The next day, no matter how many times I called out to Sayori she didn't reply a single time. I have the spare keys to her house given to me by her parents, but that's only in case of emergencies and I haven't once used it. It's tucked safely away behind a picture frame in my bedroom.
"Sayori, we're going to be late!"
Anticipating that she'd finally answer my call and stub her toe again, I waited and waited, but all for naught as I eventually give up and proceed to school.
Heading towards the vending machines out back, I'm greeted with the same sight as yesterday. Natsuki's once again jumping for strawberry milk.
"Morning, Natsuki... I see you're-"
"Could you be quiet for one second!?"
I was lead to believe we could properly greet each other outside of clubs, or better yet not have the same repeat of yesterday's incident. Though not wanting to get my hand bitten off, I patiently wait.
"Argh, can't the vending machine guy put these things down a little more?"
That's a suggestion. Perhaps she could fill in a form and send it to the student council. Maybe they'll have the power to move it down one... two.
"Is it just me, or did they put it even higher!?"
"You're asking me?"
"No obviously, it's a rhetorical question. This damn thing is at its highest point already."
The bell sounded the moment after she manages to get her milk, which leaves me in a rush to chug my coffee. Though of course it'd totally ruin the experience, I'll hold on to it until lunch.
"Great, now we're late."
Popping the straw into her carton of milk, she casually sips through it unfazed by the bell. She clearly has her priorities straight.
"Yeah..."
"Well, what are you doing? Aren't you going to drink that?"
She points to the canned of ice coffee in my hand as though she wanted me to join her casual sipping club.
"I'll save it for later."
Slipping it into my bag, she simply shrugs her shoulders and walks away.
"Suit yourself, it's gonna get warm by then."
I had the urge to say it's her fault but of course being the better person, I hold back.
...
After school was over for the day, I head to the club room as promise and much to my surprise, Natsuki has yet to arrive.
"Hmm..."
Stepping in I do another sweep of the classroom and even check the closed storage room to see if she potentially locked herself, but of course that's not the case. I expected her to be the first to arrive and for some reason I thought Sayori would magically appear in the club room, reading a book.
"Sayori..."
Checking the table she sat on, I expected everyone has their preferred desk among the numerous ones lined up. What occurred at the convenience store yesterday has still yet to leave my mind.
"Hah, well that was troubling as per usual. ...What are you doing?"
Snapped out of my deep thoughts, Natsuki walks in to see me sitting by Sayori's table.
"N-Nothing... Have you heard anything from Sayori?"
"Sayori? No, I haven't. Did something happen to her?"
"Ah, n-no, it's nothing. She's just staying home for the day."
Shaking out of it, I sit up as the situation isn't as dire as I'm making it. In any case, it's not worth dragging Natsuki in to what happened at the convenience store. I'll be making a damn fool of myself in front of her.
"Hmm, well whatever. Did you finish it?"
"Sure did."
Taking the manga out of my bag, I hand it back to her as she inspects the exterior of it.
"Y'know I was wondering if you'd trash it or something. I would so kick your butt if you did."
"You really thought I would?"
Having the entire collection of it and not to mention it being nicely displayed in its own box, of course I'd treat it with respect as it deserves. If I let someone borrow my things I expect for it to return in the way I lent it to them, it's common courtesy that some people don't seem to understand.
"Sorta. Anyways... here you go."
Placing her bag down against the desk, she takes out an item wrapped with a tea towel from her bag and hands it to me.
"This is...?"
"A parfait, you said you wanted one didn't you?"
"W-Well yeah I did but-..."
Accepting her offer, I pull off the damp tea towel and it is without a doubt a parfait. A perfectly constructed one at that, closely resembling the one of the parfaits in the manga.
"Wait, did you make this?"
"Of course, did you think I'd just buy one?"
"N-Not really but... this is a sight to see. It's amazing. But how'd you keep it cold?"
The cup is cold to touch and if she made it then it would've been the night before or early this morning.
"How else? I placed it in the home ec fridge. Hahh, sure is a pain when they beg me to join their club."
With a deep sigh, she hops onto the nearby desk as though her skills are highly admired by the home ec club.
"Well, what are you doing? Eat it up so we can move onto vol 2."
"R-Right."
...
After eating her deliciously, well made parfait, we continue reading parfait girls just below the window like last time. However, this time I couldn't really concentrate on the story. Even if I am reading the words and flipping the pages; nothing sticks. Something just feels...
Off.
"Ahh! Nope, I can't stand it any longer."
Natsuki slides the book out of my hands as she appears to be furious.
"What are you doing, are you that disinterested with this?"
"A-Ah, n-no I'm not..."
I find it really hard to explain myself, as I can't help but feel the way I do. I mean how do you explain something to someone that even you don't understand?
"Hahh... Y'know you're looking really pathetic right now. At this rate you'll just ruin the experience."
"S-Sorry."
It's sort of embarrassing to be called pathetic by your junior, though I can't exactly tell her she's wrong.
"So, what's the matter? Teacher yelled at you because you didn't finish your homework or something?"
"I'll have you know I actually finish my homework in time."
"What, really? I thought you were a delinquent, you're always tardy and drinking coffee."
Taking a good look at her, she seems to firmly believe her words. If I were a delinquent, I wouldn't be here!
"H-Hey, those times I've met the same girl trying to get milk out of a vending machine. And coffee has nothing to do with this!"
"S-Shut up, it's not my fault they put it up so high..."
Suddenly curling up, she hugs her legs as though she were hurt by my comment. I mean I wasn't meant to offend her but a delinquent is a no go.
"Yeah... Well, it's not to do with my studies or anything. But, I feel like something's wrong with Sayori."
"With Sayori?"
With her legs still tucked in she rests her head against her knees and listens keenly.
"We were walking home together yesterday and we went to the convenience store for some soda. We were just browsing the selection and then Sayori started crying."
"She cried? Because they didn't have the flavour she wanted?"
"N-Not that, I haven't seen her cry ever since we were little kids. At the time I didn't think too much of it, but on the way home... I could tell something was up but she didn't say a word even if I asked. Then came this morning, she didn't answer to me at all when I called out to her."
"Hm, well if she didn't say anything then doesn't that just mean there's nothing wrong in the first place?"
She looks at me as though I'm simply thinking too deep in to this. A straight answer but understandable.
Stretching out her legs and arms, she freely sits up against the wall and stares at the ceiling.
"She talks a lot about you. I don't really see why, but the two of you have been together since you were children, right?"
"Right."
"Then perhaps you should place some trust in her. If there's something bothering her, she'd come to you because you're best friends, right?"
"Ehh..."
"... You don't see her as your best friend?"
Well of course I do, but it's due to that reason that sometimes you don't want to bother them. I know that much.
"That's not it but... even some things you keep away from people; even if it is your best friend."
"Well I don't know. Sayori's my friend and of course I worry for her now that you tell me this but... If you're so keen on this, just find some reason to be with her, it doesn't matter what reason, even if it is to clean her room."
"Clean her room, hmm..."
I wonder what conversation they had that Sayori told her that I'm usually the one that cleans her room.
"...Then I'll do just that, aha, thanks Natsuki."
"Heh, don't mention it. Now with that out of the way. Here, let's continue."
Now that I feel loads better, I accept the manga from her and begin reading from the beginning. It's strange that I can tell her things I wouldn't say to other people, perhaps it's because she's so open with her thoughts. If she were more secluded I may not even be sharing this experience with her.
...
We get about half way through before Natsuki decides to call it quits. She tells me that I'm a slow reader but it's mostly because I enjoy things at my own pace. Not only that but since she's read this before, she'll know exactly what's going to happen and so she rushes me.
"So once again, same as before, okay?"
"Sure. Will I get another parfait?"
I of course don't expect her to be making parfaits for me every day. Though if she did I wouldn't argue, it's nice, sweet and I don't have to pay a cent!
"Hah? No way, that's just a one off, and also I need you to pay me for it."
"...Say again?"
With a smirk, she holds out her hand waiting for me to give her some money.
"You said you wanted parfaits, enough to go and buy some yourself. But I saved you the trouble; of course you'll compensate me, right? I made it for you."
"W-Well yeah but..."
For some reason I feel like she had this planned from the start, she's after my money! She lured me in with manga and parfaits... If I tell anyone that I'd probably be ridiculed for the rest of my life.
"It was a good parfait I guess. Here."
I fork out some change that'd roughly equal to one parfait at the cafe and place it in her out stretched hand.
"W-Wait, you're actually- ...Okay."
As though she thought I wouldn't pay her, she looks at her hand and begins counting the coins. By the time she finishes, her eyes sparked gold for a second before fading to their usual pink.
"On second thought, you can have it back. I don't know where your money's been."
Handing it back to me, it's like she thinks it's been illegally obtained. She's back to thinking I'm a delinquent! That money's earned from my hard work of doing household chores, blood, sweat and tears have been shed to obtain that.
"Ehh... Sure."
"Heh, you'll need a lot more than that to eat my parfaits every day, Yuki."
Flashing a grin, she grabs her bag and prepares to leave, however she stops midway through as though she forgot something. Taking out the book Sayori lent her, she hands it to me.
"You're going to check up on Sayori after this, right? Here, you can give this back to her. I honestly thought it'd be well, more bright. I didn't think she'd read things like this, makes me anxious just holding it."
Bottles. That's the title of the book; it's so simple yet terrifying. The book's a solid green and the colours fading away. It looks like it's been through some rough times.
"It's like you're bestowing upon me a cursed grimoire or something."
"Then you better un-curse it before you return it to her. Oh, and do tell her the club nothing without its vice president. I mean technically she's the president, that Monika never does anything true to her title."
"Even if she's the president..?"
Wondering whether or not she's telling the truth, I recall Monika doing her job properly as class representative. I mean its Monika we're talking about, anything she puts herself into she gets impeccable results.
"Yes. Oh and, umm... You have a phone, right?"
"Hm? Sure."
I take it out of my pocket and show her.
"W-Well, what are your contact details? D-Don't get me wrong! It's not like I want it but sometimes I might not be here and I just need you to tell Sayori for me, okay!?"
Getting red in the face, I can't tell if Natsuki's even listening to herself right now.
"Um, s-sure."
Exchanging contact details with her, Natsuki doesn't say another word as she leaves the club room. For a second there I thought she was pretty adorable.
...
Knocking against the door to Sayori's house, not even her parents answer and they should be home by now. On weekdays their shifts end earlier whilst weekend it drags on till nightfall. They were always losing track of time, heavily engrossed in work but they always arrived to pick up Sayori from school back in junior high.
"Sayori, its Yuki. School has ended so I just wanted to check up on you to see if you're okay. Could you open up?"
I stand there for a few moments and try knocking numerous times, however she doesn't answer.
"Hmm... Could she be out..?"
No windows opened and not even a sound resonates from the building. However, just to be sure.
"All right, Sayori. I'll be back in a bit."
I head back towards my home which is only a few houses away. Placing my bag against the table, I take hold of the picture frame on my desk. It's the first ever picture of Sayori and I when we were little kids, out in the woods looking for god knows what. The things we did back then, we used to carve our names in to the trees out there.
"I'm just going to check up on you, don't worry."
Sliding the picture out of the frame, I take the key and her book and once again head to Sayori's house. This time for sure I'll at least be able to step inside.
...
I felt rather anxious anyways, like the slight possibility of them changing the door lock but luckily that's not the case.
"Sayori, I'm coming up."
Calling out to her, I head on upstairs. The silence of the house felt awfully eerie. It's like no one even lives here.
"Sayori? Are you there?"
I knock on her door and wait for a response. There is indeed a presence behind the door as I could feel a small heat source from behind.
"W-What? Yuki? How did you get in here?"
The voice I've been searching for all along finally appears as it melts my heart.
"I have the spare key. Aha, I haven't used it up until now though. You mind if I come in? I want to see you."
"Oh, okay."
After a few short moments, she opens the door as I'm invited with a comforting heat.
"You have the heater on? Hm, well it is kinda cold outside."
"Right? Ehe, sorry I didn't come school today, after you finally joined the club."
With bright smiles, she sits against her bed as I return the book and take a look around her room. She still has the stuff animals on her bed that she got from the carnival all those years ago. They're cute but the general state of her room is a bit messy as expected. I find myself cleaning up before I knew it.
"Hmm, nah it's all right. We have those days, though I didn't expect for you to not turn up for the entire day."
"The room gets really cold in the morning, it's hard to get up from my warm blankets.~ You understand that, right?"
"Definitely. Once winter's here I'm sure I'd be having those thoughts more often."
Cleaning away, I notice a small bottle by the edge of her desk. The label reads, Fears, on it and it's partially filled with scrunched up paper.
"Copying what was in that book, Sayori?"
I pick it and up show it to her as she nods.
"Yup.~ Ehe, I mean it doesn't hurt to try, right?"
"That's true... So long as there aren't any other bottles..."
Scanning the room, I couldn't see any other bottles, but something tells me when there's one there'll be many others. Just not in plain sight.
It appears to be quite obvious to Sayori as she changes the subject.
"Weren't you supposed to be reading with Natsuki today?"
"Yeah. We actually progressed through half of the 2nd volume of parfait girls."
"Then shouldn't you be finishing it before tomorrow?"
Despite making it seem like I'm allowed to stay here it's like she's pushing me away.
"Hmm... Well something there's something else I'm more concerned about than an angry Natsuki."
Sayori mentioned that the person in the book had many bottles. And if I were to keep bottles in my room filled with emotions, it'd be in storage somewhere.
I take one glance at the closet and another back at Sayori as she's obviously feeling anxious. I mean it could also be filled with her clothes, but it's a risk I must take! If it's her clothes then she can throw all the insults in the book at me.
"Sorry, Sayori but!"
"You can't!"
Situated in a much better position, I get to the closet first and quickly force the doors open as she crashes against my back.
"..."
Left utterly speechless, I could feel my knee's weakening. With Sayori grasped against my back, she tries pulling me away; however she has little strength, or has practically given up at this point.
"Sayori..."
Hundreds of bottles lay displayed each with their own label: Anger, fear, sadness, love, anxiety, and jealousy. Even the bottle from yesterdays situated at the bottom, emptied out and has a label.
"...A-Ahaha... You've seen it now, Yuki..."
Laughing to herself, she grips my shirt as I could feel her shaking body.
"...This is all my fault. If I haven't just gotten weak there and accidentally express myself. How stupid of me."
Distancing herself, I turn back at her as she once again sits against her bed. But this time, she doesn't even look at me.
"If I didn't do that then you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have seen it. ...You wouldn't even be thinking of me right now. You'd be thinking of Natsuki."
"W-What are you saying, Sayori?"
"...I guess this is just what I deserve, isn't it? In the end, nothing comes out of being a liar. Aha, I've been lying my entire life actually. For being so selfish, for being so messed up."
Hugging her trembling body, it's like what she mentioned with what happened with that person in the book she was reading. Is that why? Is it the book's fault that she's like this?
...No, a book can't do this. A book can't curse its reader... Only the reader can curse themselves.
"...They just love torturing me, to see how much I can take. I wonder, is it really that fun for them? They really leave me with little room to escape."
"What are you talking about, Sayori? Who are they? Is someone bullying you? If so then tell me and I'll-"
Releasing her body, she falls against her bed and blankly stares at the ceiling whilst revealing a very empty smile.
"...No, Yuki. No one's bullying me. You don't understand."
"Then make me understand, Sayori. Please, until I do I won't be able to stop thinking about you. What's wrong? What happened?"
"Nothing happened to me. Or should I say, yesterday wasn't really anything. It's always been like this. This is just your first time seeing this."
"...Seeing what? What are you talking about?"
My mind tries to digest what Sayori's saying it's getting none of it at all. I can't even begin to understand her words or intentions.
"You just have to make me say it, don't you? ...Depression, Yuki. I've had it my entire life, you just never noticed. Why else do you think I have trouble getting up and being late all the time?"
Yesterday, I stayed long enough to walk to school with Sayori. We always did up until high school, but then she frequently oversleeps more and more. I stopped walking with her for that sole reason. Why was I so selfish? Why didn't I put more thought in to it?
"Like, why bother with school? Why bother with anything? What's the point in getting out of bed if everything will be just the same whether or not I'm there? It doesn't matter, nothing does."
Sitting up, her eyes are wet with tears as she bites her lip.
I haven't even begun to move from the position in front of the closet as I honestly feel like throwing up from the surge of anger rising from my body, and it's not directed at her, but at myself. How could I not have noticed all this time? We're childhood friends and this is the first time I've seen her like this? How the hell can I call myself that if I couldn't tell she's been suffering all this time!?
"I don't know why I showed you that. But maybe I just wanted you to care about me. But that was extremely selfish of me, wasn't it? I finally showed you how much of an awful person I am."
Tears stream down her cheeks however she doesn't seem to care about it.
"My heart aches, Yuki. Everything aches. I try so much to be happy, to smile to do everything to achieve that. Medicine, treatment, therapy but nothing works. I'm just wasting my parent's money, burdening them. In the end, I can't do anything. Maybe I'm just destined to be like this. You weren't supposed to find out at all. I was supposed to gradually disappear from your life. But at the same time I didn't want to leave you."
Trembling, I couldn't even find the words to express myself. Because if I were to speak out I'd surely regret what I'd say. But if I stay silent any longer I'll surely regret that decision even more!
"I'm just a weak, selfish person. I'm awful. That's all I am. That's all I'll ever be…"
As her voice begins to quiver, I move in and place my hands against her shaking shoulders.
"Sayori."
I call out her name even if to just remind her that I'm there for her.
"..."
Not responding to me, I pull her in and wrap my arms around her. It's the first time in years since we've been this close.
"Sayori. I don't care for a second if you feel selfish, everyone is. If you're awful then I'm the worst. But seeing you at school every day makes it very fulfilling. Like I can say to myself, look it's Sayori, my best friend. I can't believe I can still go up and talk to her like time hasn't passed."
"Yuki..."
"It's hard to believe the things you've said, so give me the time to fully understand, okay? If it's the truth then I can take it. I'm a little hurt you didn't mention a word about it to me, but that's okay. Because now, I'll make those feelings go away, one by one. Just rely on me, okay? You don't need those bottles anymore, because I'm here for you."
"Why..? I don't-... I don't deserve this... I don't know what or why... I don't even understand myself..."
Slowly patting her back, I could feel her arms gently wrap around mine.
"It hurts... Yuki. Whenever I'm alone, it hurts. I can't do anything. Every time I try to be happy and think happy things, in my mind I know it's just a lie and I go back to being in pain. It doesn't end... I don't know how much longer I can keep lying to my heart..."
"It's okay... You don't have to worry about that anymore. You deserve to happy, more than anyone else in this world."
"...No matter how hot I turn heater at, or stay in the shower... It's nothing like this feeling... It's so warm, Yuki..."
"If that's the case then you're welcome to it whenever you like, when the urge hits you, just ask, okay? Just for you, Sayori. It's a promise. Whenever you feel like you can't take it anymore, whenever you just need to talk or even if you just want to play. I'm always available for you."
...
We stay in our embrace for a moment longer in silence before letting go. It seems I've achieved my goal of stopping her tears at least.
"It'd be school tomorrow too."
"...Mm."
She nods.
"Let's go together tomorrow. Let's spend lunch together where ever you like, I'll even get you that elusive yakisoba bun."
"..."
Not responding, she may be thinking I'm just doing this to make her feel better. But it's not just that. I just want to be with her. To better understand her and not make assumptions myself. If there's something I'm not sure about, I'll ask her.
"It's what I want."
"...That sounds nice..."
"Right? It's a promise then."
She nods once again.
"Oh and Natsuki's worried for you too, she said the club can't progress without its vice president."
"She did? ...Then tell her, I said thank you."
"...Yeah, I will."
Thinking it's strange that she asks for me to relay her words and not say it in person, I don't question her. I should choose to believe her this time.
"Want me to stay here until your parents return? I'm sure it'd be dinner soon, why not-"
As I suggest eating dinner together, Sayori shakes her head.
"N-No... You should eat with your own family... and... We'll have the day tomorrow, right?"
She musters up a small, genuine smile, just seeing it now warms my heart. I do anything if she can keep smiling like this.
"Yeah, we do. Just like old times again. ...Then, I'll see you tomorrow, Sayori. I'll swing by in the morning and help you get up."
"...Mm, see you, Yuki."
Saying our farewells, I leave Sayori for the rest of the evening and return home. I missed out on the daily program I always watch but that doesn't really matter. I just have to pay more attention to things. I'll try my hardest to understand her.
For now though, I should read the rest of parfait girls so I can spend my club time with Sayori as well. I just hope Natsuki doesn't oppose of the idea.
...
That night, I could hardly sleep as thoughts of Sayori dragged on. I thought about all sorts of things we can do with our time together. As morning came, I head to Sayori's house earlier than before to help her wake up.
The moment I reach their front door, it appears that her parents are just about to head out for work.
"Oh well if it isn't Yuki. Good morning, son."
Sayori's father greets me by his car as he shuts the back of the trunk. It appears that her Mother's in the passenger seat ready for work too as she lowers the window to greet me with a wave.
"Ah, morning. I'm just here for Sayori. Off to work already?"
Heading in to the driver's seat, he fastens his seatbelt in a hurry as though they're in a bit of a rush to leave.
"When you grow up, Yuki. Don't be stuck behind a desk like us, you develop all sorts of bad things. Ahaha!"
"Be quiet! Yuki can do what he wants when he grows up!"
His wife jabs at his shoulder, and if I can remember she's actually stronger than him since she trained in both jujitsu and karate, what a fearsome woman.
"Aha, well you heard her. I'm glad Sayori has a friend like you. Wish we could have a chat but we're gonna be late. Stay in school, okay!? Oh and thanks for being there for Sayori!"
Driving off, he's practically shouting early in the morning. It also seems Sayori's talked to them about what occurred yesterday, which is a good sign.
...
Back to my original objective, the moment I step in I can see they've left breakfast for Sayori on the table, wrapped nicely on a plate. She really does love the classic approach of eggs, bacon and salad.
"Sayori, I'm coming up! If you're not up by the time I get there I'mma shake you!"
A boy waking up a girl up his own age in the morning at her own house with no one else around... Now that I think about it, isn't this rather dangerous?
Knocking against her door, I expected for her to still be asleep. However, she seems to have woken up herself.
"Oh, you're here already, Yuki..."
"You're awake already? That's good, then I'll be waiting in-"
"...Sorry, Yuki."
In high spirits, I prepared to step away and wait for her in the lounge however, she suddenly apologises which halts my movements and thoughts.
"Sorry? Why are you apologising? Ah, do you need me to pull you up out of bed, that's-"
"No, Yuki... I'm sorry but... I don't think I can do this. I don't think I can keep going on like this."
"W-What are you talking about? Sayori, we've been through this..."
Thinking that the situation would slowly blow over as the days go pass, I was ready to give my all to Sayori to ensure she's happy, to give her the happiness she most wanted.
"Mm, we have and I do thank you for that, Yuki. Thank you... for being my friend. Thank you... for being with me for so long."
As though she's about to do something irreversible, my heart begins pounding as cold sweat starts forming. I try opening the door, however it appears Sayori's already locked it before I got here.
"Sayori! Sayori, what are you doing!?"
Repeatedly turning the doorknob and desperately attempting to force the door open, it proved little use.
"I'm going to end it all. Once and for all, I can finally stop hearing these voices. Please, just... forget about me. Forget about everything."
"You know I can't do that, Sayori! Please open up! We can talk about this!"
"...Goodbye, Yuki."
"Wait Sayori!"
I desperately try to come up with a solution, at least anything that'd make Sayori continue to speak to me. I give up on the doorknob as I continuously attempt to kick the door in, however it appears Sayori's pushed something up against it.
"Are you really sure about this, Sayori!?"
"I've been thinking about this for a long time... I didn't want to, I tried to be strong, I tried looking for alternatives... but... I can't change. I can't change myself. Which is why, Yuki. Please. Leave me be."
"No, Sayori! You know I can't possibility do that!"
It's hard enough just trying to open a locked door with little room to get momentum built up to crash your body against it.
...Please, god. Don't let this happen. There's no life in which I can see a happy end if Sayori's not there.
After numerous attempts of using my own body force and muscles, I could feel the barricade give way as the door to the lock breaks off. But the heavy object still prevents me from entering the room, but just in between the gap of the door, I could peer into Sayori's room.
On top of her chair, she has a noose around her neck which is connected to the ceiling.
"SAYORI!"
I could feel my muscles giving way but there's no way I can ignore what's in front of me. No matter what becomes of me, I can't let this happen.
Looking at me with both eyes, she still has the audacity to smile. She mouths a word however I could not hear her. With both legs firmly against the chair, she kicks the chair away and...
With all my might, I cry out as I use my body to push open the door, the closet falls against the floor which shakes the entire room. Not caring for any splinters coming off the door, I push myself in and lunge towards Sayori.
Back in the olden times whenever they executed someone via hanging, they ensure they're high above the ground so they can avoid long periods of strangulation. At least, that was the humane way about it. Sayori would suffer the entire duration of her death.
Grabbing hold of the chair, I flip it back up and position myself under her as she desperately attempts to kick me away.
"S-Stay... out of this, Yuki! ...I-I've made... up my mind!"
Coughing in between her words, she's already suffered for a period of time.
"You know I can't! There's a better way to do this! Stop squirming, I'm not letting you go!"
Thankfully the noose around her neck isn't too fastened. However, the trouble is to simply stop Sayori from moving about and the rope itself.
"Sayoriii!~"
At that moment, a voice calls out from outside the house, a familiar, upbeat voice. Natsuki's.
"Natsuki!? G-Great timing!"
The night before, I called Natsuki and mentioned that Sayori's sick and so I wanted her to pay a visit in the morning. Though she didn't pick up so I only left her a message, I didn't think she read it.
"Natsuki's here too!?"
Much to Sayori's surprise, she's comfortably situated above me as it appears she's no longer in danger of accidentally falling off of me. There's no way I can possibly move to remove the noose from Sayori.
"Natsuki, the door's open!"
I call out to her in hopes she'd hear me, however, she repeatedly knocks against the door.
"You see, Sayori? We're not giving up on you!"
"Sayori, Yuki! Are you here!? ...Wait, do I have the wrong house?"
This is the right house! The house matches the number I sent you!
I once again repeat that she can enter freely through the door but to no avail.
"Let me go, Yuki! Natsuki doesn't have to see this, just go!"
"No way! I'm not moving from this spot!"
Trying to come up with a solution, I still have my phone in my pocket. However, with the times Sayori keeps moving about, I cannot keep a firm grip of it in my hand. Let alone, Sayori's going to try and prevent me from messaging her.
Taking hold of the phone, perhaps it isn't a good use for an expensive piece of technology. But this protective case is said to withstand impact or your money back!
"I'll pay for it later!"
"What are you!-"
The moment I take my phone out, Sayori's eyes glued to it as I couldn't perfectly see behind me. Only the mirror on Sayori's desk was all I had. Thankfully, we're positioned right in front of her window.
As the phone leaves my hands, I remembered that I could've actually called Natsuki instead with the quick call option.
The window breaks as the phone flies out.
"E-Ehh!? What in the heck was that!?"
Anyone would be surprised if the window to the house they're visiting suddenly breaks.
"Natsuki, the door's open! Come up stairs quick!"
Not knowing how much more I can last, my legs feel like they're about to break as well as shoulders.
"Y-Yuki, is that you!? Why, what's happening!? Which way is upstairs?"
"First turn on the right!"
"Okay, geez I'm coming up. It's the morning and my head's starting to hurt."
Before Sayori could have any say, Natsuki appears by the door as she blankly looks in.
"...What's going on..? S-Sayori! W-What, are you- Are you all right!?"
The shattered door and window, fallen closet, Natsuki sees Sayori with a noose around her neck and I atop of the chair trying to support her.
"There's no time for that, help!"
"Don't come any closer, Natsuki! I'm going to do it! Just leave, all of you!"
"The heck are you going on about!? Argh, I'm coming in!"
Quick to the draw, Natsuki hops in however it's troubling trying to decide how to exactly remove the noose from Sayori.
"I can't support her much longer! Do something!"
"I'm thinking, can you even untie that noose to begin with!? You just said Sayori's sick so I'm here to make something for her to eat and this is what I get!?"
Immediately looking around the room for some use, Natsuki pulls the table towards the left of us and hops on with much distress.
"Can't you guys be any shorter!?"
Leave it up to Natsuki to try and reach something above her.
"I'm on my last legs here and Sayori won't stop squirming!"
"Just leave me aloneee!"
"Sayori stop moving! At any rate I can't get a grip of it and I'm going to fall!"
"If Natsuki falls it'd be over for all of us!"
Natsuki attempts to tip toe and untie rope from the ceiling however of course she couldn't reach it. As though she were about to give up on the idea, she fiddles around in her bag as she constantly calls out for her scissors, I could feel my bones about to break.
"If Yuri were here I'm sure her special scissors would prove to be good use right now! .Where is it… Ah, there!"
Trying to directly cut the rope off, it doesn't appear to work as Natsuki tries a different method of just using it to cut like a knife.
"A-Almost... there... Got it! …Ah."
With the rope just above the noose cut, Natsuki's voice trails on, I use the last bit of my strength to launch Sayori behind me on to the safety of the bed. However, I couldn't brace myself in time for Natsuki as she plunges into me, breaking the chair and toppling over.
"!"
As I cry out in pain from having my stomach pushed in by Natsuki, my head hits the corner of the chair as I black out immediately.
...
Slowly regaining consciousness, I feel terribly warm as something's strongly grasping both my hands.
"...Ek."
With my vision blurry, I could hear voices but my mind can't register the meaning behind them. However, I could see both Natsuki and Sayori.
"H-He-yyy-Yu-Yuki! You're awake!"
"Yuki, you're up! You're still here-"
Natsuki the first to voice her concern, Sayori cuts in as she looks like a complete mess. With her hair disheveled, and face red with tears she rests her head against my chest.
"I'm so glad... I'm so..."
Her body trembles as I try lifting one my hands to pat her, but I can barely keep my eyes open.
"Hey, Sayori, I thought you said you wouldn't cry."
"How can I not!? Because of me, Yuki... Yuki almost..."
Looking over to Natsuki, her eyes were damp however she musters up her usual grin.
"You can't escape me that easily, Yuki. We still have more manga to read. Oh, and don't move. I managed to stop the bleeding, at least for now."
Voicing her concern, now that she's pointed it out, I could feel something wrapped around my head, as something large and damp is pressing against the side.
I can't say a word, however I'm sure Natsuki knows how grateful I am.
"What, you think I'm lying? I'm actually quite good at these things, ehh not for any reason..."
"I'm sorry, Yuki! I'm so sorry! Uwaaa!"
Once again she cuts off Natsuki's casual remark as she attempts to get the clinging Sayori off me.
"Sayori let go of him! He's still recovering and- W-What's that- G-Gross, t-tissues, tissues!"
As Sayori leaves to find some tissues for her small problem, Natsuki heaves a heavy sigh.
"What a day... We even missed out on school and I didn't even get to cook Sayori breakfast. What's that look for? Yes yes, you were the big star of the show."
She laughs just a bit as an attempt to lighten the mood. I feel like we've achieved something big today nonetheless.
"...Sayori told me. She told me everything, about her depression, her attitude towards life and her suicidal tendencies."
"..."
"Y'know, for some reason I sorta knew half of it... That someone like Sayori couldn't possibly exist. The ones who burn too bright tends to fade away the fastest and Sayori's light burned away a long time ago. And- ...No, it's nothing."
About to mention something else, Natsuki shakes her head and smiles.
"I just want to thank you for saving the place I treasure the most, without the literary club… Without Sayori there, I don't think I could go back. D-Don't let it get to your head! I'm not going to give you anything…"
Embarrassed, Natsuki averts her gaze and stands up.
"Ah whatever! We'll talk more about this tomorrow so Sayori never tries to off herself again, okay? I'll be leaving now; Sayori can handle the rest as I showed her. I have to be home soon."