Work Text:
“Okay, everyone!”
“Whuh…?” Natsuki jolted awake from the sound of her club president’s clap. Thinking she was at home, she hurriedly scanned her surroundings - an all too familiar worn wooden desk, the painfully bright lights from the window, an annoyingly widely-grinning strawberry-blonde haired girl staring at her..
..Not home. School actually - how long was I out for? Math was boring but I didn’t think..
Her confusion dying down, she made eye contact with Sayori. Sitting diagonally from her, the girl giggled, but hurriedly pretended to look at something else once she noticed Natsuki’s glare. Of course, Natsuki didn’t actually hate her, but she was too embarrassed to realize she could have been snoring and wouldn’t have known. And by the terrible unconvincing whistling, Sayori knew Natsuki wasn’t actually mad at her either, but she found it more funny to ensure Natsuki would never know about the faces or noises she makes while sleeping.
Over the past two years and more, they had gotten very close with one another. Although Natsuki’s abrasiveness could push people away most of the time - not that she particularly cared, or anything - it was Sayori’s persistence that began their friendship. Though Natsuki got seemingly irked by things Sayori would do, they both knew she held a very soft spot for her deep down. They had their own troubles, and while neither of them were willing to share it just yet, they found solace in comforting one another when they needed it. It was Natsuki’s ideal friendship. At the end of the day, Sayori was always the first one to scarf down Natsuki’s cupcakes while singing praises. At the beginning of the day, Natsuki was always the one to ensure she made an extra one or two for Sayori herself.
Bringing her attention back to the front of the classroom, she swore she noticed Monika’s knowing smile too - although, she couldn’t quite tell if it seemed like it was more toward Sayori’s direction. With her hands still together, the club president continued her statement.
“I think that will be it for today’s club meeting—”
Oh my fuck, I slept through all my manga reading time-!
“–-and I’m terribly sorry to cut it an hour short, but I do have some errands to run! Of course, even though today was light, I’m glad we all got to see each other today. You guys are free to stay here as you wish, though.”
Oh.
Monika had already slung her bag over her shoulder and walked, or rather, speedwalked her way out while waving at her club members cheerfully. By the time Natsuki had looked down at her manga to save the page and back up again, the only thing she saw was her brown ponytail exiting the classroom - which was strange. Ms. Star Student here practically lived and breathed school. What’s got her so hyped?
Natsuki herself had only known Monika for a little more than a year, back when Sayori basically begged her to “Please, please, please, please join!” to ensure the club’s stability. She was uncomfortable with the thought of sharing poems and fancy literature and all that crap she didn’t read with other people, but she very quickly faltered once Sayori reassured her that manga is, in fact, literature (“The literature club sounds amazing, Sayo!”). When she first met Monika, the club president, she was put off by the overly nice personality and those piercing green eyes of hers. Natsuki had grown all too accustomed to people pretending to be nice to her, so she found herself very quickly annoyed with some of her president’s seemingly fake sympathies. As time went on, though, their spats became less frequent. She still found Monika to be annoying at times, sure, but they’ve grown to respect each other.
..Still doesn’t explain why she’s in such a freaking hurry?
Natsuki turned to the klutzy girl, her mind still somewhat drowsy as she slowly stood up to tap her shoulder.
“Hey, Sayori-”
Sayori practically jumped out from her seat, having resulted in irritating screeches across the wooden floorboards that made both girls wince.
“Oops, sorry! Um- sorry, sorry Nat, gotta go I’ll talk to you later love you bye!”
Sayori threw her bag over her shoulder, practically running out of the door before Natsuki could get another word in. Her finger still outstretched and body leaning over her desk, her pigtails recoiled from the windburst Sayori managed to produce. When has she ever run that fast? Ever?
“You can talk to Yuri!” Sayori’s voice trailed as she ran further down the hallway, before a noticeable squeak and a moderately voiced “Gweh!” signalled her fall. Only when did she hear quick footsteps again did Natsuki slowly turn to the corner of the classroom with her finger still pointed. At Yuri.
Shit.
“Sayori can be so silly sometimes, can’t she?” Natsuki was very wide awake now. She couldn’t have been that sleepy to forget about one of the three people she shared the clubroom with. She hurriedly put away her finger.
“Mhm, um yeah uhuh.”
Shit.
The purple-haired girl was outlined by the sun pouring in from the window. Yuri exuded an air of elegance wherever she went, sure, but especially now did Natsuki’s heart do two backflips. Maybe it was because she just woke up and got hit by post-nap vision. Or, maybe it was the way her eyes looked in the sun, casting an amethyst-like radiance that pierced Natsuki’s heart. Maybe it was the way she put down her book to sip from her tea, the way her hands gently cradled the teacup to bring to her lips. Maybe it was the way her hair fell over her eyes, or maybe it was the way she gently tucked her hair behind her ear, outlining her soft cheeks and soft lips —
Shit. Stop thinking about her lips.
In truth, Natsuki never got quite used to Yuri’s presence. Initially it was so frustrating to get along with such a person - she always had such a freaking high horse Natsuki wished she could kick down sometimes. It was like she never understood how Natsuki felt. Then, somewhere in the middle, it was just like everything... changed? Of course, Natsuki knew where this came from. They grew closer as they became better friends and all that cushy stuff. What she didn’t understand was how her feelings toward Yuri seemingly did a complete 180.
They still had their disagreements, and neither of them were afraid to bring each other down a notch during club meetings (much to the dismay of Monika and Sayori), but Natsuki felt a touch heavier around her. For whatever reason, she felt her footsteps weigh more when she was around Yuri. It was like that damn math test: every step had to be correct, as if she was relearning how to walk. It was like all the times she tried approaching the cat by the school entrance. It always seemed fine, at first, but she was scared of being too.. present? Acknowledged. She didn’t want to fuck it up. Every hand movement and statement she made sounded a bit louder, no matter how loud she actually was, as if anything she did was being constantly scrutinized by the purple-haired girl.
Then, it got worse.
She had never seen Yuri in the hallways. Now, it was something she would look forward to. Sometimes, she started planning her routes during school in a way so she could see just a glimpse of her long purple hair. Usually, Yuri wouldn’t notice her: she was too busy looking down at the floor or thinking whatever it was in that big beautiful and stupid head of hers. When they did make eye contact, those fleeting moments where Yuri would flash a smile and wave politely, Natsuki felt her heart skip a beat. Natsuki started mentally taking note of the flavors she likes, but never handed her cupcake to her directly as she did with Sayori and Monika. Natsuki would place them down on her desk, so as to not accidentally brush her hand. She wouldn’t make eye contact when Yuri gave her her tea, and she would mutter her thanks in the quietest voice she could muster. She tried picking up books Yuri would read during meetings, but of course, she would never tell her that (The Portrait of Markov… maybe I can pirate it online.) Even as they left the classroom, it was never together - or if it was, Natsuki would make sure they stayed a healthy distance apart. That’s all it was to Natsuki: a healthy distance. Not a crush, nor anything that could be portrayed as remotely romantic. She couldn’t let it be.
“Natsuki, is something wrong?” Yuri tilted her head quizzically at the young girl. She had put her book down, her eyes concerned.
“Shit- I mean, no, nothing’s wrong. Just a bit sleepy, that’s all.” Natsuki rubbed her eye and mocked a yawn. The realization they were alone annihilated any trace of sleepiness from earlier.
“Oh, are you sure? As your dear friend, you should understand that–”
“Yeah, Yuri. I get it already, but I’m fine.” Natsuki slowly began to lower herself back to her seat. “I just didn’t..” Sleep well? Eat enough? Get enough rest last night because I kept thinking of how stupid you are? “..get a chance to read much of my manga because of my nap.” How stupid I am?
Now I’m the one acting weird.
“I see..” Yuri said with the ends of her mouth slightly downturned. She hesitantly picked her novel back up, not before flicking her glance at Natsuki. Natsuki quickly turned to face forward in her seat, ready to pick up her manga. She ignored the warmth rising in her ears.
.
.
.
Minori is finally confessing to her, holy fuck.
After a bit of confusion, Natsuki had finally remembered the previous events in this volume of Parfait Girls. Getting caught up, she blazed through panel after panel until she realized just how tensions started getting higher and higher and slowed down her pace. Natsuki was so focused on immersing herself in the dialogue and art that she didn’t care for the shuffling behind her. As she turned the page, seeing glances of a two-page manga panel spread, she almost didn’t care for the purple blob that plopped into the seat to her left.
Not a healthy distance. Definitely NOT a healthy distance.
“Y-Yuri?”
“Yes?” The usually shy girl was nothing short of brave right now.
“Nothing, actually.”
“Okay.” The usually shy girl spoke that word with a smile, Natsuki could tell, even if she couldn’t look at her directly. She had paid too much attention to how her voice sounded when she was laughing or smiling. Natsuki tried focusing on the page spread, but she couldn’t help but think about how close they were.
In the past week, Yuri had strangely shifted from her normally quiet and timid persona. In the hallways, she never looked down at the floor anymore, instead surveying for something – or someone – as she walked between lunch and class. Of course, she was still her usual self during club meetings, but when they were alone, Natsuki swore she had their hands brush a few times more often than she would like (or maybe she would like it if it happened more). Sometimes, she’d find her in a seat closer to Natsuki’s usual seat, though feigning any acknowledgement of such. Sometimes, Natsuki swore she wore a subtle yet brighter smile when serving her tea. Of course, she was overthinking it. Natsuki believes so, at least.
Their legs were too close, so she shifted her left leg slightly right. Her left hand laid on top of the previous page of the manga, but she moved it a bit closer to the center. She tried focusing on the manga again, but a squeak caught her attention. Okay, these desks definitely weren’t THIS close. When did Yuri get so… not shy?
Hopefully Yuri couldn’t hear just how loud her heartbeat was.
“Yuri?”
“Yes?”
Natsuki looked up, only to find amethyst eyes looking back at her. It was those damn eyes of her, the way she can be so timid sometimes and mischievous and calculating other times. Natsuki never quite realized when Yuri started showing this side more, but it was reflected in her gentle smile: knowing, subtle, but enough for the warmth in Natsuki’s ears to rekindle. She looked away, back to her manga.
Three backflips. My heart, I mean.
“H-have you lost your sense of personal space, or s-something?” She stammered. She wanted it to be more accusatory, something that wouldn’t hurt her but be enough for that distance she needed. It couldn’t have been that effective though, evident by her refusal to make eye contact and the stuttering in her voice, but this should be good enough.
“I do not believe I have.” That was not good enough. “I merely wanted to see what you are reading.” Yuri leaned over, and Natsuki found a good quarter of her vision covered by long purple hair. Their legs didn’t quite touch, but Natsuki ran out of room to move hers lest she awkwardly shifted the entire desk away. Their hands were only inches apart, but it was the lock of Yuri’s hair that caressed her hand that made her entire body jolt. Something about Yuri smelled good, it was real flowery. Their faces… she didn’t want to think about it. She totally could not, would not, think about it. Just act like you do with Monika and Sayori, dude! Not that hard.
“Geez dude, I didn’t think you would have to be that close to read it or something. Do you need prescriptions, or something haha? It’s like you’re going to..”
She looked up. Yuri was staring at her – had she been staring at her the entire time? No, right?
“..k-kiss me.”
Were their faces this close? Was Yuri getting closer, actually? Yuri’s hand inched forward, so did her legs. Natsuki tried to move, but she was nearly falling off her seat. She was cornered.
Four or five or however the fuck many backflips at this point.
Natsuki’s face was entirely red by now, she was sure. She didn’t know when she started holding in her breaths. She couldn’t hear anything thanks to the loud rhythm of her heart. She tried pushing her attention somewhere else, to the students walking home outside or the way the sun was beginning to transition from yellow to a faint, cool gold. It was fruitless: all she saw was purple and and all she smelled was purple. Purple, purple, purple. Her heart kept pounding and pounding and it was suffocating. She hated this feeling. She hated feeling like shit. She hated feeling vulnerable. Her heart started speeding up, but not out of embarrassment. It was out of panic, a feeling all too familiar. This wasn’t a healthy distance.
“D-dude, you’re too fucking close!” Natsuki shielded her face on instinct, using her arms to block whatever was coming her way this time.
Silence.
She started breathing again, frantic. Deep breaths in, and out. Not at home. Inhale, exhale. Not at home. At school. She slowly lowered her guard down. No more purple, just gold. In typical Yuri fashion, she had quickly retreated back to her own book in the corner of the classroom. From this angle, Natsuki could barely see the girl: all that was visible were stray locks of purple hair.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m so sorry..” Yuri had returned to her usual self.
Inhale, exhale.
Her heartbeat was decreasing, and in its stead, she felt another emotion well up. Anger. This is why I always keep that fucking distance. Nobody seems to think about what I want any fucking time of the day.
She took deeper, heavier breaths.
Everybody at school already treats me like a freak and I have to deal with persistent fucking weirdos in the only place I feel comfortable in?!
Her fingers whitened as she gripped the edges of her manga.
No wonder the others left so early, they couldn’t handle being in the same shitty room as me. Why can’t I just live for once without someone there to intrude on my damn privacy?! Maybe this is why I blow up all the damn time! Maybe everyone should stop poking me like I’m some damn sleeping bear!
She glanced back at Yuri, only briefly.
Even fucking Yuri, she-
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’m sorry..”
She… she…
Inhale, exhale. The heat from her face started to fall almost as soon as it started to rise. Natsuki has been through this bout multiple times already. She remembered when she exploded at Sayori the first time she dished out one of Sayori’s Special Surprise Hugs. Sure, they’re better now and she can kind of tolerate them, but Sayori knows better to ask for permission first. It just.. didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel right to be touched by anyone, for any glimpses of affection to break down the wall she built. She couldn’t let her guard down ever again. It didn’t feel right to be vulnerable to someone because that meant they could destroy it all in a few seconds. But it also didn’t feel right when she yelled all her obscenities and Sayori stood there, teary-eyed, a face full of hurt. Natsuki didn’t want to be like… Sayori didn’t know.
Yuri didn’t know. Natsuki’s anger tried arguing with her, screaming at her to unleash her vast vocabulary of curse words and insults upon her. Admittedly, she was somewhat justified; who freaking comes up on a person like that out of nowhere? She glanced back at Yuri again.
Yuri didn’t know. Natsuki sighed, closing her manga. She didn’t concede, entirely: she still believed she was in the right, but she didn’t want to leave it there. Natsuki very well could have left, stormed out the classroom without ever seeing what the timid girl looked like. But Natsuki knew how Yuri was. Thinking back to Sayori – the way tears streaked down her eyes, the joyful and cheerful attitude having been dismissed entirely– she couldn’t let it happen to someone she cared about again. She wouldn’t be like him.
Left, right, left, left - fuck, I meant right. She had picked up one of the remaining green tea cupcakes from the teacher’s desk at the front. Yuri seemingly hadn’t even noticed Natsuki’s presence, even as she walked over to the desk to her right. The previously confident girl wasn’t even reading the book: she was staring straight down at her desk, her fingers twiddling with her hair, and having returned entirely to her shy persona.
Fuck, I am really bad at this.
Natsuki sat herself down and the cupcake at the desk gently, but Yuri was still preoccupied with her hair and her apologies. Her face was no longer the calm or calculating presence Natsuki was used to seeing. Yuri’s eyes were downcast, her face sullen and stricken with mixed feelings of guilt and fear.
“Hey, Yuri-”
“Eek!”
Yuri jumped from her seat, knocking her book down with a resounding thump. She used her hair to cover her face as she backed up from Natsuki the best she could.
Just like a cat, huh? She smiled, a bit solemnly.
“I uh. I just wanted to um, fuck. N-not fuck! I do not want to fuck, I mean. Sorry, you should know I’m not the best at this.” Yuri’s hair didn’t withdraw from her face. Natsuki looked beside her at the faintly orange glow of the sun. Then she started twiddling her own fingers, looking down at Yuri’s desk.
Inhale, exhale.
“I’m just, not the best at closeness or affection and all that shit like that.” She tensed her hands, then relaxed them. “I don’t really want to talk about it, really. Like, what caused it and stuff. You know Sayo, right?” Of course she does, you dummy.
Yuri peeked slightly from between her locks of hair.
“Well, I mean, of course you know her. She’s the giddy girl that gives all of us hugs and always makes us laugh and eats my cupcakes. The genki girl. When we first met, I wasn’t too keen on her hugs either – I mean, I kind of um, yelled at her and everything? I mean, you know how I am but also you know how Sayori is and..” This wasn’t going anywhere. She did manage to capture more of Yuri’s attention, who had been listening attentively. She was still obviously concerned about what she did to Natsuki.
“...fuck, man. What I’m meaning to say is that it’s not your fault. You didn’t know. Sayori didn’t know either and I hate feeling like such a dick and–”
“So, you would only accept affection from Sayori?” Natsuki brought her attention back to Yuri. Her voice was small and her eyes seemed tired, almost resigned to something she didn’t know what.
“I-I mean, Sayori and I are best friends! But I only accept her hugs because she remembers to ask, at least, most of the time. I mean, I toooootally wouldn’t accept any from Monika. She’s too tall and I feel like she’d make it all sappy and weird? Sayori at least gets it over with. I mean, not to say I prefer anyone’s hugs, or affection or anything, because I don’t like them that much. Not at all. But I mean, if it were you– or, fuck. I-if you were just to ask..” It wasn’t long before that familiar warmth came back to her face. When did Yuri flip this onto her?
Yuri couldn’t suppress her giggle. She’s totally fucking with me, isn’t she? When did she learn to fuck with people?
“C-c’mon, dude! Just take this cupcake or something and shove it, okay? I tried my best to say all that cushy shit.” Unintentionally Natsuki had handed the cupcake to her directly, and the brush of their hands only facilitated the warmth spreading throughout her body. Her ears felt red hot now. She only hoped it was the warmth of the sun doing this to her. Yuri couldn’t stifle her laughs any longer, though, and was quietly breaking down in her seat.
“You are such a d-dork, Kamado Natsuki!” Natsuki was glad she was laughing again. It was such a nice, pleasant sound. Though, hearing her full name made her turn away from the purple-haired girl abashedly.
“Okay, dude! Whatever!” Natsuki tried to flaunt her pride, crossing her arms, and both girls went silent. When she opened one of her eyes at Yuri, though, the two girls couldn’t help it and broke down into a fit of giggles and laughter.
“First, you fall asleep reading your manga..”
“Hey! I was tired!”
“Then I swore I heard your feet trip on nothing on your way over here..”
“I-I was tired! Get off my case!”
Natsuki didn’t notice how close they had gotten. Yuri didn’t either, or at least she thought she didn’t. Their hands and legs were a bit too close, but it wasn’t bad. It was never bad. She didn’t mind it anymore.
“Natsuki.. you really are..” Yuri said between her laughter.
“Really what?” Natsuki realized their seats were facing directly toward each other now. Both their giggles died down as Yuri took upon a more serious look. Natsuki responded in kind by locking her eyes with Yuri’s.
“Really.. what?”
Ceasing her laughter, the timid girl slowly leaned forward, much to the pigtailed-girl’s surprise. Everything got too serious too fast, but she was ready for it this time. First kiss, right? Can’t be that bad. Fuck, when was the last time I applied my chapstick? What if my lips are dry as fuck?
Okay, it may be that bad.
Oh my god, what do I taste like? What does… she taste like? Just don't tell me I’m a bad kisser…! Natsuki anxiously closed her eyes, bracing herself for the moment their lips were to meet.
But they hadn't.
“So cute.” Yuri didn’t kiss her – she totally wasn’t expecting it or anything – but the whisper she sent through Natsuki’s ear felt like thousands of them. A shiver was sent through her body as she opened her eyes, back to the same mischievous smile Yuri flashed at her earlier. Steam could have risen from her ears based on the amount of heat she was emanating from her face. She can’t believe she’s let herself be vulnerable like that.
“Totally, totally unfair purple girl!” Natsuki huffed, crossing her arms. Yuri’s little act converted any anxiety Natsuki had into embarrassment.
“What is ‘totally unfair’, Natsuki?” Yuri said, her hand barely obscuring a wide smirk. “Is it not that you just told me I needed permission to do such things? Or rather, you should know that it goes both ways… does it not?”
I should have known it! Ugh! Yuri, you freaking tease...
Natsuki kept her thoughts to her head. In reality, her mouth lay open as she struggled to find any refute to Yuri’s statements.
“Well, it is getting late, so I suppose I should be on my way home now.” Yuri slowly moved up from her seat with a smile still plastered on her face. “I appreciate the cupcake and your comfort, but unless you have any reason for me to stay, I shall take my leave.” Natsuki didn’t even realize the classroom was painted in orange. Yuri seemed expectant for a response, but she wasn’t planning on giving Natsuki ample time to respond – if she were to say something, it had to be now.
“W-wait.” Natsuki stood up from her seat. Geez, wasn’t this supposed to be the other way around? Isn’t she supposed to be a pushover and I’m the pusher?
“Yes, Natsuki?” Yuri stopped in her tracks, slowly turning around with a knowing smile.
“U-um..” Natsuki didn’t know what to say. She just didn’t want her to leave just yet. Not without doing anything. So, she outstretched her hands until Yuri came over. Natsuki never asked for any affection, not even for one of Sayori’s Normal Nonsurprising Hugs. In a way, she was scared. Scared to be hurt, that those hugs would mean nothing once she fucked up once. That those hugs would be taken away as quickly as they were given to her.
It didn’t matter though, nothing seemed to matter as Yuri took Natsuki into her arms.
She allowed herself to be enveloped in the taller girl’s warmth. It was nice to be vulnerable, after all. The way the smell of lavender suffocated her; the way Yuri’s arms wrapped around her; the way she felt comfortable. More than comfortable– safe. Natsuki hadn’t known how long hugs were supposed to be but a part of her wished they could stay like this for hours.
“Yuri?”
“Yes?”
“Fuck you.” She murmured into her blazer.
“I know, I know.” Yuri chuckled. When Yuri planted a kiss on Natsuki’s forehead, the two slowly separated from each other. They couldn’t fully let go of each other though, as their hands remained together.
“I really must get going, now. I’m sorry Natsuki.”
“Pshh, it’s no big deal! I didn’t um. I didn’t like want you to stay here just for me. You have other responsibilities, I have responsibilities, we’re both responsibility havers!”
What the FUCK was coming out of her mouth right now?
Yuri smiled again, although noticeably brighter than before. “Don’t fret, you have my contact as you need. We’ll see each other at the next club meeting? Or preferably, sometime out of school?”
17 backflips and counting.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Natsuki flashed a toothy grin. While she tried hard not to, her mouth frowned as they separated hands.
Yuri nodded, then proceeded to make her way back to the classroom’s door before suddenly stopping in her tracks. “Oh yes, I did see what you were reading earlier by the way. Parfait Girls volume 15, correct? Minori’s confession scene was certainly enjoyable.”
What?
Natsuki raced over to her own desk, where her manga was laid. Still standing, she hurriedly flipped its pages until she found herself at the page-spread. She was too occupied with Yuri – with her girlfriend (?), she’d need to ask her about that later – to pay attention to the actual scene. In a wordless confession, Minori had been sitting at her desk, leaning over to kiss–
This girl– I thought she didn’t even read manga! Nevermind that, she was ahead of me?! Since when?!
“Yuri–!” But by the time Natsuki looked up to confront her, she had already vanished. Natsuki plopped into her seat, completely dazed by this revelation. She… had been reading my favorite manga… for how long? She… tried confessing to me through a scene from Parfait Girls!?
Natsuki closed her manga with a sigh, her face falling onto her desk.
“Dummy pretends she’s soo smart and then..” Natsuki smiled at the thought of Yuri having traversed so far out of her realm of literature just for her. It wasn’t the best execution, but if it had gotten them this far, then it wasn’t too bad after all, was it?
“You’re such a dork, Yuri.”
.
.
.
Natsuki’s phone buzzed.
She was on her way home after some heavy reflection on today’s events, but also the past few weeks. She would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t know why Yuri had changed so much. She also would be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t mentally kicking herself for all the times Yuri had obviously made a move on her and she didn’t notice it. This really was just the culmination of everything Yuri had intentionally done. She kicked a rock in self-annoyance.
Her phone buzzed again. The first message had been from Sayori in their club group chat: a picture of her and Monika captioned with “SORRY FOR LEAVING YOU GUYS!!!!!!!”. In the photo, they were looking at Sayori’s phone as Monika held it above them: the two girls stuck their tongues out while holding up peace signs, the background holding some familiarity as a local movie theatre.
Geez, I can’t be that mad at you, huh.
The second message, to her surprise, was a message from Yuri. “If it isn’t an inconvenience, would you like to come to my residence sometime? We can discuss the fifteenth volume of Parfait Girls further should you wish.”
Natsuki pondered for a minute. She normally would decline such a request. She kicked another rock, then another as she continued her walk home. Everyone seemed to be changing way too fast for her liking.
But was it really that bad?
Natsuki normally would have declined such a request.
Normally.
“Yeah, sure.”
Natsuki pressed send and continued on her walk like a regular, nonchalant person does. Though, any passerby would say they witnessed a short pigtailed girl much too happy to be walking home.