Heartstrings & Shadows (Yandere Simulator FF)

3 : Apology gift

"And this is...?" I mumbled.

"Geez! At least act happy about it! I tried my best to make it, you know..." Osana's voice wavered. "...Is it really that bad?" she gulped.

"No, no, it's a nice bracelet. Just... a really random thing to gift someone," I sighed, forcing a smile. "Thank you."

Osana's face lit up, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Heh! You're welcome! I picked up this totally random hobby of making bracelets. Look, I have one too!" She proudly displayed her wrist.

"I see..." I nodded, trying to sound interested. But Osana seemed to catch on.

She shifted awkwardly. "Hey... I know it's hard with what happened to Taro, but you're not alone, okay?" She fidgeted with her fingers.

I fought the urge to scoff. "Thank you, Osana. I assume you're sad about it too..."

"Of course I am! I grew up with him! We've been friends since we were kids... It feels so weird without him by my side..." She looked down. "Hanako's also been devastated... She's been locked in her room ever since it happened. The only time she came out was yesterday, when she came over to confront you."

I stayed quiet.

"A-ah, not that I'm saying that his death was your fault! It's just... Hanako thinks so... So..." Osana trailed off.

"It's fine, you don't have to explain yourself," I said, bitterness creeping into my voice as I stared at the ground.

An awkward silence settled between us, neither of us knowing what to say next.

"Uhm..! Anyways... If it makes you feel better, I brought something else!" Osana chirped, her tone upbeat as she pulled out two bento boxes. "Ta-da! I didn't just call you at lunch for a little bracelet, you know." She handed me one of the boxes.

"Ah... Thank you." I nodded, accepting the food. "You better eat up! N-not like I made it for you or anything. Dummy. I, uh, just accidentally made two."

"Didn't you just say you called me at lunch to-" Before I could finish, Osana shoved a sushi into my mouth. "What do you think!?" she asked, blushing from embarrassment.

"...Delicious," I mumbled, trying to chew.

"Really? You like it?" She looked at me, her eyes hopeful.

"Yeah."

"Well-of course you do! I made it! Duh!"

I'd rather enjoy a lonely meal than listen to this.

"You know, I've always noticed you barely eat lunch... You only do when you're with Taro-senpai... Why is that?" she asked, shoveling some rice into her mouth.

"...I don't have much of an appetite," I replied shortly, trying to steer the conversation away.

"That's bad, you know! You should always eat loads of food, Yan-chan!"

"...I'll try." I forced a smile.

...

"Um... So!" Osana spoke up once more. Gosh, can this girl stop talking?

"Let's hang out later! My treat!" she insisted, almost like a command. "Oh-N-NOT LIKE I WANNA HANG OUT WITH YOU! I was supposed to go with Raibaru, but she ended up being busy, so..."

I looked up, trying to think.

I was going to attempt again later, but...

"Sure, why not."

The afternoon sun dipped low as we entered the Odayaka bakery. We were greeted with a smile as he placed our order.

"Oh, I didn't know you two were dating!" Amai beamed, handing us the cookies we had ordered.

"Ah... We're really no-"

"H-HUH!?!? DATING?? HER? ME? DATING!?? NO WAY!!! LOOK AT HER!" Osana yelled, her face turning a bright red.

"Are you insulting me or defending yourself...?"

"Oh...! I see!" Amai let out a lighthearted laugh.

"We're just hanging out to get our minds off of Taro," I sighed, earning a nod from Amai.

"Ah, right... My condolences. I hope the sweets can help cheer you up! Wait a moment." Amai quickly grabbed a bag and placed some freshly baked cupcakes inside. "Here! Take these!"

"I don't have money," Osana responded blankly.

"No, no! It's free! A gift from me! I know it's not much, but I want you both to feel better about what happened. So please, just take it!"

I nodded and took the bag. "They look delicious."

"Of course! You're welcome to come by anytime!" Amai gave us a warm smile before calling in the next customer.

Osana and I found a seat and sat down.

"Let's see if this is any good..." Osana mumbled, taking out a cupcake and biting into it.

She was silent for a moment before speaking up. "I-it's okay... Not really worth getting worked up over."

"You know you can just say you like it, right?" I stared at her blankly.

"You know, staying quiet and looking at me like I did something wrong would have hurt less."

I remained silent, continuing to stare.

"I DIDN'T MEAN ACTUALLY DO IT! YOU'RE HURTING MY FEELINGS!"

I took a bite of the cupcake myself, but I couldn't help but let out a slight giggle at her reaction.

Click.

"Hahh..."

"This is what you do in your free time...?"

I run my fingers through my hair, feeling my eyebrows knit in annoyance. "What the hell."

I saved you from dying, and this is how you repay me, Ayano?

"Tsk."

It's fine. It'll all be over soon anyway.

As long as she stays obedient and does what I say, things should turn out fine.

"Haha..."

...

"Something might be wrong with me," I mutter, brushing my thumb across the computer screen where Ayano's face is displayed. A grin slowly creeps onto my lips.

"Pfft."

Well, who cares? There's someone worse than me.

But I don't mind.

I'll protect your secret.

Even the one you can't seem to remember.

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A/N :

This chapter is kind of augh for me so let's not talk about it, I've been busy with school but I'll try my best to update whenever I can.