Fog and the Flame - Ch 7

Tapping my pen I glance over to the girls as they finished sharing their poems. Club was winding down and tonight was all planned out. Once they're satisfied we should be packing up and heading out together to start our weekend off right, with a sleepover at Monika's place. She came up with the idea the same day Yuri and I shared our feelings, and thanks to Sayori's enthusiasm the plans sort of rushed through before we knew it. It's no big deal, we do this from time to time anyway. We just usually stay at Sayori's so the change in venue is a little different at least. Papa never minds if I so much as show up on the weekend so it should be nice.

If I didn't know any better I'd admit that I'm looking forward to this, but Monika wouldn't let me hear the end of it. I'm sure she'd start going on and on about how she's pleased the toughest critic she has, hmph, not gonna happen. But still. It'll be nice to relax with everyone again, it's always a huge stress relief for me, and it's just plain fun usually.

And Yuri'll be there.
It'll probably just be us at some point…
Since Sayori will probably sneak away to Monika's room.

Okay maybe I'm a little excited to get out of here. It's the first time we've done such a thing with such a… possibility in the air.

Shut up.
Don't rush anything.
But… This'll still be pretty fun.

Now I'm just waiting on them. Yuri's sharing her poem with Monika whom has started some in depth analysis that Sayori's attempting to follow. I'm not really interested right now, I'm far too tired after this long week for another lecture. Voluntary or not.

It's been a… funny week. I haven't been able to visit Yuri outside of school at all, either because of tension at home or just things not lining up right. So we haven't really talked much about things. Not that there's anything developing on my end since Papa's been scarce ever since he hurt me. But it was starting to bother me since we haven't talked about her at all since I caught sight of her wounds… It isn't like I can just check her arms every day at lunch, or talk openly about it. It needs to be at her house, or at least private, away from prying ears.

I've been a little wound up about it. The week's been… pleasant, with Yuri doting over me every lunch before I tell her I'm fine, or how we've started holding hands some days. Me eating as she reads one of her books while holding my hand. It's little things, but she keeps letting us do them even after saying she wanted to avoid becoming a couple yet. Something's going on even if neither of us put a name to this yet, and it's actually really nice. But that just makes me worry more about her because I know she's keeping something bound up inside and I want to hear her, I want to help her.

I don't know how.
I'll try…

I sighed as I fiddled with my bag, filled with clothes and other things I thought I'd like for the night out. I heard shuffling and sure enough everyone seems to be getting ready to go now.

About time.

"Are we finally out of here or what, you slowpokes?" I sound as annoyed as I feel.

"Eh hehe. Sorry Natsuki! I guess I got wrapped up in my little writing tips. It's just that Yuri's poem was really interesting today, I couldn't help myself! I mean, you read it, you know what I mean about the imagery don't you?" Monika called as she quickly readied herself to lead us to her home.

Huffing, I stopped myself as I realized I was almost too dismissive. This was Yuri's poem after all, and it was pretty good, if a bit flowery and vague. "Oh… uh.. Yeah! Of course it was good, but some of us don't want to spend all night at school you know!"

Did she just roll her eyes at me? Rude. "Of course, let's all get out of here then. I'll lead the way." And with that our group finally started for the exit.

Sayori dominated the conversation as we made our way to Monika's place, it seemed like with each step she just got more excited about things or thought of another topic she wanted to ramble on about with us. I'll admit, it was rather cute to see her so enthusiastic about various movies she wanted us to watch or begging Monika or me to play a certain game for her to watch, all while happily holding Monika's hand. She's too much sometimes, but it really brings up the mood that's for sure. Even seeing her clinging onto Monika or leaning in to kiss her cheek after teasing her in some rambling mess of joy was enough to make me smile. It's nice to be with my friends, I wish we did this more often.

Sayori and Monika were leading the way, hand in hand with Sayori tossing affection her way whenever she wanted. I felt a little jealous as I looked over to Yuri walking beside me. We still weren't being openly flirty. Heck, we still aren't considering this anything more than just mutual crushes. I want to do more but Yuri doesn't seem ready. She still seems convinced this is just silly feelings and that she's not worth it. I hate it. I'll wait for her, but I hate the reason.

Yuri seems pleased to be out with us at least. She's indulging some of Sayori's topics and it seems like she's in a good mood. She's so beautiful, I'm happy to see her smiling.

"I'm just surprised you wanted to do this at your place this time!" Sayori exclaimed, excitedly tugging on Monika's arm. Looked like she nearly tugged her off her feet.

"Well I would have been fine with another sleepover at your house but you still haven't cleaned up after the last one. No matter how often I remind you." Monika shook her head before giving Sayori a peck on the cheek.

"H-hey! It's just.. Hard sometimes you know? I'd have cleaned up for a sleepover…" Sayori huffed making it a little hard to tell if she was hurt or just teasing to be honest.

"I know it's tough, but we have to stay on top of things as best we can, right? So we'll have fun tonight at my place and then tomorrow I'm coming over to help you clean up for the next one, okay?" Sayori pouted in response but she seemed a little relieved to have the help. The two of them work so well together. Monika's always on top of everything and keeping an eye on Sayori. It seems like she knows when something wrong or falling behind far before Sayori herself notices, and she's always trying to help Sayori stay in control of things, or offering help when Sayori seems overwhelmed. Sayori's always there when Monika lets all her thinking get herself in a mess, too. Always there to calm her or distract her or remind her that she doesn't have to let everything stress her out at once.

Heh. Monika is so anal about everything that she's able to help keep Sayori on track, and Sayori's such a bubbly airhead that she's able to ease Monika's obsessive tendency to do everything at once. They're sweet to each other, too. I want that.

I shook my head and glanced up ahead. We're coming up on Monika's house and I'm not about to start building some stupid jealousy over my friend's relationship. It's theirs.

Monika unlocked the door and swung it open with a flourish and we all made our way inside, quickly finding comfortable places to relax in the living room as she tossed her stuff aside and came to help get things moving. I took my place on the couch and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. It really did feel nice to finally relax, this week's been far too long on me. Sayori started digging through the movies and games in front of the tv, clearly feeling comfortable in her girlfriend's home. Or maybe she'd be just as nosy regardless, it's hard to say.

Looking back to the door I saw Yuri sitting her bag on a far table and pulling out a book before making her way through Sayori's growing mess of entertainment media and settling into a loveseat at the end of my couch.

Hey, she could read by me if she wanted.
Oh relax, she always takes a seat out of the way.
...But still.

Mild irritation aside, things weren't even set up yet but everyone was seemingly falling right into place. It really was easy for us to take the stresses of school and all our other problems and check them at the door when we got to spend time together. Well, either that or hashing it out and ranting about the more benign stresses of class, overbearing parents, or countless flirts at school. Regardless of how we handled things it always felt safe when we locked the door and just spent time together. It did mean we could ignore things for a little while but it didn't coax out every secret...

I'm such a coward.

I still remember when Sayori revealed her depression. It… wasn't as pretty as I think she would have liked it to have been, but she was so brave in that moment.

We were having a sleepover at her place and she decided to make us a treat while we watched a movie she had already seen countless times. I can't even remember what it was. I just remember Sayori sitting down with us and laughing at a joke here and there before apparently falling completely into it. I remember hearing a gasp as she jumped off the couch and made her way into the kitchen. The sound of metal hitting the tile floor and the smoke alarm roaring to life.

I remember all of us huddled around as Sayori completely broke down before our eyes. Monika trying to help her off the floor while Yuri cleaned up the toppled brownie pan, all while Sayori just stared at the tiles. Within a moment Yuri had the smoke under control and the mess mostly taken care of. With the alarm quieted Monika just kept repeating that it wasn't a big deal. I said something about us all getting caught up in the movie. I didn't know what to say, but Sayori just started crying. It was no big deal, but it was a final straw to her. She started apologizing again and again for burning the brownies and once Monika finally got it through to her that we didn't care about that she started going further.

She apologized for so many things I can't remember them all.

For not cleaning up before the sleepover.

For annoying us every day.

For spoiling our fun.

For ruining our club.

For wasting our time.

For existing.

Yuri and I were speechless, but Monika kept telling Sayori to stop, again and again.

Eventually Sayori ran out of apologies and fell silent. Monika held her tightly on the floor beside that damned oven. Yuri had resorted to staring at the stove. I felt disgusted in myself for not knowing how to respond. I just stood in the kitchen doorway. Waiting.

After a painful silence Sayori let out a pitiful laugh and finally got herself up as she apologized for that 'little outburst'. She said she was fine and that we should probably go, but Monika started asking questions.

She always was one to take charge.

Monika wasn't having any of it. She grabbed Sayori by the shoulders and asked her to look her in the eyes.

I looked away.

Monika asked what was really wrong. I didn't know if I wanted to hear this. I remember playing with the idea that she just really wanted this to be a fun evening for us. Maybe it really was the loss of our sweets that upset her, she's a silly girl, it could be that simple.

Stupid then, stupid now.

After Sayori finally told us I felt even more lost. Yuri sprung up next to Monika and started listing effects of depression and how it wasn't Sayori's fault and going on and on about how she could get help managing it or medication, but I was helpless. Sayori looked unconvinced and like she just wanted us to go away, but she didn't interrupt.

Monika did.

She sounded so stern. She just said that we were staying the night and taking care of her because we wanted to and that was it. I wasn't about to argue, and she was right. I might not have known what to do, but I didn't want Sayori alone.

We went to bed soon after that. Monika said she'd check on Sayori throughout the night because she felt worried and I'm sure she did. The next day Yuri and I left and the next thing we heard was that Monika had convinced Sayori to seek professional help.

We were so proud of her.
And look at her now.
She's so much stronger and genuine now.
And she doesn't hide when she feels less so.
I was worthless.
Sayori didn't plan on sharing that night…
But she still did.
She still told us.
And I can't.
I don't want to break down in order to tell my friends.
I don't want them to ever see me so… weak.

Sayori wasn't weak.

We all knew Monika had overbearing parents who were forcing her to try clubs up until she told them she'd make her own and spent her entire life piling expectations on her until she'd cracked. Multiple times.

Monika's homelife was better now, but only because her parents practically leapt at the opportunity to go to their vacation home when Monika turned eighteen.

The way she described it they jumped at the chance as if they'd earned a year off for creating such a high-strung mess of a daughter.

I never noticed before she admitted it, but Monika is prone to anxiety attacks. Years of scolding and punishment for anything other than perfection left her shaken at the idea of being anything but. It became who she was, and hearing that wasn't easy. To hear that she feels like she has become her flaws. And she told us that outright and as a matter-of-fact while we all lounged on her couch one day. She said we should know since we were her closest friends. I still remember questioning that fact because of her popularity instead of mentioning any of the heavy content she had just revealed.

Inconsiderate idiot.

She said she takes charge because she's supposed to. Everything about how she conducts herself is because she's supposed to, anything less than that is unacceptable.

Monika said she takes charge no matter what. She's does it again and again and again and again until it breaks her and she rushes off to a private place to 'collect herself', or to be more blunt, suffer an attack. All her life the rule has been that she's perfect or she's nothing, so she has to be perfect. She fears failure more than death and it builds and piles stress on herself until she cracks, which she said she did often.

True to form, our little group did what we could to help her. Sayori encouraged Yuri's idea of professional help and Monika learned how to better manage her stress. I didn't know how to help. I didn't help Sayori or Monika when they came clean to us about their problems. I just froze all the same. Brave Natuski, stiff as a board and just as useful when things get real.

I always thought the biggest help was Sayori herself, always pulling Monika back when she tried to step up too often or reminding her that she's wonderful in every way to her so why worry about perfection.

It's cheesy, but you can see the relief in Monika's face when Sayori does those things.

Little reminders can be important.

I respect Monika so much for all she's accomplished but…
Sometimes I worry that I shouldn't because of how much she's suffered to get through it.
As in she shouldn't have had to do half the things she's done.
It was practically killing her.
… In the end I respect what she's accomplished and how she's trying to live life now.
In the moment, with someone she cares about, going with the flow.
She's already so talented, she doesn't need to be perfect.
She's better off now.

I had thought that Yuri had also shared her story with us all but I was wrong. Or maybe it was just part of the story…

Yuri said she felt left out of activities, not so much in our group although… yeah, but everywhere. She said she's quiet because no one cares about what she has to say, but getting her to expand on that was hard.

We started sharing poems because of that so that she would have an outlet with the group; An excuse to talk or take center stage with us paying full attention. She seemed much happier after that, but what I saw at her house…

If it helped it didn't help enough…

And my story is hardly known. The most I've done when prodded was say that Papa was overbearing like Monika's but that I taught him who was boss when I started failing all my classes. It got a laugh and a pat on the back along with a few well wishes that I keep him off my case. They don't know anything.

They should.
Coward.

"Natsuki are you going to grab this plate or not?" Monika said, holding a plate of spaghetti my way.

Blinking rapidly to get the fog out of my eyes I nodded and grabbed the plate with a smile.

"Jeez, Sayori, you must have picked a good movie because Natsuki's more invested than I've seen her before." She said as she came around the couch and sat next to her girlfriend, handing another plate over in the process.

They just don't know anything.
And it's my fault for being too scared to tell them.

I let out a sigh as I started eating, tuning out the lovers as I did. Monika's cooking was always a treat. That's likely because of her time in not one but two different cooking clubs in the past, so it's no wonder this meal had freshly made garlic bread and a fantastic sauce. I really wish we visited her house more often if only for the food, but Sayori always volunteers so what are we going to do. This was delicious, and while I've been dwelling on sad memories and my own shortcomings, this was admittedly helping my mood. At least a little bit. In one motion I ran my last piece of garlic bread along my plate to clean it and popped it in my mouth. Very satisfying, but I don't feel like getting up for seconds just yet.

Looking back up to the screen I realized that this entire time I hadn't really let myself grasp what was happening in this movie once. All my distracting memories or Monika's cooking had left my eyes glazed over I guess. It looks like Sayori picked some animated comedy I didn't recognize, not that it matters. Glancing around the room I caught up with how everyone was doing since I zoned out into my own little world.

Yuri's reading the book I saw her with earlier, or maybe it's a different one now? She doesn't seem interested in the movie, or that's what I would think if she didn't laugh just then along with the other girls.

I guess she's listening in.

She seems content but I don't understand how when the lights are off and the only light she could be reading by would be the television or the small amount coming from the kitchen.

Why is she so ridiculous?
I swear, just watch the movie!
What is it with books anyway.
I love manga, but I don't go obsessively diving in all the time.
...just.
Most of the time, I guess.
That's different, I take breaks, she doesn't!
Then again I get forced into most of my breaks since I can't take my manga home…
Or read them in public without people talking about it…

Do people talk about her for reading?

I just did, more or less…

I felt my face scowl as I took a breath to break from my head. It's for the best that she doesn't want to rush into a relationship. I'm no better than the judgy jerks out there.

Sure I am.
Besides, she thinks she's unfit too.
Maybe we're both wrong and it will be okay?

Rolling my eyes at my own twisted optimism I looked over to Sayori and Monika. I had wondered how the two of them sat on the same couch as me and yet I had so much room but that mystery was solved quickly enough. At some point, maybe immediately even, Sayori had adjusted to sitting on Monika's lap and the two of them had their plates balanced- rather precariously- on Sayori's lap. Another mystery immediately solved was how Monika was eating, as Sayori twisted up a forkful and held it awkwardly over her shoulder for Monika to eat in the silliest and least majestic way imaginable as she struggled to stretch up to the utensil.

I covered my mouth as I watched so I could avoid breaking out into a giggle fit at the sight, but holy cow was that a challenge! It was adorable, yes, but seeing Monika straining to stretch up to Sayori's shoulder level for each bite was just too much! And I thought the plates were precarious as is, but add on the awkward movements both of them keep doing for this little affection and it's no wonder they aren't covered in sauce and pasta by now!

I felt myself giving in to the humor and quickly stood up with a cough to hide it.

"Oh-uh, jus- just going to get some more!" I said, and immediately questioned why I felt the need to say anything.

Monika, bless her heart, attempted to respond with her mouthful of riskily attained food but Sayori thankfully interrupted her for a more clear answer of "Sure thing, go ahead!" as she giggled at Monika. It really seems like Monika gets quite a bit more laid back when she's around Sayori, but with how sweet and silly those two are being I just need to get away before I laugh my ass off and embarrass them.

I let out the breath I had apparently held as I rounded the corner into the kitchen and felt myself smile genuinely as I collected myself. I really am thankful for these dorks. Without even knowing it they help cheer me up so often.

Smile still holding strong, I went to the stove and began to load my plate back up with some of Monika's cooking. I turned towards the living room and weighed my options.

Go in there and struggle to eat while those two lovebirds go at it?
Or hide away in here at least so I can finish this?

It was hardly a question, as I pulled up a stool and started eating at the counter. I might love my friends, but I'm hungry, and I can't count on zoning out to distract me from those two clowns. Although just thinking of that makes me chuckle as I bit into another piece of bread.

Before I could really start to enjoy my private meal I heard footsteps entering the kitchen. Acting nonchalant so whomever it is doesn't question why I'm hiding away, I turned to see Yuri holding her dirtied dish and offering a small smile.

"I wasn't sure where you disappeared to." she offered as she made her way to the sink and began idly cleaning her dish.

"Oh, heh, it was just a bit cramped in there is all. I thought the two lovers would like the couch to themselves for a moment." Things went quiet as Yuri cleaned her plate and leaned on the counter next to me, clearly lost in thought.

"Natsuki, I… I know this isn't the time but I wanted to thank you for this week. We haven't shared too much… or found time to be alone that often… but, every day I find it easier to let go of all the tension I build up hiding who I am when I'm with you. Which is silly… I haven't really shared much with you, but that can change! I think I can talk about my worries with you, I want to." she shook her head. "Oh come on, Yuri, get it together. That's not what I wanted to say. I keep fumbling my words even in my own head and I don't know how to get this out."

I laid down my fork and put my hand on her arm to get her attention, "Just spit it out, you're worrying too much. You can say what you want around me, and if anyone should be thanking anyone it's me." I couldn't help but smile as I turned to lean on the counter to match Yuri. "You've had a million reasons to push me away at this point but you've just… stayed. I know I struggle to talk about things, and you do too, and that's okay. But I feel better when I'm around you too. I thought you'd kick me to the curb after I, er, found out about…" I clumsily gestured to her arm and immediately felt ashamed for how I'm treating her serious problem. "O-or maybe when I brought attention to our crushes because I was so ready to just rush headfirst into a relationship right then! Thank you for letting us stay friends after all this, at the very least."

"N-no!" Yuri tensed up and redoubled her effort to speak steadily, "It's. I. It's about that. All of it, but mostly us being… friends."

"Yuri, please tell me this isn't."

"Let me collect myself. Please." I can't help but worry, my hearts dropping into my stomach and this sounds like it's either exciting or terrible.

It has to be exciting right?
But why am I so scared?

"Yuri, just let me talk for a moment. It's about the both of us, and I'll listen to you all day if that's what you want, but I have questions and maybe we can talk this out."

Yuri closed her eyes and took a breath, maybe I annoyed her, but she just nodded for me to continue.

I continued in a hushed tone, "Look, I'm alright with taking things slow, or waiting until you're ready, but… I want to know if I even have a chance here or if you're just being nice." I turned my gaze to the kitchen entry. It was hard enough admitting any of these fears but I couldn't handle our friends hearing me pour this out right now. "I don't get crushes that often, for all I know you felt this and immediately saw through it. I need to know if you're already convinced there's nothing here, because I really want to try this and if there's no chance of that… I think I'd like to know that instead of waiting because you're too nice to drop me." I swallowed my dread and waited on her to say something.

Please be wrong.

With my heart sufficiently sinking from my own words, I starred almost longingly at the exit hoping everything will be okay. That by bringing this up I didn't ruin things.

"It's not that-" I felt a wave of relief, "I've been thinking about us a lot lately… And I have to admit I keep asking why we shouldn't be together as anything more than friends. There…. are a lot of reasons why." She sighed as I turned to focus on her.

"Like what?" I asked. There couldn't really be, could there?

"I… don't know if we should talk about all of that now. But to put it simply, I don't feel like I'm good enough for you. I know I told you. I know what you'll say, and I appreciate it, but I just wanted to wait in the hopes of somehow becoming better. I thought maybe if I tried hard enough I could just become good enough. I hate what I am, Natsuki. I hate that I hide from everything because I don't fit in. I hate that people compliment me for being smart when all that really is is a side effect of me burying myself in books to forget about life for a little while. I hate that I have to listen to everyone talk behind my back and pretend like I'm oblivious. I'm a coward. I don't fit in anywhere and I'm too scared to try." She's shaking. I can't stand watching her berate herself like this.

"Yuri…"

"I-I'm fine. I'm being overly dramatic, as usual. I, I have the club. And friends like you. It's just… been like this for a long time. And the club only happened recently. I've been alone for a long time. Just my books to distract me. I'm rambling."

"It's okay, Yuri. I'm always willing to listen." I think that was okay to say, I don't want her to feel alone.

"Thank you. Maybe we can talk more about my problems some other time, preferably not in our friend's home. But thank you for listening. I got lost for a moment, so here's what I meant to say. I wanted to wait, but I've been thinking about it a lot this week."

"Are you trying to say?" I began. Yuri ignored me as she continued.

"I've been watching Sayori and Monika a lot more than usual this past week. The two of them were always great friends; Sayori has always been a relief for Monika's stress and Monika has always had an almost motherly approach to taking care of her club members. They were fine as friends, but they decided to become more. We all know what they go through, and yet they didn't wait until everything was fixed and perfect to get together."

"Yuri."

"I'm almost finished, just wait. Watching the two of them tonight made me… jealous. They had support as friends, but they have so much more now. I… want that. But I don't ever want to burden someone else with my problems. It's all unfair. But…"

"Yuri!"

"What?" she replied as she turned to face me.

No guts no glory.

I grabbed Yuri's arm and pulled her down as best I could as I stood up on the tips of my toes, jeez this isn't fluent at all. I caught only a glimpse of the utter shock on her face before I went for the kill and kissed her as hard as I could. I felt my whole body tense up as I strained to stay in charge of this moment. I'm done with these excuses. I loosened my grip on her arm and reached around to hold her tight as I continued my clumsy kiss. I felt Yuri happily sigh as she eased into it all, parting her lips and lowering herself just slightly so our kiss could work out a bit better, much to my relief.

I gently traced along her back as I began to ease off of her only to feel her push back into it. Her soft lips refusing to part with mine as her breath ran hot against my cheek. I felt my body lose it's stiff tension as I instead began to shake from the excitement as the entire energy of this took over. I want more. I want to taste her kisses, but I needed to tell her outright what I wanted.

I gently pushed into our kiss before pulling away only to see Yuri's serene expression as she began to breath heavily. I let go of the embrace and trailed my hands down to her own, holding them tightly, admittedly more for my sake than anything as I had hoped I could disguise how hard I was shaking.

Oh my god.
I'm shaking like a leaf.
I'm shaking so hard I can't think.
That was so much more than the last kiss.
Oh my fucking god.
Wait, speak, talk you idiot.

"Uh, heh, heh, pff, hahaha, I feel ridiculous, I can't stop shaking, I thought I could play it cool so badly, I was so sure I could. But look at me oh my god."

NOT THAT YOU IDIOT.

"I mean, I mean, I, uhm. Yuri."

COLLECT YOURSELF, DAMMIT.

I cleared my throat before trying again, "I, heh, Yuri, since I interrupted you I guess I'll ask. Do you want to be my girlfriend? I was willing to wait, and I still am if you don't want to rush this along but I want nothing more than to at least try, you know?" I still felt so giddy and the shaking wasn't going away at all, I must look so silly right now but I can't stop smiling. Yuri looks incredible, her face is as red as mine and while I've held her hands she's returned my tight grip tenfold as if I'd fly away if she let go. I could stare at her all day, she looks so surprised and utterly beautiful. Just watching her eyes as they trace all across my face; Like two amethyst focused intently on me. Gosh, I'm ridiculous, but I feel on top of the world right now.

"Nat… Natsuki, I, can we? I think I'd like to try, yes. Yes I'd like that." I didn't think her face could go any more red but saying that did just the thing.

"Yes! Hell yes!" I shouted as I pulled her hands to my sides and stood up for another kiss.

I couldn't possibly be any happier.
Girlfriends!
It's what we are now.
I can't believe this.
I've never felt so much before and I don't care about anything else.

Just as I heard Yuri happily hum in response, I tried my luck at pushing for a deeper kiss only to hear footsteps behind me again.

"Oh my! I didn't mean to interrupt, I was wondering what that noise was...I'll step out until you two finish." I pulled back as I saw Monika holding dirtied dishes and an almost gleeful expression which she was unsuccessfully trying to hide behind my free hand.

"Moni? What's going on in there?" Came Sayori's voice before she poked her head around the corner and quickly gathered what was happening as Yuri and I were still entangled even if our kiss was cut short. "Y-y-you two! Oh my gosh! That's so cute! I can't believe it! Who would have thought our little club would become so lovey dovey, you two look so sweet together oh my gosh! I never would have thought!" Sayori began to practically sing her joy as she bound up toward us before Monika quickly grabbed her collar and tugged her back.

Wait, I've got this.

"You better believe it!" I shouted as I pulled Yuri into a hug, she's so surprised by all of this that she's practically glowing red. "Yuri's my new girlfriend and I love her a whole lot, so get used to not being the only couple around!" I have such a wide grin on my face, my lord.

Sayori beamed as she began tossing questions our way but Monika quickly took control of the situation.

"Eh, hehe, I'll just leave these dishes on the counter. I think Sayori and I will be going to bed a little early tonight if you two don't mind. I'm so happy for you two but I don't think you want us poking in on your business just yet. We'll leave you be down here, Sayori and I will go ahead. Feel free to use the tv for whatever you please. And, truly, congrats! You two really are cute together~" Monika chuckled as she finished her statement and returned to pulling a still enthusiastic Sayori away.

"I'm not cute!" I called as they headed upstairs, which just received a giggle from the two in response. I'm in too much of a good mood to get irritated right now, it's fine.

I'm thankful Monika was there because I didn't consider how Sayori would react to that.
I'm glad we have such great friends.

"So, Yuri, heh, did I maybe embarrass you enough to change your mind about things?" I rubbed the back of my head as I threw a playful wink her way.

Yuri only laughed as she covered her mouth and grabbed my hand leading us to the living room.

"Love, you say?" she teased as she pulled me onto the couch, now covered in blankets and pillows that I suppose Monika brought out for the evening.

"Oh my god I said love. I was caught up in the moment, I'm sorry I just pushed this relationship to its limits seconds into it." I feel like a total fool.

"Mmmm~ maybe you're a little quick, but I think I liked the sound of it. You're cute when you're flustered though~" I'm going to scream, Yuri is teasing me and I'm going to scream.

"Y-yuri! You know I don't like being called that!" I protested.

"I'm not allowed to call my girlfriend cute?" She asked as she adjusted the bedding so the two of us could lay comfortably together.

Struggling to avoid pouting so openly I tried to explain, "W-well. Maybe you can say it. But don't go saying it too often, especially in front of others. Cute isn't… a nice word when others use it. They mean weak or little when they say cute. I don't like being weak or little."

Yuri frowned as she finished setting up our bed and pulled me into a hug before toppling over so we lay in our embrace, "I don't ever mean those things about you, Natsuki. If you don't like it I won't say it." I could die happy like this, she's so warm and even though we're laying on a couch, I feel like I'm in heaven.

"No… I think I like it when you say it. My heart won't stop telling me that right now."

"You're so cute, Natsuki~"

"Hush, Yuri~"

With that Yuri pulled the blanket over us and cuddled her way against me as I rested my head against her chest. I felt safe here, and she might not have said it, but I sure felt loved right now.