Natsuki's POV.
Somehow, this is the longest chapter yet. This could be a good thing considering what comes next.
"Monika! Get back here! I might even consider showing mercy if you surrender!" - I yell, trying my best to sound really angry.
I'm not actually mad at her, but hey, I've got all this energy that goes nowhere. Might as well do something with it. Plus I have the urge to kick her ass for all the shit she pulled before like putting my stuff where I can't reach it. Sure, it was nice when she gave me part of my lost collection, but that's not quite enough.
"Monika!...Monika? Come on, I'm not actually going to EAT. YO-KEE!"
Suddenly, I feel something heavy land on me. I don't have to look to know that it's the club president herself. Yeah, this is how I die. Crushed like a fucking Goomba. Man, if I knew this was going to be the ending, I wouldn't have signed up for this shit.
"Tag! You're it!" - Monika says before getting off my back and running away.
Okay, maybe death can wait until I get my hands around her thin neck. Where the fuck was she anyway? I couldn't see her anywhere. It's not like she could just disappear like a ghost...r-right? I mean...if Yuri and I turned into monsters, then why would she still be human?...Nah, I'm overthinking it. Besides, Kazuki is still fine.
"You...bitch..." - I try to shout, but it comes out as something closer to a chirp than anything threatening.
That's how it always goes with her. First she does something stupid, then I get angry and calm down in a few minutes. She's not always like this and she's actually okay in my book EVEN. IF. SHE. IS. A. LITTLE. BIT. TOO. THIN. TO. OUR. TASTE, but that's exactly what drives me mad. I swear one of these days...No, I'm not going to give her the reaction she wants. I've got other things to do aside from losing my marbles over Monika.
It takes a few minutes, but I manage to calm down completely. I should take care of my anger issues at some point in the future. Well, that and...
Now that I think about it...I completely forgot about my phone. Something tells me I shouldn't check my messages or call history. I'd rather not read any of it. It's not like I have to see him ever again unless he decides to pay me a visit in school, but I never told him where it is and I really doubt he gives a fuck about where I study as long as I do it. I think it's safe to say at this point that turning into some kind of freak of nature isn't such a bad thing...Wait...I remember wishing upon a star for something like this...Does it actually work?
...No, that doesn't explain why it happened in such a weird way or why Yuri was affected as well. I don't think we'll ever find out how or why it happened. Not that it matters anyway. Honestly, if it wasn't for my hands or the whole thing with losing control from time to time, I wouldn't mind it at all.
When I come back to the living room, I see Kazuki still sitting in the same spot. WHAT. IS. THERE. NOT. TO. LOVE. ABOUT. HIM?...Anyway, I think I had enough for the day. While the sun hasn't set yet, I still feel like I need some rest.
"Ah, you're back. We were worried about you." - he says and I can see why they would be worried about me.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired. I think we should continue this reading session later. Hopefully with less readers." - I say before taking my usual spot on the couch. I am free to sleep on his bed, but the couch feels much better. I also don't want to accidentally ruin his bed.
"OKay then. I'll leave you be." - he says before leaving the room. Yuri is still there, but I know that she's not going to make much noise.
The weather is great today
Not a single cloud in the light blue sky
As I turn another page, I look around the classroom
Friends
I can't imagine my life without them
This is my safe haven
Nothing can hurt me
And yet, the door opens
He is here
HE. CAME. TO. SLAY. US. FOR. GLORY.
HE. TASTED. SOUR.
AN. OLD. MAN. ENTERED. OUR. DOMAIN.
HE. WAS. MERELY. PASSING. THROUGH.
HE. REEKED. OF. DEATH. AND. WE. LEFT. HIM. ALONE.
A. WOMAN. WITH. A. CHILD. ENTERED. OUR. DOMAIN.
THEY. NEEDED. SHELTER. BUT. WE. DID. NOT. LIKE. HER. FACE.
SHE. TASTED. BITTER.
A. LITTLE. GIRL. ENTERED. OUR. DOMAIN.
SHE. GOT. LOST. AND. WE. WANTED. TO. PLAY.
SHE. WAS. SO. SWEET. AND. SO. FRAGILE.
A. YOUNG. MAN. ENTERS. OUR. DOMAIN.
HE. KNOWS. US.
WE. KNOW. HIM.
I wake up. What was that dream all about? I had weird dreams before, but none of them were as clear as this one...well, the first part was somewhat blurry, but the second felt almost real. I'm actually grateful for that sudden change even if it was pretty violent. I really didn't want to see what that fucker would do even if it's all just a dream.
Well, looks like it's nighttime already. I didn't expect to sleep for so long, but now I feel better. It's almost as if Monika didn't jump on me. And so I get up from the couch and start wandering around the house. Monika should be gone by now and Kazuki is most likely sleeping, so, that leaves only Yuri.
I can't find her anywhere in the house, which means she's outside again. I don't think she spent even a single night here without going out for a flight. I can't really blame her. If I could fly freely, I would do the same thing. With that said, I go outside. Just as I expected, she is there, standing on the roof like some kind of a superhero. While there is wind to blow her hair around, Kazuki's house is not tall enough and this isn't the right kind of town for this, so, the atmosphere isn't quite right. Plus she looks more like a villain with her current appearance.
It doesn't take me much time or effort to climb up to the roof. I try not to get too close to her before starting a conversation so the height difference wouldn't matter much. I really don't feel like having to look up all the time. It was bad enough before, but now she's like what, 7'5"?
"Hey there. Got anything on your mind?" - I ask and she almost falls off when she hears my voice.
"N-No...I'm just...It just feels so good to simply stand there and let the moon shine down upon me..." - she replies. A long pause follows. Looks like I have to keep the conversation going myself.
"So, when are you going to take flight?" - I ask. I never actually saw her take off, so, I want to see it. Either that or...
"Oh, um, I can do it right now. I have more than enough time on my hands. Why do you ask?" - she asks in response.
"...Can I tag along?" - I ask. Seeing her fly is one thing, but actually knowing what it feels like is another. Even if it won't be the full experience, I still want to give it a shot.
"Sure. I didn't know you could fly though." - she replies as she tries to find anything on my body that could allow me to fly.
"What? That's not what I mean. Can't you...like...carry me or something?" - I ask, trying not to make it sound awkward.
"I can...but that would take more effort from me...so..." - she replies and I really don't like the expression on her face. While her subtle smile isn't anything to worry about, her eyes tell a different story.
"...So?" - I repeat.
"So I want some form of compensation for this. I-It's nothing you can't afford, so, don't worry! There's just..." - she tries to say something, but it seems that she can't put it into words. Eh, I'll take this risk.
"Whatever it is, I'm fine with it. You can tell me what you want later. Now let's just get to the fun part!" - I say, eager to get on the ride...wait, that doesn't sound right...
"Okay?...Uh...how are we going to do this?" - she asks and that's something I didn't think of...hm...
"I think I have an idea, but it might be awkward." - I reply. When I receive no answer, I beckon her to come closer. Once she's close enough, I sit down with my legs pressed against my chest and my extra legs folded in a way that would let her hold me without problems. They are supposed to be able to carry my weight on their own, so, I don't think they are going to snap off in the middle of her flight.
"...I see. Very well. Prepare yourself." - she says before grabbing me by my makeshift handles.
And oh boy, I really should have listened to her when she told me to prepare myself. I didn't expect her to jump up so high with such high speed. I didn't even hear her flap her wings. I try my best not to uncurl and make Yuri drop me. Of course, it gets even harder to keep my shit together when she actually starts flying. She's like a fucking fighter jet or something. I can barely breathe when she's moving so fast. Even if I can hold my breath for several minutes, I still need oxygen. Eventually, she notices that and stops.
"Ah! I-I'm sorry! I-I-I forgot about that!" - she apologizes, but I don't pay much attention to it.
"Yuri...that was FUCKING AWES- OH SHIT!" - I shout when I decide to extend my arms and legs out like a dumbass and almost make us fall. Fortunately, that doesn't happen. Thank you, Yuri.
"Na-What th- Be careful!" - she yells and I go back into my spider bag pose.
"I'm sorry..." - I mumble. I can't see her face due to my pose, but I can easily imagine her glare.
"...So, do you want to continue? I can go back to his house if you want to." - she asks after a long pause.
"Nah, it's fine. Just don't forget to stop every now and then, will you?" - I reply. In a few seconds, she resumes her flight, but she is obviously slower now. It's not quite as exciting, but at least I don't have to worry about my face getting torn apart anymore.
"No." - I say. I can imagine the look on my face right now.
"But you said you were fine with it." - she reminds me.
"Yes, but...Where did you even get this thing? Why do you still have it?" - I ask, totally not trying to delay anything.
"A-I-Well y-I told you not to ask!" - she replies with a pink hue on her face. I do remember her telling me that a few days ago, but that was before I actually found out what she was talking about.
"I have a very good reason to ask, Yuri! You told me that it's something fancy looking, but a fucking black victorian dress? Really?! Who wouldn't ask where it came from?...Uh, fine!" - I finally give up. If she told me that this is what she wanted, I wouldn't have agreed!...I think...Well, it was a good experience, but...
Why does she want to see me wear it anyway?
