It's Not My Fault We're Together!

Chapter 8: To Be Beside You (I Must Stand by Others)

A/N: Y'know, I wasn't really sure how to follow up the previous chapter in a way that felt... "natural", I guess? I don't want to lean on the manga too hard-and I think this will be the last chapter I do so more than incidentally-but I also don't want to just miss a big bit or make it so that this story is COMPLETELY incomprehensible to someone who's missed a chapter or two. This is the result.

...

"There's two tables open here." Hina said. "We'll go get our orders so you guys save us spots."

The group nodded in agreement as they began to take seats, Kuroki taking a chair positioned between both tables. Watching Uchi take a seat next to her, Yuri considered where she should place herself; for a moment, she considered seating herself beside Kuroki as the plain-faced girl had done before deciding that everyone else was probably just as excited to talk with the introvert as she herself was. This in mind, she hung back, watching as Asuka asked the two about their drink orders.

Mako glanced at Yuri as she noticed that the girl was standing aloof from the crowd and asked, "Yuri, do you wanna sit by Kuroki-san?"

"I'm fine." She replied. Turning once more to the table, she noticed that a chair at the second table's back was to Kuroki. Anyone who sat in it wouldn't be sitting next to Kuroki, per se, but they would certainly be sitting near her.

Well, it was a bit self indulgent, but...

...

"So, how'd your week of suspension go?" Anna asked, slouching in her chair as she turned to Yoshida.

The delinquent lifted her drink as she answered, "Meh, nothing special. Just did a bunch of worksheets."

Yuri watched the trio of toughs with interest. Although she had only seen them together a few times, she could tell there was a certain... openness between them. They spoke in insults, swore at one another, were unbearably rude together, and yet... there was a clear camaraderie between them. They seemed to be true friends.

Starting, Yuri realized that she wasn't sure if she had that with anyone herself. Mako was kind and giving, but... in a way, there was a distance between them. Mako cared and always tried to understand, she was kind and giving, but... sometimes, Yuri felt like she couldn't be her worst self around Mako. Or perhaps she couldn't be herself around Mako because she was the worst. Yuri wasn't quite sure.

"Have some."

Yuri glanced up as one of Yoshida's friends pushed a basket of Takoyaki in front of Mako. The kind girl offered a small smile and a nod as she thanked the delinquent for the food and introduced herself and Yuri. The introvert sat back and watched, occasionally nabbing a Takoyaki or two.

A buzz in her pocket announced Yuri had received a message, and for a moment she considered ignoring it. However, she eventually resolved to look, fearing that it might be important. Thus, she discreetly took it from her pocket and glanced down.

HINA: Hey, can we talk when everyone's done here?

Yuri blinked in surprise before glancing over her shoulder at Hina. The pink haired girl was talking with Asuka now, likely having done the same thing. Considering whether or not to respond, Yuri brushed the thought aside. For now, it would be best to focus on Kuroki.

As she considered this, the introvert found a bucket of fries being pushed towards her. Glancing first at the bucket and then up, she saw Anna smiling at her.

"Do you want some?"

Surprised at being noticed, Yuri accepted a few fries from the sleepy-looking girl. As she ate, however, she couldn't help but notice Anna staring at her with a small, knowing smile on her face. Just as she decided to ignore it, however, Anna asked, "So, who was it?"

Yuri blinked, taken aback by the question. As she opened her mouth to ask for clarification, however, the delinquent's smile broadened and said, "You haven't done much checking your phone while the teach's talking, right?" Pausing for a small chuckle, she added, "It's pretty obvious to anyone who does."

Nodding in understanding, Yuri self-consciously ran her hand over the pocket she had put the phone in as she replied, "It's just a... friend, who wanted to meet up after this."

"Boyfriend?" Anna asked, Her grin stretching a few inches wider.

Yuri blinked once more in surprise, blindsided by the unexpected question. Shaking her head, she answered, "No, just a friend." Unsure of how far to elaborate but feeling the need to avoid further questions, Yuri added, "I've kinda been fighting with her lately... I kinda have a habit of pushing people. She's ready to talk, but..." The introvert quietly cursed herself, realizing too late she had said too much. There was something disarming about the sleepy delinquent, and in front of her, Yuri couldn't help but loosen her tongue.

"Girlfriend, huh?" Anna said, her smile turning suggestive. "So. Are you ready to talk?"

Deciding to ignore the jab, Yuri considered Anna's question. If she had been asked a few hours prior, she would've said no. She didn't understand why Hina was mad then and even if she had, she wouldn't have known how to respond. But since then, she had talked to Mako and tried to understand how Hina felt. Yuri had spent the time to understand.

Yuri offered a small nod.

With a small thumbs-up, Anna said, "Good to hear-or see, I guess. It's nice to hear about things working out with people." As her smile returning to a small, relaxed line, she added, "It's one of my favorite things, really."

Yuri gave a small smile in response.

...

Yuri gnawed on a fry, considering what she had said to Anna. While it was true that she was emotionally ready to speak with Hina, she had no idea what she would actually say to the girl; their being 'proper' friends was fairly new and she wasn't sure what the dynamic between them was yet.

The introvert glanced over her shoulder, half-listening to Hina as she related some story about Akane.

As Yuri sat and listened, Kuroki glanced over her shoulder and took note of the introvert gazing in her direction. Each noticing the other, the two girls shifted in their seats to more comfortably face one another.

A moment of silence passed before Kuroki finally offered a smile and said, "Tamu-" She paused, shaking her head just slightly as if thinking better of her statement before instead asking, "Y-Yuri-chan, how was your week?"

Yuri blinked, surprised that Kuroki had remembered to use her first name this time. She supposed that even a moron like Kuroki could learn.

Rather than saying any of this, however, Yuri merely said, "That's my line. I sent you a message, but you never responded."

Kuroki's smile turned to a chagrined grimace as she answered, "W-well, all you sent was 'So?' How was I supposed to respond to that?"

Shaking her head as a small smile took shape on her face, Yuri changed the subject, saying, "I was waiting for you. You and Yoshida-san both."

"Huh?" Kuroki said, unsure of how to reply. After a moment, she simply said, "I-I see..."

She paused, glancing at the ground as a light blush formed across her cheeks. Finally, she turned once to more to Yuri and said, "W-well, I'm back. Hehe."

Yuri's smile took full shape as she replied, "Welcome back."

The words hung in the air for a moment before she quickly turned around, unceremoniously bringing the short conversation to a close. The introvert reflected that if even a blundersome idiot like Kuroki could care, she herself certainly could.

Reaching for fries as she considered this, Yuri found herself grasping at empty air. Anna, who was doing the same thing beside her, said, "Huh, we're all out?"

With a small smile, Yuri answered, "I ate a bunch, so I'll get us some more."

Anna offered a small appreciative wave, saying, "Thanks." as the introvert rose.

Turning to Yuri with a good-natured smile, Mako asked, "Should I go instead, Yuri?"

"Nah," Yuri said with a small shake of her head, thinking to herself that tonight had gone surprisingly well.

As she walked away, however, she couldn't help but notice Anna send her a small thumbs-up.

***Chapter 8: Good End***