"Hey, someone get Yuri for me and tell her that the stew is almost ready." I shout from inside the kitchen.
I press the bridge if my nose. "Oh, right." I remind myself. "Never mind. Come eat, anyway." I set out the bowls- three of them- and serve a generous portion to all. I made a little extra.
Both sit down excitedly, especially Natsuki. She whiffs it, savoring the food with a deep sigh and a small suck of drool. Right before she stuffs herself with as much as she can, I stand up and put a palm against her forehead.
"Eh? What's this?"
"You need to slow down eating. I know it's not normal for you to eat slowly, but you don't have to worry anymore. I'll make sure you have full, regular meals from now on, so I'm also going to make sure that you don't eat like a hog." She recoils at that, giving me a sharp glower. "I'm not trying to insult you too bad, but people really see that kind of thing. Sorry."
"Right, yeah, whatever... I know you only want what's best for me and stuff..."
"Yeah... If Yuri were here, she'd probably say the same thing, albeit much less crudely..."
"Come on!" I look back up to Natsuki in surprise. "Let it go! Enough with the whole Yuri thing. It's not like she's lost forever! It's been literally half a day- no, not even that! It's been a couple of hours, and you're pouring your heart out onto the floor because you miss her! You're acting like you have to attend her funeral tomorrow or something!"
I blink twice. "O-Oh... Right." I realize that what she was saying was true. "I guess I'm just a little addled, that's all. You are right about that. I should realize that Yuri can handle herself just fine. She doesn't need me breathing down her neck all the time... I'm sorry, you two."
"It's alright, I know what it's like to miss someone you love..." Sayori nods solemnly.
"Right. Your parents have been away for a long time overseas." I remember.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, that's what I meant." she mumbles. Natsuki gets up and puts a hand on each of my shoulders.
"I'm not trying to steal you from her or anything, but I'll say it again: if you need anything..."
"Right. I got it."
"Yeah. It can't be you helping me every time. You better find me if you need something. I mean it, even small stuff, like finding your phone or something!"
"I understand. Really. Thanks, Natsuki. You're the best."
"No way. The best out of any of us is you." Sayori and I are taken back by that compliment. After a couple of moments, Natsuki's face burns up in an instant. "D-Don't make me repeat that!"
I pull Sayori away, giving Natsuki a grateful nod, which her blush fades a little bit at. She nods back, trying to calm down. Everyone goes back to eating normally, with Natsuki making sure to take it easy and eat like we are. It's clear she wants to dig in, but controls herself. I give one more nod to her, which she giggles a little bit at.
We eat in silence for a moment.
"Hey, guys. I, uh, have to go to the bathroom..." Sayori shifts her eyes a bit before hurrying off. After a couple of moments, Natsuki taps the side of her bowl a few times. I look up from my food to see that she is giving me a nervous look.
"I know what you're thinking." I warn.
"I know, I know! We aren't actually alone alone, but I mean..."
"What would Sayori think if she discovered us?"
"I'm sorry, okay? It's just... I can't have just one taste and be satisfied..."
"Yeah, yeah, I understand. That's a weird way to put it, by the way."
"Sorry."
I sigh. "If you really want, we can talk and you can vent some feelings later if you want."
She scrunches her face in a rare shy smile. We continue eating without Sayori. The silence of not having her here is a little strange, but I guess some peace and quiet is nice every now and then. I think of turning on the TV just to have some white noise to overpower the sound of eating, but decide against it out of laziness alone. Natsuki starts to compliment me on my cooking, but is cut off by the doorbell ringing suddenly. It surprises us both, making us jump a little bit.
"Who could that possibly be at this time?" I ask aloud to no one in particular as I move across the living room to answer. Natsuki cranes her head over to see better as I open up.
"Yuri!?" She gives a hard nod in the cool dusk air. "What are you doing here? You should be with your parents, right?"
"Well, yes. I should." She looks a little downcast.
"So why are you at my house? Here, come in and you can explain." I start to get worried about whether or not she was allowed back.
"Who is it?" Natsuki shouts from the kitchen table.
"It's Yuri!" I shout back. As the girl in question takes a prim seat on the couch, I sit closely and cuddle her a bit with my arm around her shoulder (a bit difficult, considering her height, but I manage).
"Shouldn't she be with her parents?"
"She was just about to explain that. Come sit in here." Natsuki hesitates for a second, then decides to bring her bowl into the living room too to keep eating.
"Okay..." Yuri gives her hair wring out of being nervous; one of her many mannerisms. "I was on my way to meet once more with my parents, as was planned, to receive their conditions for my return home." Natsuki and I both nod but stay silent so she can continue. "On the way to my house, I was stopped by an interesting looking character. She was wearing her school uniform, but I'd never seen her around there before, so I presumed she was new to the school."
Natsuki perks up suddenly. "New girl, you said? Was she a brunette with bright green eyes?"
"Yes, that's her."
"Her name is Monika. I met her today too."
"Ah, I wasn't able to get her name before. Thank you. Anyway, it was her that convinced me and set me straight to help me make my own decision." Yuri clears her throat. "Anyway, we did talk for a while, and I learned that she was keeping an eye on the literature club because she wanted to join. It led to her overhearing some trialogue between you all after I left. She told me how the boy in class was 'pretty beat up about me leaving'... She helped me understand how it was with her own parents, and that me going back to mine would probably mean I was throwing away something that was much better than I realized."
"So... what did you do?" I ask.
"After our talk, I got to thinking about my life thus far. The time with my parents is all I've ever known, but... the happiness I've felt in the past few months of my life have put my whole world into a different perspective. I realized that life isn't about being a stickler and sitting up straight. It's about being fulfilled and making something out of yourself. If I had gone back to live with my parents, it would have been the same as throwing the life I have here away. I'd live perfectly and properly, get married to someone rich and die a peaceful life without stress nor worry."
"Sounds okay to me..." Natsuki mumbles.
Yuri doesn't hear that. "There occurred to me one more thought after all that: if you can have anything you want right exactly when you want it, then what's the point of living? Everything loses value when you can just have it. I don't want to be rich anymore! I want to live with you and be happy!"
I'm stunned. "Yuri... do you know what you've given up?"
She takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Yes. I do."
I can't help but shake my head a bit. "It's just... Are you sure?" She nods confidently. "What did your parents say? Oh, wait..."
"By the time I had arrived at my house, my parents were waiting in the foyer for me. We greeted formally as always and when I sat across from them my father began to speak of his youth and how he also went through a rebellious stage in his own life. I listened for long enough and then it was my turn to speak."
"... What did you say?"
"I merely informed them of what I had learned on this adventure of mine up until then. Along with that came a few remarks that they were less than pleased to hear. I remained respectful and formal, as I was raised, but even by those terms, I really, as they say, 'dropped a bomb' on them! I was asked to leave again, and not to return unless for a business proposal. I bowed, thanked them for their time and the tea, and left without another word. I never even looked back as I took a relaxing walk back here, which now I am."
Natsuki and I can't seem to find anything to say. How could we? A heavy, damp silence fogs the air. Yuri looks almost nervous, but knows I'd never think bad of her.
Just then, Sayori hurries out from the back, looking disheveled. "Oh, crap, Yuri's already here..." She picks herself up and mats her hair down. "I mean- oh, wow, Yuri's here! I was just surprised, that's all..."
"Hello again, Sayori!" Yuri waves, reveling in her friend's startle. "I bet you're wondering why I'm here instead of at my old house!"
"Yes. Tell me. Now."
"Heehee! I rejected their offer! I'm a free woman now!"
Sayori looks sickly pale. She leans on the wall and uses a nearby shelf to support herself. "Yeah... how great for you..."
"Hey, are you okay, Sayori?" I get up to help, but she waves me off.
"I-I'm fine. Really... I'm just not feeling too well all of the sudden." I lead her over to the couch so she can sit beside Yuri. I sit on Yuri's other side after scooting her to the middle. Sayori is trying to take it easy.
"Something is wrong. I know it." she whispers to herself. "Things aren't going as planned..." She shakes her head to herself. Yuri tries to comfort her, and Natsuki also offers a pat on the shoulder.
"We're all here for you Sayori. Whatever is bothering you, you can always ask for help from us. We won't judge you."
Sayori gives a sad and empty chuckle. "I wish I could ask for help..." she peeps out. The others look worriedly at each other and me. Sayori rubs her own face a bit, yawning. Natsuki yawns to, then Yuri and I. She gets up, shaking off all of us. Without a word, she heads for the door.
"Thanks for the stew. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm not feeling well; I'm going home to lay down."
We all can only watch as she abandons us. None of us move as she exits the house.
"Wow, what happened in the bathroom?" Natsuki wonders aloud. I suspect something more than just tummy trouble. Sayori's only acted like that one time before... that was after when I passed out on my first day at the literature club. Whatever- or whoever- was bothering her was back. This time, though, I'm not the same person I was. This time, I'm going to find out what Sayori's up to and help her with all I can do, no matter what, whether she likes it or not. I'm not going to let her slip through my fingers this time around. It's time to make up for all those years Sayori cared for me, even when I didn't want her to.
"Yuri, have some stew. I'm going to find out what's bothering Sayori."
"Is that something you think you should do?"
"Sayori has never acted so depressed so suddenly. Something big is going on, and I'm going to find out what Sayori's up to and help her. I don't want either of you to worry."
Natsuki pouts a little in her seat. I remember my promise to her. "Hey... I'm sorry about this. Do you maybe want to do it later?"
She holds up a hand. "Don't worry. Sayori's been your friend for longer than I have. She needs the help more, anyway." Yuri looks confused at us.
I give a grateful nod and start toward the door to trail my childhood friend. I take a moment to think. Swallowing the little bit of worry pulling at my mind, I find Natsuki still at the same seat and I lean down to pull her into a standing position. I beckon for Yuri who joins us in a group hug. I make sure to get closer to Natsuki this time, even slipping her a kiss to the forehead to say I'm sorry. She hugs me a little tighter.
"I'll wait for you," she mumbles. Yuri hastily agrees, pushing me toward the door as I turn.
"Sorry, guys. I'll be back as soon as I can." They both just give a thumbs-up, with Yuri trying her best to imitate the hand gesture that Natsuki gives. I turn and head out, going straight to Sayori's house. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.
Whatever it is.