Natsuki for the Soul

Algebraic equations were so tiresome, you thought with a deep sigh.

It didn’t help that the classroom was being filled with excited whispers – it was almost the end of the day, and the entire female population of the school were visibly pent up. Even the teacher couldn’t control the sporadic giggles.

It was White Day after all.

Not soon enough, the bell rang. The symphony of screeching chairs and loud chatter filled your ears and made you wince.  

After packing up your books, and notes you were sure you wouldn’t care to remember, you left the classroom – your entire body was thrumming with nerves. Your eyes catching every blushing and giggling girl along the hall.

Although your thoughts were focused entirely on a specific girl. A specific, extremely brash but cute girl.

You entered the familiar classroom – the clubroom for the Literature Club. Sayori, your long-time childhood friend, was sat and chattering happily with Natsuki at one of the many tables. Yuri was sat in the furthest corner with one of her big books, Monika had yet to turn up.

“Hey guys,” You greeted the two, your eyes never leaving Natsuki’s – over the past few months you two had become closer, she was still the same brash girl, but she was softer, more kind… well, when she wasn’t making fun of you. But it was never said with true intent. You think.

You swallowed, you weren’t sure you could do this.

“Hi y/n!” Sayori greeted you cheerfully, jumping up to give you a warm hug. You really appreciated your best friend, especially when she seemed to get the hint and moved to talk to Yuri. She said over her shoulder: “Monika can’t come today, so she’s left me in charge!”

“Hm… hopefully the clubroom will be left standing,” Natsuki said with a smirk, Sayori pouted playfully.

“Hey!”

You went to sit beside Natsuki, the grin on the pinkette’s face almost vanishing at the action. She stood up suddenly and went to retrieve something from the back. Your mouth began to water instinctively, Natsuki usually brought delicious treats most meetings.

You thought right, as Natsuki came back with a rather hefty bag – distributing the contents among you, Sayori and Yuri. She passed a small wrapped treat to everyone; the packaging was cute (ribbon patterned) you opened it seeing that inside was a heart-shaped chocolate the size of your pinkie.

With a quick glance, you saw that everyone received the same treat.

In a way, your heart sunk a little – it seemed Natsuki gave you a giri-choco…

“Happy White Day…” Natsuki mumbled shyly, flushing at our stares. But her expression soon hardened. “H-hey! Why are you looking at me like that?”

Sayori giggled.

“Aw, thank you Natsuki!” Sayori wrapped Natsuki into a bone-crushing hug. “I made some chocolates for everyone too… but… um…”

“They didn’t go to plan?” You added dryly, Sayori stuck her tongue out in retaliation.

“They may or may not have… burnt… but just a little!” Sayori said, fingers touching in her abashed manner.

Yuri stood, and placed a box of chocolates on the table.

“I’ve never been very good with baking…” She said with a frown, seeming a little embarrassed to have brought store-bought. To your surprise, Natsuki smiled.

“It’s okay Yuri, it’s the thought that counts!” She said encouragingly, Yuri smiling with some obvious relief. You forgot how close the two became over the months since you’ve joined the Literature Club – going to the bookstore every Friday had clearly helped them overcome any differences.

“Anyway, I’m the expert of baked goods!” Natsuki said with some smugness, but everyone knew it was the truth.

The rest of the club meeting was spent eating delicious chocolates and chatting, with plenty of periodic reading. After the festival, sharing poems wasn’t required every meeting – the frequency of which lessened to a couple times a week.

Eventually, everyone was packing up to go home. Sayori patted you on the shoulder with a knowing smile as she looked between you and Natsuki.

“Hey, you should walk back with her…” Sayori smiled, almost as if she knew what you were planning. You looked closely to her expression and the smile seemed genuine… but you knew Sayori well, and you really hoped she was finally getting over you.

“Thank you Sayori… I…” You tried to find some words, but Sayori simply giggled.

“It’s okay, we’ll talk later!” Sayori then left the classroom with a wink.

If anything, your nerves were now worse than ever.

Natsuki was putting one of her Manga volumes back in the cupboard, the two of you finished the latest volume of Parfait Girls in the meeting – Natsuki was right, it was a genuinely good and fun manga once the characters developed. 

When she turned around, she seemed shocked to see you standing, waiting for her. 

“Hey, want to walk back with me?” You asked, timidly. Natsuki cocked an eyebrow.

“Isn’t that usually something you do with Sayori?” She asked, not accusing – just curious.

“I just… I wanted to talk to you.” You swallowed and motioned for Natsuki to walk beside you. The two of you made your way out of the school, you could feel Natsuki’s questioning gaze at the back of your head. You hoped she didn’t notice your burning face.

Natsuki may only see you as a friend, but hiding the truth was becoming too painful.

“Something’s wrong.” Natsuki said, peering at you with concern. “You’re acting weird. Well, more weird than usual.”

“I know.” You said with a sigh. It was now or never.

The two of you were alone on the path, the chirping of cicadas filled the almost awkward silence that followed your statement. Your nervous gaze met Natsuki’s, her curious but innocent expression was enough to erupt a burst of butterflies in your stomach.

You gave her the paper, watching her face intently.

First was surprise, then suspicion. Instead of asking what was going on, Natsuki simply opened the note, her eyes travelled over the words – it was a very short poem, a Haiku. You knew it was very simplistic, but you hoped it got the message across, and hopefully Natsuki wouldn’t be offended.

 “Sweet Sundae of my life

You bring me happiness I cannot explain

Please give me that feeling forever”

 Her eyes widened.

 Her mouth opened in shock.

 Her cheeks flushed bright red.

 “O-oh…” Natsuki stuttered, her gaze seemed transfixed on the poem. “Uh…”

“Look… I know you just see me as a friend – the giri-choco was enough of a sign.” You babbled. “But… I couldn’t hide my feelings anymore, I don’t want it to hurt our friendship but hiding the truth was too much-“

Natsuki giggled – the sound interrupted any panicked thought you had.

 “Oh, y/n…” Natsuki reached into her bag, her expression so suddenly shy. “I-I… was unsure of whether to give this to you… I was really nervous, y’know…”

Natsuki grabbed your hand and in that motion, placed another wrapped treat in your shaking palm. Her expression was hopeful as you opened the treat – it was a heart, but much bigger than the others, with swirls that seemed to be made of different types of chocolate – white, dark, milk.

It looked like a lot of effort went into it.

“Do you like it?” Natsuki asked, sounding so unusually timid. “It’s a… honmei-choco.”

You both stared at eachother, smiles seeming to grow by the second.

“I guess we both had a similar idea… and feelings.” You said eventually, finding that the distance between you and Natsuki was much less as you gravitated to one another.

Natsuki smiled, it was a soft expression – none of the walls of brashness, no superiority… just Natsuki.

“y/n… I really like you, y’know…” Natsuki admitted quietly, she couldn’t meet your eyes as if it was an extremely painful thing to say aloud.

Knowing Natsuki, it probably was.

“I’ve never felt this way before, I-I thought you’d never like me that way… especially with how mean I was… that’s why I couldn’t bring myself to give you the honmei-choco until now… until I was sure…”

Natsuki took a deep, shaky breath, as if considering something very important. Her eyes, which were glued to the ground until now, met yours – as if getting the answer, she needed, Natsuki moved.

It was a quick peck in retrospect, but it rooted you completely to the spot. Her lips were so soft, berry scented, and for a moment her flowery perfume entered all senses. It was a feeling you never wanted to end, but eventually and unfortunately it had to.

Natsuki pulled away with an intense blush.

“H-happy White Day, y/n.” Natsuki mumbled, she seemed quite shocked at her own bold actions. The usually bold girl timid.

Pulling Natsuki into an embrace, the feeling of complete warmth and contentment filled your every being – the girl you fell head over heels the moment you met… likes you back!

You brushed your trembling lips against hers.

 “Happy White Day, Natsuki... I love you.”

Authors Note:

Hey guys! Here’s something very short and sweet - I thought as I was alone on Valentine’s Day this year, that this short fic might help perk some fellow singles on this day (plus, Natsuki is just too adorable!)