~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~

𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 , 𝒾𝒻 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓀𝑒𝓇 , @timidyandere ?

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

⌞☕︎ 𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁 , 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃'𝓉 𝒶 𝒽𝑜𝓉 𝒸𝓊𝓅 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝑒𝒶 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 ? ☕︎⌝

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ #𝙋𝙐𝙍𝙋𝙇𝙀 𓂃✍︎ #𝙋𝙊𝙀𝙏 ──────── 𓁺

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I don ' t think much about my future in general unless I know it will happen . Expectations become . . . weary , especially in the face of death . ”

she blurt it out as blunt as it could be , unaware that she was letting her storytelling go .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" You just always decide after you already got home? "

Sure, this is kinda bland conversation, but it's relaxing after a day of studying.

" I do too, but I've heard a bunch of other people talk about it like they've always got it figured out before. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

she didn ' t think that Natsuki was able to understand the difficulties within her mind , so she looked down to her at the change of the topic .

“ I usually do not . . ”

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

She can tell SOMETHING is off, but.. Not what, not even a decent guess, so she decides to put a mental pin in it, opening the door for her as they finally head out of the school, bathed in amber light.

" Anyway, any plans for the night? "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I always know how to take care of myself . . ”

in all honesty , those words hit the poet like a truck . her gaze moved to look at her arm , a slight worry stepping inside of her head .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" It's not about seeing it, I don't want someone I care about to get hurt. "

Reaching up to ruffle her hair would feel kinda embarrassing, so.. She does it to Yuri's shoulder instead.

" So try and take care of yourself, okay? "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I am unsure if you would see it anyway . . ”

she spoke , lifting her arms and moving the bangs away .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" Careful, if you walk like that you're gonna end up bumping into a wall. "

She can't help a warm grin growing, seeing Yuri's usual cool demeanor melt down a bit. Just for her.

" Unless you WANT a big bruise on your forehead. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

the blush couldn ' t hide for much longer , but her bangs sufficed and covered those orbs .

“ . . . mhm . ”

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

Her words stagger for a moment, but she pushes herself to seize the gap she's been given, wondering if it was on purpose.

" I mean.. Wasn't that kinda obvious, at this point? We haven't really officially said it, but like.. I hang out with you way more than the others. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

where did you go . . ?

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ . . . you . . enjoy me more than a friend . a . . best friend , maybe ? ”

she was trying her best to get through to the tiny pinkette .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" Trying to tell you what? "

Looking up to her as she turns her gaze down, keeping the pace, but wondering if she really should..

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ are you trying to tell me you . . ”

she stopped herself , the hand coming to her hair again as she walked , just staring to the floor . her insecurities ravaging her mind .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

And that she does, trying to keep pace to the side of her. It's late enough that there shouldn't be anyone else around to complain..

" We just get each other, it's comfy, I don't know. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ right . . ”

that was all she said before she started walking past her , walking just slow enough so that the other could catch up to her tall figure .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" If I didn't like your company, I wouldn't offer. "

Offering a genuine, warm smile. Not the most common, from her.

" Ready to get going when you are. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

she caught the implication , especially hearing the shorter girl correct herself .

“ I ' m not much company . ”

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

Didn't realise the implications. Fuck. Stalling for a second, not exactly hiding her own fluster.

" Yeah..! I mean, why not? "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ you . . wish to walk me home ? ”

her face turned red again , her hand coming to hide it behind her locks of lavender hair .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

Nodding, getting her phone back into her bag, and soon waiting by the door, excitement for tomorrow spilling a little over into today, putting a little bounce in her idling.

" I can't come over tonight, but I should be able to walk home with you and make it back fine. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ we shall go . ”

she spoke quickly , sitting up from her desk . stuffing her book into her bag and readying .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" Huh. Explains a lot. Scary, though. Don't you worry about if you ever needed it, or something? "

She nearly proceeds, but then realises she's just going on, and pulls her phone to check..

" . . . Nothing from Sayori, Moni said she got pulled for council stuff. We go? "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

” I do not take my device to school . . ”

she sighed here , thinking of where her friends possibly were .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

A gentle sigh. She's not wrong, but she always hates skipping out on em like that.

" Mmm.. Think there's any chance they still turn up late? Sent you any messages? "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I haven ' t seen the others . . ”

she said , looking to the front of the room with bags beneath her eyes .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" Leave..? You gotta be home early tonight or something? "

Tilting her head, wondering if she was a bit too weird, or something. Kinda lost track of time.

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ . . . should we . . leave ? ”

she meant to go home , but she just had the internal thoughts of Natsuki wanting her to stay ..

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

As much as she feels the urge to push back.. For once, she'll swallow her pride on this.

" If you're sure. Thank you. "

The pinkette is clearly a bit shy to accept it, but manages to do so. It feels.. Complicated.

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I ' m saying that you do not have to do that . I . . have enough of it . ”

she looks to the side herself in a slight shame .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

That gets a clear jolt from her, but she doesn't back up or try and move. Just.. A little stiff, for a moment.

" I'm not worried, I just wanna be fair, y'know? "

She looks to the side a bit, this all getting a little intense for her to act totally composed..!

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

. . .

and her hand came up to gently clamp onto the girl ' s shoulder .

“ please , don ' t worry about it . ”

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" I'll try to pay you back for it, though, okay? "

Still.. The fact she'd offer has her smile just a little wider, even if she feels a bit vulnerable.

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ I can pay for the both of us , Natsuki . ”

she smiled softly as her head raised , their eyes meeting once more .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

Her eyes light up at the suggestion of a dessert bar.. But she tries to restrain her herself just a little bit, to not seem too childish.

" Mm.. I'd like to try the dessert place! I've seen it a couple times, but it's expensive. "

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

/ 💜 : near .

[~ 𝒯𝐻𝐸 𝒫𝒰𝑅𝒫𝐿𝐸 𝒫𝒪𝐸𝒯 ~ @TheEyeInTheBook]

“ there is a restaurant makoto ' s home , or the dessert bar everyone seems to talk about in the hallways . ”

she was really trying here , slight stutters leaving her lips .

[𝒩𝒶𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾 🧁 @ItsJustNatsuki]

" Sure! Anywhere you'd wanna go? I don't really know many good ones. "

The intent isn't lost on her, she's excited by it, even! Just.. Maybe she's a hopeless romantic, but she's always dreamed of being proposed to, and she doesn't dare interfere with Yuri's buildup.