Chapter 8: Talk behind my back

After a long day of school has ended, Yuri begins packing up her belongings. On her way to the club, she overheard some girls talking.

Random Girl: "It's her."

Random Girl 2: "That's the Yuri girl that does nothing, but hangout at the library?"

Yuri tried to ignore them by walking up the stairs, but when she heard her name was mentioned she stopped and hid herself to hear what those two girls were talking about.

Random Girl: "Yup that's her. Beautiful right?"

Random Girl 2: "Yeah she's a beauty."

Random Girl: "Well despite how pretty she is, she thinks she's too good to talk to anyone."

Random Girl 2: "Bet she doesn't have any friends?" Both girls giggle while Yuri just walks away.

She keeps on going and notices some boys talking.

Random Boy: "Hey it's her. Go talk to her."

Random Boy 2: "What? Fuck no, you do it."

Random Boy: "Why would I do that? Didn't you hear? She's a loner. She does nothing but read books instead of talking to people. She thinks she's so high and mighty with her grades and could just ignore us like we're nothing."

Random Boy 2: "I see what you mean."

Random Boy 3: "I hear she's been doing some crazy stuff to herself. If you catch my drift."

Random Boy: "Ha, what a weirdo." All three boys started laughing as Yuri walks by them.

Soon enough she made it to the club. When she entered, she notices she's the first one to appear. When she laid down her bag, she started to build up some tears in her eyes. Luckily no one was around to see her cry, giving her enough time to wipe away her tears before someone else showed up.

By the time the others showed up. They saw Yuri doing her normal thing. Monika gave the announcement of free time and allowed everyone to spread out. Natsuki looked at Yuri with a concerned look on her face, but continued her way to the classroom closet. Sayori and Monika were at the front talking, leaving Michael alone in the back of the room.

Michael: (What to do until it's time to gather up? Guess I'll read that book Yuri gave me again.) He grabbed his backpack and pulled out the book. He cracked opened it and started reading. However not long into reading one page he felt like someone was staring at him again. He looked up and saw that it was Yuri again. Like last time she looked away hoping that he didn't notice, but like last time he did and got up out of his seat to walk towards her.

"Is something the matter?"

Yuri: "Oh n-no. I-I'm sorry for staring again."

Michael: (She seems off today? Wonder if something happened today?) "Hey Yuri, do you want to read with me again? You don't have to if you don't want to."

Yuri: "N-no, that be wonderful if we could."

Michael: "Cool"

He grabs the nearest desk and places it next to her. He then opened to where he left off and by Yuri's surprise Michael was almost done with Angels & Demons.

Yuri: "You're almost near the end."

Michael: "I had plenty of time to read more than two pages." He smiled.

Yuri: "Oh r-really? That's wonderful." Seeing him smile pushed aside all her worries away. They began reading what's left of the book and when they finished, they started having a conversation.

Michael: "Say do you watch television?"

Yuri: "N-no I don't. We have television in the living room, but I don't ever watch anything. I only read my novels."

Michael: "So I'm guessing you never watch any movies huh?"

Yuri: "N-no, I'm sorry."

Michael: "It's fine. I just wanted to know if you ever watched anything based off the original books. Some TV shows and movies are based off your novels and I wanted to know if there were any cut content that they didn't put in?"

Yuri: "I-I see, but m-maybe we could go see one t-together someday?"

Michael: "Yeah you're right." (Did she just ask me out?)

Yuri: (Did I just asked him out?)

Monika: "Okay everyone it's time to share our poems!"

Michael & Yuri: (Thank you as always Monika!)

After making her announcement everyone paired off and began sharing their poems. Everything went the same way as before with Michael impressing Sayori using her style, but not really impressing the others. However, he did make much better progress than before and that was the important part. After they all finished up Monika decided to end today's club meeting and everyone began packing up. Sayori and Michael left leaving Monika to be the last one out. On their way to the front Sayori spoke up.

Sayori: "Hey MC could you wait for me here? I need to use the restroom before we head out."

Michael: "Very well. I'll wait here until you return."

Sayori: "Thank you MC. Be back in a jiffy."

A couple of minutes had passed since Sayori left to the nearest restroom. Michael remained still at the entrance of the school waiting for her. With no one to talk to he started to get lost in thought until.

Yuri: "M-Michael." He turns to face her.

Michael: "Yuri, what are you still doing here?"

Yuri: "I had to use the restroom before leaving. What are you still doing here?"

Michael: "Sayori had to use the restroom as well, so I'm waiting for her."

Yuri: "That's very kind of you."

Michael: "You think so?"

Yuri: "Yes, the two of you are very close." A moment of silence passed by.

Michael: "Yuri?"

Yuri: "Oh I'm sorry I just got lost in thought. My apologies."

Michael: "That's ok. What were you thinking about?"

Yuri: "I was just thinking about a story my mother once read to me when I was a child."

Michael: "Really, what's it about?"

Yuri: "Oh you don't want to hear about it. I remember it being a love story."

Michael: "That's fine with me. Since I finished Angels & Demons, I got nothing else to read." (Except for Manga.)

Yuri: "W-well if you insist."

Sayori: "Hopefully MC didn't wait too long?" She stops at her tracks and saw Yuri and Michael have a conversation. (What do we have here?) She hides herself and listens.

Yuri: "The story is about a lonely princess. She was shy and sensitive. Unable to leave her castle. She had no friends only servants and her parents, but she desired to go out and see the world, to see what it had to offer." She pauses closing her eyes only to open them before speaking again. "Well, that's all I could say for now."

Michael: "I see."

Yuri: "Maybe next time I could tell you more? That's only the beginning."

Michael: "I hope to hear more about it."

Yuri: "Me too." She smiles shyly, while placing her hand on her chest.

Michael: "Well I'll see you later."

Yuri: "Y-yes until next time. Goodbye for now." When she left Sayori came out of hiding.

Sayori: "Ok MC I'm all done. Ready to go?"

Michael: "Yeah" (Yuri … what an interesting girl.) The two of them left home together. On their way home. Sayori remained quiet leaving him to wonder why she's not saying anything to start a conversation. "Are you feeling alright?"

Sayori: "What? I mean yeah. Just feeling tired after a long day of school."

Michael: "Understandable, well looks like I'm home. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sayori: "Yeah see you tomorrow." She waves to him then runs off home.

Michael: (Wonder what's really wrong with her? Did she perhaps overheard my conversation with Yuri? When I was talking with Yuri, I noticed her bow sticking out of the wall she was hiding behind. Good thing she isn't a spy or a ninja, or she would have already failed.)

On her way home Sayori starts to slow down and stops.

Sayori: (There's that feeling again. Why does this hurt so much? I shouldn't be upset with him and Yuri. I should be glad that she's opening up to him, but still?) She shakes her head. "I have to think about everyone else's happiness before mine. It's the only way to make sure we all have a good time." She continues her way home.

Later that day with Yuri.

Yuri: "Why did I have to say all that?" She lays on her bed and stares at the ceiling above. (I'm happy that I spent time with Michael, but even so, what those people said about me. It really hurt my feelings. What if Michael hears about it? What will I do if he never wants to speak to me again?) "I need to relax and keep my distance from him until I calm myself. For now, I need to relive this stress building up inside of me. At least one more time."

The following day after school has ended and Natsuki had packed up her stuff. She makes her way to the club. On her way she overheard some girls talking.

Random Girl: "I never thought a student like that would do something so awful to herself? No wonder she's always alone reading in the library?"

Random Girl 2: "Let's just be glad she doesn't' talk to anyone. Bet whoever she talks to will do it as well?"

Both girls giggle as Natsuki clenches her hands. With her not wanting to cause any trouble she unclenches her hands and continues walking. A few steps away from the club she heard some boys talking.

Random Boy: "Are you crazy? If I were to go out with her then I'll most likely be classified as a pedo. Give me that Yuri chick anytime."

Random Boy 2: "Oh come on. Sure, she may look young, like a kindergarten, but I can guarantee she's legal."

Random Boy: "Sorry, but I'm not into flat chests. Plus, she's kind of a bitch."

Hearing those boys talking about her like that really made Natsuki angry. Being the only girl in the school with a body of a child, she was always looked down upon by her fellow classmates. Hearing them say those things about her was enough to boil her blood to want to punch a guy. It was bad enough people are talking bad about Yuri, but when it comes to her with her appearance. She couldn't control her rage any further. She pops her fists and starts walking up to the boys, but then notices the boys are scared. Not by her, but by someone else.

Random Boys: "M-M-M-M!"

Monika: "Hello boys how are you doing today?"

Random Boy: "I-I-I-I'm doing f-f-fine, but I should be heading home. Like now."

Random Boy 2: "S-same here mam."

Random Boys: "Bye!" They ran away as Natsuki stares at them with disgust.

Monika: "Hello Natsuki, ready for today's club meeting?"

Natsuki: "I guess so?"

Monika: "Don't listen to them. They're just jerks."

Natsuki: "I know that, but still."

Monika: "Natsuki … thank you for trying to remain calm for the sake of the club. I really appreciate you and the others." Natsuki remains quiet after seeing Monika's smile. Not saying another word Natsuki follows her to the club room. "Right now is the usual free time so enjoy yourself." She smiles more before she leaves for the teacher's seat.

With free time taking affect Natsuki went to the closet to grab her Manga collection. Luckily for once her box was untouched which to her was a good sign. When she pulled out her next volume of Parfait Girls, she notices Michael had entered the room with Sayori. She ignored them and went to her usual spot to read. After reading a couple of pages, she looked up and saw him sitting alone looking bored as Sayori went to talk to Monika.

Natsuki: (Should I go talk to him? Nah, he'll probably just go talk to Yuri again so I don't have to interact with him.) She looks back to Monika and Sayori, but saw Yuri was dragged into their conversation. (You got to be kidding me?) *Sigh* (Alright guess I'll go talk to him?)

She places her Manga down and tried to get up but stopped herself. (On second thought one of them could go talk to him anytime soon, so why should I get up to talk to someone who puts no effort into the club?)

Michael: "Is there something you need?"

Natsuki: "Huh what?" Without noticing it she unconsciously walked up to him.

Michael: "Is there something you need?"

Natsuki: "Well … I thought you looked lonely, so I thought I talk to you. You're welcome."

Michael: "Ok, so what do you want to talk about?"

Natsuki: "Uh?" He looks at her hand seeing she's still holding her Manga.

Michael: "Do you want to share more of your Parfait Girls?" Natsuki looks at him with confusion. "You and I only read a little bit of it, but due to me getting distracted I never got the chance to see what happens next. Besides you told me that it gets better later on, right?"

Natsuki: "Right so let's go there and read some more." He does what she asked and the two of them began reading the next chapter of Parfait Girls. Time had passed and the two of them managed to read an entire volume. "So, what did you think?"

Michael: "You're right it does get better later on."

Natsuki: "Told you so. Hey Michael since we're on the topic of Manga what else do you like to read?"

Michael: "Who me? Hmm … I do enjoy reading action, but most of the stuff I want to read were already made into Anime, so I watch them instead, but if I was given the opportunity I would like to read the original Manga."

Natsuki: "What Anime do you like to watch?"

Michael: "A lot to be honest with you. I do enjoy the good old classics like the Dragon Ball series or Yu Yu Hakusho."

Natsuki: "You enjoy those too?"

Michael: "Yeah"

Natsuki: "I see."

Michael: "What about you?"

Natsuki: "Me? Well I enjoy …"

Monika: "Okay everyone it's time to share poems!"

Natsuki: "Perfect timing as usual."

Michael: "Natsuki?"

Natsuki: "Maybe I'll tell you next time? Until then let's get this done and over with."

Michael: "Right" Sayori looks from the distance to see the smile on both their faces before she grabs her poem. Everyone gathers up and did their normal thing until it was time to leave.

Sayori: "See you all tomorrow, let's go MC."

Monika: "Bye you two." She waves to them goodbye.

With everyone gone home. Natsuki quietly walked home without saying a word to anyone she passes by. When she got home, she lets out her true feelings.

Natsuki: "Damn it! Fucking bastards! Talking that way about me and Yuri like that." (I know I was rude to her before if not many times, but still, she doesn't deserve that kind of treatment. Not even from me.) "Sorry Yuri." She looks at the clock in her room. "I still got time before dad gets home. Better use that time now." She walks down the stairs. (I need to be careful about my anger. If I don't then I'll be in big trouble from dad and the club might disband. Stupid rules. Whose idea was it to have five members instead of four?)

She starts making herself a sandwich. (Well, I'm glad Michael joined, but still. Wait why am thinking about him again?) "Ga! Get out of my head. This is your fault, Michael!"

End of Chapter 8