Chapter 18: Behind those eyes
For the past two days. Michael has been gaining more and more of Natsuki's attention with his poems. The more she read them, the more she started developing feelings for him. In the meantime, Yuri and Sayori would not like much of his work as it was clear to them that he was thinking about Natsuki. Unaware with the fact that he looks up to Natsuki in no romantic way. During their free time both him and Natsuki would be seen reading together Parfait Girls. The others started to notice how much Natsuki has been opening up to him little by little, but it was clear that they were just getting jealous.
The only one who didn't mind much was Monika. She on the other hand was glad that the both of them are starting to open up. Though this did make her feel some pain in her heart as she tried many ways to get Michael to open up to her. Only to receive vague answers. While the two of them hangout Natsuki would notice how the others would feel and start to feel bad for them. The more time she spent with him the more she started to notice that Yuri might have strong feelings for him as well. On Friday after they all shared their poems. Monika makes her announcement.
Monika: "Okay everyone the club meeting is over, but our club trip is tomorrow."
Sayori: "Hurray! Our trip to the indoor pool! I'm so excited."
Yuri: "Oh my. I'm so nervous."
Monika: "About what?"
Yuri: "Oh … well." Monika looks at her body.
Monika: "I see. Well don't be so nervous. I think you'll look great wearing a swimsuit."
Yuri: "That's not what I meant, oh never mind."
Monika: "Well I'll see you all tomorrow around the afternoon at the bus station. I hope to see already to go."
Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"
After everyone left for home. Natsuki decided to walk home with Yuri since they're going in the same direction. In reality Natsuki wanted to have a talk with her.
Natsuki: "Say Yuri?" She turns to her. "What do you think of Michael?"
Yuri: "Oh well … he's nice to us and treats us well."
Natsuki: "That's not what I'm asking." Yuri looks at her with confusion. "I'm asking if you by any chance have feelings for him?"
Yuri: "W-w-w-w-what? N-no I don't." She says as her face turns bright red.
Natsuki: "Don't lie to me. It's obvious that you do."
Yuri: "Th-th-then why ask?"
Natsuki: "Because these last few days since Monday, you've been acting weird whenever you two get close to each other. Did something happen between you two?"
Yuri: "N-no nothing." Natsuki looks at her not buying it. "Please don't worry about it."
Natsuki: "Why don't you ever want to talk about it?"
Yuri: "Natsuki, Michael has his own personal life. It's rude to bother him about it." She says as she turns away from her.
Natsuki: "Yuri?"
Yuri: "Well this is where we part ways. My home is in this direction. I'll see you tomorrow. Please take care." She bows before leaving.
Natsuki: "Right see ya later." (What really happened?) "Hmph whatever it's not my problem anyways." She leaves to her place.
The next day. It had finally arrived. As soon as everyone got up, they all started preparing for their trip to the indoor pool. Michael, Monika, and Yuri were already prepared since yesterday. Sayori and Natsuki on the other hand rushed to grab their things. After double checking to see if he got everything he needs, Michael went to his bathroom to check if he had anything on his body. He notices that he has one small bruise on his right rip area.
Michael: "Seems I didn't heal all the way, but this is fine. I'll just tell them that I hit myself on the doorknob. Surly they'll understand that? Hopefully." He grabs his stuff and heads downstairs.
In the meantime, Sayori is all packed up and ready to go, but before leaving her room, she gave a big all hug to her cow doll she keeps close to her before leaving. On her way downstairs she smelled something good in the air and followed her nose to the kitchen.
Sayori's Dad: "Are you all packed up honey?"
Sayori: "Yup and I'm ready to go!" She says as she stuffs her face with food made by her mom.
Sayori's Dad: "Seems like you have a lot of energy today? Just be safe alright? I don't want any bad boys trying to hit on you."
Sayori: "Don't worry, MC will be there."
Sayori's Dad: "He'll be there as well?"
Sayori: "Yup!" She continues eating.
Sayori's Dad: "Well when you see him tell him that I said hello and to take good care of you."
Sayori: "Sure thing." She finishes her orange juice before grabbing her bag. "Bye mom, bye daddy!" She says waving to them before heading out.
Sayori's Dad: "Bye Sayori!"
Sayori's Mom: "Take care honey!"
During her walk to Michael's place, a plan she made with him yesterday being that they would both head to the bus station together and meet up with the others. During this time, Yuri is seen struggling with the terms she's going to have to wear a two-piece swimsuit in front of so many people today. She originally wanted to wear something less revealing, but somehow her mom talked her into wearing what she got now from her. Unaware of the other problem she has with her … posture.
It didn't help that her friends are going to see her in something she never wore before and it most defiantly does not help when one of them is going to mention something she owns that I will not mention because I think we all know. Not only will her friends see her wearing a swimsuit, but a certain someone will and just thinking about him makes her heart pound like crazy.
Yuri's Mother: "Yuri, sweetie it's time for you to head out."
Yuri: "What!? Oh, c-coming mother!"
Meanwhile at Natsuki's place after having a talk with her dad before he left for work. Natsuki had just finished packing her stuff and is ready to go. She wonders if she's going to have fun or not, but the truth is, she's been looking forward to this for a while now. The thought of her dad not allowing her to go scared her, but luckily her dad allowed her. While everyone is all set up and ready to go. Monika is stopped by her parents. Both her parents lectured her as before, but mostly her mother. To Monika's surprise her dad allowed her to go, which even surprised her mom too. Monika thanked her dad and left.
Monika's Mother: "Why did you let her go?"
Monika's Father: "I may be hard on her and would prefer her studying, but I'm not." His wife looks at him confused.
Time had passed by and everyone gathered at the bus station. A decision they all agreed upon this week. While the bus driver gets set up. Everyone took their seats. Sayori and Michael sat next to each other while Natsuki and Yuri sat together across from them. As for Monika, she sat behind Sayori and Michael. When the bus driver finally got things set up, they took off.
During the drive, Monika would ask Michael some questions about himself. She hoped he could open up to her since she barely got to know him. She asked him things that aren't related to literature like hobbies, favorite color, or movie. Anything she could think of. Unfortunately, he would only answer to some of her questions. The one's he did answer were vague and some he just ignored. To Monika it's difficult for him to open up, but she knows that she's making progress and it helps thanks to the others getting him to break his shell.
At long last they arrived to their destination and gathered their things before exiting the bus. Michael, Natsuki, and Sayori looked in aw, while Monika smiles at their expressions. She notices Yuri wasn't with them and tapped her on the shoulder.
Monika: "What's wrong Yuri?"
Yuri: "Th-there's so many people here."
Monika: "Don't worry about it. You'll be fine. Come on let's go change now."
Yuri: "V-very well." She walks close to Monika. "Sayori, Natsuki, let's go change into our swimsuits."
Sayori: "Ok!" She says with excitement.
Natsuki: "Alright. We'll be back Michael."
Sayori: "See you in a bit MC." He waves to them as they make their way to the women's changing room.
Monika: "The boys' changing room is over there." She points.
Michael: "I see. Thank you."
Monika: "No problem."
Both him and Monika went their separate ways. Michael went to the men's changing room while the girls went to the women's changing room. During their time in the girls changing room. Sayori made a bit of a ruckus.
Sayori: "Holy cow their huge!"
Yuri: "Please don't say that. It's embarrassing." She says as she tries to cover up.
Sayori: "But look at them! Are the both of you seeing this?"
Natsuki: (Damnit Sayori.) She face palms her red face while Monika keeps her mouth shut while looking away.
A few minutes had passed as Michael waits for the girls to finish. He stood there waiting for what felt like hours in his black and red color swimming trunks.
[Traffic Light by Chris Daughtry]
Sayori: "Hey MC!"
He looks in her direction as she waves to him in her red and white two-piece designed like frills. Next to her was Monika wearing a yellow two-piece bikini with white bows on them for design.
Monika: "Were you waiting long?" He shakes his head.
Michael: "Not really."
Monika: "What do you think?" She starts twirling her braided hair as she notices his face blushing a bit.
Michael: "I uh …"
Monika: "Yes?" She signals Sayori to get closer to him.
Michael: "I think they look great on you. Same for you Sayori."
Monika: "Why thank you for saying that. Isn't that right Sayori? Sayori?" She remains quiet as her face is bright red. "Well then? We're still waiting for Natsuki and Yuri."
Natsuki: "Just Yuri now." Everyone looks to see just Natsuki wearing a pink one piece with white poke dots on them. "Yuri is still changing. She told me to let you all know that we can go on without her and that she'll catch up with us later."
Monika: "Still probably shy? Well thanks for letting us know."
Natsuki: "No problem. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Sayori: "So cute!"
Natsuki: "Hey back off!" Sayori gives her a big hug while she tries to push her away.
Monika: "Okay everyone let's go have some fun."
Everyone cheers and heads towards the pool. Sayori, Monika, and Natsuki jumped in and started having fun in the water. The pool was huge fitting many people who showed up to have fun in the water. Michael looked around and wonder how many people are here today?
Monika: "Not many people are here today, huh?"
Michael: "What do you mean by that?"
Monika: "Well since it's almost the wintertime not much people come here at this time of year. At least not until spring."
Michael: "So there could be more people here if we decided to come here during spring?"
Monika: "That or summer but pretty much. Good thing we decided to come here now."
Sayori: "Hey MC! Come on in the waters great."
Michael: "Maybe later. I'm just going to take a seat."
Sayori: "Aw party pooper. Kya!"
Natsuki: "Come on. You better pay close attention to me or else you're going to get more soaked than before." She says as she splashes more water on Sayori's face.
While Sayori and Natsuki along with Monika have a little fight in the water. Michael decided to take a seat on one of the lounge chairs and laid down while staring directly at the ceiling of the building. Soon enough he started to doze off only to be waken when he heard a soft voice speak to him.
?: "M-Michael is this seat t-taken?" He opens his eyes to see who was talking to him.
Michael: "Huh?"
Yuri: "I-is this seat taken?"
Michael: "Oh no go on ahead."
Yuri: "Th-thank you." He remains silent as he looks at Yuri.
[Song Ends]
"M-Michael p-please don't stare too much. It's making me feel very uncomfortable." She says as she tries to cover up her black and purple two-piece swimsuit with a blush face.
Michael: "Oh sorry I didn't mean to." He looks away hiding his blushing face.
Yuri: "Does this not suit me?" He looks back to her shaking his head.
Michael: "No I think it looks great on you."
Yuri: "Do you mean it?" He nods. "Th-thank you." Her red face started to calm down as she sat next to him as they both watch the others having fun.
Michael: "Hey Yuri." She looks at him.
[Nicotine - Panic! At The Disco]
"Can you tell me more about that story again? If that's ok with you?"
Yuri: "S-sure, I don't mind." She says smiling. (It's been a while since I told him the story. After that night, but I'm so happy to hear him say that he wants to know more about it. He's not a bad person. He's a good person.) "Very well then. I believe I left off with the princess being overwhelmed with her newfound feelings." She gets ready to tell more of the story she once remembers during her childhood years.
"When the princess went to visit him again, he was no longer around. She would return to the same spot everyday hoping to see him again, but he never showed up. It was then she found out that he was getting married to another. She cried wondering if the time they spent together was meaningless. Despite the heart break she kept visiting the same place every day hoping to see and hear it from his own lips. Until one day they would meet once more. When the princess finally saw the prince once again. A rush of emotions overwhelmed her again. She asked why? Why show up only to break her even more? All she wanted was him and never wanted any of this to end, but it did. The prince finally spoke. Only revealing that he was being forced to marry by his family. The princess didn't want to believe it, but in truth she was happy to know that, but sad that he was being taken away from her."
Natsuki: "Hey are you two just going to sit there all day or what?" Both Michael and Yuri look towards the others.
Sayori: "Come right in you two. The water is nice and warm."
Monika: "Come on you two let's have some fun with this volleyball I brought with me."
Michael: "I don't know?" He says with worry. He looks at the girls again smiling and turns to look at Yuri. "Do you want to play for a bit?"
Yuri: "S-sure, I-if you like to?"
Michael: "Coming" The others cheered as Yuri and him enter the water. (She wasn't lying. The water is warm. Hope no one peed in here. I don't smell anything that smells like urine. Guess the water is just warm.)
[Song Ends]
They all gathered up to play some volleyball, but before they could get started. Monika left the water.
[Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year by Fall Out Boy]
Sayori: "Where are you off to Monika?"
Monika: "Just getting my phone."
Sayori: "Silly Monika. You can't take your phone in the pool. It'll get all kinds of wonky."
Monika: "I know that. I'm just getting it ready to take some pictures."
Sayori: "Pictures?"
Monika: "Yeah, so we can always have something to remember in the future."
Sayori: "Oh I see, great idea. Now we can always have memories of the time we all went to the indoor pool together."
Monika: "You got it, so everyone. Gather up and say cheese." She places the camera to face her and the group.
Yuri: "I think I'll pass."
Monika: "Aw come on Yuri. Don't be like that. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't you want to have great memories to look back when you grow old?"
Yuri: "Well … I suppose so?"
Monika: "Great! Michael stop hiding in the corner and come here closer." He does what she asked, but he still kept a small distance from the girls. (Shy to be near us in our swimsuits? How cute of him.) "Okay everyone, say cheese!"
All of Them: "Cheese!" Monika takes the photo.
Monika: "Perfect and now it's time to have some fun in the water." She puts away her phone and gets back in the water.
Natsuki: "Hey Yuri, did something happen to you? You got some cuts on you."
Yuri: "Oh these? It's nothing. I just made a little mistake."
Natsuki: "Mistake?"
Yuri: "Yes, you see I made the wrong decision of feeding a raccoon, who appeared in my backyard a couple of days ago and as you could see it scratched me."
Natsuki: "Are you alright?"
Yuri: "Yes definitely. It was a shy little creature and to its eyes I was a threat to it. Luckily it didn't have any diseases, so I'm doing well. Th-thank you for your concerns."
Natsuki: "Well … whatever. It's not like I was worried about you or anything."
Monika: "Hey you two. Come on let's play some volleyball."
Natsuki: "Coming! Come on Yuri let's go."
Yuri: "R-right" (Thank goodness she believed me.)
They all gathered up to play with the volleyball Monika brought. They would pass it around to each other to see who would be the first to drop it in the water. Sayori, Natsuki, and Monika played competitively while Yuri and Michael were intimidated by their competitive attitudes. While they play with intense fire in their eyes, Yuri would hope that they don't pass it to her as she felt she couldn't match up with their fighting spirit. Michael on the other hand tried his best and carefully, but why? It wasn't because the water is slippery and it isn't because they're going at it. It was for an entirely different reason.
[Song Ends]
Sayori gave to Natsuki a hard pass. With not much time to react, Natsuki hit the ball not knowing where it could go. The ball went through the air like a missile and hit Michael on the side of his face falling into the water. With how fast the ball went he couldn't have reacted in time to block or pass it on.
Natsuki: "Oh shit Michael are you ok!?"
All four girls walk towards him as he struggles to get back on to his feet with his back turned against them. Monika walks up to him and tried to help him get back up, but he pushed her away. She didn't react to his sudden gesture, but only looked at him with concern.
Monika: "Are you okay Michael?" She says while he coughs.
Michael: "I'm fine, but I should be heading home now."
Monika: "What? Why?"
Michael: "I have an errand to run. I'll be taking my leave. Don't follow me." He says as he covers his face with his hands. Not where the ball hit him, but where his eyes are. Something Monika notices and saw something in his eyes. When he got out of the water Sayori followed him.
Sayori: "Come on MC. That'll heal in no time." Monika also gets out of the water.
Monika: "She's right. It shouldn't look so bad." She says as she touches his shoulder.
Michael: "I said don't follow me!" He walks away from everyone.
Monika: "Michael?" Both her and Sayori surprised by his sudden outburst. Stood there in silence as he walks off.
Natsuki: "Sorry girls. It was my fault."
Sayori: "No it's my fault. If I hadn't hit the ball that hard maybe you could've passed it to Monika.
Monika: (What's wrong with you Michael? Why are you like this?)
After spending an hour in the indoor pool, it was time to call it day. The girls couldn't continue playing after Michael's sudden leave. They hoped that they could go with him back to town, but by the time they changed back to their normal clothes. He was already gone from the area. The four girls went home by themselves without Michael. When they reached back to town. They all had a small chat.
Sayori: "I'm going over to MC's place."
Natsuki: "Are you going to check up on him? I'll go too."
Sayori: "Sure thing. Let's go see."
Yuri: "No you shouldn't."
Sayori: "Huh? Why not?"
Natsuki: "Yeah like aren't you worried about him?"
Yuri: "I am, but …"
Natsuki: "But?"
Yuri: "I think it would be best to let him have time for himself."
Natsuki: "Come Yuri, that's stupid. We should go check up on him now."
Monika: "No Yuri's right. We should let Michael be by himself for now."
Natsuki: "Yeah, but …"
Monika: "Don't worry. Surly he'll be fine. Let's just give him his space."
Natsuki: "Fine"
Sayori: "Okay"
Monika: "Well I'll see you all Monday at the club."
Sayori: "Y-yeah sure thing." She looks down sad.
Natsuki: "Whatever"
Yuri: "I'll see all of Monday." Everyone went home feeling bad about what happened today.
When Monika arrived home and avoiding her parents, she wrote in her journal about today. Thinking about what she has learned these past couple of days. What started out as a fun trip turned for the worst. Everyone was having fun, but with one incident changed all that. She wonders more about Michael and why he's like this? Why act the way he did? Why hide his eyes? Is there something about him that he doesn't want to talk about? What did Johnny and his crew mean about him? Despite all these questions about him, there was one thing that really caught her attention. She wrote everything she thought about him in her journal leaving out nothing.
Monika: (Michael, I wish I knew more about you. I want to know why you're so distant. I want to know the Michael that Sayori talked so highly of. What are you hiding from us? When I saw your eyes, I noticed something. Something didn't seem right? Those eyes I saw today weren't the same as those photos I saw at your house. As a matter of fact, your eyes … they looked lifeless.)
End of Chapter 18