As soon as club activities were over, Natsuki headed on home, perhaps earlier than usual as Sayori and I remained in the club room. I tell her the details on how she got her manga collection. It seems that Natsuki's never mentioned her Grandmother to her before.
"Her Grandmother?"
Putting aside her maths homework, she fiddles around with her mechanical pen as I sit on the adjacent table.
"Has she mentioned her before?"
"Nono, I haven't heard about this... The more I find out about Natsuki, the more I realise I don't really know her all that much. These past few days... it just feels like it's been some sort of dream. A horrible dream..."
I guess it's those sorts of things that don't really come up in conversation unless asked. If this were a dream I wish we'd soon wake out of it.
"Yeah, it does seem like that sometimes... The strange thing is that if she does treat Natsuki kindly, then why hasn't anything been done about her Father?"
Sayori sits back against her chair and tilts it slightly whilst cluelessly staring up at the ceiling.
"Hmm... Maybe she just doesn't know about it? Could we somehow ask her?"
That was my initial thought; however with her living in Tokyo, it's a long train ride away. Not only that but I have no idea whereabouts in Tokyo she lives. Such information proves useless to us.
"I could run around Tokyo for months and still won't be able to find her."
"Oh she lives in Tokyo? Hmm, I hear Tokyo's really big and has lots of really good food too..."
Getting off track, Sayori begins daydreaming as I try snapping her out of it.
"Hey now, if we're going to experience Tokyo's food, then at least wait until after we solve this issue."
"Ehee, right? Let's go eat with Natsuki again once this is over!~"
Showing a big, beaming smile, Sayori sits correctly in her chair again and begins drawing a small diagram at the back of her book. With the word, Grandma, written in a circle, she draws an arrow towards Tokyo and just below it in small letters; she writes all you can eat.
I guess with a specific end goal in mind it may further motivate us.
...
Heading on home with Sayori, we continue discussing methods about Natsuki's case. Though this time most of our ideas surround Natsuki's Grandma, it seems she may play a big role in this. If we're to resolve this issue, we may have to find a way to make contact with her. Sayori and I are merely outsiders in this family issue; however, if we have help on the inside, it'd be a huge plus for us.
"Isn't this kind of like stalking in a way though?"
We reach Sayori's front door as she merely smiles and stays positive.
"I'm sure she won't think of it like that.~ Good luck, Yuki! I know you can do it! Bye bye.~"
"Right... Just be sure to play your part of the plan, Sayori. See ya then."
With a sigh, I bid farewell to Sayori as I return home rather reluctantly as I'm not quite sure on whether or not this plan of ours would work.
"I'm home..."
Stepping into the house, I hear voices in the living room, probably belonging to my Mother and Father. Even now it feels both strange and invigorating to overhear the two talking. Stepping into the hall, I poke my head in as I see the two sharing a cup of coffee. I feel bad disrupting them, however there's something I must ask of to my Father.
"Hey, umm, sorry but could I talk to you, Dad? It's related to that matter we spoke of yesterday."
Casually dipping a biscuit into his coffee, he looks to me in surprise as though he didn't hear me enter the house.
"Ahh, welcome back, son. Hmm, mind if I enjoy my cup as we talk?"
As though I'd have a say at the matter of him enjoying his coffee, I step in however he rises to meet me as he signals for us to talk in the kitchen. Perhaps it's because he doesn't want her to get involved; though I've no doubt he shared the details with her already.
"So, what do you need?"
"Well..."
Knowing that I'm about to ask a lot from him, I find it hard to speak up as I take a biscuit to further ready myself as he leans against the fridge.
"Is it possible to track a person, without even knowing their name or exact whereabouts?"
"If you're asking this, I take it you want me to find someone?"
I answer with a nod as he proceeds to take a big sip from his cup and exhales aloud soon after.
"If I have to say whether or not it's possible, it is. However, it'd take some time to find a match."
"So then-"
Getting ahead of myself, he signals for me to stop and finishes the rest of his coffee.
"To use our system to find someone without proper reason, even I would get an earful by my superiors."
"...Right, I should've known..."
With a sigh, I decide to leave him be for the evening and think of another way. It's not as if I've given up on the matter, however, I doubt he'd put his position in jeopardy.
"Where are you going, son? You haven't given me the little detail that you have."
"Eh?"
Dumbfounded, he picks up another biscuit and signals for me to stay.
"Don't give me that. I'll find a way, I always do."
With a confident smirk, I guess if you've been in the job long enough, you'd know how to erase your footsteps.
"R-Right."
I tell him the little information I have, which is Natsuki's name, gender, her home address, what school she attends and her relative that I need to find that lives in Tokyo.
"And that's all I have."
"..."
As though he were in a trance, he doesn't respond for a while, and when he does it's a simple nod.
"Tokyo's a big place."
With his eyes closed and arms folded, it's as though he's thinking of the options he has.
"Yeah, it's a busy capital with people everywhere at any time, unlike here."
"Indeed my boy."
Moving away from the fridge, he rises his cup in the sink before placing it in the dish washer.
"Sacrifices have to be made, however."
"Eh?"
Turning back to me, he locks me in the eye as I try looking away. However, with such an intense aura surrounding him, I can't.
"You weren't planning on sticking to the promise you made to your Mother and I, ain't that right?"
"W-What? O-Of course I was going to..."
He shakes his head as I knew it was a stupid choice to try and pull the wool over his eyes.
"While there comes a time to play and a time to study; one may stumble back a few steps and forget the other."
It's not as though I'm completely ignoring my studies, but it is true that I desire to play compared to studying.
"...All right, fine. At the end of the year, I'll drop it all; everything, I'll sell it all off and focus on my studies. Only if, you promise to do the best you can for me and my friend."
"Glad we have an agreement then. I planned to do everything in my power even if you haven't asked."
...
After washing off the stress of the day, we sit at the table and ate. It's been awhile since I've shared a meal with my old man. It's always a bittersweet moment as I know it'll only last a few weeks at most, so I always cherish it.
...
As the next day arrives, I planned to go to school as per usual, however my Father seems to have gotten the information I asked for already.
"...Wait, what?"
Still in a daze as it's still early in the morning, I yawn as I take a bite of my toast.
"Weren't you listening?"
With the shake of his head, he slides his cup of coffee to me; which is rather strange since I'm always forced to buy coffee from the schools vending machine.
"Ah thanks-"
Taking a sip, I soon regret my decision as I remember he likes his morning coffee, black. Almost spilling it over myself, I place the cup back down as it feels like my eyes are bulging out from their socket. Clearly this wouldn't have happened if I was paying attention.
"Hahaha, still don't have it in you."
Looking proud that he tricked his own son into drinking black coffee, he takes a sip and repeats the details. I'm amazed he managed to track her so easily, not only that but he said it'd take some time...
Wait, does this mean he made his move during the night when I was unaware? I guess even off duty, he's always on the ball.
"Hmm, so she lives here..."
Taking out my phone, I search for the location on my GPS. To put it straight, I never traveled anywhere too far from home. There were a few field trips here and there for school reasons, but of course we were guided by our teachers.
"I don't know what you're planning son, just don't do anything too extreme."
Leaving me with those words, he finishes his coffee and moves to make casual chatter with my Mother.
"I'm off!"
...
"Ah, Yuki, I've been waiting!"
Just outside the front gate, Sayori stands waiting.
Am I dreaming?
"Sayori..? You were waiting?"
"Of course! You didn't text me last night on what your Father said; I was up waiting pass midnight!"
Oh, I knew I was forgetting something...
"S-Sorry, I guess I was a little worn out."
"Boo... But anyhow, how did it go? Did he agree to help search?"
"Even better, he already found her location and relayed the details to me."
I take out my phone and show her the street address.
"Oh that was fast! So, are you really going to Tokyo then?"
"That's the plan."
I slip my phone back into my pocket and proceed down the sidewalk. I believe my Father already knows that I'll be taking the train there.
"That's nice... I want to go to Tokyo too.~"
"You make it sound like I'm going there for fun..."
"Ehee, you may not be. But eventually you will, right?"
"Hmm..."
I guess if I didn't have that deal with my Father yesterday, I'd be interested. I mean now there's no way out of this, I really do have to put it all aside and concentrate on my future. But now I can't worry about that.
"Probably, aha, I'll bring you back a souvenir, so just keep Natsuki in check, all right? If she asks just say I have an errand to run or something, nothing too serious."
"Roger!~ Bye bye, Yuki, good luck and stay safe, okay?~ Don't enter any people's vans after promise for treats.~"
"As if that'd happen! See ya, Sayori, once again I'm counting on you."
"Ehee, you don't need to worry about that.~ We were alone since Yuri and Monika left."
...
The ride wasn't exactly pleasant; especially since I had to switch trains my anxiety level reach its peak as I'm concerned that I'd board the wrong one. The moment I arrived at my destination, I quickly change clothes that I packed prior to discern any wandering eyes.
"But even still... They'll surely know I'm a mere bumpkin experiencing his first time wandering around here..."
With so many people walking around and so much chatter, it's hard to get my bearings right as I constantly refer to my GPS.
...
"So it should be around..."
Arriving at my location, I brace myself and knock against the front door.
"Who is it? Is it the postman?"
"A-Ah no, it isn't..."
"Then who? I didn't forget any of my appointments again now have I?"
Despite not knowing who it is, she opens the door for me.
"H-Hello..."
"Oh, hello dear."
She further inspects me with her as she adjusts her glasses, but even if she does do that she wouldn't know who I am.
"...Tatsu?"
"N-No, this is the first time we've met."
I properly adjust my posture and introduce myself. As soon as I mentioned that I'm one of Natsuki's friends, she smiled and invited me in.
"Pardon the intrusion..."
"Oh, you needn't say that dear. You should've said you were one of Nat-chan's friends. Ohoho, how is she, is she well?"
Sitting against the dining table, she pours me a cup of hot tea.
"Ah yes, she's well. Rather feisty at times, but she's good company to be around."
"Sounds like lil Nat-chan. Oh it's been so long since I've seen her."
Taking a sip from her cup, she really does seem like the one who'd dote on Natsuki. A kind, caring person, I can see that in the way she speaks of her. It makes me smile just thinking about it.
"We went to play at the batting cages the other day."
Taking out my phone, I show her the picture I got from Sayori.
"Aww, isn't she adorable?~ Are you her boyfriend? You must be, she seems to be having so much fun."
I almost ruin the table with tea as I begin coughing uncontrollably.
"N-No, we're just friends... We were with another friend of ours, Sayori."
"Oh, Sayori! She's mentioned her plenty of times."
Having a jolly good laugh, she offers a few packaged biscuits atop of a bowl.
"O-Oh, thank you..."
"So what brings you here today, dear? Shouldn't you be in school?"
She refers to the clock against the wall as it's still definitely the time one would still be in school, learning.
"A-Ah yes but..."
I don't think it'd leave a good image to say that I'm skipping without a good reason.
"Since Natsuki hasn't seen you in a while, she wanted to know how you're doing..."
I pull out a white lie as I take small bites from the biscuits. They're flavourless, so I believe one would dip them in a beverage.
"Oh! That Nat-chan, she needn't keep tabs on me. I've been doing splendidly. I go for a walk every afternoon and make sure to take my tablets on time."
"T-That's good news, I'll be sure to let her know."
"You're such a good friend.~ I hope you two continue to get along well. She may be rough around the edges sometimes, but she's a good girl who tries her best."
"Ah, yes, I plan on doing that. She's taught me many things and I'm grateful to be her friend."
Though I can do without her insults from time. But I guess it's that personality gap that makes her... No, forget it.
"Oh, but one thing, Yuki. Don't be skipping school, it's very important to attend even if you feel like it's a chore."
"Y-Yes, I understand."
"Now that's the answer I was looking for, ohoho. You youngsters don't know how-. Oh, let's not get into that.~ Would you like a muffin, dear? Or would you prefer cupcakes?"
As tempting as the offer may be, I politely decline as I mention that there's something else I have to talk to her with. I probably wouldn't be able to concentrate on the matter at hand if I'm stuffed with delicious treats.
"...It's about Natsuki, and her Father..."
"Oh! Is my sweet boy doing well?"
"..."
Sweet boy? ...Just hearing that is enough to make me shudder. ...Does this mean she has no idea what happens when she's not around?
"A-Ah, well... It's hard to say this... Umm..."
My chest tightens as it feels like my throat's retracting. Just how am I supposed to bring this up to her? A Mother who seems to dote not only on her gran daughter, but her son also; in other words Natsuki's Father.
"Natsuki... she's... she's being abused..."
"Abused? ...By who?"
"...Her Father..."
"...No... N-No! My boy would never do such a thing!"
Finding out that the son that you've been raising is secretly abusing their own daughter... I don't think anyone Mother could accept that. Such emotions are unknown to me; however, I'm sure the weight's hefty.
"...Please tell me you're lying, dear.. Please... I- He wouldn't..."
"..."
There's no way one would find joy, in lying about something like this.
"I'm very sorry to spring this on you so suddenly... She was bleeding from the leg when-"
"Please!"
About to tell her the details, she raises her voice and clutches her chest. Tears begin falling down her cheeks as her body quivers.
"...No more... I've shared enough pain to last a life time..."
"S-Sorry..."
Without taking anything into consideration regarding her stability, I guess this is what being blind sighted means. Looking around the area, I haven't noticed before but the entire house feels... Empty. For a house this large, there should be things left around by other people.
Just seeing this, it doesn't feel quite right. It's as though she's living alone.
"No dear... I'm sure you mean well. ...You were here to tell me this, weren't you? Not because Nat-chan wanted you to."
"...Sorry. It's just that... I want to help her."
It's not as if I want to be a super hero or for her to picture me as one. Such a thing shouldn't ever happen. Children are supposed to look up to their parents; their role model. Teach them the good things and the bad and ultimately cherish them.
"You have feelings for her, don't you, dear?"
"W-What?"
Snapped out of it, she warmly smiles at me as I nervously look away.
"There's no need to answer that, dear. I can tell by the look on your eyes."
"I-Is that so..."
"I've always been a people watcher, but I guess I'm not as good as I thought I was..."
Her sentence slowly trickles off as she stares into her cup of tea.
"...Nat-chan..."
"I was thinking that perhaps you could help us put a stop to it. I wanted to call the authority, but since no one was aware of this, I don't think it would've done any good..."
"...I'll talk to him, but could you give me some time? I don't feel quite well enough for my afternoon walk..."
"Sorry..."
"No dear, I should be the one to apologise... Thank you, for bringing this up with me."
...
I insisted to stay awhile to ensure that she gets well; however, she prompted me to return to school for Natsuki's sake and said that all she needed was a bit of rest. I could tell that she wanted to act on it as soon as she could, however her state of mind prevented her from doing so.
...
I arrive back soon after the final bell and make my way towards the literature club after changing.
"Yuki?"
The two share a table with a large book in front of them.
"Hey guys, I'm not too late am I?"
"You think? It's the afternoon! Though in saying that, are you sure you should be here? Sayori said you had a splitting headache, enough to whine like a baby."
"I had what now?"
I look to Sayori who's nodding profusely behind Natsuki.
"I-I'm not so sure on the baby part... but it did hurt a lot. I took some medicine for it and went back to bed though. But anyways..."
Since it doesn't seem like they're hiding it, I move towards them as I'm curious about what they're reading together.
"What are you reading?"
Glancing at the size of it, it's way too large to be a novel, a story book perhaps?
"Eye spy. I found it at home in one of the draws, it's pretty fun, heehee. You should join us, Yuki.~"
"I doubt he'd be of any use, it's getting pretty difficult spotting the items we need..."
Batting off Natsuki's usual comment, I pull a chair over and sit in front of them.
"So it's some kind of find an item game?"
Sayori explains the base of the game and its general story line.
A boy found an usual book in his granparents attic and decided to read it, which wasn't such a good idea as his soul was sucked in. In order to return to his world, he has to find certain items to assist him in escaping the dangers of the world. The background is thoroughly detailed with lots of creatures and items laid out everywhere as we begin searching for the items listed.
"This is quite an interesting book."
"Right?! I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this.~"
...
We kept playing the game until Natsuki leaves for home. It appears Sayori kept her busy as they met during lunch and started playing through the book.
"So, did you really find that at your house?"
As usual we stay back a bit as I take the time to unwind and rest against the table top.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
Tucking it into her bag, the books seemingly well maintained, it's not like I'm saying Sayori doesn't take care of her books that makes it suspicious. But it seems too coincidental that she had this tucked away to play with Natsuki.
"Well the bind is rather crisp; it still has that feeling of a new book. The scent also gives it away."
Like buying fresh new manga, I'm sure Natsuki noticed this too.
"E-Ehhh? Y-You can tell?"
She taps her two index fingers together and looks away.
"Heehee, well I guess the cats out of the bag.~ I got it at the bookstore this morning."
If she did then she probably didn't make it on school in time. But I guess we're usually on the verge of being late so it doesn't quite matter.
"I wouldn't know what to talk about with everything going on, so I thought we could just read a book together. But then I found an interactive one and thought it'd be perfect."
"That was a good decision."
"Right? Ehee, so, what about you? How did it go?"
"Hmm... Well what Natsuki said is true, she cares deeply for her. But as we feared, she had no idea that she was being abused by her Father."
Thinking back to it, I get a sick feeling swirling around in my gut as I firmly press against it.
"Natsuki's Father is her son. When I told her about it, her expression dropped significantly, more than the time I mentioned Natsuki. She loves the two of them and had no idea what was going on between them. How do you think she felt?"
"...Helpless?"
"Most likely... among other emotions. Heck, I feel bad just suddenly bringing it up to her. She didn't look so well after I told her. I'm not so sure what'd happen now so we may have to wait."
"Mm... she probably needs time to herself. I know I'd want that..."
...
The next day, I meet up with Sayori outside her house before heading to school. I anticipated seeing Natsuki like usual at the vending machine but she wasn't there. I end up getting strawberry milk instead of my coffee as I couldn't help but feel something's gone wrong.
"Sayori, what do you think?"
"Hmm? Strawberry milk? Ehh, don't you usually go for coffee?"
As I didn't word my sentence properly, I try shaking the feeling off and down half the carton of strawberry milk.
"Just wanted to know how it tastes... not my sort of thing in the morning."
"Oo... Natsuki's not here is she?"
We look around to see if she was hiding and move over towards the side where sat that other time, but she was nowhere to be found.
"She's probably running late... well, more than routine shows."
Subconsciously leaning in to take a sip of my drink, I pull away at the last moment and offer it to Sayori instead.
"It really doesn't feel quite right... want some?"
"Sharing drinks? Aren't we so lovey-dovey in the morning."
"Uwah?!"
I almost spill the drink over Sayori as her eyes widened more than mine.
"N-Natsuki?"
Turning aside it is definitely her, nonchalantly standing before us with chocolate milk in her hands. Chocolate milk.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"..."
I look at my beverage and back to her.
"I guess today's just an off day for us... Mornin', Natsuki."
"*Huff huff... I feel like I almost drowned... Morning, Natsuki.~"
"Yeah... morning. The milk taste strange today, I don't know why."
She takes a sip out of her carton and makes a face of distaste before taking more sips.
"Ehh... you think you got the wrong one..?"
"Hah? What, of course not. It was in the same spot as usual."
Not sure whether or not she's playing dumb, the Natsuki today seems rather aloof as we make our way into the school building after the bell sounds.
...
Sitting the club room, we continue reading Parfait Girls together at the table. The more intense things get in the manga, the more I begin to wonder the actual demographic of it. The twist happens so suddenly and it's like the entire book was thrown upside down.
"It's like you said, things are getting rather spicy..."
"Right? I hope you can handle spicy food because this one is like green curry."
With a small laugh, it seemed rather... Unnatural? It's not like a have a six sense and have some physic power that allows me to see auras that surround people. But I can't help but feel that somethings has changed, it's what my guts telling me.
"Hmm, I haven't ate green curry before but I do know it's usually quite spicy. Have you had it before, Natsuki?"
"Green curry? I have once before and man my tongue was on fire but it was soo nice. My grandma likes Thai food so I-"
Building up momentum, she suddenly stops and looks away.
"Nothing. I don't like curry."
"But you said-"
"I didn't say anything."
Shut down before I could finish, she grits her teeth as though she's enduring something. Something terrible.
"N-Natsuki... did something happen?"
"..."
Staying silent, she refuses to look my way. Her body quivers as though she's on the verge of tears as her usual strong voice nor bears weakness.
"...Why, can't we have just continued the way things have been? Why do you feel obligated to ask or even try to help?"
"Natsuki..."
"I don't get it. I don't get it one bit!"
Slamming the table with her hand, she rises and looks me in the eye. Her face is flushed as it looks like she's about to burst.
"I told you to let it be. To let it go. Ignore it. But you didn't and you had to go play hero."
"..."
As though she didn't want anything to do with me anymore, she walks towards the back of the classroom. Specifically the corner in which we first sat and read Parfait Girls together.
"This place... was a place of peace. A place where I can ignore everything that happens outside of this room. A place to spend it with my best friend. And then someone else came, I was afraid that they'd ruin it. But they didn't... I thought I could trust them. I thought that perhaps..."
As her voice trickles away, her body trembles as she grasps each of her arms.
"...we could've kept reading and reading. So much that we'd eventually finish Parfait Girls and start on something new... We shared the same interest. We shared the same view, and they didn't ridicule me."
"Natsuki, I-"
"I don't want to hear it!"
"I just thought you needed help!"
"..."
As the atmosphere grows tenser, Sayori steadily walks over to my side.
"We just thought we could help, Natsuki... I mean we're friends so..."
"Help?"
A faint laugh escapes from her as it slowly escalates. Turning to face us, tears stream down her eyes but her ferocity still remains.
"I never wanted it! I just wanted to be with you guys! Here, in this club room! My Dad's not always like that, so long as I listen to what he says but now... Now nothing good's ever going to happen!"
"But Natsuki if-"
"Quiet, Sayori!"
Shutting even Sayori down from speaking, she shows no mercy.
"Unlike you I didn't just give up and decide to kill!-"
"NATSUKI!"
About to say something she'll surely regret, I try stopping her but the message is already out and received clearly by Sayori. In shock Natsuki's eyes widen as I'm certain she never wanted to say that.
"W-What am I saying..? S-Sayori, I-I- that wasn't-"
Natsuki fumbles her words as Sayori simply stands beside me, unwavering and smiling.
"...It's okay. I know... I'm not as strong as you, Natsuki. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't be able to bear with it like you do."
"No, I-I'm not strong at all... How, how can you say that?! Hate me! Hit me! Don't just stand there with a smile on your face!"
"I can say this... because it's how I feel and that... I know that you're right, so that's why, I can't hate you for thinking that, Natsuki."
"No, I-I don't... I- that's not what I-!"
Natsuki clutches her chest in agony as she bursts out the door in tears.
"Natsuki! Sayori what-"
About to chase after her, Sayori whimpers as though she's about to break down. However, she simply slaps her cheeks and looks straight ahead.
"Sayori..."
"Did I handle that well, Yuki?"
Asking me as though I have the answer, I couldn't say a word.
"Mm... I don't think any of us has an answer to that, but... I said what I felt. It can't be helped that she thinks that way..."
"Sayori... I'm sure she didn't mean any of that... She cares a lot about you and..."
"Heehee, I know. She never was good with her words... she always says them straight."
With a deep breath, she begins walking towards the door.
"I'll go after her, I think I know where she'll be if she's still on this floor."
"...Yeah, all right."
...
Whilst Sayori may have left on her own to chase after Natsuki. I follow on after her in slow steps; it seems she was headed towards the last room.
"...You hate me now, don't you?"
Overhearing their conversation from beyond the door, I peek in through the small window.
"I could never hate you."
"You're lying... after what I said... it's inexcusable."
From the time I spent with the two of them, there was never a barrier between the two. However, now... Natsuki built one to keep Sayori away. No, it's as though she's trying to keep everyone away.
"...It may be to someone else. If someone else said that it would've hurt... a lot; so much that my thoughts would once again be plagued with black tar. But, you didn't mean that did you, Natsuki?"
"..."
"You were always so straight forward; you always say the first thing that comes to your mind. I don't know what other people thought of it, but it screamed confidence to me. ...I envy that, Natsuki... And, it's one of the things I like about you."
Sayori takes calculated steps towards her, so little that Natsuki can't sense that she's breaking through.
"Your strength... your passion..."
"...It's because I don't want people to look down at me."
"I never once looked down at you, Natsuki. If it weren't for you I would have fell deeper down into despair. You were one of the reasons why I could try my best... even if it wasn't all too much at the time. You did so much for me..."
"Stop, stop! You're just saying that!"
"I'm not saying this because it feels like I'm in debt to you... But it's what I desire. It's what my heart desires! I don't want to look back and regret that I didn't even once try and help my best friend!"
"..."
"Do you hate me, Natsuki?"
"I don't... I could never..."
"Then you should understand my feelings well!"
Forcefully entering her barrier, Natsuki flinches as she tries backing away; however she's unable to escape. Wrapping her arms around Natsuki, she pulls her in to a tight embrace.
"We're here for you, Natsuki! Yuki and I, we can make this work! You don't have to endure the pain alone because we're here for you! Isn't that what you said to me?! Are you that selfish and say that I can't care about you, but you can about me?! I love you, Natsuki! You're irreplaceable; I can't bear to see you like this!"
"But I... I'm just..."
Feeling the tense atmosphere slowly dispersing, Natsuki quivers in Sayori's arms. As her anger dissolves, tears take its place as she bawls. Better yet, they both cry into each other's arms.
With a deep breath, my knees buckle as I drop in relief. Feeling as though insanity found its way to my heart, I wanted to laugh, but I swallow the feeling.
"...Sayori, you may not realise this... But you're stronger than you think."