Natsuki's P.O.V.

And finally, the big day has come.

The 5 of us are arriving early today so we can set everything up for the festival.

Somewhere in my mind I have this image of me and Yuri walking to school together with the banners and cupcakes but of course that didn't happen.

After what happened, I guess things are a bit awkward between us. We didn't text each other for the rest of the weekend much less talked.

...

As I arrive I see Sayori already at 100%, bouncing around the room. Monika and Omiko are moving the desks and chairs. And there she is, the purple one hanging those banners we made together. Looks like I'm the last to arrive.

Should I go say hi? I don't know...

No, I should. I need to show her there's no reason for this awkward mood between us, maybe that way we can continue they we've been towards each other lately...

I-I mean, as a friend she's really nice.

"Morning you dummies at work!", I exclaim to make everyone notice me, trying to put on my best face. "Natsuki!", Sayori, as expected, tackles me into a bearhug worth of a pro wrestler.

"Good morning Natsuki", Monika replies with a smile. "Good morning, senpai", Omiko greets me the same way as I keep trying to escape Sayori's grip.

And without saying anything, Yuri simply looks at me for a moment before quickly adverting my gaze and turn around to continue her work.

I mentally sigh and finally free from Sayori's hold, I make my way to the purple haired girl.

"Morning purple dummy", I say now behind her, putting on my best grin despite the awkwardness still strong. "G-Good morning, Natsuki" , Yuri says as she shyly turns around and starts fiddling with her hair.

Shit now what.

What should I say now?

...

"Umm do you need help with that?", I ask scratching the back of my head and pointing at the banners next to her. "I-I... I think I'm okay, thank you", Yuri replies shyly hiding her face with her long purple hair.

Well, that's that. I should just go do my-

"B-But if you need help with the cupcakes I-I could...", Suddenly Yuri speaks again breaking me out of my thoughts. "Y-Yeah! I actually need a hand I guess!", I exclaim, not really thinking about it.

Shit, now I feel my cheeks getting hot and most likely a light red. I feel a bit excited now, my stomach is all tin-

No, wait. No.

This... Isn't right...

"Okay everyone! I need you all to pay attention, we need to discuss something", Monika suddenly says as we almost unconsciously turn our attention to her, now standing in the teacher's podium.

"As you know the festival will begin around 10 and ends around 5, as a club we need to be here for when people come by and check out the club and try to convince them to join and all of that. We have a bunch of activities planned so we'll have a lot to do", Monika pauses a bit.

"However, that doesn't mean we can't go and enjoy the festival. I already planned a schedule for us to go out there and have fun. We will be taking 2 hour spans to go and see the rest of the festival, from 10 to 12, 12 to 2 and 2 to 4 pm, the ideal thing is to go in pairs but since we are an odd number of members one of us will have to go alone", Monika explains her master plan.

"Again, let's leave this to fate to make it fair. Come and pick a paper ball, each of these five have a number, those who get the same number will pair up to go out there and enjoy the festival for 2 hours", Monika says as she reaches out her hand with 5 paper balls resting on her palm.

We all silently take one and unfold it.

2

Again, what are the od-

"2", I freeze as I heard that familiar gentle voice speak her number.

You gotta be fucking kidding me...

"Alright! It seems it'll be Natsuki and Yuri, me and Sayori and Omiko by herself. Now we need to choose when are we taking our turn. I must mention however, that the 2 to 4 turn was already saved for Sayori and whoever her partner would be, in this case me, so Omiko, Natsuki and Yuri please decide which one do you want", Monika says as she looks at us.

Sorry, I have to.

"Hey! Why are you and Sayori having privileges over us to choose?!", I protest feisty as always because I'm actually just curious. "Because she has something she wants to see around that time that'll take place in the festival", Monika replies.

"What if I have something I want to see around that time too?", I ask still feisty with my arms crossed. "Well too bad because you didn't say anything in advance, Sayori here let me know about it a week ago", Monika replies with a confident smile I can't beat.

Shit, well, that's that I guess. I'll ask Sayori about it later.

"Anyway, when you three are done and reach a mutual agreement let me know", Monika says as she goes to Sayori and continue setting stuff up while four eyes lesbian, Yuri and I get closer to discuss.

...

After a quick discussion, we finally reach an agreement and call out Monika to let her know.

"Okay, we decided Yuri and I will take the 10 to 12 slot and mint haired lesbian is taking the 12 to 2 slot, is that okay?", I ask sighing. "Yes, thank you. Alright, now that that's settled, let's finish setting everything up and leave everything ready so Natsuki and Yuri can go and have some fun while the rest of us stay here and lure people in to join the dark side!", Monika exclaims enthusiastically, somehow managing to pass some of that enthusiasm to us.

Seriously these charismatic people are weird.

================

At last, 10 o'clock.

With everything set for when people start arriving, Yuri and I leave the clubroom and head through the hallway to check out what some of the other clubs are doing.

As we walk, there's an uncomfortable silence between us.

I guess she's still thinking about what went on Saturday, how we almost... Kissed...

Well, me too but that's not the point!

I gotta let her know that's just the past now, there is no need to keep this awkward mood.

"S-So... Is there anything you wanna go see first?", I finally ask and break the silence. "E-Eh? Ah... Well, not really... I-I was just going to follow you around, i-if that's okay with you of course!", Yuri replies already being the shy awkward being she is.

"Ye, ye, it's cool, we're friends after all", I say with my best smile. Yuri simply gives me a shy smile in return, with those smooth cheeks of her still a light pink.

"Anyways, let's see... So far we've past the art club, the videogames club, the science club and the mahjong club... Who the heck creates a mahjong club seriously... I didn't see anything interesting from afar so let's just go outside and- The freaking cooking club!!", As I speak and ran over the clubs we've passed by, almost ready to leave this building a delicious smell invades my nostrils and I quickly make my way where it's coming from.

"Welcome to the cooking club! Would you like to try any of our different cuisines? We have samples of dishes of the best countries in the culinary art such as Italian, mexican, chinese and of course our own japanese cuisine!", As I enter with my purple bud behind me, a girl of long black hair with a little side ponytail popping out of it says and welcomes us to her club.

"Just takes us where the food is sister! Like now!", I reply excited and I see both Yuri and her giggling now but I don't give a shit right now, I just want food. "Sure, sure, here follow me", the black haired girl leads and we follow until we get to the back of the clubroom where they arranged the desks in a big line with all the dishes there ready to be eaten.

"Try anything you want, we are making more so don't hesitate. If you need anything I'll be around, we hope you enjoy", the nice girl says as she makes a quick reverence. "Thanks... what's your name again?", I ask.

"Ah, sorry, I forgot to tell you! My name's Kanae Tanzaki, pleased to meet you", Kanae says first covering her mouth with one hand at realization then smiling sweetly at us before she finally goes back to her clubmates at the front busy with the cooking.

"Oh god there's so much to try where do I start...", I ask myself out loud as I look at all the delicious looking food. "A-Are you really going to eat all of them?", Yuri asks with an awkward smile.

"What? No! I mean I would if I could but unfortunately my stomach is not a bottomless pit like Sayori's, so I gotta choose wisely", I reply with crossed arms. "I-I see, why don't you start with pasta then?", Yuri suggests and it's not a bad idea actually.

"Hmmm which one though...", I wonder out loud as I scan all of these delicious looking spaghetti. "I-I suggest you try this one", Yuri says as she points out at one of the plates.

Well, why not!

...

Holy crap this shit is amazing!

I eat and eat and eat until the plate is completely empty! Then I hear a giggle.

"Huh? What?!", I ask feisty as I see Yuri just giggling at me eating. "O-Oh, nothing it's just...", Yuri says now panicking and denying with her hands.

"Just what?", I ask curious. "I-I think you look ummm kind of a-adorable eating like that... I-In a funny way of course!", She rambles and panics, typical of her...

Wait a damn second.

She called me adorable?!

Fuck, now I can feel the heat rushing to my face, gotta change the mood here and quick!

"A-Ah sure... What was this thing called anyway?", I ask and as I look around to avoid showing my light blush to the purple one, I notice a white label stuck right where the plate I took was.

"Pasta Carbonara... I'm trying to figure out what's the secret behind it's tastiness...", I ask to myself out loud, finally relaxing again. "I-I think the main ingredients are pepper, salt, parmesan cheese and the carbonara which can be made of pancetta or bacon", Yuri replies to my surprise.

"Heh... Didn't know you were into italian cooking", I say honestly impressed. "I-I really am not... It's just I remember one time I went to an Italian restaurant with my parents and I ate that pasta, my mother told me the ingredients when I asked her", Yuri explains, classically playing with a strand of purple hair.

"That's nice, spending time with your parents outside having a nice dinner and all", I smile as I imagine how that would be for me. "Y-Yeah... I-It used to be...", Yuri replies almost whispering for me to not hear, but I do anyway and also noticed a strange... Sad look in her violet eyes that try to look away to hide her sorrow.

I should change the topic now, don't wanna have her in a gloomy state now, like come on it's the freaking festival, she should have a good time.

Maybe we can talk about that sadness I noticed some other time though...

"A-Anyways, let's go onto the next one! Which countries cooking should we try now...", I ask waiting for Yuri to react, thankfully she does look at me again with a light smile. "Chinese cuisine maybe?", Yuri suggests.

"No, my lazy dad usually buys chinese food for dinner, so I'm kinda used to that now... I was thinking japanese dishes but we are you know, Japanese and all, we can eat that everyday...", I explain because I'm really tired of eating Chinese food, thanks papa.

"Then...", Yuri simply replies and I can see we both have the same thing in mind. "Vamos!", I enthusiastically exclaim using one of the very, seriously very, few words I know in spanish, so we both head to where the Mexican dishes are.

...

"Hmmm.... All this food looks really...", I say as I scan all of this... Pretty unique dishes to not say a bad word that could offend the members of this club that made this. "A-A bit u-unhealthy?", Yuri says finishing my sentence with a word that doesn't sound so bad I hope.

"Yeah but what the hell we won't know until we try! I choose you!", I exclaim as I point at a plate with some kind of white? Beige? Yellow? A combination of those 3 I guess, circles with some kind of red meat on top, chopped onion, a small slice of pineapple and some green chopped plant thingy...

"Wait a minute, how the fuck do you eat this thing? The plate doesn't include a fork or spoon or anything?", I say with the plate in my hand looking at the table to see if the fork or something was there. "I-I don't know.... Maybe like a pizza?", Yuri asks just as confused as I am.

"Let's see...!! No, this circle thing under the meat isn't rigid enough like it feels is gonna break or it'll be really hard to hold...", I say as I inspect this strange thing. "Those are Tacos! Allow me to show you how you eat these. You grab the tortilla from both edges and join the tips as if you were folding a paper sheet in half, see? This way you hold the contents inside and then you just...", Suddenly, Kanae appears, taking one of the other plates in the desk and finally illuminates our confused path, taking a bite of that roll turned thingy called taco.

"Mmm! I love these! I'm sure you will too, then I leave you two alone to enjoy your food!", Kanae makes a quick reverence and goes back to her clubmates again. "Well, I think I got this... Let's see...", I say trying to imitate Kanae's actions, turning this circle with meat and veggies into a roll and carefully moving it into my mou-

...

...

...

...

...

HOLY FUCKING CRAP THIS SHIT IS FREAKING AMAZING!!

I devour the taco entirely after my first bite and proceeded with the next one, and the next one and the next one and the next one until the plate is completely empty.

WHERE HAD YOU BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE OH BEAUTIFUL DELICACY OF THE GODS.

...

Again that cute giggle.

"Whaf?", I ask still savoring my last taco as I see Yuri giggling again at my expense.

Honestly I don't mind, her giggling is cu-

NO!

...

...

There, I'm fine.

"Y-You really liked those, don't you?", Yuri asks chuckling. "OF course I did! Yuri you gotta try this shit!", I exclaim outraged as I grab another plate with these delicacies called tacos and grab one.

"Here! Eat bookworm! Eat!!", I exclaim full of some magical energy this tacos gave me as I hold the taco impatiently right before Yuri's mouth. "O-Okay...", Yuri simply replies and... Shit.

The purple girl closes her eyes, with amazing grace brushes her long beautiful hair behind her ear and delicately take a bite of the taco from my hand, I can see the light blush on those soft cheeks...

"Mm! Oh my! T-This does taste good!", Yuri exclaims surprised after eating that, with both hands on her chest, typical gesture of hers. "S-See! I told you! Now eat these!", I say trying to not show my flustering, handing Yuri the plate.

"But give me one!", I grin as I steal one taco from Yuri's plate. And damn she just chuckles cutel- she just chuckles again. "Enjoy it", Yuri says with a smile as she starts eating and so do I.

...

As expected, I finish my taco first while Yuri eats the other 4. I look at the label on the desk curiously to see the taco has a second name apparently.

"Tacos al pastor...", I read out loud. "Mm?", Yuri asks as she eats, grabbing a napkin from the desk nearby to clean around her mouth.

"I mean that seems to be the full name of those...", I say as I inspect the other plates and see there are a lot more different types of tacos! They all have the circle called tortilla as a base and different meat and other things on top, gotta try another...

Tacos de carnitas, I chose you to fill my stomach!

...

...

...

HOW CAN THESE THINGS TASTE SO GOOD?!

"I-I see you found more...", Yuri suddenly appears while I'm the middle of devouring these babies. "Yeah! You gotta try some more too purple bud!", I say with this weird enthusiasm the food has given me.

"Mmm let's see... I'll go with Tacos de...arrachera? Did I say it right?", Yuri asks as she grabs one of the plates near that label. "I don't know I'm not mexican", I say as I resume my meal.

...

...

...

"N-Natsuki...", That soft pretty voice calling my name dares to interrupt my feast. "What?", I ask as I turn around in her direction... !

"T-These are really good so y-you should try them too", Yuri, now holding one of her tacos right in front of my mouth, says shyly and of course blushing hard.

Well, not gonna waste the chance of trying another kind of taco...

BUt It's nOt liKE I wanT her tO feEd me or anYthiNg!!

"T-Then...", I quickly take a bite, eating half of the taco, of course amazed at this new but similarly awesome taste! I eat fast and devour the rest from Yuri's hand who was still holding it there for me apparently.

"Mmm! Delicious! What's it made of?", I ask focusing on the food and not the FREAKING FACT YURI JUST FED ME.

What is wrong with me...

"I-I believe the meat is skirt steak, it has chopped tomato and onions, lettuce and a green thing... I think it's called avocado...", Yuri explains. "A bit different from the other two I ate but nonetheless great!", I reply grinning.

...

Well...

I must like...

Have manners and thank her some way...

"H-Here, try mine", I then grab my last taco and hold it before Yuri's face, stupid cheeks feeling hot now. Yuri again, simply closes her eyes and brushing her hair behind her hair in that graceful manner, she proceeds to take a bite from the Taco I'm holding.

"J-Just one bite because it's my last!", I quickly retreat my Taco while Yuri finishes eating that, damn face feeling hot and then finish eating the rest myself. "It's alright, what's yours made of?", Yuri giggles and asks.

"It's similar to the Taco al pastor, it had chopped onion and that green chopped plant thingy, it didn't have the pineapple though and the meat was pork I believe.. ", I explain the best I can.

"Sounds interesting... Also I think that green plant thingy is called coriander, I remember I saw it on Thai food some time ago...", Yuri says to help me complete the taco puzzle. "Well, now I know all I need to try and make my own Tacos", I grin proud and excited to try making these myself sometime.

"I-I'm full now", Yuri says shyly. "Yeah me too, these Tacos are delicious but they are heavy to the stomach, plus I ate that pasta... We should go now, we still have...", I check the time on my phone...

Fuck, it's dead.

How could I have forgotten to charge it... Ugh...

"Yuri, what time is it?", I have no choice but to ask my purple bud. "Ummm... 10:37 am", the tall bookworm says as she checks on her phone.

"A little less than an hour and a half left", I say. "Y-Yes, let's go see the rest of the festival", Yuri smiles back at me.

Beat it stupid stomach, I know it's the tacos and not butterflies.

"We should go say bye to Kanae and thank them the club for the food", I say and Yuri just nods. However as we get closer to where she is...

"Hurry up! We need more takoyakis in the japanese section! Yoshida! Move your damn ass and give me the quesadillas I asked you for 15 minutes ago!! Gouda!! Jesus Christ you still chopping those vegetables?!...", To our surprise we find this bizarre scene, Kanae commanding the rest of the club members like they were cooking in the army or something, her voice even sounds so different, like really energetic and bossy.

It's like that gentle and cheerful girl from before turned into a completely different person. Weird.

Yuri and I silently agree to just leave and not bother them.

...

...

...

As we head to the bathroom to wash our hands I can't help but think....

Was that okay?

Like, feeding each other like that... Friends do that right? Nothing weird there....

...

...

Indirect kiss

Shut up stupid head.

That... I just realized I wanted to have the rest of my last taco!!

N-Not like I was planning that or anything!!

================

After walking around the second and first floor, having a quick glance at what other clubs like the art, movies, photography and anime clubs to mention some of the most interesting we saw, my purple friend and I finally head outside to see what other clubs may be doing in the school grounds.

We come across most of the sports clubs having exhibition plays. Baseball, soccer, basketball, track and field... Most of them don't appeal to neither me or Yuri so we don't really stop to watch much of that.

That is until we remember we have friends in one of the sports club so we agree on go and check out what the hell they may be up to.

We're heading to the wrestling club.

...

Just before we arrive to the Judo club's dojo, which the wrestling club also shares with them, we heard some commotion outside, mostly, the sound of men yelling "1, 2, 3..." and so on and the sound of something like wood being hit really hard and echoing throughout the area.

"The fudge is that?", I ask confused. "S-Sounds like they're at it already", Yuri replies.

"Yeah, but doesn't seem it's coming from the Judo dojo... More like...", I sat and before I can finish, Yuri turns to the right and points out with her... Long pretty finger...

NOT NOW!!

"There!", She exclaims as we move to the right of small building and finally spot a fairly big crowd almost behind the building so we head there.

As we arrive my surprise is big as we come across an actual wrestling ring! Just like seen on TV.

The thing has black ropes, metal ring posts, the mat... God damnit I can't see the mat... I hate my short ass...

"Alright! One more time, osu!", Our big friend Gozo, who is also president of this club, yells as he pulls back up Ryuji from the mat and throws him against the ropes, Ryuji bounces back and Gozo easily throws the man over his head with a back body drop...

Thud!!

That had to hurt...

"And that ladies and gentlemen is our basic training for taking falls, if you join you'll be able to take these and have a back and body of steel! That's all for now, those who want to come up and try getting in the ring line up over there and we'll guide you, thanks for your attention!", Gozo finishes with a reverence and a big grin on his face.

As the crowd starts to disperse, our presence becomes evident as we see Goz waving his big arm at us, trying to tell us to come closer. I look at Yuri, she looks at me, we just shrug.

What the hell I guess.

"Hey there literature ladies!", Gozo exclaims after jumping out and over the top rope to land on the floor next to us. Yuri flinches a little, I just giggle, she of course blushes. Damn adorable pur-

No.

"Hi Goz", I say. "H-Hello", Yuri shyly does the same. "Glad to see you here! What's up? You're dropping the books and finally going for some sweating?", Gozo grins at his question.

"Nah, we just dropped by to see what you were doing. By the way, I thought you trained at the Judo club's dojo, since when do you have a ring?", I ask curious. "Didn't I tell you? Man, I must have been too excited that I forgot hahaha!", Gozo laughs as usual.

"Anyways, we actually just got this big boy last week, apparently it was a generous donation from some anonymous guy", Gozo says patting their ring like it was his car or something. "Anonymous guy?", I ask curious as ever.

"Yeah, it's weird. You know I had been bothering the student council a lot, doing all that tedious paperwork to ask for a ring but it was always the same in the end, the school denying the petition. So all of sudden, last week's Friday the president of the student council calls me before club time starts and takes me to this truck in the parking lot", Gozo recalls.

"Turns out the truck brought this beautiful ring for us and to make it short we quickly agreed on a place to put it and with my boys help we set up the ring since it was brought in pieces. I of course asked the president about it but he said the donation was anonymous", Gozo explains with a smile.

"However I didn't stop there as I really wanted to thank whoever made this possible and went to see the principal. In the end, he didn't know his name either, the dude convinced him to accept the donation without doing paperwork so he didn't sign anything. All I know is how he looks, kinda", Gozo says scratching the back of his head.

"And how does he look?", I ask curious still. "Well he seems to be a man of muscular complexion, tall for our japanese average, like 6'1" he said, he seemed have a long black hair around his shoulders and wear this weird outfit, all black, a Gakuran particularly and a top hat, his face is unknown really since he wore black round sunglasses and a face mask. I don't know whats hiding yourself that much for", Gozo crosses his arms seemingly troubled, guess he ain't used to think.

"Beats me, but hey, at least you've got what you wanted!", I slap his shoulder to cheer him up and fuck it probably hurt my hand more than it hurt him, if he even felt anything. "Yeah! Come on you two, get in the ring!", Gozo exclaims enthusiastically as he jumps onto the ring apron.

"What? No! I ain't doing your crazy wrestling shit!", I reply feisty to ensure my well being. "Come on, just get in here and feel the ring yourselves, just walk around, feel the ropes, I ain't gonna slam you or anything", Gozo laughs.

"Geez... What do you say, Yuri?", I sigh shaking my head and ask my purple bud. "I-I guess it won't hurt to just be up there", Yuri says to my surprise, guess the girl is curious too. Well fuck me then.

"Fine...", I sigh defeated and after a bit of struggle, Gozo helps us climb into the ring, easier for Yuri and her tall ass by the way. "Go ahead just walk around, feel the ropes, pat the mat, anything, I'll be checking on those who lined up to do this too, call me if you need anything!", Gozo says and finally heads to the other side of the ring.

"Let's see... It feels weird walking here... Like if you were walking here, like it's not too different from the floor but like it was air beneath us or something...", I say as I walk around the ring and Yuri does the same. "Y-Yes, it does feel like it... Although... It seems whats underneath this mat is wood...", Yuri says as she crouches and pats the mat gently, as if she was afraid of hurting it, I can't help but giggle.

"Ah! True, it feels like wood, so that's why it echoes...", I say as I crouch to pat the mat too, but harder then I get up and try the ropes. "These things are actually fucking hard", I say touching the ropes which despite look like they're made of rubber hose, feel freaking hard, I guess the rubber just wraps what's underneath.

"Y-Yes... It seems... It's wire under the rubber hose... Steel wire perhaps?", Yuri suggests touching the ropes as well. "Well, makes sense now how those heavy dudes can stand on these things without breaking them...", I say and then an idea comes to my young hearted self.

I approach the ring corner and forgetting my fears from earlier, I climb and stand on the second rope. Although it's a bit shaky at first the ropes do feel stable once you stand there.

"Woo! I'm the queen of the ring!", I can't help but feel excited as I stand here and see everything and everyone from above, this might be embarrassing later but screw it!

I stand on the ropes and raise both arms making piece signs, my excitement just keeps growing! I feel like I could do a moons-

Fuck

The ropes I'm standing start moving all of sudden, I feel I'm losing the balance-

I'm going down, this is the end.

I close my eyes, brace myself for impact and say my last goodbye to everyone in my mind.

Goodbye guys, it was nice knowing you.

...

...

...

How high is this shit?

When am I gonna crash? I've been falling for seconds now.

Wait a minute.

Why does the air feels this nice and comfy?

It feels soft, like it was holding me in it's arms-!

I hesitantly open my eyes only for the first thing I see to be purple.

Purple hair to be precise. Behind that hair a beautiful face that looks at me with concerned violet eyes and light blush on her cheeks.

Well, damn.

"A-Are you okay?", She finally asks. "I-I guess? I'm still in one piece right?", I ask to confirm. "Yes, you are", Yuri now chuckles at my question.

I quickly look around as she does that and...

Son of a bitch.

I spot that big idiot of shaved head grabbing the second rope from the other side of the ring, with a smirk in our direction.

I'm gonna kill you in your sleep Gozo.

"Well, you can put me down now, I think I can walk fine thanks", I say with probably a madly blushing face since Yuri's still holding me in her arms bridal style. "R-Right, sorry", Yuri replies blushing hard as well and then carefully puts me down.

"You two would make a great tag team! Such good chemistry!", I hear and turn around to see Gozo approaching with a big grin on his face. "Fuck you!", I kick him in the shin and again, it probably hurt me more than it hurt him but screw it.

"We're leaving now, come on Yuri", I huff. "Wait before you go, don't you wanna come by later? We have some exhibition matches at 3", Gozo says.

"No, sorry, we have to be at the club at that time, this was our turn to come and see the festival", I replay, but I honestly would like to see that, never saw these guys going at it before, oh well.

Then Goz just shrugs, smiles and waves bye to us as Yuri and I climb down the ring and start walking away, I turn around for a second and flick him off before finally getting away from the ring.

"Hey purple one, what time is it?", I ask as we keep walking. "11: 23 am", Yuri replies as she checks the time on her phone.

Guess we still have time to check out a few more clubs before going back.

...

Being held by Yuri...

Didn't feel so bad...

Agh! No!

She just saved me from that fall that's all, stop feeling weird about it!

================

Yuri's P.O.V.

Today's festival has been so fun~

Lady luck smiled at me and allowed me to spend some time alone with my Nats- my friend Natsuki.

I had been feeling bad about what happened at Natsuki's house but she's made sure of showing me she is not upset and we can just keep having fun.

We've been hanging out and checking what other clubs do, now we have barely half an hour left though...

Aaaah~ I wish we could spend time like this forever~

!!!

"Hey!", I snap as I hear that adorable voice, even when she yells... "Y-Yes?", I ask trying to calm down.

"What are you so happy about? You've had that fool smile on your face since we left the wrestling club, if this was a manga, you'd be drawn with sparkly effects around you", Natsuki chuckles adorably. "I-Is that so? I guess I'm just having fun", I smile the best I can, of course my cheeks feel hot from blushing, but I'm used to it by now.

"That's great, yeah... Anywho, we have little time left, wanna check out the school hall? I heard there's live music there from the music club", Natsuki suggests. "S-Sounds fun, let's go", I quickly agree and we make our way to the hall where usually the principal addresses us on Mondays.

...

As we enter we find probably one third of the school here, I usually don't like this big crowds but Natsuki is with me so it's not so bad now~

Up in the podium there's a band of 3 boys and two girls, one of the girls of short black hair is the one who sings.

If my guess is correct, they're playing some kind of pop song. I'm not much into today's music so I really don't know if it's a cover or their own song, but it's nice I think.

I see Natsuki smiling and moving her head with the music, I guess she likes these kind of songs... Mental note.

"Y-You li-", I try to ask but...

"Hey there! You two look like you know how to party! Come with me!", A pretty girl of long twin tails of black hair suddenly appears next to us and as she finishes her speech, she grabs Natsuki and I by our wrists and drags us along with some surprising force.

"Hey! Where are you taking us?!", Natsuki says feisty as ever, trying to escape her grip but seems useless. "Here! Come on, you two are next so get ready", this twin tailed girl says enthusiastically and I finally start to understand the nature of this situation.

We're now standing inside a circle of people, not like in the center but still inside, leaving enough room for the four girls dancing to the music playing live as everyone around claps and cheers for them.

"Can you at least explain to us what the heck is this?", Natsuki asks with crossed arms. "Ah right, my name's Erika, we're the dance club and you arrived at the right time since we're letting the audience show off their moves!", Erika explains with a big smile.

"Okay, first, we didn't arrive here, you dragged us. Second, I don't dance. Third, why would we ev-!", Natsuki annoyed as expected replies but before she can continue, Erika pushes both of us to the center of the stage.

"Let's see what the band plays for you! One, two...", Erika counts down.

Wait.

I don't dance either!

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

Please Natsuki get us out of this predicament...

"Three!", Erika exclaims and...

Piano?

The song playing now starts with a nice piece by the piano, it's slow and harmonious~ if it wasn't because of this situation, I could really enjoy this with a cup of tea and a good book.

"Seems you got a piece for two, luck really likes the two of you", Erika says from the crowd.

Wait, why are we still here?! Natsuki is not gonna-

Oh, she...

I can see the expression on her face... Is she scared? It's like she's paralysed... She probably isn't good being in front of this much people either... So much she can't even say or do anything.

Well... The music is relaxing and I actually danced something like this with my father when I was younger during that wedding we went...

Okay, Yuri, you can do this.

Breath in, breath out...

"N-Natsuki", I whisper so only she can hear me, thankfully she reacts and looks at me with the expression of a lost child... My poor Natsuki...

Okay, here goes nothing.

I gently grab hers hand and place them on my shoulders, then I carefully wrap my arms around her slender waist.

She looks me in the eyes, I look back into her beautiful magenta eyes.

Somehow it feels it's just the two of us alone with that pretty ballad in the background.

No one else but us in this world.

I can still notice the fear on her face so I smile and nod, she nods in response.

It's almost like our minds and hearts are connected now.

I start with a basic 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, our feet somehow are in sync as we dance to the music just focused on each other's eyes.

We dance and dance around in circles, our eyes never look away.

I remove one hand off Natsuki's waist, she immediately removes one from my shoulders and then, without having to say anything, we intertwine our hands and continue with the 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2...

The harmonious voice singing finally stops, the piano starts fading away...

We both remove our hands from waist and shoulder, Natsuki takes a few steps back, almost as she wanted to go but our hands still connected, and as the music ends, I pull her back, she spins around and ends up leaning her back against me, I wrap my arms around her waist and then it all comes back.

"That... That...", Erika now a visible entity again, mutters as she drops to her knees and looks at us with sparkly light brown eyes. Then I hear nothing but clapping, over and over again, now wooing, not yelling, everyone's just clapping and smiling at us.

"Y-You can let go of me now", Natsuki says and I quickly comply, my face now red and hot as lava. Time to fidget my hair.

"Pleeeeeeaaaaaseeeee! Join the dance club! I'll do anything! I'd kill to have such a beautiful couple like you in my club! I beg you!!", Erika begs almost on her knees as she approaches us. "What?! Wawawawait! We're not a couple!", Natsuki blushing madly exclaims.

Aaah~ I guess we really are back to reality...

"Wha-? You're not? But that just now...", Erika mumbles surprised and confused. "We. Are. Not! And we have to go now, we already have our club to attend, see you in hell!", Natsuki huffs, turns around and punches me lightly in the ribs to indicate me to follow her.

I'm just glad she's still the same as ever hehe~

================

"We still have 5 minutes so I'm going to the bathroom, you can go ahead if you want I'll see you there", Natsuki says as we reach the third floor almost back in the literature club that's right at the end of this hallway.

"I-I'll wait for you here, i-if you don't mind of course", I reply, I honestly just want to spend every second I can with her... "Whatever", Natsuki shrugs and heads to the bathroom across the stairs.

...

What a day.

I fed Natsuki, she even fed me too.

We talked, we smiled, we laughed together.

I held her in my arms for a bit.

We danced with each other...

I'm glad for this festival~

"Yeah don't go there".

Eh?

What was that? I think I heard something...

"The literature club is not...".

Wait, what?

I look around but I see no one around talking...

!

My back bumps into the wall next to the stairs, I turn around and finally see two boys of nerdy looks talking in the middle of the stairs.

I instinctively hide and just pay attention, curious at why they mentioned our club, I keep listening to their conversation.

"That's a shame dude. You know I like reading manga, would've been nice to see if they read that kind of thing there too".

"Yeah but you know what they said. Anyone who's seen at the literature club today is officially out from the big Halloween party at Satoru's mansion".

Satoru...

You don't mean...

"Yeah... I know, I know... I wonder why though...".

"Knowing how much of an asshole he is, he probably just wants to mess with someone there. But hey this is the first time in 3 years he makes his party open for everyone! This might be our only chance to socialize with the popular people man!".

"Those hot popular girls are probably gonna get drunk as fuck, we just gotta wait for our chance and... You know hehehe".

"Fuck the literature club! I'm not missing that party for anything in this world!".

"Fuck the literature club!".

...

Rushed footsteps, guess they went back downstairs.

H-How can I explain this to the others...

================

"12:01 pm, you got here with a very fancy delay girls", Monika is the first to welcome us back of course. "Ye, ye, sorry mom", Natsuki dismisses her quickly.

"Gay glasses it's your-", Natsuki begins saying but as she turns around in I guess Omiko's direction she suddenly stops. I turn around as well and finally understand why.

"Ryuko?!", Natsuki exclaims visibly surprised as she too notices her red haired girlfriend in the back, apparently she was talking to Omiko...

"Surprise!", Ryuko quickly stands up and runs to hug Natsuki.

Bitter...

My forearms start feeling itchy...

"What are you doing here?! I thought you wouldn't make it", Natsuki asks. "Well, my mom left me off the hook early, you know since I didn't went to my school's festival I stayed helping with the store but she knew I wanted to come to yours so she had mercy I guess", Ryuko shrugs.

"That's great haha...", Natsuki laughs, awkwardly? "Hmm you don't sound so happy to see me", Ryuko says looking at the floor... Sad...

Bitter...

This bitterness again...

"What? No! No, no, no! I'm happy to see you babe I swear I'm just surprised that's all!", Natsuki starts panicking. "I believe you", Ryuko lifts her head and smiles at Natsuki, although is clear, even for me, there's still sorrow behind that smile.

"Monika, can I go out and show Ryuko around? We wont take long I pro-", Natsuki grabs her girlfriend's hand and looks at Monika pleadingly. "Sorry Natsuki but yoy already used your slot, we need your help here... But!", Monika exaggerates that last "but".

"Omiko here can show her around for you!", Monika sa-

What?

"What?", Natsuki also asks. "They seem to get along well, plus that solves the issue of me feeling bad for sending Omiko out there alone", Monika explains with a smile.

"They do?", Natsuki asks confused. "Yeah, they've been talking for an hour straight a little after since she arrived here looking for you", Monika replies.

"M-Monika-senpai, I don't need to go out, I want to give Natsuki-senpai my slot...", Omiko finally speaks. "Nope! You go out there and socialize!", Monika cuts her off with that, now more eerie smile of hers.

"I-It really isn't necessary...", Omiko tries to fight back. "Okay, here's the deal. Go out there for an hour with Ryuko, then come back and I'll let you give the remaining hour to Natsuki", Monika cuts her off again with a proposition this time.

"I-I...", Omiko gives Ryuko a quick glance and hesitates? "Okay deal! Have fun you two!", Monika somehow manages to push but Omiko and Ryuko out of the room leaving Natsuki and me confused and surprised and anything related.

"You really are a terrifying being, Monika", Natsuki says. "Haha, very funny, Natsuki", Monika laughs sarcastically.

"Then? How many new club members we have? You'd better not brought any boys here. Also where's Sayori?", Natsuki asks with her arms crossed and defiant again. "None... That's what I wanted to talk to you about, specifically you two since you've been here longer...", Monika whispers now.

"Sayori's there by the way", Monika says and moves out of the way, revealing our vice president sitting behind the teacher's desk in the corner just looking at her phone with a gloomy expression I never knew she could have, being the bubbly and happy girl she is.

"What's up with her? She looks depressed", Natsuki replies. "It's the club. Listen, since you two left and the festival officially started not a single soul aside from Ryuko has come here, not even to ask what club is this or anything. Sayori well...", Monika explains as we sit down grabbing some of the chairs we had previously arranged.

"She had been really looking forward to the festival, she was the one who came up with all the activities for today, she even designed the pamphlets we made herself, Omiko and I just gave life to them in the computer and printed them. She got up extra early today only to come to school and start handing pamphlets to everyone she could find", Monika sighs before proceeding.

"But like I said, no one has come here yet. She even got out and tried to get some people to come in but they just politely declined the invitation, some just ignored her. The worse part though is that when she went to the bathroom she happened to see a lot of the pamphlets in the trash already, that's what finally got her like that", Monika says as she discreetly looks in her direction to point out.

"Listen, I don't understand why people aren't coming here but we gotta find a way to get them here, she really did her best for this festival, we all did, so please, give us hand, okay?", Monika finally finishes and Natsuki and I simply nod in response.

...

But I don't know if I should tell them...

If Natsuki knew, she'd probably go and...

No, I don't want her to get in trouble, or worse, get hurt...

I need to think this through.

===============

One hour went by flying, although no one came....

Natsuki and I didn't really talk much. She just went and tried to cheer up Sayori along Monika, I did too for a bit but then I just went and sit to think of what to do.

Ryuko and Omiko came back too, Natsuki and her girlfriend already left.

Now I can proceed.

"Monika", I say as I approach our club president of the white ribbon. "Yes? What's up Yuri?", She replies.

"I-I need to talk to you in private for a second", I feel really anxious now. "Sure, come on", Monika simply says and I follow her out of the classroom.

"Then? What do you want to talk to me about?", She asks with a smile. " I-It's about the reason no one is coming here...", I take a deep breath and finally start my story.

...

...

...

I told everything to Monika, from who were the ones who used to bully me, how Natsuki stopped them and what I heard earlier about their new scheme to probably get some payback against Natsuki and I.

Monika just listened quietly and nodded at times.

With a long yet quiet sigh I feel now the huge weight on my shoulders lighten up a bit.

"Well, Thanks for telling me Yuri, now I can think of a way to fix this", Monika simply says with that enigmatic smile of hers. "What are you going to do?", I ask worried.

"First, lets go back inside", Monika says and she waits for me to enter the classroom first. "O-Okay...", I reply and...

Eh?

As I enter I almost bump into Sayori who starts panicking and looking around anxiously. "Hey there Sayori! Going to the bathroom?", Monika enters behind me and asks Sayori with a big smile on her face.

"Ah! Yeah! That! I-I'll be back in a jiffy! ", Sayori's eyes lit up as she apparently finds the answer to her problems and heads out of the room in a hurry. "D-Do you think she heard us?", I ask a bit anxious.

"Let's hope not", Monika replies as she head back to the teacher's desk, I follow after her. "S-So what do you have in mind to deal with Satoru?", I ask curious.

"Nothing", she replies with a big sweet smile as she sits down and pulls out her phone, now scrolling through social media probably. "Eh? T-Then what are we...", I don't understand...

I thought Monika would have a plan...

"Just wait, people will come", Monika simply says and I can't bring myself to reply to that for some reason.

I guess Natsuki was right, Monika is really disturbing sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natsuki's P.O.V.

I went to revisit with Ryuko the same places I went with Yuri... Bur somehow it doesn't feel the same...

Why?

What's wrong with me?

I should be having fun with her but I just...

I don't understand...

I suppose that is the problem.

I gotta ask her.

"So... what did you and Omiko talked about?", I ask as we walk hand in hand around the school grounds. "Mm? Ah, your clubmate Omiko? Just about a few things", Ryuko replies a bit cryptic...

"Like what?", I don't hesitate to ask. "Space", Ryuko simply replies.

"Space? Ah you mean that science things she reads?", I ask. "Yes. When I got there asking for you, your club president told me you were out for a bit but that you'd be back soon and suggested me to wait for you. Since I really don't know this school I guessed I had no better option so I just sit there", Ryuko finally starts explaining.

"I tried texting you but you didn't reply so while I was sitting there I noticed your friend in the back reading something, I instantly recognized the book by it's cover so I was surprised to see someone else around our age reading something like A brief history of time from Stephen Hawking", Ryuko pauses a bit.

Why is that important though?

"So I guess I was just a bit excited for that and I went to talk to her. After that we both talked about the wonders of the universe and all of that boring science stuff, turns out she wants to pursue the same career as me", Ryuko smiles a bit awkward.

Wait.

The same career? What career does Ryuko want to pursue?

...

Why don't I know this....

Right you idiot, you never asked her...

All this time, she's been so good to me, she listens to everything I have to say, she makes an effort to know about me, she tries to get into the same things I like just to see me happy...

But I never bothered to do the same for her.

...

Just... What kind of girlfriend am I?

Am I really that bad?

I'm sorry, Ryuko

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

"I... Didn't know you liked space...", That's all I can manage to say, I'm not even capable of looking at her in the eye now. "I-I guess we hadn't had the chance to talk about that haha...", Ryuko laughs a bit awkwardly, she's surely noticed my expression now.

Don't give me that, Ryuko.

You know I simply never asked.

Never tried to get to know you.

I...

!

"Come on! Come to the school hall! Satoru's gonna give a big announcement!", suddenly two girls block our way and with pure excitement tell us that and run away afterwards, in the hall's direction of course.

Satoru?

"Sounds important. Tsuki, let's go see what's that about?", Ryuko tugs on my hand, she smiles but I can tell she's worried, she's trying to find a way to light up the mood. "Sure", I say trying to give her my best smile but it's really hard now.

...

Well damn.

As we enter the school hall almost everyone in school is here, we barely fit.

"I-Is everyone here now?", I then turn my attention at the front, up in the podium is a boy...

Wait a minute...

Dick nose?!

Satoru... Right, that asshole that used to mess with Yuri!

What's this about?

If it wasn't for his nose I probably wouldn't have recognized him. Mostly because the left side of his face is swollen, his right eye awfully black, lips as if he was allergic to air all swollen too, hair messy, uniform all messy as well...

Fuck, is like a train ran over this guy!

However, what also confuses me is the girl behind him, just standing there while he talks on the mic. A new girlfriend?

No... I mean, I don't really know the guy but judging by that bitch I slapped that time that was his girlfriend, this one doesn't match his tastes.

She's taller than him, has dark blue hair around her shoulders, her hair covers the left side of her face a bit, she also isn't wearing the uniform, she's wearing black sports leggings and a red hoodie, she looks a bit... Tough... Basically, she screams tomboy anywhere you look at her.

I wonder who she is...

"Satoru! What happened to you?! Are you okay?!", I hear someone in the crowd yell and ask. "Y-Yeah I just... Fell off when I was going downstairs that's all", everytime he talks is like if he shrunk more and more, he looks like a scared pussycat who lost his mommy, out there in the cold.

Almost feel sorry for him but nah, screw him.

"Ummm... Listen, I just wanna say a few things... I know I said some stuff about the literature club but I-I... Just want to apologise about that and take back anything I said", Satoru says shrinking more and more, I can even see him trembling from here.

Wait.

What things did he say about our club??

"I-It's a really good club so you should go check it out, forget what I say about the party, you're still all invited... Please don't think bad of the literature club and it's members because of me, they're all good people. That's all", Satoru finishes and starts limping away and down the podium.

The dark blue haired girl just goes in a different direction, I guess they weren't really related?

But what the hell did he mean by all of that?

================

After dick nose weird speech, Ryuko and I just went and walk around the school again.

Right now, I'm still trying to figure out how come I've been such a bad girlfriend to her...

She's been trying to make conversation but right now my mind is a bit foggy and I can't quite keep up.

Dammit I'm just making it worse!

"Natsuki-senpai!", I then hear a familiar voice call my name in the distance. I turn around to see Omiko heading this way.

"Sen... Senpai... I'm glad I could find you...", She's catching her breath. More exercise and less science Omiko.
"Monika-senpai sent me looking for you... We really need your help in the club...", Still panting lesbian.

"Did something happen?", I ask now feeling worried. "Eh? Not exactly, it's just suddenly a lot of people started showing up to check out the club so we need your help for the activities, it's 2:10 pm now and you were supposed to be back at 2...", Omiko explains...

Shit! I forgot to ask for the time since my stupid phone died!

Wait... A lot of people showing up? But I thought nobody was coming to our club... Is this really related to what dick nose was saying??

"Yeah, sure let's go! Come on babe", and with that we run back to the club with Omiko almost dying from doing this much exercise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yuri's P.O.V.

Finally, Natsuki is back!

Even I have been talking to strangers telling them about the club, despite not being used to it... But we really have been receiving a lot of students in the last half an hour!

I guess Monika was right, we just had to wait and people really did come.

Eventually, Natsuki joins in and even Monika sacrifices her own free slot to stay and help, in the end the only one who went to enjoy the festival now was Sayori.

Although she didn't seem bothered by having to go alone... That's a bit unusual for her.

Following Monika's indications, I was the one in charge of explaining people what we do here, Monika took care of people who wanted to join and also explaining to them what's our club about.

Natsuki's girlfriend just sit there and watched her girl in action really.

Natsuki and Omiko hosted some games and activities for people to have fun, such as trying to guess which book is certain phrase or paragraph from and you'd earn a cupcake if you were correct.

Another was trying to write short poems using a bunch of random words they'd write on the board and the best poems would get double cupcakes and secretly, Monika's number. Yes, Natsuki's idea to motivate people, specially boys, to write those poems, which worked quite well.

The funniest thing though, was when at some point they ran out of cupcakes so Natsuki started offering and I quote: "A kiss on the cheek from our gayest member"~

Of course, for girls only.

Surprisingly though, a considerable amount of girls really did their best for that and as you can imagine, poor Omiko was a red faced awkward mess.

She did kiss those girls who won though. Believe it or not.

And so the funniest and also busiest two hours of our lives went by flying. People coming here were less everytime, not that we complain really, we need a break, and Monika and Omiko's kisses got us a handful of new members, around 7 I believe, some others said they needed to think about it apparently so we might get a few more in the next days.

For their sake, I hope they're all girls or Natsuki is gonna make a big deal about it hehe~

Now, Monika's the only one dealing with a few people here, Omiko's reading, Natsuki is there chatting with her girlfriend and I'm just here trying to keep my mind distracted from that fact while I clean some stuff.

What time is it...

4:30 pm... Well it was actually 3 hours that went by fast, of course Sayori had to be late~ She should be back soon I gu-

"HEEEEEELLOOOOO!! PRETTY GIRLS!!".

Oh, there she is.

Eh?

She didn't come back alone...

"Sorry for being late hehe it's just we were having so much fun and all of that", Sayori says blushing lightly, joining the tips of her index fingers, classic Sayori when she feels guilty.

Having fun huh... I guess that dark blue haired girl of tomboyish looks is her friend then....

"It's okay Sayori! We had everything under control, we even got new members!", Monika smiles as she approaches Sayori. "I'm glad you and your girlfriend enjoyed your time alone, honestly I didn't want to get in the middle so staying here was good haha", Monika says and-

Girlfriend?!

That's... Sayori's girlfriend?

Almost as if she could read my mind, the dark blue haired girl just wraps her arm around Sayori, pulling her closer, Sayori's just hugs her tight looking the happiest I've seen her in months, and that's a high standard for that bubbly girl.

"Agh! Cough, cough, cough! You have a girlfriend?!", Natsuki asks just as surprised after choking on that Cupcake she was eating. Guess she saved some for herself. "Oh you didn't know?", Sayori just asks with an innocent smile.

"Do I look like I knew?!", Natsuki asks feisty, now on her feet and with hands on hips. "Sayori, I think neither Natsuki nor Yuri knew, so you may as well introduce her to us again", Monika chuckles.

"Okay! Guys! This is Ryona Aono, my lovely and tough teddy bear!", Sayori exclaims hugging the life out of Ryona whose cool and collected expression instantly turns into one that could be the definition of embarrassment. "S-Sayori!", Ryona simply exclaims all flustered and we all giggle at this cute situation.

"Nice to meet you, Aono-san", as my manners dictated, I greet her as politely as I can. "Yeah that, so you wanted the 2 pm slot to go and see your girlfriend, makes sense now", Natsuki says with crossed arms and a big grin.

"Ryona is fine", she says looking at me with a polite smile. "Yeah! She's a member of the wrestling club, her club was having some exhibition matches at 3 and gosh you should have seen her! She was dropkicking these bigger guys and she even did this suplex thingy on one of them! But my favorite part is when she ran and flew over these two guys, grabbed them by the head mid air and took them down as she landed! She was so cool!", Sayori rambles all dreamy and excited.

Ryone blushes lightly and simply kisses the top of her head, smiling like a fool.

Ah! The love~

...

In the end, Ryona and Sayori just spent the rest of the time being lovey dovey in our club, while the rest of us attended a few more people and then cleaned the room.

Natsuki's girlfriend had to leave earlier after her mom called her apparently...

Anyways, we're almost done so it's almost time to head home at last.

===============

"Bye-bye ladies! See you all tomorrow!", Sayori exclaims waving her arm in the air while she clings onto Ryona's arm with the other as all of us are now in the school gates ready to part ways.

"Take care you two!", Monika says as she waves bye to them, Omiko does the same. "Don't make out in any dark alley! Wait until you get home!", Of course, Natsuki and that cute fang of her flashing with that grin.

"My brother is coming to pick me up so I'll stay here", Omiko says. "Me too, I'm calling an uber, I'm too tired to walk home", Monika sighs.

"Well, I'm poor so I gotta walk home, bye dummies of doom! Yuri, you coming too?", Natsuki says and asks me to my Little surprise. "Ah! Y-Yes! See you tomorrow", I quickly wave bye to Monika and Omiko and then follow Natsuki on the way home.

...

Natsuki's been awfully quiet... She looks... Not distant exactly but she looks a bit concerned, like there's something on her mind.

Did something happen between Ryuko and her?

This could be my chance

What? No!

Focus Yuri! You want to be a better friend for her, you need to help her with anything she may be having trouble with!

"N-Natsuki?", I ask nervous. "Um? Eh? What?", She replies a bit confused.

"Is everything okay? Y-You have been a bit quiet...", the nervousness just keeps growing. "Yeah... No... It's just... Agh! Well I could use a second opinion anyway", she sighs and I prepare to listen.

"You see, it's about Ryuko... I think I haven't been a good girlfriend for her...", Natsuki says looking at the floor, sadness in her beautiful magenta eyes.

I just want to hug her right now.

"I-I'm sure that's not the case-", I try to say but she quickly cuts me off. "Just listen first, okay?", Natsuki replies a bit upset... Focus, focus... Don't mess this up...

"I realized today I don't really know much about her, like she knows almost everything about me because she asks, she listens, she tries but I... I don't... All I've done is being selfish, just making it all about me and never tried to know her better, what she likes, what she's passionate about, what makes her sad, what makes her happy...", Natsuki pauses a bit.

"I don't know any of that... It's not like she got mad at me for that, on the contrary, she kept trying to make me happy, she didn't want me to feel bad for that... But of course I feel bad! I-I...", Natsuki exclaims in the end, I can see her gripping her fists to hold back those tears that seem to come out at any second now.

My poor Natsuki...

What should I say now?

Advice... What advice could I give to her?? I haven't dated anyone before...

"Maybe she's not the one for you".

Eh?

Did I just say that?

"What?", Natsuki then asks, I can see her expression changing... No...
"N-N-Nothing... I just...", Please tell me I didn't say that out loud....

"No, no, no, did you just say she's not the one for me?!", Natsuki asks now outraged. I really messed this up.

"I-I did not mean that... I-I just...", I mutter almost to myself now... Please if this is a bad dream just wake me up already!

"What the fuck do you even know?! She's a beautiful person! She loves me! She's been there for me when I needed her the most! And most importantly! She does care about what I think, say or do! She doesn't treat me like an idiot! She doesn't... Make less of my poems... S-She doesn't... She doesn't... Think I'm childish and... Immature... She...", At this point Natsuki couldn't hold back her tears anymore.

All she does is run away from me.

And all I can do is watch her go and disappear in the distance.

My eyes feel sore.

I can feel something warm running down my face.

If I ever had a real chance with her, I certainly ruined it forever.

Not only as a lover.

As a friend too.

I failed her.

I always fail.

I'm a failure.

I'm a failure, I'm a failure, I'm a failure, I'm a failure, I'm failure, I'm failure...

That's all my head keeps repeating as I continue my way home.

I need to get there already.

I need to punish myself.

I need to try and release all of this failure inside of me.

Everyone was right.

I'm just a waste of air.

Nobody likes me.

Everyone hate me.

And they're ri-!

Ouch!

"I-I am sorry", it's all I can say quickly glancing at the top hat man who I just bumped into for being too distracted to look where I'm going, then bowing in apology to avoid him seeing my red eyes and face full of tears.

"It's okay", he simply says and continues his way.

Oh, I'm home... Well, just two houses away now.

...

All I do after unlocking my door is run upstairs to my room, throw my bag away and head to open the drawer where I keep that box.

My collection...

Which one should I use today to release this...

As I was opening the box my thoughts find themselves interrupted by a feeling of confusion and surprise.

Right there on top of my knives it's a folded old piece of paper.

When did I put this here?

A start to feel even more anxious but still, I grab the paper and slowly unfold it...

This handwriting...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: hola brothers

Yeah, it's been a while  haha...

Long ass chapter to make it up to you for the wait 😬

That is all!!