DDLC: Our Time

Chapter 10: Tea Time

Alex made his way into the classroom after school for the next club meeting. When he made his way inside, he was surprised to find that Yuri was the only one in the room. He made his way in and set his backpack down on a random desk.

Yuri was standing by a table in the back of the classroom, carefully working on something he couldn't see. Hearing his footsteps, Yuri turned around to face the door. Seeing that it was Alex, she took in a nervous breath.

"Oh, Alex...good afternoon. How are you?" She asked, clasping her hands behind her back. Alex nodded to her and smiled politely.

"Doing good. Looks like we're the only ones here, huh?" He pointed out with a faint chuckle.

"Yes," She nodded. "That's most unusual actually. Typically, one or two of the other members would have arrived by now." She said, glancing up at the clock.

"I see...hmm. Weird. What're you up to?" He asked curiously, leaning to the side a little to try and peek around her. Yuri took a small step to her left, revealing a tea set on the table.

"I thought that I would go ahead and prepare the tea since the others aren't here yet. Hopefully I can finish before they all arrive." She said.

"Need any help?" Alex offered.

"That's okay. You don't need to if you don't want to. I don't mind taking care of it myself." Yuri said.

"That's fine. I'm not really doing anything anyways," He said with a chuckle. "What can I do to help?" He asked, approaching the table. Yuri blushed a little, curling her fingers and pressing a hand up to her chest.

"Um...I just need to fill the kettle with water now and heat it up. If you follow me, I'll show you where the water fountain is." She said.

"Water fountain. Roger that," Alex nodded and picked it up. "Lead the way."

Yuri and Alex quietly exited the classroom and started walking down the hallway. Alex held the kettle with both hands steadily while Yuri walked next to him. Yuri's hands stayed down at her sides, her vision angled slightly towards the floor.

"Thank you for accompanying me." She said quietly.

"Of course, no problem," He said with a nod. "How are you doing today? Your day been good?" He asked.

"It was fine," She answered with a nod. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Good. Yeah me too. That's how I prefer it. The less I have to focus on the lessons, the better." He said with a chuckle.

"You don't enjoy your classes?" She asked.

"Does anyone really?" He asked jokingly and rhetorically. "I usually write and draw during class. Once I've completed the work, that is. It's pretty easy."

"Oh, I see. Do you do that often?" She asked curiously.

"Every day." He answered.

"Wow. That's impressive." She complimented him.

"Heheh, I don't know about all that. Oh hey, there's the water fountain!" Alex pointed it out. He quickened his pace, walking ahead of Yuri to reach it first so he could begin filling it up.

Yuri said nothing as she walked up next to the fountain, watching the water flow into the kettle and fill it up. She wanted to be welcoming to Alex, but she could tell that he had a tendency to keep details about himself to himself...just like her.

"Hey, Alex?"

"Mhmm?" He lifted his head and looked at her.

"Are you...uncomfortable with sharing your writing with others?" She asked.

"Uhh..." Alex finished filling up the kettle and pulled it away from the fountain. "Real quick, where to next?"

"T-The, erm, the teacher's lounge. Follow me." Yuri started walking. Alex followed her. She thought that Alex was avoiding the conversation. However, he spoke up again.

"I have very specific tastes when it comes to my writing. It's the kind of thing where if you're into it, you'll probably really like it. But if you aren't into it, it'll seem really...silly. I get judged pretty hard for it sometimes, so it makes me unsure of what to share, you know?" He explained.

"I understand...I've experienced the same issue when it comes to the book series that I enjoy. I find some who share my interests online, but it's a bit more difficult to find those kinds of people in person." She said. Alex nodded in agreement.

"Yep! So yeah, sounds like you know pretty much exactly what I'm saying." Alex said. Yuri nodded and managed a small little smile.

"I understand...well, if it would make you feel more comfortable to share, you could tell just me sometimes. I promise that I won't judge you as others have, even if I don't understand." She promised.

"I appreciate that. Thanks, Yuri."

The two of them reached the teacher's lounge. Yuri opened the door, confirmed that it was empty inside, then went in first. Alex followed her in.

"May I take the kettle?" She requested.

"Yeah, here." Alex handed it to her. Yuri took it and placed it down on a stove. She turned it on and started to heat it up.

"You're pretty big on tea, huh?" Alex said.

"Yes. I find it to be both relaxing and mentally stimulating. It's perfect for a good book; it's soothing, yet it's like fuel for an active mind." She explained. Alex nodded.

"I'mma try it this time." He said.

"Huhu, you don't have to," Yuri said with a giggle. "If it's not within your tastes-"

"I know, but I still want to," Alex said. "Just to say I tried it once, you know?"

"...then I will make a little extra." She said with a little smile.

A few minutes passed in silence. Alex stuck his hands in his pockets, waiting for Yuri to finish. Once they were done, they exited the teacher's lounge and began making their way back to the classroom.

"...sometimes I write fanfictions." Alex said to Yuri as they started to walk back.

"Hmm? I'm sorry?" Yuri turned towards him. She evidently didn't hear him.

"I...not all of my writing is necessarily original. Sometimes, I write things for TV shows and movies, characters that already exist. Nothing weird, really! I write normal stuff and I take it seriously, but it technically counts as fanfiction...

"That's the reason why I haven't shared anything. That doesn't exactly translate well to a Literature Club." Alex said, getting a little hot from his embarrassment. Yuri nodded in understanding.

"I see...do you only write fanfiction? Nothing of your own?" She asked.

"I mean...I have ideas. Some stuff is in the works. I just kinda bounce around." Alex answered generally.

"Oh. I don't see that as a reason to be embarrassed, Alex. You should work on what you enjoy. My opinion hardly matters, nor does anyone else's." She said.

"Yeah yeah, I know. But I figured I'd share anyways...since you offered." Alex said. Yuri blushed and smiled again.

"Ah...well, thank you for telling me. I promise to keep it to myself until you feel ready to share whatever it is you choose to share."

"Thanks. You're really nice, Yuri." Alex said.

"So are you." Yuri replied, turning away a little.

Alex and Yuri walked back into the classroom. They were surprised to see that everyone was here now: Monika, Natsuki, and Sayori. There was no way to enter the room subtly. Once they walked in, all eyes fell on them.

"Ohh so that's where you two were! Sneaking off!" Natsuki said with a little cackle.

"You ditched the club meeting without us?!" Sayori asked.

"Nobody ditched," Alex chuckled. "We were just getting tea ready." He explained.

"Mhmm suuuure." Natuski teased.

"What are you implying, Natsuki?" Yuri asked.

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all!" She giggled.

"Thanks for getting tea ready! We'll get started on the club meeting while you get the cups." Monika said.

"Okay." Yuri nodded and made her way towards the back of the classroom. Alex looked at the others and pointed to Yuri before following her back.

"Here." Alex said, getting the cups ready for her so that she could pour the tea.

"Thank you. Thank you for your help today, Alex. I appreciate it." Yuri said, smiling at him before pouring tea in the first cup.

"Anytime." Alex smiled back at her. He grabbed the first cup of tea and took a drink from it. His eyes widened, and an odd noise came out of his mouth as he swallowed it. Yuri covered her mouth and giggled at him.

"You didn't like it?"

"Mm noo." Alex shook his head, swallowing what was still in his mouth before putting the cup down. Yuri giggled again...