AN: This chapter is now up to par with the later chapters. Previous chapters are subject to rework.
Revision Date: 6/8/18
Yuri and I continued walking to the movie theater, in almost complete silence.
I took a look around my surroundings and I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
It was a sense of nostalgia that was faintly familiar.
As if I was losing perception of this reality and my old one.
The bustling traffic, crowds of people walking on the sidewalks and crossing streets, and overall noise of the city reminded me of home.
In particular, it reminded me of the time when me and my friends went to the city for our senior trip.
Our senior trip was eventful, enlightening, and overall...
Perfect...
With all those redeeming qualities, I felt a hole or rather, a gap in my thought process.
I felt home-sick.
God, I miss home.
...
Ergh! Enough about me!
Why am I here?
Shouldn't I be helping Tom?
Why am I going to the movies as Yuri?
It can't be a date...
Right?
I really, really hope that it isn't.
It's just a friendly hangout.
Right?
I just hope it is.
There is too many memories that will...
Hurt me.
Argh...
Enough!
I should be taking a much closer look into what's going on with Tom and Sayori!
There's got to be something that makes this memory repressed!
But...
There isn't much guidance...
It all feels hopeless!
What should I do...?
I ignored the fact that Yuri was walking a bit too close for my liking, but she was still in comfortable range.
"Yuri?" I called.
She quickly looked up to me.
Yuri looked concerned from my conflicted expression.
"Yes, Valkyrie? Is there something wrong?" She asked.
Now's my chance!
I can get out of this!
"Uh, yeah..." I muttered.
Yuri's expression sunk, causing her to stop in her tracks.
"What's wrong then, Valkyrie?"
Her sullen expression dropped a pit in my heart.
I couldn't help but feel horrible.
I took a deep breath.
"Is this movie hangout-thing, really something we have to do?" I slowly said, regretting my word choice with every word I chose.
Yuri's prominent frown grew more pronounced.
She looked away from me.
"N-No... not if you don't want to... I-I paid for the tickets early, so w-we can get the best seats..." Yuri nervously muttered.
She did?
Gosh...
And I am turning her down?
She let out a melancholy sigh.
"I-It's fine if you don't want to go with me... I'm pretty sure that you have better things to do..."
And with that, Yuri dropped her head down and started to walk away from me.
What's wrong with me?
I just made a girl's feelings hurt!
"Wait! Yuri!" I called.
Yuri stopped in her tracks.
She turned her head to the side slowly.
"Y-Yes, V-Valkyrie?"
I walked up to her and gave her a gentle hug from the back.
Yuri's breathing hitched somewhat from the contact.
"V-V-Valkyrie?!"
I couldn't help but smirk but her nervous and adorable stutter.
"Yuri, I never said that I wouldn't go. You never told me that you paid extra to watch a movie! I didn't know that you wanted to go that badly!"
Yuri placed her hand on my arms.
"B-But you said that if this whole thing is necessary..."
I hugged her tighter.
"I meant that if we could something more enjoyable. Like have a cup of tea or something." I suggested.
I also lied.
I got myself in this mess.
And I got myself into Natsuki's mess.
I have to get through all this.
Only then I can finally forget about this shit...
Yuri sighed happily.
"I understand, Valkyrie."
She then turned head to me.
"Ah! I-I'm sorry for misunderstanding!"
I let go of her and patted her back.
"It's fine. Let's go!"
Yuri gave a smile to my enthusiasm.
And I smiled back.
We started to walk again.
I noticed that Yuri was walking a bit too close me, yet again.
But I didn't care.
I looked towards the traffic and indulged myself with the sounds of the cities.
Loud, irritation, yet melodic honking and yelling...
Nothing was going to stop me from my reminiscing...
I let out a breath of nostalgia and let my mind take me to my most precious memories...
It was a cloudy day in the city.
Dark gray clouds coveted the sky.
It looked as if was going to rain, but that didn't stop my optimistic attitude.
Or our somewhat optimistic mood overall.
My friends were with me on this one.
The whole senior class was with us, it was the start of our senior trip.
We all were assigned to different groups, in order to stay "coordinated" and stuff.
We all knew it was pile of bullshit.
The staff just wanted us to meet other people since it was almost time for graduation, where we all take off into our futures.
We were all separated into six different groups, each having a individual letter to the group.
There was an A, B, C, D, E and F group.
That F group was newly added by us.
Each group were all randomized in what members it had.
But there was some groups that were left relatively unchanged from the randomization, as some groups benefited even.
So, what we did was convince the staff that created the group, to place us all in another group, or at least let us be an independent one.
Thanks to our good history with the teachers and coordinators, it was successful, and all four of us was placed in group F.
We were going to push our luck and be changed to group letter E, because of the current trend of the letter in social media.
But we didn't.
We were satisfied with our accommodations.
The school wanted to go with style and we all went on a sight-seeing bus; which was coach bus with an uncovered second level.
I looked up to the skies.
'Too bad it was going to rain...' I thought to myself.
Either way, it was refreshing to be on the second level rather on than the stuffy and packed first level.
We chilled out, got some sodas and talked about games, movies and its actors, and overall the concepts are somewhat useless to know in the first place.
The most fun we had was when we reminisced on all the hilarious and memorable moments we had together.
But right now, there was lull in our conversation about how we pulled off such a stunt. So, I decided to break it with some banter.
"Shit. It looks like it's gonna rain..." I muttered.
I look up at the gray clouds.
"But that don't matter. The time we spend at that hotel there is going to be fucking lit!" I exclaimed.
Gabe put his hand out.
I took it.
"Damn straight, V͖̱͚̦͖̮̱͕͛ͬa̻̖̹̹͑̔͊̑ͯ͛̃l̼̮͓͓͕̖ͮͧ̑͛̈̚ ! We all are gonna have fun!" Gabe agreed.
We heard James give an annoyed grunt at us.
"Yeah, let's see if it's fun when we all are fucking drenched..." James pessimistically muttered.
Tom punched him on the shoulder, hoping to brighten his mood.
"Aw, don't be a such a cuckass, James!" Tommy reassured.
James rubbed his afflicted shoulder.
"Well, being a 'cuckass' made me come this far... I would say it's worth it." He droned.
We all scoffed at his pessimist attitude.
"Ahh... so what if it rains, it just gives the incentive to take off our clothes!" Tom mysteriously stated.
I looked towards him with a inquisitive expression on me.
"The fuck?! Why do you think that's a good idea?" I interrupt.
He shrugged.
"Well... so we can show our toned bodies to the ladies..."
We all shook our heads at him.
Gabe seemed to be the most disappointed at him.
"Bruuuh. That's the most shameless thing you've said, Tom! Jesus." Gabe said as he shook his head in mock disgust.
Tom eye-rolled him.
"Well, bruuh to you to! That's still a 2015-ish thing to say! Who says "bruh" now?" Tom fired back.
"I do, you little cucklefuck!"
"No you."
"Your mom!"
"You're a twat."
"You're a cuck."
I let out a "pff" at how stupid the exchange was.
James chuckled at the brief argument.
"Tom, you lost. Just take the L." James calmly said with a smirk.
He sighed.
"Alright, fuck it I guess."
We all laughed from the little "argument" Gabe and Tom had.
We stopped laughing and the same awkward silence loomed over us.
We had nothing else to say.
We were bored.
"Uh... anyways, you guys want to play some... eye-spy?" I suggested.
"What are you, fucking gay?" Tom asked, with a steel-hard look.
I simply stared at him.
And he broke.
"Sure, why not." Tom agreed.
He turned to Gabe.
"Ehh... why not?" He also agreed, joining in.
Gabe turned to James.
James showed reluctance in participating on such a game.
"Yeah. I'm good. It's not like we have phones or anything to keep us occupied." James sarcastically counter-suggested.
I decided to bust him.
"Jimbo, we're on a trip to bond with friends, not be on our phones... Doing so, will just defeat the purpose of going on a trip in the first place!"
He gave an aggravated sigh.
"V̖̖̗̠̭̦ͧͪ̉͂͆a͍̭̖̋ͥͫl̦̫̭̩̓͋, you know I was joking..."
I smirked.
"Yeah. I know, I was just joshing you."
James looked at me with mock shock.
"Well, you know what?" He started off.
I kept my smirk at him.
"What? What's up Neutron?" I pressed
There was some "oohs" in the background from calling James that.
James locked his jaw in.
"I'm not your friend anymore!" He declared.
...
We stayed silent.
"Damn!" Tommy muttered, breaking the silence.
I rolled my eyes, deciding that we should get on with playing the game.
"Okay, I'll start first, since I suggested it."
Everyone silently agreed.
I looked up ahead.
'What's going on there?'
"I spy, with my little eye... something-" I muttered.
The out-of-place scene grew more prominent.
I noticed there was massive traffic clog right up ahead, and the bus was forced to stop.
The cars that were caught up with the jam were all honking and yelling to get a move on, but the truck, which was the perpetrator, refused to move for some reason.
"That's fucking weird... hey guys, you see that?" I point at the traffic jam.
Everyone flicks their head to my direction.
"Oh shit!" Gabe reacted first. "Did someone get hit?"
James waved his hand dismissively.
"Nah, I doubt it." James replied. "People are yelling at him to move. That most likely means that no one got hurt." He explained.
"Well... come to think of it, we are next to natural preserve." Tom pointed out.
I nodded at his reasoning.
The city had a strange combination of skyscrapers and nature to compliment it's style.
"Huh... if that's the case, is it a deer?" I suggested.
Gabe looked at me, disagreeing with m.
"I doubt it, if it was a deer then shit would go down. Lots and lots of people would be running to get a damn photo or video of the corpse." He darkly reasoned.
I was somewhat shocked from Gabe's pessimistic explanation.
"Holy shit. What are you the new Jim?" I asked.
"Shut the fuck up!" James leered at me.
I chuckled.
"Anyway..." I said. "Hey, can someone give me a leg up? I want to see what's up."
"You want to? Go for it, I got you, V̝̟̫̠̻̱̦̖̜̯ͫ͒ͫ̓͆̓ͣͤ̇̀ͥ͛͑̔a̘͈̪͇̤̼͐͒̏ͣ̋͛ͯ̌̀ͧ̆ͭ̐̔̚l̳͇̤̣͔̝̣̱͔̫̠̭̥͐ͬͣͥ͐͒ͬ̋̆̓̿͐" Tom said.
Tom motioned to James.
"Jimmy, give me hand!"
He nodded, and walked up to me.
"Got it, Tom."
Both Tommy and James picked me up by my legs and I stood up from that position.
"Gabe, watch his back." James ordered.
"Uh huh. Don't worry, I got him." Gabe held my back up, so I don't fall.
I take my phone and turned on the camera.
A notification popped up.
It said:
SSBob3BlIHlvdSdyZSBoYXZpbmcgZnVuLCBsb3ZlLiBPbmNlIHlvdSBhcmUgZG9uZSB3aXRoIHRoaXMsIGFsbCB0aGUgcGFpbiB3aWxsIGdvIGF3YXkuIFlvdSdyZSBtaW5lLiBZb3UgZG9uJ3QgbmVlZCB0aGVtLiBZb3UgbmVlZCBtZS4gT25seSBtZS4gSSB3aWxsIGJyZWFrIHlvdS4gSSB3aWxsIGJyZWFrIHlvdSB1bnRpbCB5b3UncmUgbWluZS4=
What? I don't remember this popping up in my phone...
"V̝̟̫̠̻̱̦̖̜̯ͫ͒ͫ̓͆̓ͣͤ̇̀ͥ͛͑̔a̘͈̪͇̤̼͐͒̏ͣ̋͛ͯ̌̀ͧ̆ͭ̐̔̚l̳͇̤̣͔̝̣̱͔̫̠̭̥͐ͬͣͥ͐͒ͬ̋̆̓̿͐, what the fuck are you doing?" James asked, growing impatient from my delays.
"Sorry, something weird popped up in my phone!" I apologized.
I returned to the camera and zoomed at what was in front of the truck.
'Ducks?'
I took a picture of the scene and signaled them to put me down.
"So what was it?" James asked as he looked at my phone.
"Ducks." I simply said.
"Ducks?!" Both Tommy and Gabe yelled in sync.
I couldn't keep a smile from growing on me.
"Yep, ducks. And their ducklings. They are so adorable, though!"
I showed them picture, to which they all went, 'awww...'
It was a white duck crossing the road with a line of ducklings following it's mother.
"Ah! Now I know what to say for the eye-spy game! I spy with my little eye, something small, white, and living!"
Everyone let out a annoyed grunt from my pick.
I grinned from the fun I was going to have.
"Valkyrie? Are you ok?" I turned to the voice to the right of me.
It was Yuri, and she looked worried.
I blinked at her, as I was asking her to continue.
"You were zoning out for a bit... it looked as if you were in deep thought."
I looked away from her.
"Ah! I'm sorry! Sorry! If I broke your train of thought!"
I patted her back, her soft hair absorbing the pats, as if it were armor.
I gave her a small smile at her.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it, Yuri." I assured.
We continued to walk in silence.
"V-Valkyrie?" She called again.
I looked at her with the same smile I had.
For some reason, my smile made her even more flustered.
"C-can I ask wh-what you were thinking about?" Yuri asked.
I looked to her with a hint of suspicion.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked that! I-"
I put my hand up to stop her endless apologies.
"No, no. It's fine... Yuri. Don't worry." I felt really calm from my revisit of my memories.
I think I finally can let loose for a while...
I didn't know how to start off.
"Um... Well, I was just thinking about the old days..."
"Old days?" She asked.
I nodded.
"Yeah, the old days... the days where I had friends before my family moved here. Good friends, we were all inseparable. We did everything together. Go to school together, play together, work together, help each other... In short, they were basically, my brothers..."
"Oh... I see." She muttered.
I let out a mournful sigh.
"Yeah..."
There was an awkward silence between us.
It gave me whiplash from the past reality and the current reality.
I thought I needed to break the silence once more.
But to my surprise, Yuri broke it first.
"Valkyrie..." She started.
We slowed our pace.
I looked at her directly, wanting to hear what wanted to say.
"I-It must've been hard for you to let go of your friends... Do you still talk to them?"
I don't know.
I slowly nodded.
"Yeah... but not a lot as it used to be..." I stated.
I wasn't lying.
But I wasn't saying the whole truth either.
Every time I tried to text my friends, it didn't take long for a warning to pop up.
"Why?"
I scratched my chin lightly, trying to give her an answer.
"Well, it's because that they live somewhere else... contacting them is very costly, even by Skype or SMS... so I talk to them in the holidays, I guess..."
I lied.
And I felt horrible.
This cover up story is going to kill me.
Why did I get myself into this?
Yuri had a pitiful expression.
"My gosh... I'm so sorry."
She sunk.
"If only if we met earlier..." She muttered.
"Maybe we could've been more than friends..."
I didn't catch her mutter.
No...
No way...
I arched an eyebrow.
"Huh? What was that?"
This caught Yuri off guard.
"I-I-I!" Yuri incoherently babbled.
I rolled my eyes and took Yuri's hand. I led her to a wall of a skyscraper and I stood right by her.
"Yuri, take your time so you can collect your thoughts..."
She nervously wringed her fingers.
"I-I'm trying!" She yelled.
Her wringing moved up to her hair.
She was hyperventilating while playing with her hair.
Her soft and beautiful hair...
Where did that come from?!
Agh! Focus, damn it!
I let out a sigh.
Ugh...
Looks like we are going to have to do this again.
"Do you want to breathe together?" I asked.
Yuri looked up at me, excited from the prospect of my offer.
"Yes! I want to! I mean..."
She took a hasty breath, trying to look composed and regal.
"Yes, please."
Her strange behavior made me feel uneasy, but I shrugged it off.
I moved in front of Yuri, so she can hear me only.
She closed her eyes and covered mouth to stifle a giggle.
Why is she laughing?
"I like it when you're close, Valkyrie." Yuri opens her eyes.
It's... those eyes again...
Focused and obsessed...
I choked on my words.
"I uh-yeah, yeah." I attempted to play it off as a compliment.
I let out a deep breath, unaware that my breath tickled her face.
And for that reason, her breathing became more erratic.
Her excited and aroused purple eyes turned mellow once more.
I noticed that her face started be turn more red.
It made me concerned.
"Yuri? Are you feeling under the weather today?" I pressed my hand against her forehead.
I was genuinely worried about her.
"I... I!" She stammered.
Her unsteady gulps of air turned shallow.
Her eyes finally turned.
They weren't glimpses of what could have happened.
Rather, they are glimpses of what is happening.
Yuri's unsure expression turned to a devilish smirk.
"No. I am not."
She wraps her arms around my neck and brings me closer.
What the?!
The sudden pull made me lose my balance for a split second to which I held on to something.
"Aah!" Yuri moaned as soon I held onto something.
No...
No!
I looked down to what I was holding onto.
Only for me to widened my eyes.
Oh no!
I am holding onto her hips!
Oh no! She's... she's...
Hot!
I mentally slapped myself and refocused at the situation at hand.
"Aah! Yuri, I am so sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-!"
She put a finger in between my lips to shush me.
"Not a single word, more."
I didn't realize how close I was to Yuri.
I saw her purple eyes in a more effective manner.
It looked as if I can get lost into them.
I can get lost to that sea of lavender... it's so calm and soothing.
But it was very shallow.
Her eyes...
It's like it's hiding a deeper and more recluse Yuri.
A Yuri that I have never seen before...
My face was getting closer and closer...
Her eyes just looks so inviting...
Her breathing slowed down and as did mine.
The outside world didn't exist for a moment.
It was just me and Yuri.
Only her.
Just Yuri.
...
A small voice in my head warned me to back away.
It was telling me to get out of there.
Not to get involved.
But how could I?
I could let go of this Goddess of beauty?
I was struggling with the conflict inside of me.
I was thinking of things.
Things...
Yuri.
I saw her eyes flutter shut.
I felt my head rear towards her lips.
No...
I can't!
No!
I forced myself to rear away from her.
I rested my back against the wall of the skyscraper.
Yuri opened her eyes, her eyes being the usual calm it always been.
She looked confused.
And I couldn't blame her.
I...
I just don't like where things are going.
That's what I planned to say.
But instead...
We both just back away from each other, both brushing and fixing our selves.
Our faces were tomato red, completely embarrassed as to what just happened...
We are never going to bring this up again, are we?
I hope not...
Yuri and I stood in awkwardly in silence.
We didn't say a word to each other...
I couldn't muster the courage to say what I wanted to say.
Especially since the moment and timing has passed.
Some thirty seconds pass by.
But... this is getting ridiculous.
I should just make the first move.
No matter how awkward this whole thing is.
I sighed and cleared my throat.
"Yuri."
She meekly looked up to me.
"We should get moving." I suggested.
Yuri silently nods in response, she walks behind me with and her head sunken down.
Her gaze focused on the ground.
We continue our commute to the movie theater in silence.
The only difference is the complete silence between us and the air was feeling... stiff.
God, this is so awkward...
Why does this always happen?!
Especially when I'm around girls?!
Damn it!
I slow my pace to at least break the ice between us.
She too, slows her pace.
It's as if she keeps up an effort to stay a away from me.
I raised my head and let out a deep breath.
This isn't going anywhere...
I started the awkward scene.
And because of that, I should continue it so I can meld it to something more... sensible.
I backed up unsuspectingly.
She didn't notice that I was walking backwards to get closer to her.
I then swooped up for the win.
And she was taken completely off-guard.
I slide my hand into hers.
Her hand is warm and soft as cotton...
It makes me want to squeeze it...
...
Why am I doing this...?
What's wrong me?
Why do I feel so... bold all of a sudden?
Did I not want this before?
I didn't notice her extremely flustered expression.
She gaped her mouth in complete surprise from my actions.
"Wha-wha?! Valkyrie?! Y-y-your h-hand is o-on m-m-mine!"
Her eyes looked frantically at me for an explanation.
I gave none.
Instead I smirked and squeezed her hand.
Yuri squealed in response.
"Aah! Wh-why a-are y-you doing this?!" She hastily asked.
My silence made her anxious behavior worse.
"Valkyrie!" She yelled.
I kept silent and pulled her closer to me.
It didn't take long to start walking again.
"V-Valkyrie, please! People will think we're a couple!"
I shrugged.
"Yeah? So what? But they don't know the truth, do they? We're just friends, right? Let them think whatever."
I felt her palm grow a bit sweatier.
"Y-yes... friends." She muttered unhappily.
We continue to walk in silence, despite Yuri's anxiousness.
For the umpteenth time, we were unsure of how to approach each other.
We wanted to break the ice between us.
Especially what happened a few moments prior.
"Um... Valkyrie?" Yuri called.
I was baffled from her new-found confidence.
I seized the chance to look her with a smile.
"Yes, Yuri? Do you need something?" I responded.
My smile made her warm up to me.
"W-Would you like to go to a cafe near by? I usually go there after school... and I was hoping that we can burn some time by going there..."
I shrugged.
"Sure, I'm pretty sure that we can make time for the movies still! Lead the way."
My enthusiastic attitude elicited a small giggle from Yuri.
I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, as it sounded melodic and regal.
And somehow...
Cute.
"Very well, Valkyrie!"
Yuri tightens her grip on my hand and starts to move quicker.
Her quick movement escalated to a small jog.
And because of that she pulled my hand towards her.
It was there where our jog turned to a dead-on sprint.
We dashed through the street of the city and made it to the cafe rather quickly.
I was astonished of how athletic Yuri could be.
She wasn't breathing heavily or gasping for air after the sprint.
I rested my hands on my knees and leaned forward, trying to catch my breath again.
I was still holding onto Yuri's hand, as she leaned forward too.
To be Frank, it isn't me that's her hand anymore.
Her hand is literally grasping mine.
Yuri noticed my winded posture.
"Valkyrie? Are you tired? Do you need water?" She hurriedly and worriedly asked.
I pulled myself up.
"Hah... I'm fine. Just..."
I put my free hand on my wrist.
"Woo!" I let out.
I looked to Yuri, impressed by her stamina.
"I didn't know you can run that much, Yuri! That's really impressive!" I remarked.
Yuri's small smile grew brighter.
"Thank you, Valkyrie."
I wanted to know how she was able to accomplish such a feat.
I expected her to say so.
But she didn't.
"Yuri? This is the part where you tell why you are able to run that much..."
She got flustered again.
"Oh! Um... I... I am in the school swimming team. Stamina is essential while swimming, so running this much is nothing really." She stated.
I couldn't help but feel a bit-off.
Yuri sounded a bit condescending when she said that.
She caught onto my expression.
"Ah! I-I am just saying, Valkyrie..."
...
"Sorry!"
I finally nodded and smiled at her.
"Yuri, I know what you meant. Don't worry!"
I patted her shoulder.
"Now, are we going into the cafe?" I asked.
Yuri meekly shook her head and looked away.
"I wanted to have our tea outside... maybe sit down under the umbrellas of the outside seats..." She muttered.
I looked down to see her playing with her hair again.
I chuckled.
"Sure. Not a problem, Yuri." I assured.
We walked over to the outside seats and took our seats.
Our hands finally separated.
I rested my hand on lap and waited patiently for the waiter to come over.
We didn't know what to say to each other.
This is like a date!
And I don't want to be in one!
Fuck!
It's just so awkward!
I cleared my throat.
"So uh... lovely weather we are having..." I started.
Yuri leered at me.
"Are you okay, Valkyrie?" She asked.
I rolled my eyes.
"I'm trying to be sociable here, Yuri!" I responded.
"Oh... Sorry!"
I closed my eyes and exhaled.
She likes to say sorry a lot, doesn't she?
"Yuri, I won't forgive you if you keep saying sorry to every sentence you say!"
She started to look conflicted.
"Y-You won't? B-But I can't help it! It's a habit!"
It is a habit!
Might need to appeal to her ego...
I scooted my seat in order comfort her.
I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Look. I am pretty sure you can handle it."
I moved my hand away from her and leaned back.
"Besides, aren't you the smartest girl in the literature club?" I pressed.
"I... am." She muttered.
"Then a smart girl like you, can find a way to get past her habits."
Yuri blushed.
With a firm look and nod, she understood what I was getting at.
"You're right, Valkyrie! I can do it! I am smart enough to find a way past my compulsive apologies!" She confidently said with a sure expression, her pink cheeks permeating her confidence.
I was baffled from her new-found confidence...
Again.
"Told ya." I simply commented.
The waiter finally came over with the menus.
He handed one to me in an almost brusque manner, while giving one to Yuri politely.
I eyed him.
And he eyed me.
"Valkyrie, what tea would you like?" She asked, while looking at menu.
I looked down onto the menu.
I wasn't sure what to pick.
"Hmm... well, I don't mind. Choose whichever, Yuri; I don't mind. Your decision was to come here, so it's your choice."
She smiled at my courtesy.
"Okay..."
She looked at the waiter.
And the waiter was looking at her back.
Something about the waiter made me feel very uneasy.
Why am I feeling something...
Sharp inside of me?
That guy is just...
Looking at Yuri wrong.
But I think it's just me.
Right?
"We will have some Oolong tea, please." Yuri requested.
I saw the waiter grow a malicious smile.
"Is there anything else you would like, angel?"
I saw Yuri blush at the nickname the waiter gave to her.
"W-What do you mean, sir?" She meekly asked.
He leaned on the table.
"Maybe we can something to eat, and you know get to know each other..." The waiter continued on.
I gritted my teeth and balled my fists up.
"I-I... no thank you. I am not interested, sorry." She simply said.
His smile grew darker.
"C'mon... don't play hard to get! I know a place-"
That's it!
"Hey! Stop harassing her and get a God damn move on!" I yelled.
Some people turned around from my outburst.
The waiter was silent, glaring at me from my yell.
Some people were whispering about the whole ordeal.
I glared at him.
And he glared at me.
Finally with a small, but nervous chortle, the waiter left.
I let out a deep breath.
The people watching turned their backs and went on with their business.
Yuri just sunk her head down.
Her small frown grew more pronounced.
"I'm sorry, Valkyrie..." She apologized, without looking up at me.
This broke me off from the rage I was experiencing.
"What?" I asked confused. "Why are you sorry?"
Why am I even angry?
It's not like I like Yuri...
Right?
Yuri covered her face up.
"I should have been more stronger... I should have yelled at him!" She said through her covered face.
How do I approach this...?
"Um... are you mad at yourself, Yuri?"
Yuri opens a bit her cover face, letting a sullen eye to peak out.
"Yes... I am. I just can't make a stand when I need to! That man just kept pushing me! You came and helped me!"
She moves her hands away from her face and looked down onto her lap.
"I... I don't know to be strong... I envy Monika's and Natsuki's will. It's something I don't have..."
I sighed.
"Yuri look... sometimes it takes a bit more than will to stand up to person like that. Friends are there to help you out. And you needed help."
She looked up to me.
"That's what friends are for, Yuri. I am here to help you. And that includes taking care of rambunctious guys like him."
I pointed to the guy who flirted Yuri.
I didn't bother to turn to see the look on his face.
Especially when Yuri gave a cold glare towards the direction.
Yuri looked at me with a small smile.
"Then..." She muttered.
She held her hand out on the table.
I took no time to hold it.
"I am glad to have friends like you, Valkyrie." Yuri declared.
I couldn't help but beam at her.
My smile made her giggle slightly.
Her giggles are so cute...
A waitress interrupted our moment by placing the tea tray right besides our hand-holding.
We both glared at her in perfect synchronization, to which she eye-rolled.
We looked at each other and laughed.
The tea had a warm, vapory steam rising from it's cup.
I broke out Yuri's grip, the latter giving a small and annoyed grunt.
I grabbed the tea cup and blew on it.
"Valkyrie."
I turned to her.
"Hmm?"
Yuri had this mocking look on her face.
"You don't blow on tea that much. It's supposed to be warm!"
I too gave her a condescending look.
"Pssh. I know! I thought that we were running out of time. I just want to drink this and get a move on." I explained.
Yuri took out her purple case phone and unlocked it.
"Ah. We still have 15 minutes before the movies even start. The theater is rather near."
I shrugged.
"Alright, I'll take your word for it."
I took a sip of the tea.
The sweet aroma and taste of the Oolong tea made me feel calm.
Especially after the scene where the guy bothered Yuri.
"Mmm..." Yuri cooed as took a sip of the tea.
I turned to her.
It looked as if this was her first time drinking such a tea type.
"You never drank this type before?" I asked.
Yuri looked nervous as soon as I asked that.
"No, no! I drank this before." She hurriedly replied. "It's just that..."
She flared up.
And I was confused as to why.
"Whenever I am around you... I feel so many things..."
So many things?
I lowered my tea cup and diverted my attention to her.
"What do you mean?"
Yuri looked frantic.
She darted her attention to me and to the tea cup.
"Yuri, calm down. Take a deep breath." I requested.
She nodded.
Yuri put her cup down and took a deep breath.
I took another sip.
"Now let it out."
"Haah..."
I nodded while looking at the light brown color of the tea.
"Good, good..."
I looked towards her again.
"Now, are you ready?"
Yuri straightened herself up.
"I am."
I motioned her to go.
"Before I met you... I didn't feel so... 'intense' when I am around people. But, whenever I am around you Valkyrie... I feel alive. It's like I am seeing color for the first time... or smelling anything, it just has a fresh undertone to it. Food and drinks now actually have a taste! Music feels enjoyable... and best of all..."
She looked towards me.
Her eyes looked shallow for a split-second, before being it's usual mellow shape.
"I feel warm."
She smiled at me.
"I feel warm and happy when I am around you, Valkyrie."
I don't like where this is going.
She's growing more and more of a distraction...
But a distraction with real emotions and problems...
I smiled back at her.
Fuck it.
I want to help her.
"Your condition kind of worries me, Yuri." I jokingly say. "But, I am glad that I make you feel that way."
She giggles again.
The same giggles that makes my heart bounce.
"Valkyrie... I just want to let you know..."
She quivers her mouth, unable to properly formulate her next words.
Yuri takes a deep breath before continuing.
"I..."
I, what?
Oh no...
"I... am really happy that we are friends, Valkyrie."
I small but irritating relief washes over me.
"I am happy that we are friends too, Yuri."
Within those 10 minutes or so, we make it to the theater.
As a result, I tried to pull my hand away from her grasp.
I tried to pull away, only for her to glare at me.
She then tightened her grasp on my hand.
"Yuri? We're at movies now... you can let go, now..."
Yuri's voice changed from her shy and nervous tone to an more forceful and intimate one.
"Why would I? We're just... friends. Right?"
"Yeah... we are..."
"Then I have no reason to let go."
Argh!
Curse this logic.
I didn't question Yuri's logic and decided it was best that we didn't say anything.
"Okay... anyway, what's this movie about?" I asked, trying to deviate away from her forcefulness.
"Oh." Her voice went back to normal, however still retaining some of that forceful tone.
She clears her voice.
"It's about the book we were reading. In other words, it's a movie adaptation of it."
"Nice!" I exclaim, happy that we were watching something scary.
Yuri was curious about my enthusiasm to watch the movie.
"It seems that you really want to watch this movie, Valkyrie." She commented.
I nodded.
"Yep! I love scary movies, it always makes me laugh how stupid the characters can be... or how hard the directors try to be unsettling."
We continue walking to the counter.
"Is that all you like in those movies?" She further asked.
I shrugged.
"Well, yeah. Besides the fact that I like jump-scares." I nonchalantly reply.
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"Eh? You like jump-scares, Valkyrie?"
I nodded again.
"Yeah, I love jump-scares. At first it's scary, until you realize on how stupid it was. I find it funny on how sudden or obvious it can be. I guess it's just me." I elaborated.
"Ah, I see."
We make it to the counter.
A line was waiting to get food during the showing.
"Anyways, want to get some popcorn while watch it?"
"Yes, please!" She smiled enthusiastically.
Yuri then frowned, unsure of something.
"I-I didn't bring any extra money..." She muttered.
I turned and used my free hand to pat her back.
"It's not a problem. I can afford movie theater food... I hope. Whatever, we still can eat it."
Yuri's smile came back.
"Very well, then!"
We walk up to the movie theater's food vendor, our hands never separating.
"Hmm... so uh, medium... or a large popcorn?" I asked.
"Why don't we get a large popcorn?" She answered quickly.
I looked to her, surprised from her quick reply and her reasoning.
"To-uh sh-share it of course..."
Share it?
"That's a good idea. Besides, a large popcorn is a better deal anyway."
We walk up a few paces.
"Should we also get 2 sodas?" I followed up.
Yuri tapped her chin with her free hand.
"U-um... sure. I was thinking... a large soda we both can share..."
Share that too?
"Eh, sure. I don't mind."
I hope I don't...
I don't know how sharing with a girl would go.
It was our turn to order our food, there was no one waiting behind us.
The female clerk straightened up at the sight of us, she puffed out her chest and placed her elbows on the counter, ready to listen to our order.
I slowly walked up to the counter.
As I walk up, the clerk's smile grew.
"Hi there, cutie! What can I get for you?"
I arched both my eyebrows and recoiled my head back.
Cutie...?
What the hell?
What's her deal?
I noticed that she was looking at me entirely...
Lecherously.
"Uh. Um..." I stuttered from her scanning eyes.
The clerk giggled at my nervousness, to which Yuri squeezed my hand tightly.
I can feel the rage coming from Yuri...
Not to mention that I am feeling very uncomfortable.
I cleared my throat.
"We would like a um... one large popcorn and one large soda."
The clerk looked unfazed, as she was still staring at me.
"Um... are you not going-"
She cut me off.
"Hmm... how about, two medium popcorn and two medium sodas? That way you two don't have to share it." She suggested.
I shook my head.
"Nah. We plan on sharing the snacks."
Her sweet smile grew flirtatious.
"Mmm, but sir. I'm making you an offer, I'll lower the price by 3..."
She leaned in.
"Just for you."
Wow! That's a deal but...
The clerk then winked at me seductively.
"Uh..." I looked towards Yuri for confirmation.
She had a scowl and gritted her teeth towards me.
It was fairly obvious that she wanted to share the food.
"Sorry, but no thank you. We are content with sharing the snacks." I responded.
She sighed.
"That's ok. Would like anything else? My number, maybe?"
My eyes were literally about to bulge out from the clerk's bluntness.
"Wha-what?"
"My number, cutie."
She traced her tongue around her lips in an undetected manner.
Jesus, what a fucking thot.
"Why?" I asked, wanting to catch her off-guard.
She giggled.
"Ahaha... You're so silly! Obviously, so we can go out! You seem to be an interesting guy that will-"
"Rrrgh! Enough!" Yuri growled.
I flinched from Yuri's sudden anger.
I felt my hand being crushed by her overwhelming grip.
Yuri slammed her fist on the counter.
"No! This man does not want your number, you low-ranking simpleton! He's mine and only mine! You are nothing compared to him! You are just a bimbo slut, with no admirable qualities! Valkyrie deserves a woman that is much better than you, bitch!" She yelled.
The clerk was fazed from Yuri's outburst, shaking very visibly from the terror.
However, she mustered false courage and wrote something on a piece of paper.
"Hmph. If you get tired of her... I'm always up for grabs."
She blew a kiss at me as she slipped a piece of paper before going to prepare the order.
I didn't fail to notice her hips swing with energy...
Yuri instantly grabbed the paper and ripped it apart.
"Ragh!" She roared as she tore the paper into oblivion.
"Um... Yuri... you're doing me a frighten..." I muttered pathetically.
She didn't bother to look at me.
Yuri has this cold and unsettling stare off at a distance.
"Not a single word, Jones."
Oh shit! She sounds almost exactly like Monika!
I kept silent for a while, unsure of what to say.
I had to think what I'm going to say to calm her down.
Yuri was angry, and she rarely gets angry.
"Look, Yuri... if you think I'm going to go out with her, you're mistaken. I would never go on a date with a-"
She cut me off with a cold glare.
"That's bullshit. I saw how you looked at her. You saw her fake ass swing side to side. It's nothing compared to mine."
I widened my eyes from what she was saying.
Mostly because of the last part.
Nothing compared to yours...?
I sighed.
"I-I... Alright. I'm guilty of seeing... well that. I didn't mean to... and I regret it.
"No, you don't. You actually enjoyed watching her tease you."
I let go of the grip Yuri held.
I put my hand on her cheek.
Her glare lessened considerably.
"Yuri. I will not go out with her, if that makes you happy. I promise."
I slide my hand down to her chin and gently moved it towards me.
"For what it's worth, Yuri. I'm sorry."
Something in Yuri changed when I apologized.
Her face turned a dark, scarlet red, looking completely mortified from her actions.
"Uwaa! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She moves my hand to cover her face.
For some reason, I felt empty when she moved my hand...
I pull her hands away from her face.
"Hey, hey... It's my fault for not taking a stand against her! This is all my fault!"
Yuri looks down in shame and shook her head.
"No, it isn't! It's mine! I got mad because I felt... jealous! Please forgive me! It won't happen again!"
I sighed.
She's taking the blame as usual...
I cup her chin and made her look at me, again.
"Yuri..."
Her eyes widened from the contact.
"Y-yes?"
Our eyes met.
Her purple eyes met mine.
"This is my fault. I will not hear anything about saying it's yours. It isn't and I will carry the blame proudly. Is this okay?"
Yuri looks all over my face before closing her eyes.
"Okay, Valkyrie..."
I smiled.
"Good."
I take her hand again.
"Now, I wonder how expensive this food will be."
She giggles in response.
The one who was delivered our food was a guy who seemed as if he hated his job.
He gave us our snacks and left just as fast.
Now to pay the bill... Oh wait...
I noticed a bit too late that my wallet was on my right hand pocket.
My right hand was on Yuri's left hand, so I couldn't take out the wallet.
"Yuri, can you let go for a sec-"
She turned to me in an instant.
"No! Why?"
I shrugged meekly.
"Well, because I kind of have to pay for the expenses..."
Yuri didn't budge.
"Where's your wallet?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"Your wallet, Valkyrie." She repeated. "Where is it?"
I glanced down.
"My right hand pocket. I can't reach with my left arm..."
Yuri smirked.
"Let me get it for you..."
Uh oh.
"Wait! Aah!"
She digs her free hand onto my pocket.
I can feel her soft hands on my thighs... It feels so... arousing.
I can feel myself getting...
Ergh! Get a grip!
"Mmm... I like this..."
I glared at her.
"Yuri!"
"Ah, sorry!"
She continues to navigate her hand in my pocket.
"Got it!"
She pulls out my wallet and opens it with one hand.
"Um... cash or card?"
"U-use my d-debit card, any card should do." I uttered, feeling "off" from her touch.
"Okay..." She plugs in the debit card onto the machine and she's successful.
Just as fast, she puts back my credit card into my wallet and puts my wallet into my pocket.
Now to carry the food.
"Are we still going to hold-" I asked, before being cut off once again.
"Yes. We are. Grab the popcorn, I'll grab the soda and straws."
Whoa, she sounds really forceful...
"Got it."
I grab my end and she grabs hers.
We then stroll to the booth showing "Markov Links".
Yuri takes out her tickets and hands them to the attendant.
"Thank you, ma'am. Have a great date you two!"
Yuri giggles and opens the door to booth.
"Uh... this isn't-" I tried to explain to the attendant.
"Valkyrie!" She yells out at me.
"Coming!"
I hurriedly followed her to the theater.
We finally enter booth.
The movie hasn't started yet and it seems that there isn't many people.
Only a sixth of the booth was seated, the rest were completely empty.
We decided that we take a row that was empty and had the best viewing angle.
This row was also completely isolated from the others...
We sit down in the middle of the row.
The chairs were designed to have the revolving armrests, so it can imitate a sofa experience.
So, I placed the popcorn down, between the seats.
"We aren't going let popcorn get in the way between us! Put it on both of our laps!" Yuri demanded.
Jesus Christ!
"Alright, alright... no need to have your boxers in a twist..." I muttered while moving the popcorn up.
"My what?" She asked, confused from my saying.
Right...
She doesn't wear that.
"Nothing."
I place the popcorn on our laps.
Our legs and shoulders were touching...
Just get through this movie, and you're home free, V̻̱̪̩͕̕a̩l͉̖.
"Okay, now what about the soda, Yuri?"
She looked at the seats, looking for a way to put it somewhere.
"Hmm... there's a compartment for it on the popcorn bowl."
She opens the compartment and places the soda on it.
"There! It fits perfectly."
An eerie piano solo was playing in the background.
At this point the movie has just started.
The scene plays out on a person wearing all-black ballistic armor who seems to be heavily wounded. Lacerations, bruises, scars covered the man's body. It was as if he was struggling to ignore an annoying sound playing around him, as his posture indicated he was tense from the sounds. He struggled to walk towards a door, which seemed to be an exit to someplace. Each step he took caused a frame to distort and show a picture of something. Each of the frames showed an ominous green eye which seems to hemorrhage on each step he takes. The frames also displayed quick images of scenes. Such scenes were a hand holding something white, hugging another person with all-black ballistic armor, and his angry face saying something. The person finally opens the door, his tense posture now gone. He was greeted to a blinding light.
"My name Franklin Johnson, and this is my story of Letting Go."
I nodded from how the movie was starting.
Interesting... I like this already.
But...
I can't help but feel that name...
That name sounds familar...
I just can't place my hand on it...
It sounds really old...
Stale, as if I used to say it a lot.
At the same time, completely foreign...
Maybe, I am just overthinking this...
I felt Yuri's head resting on my shoulder, she was treating it as if it was a cushion.
Great.
As if it was natural, I returned the favor by resting my head on hers.
She sighs happily as we watch the movie, fully enthralled by the use of media reis and effects.
We reached the climax of the film.
Franklin was confronting the last female assassin and was in the process in saving his friend.
He was saying things like how the female assassin used him, manipulated him, seduced him.
Overall, saying how he felt like a bag of meat and just a drone.
"Who do you think you are?! To keep me in this Hell and not go back to my reality?! My home? My friends? My family? My dreams? My future?! You think you can take that away from me?!"
"Hahahaha... yes I can! There's no reason to go back! Everything you see is real! You belong here with me... and I am done being alone! I have had enough of sleeping and waking up in this endless nightmare alone! You are everything I want! After being with me for so long, I won't let you leave me! You will always be with me! I will never be alone again! You're mine! You're mine! You're mine!"
"No! I am not yours! I won't let you stop me! I won't! I am going to end this! Right here, right now!"
At this point, couples were shamelessly making out in front many others.
Passionately kissing without a care in the world.
This has elected disgust, as many have started leaving in irritation of it.
"Why of all places, here? Can't they see this is the most exciting part of the story? Just look at the dialogue! Things are starting to heat up!" I ranted.
I gobble up the last of the popcorn and place the bucket down.
I looked around the theater, to see all the couples making out.
"This is just disgusting..." I muttered.
Yuri looked at me, shyly.
"Don't you know, Valkyrie? Movie theaters are a popular place to you know... make out. N-not th-that I would know..."
I scoffed.
"That's cool and all, but I want to watch the movie!"
I crossed my arms in anger.
"Hehe! You're adorable when you pout, Valkyrie."
I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks." I nonchalantly say.
The female assassin grabs the neck of the protagonist and starts to run her hand down his body.
The protagonist seemed to writhe, trying to break free from the paralysis that he was apparently experiencing.
I propped my elbows on my lap and watched intently.
The assassin's sharp claw-like hand draped his body.
It looked very arousing.
The assassin finally lied down on top of him and gave him a kiss.
Despite her disfigured and coveted body, she was somehow attractive.
"Wow..." I muttered absentmindedly.
Yuri shuffled next me.
"Um. Valkyrie?"
I turned to her.
"Hmm?"
Yuri, all of a sudden turned red.
Red enough to be seen in the darkness.
"Yuri, are you okay?" I asked, with worry.
"I-I am!" She responded.
I nodded.
She took multiple deep breathes to help ease her.
But to no avail, it didn't help her.
And it was making me more concerned.
She closed her eyes.
"C-can w-we u-u-um..."
She paused for a second and opened her eyes.
"Uuu! Never mind!"
"What's wrong, Yuri?"
I turn to look at her.
She looked red and hid in her hair.
Her galaxy purple hair.
"Oh no, is the fever back?!"
She shook her head.
"N-no! It isn't..."
I was going to check on her forehead but I stopped.
"Okay... then what's wrong?"
She looked away and stared at the movie screen.
"Don't worry about it..." Yuri muttered.
I deadpanned from her dismissal.
Also because she stole my catchphrase.
"Yuri, I wouldn't 'worry about it' if that 'fever' didn't come up earlier today! Please tell me what going on!"
She bit her lips, hoping that I would stop pressing her.
"No... Y-you don't w-want to kn-know... Y-you wouldn't s-see me the same way..."
I was worried still.
"I can take it. What's wrong?"
She closed hers and gritted her teeth.
"I'm w-warning you, Valkyrie... please stop it..."
I stared at her.
"I insist, Yuri. Please. Tell me."
She shook her head in hasty dismissal.
"No! Please stop!"
I gritted my teeth from her reluctance.
"Yuri, I want to help you. Please tell me, I beg you."
I pulled her towards me.
Her widened, surprised eyes were looking at me once more.
"V-Valkyrie?"
I solemnly looked at her.
"Yuri." I simply said.
She looked pained.
"Uuu! Okay!"
Yuri squeezed her eyes shut.
"I was saying if you wanted to make out with me!" She shouted.
"Okay?! That's what I wanted to say! I wanted to kiss you and enjoy you!" Yuri yelled, admitting her intentions.
Yuri wants to... make out with me?
No...
No.
No!
Not again!
I can't do it again!
I can't!
"Yuri... We aren't in a relationship..." I meekly state, unsure of what to say.
She likes me?
Yuri likes me?
No...
She gritted her teeth and pushed me away.
"That's why I said to drop it! I didn't want to say anything to you!"
"Why didn't you say anything before...?" I quietly asked.
"Because, I was too scared! And you know what?! I'm pretty sure that you know I like you! Not as a friend! But as something more!"
It's true!
I can't do it!
It's going to be a re-run of last time!
No!
"That's right! I like you!"
The crescendo of the scene started to happen.
The sounds of both of kissing and wet saliva intensified.
"Actually, Valkyrie..."
She pounces on me.
Her red face, supplemented with her purple hair...
Yuri's on top of me...
She...
She's hot.
"I'm madly in love with you!"
No...
She loves me?!
"I feel as if I will die if I don't breathe the same air as you! I don't feel anything when I am not near you! Nothing in live matters when I am not around you! Food, music, touch, feelings... nothing matters!"
Tears start to run down her cheeks, dropping onto my neck.
She needs me...
Yuri doesn't feel right without me...
"Can't you see, Valkyrie?! The reason why I wanted to you come with me to the movies is because I wanted to start a relationship with you! I need you! I can't see a future without you! Everything without you looks so bleak!" She screamed at me.
She needs me?
Yuri really needs me.
It's as if I am just a bright light in her life...
A light that warms her up.
Me...
The life I can provide to her...
Yuri got off of me and glared.
"I know nothing will happen between us, but always hoped that something would happen! But I didn't want something like this!"
She dried the tears up with her sleeve and sniffled.
"I... I wanted something more... I really want to be with you. Your laughs, your smiles, your care... It's something I want badly... but now..."
Her expression softened.
"Now... that will never happen. I messed up my chances to be with you..."
Tears started to well up in her eyes again.
"I need to be alone, right now."
And with that Yuri dashed out of the theater, whimpering all the way.
I need to do something now!
I jumped out of my seat.
"Yuri! Wait! Come back! YURI!" I frantically sprinted out to catch up with her.
Why does all seem familiar!
Argh!
No... no... no!
Why is this almost a re-run of last time?!
Everything is going wrong!
I need to fix this!
I couldn't find Yuri anywhere.
I looked around, jumping my attention to different directions at once.
"Yuri!" I called.
...
Nothing.
I felt a rush of blood swell up in my head, my heart thumping wildly.
She couldn't have gone far!
She has to be near!
I ran towards the bathrooms.
"Yuri!" I yelled through the bathrooms.
I heard a sharp inhale in the female bathroom.
Yuri!
Out of irrationality and in a crazed state I opened the door.
I saw Yuri.
Yuri was curled up in a corner.
"Aah!" She squealed in surprise, holding her forearm.
No...
Her forearm was cut up in random directions like a jigsaw puzzle, blooding was oozing from her wounds.
She immediately covered her arm up in complete shame.
"Yuri...?" I muttered.
My heart stopped as to what I was seeing.
Yuri was shaking and holding a knife drenched in her blood.
I took a look at forearm again and it was full of scars...
Oh my God!
I was right!
She does cut!
Yuri cuts!
I was at a loss of words.
"Why?" I asked.
She looked down in absolute shame.
"Why?" I asked again with a degree of impatience.
She didn't respond.
"Yuri..."
I walked up to her slowly.
"Why?! Why do you cut?! Why?!"
No answer.
"ANSWER ME!" I roared.
She looked away.
"I-I..."
I glared at her.
"I cut, because I can cope that way..."
I balled my fists up.
"You cut to cope?! ARE YOU INSANE?!" I shouted at her.
In fit of rage, I charged up to her and took the knife out her hand.
In the corner of my eye, I saw her starting to tear up again.
"This is no ordinary knife..." I uttered, examining the knife.
It was a blue hued knife, heavy and professionally made.
Jewels were encrusted on the hem of the hilt.
Her dark-red blood were dripping from the blade, causing me grit my teeth in disgust.
"You cut with a antique knife?"
She nodded meekly.
I shook my head in pure disappointment.
"What's wrong with you? What do you have to cope with, just push you do all this?"
Tears started free-fall again.
"I-I cope with the reality that I'm just a creepy girl who likes horror... I don't have a lot of friends, before I met you, Sayori, Natsuki, Thomas, and Monika."
I didn't flinch from her confession.
She continued.
"That's when I stopped cutting. When you first came to club with Thomas... you had this vibe, that everyone will like you... I fell for you when you first said that you were interested horror like me..."
I simply nodded.
"I thought maybe you could be my first real friend that I can relate too. You're were also so nice to me... you always help me and care for me..."
She meekly looked up.
Her purple eyes showed the pain and anguish she was going through.
It also revealed the hidden confidence in her.
There was a younger version of her...
Yuri sighed.
"You understand me... and that's why I-"
I sternly cut her off.
"Since I didn't return your feelings, you're cutting..."
She nodded.
"Yes... that's exactly why..."
I leaned onto the wall, unsure of what to say next.
I need to help her.
I need to.
I leaned down.
Yuri didn't look up.
"Yuri. Let me make this clear. Will you stop cutting if I engage in a relationship as you?"
The word "relationship" was a clear signal to wake up.
"Yes! Yes... I will. But..."
She paused.
"But what? What's wrong?" I asked.
Yuri leaned her head against the wall.
"Do you love me?"
...
Do I?
Do I love her?
I can't...
I can't love her.
"Do you love me back, Valkyrie?"
I sigh.
My heart starts pumping uncontrollably.
I need to help her.
I will try again.
I will try to love again!