Our Literature Bond

Chapter XXI Opening up

Yuri, 7:45 AM, June 1st, 2017

Thursday

As I'm walking down the street, I can notice very clearly something is not right. Not with the street, but something within myself. Thinking back about what happened at the club, the only thing that I feel is guilt. Yesterday I did what I could to dismiss the sensation, but it is futile after all. Now I can't help but wonder if Kaneda is doing okay after that, especially since we didn't hold any activities the day after and didn't see her at all. I would've never imagined I could have such a sharp tongue, it must have left a deep impression in all of them. If anyone showed up right now, I wouldn't know how to face them.
- Hey, it's Yuri! Hi!
I quickly hold onto my bag and hide my face behind it. Just my luck! It's as if a demon was listening to my thoughts, ready to cause mischief! Whoever it is, it doesn't matter, I should just walk faster and leave.
- I thought she was like that just with me.
- Nope, Yuri is like that with everyone. In any case, don't let her escape!
The two people chase after me and immediately catch up, reminding me once again that I'm in terrible shape. One of them takes a hold of my arm and refuses to let go, which reveals the identity of who I thought was just a stranger for a moment.
- Sayori...?
- Oh, you're all red!
- N-No I'm not!
- Come on, Sayori -Hokama comes along-. Stop bullying the poor bookworm.
- I don't know which one of you is bullying me more!
This certainly wasn't what I was hoping for to happen today, but it appears fate's intentions are once again a mystery for me. On my right, a sparkling girl determined to stay attached to my arm; on my left, a quiet guy that if I don't look is not there. Be it as it may, the fact is that I have all possible routes of escape blocked now. I have no choice but to give in to their demands. I want to go home.
- Ah, yes -Sayori suddenly says-. Isn't it weird that this is the first time we've ever bumped into each other like this?
- I always head out early for school...
- Oh, I see!
- So that means you've never seen her because you were busy eating breakfast and I had to wake you up.
- You're the real bully here, mister!
It's amazing how whenever these two are together they are able to light up the mood. A little smile forms on my face. Soon enough I can see the school building appearing in proximity.
- Hey, um... -I take a hand to my chest, as if in doing so I could slow down my heartbeat- I'm really sorry for what you had to witness the other day at the club. I wasn't thinking straight.
- Eh? Ah... -Sayori looks to the side and lets go of my arm- Don't worry. It was just surprising watching you act that way. And I really don't like fights, you know?
- Sorry...
- Well -Hokama says in his usual tone-, I guess you were just defending your point of view. Still, I think you went a little bit too far. Both of you.
- Yeah...
I look down, feeling completely ashamed of myself. Now that my head is cool, it's very clear that I need to talk with her and apologize. Yeah, today I will find her and have a talk.
- Speaking of which, I wonder how Natsuki is doing -Sayori changes the topic a little bit-. I haven't seen her at all since then.
Hokama shrugs, dismissing the comment a little-. Maybe she's still mad at us for not agreeing with her?
- I mean, she is a little stubborn, but this much?
Now that I think about it, she's always one of the first to arrive at the club. Considering that Monika told us yesterday at the last minute that there wouldn't be any activities that afternoon, it's weird that this girl was nowhere to be found. Maybe she is still mad and doesn't want to see any of our faces after all. I shouldn't expect a nice attitude when I see her... No matter, what I have to do hasn't changed. Still...
- Hey, do any of you know where I could find Kaneda?
- Natsuki? -Sayori looks at me with a troubled face- No... Now that you say that, I don't think we've ever met outside the club. Why?
- How can you be this dense? -Hokama slaps gently Sayori's head when saying so- She clearly wants to apologize.
- Oh, right!
We stop for a moment in front of the gate. I don't worry too much about it since there's still a few minutes left before classes begin. Hokama seems to be in deep thought, as if he's trying really hard to recall something.
- I think she frequents the vending machines around the school -he looks at me, as if I somehow could corroborate his statement-. I only saw her once, but it looked like she did that on a daily basis.
- Vending machines? -I ask, now curious.
- Ah! -Sayori intervenes with an exclamation- She has this friend in her class. Her name was Kyoka! Wait, was it Kieko? ... Ah, Kioko!
- Ah, that one -Hokama's face suddenly lights up-. I think we saw her at the festival.
Her friend... If I remember correctly, Kaneda and Monika share classes. So she should be in class 3-3. I think I should try to find Kioko instead of going all over the school. That sounds like a more solid plan.
- Thank you both. I will try to do something later.
- Don't mention it -Hokama smiles, and then looks to the side to mess with Sayori's hair-. See you later, Sayo.
- Hey, you're ruining my hairstyle!
- You know that's impossible -he goes past her while she keeps trying to accommodate her hair and comes to me-. I will make sure that you don't go back on your word, Yuri.
- N-No, of course not, Hoka-... Ah! I mean, Y-Yuu!
- You still have problems with that, huh...
I attempt to hide the blush behind my hair and look to the ground. But I am determined to not let this slide, I won't forgive myself if I do.