

H-Honestly! The amount is one thing, but it's dangerous to drink it at such a fast pace!
Hmph

Kay~
It'd be scary if you got acute alcohol poisoning, right?

At least only do it when I'm around so I can deal with it...
Yeah... Sorry for worrying you.

Well... you're here now, Sumisawa, so can I drink?
Could you make some snacks too...?
You damn drunk~

Well, there's no way I can refuse, though...

This might be the first time... I've seen Senpai so plastered...
...Opening up the alcohol that was reserved for celebrations.

She must've been shocked... about the contest.
If booze can soothe her... I want to let her have some. Besides...

It smells really good! I'm looking forward to it~!
Such an innocent Senpai is a rare sight...
so I may as well enjoy it!

Here, thanks for waiting.
Thanks!

Make sure to drink some water too, okay?
Ok!
Woah~ Looks tasty!

This helps the booze go down~
Mm~
Fufu. Eat as much as you want.

I'm just gonna eat some white rice with your drunken state as a side dish...
Don't mind me...
That sounds pretty lewd~

Aren't you gonna drink, Sumisawa?
I'm still 19.

?
Aren't 19-year-olds adults already?
You've come of age, right?
That's true... but you need to be 20 to drink.
These laws make no sense~

Everyone starts hitting the booze and cigs as early as the first year in real life~
Th-That's, uh... A case-by-case thing, I guess? Like maybe they took a gap year...

That's right! Gap students are good to drink and smoke!
Exam-takers! Let's be gap students!
I can't recommend becoming one for that reason~...!

Man, but it's a shame~
Drinking with you would definitely be fun, Sumisawa.
I'll be able to drink next year, so...

Let's have a drinking party together then.
Really? You'll be with me next year too?
Of course!

Then...
it's a promise.

Eh? Um, Senpa-...
Pinky promise. If you lie, you gotta drink 100 tequilas~

Ehehe.
I'm looking forward to it.

Wh-What do I do...?
I thought I'd enjoy... Senpai acting differently from usual, but...!

Uuh...!
I-It's no use...!

I'm becoming more conscious of her...!

U-Um, Shirono-senpai...
First name.
Heh?

I want you to call me
by my first name.
Ewah!?

B-But changing how I call you so suddenly is a little... y'know...
Say it.
Uuh.
Call me
Chikage.

U-Um...
Chikage...
senpai...

Ufufu.
You said it bravely.
Good girl.

Thanks,
Hiori.
~!!

Y-You shouldn't do that kind of thing with people besides me, okay!?
What kind of thing~?

Cos y'know... erm... they may get the wrong idea...
It's not the wrong idea. You're the only one I'd say this too, Hiori.

You're the only one who thinks so much
about me, Hiori.
Eep~!

O-Okay, that's enough...! It's time to go to sleep!
Eh~ I can still drink~
Well I can't handle the embarrassment!

Hah... Th-That was an ordeal...
Mm... Hiori...

I'm sorry...
for being... a useless senpai...

I see... No matter how much fun she was having, she was drinking in despair...
She must be having a bad dream...
...I'm sorry I can't get drunk with you.

Next year for sure.
I promise.

The next morning.
Uuh... I definitely drank too much...
Chikage-senpai, it's morning!
Aah... Wait, was that my first name just now...?

You're the one who wanted me to call you by your first name, Senpai!
F-For real...?
I can't remember...
It was a verbal contract! Okay! You do it too, Senpai!

...H-Hiori...
Morning.

Good morning,
Chikage-senpai!

Hangovers are rough, but mornings like these aren't too bad.