Thursday; 6:00 AM
Akito Sato and Leo Price are asleep on opposite ends of the couch. Rapid knocks on the door wake them up. Akito and Leo both get up and answer the door to see a wide-awake Sayori.
"Well aren't you lovely..." Leo yawns.
"That's a bold compliment for somebody in hugging range" Sayori giggles before hugging Leo, who, despite being tired, goes as red as a rose.
"How the hell are you awake?" Akito asks as Sayori lets go of Leo.
"I...might've stayed up all night..." Sayori nervously giggles as she pushes her index fingers together in an adorable way.
"Why the bloody hell would you do that, Sayori?" Leo looks at Sayori with confusion evident on his face.
"I kinda got excited after yesterday's..." Sayori notices Leo's smirk, "dinner! It was really good!"
"Sayori..." Akito raises an eyebrow as Sayori giggles.
"It's okay if you get excited about the dance, love." Leo informs. The last word brings both a blush and a huge smile to Sayori's face. She hugs him again as Leo's eyes go wide. "Try not to shatter my ribs, Sayori! I still need them to keep me alive!"
Sayori giggles nervously as she lets go of Leo. "Wanna head to school?" Akito asks.
"Mate..." Leo sighs, "we aren't even in uniform." Leo informs as Akito realizes that they are still in their sleep-ware. They get changed before walking with Sayori to the school.
School
As Sayori drags Leo over to Monika and Ikki, Akito notices the one member of the Literature Club he has yet to talk to- Yuri Akiyama. She is sitting against the wall, texting someone. She has a slight smile and an even slighter blush on her face. Akito walks over and she smiles and waves at him.
"Hi Akito. How are you?" Yuri quietly asks with a smile.
"I'm good. How are you Yuri?" Akito replies.
"I'm...really really good." Yuri nods slightly.
"Oh really?" Akito sits beside her. "Wanna explain why?"
"I've been...flirting with my crush recently" Yuri smiles to herself, "and it's been going really well. There is one problem..." Yuri looks down.
"What is it?" Akito cocks his head to one side.
"I want to ask my crush to the dance with a poem, but I'm worried my poems might be a little..." Yuri tries to find the right word.
"Detailed?" Akito raises an eyebrow.
"Yes." Yuri nods. "Which is why I'm glad you are here: Could you translate a poem that I right into your cutesy and simply style?"
"I could, yeah!" Akito nods and smiles. "You write a poem and I'll try my hardest for you to get your date"
"Thank you so much!" Yuri surprises both herself and Akito by exclaiming happily.
"Of course!" Akito chuckles and smiles.
Lunch
Natsuki and Rei are chatting as Rei eats. Akito walks over and casually slides his tray to Natsuki.
"You know, you don't always have to do that. Natsuki is a big girl...on the inside at least." Rei informs.
"I know, but if she wants it, she can have it." Akito chuckles.
"Whatever. If you aren't going to eat, I'm not gonna let it go to waste just because you are dumb." Natsuki smirks confidently and begins to eat.
"I finished Volume #2" Akito informs, causing Natsuki's head to perk up.
"Volume #2 of what?" Rei raises an eyebrow, confused.
"…M-Manga..." Natsuki mutters.
"That stupid kid stuff?" Rei scoffs. "Natsuki, tell me you don't still read that crap."
"N-no! Of course not!" Natsuki states, despite her voice being shaky. "This dummy still thinks it's literature!" Natsuki laughs as she points at Akito. Akito's face goes red before he grabs his bag and walks off. Rei continues to laugh as Natsuki begins to feel...bad.
Field
Akito is playing soccer with some freshies. Akito notices Natsuki come outside alone.
"H-hey..." Natsuki mumbles, almost like she is ashamed of herself.
"Hey." Akito nods.
"Sorry... I didn't mean to-"
"Throw me under the bus?" Akito raises his eyebrows.
"Yeah..."
"It's fine." Akito smiles as Natsuki's eyes go wide.
"Really? Really really?" Natsuki is taken aback by how calm he is.
"I mean, when I asked you about Manga, you seemed really defensive. I can see why now." Akito shrugs. "I'll try not to bring it up anymore, okay?"
"Thanks...dummy." Natsuki smirks proudly. "Not that you can really discuss Manga with me! I know sooo much more about it than you! I would be basically teaching you!"
"Sounds good since I do enjoy our conversations already" Akito smiles brightly as Natsuki blushes.
"Of course you do! I'm a very fascinating person!" Natsuki brags, hiding her blush.
'Not very humble though...' Akito thinks to himself.
After School
Akito walks into the clubroom and is immediately greeted by Sayori.
"Hey Kit! Will you come with me to buy a snack?" Sayori asks with a bright smile. Akito doesn't buy it.
"No, I'm good." Akito leans against the wall.
"Why not? You love walking with me!" Sayori tilts her head to the side.
"I have my reasons." Akito shakes his head. "Can I see what's inside your purse?"
"W-why?" Sayori nervously smiles.
"Humor me." Akito sighs. Sayori nervously giggles before opening her coin purse and turns it upside down. Saying that a puff would come out would be wrong, as dust would have to be in the purse. Oh wait, a paperclip fell out. "Who would've guessed." Akito sarcastically says.
"That's not fair! How did you know?!" Sayori pouts.
"If you had enough money in the first place, you would have bought a snack before coming to the clubroom." Akito begins to explain, "So, either you're not hungry and wanted an excuse to take a walk...or, you planned to conveniently forget that you spent all your money, so that I would lend you some!" Akito stands up straight, "But my final clue came when I remembered who I was talking to because you're always hungry! So, that only leaves the one option!"
"Don't make me feel so guilty!" Sayori whines.
"If you feel guilty, that's because you are guilty." Yuri speaks up.
"Thank you Yuri." Akito smirks.
"Anytime." Yuri mutters as she goes back to her book.
"What the hell is she going mental over?" Leo asks, obviously getting ready to leave and overheard Sayori.
"Oh Leo!" Sayori rushes over. "Want to walk with me so I can buy a snack?"
"I don't trust you." Leo raises an eyebrow at her before looking at Akito.
"She has no money. She just did the same thing to me. Don't give in." Akito rubs his temples.
"Come on pumpkin..." Leo sighs as he pulls out his wallet. "Let's go get you something to eat."
"Yay! Akito, you're a meanie! Leo is a sweetheart!" Sayori hugs Leo as both Akito and Leo shake their heads.
"I give it five minutes before you are hungry again" Leo sighs again.
"I give it two." Akito chuckles. Leo walks away with Sayori as Akito hears a rumbling in the closet. Akito walks over to see Natsuki trying to balance on the teacher's computer chair. She is trying to reach her box of Parfait Girls on the top shelf. "You want some help?"
"NO!" Natsuki yells. "I GOT IT!"
"Why are you yelling?" Akito rubs his ears.
"BECAUSE I CAN!" Natsuki yells as she gets close to grabbing the box.
"Do you want me to at least hold the chair?" Akito asks, concerned.
"NO! I HAVE THIS! I CAN DO THIS!"
"You would be a great life coach!" Akito laughs. Natsuki finally grabs the box and pulls...a bit too hard. She immediately falls and Akito just barely catches her. He lands hard on his back as Natsuki lands on his chest. All the books fall against poor Akito's face, somehow missing Natsuki completely. "Shit..." Akito groans out of pain.
Natsuki opens her eyes to see that she isn't on the floor, but laying on top of Akito. "GROSS GROSS GROSS GROSS!" Natsuki gets up quickly and shudders. Monika walks in the room just as this happens. Natsuki looks at the books and sees one of the pages in one of the books was bent. Natsuki picks it up and gets teary eyed before running out of the room, throwing the book as she does.
"I'll...go talk to her..." Monika mutters before running after Natsuki.
"Are you okay?" Yuri walks over just as Monika rushes past Sayori and Leo. Sayori and Leo rush over and sit beside Yuri.
"My back..." Akito groans.
"You alright, Akito?" Leo asks as he helps Akito sit up.
"Yeah...just Natsuki fell on me... Really hurt my back." Akito groans again as Leo helps him up.
"What happened?" Sayori rushes over to him, concerned.
"I just said." Akito glares slightly.
"I meant why did Natsuki fall on you?" Sayori pouts a little.
"She was reaching for her...books..." Akito notices the books everywhere. Despite his hurt back, he begins to pick up the books and organize them for Natsuki. He gets to the one that she threw and looks at it. He tries fix the bent page, but it won't give. He sighs as Natsuki and Monika walk back into the room. "Natsuki...I'm sorry about your book."
"No...no it's fine. It doesn't matter..." Natsuki takes the book and is about to put it in the trash, but Akito stops her.
"Hey hey hey..." He whispers. "Look, we aren't even at this book yet. How about you and I get the next book, we read it, and you can lecture me on how stupid I am? Okay?" Akito smiles softly at her. Natsuki can't help but giggle.
"Alright..." She sighs. "Let's go...dummy." Natsuki smiles as they walk over to the window sill. Akito puts the bent paged book in his backpack as Natsuki grabs the third book of Parfait Girls before they sit under the window.
Twenty Minutes Later
"Okay everyone! Time to share your poems!" Monika informs.
"Of course... Right as we were getting to the good part." Natsuki sighs.
"It's fine. I'll finish reading tonight and get it back to you tomorrow." Akito smiles brightly as the group comes together.
Akito shares his poem with Sayori and Monika, but when he gets to Yuri, she has a smile on her face.
"This is the poem for my crush." Yuri whispers happily
Your ruby eyes will shine through
Even on the days where darkness shrouds the globe
Your obsidian hair puts a shine in my eyes
It feels like a stake through my heart when I can't see you
But I know that I will see those ruby eyes again
Your fair skin is a beauty compared to all others
Everything is perfect about you in my eyes
I love you
"Wow...this is really sweet" Akito chuckles.
"So you can...simplify it?" Yuri's eyes brighten.
"Of course! After this, you and I can go to the book store and work on it." Akito smiles.
"Why the book store?" Yuri looks at him, confused. Akito leans close.
"Natsuki's book got a bit messed up, so I'm gonna buy her a new one." Akito informs quietly.
"But it was only a bend..." Yuri replies.
"Manga should never be bent" Akito chuckles.
"Well, that's really nice of you." Yuri smiles softly. "I'll meet you after the meeting..."
Akito nods and walks over to Natsuki. He immediately hands her his poem.
The man never cared for anyone
Emotions, he had none
Friends he would manipulate
Lovers he would break
He thought he had it all
But he was the one taking the fall
One night he picked the wrong friend
He met his end
He never cared for anyone
Life, he had none
Natsuki looks over the poem before smiling softly. "I always enjoy your poems." Natsuki smiles. "They have something different about them. 'Life filled with abuse and manipulation isn't life at all', correct?"
"You are right" Akito smirks. Natsuki smiles to herself for a moment before getting her cocky grin.
"Well, as much as I enjoy your poems, you LOVE mine!" Natsuki cockily states as she hands Akito hers.
I Will Jump
I will jump
I am cold
I feel like my soul has been sold
Your words I can't dodge
They are bending my will
What are you trying to fulfill
I'm getting closer to the edge
So I will jump
"Do you get it...?" Natsuki mumbles. Akito is in shock...this poem sounds like it was written from a pained point of view...but what caused that pain?
"I can't say I do..." Akito sighs.
"Nobody does..." Natsuki looks at the ground.
"It's a great poem nonetheless!" Akito tries to cheer up Natsuki. "Whoever the protagonist is, they seem like a fantastic person who deserves a lot of happiness." Akito smiles. Natsuki keeps facing down, but a slight smile appears on her face.
"Okay everyone! Remember to work on your festival poems! This meeting is officially over!" Monika informs.
"See you tomorrow dummy." Natsuki smiles. She picks up her bag and walks off before Akito can even say bye.
"You ready to walk home, Kit?" Sayori asks.
"Actually, I'm going to the bookstore with Yuri. You're gonna have to walk home alone..." Akito looks over at Leo, who is sleeping in a desk, obviously bored by all the literature stuff. "Unless you can convince your Fall Festival Date to walk you home"
Sayori squeals, to put it lightly. She rushes over and wakes up Leo, bombarding him with a million questions. Akito and Yuri smile at the possible couple before they head out.
Book Store
Akito and Yuri are sat at a table, trying to simplify Yuri's confession. "Okay, how's this?" Akito slides her a piece of paper.
Your ruby eyes will shine through the darkness
And your obsidian hair brings me calmness
My heart breaks without you
But I know that those ruby eyes will again be in my view
Everything is perfect about you in my eyes
I love you
"I love it!" Yuri exclaims, shocking Akito.
"I-I'm glad" Akito exhales and smiles.
"Now, let's find Natsuki's book." Yuri smiles back. Akito nods and pulls the book out of his backpack. Akito and Yuri approach the counter.
"Excuse me..." Akito taps the counter. The employee at the desk turns around to reveal...Rei.
"Oh hey...Akito?" Rei raises an eyebrow. Akito nods. "Oh good. I'm bad with names. What can I help you with?"
"I, uh, need a copy of this book if you have it. I'm trying to get a friend into manga and this is one of my favorite series" Akito lies. Yuri notices this, but doesn't say anything.
"You know this is for kids, right?" Rei rolls her eyes as she leads them to the Manga section.
"Apparently you haven't read Death Note." Akito chuckles.
"It's like reading Dora The Explorer- Cartoons and words on the same page" Rei shakes her head before looking through a shelf and pulling out Parfait Girls #10, which is seven books away from where Akito actually is. "Let's get you checked out." Rei leads them back to the counter. "That will be 300 yen."
"That's pretty cheap" Akito smirks as he hands Rei the money.
"Again, it's a kids thing. They don't usually rip off kids." Rei shrugs before handing Akito his receipt. "Come again."
Akito and Yuri walk out of the store. "Alright, so I'll meet you in the morning to give you support!" Akito smiles brightly.
"T-tomorrow?!" Yuri's eyes go wide.
"Of course! Better early than not at all!" Akito smiles again.
"Fine." Yuri sighs. "See you then."
That Night; 12:00 AM
Akito just finished reading the third Parfait Girls book and has only just started on his poem. Akito hears his phone buzz. It's a text message.
Kitty, did you finish the homework in math?
-Leo
Hahahaha no.
-Akito
You are useless, mate.
-Leo
Ouch. My emotions.
-Akito
Ouch. My emotional responsive system.
-Leo
Sarcastic yelp of pain. Triggering emotional reaction appropriate to situation.
-Akito
Calm down. If you don't have it, I'll bug Izzy.
-Leo
Akito chuckles and puts down his phone as he tries to think of some rhymes.
A/N: So, since I've been a bit slow at updating lately, I'm throwing in a second day! Plus, it means I can round up the school week in this chapter and start the build to the Fall Festival in the next chapter. Also, some of you may be wondering why I call it the Fall Festival. I feel like it would be weird to have just one Festival in the school year, especially this early. So, there is also a Spring Festival! Anyways, I'll stop rambling so Yuri can flirt with her crush.
Friday; School
Akito and Sayori arrive at school. Akito has wrapped Natsuki's new book in some wrapping paper (which has cute little cats on it) as well as a cute little bow. He has it safely in his backpack where Leo and Ikki can't tease him about it. Sayori rushes over to Monika, both squealing as they hug, as Akito approaches Yuri by the school.
"You ready, dude?" Akito asks with a yawn.
"I'm not really sure..." Yuri sighs. "What if...what if it's not good enough..?"
"It will be! You put your emotions into it and, to be honest, anyone would be lucky to have you like them!" Akito smiles as Yuri blushes. "Hell, I talked to you, legitimately, for only a day and I think you are swell!"
"...thanks Akito.." Yuri smiles back.
"You ready?"
"...yes." Yuri nods before standing up. "Over there." Yuri points to a group of people.
"Which one?" Akito asks with raised eyebrows. Yuri whispers in his ear and he gets a smirk. "Gotchu." Akito walks over. "Gentlemen, can I show you something really cool?" Akito asks the guys before they all walk away...
...leaving a girl behind, who looks at them in confusion as Yuri walks over.
Yuri's Point Of View
Can I really do this? She is so exquisite and I'm just... No. Akito helped me work on this! I...I can do this!
"H-h-hey Tamiko..." I greet, but my damn voice is so shaky and quiet, I doubt she heard me.
Tamiko has long black hair in a dutch braid style. She has dark red eyes that shine beautifully off of the sun. She has tan skin that compliments her eyes wonderfully. She is only 5'2", very different from my 5'6" stature. She is just gorgeous. Is Tamiko the sun in human form?
"Hmm? Oh hi Yuri!" Tamiko replies in the soft, but sweet voice that enchants my soul.
"Umm...I..." Come on Yuri, you can do this! "I have something for you..."
"Do you? That's really sweet of you!" Tamiko smiles with that lovely smile and I could almost swear my heart is melting.
"H-here..." I hand her my poem... Did I make the right choice? She's reading it, but I can't read her expression! IT HASN'T CHANGED! Oh god she hates it! That must be it! She must be so ready to stop talking to me and-
"I had no idea you felt this way, Yuri..." Tamiko mutters. I prepare myself for the worst, squeezing my eyes shut out of habit. Suddenly I feel something- DID SHE JUST KISS MY CHEEK?!
Normal Point Of View
Akito just finished showing off to the guys he dragged away with a couple of cool flips. He looks over just in time to see a blushing Tamiko peck Yuri on the cheek. Akito chuckles as Yuri's eyes shoot open.
"Alright boys, that's all for now." Akito informs as he walks back to Yuri. Tamiko flashes Yuri another smile, cheeks still as red as her eyes, before walking away, or rather skipping away. Yuri smiles brightly at Akito, her cheeks red as well. "So...I assume it went well?"
"Thank you so much!" Yuri giggles and hugs Akito.
"Uh..no problem" Akito chuckles, still surprised whenever Yuri gets excited.
Lunch
Akito has a tray in his hands, but instead of sitting with Natsuki and Rei, he tells Natsuki to follow him. Rei tries to tag along, but Akito asks her to stay behind. Natsuki begrudgingly agrees before following Akito outside.
When they get outside, Akito leads her down the steps and they stop at the last one, sitting down. Akito makes sure Rei didn't follow before handing Natsuki the tray. She begins to eat as he opens his backpack. He hands her the gift and she looks at him in confusion.
"What?" Natsuki gives him a look somewhere between a glare and a confused stare.
"Open it" Akito grins.
"Why?"
"Because it's for you" Akito chuckles.
"You don't have to get me anything dumdum." Natsuki sighs as she sets the tray to the side and hesitantly takes the present. She looks at the wrapping paper and can't help but smile at the cats. She quickly hides the smile before opening it. She pulls out the book and her mouth drops slightly.
"D-do you like it...?" Akito whispers.
"...thanks Akito..." Natsuki whispers back, blushing.
"No problem, Natsuki" Akito smiles at her. Natsuki puts it in her backpack.
"I heard you helped out Yuri" Natsuki looks over.
"Yeah, she confessed her crush to Tamiko Himura." Akito informs.
"Isn't Tamiko one the of popular girls?" Natsuki raises an eyebrow.
"I think so, but I think she's kinda like Monika. Like, she's popular because of how nice she is." Akito replies.
"I guess. Hey...I'm gonna head back inside to Rei. I'll see you after school, dummy." Natsuki informs before she heads back inside. Akito smiles to himself, happy that Natsuki accepted the gift.
After School
Yuri is texting with Tamiko while Sayori has dragged Leo into the club and is showing him all sorts of random thing. Natsuki is carefully, very very carefully, adding the brand new book back to her collection. Monika is writing Literary Rules on the whiteboard while Ikki is watching, confused. Akito walks in and is immediately surprised to see Leo and Ikki there.
"Uh...new members?" Akito cocks his head to the side.
"NO!" Leo yells.
"I can barely understand all these rules." Ikki sighs.
"Of course you're friends with more dummies." Natsuki calls out from the closet.
"I take offense to that, you cheeky monkey" Leo yells back.
"What?" Akito, Natsuki, Sayori, Monika, Ikki, and Yuri all ask at the same time.
"You're a smart arse, little one." Leo sighs.
"Thank you" Natsuki smirks, ignoring the insult. "Hey dummy!" Natsuki looks at Akito. "Did you finish the third book?"
"Of course I did" Akito smiles.
"Then come here and let's read the fourth" Natsuki shows him the fourth volume of Parfait Girls. Akito and Natsuki walk over to the window sill and sit under it like usual. Akito and Natsuki begin to read. After twenty minutes, Akito notices Natsuki has stopped talking. He looks over and sees Natsuki asleep, resting her head on his shoulder. Before he can react-
"Okay everyone! Time to share poems!" Monika exclaims happily as Natsuki slowly begins to wake up. Luckily, it seems like she didn't put two and two together as she simply gets up. Ikki and Leo pull out there phones and begin to play games as the Club Members come together to share poems.
Like usual, Akito shares with Sayori, Monika, and Yuri before finally getting to Natsuki. Akito hands her his poem.
There was once a dog
He ran across the logs
He jumped over elevated lands
He would bite the feeding hands
He was a cocky pup
But this pup was still loved
Natsuki thinks for a second before nodding. "This poem is about cocky people still being lovable, right?" Natsuki continues to look at it as she asks.
"Yup! Sound familiar?" Akito smirks.
"Shut up dummy." Natsuki blushes, causing Akito to laugh. "Here." Natsuki hands him her poem.
Shy
The rain has returned
Something I never seem to learn
I can't explain why
But it makes me feel so shy
I can't understand the rain
Despite it being so plain
"You got me." Akito chuckles. "I don't get this one."
"Really?" Natsuki looks at him in disbelief. "It is about being unable to accept or understand normality and being uncomfortable with the idea of being normal. Come on Akito!"
"Alright alright! No need to bite my head off" Akito chuckles as he tries to calm down the little pink haired woman. "It was a fantastic poem, like always"
"Of course it is!" Natsuki confidently states, showing her cute fang. "I am a genius!" Natsuki giggles, causing Akito to smile.
"Okay! Has everyone shared their poems?" Monika asks, a big smile on her face.
"No." Leo and Ikki sarcastically reply.
"I will kick you both out." Monika jokingly warns. "If everyone has finished, I would like to discuss the Fall Festival." Monika informs as Akito, Natsuki, Sayori, and Yuri sit in the desks in front of her. "I want each of you to write about yourselves. Each day I want you to write a poem, as well as one more for the Festival. This will get all of you ready to read in front of a crowd. Did I mention that we will be preparing by reading them in front of the entire club?"
"WHAT?!" Akito, Natsuki, and Yuri all inadvertently yell.
"YAY!" Sayori exclaims happily.
"No complaints?" Monika smiles, ignoring Akito, Natsuki, and Yuri. "Fantastic! Club meeting adjourned!"
That Night
'God. Dammit.' Akito thinks to himself. Reading to one member at a time is one thing, but reading to the entire club is crazy! How will he be able to read in front of strangers from around the school?!