Chapter Text
With summer break starting in two days, everyone is excited, making plans and celebrating. Everyone except Natsuki.
She hated summer and summer break, especially this one. Recently, she lost her manga set of Parfait girls because someone misplaced it. She asked Monika about it but she said she didn’t know. With no source of entertainment left, she didn’t know what to do. She paced around her room, thinking.
She had to think of something entertaining she could do for the summer break that wouldn’t be boring, maybe then she could even ask her friends to join her!
Eventually, an idea popped in her head
What if…
She opened a bakery!
After all, she knew how to bake some pretty damn good cupcakes, maybe if at least Yuri joined then she could make tea, and with Sayori’s creativity, she could work on decorations and Monika could be the manager in a sort of way. She’s sure then they could work something out together.
She sighed softly, reaching for her phone in her backpack and clicking on Monika’s contact
Natsuki collapsed down onto the bed, laying on her stomach as her legs rocked back and forth in trepidation
Natsuki: hey mon, i have an idea like that we can do for summer break or something ig.”
She hesitantly sent the text, absentmindedly biting her pink manicured fingernail.
After a quick minute, she saw the typing bubble appear, then a reply popped up on her screen
“Monika: What is it, Natsuki?
Her pink eyes trailed across the text on her phone
“Natsuki: We should start a bakery.
Monika: I’d love to! Alright tomorrow I’ll inform the rest of the club members about this news if you’d like them to join?
Natsuki: I’d appreciate that.
Monika: Great! So do you have any ideas on how we’d start a bakery in the first place?
Natsuki: I heard there’s a run down restaurant that is for rent, i’ll save some money for it.
Natsuki: Hmph but whoever is helping me better also chip in.
Monika: Sounds good!!
Monika: You know, if it’s not too expensive I could pay half of all the expenses
Natsuki: Really? Uh. Sure. Thank you.”
She let out a sigh of relief, shutting off her phone and rolling onto her back, looking at her white ceiling.
A little bit of time passed before Natsuki’s eyes went square, her mind drifting as she fell asleep.
The next morning, Natsuki woke up in her bed, birds chirping, a soft breeze from the wind flowing into her room from the cracked open window, the sunrise hitting, greeting her with a warm hug. She got up, making her bed and opening her door slowly, making sure the door wouldn’t creek as she then stepped out, making sure her father left for work before packing her bag and heading to school.
The day played out as usual, classes, lunch time, more classes and then it was finally time for the club! Natsuki made her way to the clubroom nervously. She cracked the door open with a soft creak. There she saw her three friends standing together, probably chatting about something trivial while they waited for Natsuki to arrive.
Monika: Ah, Natsuki! Welcome! We were waiting for you.
Monika smiled sweetly, gesturing Natsuki to come over, she let out a reluctant ‘hmph!’ setting down her bag on the floor by the door with the rest of the bags before heading next to Monika, avoiding eye contact.
Monika: Ahem, Everyone! I have great news, well- actually Natsuki does.
She declared, gently Natsuki to the front, Natsuki gave Monika a brief glare before huffing and speaking up
Natsuki: We should, like.. Start a bakery or whatever! Hmph!
She turned her head to the wall, crossing her arms as a soft shade of red tinted her cheeks.
Sayori: Ouhh!!! That sounds so fun!! I’m down!
She exclaimed with joy,
Yuri: I-I’d like to join…
Yuri murmured shyly, fidgeting with a strand of her dark purple hair, Natsuki turned to them, clearing her throat.
Natsuki: heh.. You better, dummies
She said affectionately, smirking putting her hands on her hips before speaking again
Natsuki: Anyway, whatever, when the club meeting is over you guys should follow me, I’ll show you the shop that we’re going to be renting. We’ll have to hurry thought since i have to get home before 7pm
The three nodded before all four of them sat down, discussing plans about the restaurant with excitement
Nevertheless, it soon became 5pm which meant that club time was over! The orangey hues of the sky mixed together as Monika, Natsuki, Yuri and Sayori packed up, following Natsuki as she lead them to the building
After a few minutes of walking, they made it, the four friends stood in front of a shabby restaurant.
The establishment had a ell shaped layout, dusty brick walls, and a few cobwebs where the wall and roof met. It was definitely old but they could work with it for sure.
It seemed like a bad place to rent since it was so worn-out, but it was being rented for around a thousand dollars per month including all the water and electricity bills AND the space itself was pretty big so it was quite a steal.
They stepped into the building together, Natsuki in the lead as they all look around. The main problem with the place was the dust since it was sprinkled across nearly each surface, however with a bit of sweeping and hope, Natsuki was sure it’d be easy to make this place like new. Each one of them walked around the place, examining the layout. Since the building was pretty abandoned, there wasn’t any furniture, just basic things that came with the place like a fridge, counters, cabinets bathrooms etc.
Monika: So, this is.. It..?-
She chuckled dryly as she walked around, dragging a finger across a windowsill, collecting a coat of dust that was on top of it.
Sayori: It’s not that bad!.. It could be worse! We can definitely work with this!!
She said enthusiastically, trying to keep the atmosphere positive as usual. Yuri nodded softly in agreement.
Natsuki sighed softly, crossing her arms
Natsuki: Listen I know it’s pretty bad but it’s the best I can get right now okay? How about this, tomorrow I’m gonna bring some cleaning materials and you guys better come help me out. Hmph, then it’ll be nicer!
Yuri: I’ll definitely s-stop by and help…!
She muttered shyly, Monika smiled, nodding along
Monika: Me too! You can count on it~
Sayori: Hey!! Me too! Hehe!!
The next day, after class Natsuki ‘borrowed’ the cleaning supplies from the janitor's closet.
Natsuki: Is everyone ready to get cleanin’
She exclaimed, barging into the clubroom like she owned the place
Sayori: Yesss!!
She hopped in joy, ready to make the Bakery look like new. Yuri got up as well, giving Natsuki a soft, intimate smile. Monika has already cleaned up the classroom in preparation so that they’d have more time to clean.
Monika: Let’s get going then! Tee hee~
The four girls then head out of the clubroom in union, heading tot the run-down bakery. Once there, they started cleaning, Natsuki mopped the floors, Yuri and Sayori wiped off the dust from all the cabinets, counters and walls while Monika was cleaning the windows.
The atmosphere was quiet between the four, just the ambient sound of four girls cleaning, that is, until Sayori spoke up, breaking the tension.
Sayori: So will we have any other menu options in our bakery? Or.. like flavors or something.?
She asked curiously while she wiped down the kitchen counter. Natsuki gave it a bit of thought before replying
Natsuki: Hm.. Yeah, we'll have a few cupcake flavors and as for the tea Yuri will figure something out.
She glanced at Yuri briefly, their eyes met but Yuri turned away shyly, blushing before Natsuki continued
Natsuki: I’m also down to try and make other types of desserts, I don’t know if it’ll be as good but I guess we can try it…
She muttered, a faint shade of pink covering her cheeks.
Monika: Sounds like a wonderful idea!! Tee hee
Yuri: A-Ahm also I-I”m willing to also make o-other types of drinks.. I-I can make more things then just tea y-you know..
She muttered quietly, fidgeting with the wet cloth in her hand
Natsuki: Alright then.
The silence that the room previously had resumed as they resumed their cleaning, only to be broken by Sayori after a few short minutes
Sayori: Heyy!! Since you two are making all these new flavors and items.. You guys need a taste tester, no? Mweheheheh
She chuckled sneakily, smirking at the thought of trying a bunch of delicious desserts and drinks.
Natsuki: Urgh! You’re so big…
She glanced to the side, sighing softly
Natsuki: Fine, Sayori will be the taste tester then.
Once those words left her mouth, Sayori clutched her cloth, hopping up and down in frantic excitement
Sayori: Hooray!!!
She grinned foolishly, Yuri chuckling quietly under her breath
Natsuki: Hmph, anyway, how’s the cleaning going? Cause I’m almost done!
Monika: I have two windows left!
Yuri: E-Err, m-me and Sayori finished..
Sayori nodded in agreement, after a few fast minutes, each one of them had finished cleaning duty.
They all gathered together, looking around, the place was practically sparkling now, it looked brand new!!
Natsuki smirked proudly, content with the results.
Natsuki: Pretty good... pretty good..
Sayori: Now that we finished cleaning what do we do next!?
She asked curiously, looking over at Monika.
Monika: Hm, I guess now we'll do the decorating, does that sound good Natsuki?
Natsuki: You betcha!
She fetched into her pocket, getting her phone, clicking the screen with quick taps before she spoke up again
Natsuki: I made a group chat so that we can plan when we'll meet up easier
Just as she said that, Yuri, Natsuki and Monika's phones buzzed in their pockets, the notification notifying them that they've been added to a new chat
Sayori: Ouhh! Sounds good to me!
Yuri: S-See you all next time then..?
Natsuki: Yep, see ya
Monika: until then~
Monika and Sayori left together, Yuri waited a bit, making sure that they left before shyly walking up to Natsuki taking slow nervous steps as she fidgeted with her hands
Yuri: H-Hey, Natsuki, Uhm...
She stuttered, clearly a bit nervous, Natsuki turned to her, looking at her, hands on her hips
Yuri: D-Do you think you could please help me with making the new drinks...
Natsuki thought about it for a second, glancing out the window before looking back at her
Natsuki: Hm, Sure, how about this, this Monday after my dad leaves for work I'll text you guys to come over, you and me we'll make recipes and I guess Sayori will try them out, kay?
Yuri nodded quickly, looking away shyly
Yuri: Th-Thank you…
Yuri’s gaze lingered on Natsuki for a second too long, looking away quickly
Yuri: Ah- Sorry..!-
She mumbled shyly before turning to leave
Natsuki: Hey..! wait..
Yuri froze in her tracks, turning to look at Natsuki. The pink haired girl was blushing heavily, I mean, it was normal for her tsundere-self to blush but she usually wasn't blushing this much unless she was really nervous
Natsuki: Y-You.. Urgh, I just wanted to say yo-you don't have to say sorry all the time, you have nothing to apologize for, or whatever...
She muttered, avoiding eye contact with her. Yuri's face softened, a soft, shy smile lighting up her face, slowly glancing off to the side.
Yuri: o-oh.. Sorry..!
Natsuki: Tch, you're doing it again!
She snaps her gaze back to Yuri
Yuri: Eeeek!
Natsuki let's out a soft hmph, looking up at Yuri
Natsuki: It's fine.. Just cut it out, it's annoying..
Yuri nods quickly, muttering a quiet thank you to replace the sorry before leaving in a hurry, leaving Natsuki as the only one in the restaurant
Natsuki: Annoyingly cute...
She muttered behind her breath as Yuri left, covering her face with her hands. She couldn't explain these annoying feelings she kept getting when she was with Yuri, she didn't understand it because it only happened with Yuri, when she was with Monika or Sayori? nothing. Maybe it was Yuri's quiet demeanor she found cute?
With the day coming to an end, she left the cleaning supplies in the bakery's storage room. After making sure everything was in order, the windows were closed, every spot was cleaned and all the cabinets closed, Natsuki finally decided to leave the restaurant, stepping out of the restaurant before closing and locking the doors, rushing back home as it was nearly curfew.