Chapter Text
Natsuki was staring at the clock, tapping her foot under her desk.
Yuri, without looking up from her book, asked “Is something bothering you, Natsuki?”
Natsuki checked herself, adjusting her posture so she couldn’t fidget. “S-Sorry, it’s just…both Monika and Sayori are late. Usually it’s just Monika.”
Yuri’s eyebrows twitched and she looked at the clock. “Oh my, so they are. I didn’t realize it was that time already. Should I make tea now, or did you want to wait?”
Natsuki thought for a second, then crossed her arms and pouted. “Now, please.” She frowned at the wrapped tray in front of her. “I wanted everyone to try my new recipe, but if people aren’t going to show up on time they can forget about snacks.”
Yuri smiled to herself from inside the closet. It was a little bit cute when Natsuki pretended not to care what people thought. Yuri had known her club-mate long enough to know that this was something they had in common: unapproachable exteriors with sensitive hearts underneath.
Yuri brought the tea set out and put it on the combined desk. “They might’ve just been held up. I’m going to get water.”
When she came back, Natsuki was still the only one there. Yuri frowned as she filled the kettle and plugged it in. “They must be talking to a teacher about something…” she muttered as she sat down.
A few minutes passed in silence as the kettle began to boil. Yuri poured two mugs and set the teabags in, before placing one before Natsuki and sitting back down.
“Can I…ask how the move is going?” Yuri said, breaking the silence. “Is that…too personal?”
Natsuki shrugged, not taking her eyes off the tray. “My aunt has a full fridge and…I’m not hungry. I eat, of course, but it’s like I’m just forcing it down.”
“Are you…anxious?” Yuri probed cautiously. “That can make one lose their appetite.”
“I mean, of course I’m anxious. I’m not living at my house anymore. My stuff is all in boxes and it feels like I’m living in a stupid hotel. And my aunt keeps tip-toeing around me like I’m made of glass. I friggin’ hate it.”
“I think…m-maybe, she’s just trying to make you comfortable.”
Natsuki exhaled, her shoulders noticeably dropping. “Yeah…it’s just…weird…Can I ask how your thing is going?” She glanced at the table, clearly embarrassed. “I mean, you don’t have to tell me or anything, I just thought, since you asked about me, y’know...”
Yuri glanced at the table too, but more to hide her surprise than anything. Is this what…being friends was? “Y-Yeah, of course. Th-thank you- I mean.” Yuri took a breath to steady herself. “I’ve been doing…okay.” She moved her cuff just a tiny bit, revealing a rubber band. “This has been helping a bit, but I still don’t think I’m well enough to have my collection back in the house.” Yuri lowered her head. “Is it weird to miss things that hurt you?”
Natsuki shook her head. “I don’t think so.” They both sighed, secretly wishing Sayori would show up. The mood needed some serious lightening.
Almost as if summoned, Sayori burst in, and was already nearly bouncing off the walls.
“You guys! We have our first case!”
Yuri and Natsuki exchanged puzzled glances.
Monika ran in just behind Sayori, trying and failing to backpedal the situation. “Sayori, we’re not detectives! We can’t help her!”
Sayori whirled on her. “What do you mean? Aren’t we the mystery club?”
“The mystery party club. Y’know, like ‘whodunnit parties’?”
“Never heard of ‘em. And I already told Kyouko we’d help, so we may as well try!”
Natsuki furrowed her brow. “What the heck? Who joins a club without knowing what it is?”
“Sayori, apparently.” Yuri muttered into her tea.
“There’s a difference between ‘not knowing’ and ‘being mistaken’.” Monika offered, shrinking as the words came out.
“Either way, like I said,” Sayori began, “I already told Kyouko we'd do it, and Monika, didn’t you say you wanted to grow the club before we graduate? What better way to do that than by helping people! We might even get new members!”
Everyone turned to Monika with expressions ranging from incredulous to hopeful.
Monika looked at each of her club-mates and sighed, defeated. “Well, if no one objects…”
“Hang on!” Natsuki interjected. “Just because Sayori signed up for the” - she did air quotes - “’mystery club’ doesn’t mean Yuri and I did! We should be planning our first party, not whatever this is, right Yuri?”
Yuri thoughtfully chewed her lip. “I don’t know, it might be interesting to be real life sleuths. It might be good for my personal prose too…”
“Oh for Pete’s sake-” Natsuki facepalmed. Suddenly, Sayori pointed at her. “Natsuki, if you agree to join our escapade, I will give you…” she fished in her bag and pulled something out, “THIS bookstore gift card!”
“…How much is left?”
Sayori paused. “Like, twenty bucks?”
“How much is ‘like, twenty bucks? Is it twenty or not?”
“If it’s not twenty bucks I will give you the difference please just let us do this.”
Natsuki considered, then stood up and snatched the card from her. “Fine. But only because there’s a Parfait Girls art book coming out.”
Sayori hummed happily as she went off to get Kyouko.
Monika hoped she wouldn’t regret this.
The gift card turned out to be for $27. Sayori jokingly thought out loud about asking for the $7, but when Natsuki genuinely panicked, Sayori said to just buy her a snack later.