ℙ𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕩 ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕡𝕝𝕖 [𝓪 𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓲 𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓬]

Tearooms and Books

Yuri POV

Maybe this was a bit much. I glanced in the mirror anxiously, I didn't want to look like I had tried too hard.

Black sweater, white skirt and black and white thigh highs. A black sweater with a boob window; that was definatly to much, but what else could I wear? I had no other black sweaters and the black worked very well. I knew nothing about fashion, but I knew enough that this outfit was cute. I tugged a little on my skirt, which ended halfway on my thighs. 

Just as I was about to give up and change into something more modest, I heard Natsuki call out,

"Yuuuri? Are you... y'know?"

I answered before I could stop myself. I tugged my hair as Natsuki exited the bathroom.

"W-" Natsuki's words caught in her throat and my hands shook with nerves. Why did I wear this stupid thing?!

"Wow... Yuri that looks..." Natsuki averted her eyes, "You look ok. I guess."

I knew that that was the greatest compliment Natsuki could give, so I felt pleased.

"Shall we get going?" I asked and she nodded.

10 minutes later, we had arrived in Tearooms and Books: my favourite place in the whole world, tied with the clubroom of course. Although the owner didn't celebrate christmas, the whole place was strewn with holly and tinsel. I noticed with relief that there was no misteltoe; I didn't need to go through all of that again. The owner, a sweet old lady offered us a table.

"A large chai l-latte please," I stammered, but I felt reassured when she smiled at me.

"Of course, and what will you have dear?" She asked Natsuki, who was glancing at the menu.

"Hot chocolate with cream and marshellows please." She said, scowling when she saw me grin. "What?" She demanded, as soon as the owner glided away, "Hot chocolate's nice ok?"

"I know that!" I just replied, "I just think it's such a... such a good drink for someone of your character."

"What the hell does that even mean?!" She whisper-shouted, clearly not wanting to disturb anyone, even though we were the only people there, including the owner.

I sighed and shook my head, which seemed to infuriate Natsuki even more. She opened her mouth to speak, but just then the old lady came back with our drinks.

"That's the good thing about barely any customers," She said as she set down the tray containing our drinks, "Quick service!" She winked at us, then lowered her voice as she leaned near Natsuki, "I managed to get my hands on Demon Slayer, the manga you were so interested in; want to check it out?" 

Natsuki's eyes lit up, but then she glanced at me nervously, "You'll be ok, won't you Yuri?"

I nodded, "Don't worry, I bought my book just in case." I pulled out Portrait of Markov from my book bag.

"Of course you did!" Natsuki rolled her eyes contentedly. She picked up her mug of hot chocolate, piled high with marshmellows, and followed the owner into the book section.

I pulled open the Portrait of Markov, I must have read it a hundred times, but there was something comfortingly familiar about it, even thought it was a horror book. I started one of my favourite chapters, occasionally sipping from my chai latte. I was perfectly blissful.

However, I found a cough interrupting my reading. Looking up, I expected to see Natsuki so I was shocked to see a tall brown haired boy, wearing a red scarf and smiling at me. "Hey," he said.