POV: YURI
"Uh, so- we actually worked out a schedule, but-" Monika announced to the room, raising a hand to absently fidget with the strands of brown hair going down her front. "…I think maybe we should just go ahead and do some individual reading for today. Calm our nerves a bit, yeah?"
You definitely look like you need it. I thought to myself, observing how nervous and uncomfortable our supposed Club President appeared to be.
But that wasn't really a fair observation to hold against her. After a confrontation like the one that'd just transpired, I would imagine anyone would be a bit shaken. In any regard, she'd most certainly handled it way better than I could have ever hoped to do myself.
I very nearly left the room, and I wasn't even involved.
Even now that the conflict had been mostly settled, I noticed my hands still shaking as I reached into my bag to pull out my book. No, I definitely wasn't in a position to say anything about how others handled tense situations.
"Fine." Came the curt voice of acknowledgement from the shorter, blonde-haired Natsuki as she moved away from our Club leaders and settled at the desk just across from mine. She echoed my action, leaning forward to rummage around her own bag for her reading material.
I was about to open my book and begin reading. Sinking into the comforting realm of written fantasy seemed like just the thing to calm my mind after such a rocky introduction. But then, something… gave me pause. I blinked, curiously observing my hands hovering just above the cover.
Without knowing exactly why, my gaze started drifting upwards until I was looking directly at the turned back of Natsuki. Her bent over pose seemed to indicate she'd already started reading.
A strange and nearly irresistible feeling had struck me like a lightning bolt, and I found myself oddly intrigued by Natsuki's character all of a sudden.
This in and of itself was perplexing enough. It probably went without saying that I'd never really had the biggest interest in other people, much to my parents' chagrin. And now here I was, craning my head to try and get a peek at the book she was currently reading.
I quickly realized the fruitlessness of my endeavor. There were no possible angles I could achieve from my current position that'd allow me to look past her shoulder, which only added to my curiosity.
It was perhaps a bit… presumptuous of me, but I never would have pegged Natsuki as the type of girl who'd willingly join this type of Club when we'd first been introduced on the train ride. Given what I'd seen her reading back then, she… hadn't exactly struck me as the literary type.
…although I'd admittedly thought the same of Sayori at the beginning. Maybe their presence here was an indicator that I needed to stop judging people "by their cover," so to speak.
Regardless, the short-tempered girl in front of me remained a mystery that as with any good detective novel, I was positively itching to solve.
Most of all, I wanted to know what type of books she enjoyed, and how they compared to my own taste. Did she read Fiction, or Non-Fiction? Well, statistically speaking, it was most likely fiction. But what genre? Comedy? Romance? …Horror, perhaps?
I felt my heart beating a little faster at the prospect of finally having someone who shared my atypical interest in the darker stories. Neither Monika nor Sayori seemed the type, but perhaps this one…?
Alas, I just couldn't see from here. And given how weird I'd look rising from my chair just to approach and peek over her shoulder, I only saw one other option available to me.
I could try asking her?
Almost immediately, I cringed at the rogue thought.
No. You absolutely can't do that. Much too scary.
But then again… I frowned, reconsidering. …so was joining this Club. Maybe it would be good for me to challenge myself a bit with such frightening tests. I- I should at least TRY and engage with the members here, or I might as well just read upstairs in the dormitories instead!
You'd just make a fool out of yourself as usual. Remember the Scamperer Lizard?
Well, yes, but- seeing as both me and Natsuki are members of this Literature Club, it would stand to reason that we would have more in common than with someone like Terry Boot. Perhaps we'd even find ourselves, to employ a Muggle expression, "on the same wavelength?"
You can't possibly know that for certain! You saw how she went off on Monika just a few minutes ago, do you really think you could bear conversing with THAT?!
Well, from what I've seen, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors are decently friendly with one another. Natsuki's main problem seemed to be with Monika's House. Logically, there shouldn't be any such issues between the two of us, right?
It's much too soon! You only just got here!
But doesn't Father always say that "I won't know if I'm ready unless I try throwing myself out there?" Granted, this would be the first time I actually tried following his advice, but-
"Hello? Is there something I can help you with?!"
I blinked, only now realizing that the girl I'd been staring at for all this time was now staring right back at me with intense, vaguely annoyed eyes. It would seem I'd been so caught up in my own mental debate that I'd completely failed to notice Natsuki turning around in her seat.
I felt my face heating up as my embarrassment grew. I could only imagine how weird I had to look in her eyes.
"Uh-" I tried speaking, only to have the words get stuck in my throat. I hadn't even reached the planning stages on how I was going to formulate my inquiry, and now I'd been thrown into a direct vocal confrontation with someone who didn't appear to have much in the way of patience.
She raised an eyebrow at my hesitation.
"Yes?" She prompted me.
Well, so much for good first impressions. Time to see how "throwing yourself out there" works out for you!
I took a deep breath, really hating the way my inner thoughts worked sometimes.
"A- apologies." I said, clearing my throat with a quick, dry swallow. "I- I must have gotten lost in thought. That, uh, that happens to me sometimes. Haha."
I forced myself to smile, trying to mimic how Father would ease up the atmosphere when talking to his clients. It didn't appear to have the same effect on Natsuki, however. If anything, her frown seemed to deepen.
Probably because Father doesn't show off any ugly braces when HE smiles. My thoughts added, quite unhelpfully. I quickly closed my mouth again, hiding my teeth from view.
"Okay." Natsuki said, rolling her eyes. "So was there anything you actually wanted from me, or…?"
"Uhm, well, as a matter of fact-" I replied, resisting the urge to mutter a quick "no, sorry" and abandon this train wreck of a conversation. I'd gotten this far already, it would be quite pointless not to get anything out of my troubles now.
"I, uh- I suppose I was just interested in hearing what, uh- what book, you're reading?"
I didn't even need to see the condescending 'are you serious' look in Natsuki's eyes to realize how awkward that had sounded. I'd known way before the words had left my mouth.
"It's called… Parfait Girls." Natsuki finally sighed, a soft tint of pink colouring her cheeks as she spoke.
I probably should have just thanked her for the response and left the whole thing off right then and there, but as was so often the case, my curiosity got the better of me. Even as my inner thoughts screamed at me to stop, I had to know more.
"Oh, I've… never heard of that series before." I said, against my better judgment. "It sounds very, uh, interesting, though. Could I perhaps… see the cover?"
Natsuki rolled her eyes again, but obliged my request all the same as she reached behind her to grab the book.
"Here." She said gruffly, holding it up towards me.
I felt what little remained of my enthusiasm plummet upon seeing the brightly coloured page of sparkle effects and floating desserts. At the center was a depiction of four vibrant teenage girls with exaggerated features, their ink enchanted to cheerfully smile and wave at me.
"Oh." I said dimly, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. "It's… a Manga."
I should have known. I recalled even seeing this very same sort of nonsense on the train. I supposed I'd just wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, thinking that maybe she just read that type of stuff to have something to do while traveling, but would pull out a real book with actual substance when in a Club like this. But, as I could clearly see now, that was evidently not the case.
"Yeah." Natsuki said, lowering the flimsy Manga as she narrowed her eyes. "What about it?"
"Oh nothing, it's just-" I started, but held my tongue at the last second. While it was difficult to gather even the smallest hint of respect for her and her little comic 'book,' I figured there was no reason to be rude. Despite the blatant disrespect she showed for this Club and its purpose by bringing such a thing, the best I could do was probably leave her be, and let the Club Presidents sort it out.
"…no, never mind." I said, hoping this would diffuse the situation.
"No, tell me!" Natsuki insisted, shifting in her seat to better face me. "Why do you have a problem with me reading Manga?"
"I don't have a problem with it." I lied, averting my eyes to my book again as I paged through to the spot I'd reached last.
"If that was true, you wouldn't have said 'it's just…'" Natsuki went off, apparently refusing to let this go. "It's just… what, exactly? You can't just start a sentence, not finish it, and expect me to move on without a reaction! Spit it out already!"
I sighed, and looked up to meet her eyes again. Despite the overly aggressive demeanor, I found myself much less intimidated by her now that I'd seen the childish material she was reading.
Very well. Let the record show that I at least tried to be the mature one.
"Well, it's just…" I said, choosing my words carefully to find the least harmful way to put this. "…with this being a Literature Club, I thought the goal would be for us to engage with actual Literature."
Her reaction was immediate.
"Excuse me?!"
At once, Natsuki had risen from her chair to stare at me as if I'd just slapped her directly in the face. For a girl of such short stature, she could get shockingly imposing when she wanted to.
I began shifting my head around, trying to find something to look at that wasn't Natsuki's incensed face. I could feel my heart going into overdrive.
"I- I didn't mean it li- I j- just a- asked if-" I tried to elaborate, with little success.
"What the fuck do you mean by 'Manga isn't literature?!' She bellowed, stomping forward to slam her hands onto my desk. "Explain yourself!"
I jumped at the sudden impact, wishing I'd just followed my instincts and not said anything.
Why couldn't my parents have been Unspeakables at the Department of Mysteries?! I thought regretfully. Maybe they could have given me a Time Turner so I could prevent scenarios like this!
It was an exceptionally stupid and unrealistic notion, but alluring all the same. A girl could dream, right?
As Natsuki didn't look very inclined to go away until I provided the explanation she'd demanded, I attempted to swallow the lump in my overly dry throat before trying to justify my statement.
"I- I didn't mean it with any ill intentions towards you!" I quickly assured her. "Based on the fabulous artwork I saw, your comic is obviously expertly drawn, and I would never claim otherwise, but- well, by its definition, Literature is about masterfully crafting a story or getting an intention across with written words!"
There, that should be satisfying enough to clear up the misunderstanding on all parts. I'd even extended an actual compliment towards her medium, just to fully disperse any antagonistic intent on my part. Let it never be said that I was unwilling to meet someone half-way!
"I do read Parfait Girls for the story!" Natsuki sneered, appearing to have no appreciation for my generous gesture whatsoever. "There are words in it, y'know!"
"Well, y- yes." I admitted. "But, a- and correct me if I'm wrong here, they're mostly just dialogue inside word 'balloons,' aren't they? The art is doing all the work, as opposed to an actual book where the author has to suck you in with beautiful and concise descriptions to establish a fitting mood."
At that, Natsuki's eyes narrowed.
"…you're trying to manipulate me."
"What?" I asked. "No, I'm not."
"You are!" Natsuki rudely pointed an accusing finger in my face. "Referring to my Manga as a 'comic,' while your stuff is 'an actual book!' You're trying to invalidate the things I like by labeling them as worthless just because they don't have to waste four fucking pages describing useless filler like what the main character is wearing!"
"Useless filler?" I repeated, struggling to keep my voice calm even as my heart kept racing faster and faster. But this time, it wasn't the usual fear that overtook my nerves.
It was annoyance.
"You d- don't think that's just a bit… close-minded?"
Natsuki shrugged.
"About as 'close-minded' as saying my book isn't real Literature just because you're a judgmental, pretentious bitch."
I blinked, momentarily thrown off my guard.
D- did she actually just call me that?!
"Hey, is- is there something wrong here?!"
I turned, and breathed a small sigh of relief at seeing Monika and Sayori rushing towards us, worried looks in their eyes.
Thank Merlin, some assistance.
"Yes, as a matter of fact there is!" Natsuki soured the moment by speaking up. She actually had the gall to gesture at me. "Would you mind telling Goth Girl here to buzz off? She just attacked me and my interests- completely unprovoked, might I add- telling me that my Manga sucks!"
"That- that is a blatant lie!" I exclaimed, rising from my seat. I wasn't about to let this… this nuisance frame me in front of the Club Presidents. "Y- you heard her, right?! S- she just called me a b-"
"Yeah, a bitch!" Natsuki finished for me. "Cuz' that's what you're acting like!"
"Okay everyone, let's all just calm down here!" Monika announced, a frown on her face as she looked between the two of us. "Natsuki, don't call Yuri a bitch."
"Oh, of course you would go and take her side!" Natsuki snapped, turning her attention to Monika. "Should have fucking known…"
"Monika's not taking any sides, Nat!" Sayori interjected. Then, looking less sure, she looked over at the President. "…you aren't, right?"
"I'm not." Monika nodded. "I'm not even sure what exactly happened here. But whatever it was, I'm sure we can settle this in a civil and respectable manner that doesn't involve calling each other names."
"I've already told you what happened!" Natsuki crossed her arms. "Do you think it's very 'civil and respectful' of her to come and insult my book just because she doesn't like it and thinks she's better than me?!"
Her words were so thickheaded, so inconsiderate, so unfair… I could almost scream.
"I'm almost certain that wasn't Yuri's actual intention, right?" Monika sent me a look.
"Naturally." I stated the obvious, having to force my voice low and calm. Though I could clearly feel my anger fuming beneath the surface, I refused to stoop to her level and lose my temper. "I merely wished to share my perspective. But if this is how Natsuki is going to react to my doing so, then I'll surely avoid to do so in the future!"
"Yuri…" Sayori began.
"Good!" Natsuki spoke over her. "Cuz' nobody even asked to hear your 'perspective'anyway! I already have one insufferable know-it-all in my House, I don't need another one here! Honestly, how egotistical can you-"
"Natsuki!" Monika exclaimed, voice hard. "You seriously need to be more respectful with how you speak to other members!"
"Oh right, because all of you have been so bloody respectful to me, right?" Natsuki bit back. "I've been really fucking lenient with this Club. I can even accept that it's a damn Slytherin running the show. But you can't expect me to just sit idly by when- Yuri, wasn't it…? yeah, when Yuri starts smearing the stuff I enjoy."
"P- perhaps you should t- train yourself to b- be more tolerant of constructive criticism then?" I suggested against my better judgment. Something about this girl's tone just made me unable to contain myself.
She surprised me by giving the same, humorless laughter as she had with Monika earlier.
"Oh, wow!" She then said. "Must have a great view from that glass cottage you're living in, you great bloody hypocrite!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"And j- just what is that supposed t- to m- mean, exactly?"
Why is my voice shaking so much?
Natsuki opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say anything, Sayori had stepped forward, and cleared her throat.
"O- kaay, girls." She said, giving us a very forced smile as she chuckled nervously. "It's our first meeting, we're still getting to know each other, and that can be very stressful in the beginning. How about you two just… go read by yourselves in each end of the room for now?"
"G- gladly." I said at once, appreciating her proposal. The less time spent in Natsuki's vicinity, the better.
"Jeez, freakin' finally." Natsuki groaned, before settling herself down at the desk once more. "Maybe now I can actually get some peace and quiet!"
I curled my hands into fists, and was just about to point out that since I'd been sitting here first, it really should fall on her to find a different spot to sit, but just then, a silent headshake from Monika stopped me in my tracks.
"Please, don't." She mouthed at me quietly, and handed me my book. "Just let it go for now, okay?"
I looked at the desperate pleading within her bright green eyes for a few seconds before exhaling, and grabbed my book.
Very well. Once more, I'd prove myself to be the bigger person (both figuratively, and literally) and walk away before any more conflict could arise.
It didn't make my fuming anger any more manageable as I turned on the spot to find a new seat in the opposite end of the room. Why should I be the one forced to leave for that- that child? I hadn't even done anything wrong!
Her hateful, blue eyes flashed through my mind, messing up my concentration when I tried opening my book. Already, I knew this wasn't going to work in the long run. Unless this Natsuki was dealt with, or, better yet, made to leave, this wouldn't be a Club I could thrive in. It was as clear as a Demiguise in hiding.
I took another deep breath, keenly aware of how hot to the touch my wand had become beneath my robes throughout this confrontation. I had to calm myself. Magic heavily responded to emotions, everyone knew that. Being in turmoil could very well cause it to go off by itself, which would mean disaster to myself and the people around me like Monika and Sayori. Oh, and Natsuki as well, I supposed.
Natsuki. I scoffed, looking at the girl who seemed to have no difficulties getting back into her so-called 'book,' with the way she sat, leaned over with her face buried away from view. Hurting the feelings of people around her was probably second nature to her.
What a deeply unpleasant individual. I thought, before attempting once more to dive back in to my own book.