Sayori and Natsuki watched as Yuri left and chased after Monika. With the two of them alone now, they felt a little awkward, unsure of what to say to each other, so they just stood there nervously for a while until Sayori quietly spoke up.

"So, uh... "

"You're a dummy, you know that, Sayori?" Natsuki said, shaking her head.

"Huh?" Sayori was shocked, that wasn't exactly what she was expecting Natsuki to say to her.

"I was so scared when you ran off like that. You're a lot faster than I thought you were. I couldn't keep up, but thanks to Monika I was able to find you. But mostly, I'm sorry for what happened.'

"No, I'm the one that's sorry," Sayori said in a forceful tone. "I took off on you. I couldn't stop them from tearing your manga up, and I made you scared because of what I did. The thing is, what those bullies said really got to me, and I didn't know what else to do but run."

"It's okay, Sayori. I'm not upset that you ran after everything they did, because I really do understand that. I was just scared because I felt alone without you by my side. And I'm sorry that you got involved in that situation because of me. You never should have been bullied by them, but because you're my friend, you were hurt, too. I've been bullied by people like them for my entire life. People who think that just because they're bigger than I am that they can do stuff like that to me. I can handle people like them. But then they turned their attention to you because you helped me, so what happened is entirely my fault.

"No, it's not your fault, Natsuki. I blamed myself for everything, even believed what they were saying to me, but that girl told me something when she was helping me. She said that I should never listen to what bullies say, because they are just trying to hurt me. It wasn't your or my fault, it was them. They are the ones that said those things, and did those mean things to you." Sayori offered Natsuki a smile to reassure her. Natsuki stood there and sighed.

"Listen, Sayori, I'm going to tell you something. Something that I've never really told anyone before, so you better not tell anyone else. Okay?" Sayori nods her head. "Ever since I was a little girl, I've been dealing with bullies at school, but school isn't the only place where I have to deal with stuff like this. The thing is, my dad is a bully himself. He barely feeds me, and some days he hits me. Other days, he just insults me. Those are probably the good days, if you could call any day good. He mocks my interests and even tore some of my other manga, which is why I started keeping it in my locker, because he wouldn't be able to get it here. Obviously that didn't work out so well. I used to have some friends when I was younger, but because I was bullied, people started to avoid me because they didn't want to get bullied themselves. So, I decided that if no one got close me, no one would get hurt. That's why I put that tough girl act on, so that people would leave me alone. And even then, you came along and still wanted to be my friend. At first I thought you must have been pretty dumb to want to be friends with someone like me, but you stuck with me. You're the only person that I've ever felt truly safe with. Safe from harm, safe to be myself. But then you got hurt anyways."

"But you make me feel safe, too. Even with what happened, I feel safe with you. And if you're telling things about yourself, it's only fair if I tell you about me. Natsuki, I have depression. I… know it may seem weird that the 'smiles and happy' girl has depression, but it's true. Just like you have your tough girl act, I have my own, only it's how I seem to act around everyone. The real reason I ran off like that, is because I believed what those bullies said to me. And when they said to just kill myself, and that I was a waste of space… I don't know, it just set me off. When he said I should just kill myself, honestly, I was strongly considering it, but then I ran into her and into Yuri. She, uh, helped me calm down and got me into a better place."

"Well, we should both get an award for our acting, huh?"

"Ehehe, yeah." The two shared a brief moment of laughter before standing in silence again. It was a lot for both of them to digest.

"Sayori?"

"Yeah?"

"I, uh, I just wanted to tell you that I'll always be here for you, you know, if you ever want to talk about how you're doing. Also, if anyone ever tries to bully you again, I'm gonna punch them in their dumb face." Natsuki and Sayori shared a laugh that they both needed.

"I don't think that's necessary. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me. It would make me feel bad. And if I find out you got in trouble, I'd be super mad at you, because you promised you wouldn't."

"Then you have to promise me one thing, too, Sayori. Promise me that you'll always be here for me to feel safe. That you'll always have your arms open when I need a hug. That you'll always be my friend."

"I promise, Natsuki."

"Good, because I would have been super pissed if you said no." Natsuki walked up to Sayori and hugged her, trying to hold back tears. "You're important to me, you know."

"And you're important to me, too."

Sayori and Natsuki held each other close, making each other feel safe the way only they could for each other. "Sayori, can I tell you something else? I was too nervous to tell you earlier, but since we're being more open with each other now, I feel better telling you now, and I don't want to miss my chance."

"Yeah. Of course you can."

"Well, I kind of like you. Like, more than just a friend, if you know what I mean. And, if you're okay with it, I'd like to be more than friends."

"Wait… I thought we already were?"

"Huh?" Natsuki gave her a confused look.

"Oh, wait! Maybe I only asked in my head. I space out sometimes, and sometimes I forget."

Natsuki couldn't help but laugh. "So, then, my offer still stands. How about it, Sayori?"

"Sounds like fun, cupcake."

"Cupcake?"

"Just a little nickname for you, ehehe~!"

"Ah. I kinda like it, but don't call me it in front of anyone else. Got appearances to maintain," Natsuki said with a big grin.