Warning! Mild sexual content, reader discretion is advised!
A/N: I may bump up the rating to M in the next chapter. The reason being, the three girls are slowly getting more "comfortable" with Val. So they might get a little... "touchy-feely" if you get my meaning.
As of early February, this work has surpassed over 1000 views! Thank you for taking the time to read all this or at least taking a peek.
Vanilla, I really appreciate how you took the time to analyze everything I wrote and broke it down. It goes to show how awesome of a dude you are! Thanks!
Guest, Yeah well, Val doesn't really want anything to do with Monika. Maybe. And Val isn't that old, he just graduated from high school smh. This puts him in the same age as everyone else.
Guardian, Yes sir, I'll stay Cheeki Breeki.
Unofficialboy, Damn straight! Later chapters may make this shit to 100 to 200!
Tatana, Hey! Thanks for the encouragement!
Oh yeah, something you guys may or not picked up on, but take a look at Val's behavior from the start and here.
Now without further ado, lets jump right back in.
I decided to show Sayori my poem, I walk up to her for the trade.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Natsuki questioned impatiently.
I raised an eyebrow from her behavior. "Hm? Oh I was going to sho-."
"No! You and me are going to trade first!"
"Why? I wanted to trade with Sayori."
"W-well just... just because!" She tears the poem away from me and shoves her poem into mine.
"Ok jeez..."
The poem is called "Eagles can Fly"
Monkeys can climb
Crickets can leap
Horses can race
Owls can seek
Cheetahs can run
Eagles can fly
People can try
But that's about it.
That was simple, yet effective.
"Aww! Your poem is so cute! It hits friendship so well!" Natsuki complimented.
"Likewise. I liked your poem."
She blushed a bit when I said that. "R-really? You... you like it?" She gave look as if she was in a dream. Then her expression toughened.
"Wait a minute...! Are you toying with me?!"
"Uh no. I like it! Why are thinking you the contrary?"
"Well uh..." She became uncharacteristically silent. "Because! We're in high school!"
Yeah I know, I'm here again.
"And everyone thinks that high school writing has to be hidden and enigmatic and stuff... So people don't even take my writing very seriously."
"Hold up. These are poems, and poems are supposed to express how one is feeling. Their emotions, word choice, or even writing style are their own choice, not someone else's! Therefore, your writing style wouldn't make your message any less valid. Instead, it is a valiant attempt at breaking down the social barriers we have made!"
Jesus, I said a mouthful.
Natsuki gave me a small grin. "YES! I mean... yeah exactly. Hehe... I like coming to problems in life head on and give it a stunner! Just like this poem, it hits you head on and leaves you being impressed."
"I see..." I didn't have much of comment.
"Hahah! I made you stunned! Didn't expect that from the youngest one here, now did you?"
I smirked. "So you are the youngest!"
"Eh?! What's that supposed to mean?!" She glared with her teeth gritted. She put her hands on her hips and leaned in for a closer hear.
I got in closer as well, barely touching the safe zone of personal space. I smiled mockingly and closed my eyes to relax. "Oh. Don't worry about it."
"Grrr! I said, WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"
Sheesh, just can't take a joke... Well I did.
"You know what! Forget it! I'm not as big as you, so I don't care!"
What? That didn't make any sense...
"Yeah I know." I gave a kiss to my biceps. "But it took me a while to get these babies."
At this point Natsuki didn't look straight at me. She was staring my arms. I was feeling a bit uneasy... She had this spaced look on her face.
"Uh... Natsuki?"
"Huh? What!" She blushed a deep red.
"You were staring..."
"Yeah! And?!" She glared at me.
Okaaay then... She's just as weird as Monika and Yuri.
"Um, never mind then."
"W-wait! How many times do you go to the gym?"
The fuck? Where did that come from?
I coughed nervously. "Uh... three times a week?..."
She spaced out again and nodded.
"Right... see ya..." I said.
I backed off slowly and walked towards Sayori.
Why is acting all weird too? Is this some form of cooties or something? I know that cooties are an elementary school thing, but it getting Natsuki for some reason.
I don't like this. Is this a reason why this memory is so repressed?
I see Sayori doodling on some loose-leaf paper. It seems to be a girl and a boy playing on the swings.
Aw that's cute.
I took the doodle into consideration and put into context of what Tom said to me earlier.
Could this be reference to the good old times they had? That can wait, I guess.
"Yo Sayori, let's trade."
"Sure Val! I can't wait to see what you wrote!"
We traded poems. Sayori's poem says "Dear Sunshine"
The way you glow through my blinds in the morning
It makes me feel like you missed me.
Kissing my forehead to help me out of bed.
Making me rub the sleepy from my eyes.
Are you asking me to come out and play?
Are you trusting me to wish away a rainy day?
I look above. The sky is blue.
It's a secret, but I trust you too.
If it wasn't for you, I could sleep forever.
But I'm not mad.
I want breakfast.
I could sleep forever... That line seems really off and I don't know why...
"Val, I love your poem! It's so sweet!"
"Thanks Sayori. Lemme ask you something."
"Hm? Sure! What is it?"
"I have a feeling that this 'sunshine' is actually a person."
"Ehehe... Is that so..." She tapped her fingers together.
"Yeah. I wonder who it is." I can tell it was for Tommy who she wrote this poem for.
"I-if Sunshine was a real person, I would love him. He is so sweet and understanding and would be the perfect boyfriend for me..." She was looking off with a solemn expression at the distance. I know she was looking at Tom...
Damn it Tommy. What's keeping you from seeing the obvious?
"And what about if that 'person' didn't exist anymore?" I knew I was pushing it, but I needed my suspicions to be quelled.
"Uh... Um... Well if there is no sunshine, then there is no point of waking up right?"
"Right." I can tell she was hiding something from me. This isn't new.
Well so much for keeping me at ease. Now I have to keep an eye on you Sayori. As if I didn't have much to deal with anyway.
I looked at Tommy, who was talking with Yuri and she has his rapt attention.
"Anyway Val, thanks for showing me your poem!"
"Hey, no problem."
Next up was Yuri, she was done sharing with Tom. Maybe some real critique would be nice. And maybe hold off on seeing Monika... But Yuri also gives me the heebie-jeebies too!
Oh what the hell. Just get on with it Val... Man! I need to take a power nap. I'm exhausted!
I approach Yuri, who seems to be a bit nervous to be around me. I smiled at her to make at her ease, in turn making her excited to give her poem to me. Maybe a little too excited.
Yuri's poem is called, "Ghost Under the Light"
The tendrils of my hair illuminate beneath the amber glow.
Bathing.
It must be this one.
The last remaining streetlight to have withstood the test of time.
The last yet to be replaced by the sickening blue-green hue of the future.
I bathe. Calm; breathing air of the present but living in the past.
The light flickers.
I flicker back.
"Hmm."
"A-ah! I'm sorry for having such horrendous handwriting!"
"Huh? Why do you even think that? I was just analyzing your poem. And your handwriting is elegant and beautiful, so you have nothing to worry about."
"Eh? Oh... I see..." Yuri's face is tinged with a pink coloring. She releases a deep breath.
"Yeah. This poem was spot on! I loved it. It's majestic, elegant, and expressive all in a deep level. And in terms of your personality, it suits you perfectly!"
"W-wow... I'm sorry but let me catch my breath... you said a lot..."
"Sure, no problem."
Yuri then proceeded to gather her thoughts.
"I'm really glad that you like my pu-poem." She then blushed a scarlet read and hid her face in her gorgeous hair.
Wait, what's happening? There's so many things going on!
"Ah. I really do. I like how you used the light to express how daunting the future is. The person is unable to let go and is left with nothing, similar to the concept of a ghost. This is all very well written Yuri."
"Th-thank you Valkyrie..."
"Don't mention it. Now I noticed, that this isn't your full potential..."
"Wha? What do you mean?"
"In fact I feel that you tried to challenge me on my sophisticated writing skills." I smugly accused.
"Eh? N-No I didn't mean to do that! I wanted to write something a little mild and easy to digest, I suppose..." She toyed with her hair.
"Hmph. You're undermining my skills." I gave a mock sigh.
"Uh... Um..."
I continued to press on, "Well it seems that you need to try a little harder otherwi-."
"Rrrgh! Enough! No! I didn't! I wrote this for everyone to enjoy and not for you to enjoy solely!" She yelled.
I was taken aback. Now this is the Yuri that can fit into society.
"I-I'm I'm so so sorry! Please forgive me!" She stammered uncontrollably.
I laughed at cute this was. And I grinned like a dork.
"Yuri, I like it when you speak your mind. It really impresses me, and makes people want to listen to you. And besides it goes along with your bo-"
I stopped myself from what I was going to say next. Yuri's eyes instantly changed when I said that. Her eyes were smaller and more refined. It looked obsessive.
"What was that, Valkyrie? What does it go along with?"
Her voice seemed really sultry and professional. It was attractive.
OH BOY.
"I- uh um... Er..." I struggled to say what I wanted to say. She just trapped me in a corner! Why do they always do this to me!
"It... goes along with your uh... body?"
"Huu huu huu. What do you mean by my... body?" She leaned in closer. Our faces were a centimeter away from touching.
"Um... Uh..."
She's got me pinned! WHAT DO I DO?!
"It goes along with your mature personality and your uh... developed features..."
Yuri let out a toothy smile, her white teeth now being bare.
"Developed features? Enlighten me, Valkyrie."
OH NO! FUCK! I'M CAUGHT RED HANDED! SHITTTT!
"It goes along with your height and hair and stuff... That's I meant, Yuri..."
"I see. How many times do you go to gym?"
What the? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!
"Uh, three times a week?"
She gave a chuckle. "I enjoyed your poem Valkyrie. Do write another one."
Her focused expression didn't go way. I forced my smile and left the scene.
THAT WAS FUCKING WEIRD! Why does it seem that each time I get next to Natsuki or Yuri they get weird?!
Next up was Monika.
Aw man... This is going to be awkward.
We were so close to doing the k word. I didn't want to do it! Hell I'm not attracted to her! I'm scared shitless whenever I'm around her!
Stop being a wuss, Val. Remember your mission! You're doing this for Tommy!
"H-hi Monika..." I pathetically greeted.
"Hmph!" She closed her and crossed her arms. She pointed her head away from me.
Great. She's pissed at me. Again.
"Uh... Look I know this is awkward and all, but can we trade poems?"
"Whatever." She threw me her notebook and I caught it with no effort. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to get hurt from that or not... I think that I was supposed, because she gave out an annoyed hiss when I did catch it.
She didn't bother to read my poem. She set her glare at me.
I gulped and looked at the title. Her poem is called "Why?"
It would never be me.
The accidental ink stain in an otherwise perfect picture of him and me.
I throw away the pen that leaked everywhere.
From my painful memory, I repaint the entire picture.
Taking note of the colors that are no longer vibrant to me. Rather it looked black.
I lay aside everything, taking care not to disturb the picture ever again.
I look at the hole once more with my already sore and burned eyes.
I hopelessly sigh and give back to it the picture I despise.
It covers the hole and stop others from peering through, especially him.
My eyes shall no longer be sore no more.
But now I know that he's there.
He will return to me, what I stole from him.
I have a bad feeling that this is about me. I'm don't know why, but I feel guilty, depressed, and pathetic.
"This is pretty good, Mon!"
"Don't call me that. And I can't say the same for you."
Wow. Really...
I could tell she was bluffing. Her eyes give it away. Her emerald glowing eyes... gives everything away...
Fuckass! Focus!
"Jeez... Look, Monika. I'm going to that noodle shop with you at Saturday. Shouldn't that appease you just a little?"
"I can hardly care less of that. I'm giving you one last chance to make it up to me. I want you at my house, right after this club meeting. Do. You. Understand?"
I gulped. This is not going to end well. I'm cornered again! Fuck! I really don't know what will go on in her house. Everything we do gets... weird... God. I really don't like this.
"Uh... Can we do something else? I know tomorrow is a holiday but... Maybe we can go to the movies? As friends?"
She visibly grew angrier when I said friends.
"We are going to do that either way, Jones. Don't think I'm going let what happened at Study Hall slide! We have unfinished business that we need to... discuss."
CRAP! SHE JUST MENTIONED THE LIP ACTION WE WERE GOING TO HAVE! I was growing increasingly terrified by what will happen.
"Wh-wh-what do you me-mean by 'unfinished business'?..."
"Argh! You dense idiot!" She rubbed her face in frustration. She stood up and walked towards me slowly, in fury; her eyes burning through my skull! I only backed away from her. It didn't take long that I was backed against a wall. Right now all I think is how surprised I am, that no one noticed us yet.
But the way she was walking... each step she took, she was swinging her hips with vigor. It was seductive...
Aw shit! Please no! I can't aroused by this! I'm a religious person, God help me!
She put her hand on my chest and leaned on to me. It was a proactive position, her lower area was grazing mine. I could feel her hot breath my neck.
I can't anymore... This is turning me on...
"The type of 'business' that will leave us both satisfied and permanently changed. Forever." She devilishly grinned.
She started grinding lightly on my lower area.
I can't fight this anymore... I'm literally shaking in fear of what was going to happen in her house...
"Uh... uh... And what happens , say if I can't and don't want to go? I don't think that my mom will let me go to girl's house alone..."
"Hmm... Let's just say." She whispered onto my ear, her warm breath trickling my ear.
"It's a fate worse than death." Her voice was very raspy and hushed. "And I know moms, I can really connect with them. And don't forget that I was in the debate club, Jones."
So she doesn't have a punishment, I can lie that I have something to do today and tomorrow. But I'm a really bad liar... I almost never lie. Well time to put that to the test. Wait a minute... I already said that I didn't want to come. Damn it!
"Okay. You win. I'll go to your house."
She stopped her grinding and got off me. I can tell she was going to explode with ecstasy but she was trying to keep it under control with that cold and stoic expression of hers.
"Good. Is your mom going to be an issue then?"
"No ma'am I'll handle it..."
"Mark my words Jones. Once you step into my house, you will pay."
IT'S AS IF I EMBARASSED HER IN A SCHOOL EVENT!
I meekly nodded.
I took a seat away from Monika and noted to stay away from her at all costs.
I glance about the room. I ran a hand down my hair.
This is extremely stressful... I really need a break-day.
I see across the room that Sayori, Monika and Tommy were all chatting. At the other side, I see Yuri and Natsuki exchanging poems.
They start reading the poems they exchanged, I see their facial expressions change. Natsuki's eyebrows furrow as she grows increasingly frustrated from reading Yuri's poem. However, Yuri on the other hand, seemed a bit unamused and had a small smile.
"Grr. What's with this language?"
"Um, did you say something Natsuki?"
"Oh, don't worry about it."
My face feel as if it gained an extra pound.
Seriously?! That's my go-to excuse!
Natsuki returns Yuri's poem with a hint of dismissiveness. It was obvious that she didn't like the poem.
"I guess you can say that your poem is fancy."
"Thank you Natsuki. Your poem was... cute."
She perked up. "Cute? Did you miss the message of my poem?! It's about the feeling of giving up! That's not a 'cute' feeling, Yuri!"
"I-I know that! I was talking about the uh... language of your poem. I was just trying to say something nice..."
"What?! You mean you have to try to come up with something nice to say?! Thanks for compliment, Yuri! It really didn't come out nice!"
"Um... Well I have a couple suggestions on how to improve your poem writing..."
"Hmph! If I wanted suggestions, then I would've asked someone who actually liked my poem! Which people did, by the way. Sayori liked it, Monika liked it, Tommy liked it, and even Val liked it!"
What? Does my name carry that much weight?
She continued, "So based on that, I'll gladly give you some suggestions of my own." She smiled with her fang pointing out. "Now the first thing is-"
"Well excuse me. I appreciate the offer to help, but I've spent a long time establishing my writing style and making it unique! I don't expect my style to change anytime soon, unless of course I come across something very inspiring to me. But that hadn't happen yet." Yuri professionally said, with a mild glare.
Woooo! Go Yuri!
Natsuki was growing more pissed. She gritted her teeth and glared back.
"And don't you know? All three did like my poem too! Valkyrie was particularly impressed and liked my poem!"
Natsuki suddenly stands up with a game-winning grin. "Wow Yuri, I didn't know that you had to impress Valkyrie so much. It seems as if there is more going on in your mind..."
Huh? What does she mean by that?
"E-eh? Wha-wha-what are you talking about?! That's not what I... uu...!" For the first time, I see Yuri getting furious.
"Well you... you're just..." Yuri stands up. "Maybe you're just jealous that Valkyrie appreciates my poem than he appreciates yours?!"
"What! And how do you know if he liked my poem more, huh?! Are you that full of yourself?"
"Wha! I'm not-... If I was really full of myself... then I would deliberately go out of my way to make everything I do overly cutesy!"
This is hitting both of them hard. Someone should intervene. I see Sayori walk up to them, I don't think her presence will calm them down.
"GRRR!"
"U-ummm..." Sayori interrupted them both from their ensuing conflict. Is everyone okay...?
They ignored her.
"Well you know what Yuri?! I wasn't the one whose boobs magically grew a size bigger as soon as Valkyrie joined our club!"
Wait what.
"N-Natsuki!" Yuri yelled.
Monika went up to the conflict. "Um, Natsuki, that's a little over the top..."
Sayori agreed, "Yeah and-"
Both Natsuki and Yuri yelled at the two. "This doesn't involve you!"
Jesus, if it were just guys then we would be all pissed at each other and then hug it out afterwards But when it comes to girls, they keep at it for a while and hold a grudge against each other. We males are simple creatures.
With both Sayori and Monika out of the way. Tommy was the only one left.
"Uh guys?..." They both glared at him. He kinda flinched when they did look at him.
I stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "I got you." He nodded and brought up a fist. We fistbumped each other.
"Alright, what's going on here?"
"Natsuki is just tr-trying to make me look bad...!"
"No! That's not true! Yuri started it! If she could get over herself and learn to appreciate that simple writing is more effective than complex writings, then none of wouldn't have happened in the first place! What's the point of reading poems if the message is hidden from you?! The message should jump out at the reader, they shouldn't have to be found!" Natsuki looked at me pleadingly. "Help me explain that to her, Val!"
"W-wait! There's a reason why we have so many words that are so deep and expressive in our language! It makes our expressing our feelings more effective! Avoiding them just makes us be more limited and ignorant! You understand that right, Val?"
"Uh..."
They got closer to me, and leaned in on what I had to say. My hesitance to respond made glare at me.
This is not good, how did this even happen in the first place? What the hell is this memory... Gah. Let's roll.
"W-well Natsuki you're right that I liked your poem."
"See?!"
"Hold it! That doesn't mean you should pick a fight just because someone's opinion is different!"
"What? No! That's not what happened at all! Yuri wouldn't even take my poem seriously!"
"Huh. Hmm... Well..." I take a deep breath. "Well, in your case Natsuki, using feelings with a few words is effective and it lets reader's imagination take over, which is a unique writing style."
"Ahahaha! Take that! Goes to show how much you know!"
"B-but but..." Yuri tried to defend herself.
"Natsuki! That's enough!"
"Wha... why?! She was so mean to me though!"
I shook my head and touched the bridge of my nose.
"She wasn't mean to you Natsuki, she felt threatened. Like what Yuri said yesterday, writers need to open up to others and they need see to for what you are. Look Yuri, I can confirm that I liked your poem as well. Hell, it isn't a secret in the first place. I understand that you and Natsuki felt threatened when you two tried to defend your claims, it's natural. In the end however, when a writer writes a poem, they pour their feelings into, no matter how complex or simple it is."
"I see..." Yuri nodded.
"Oh..." Natsuki also nodded.
Phew... I said a mouthful. Again.
"Both of you are talented and great poem writers. Now can you two apologize to each other? Jesus..."