Our Literature Bond

Chapter XXII Softer touch

Yuu, 4:41 PM, June 1st, 2017

Thursday

— If all of you are gonna act like morons, then I'm better off staying home.
I silently watch as the pink thing rushes off the room, leaving behind only the reverberating sound of the door being slammed. If it was the from before joining the club, I would've thought she is just being childish and get annoyed. Although I still think she is rather childish, I think I understand her a little better now, enough for me to not judge her right off the bat.
— If you have the time —says Monika to our guest after a few seconds—, I would like to discuss some things with you.
I've already seen this girl before when the festival was taking place. She seems to be a close friend of our pink gremlin here, but she's never really interacted that much with us from the club. Sayori has told me a little about this person, but to be honest I already forgot her name. Be that as it may, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try obtaining some information about what's been happening.
Of course, Monika and the girls intend to welcome her accordingly, setting up some desks together like the first times I was here and having Yuri serving some hot tea to light up the mood a little. Unfortunately, since Natsuki isn't here, we won't be having anything sweet to complement the beverages. I bet Sayori is the one lamenting it the most, and I think I can hear a little moan as we sit down.
— I'm sorry we don't have anything else to offer you —regrets Monika, probably thinking about the lack of sweets as well—. But the tea Yuri brings here is truly amazing, please try it.
— Ah, yes... —our guest gently holds the cup in front of her and takes a careless sip of the still piping hot drink—. Ouch...
— Ah, careful, it's still hot —Yuri says, although a bit late.
— I suppose you already know me from... Somewhere —Monika keeps her demeanor as calm as possible, offering a gentle smile—. But if that is not the case, then let me formally introduce myself. I'm Monika Amato, president of the Literature Club.
— To think I'd have the chance to meet you like this, ehehe... —the girl puts on a weird face, almost as if she was a weird fan—. Ah, sorry! I'm Kioko Sasaki, we're in the same class, I think.
— So —Monika coughs a little and continues, keeping her hands together—, I wanted to ask you about Natsuki, but... Giving that you came in here to question her about whatever is troubling her, I'm guessing that means that you don't have a clue either.
— That's right... —Sasaki scratches her head, keeping it low— She's been acting really strange lately, but stranger than that is the fact that she hasn't told me anything.
— You two are good friends, right? —I ask, curious. This whole situation makes me feel like a detective, honestly.
— Of course! We've known each other since starting middle school —suddenly, the timid girl's face lights up a little—. You should've seen her! She was as quiet as a rock.
— No way! —Sayori laughs, spilling a bit of tea on the table.
— It's true! —Sasaki continues—. She has always struggled to make friends, even way back. To be fair, I don't think I remember what was it that I did to gain her trust.
— Sorry, I think we're going off-topic here —I force them to stop, putting my hand in front—. You tell us that, but aren't best friends supposed to...?
I stop myself mid-sentence. A bitter taste invades me from the inside as I look at Sayori from the corner of my eye. No, I don't think I have the right to be saying how best friends are supposed to be.
— Supposed to...? —Sasaki asks, clueless.
— Nothing, don't worry about it —fortunately I'm quick with my words, and I think I didn't flinch—. So, uh... Since when has she been acting like this, if you know?
— Well... —she puts her finger on her lips, taking a moment for herself before answering—. The last time we talked normally was on Tuesday, I think. Ah, yes! —she yells—. She was complaining about her argument with Yuri, I think you already know about that.
Although there is a silent agreement, when looking across the improvised table I can see Yuri hiding her face behind her hair. She probably just remembered that happened. It might be cruel from my part, but I do think it's funny whenever she gets flustered. I don't know, she is a little cute.
— And after that... —Sasaki breaks the silence—. We didn't talk until next day. She was already acting strange, but she refused to tell me anything. Then if we skip until today... —her sentence stops without a warning, then she continues in a lower voice—. When I saw her again, she already had that ugly patch.
So she doesn't know anything about it. I already knew Natsuki is good at hiding her true emotions, but this is taking it too far. What could possibly be stopping her from seeking help from her peers? I don't think we're talking about a simple fight with a classmate anymore. My inner thoughts force me to speak up, as they're already scratching me from within.
— Every time we cover the topic, I'm more inclined to believe that bastard Junichiro has something to do with this.
— Junichiro?! —Sasa-something asks in a violent manner, as if the mere mention of that name sparked something inside her—. Not that stupid mother—...! —but before she can turn the table upside down, she strangely relaxes and sits down again—. No, it can't be him. She always tells me when something is up with that jerk.
A little wave of relief fills my chest and I take a deep breath to make the most of that feeling. If I somehow found out that he already crossed the line with her just now, I don't think I would've been able to control myself. I really hate how that bastard still lives rent free inside my head. But if he didn't do it, then who?
— I see —Monika closes her eyes and sighs, holding her cup without having taken a single sip from it—. Then there's only one possible explanation for this.
— Care to elaborate? —I ask, confused.
— Well, she asked me not to tell anybody, but...
— So you knew about it —I reply before she can complete her sentence, trying to get a good explanation—. Even if Natsuki asked you to do that, I don't think it's the correct approach.
— I'm well aware —Monika says while looking at me, with a stern face that seems to be telling me that I don't get ahead of myself—. I simply told her I would do as she said so she wouldn't worry about it. There's no way I would leave things as they are.
— Hold on, since when do you know about Nats' personal life? —Natsuki's friend, with an offended tone, drops that question.
— Since yesterday. It was actually thanks to some... Unique circumstances —Monika stays silent for a momemt, looking straight at her cup of tea before taking a large sip from it, putting it down with a little bit of force afterwards— I've been taking my time to think things through since then. In the end, I decided I should try to tell you guys about it and see if we could come up with some ways to support her.
— Enough beating around the bush —I find myself feeling awfully impatient, not knowing what the deal is—. What happened?
Monika sighs and wraps her cup with her hands, not replying immediately. Looking down, I can see her hands are shaking a little, denoting what she probably doesn't want us to see: deep preoccupation. My impatience grows ever larger after noticing that, to the point where I think even I am shaking violently. But before I can express my concern, Monika starts speaking again.
— Natsuki suffers from domestic abuse. From her father.
Right now, it's as if someone had just punched me directly in the gut, taking away the air from my lungs. My thoughts start to become a complete mess, with the image of Natsuki's face in all of them. The weird sensation of understanding the meaning behind the sentence but not being able to fully comprehend it fills my head, making me dizzy. This is bad, I have to take control over my head again before I do something crazy! I concentrate on slowing my breathing down, forcing myself to stay glued to my chair. Still, it seems I'm the only one who's rather successful in doing so.
— Don't fuck with me! —yells out guest, hitting the desk with her palm—. You have to be lying. You're lying!
Monika calmly shakes her head, trying to convey how serious she is—. I wouldn't dare to lie about something this awful. She told me about this after I found her unconscious due to starvation. You can ask the nurse if you want.
— That can't be... —Sayori covers her mouth with her hands and says that, apparently struggling to accept what she's hearing too.
— It's the truth —Monika's voice becomes strong again—. From what Natsuki told me, her father became an alcoholic after her mother passed away. Because of that, their economic situation is not the best, and the money he still makes often goes to his drinking habit. She also said that he has become more and more violent as years passed, but...
— But? —I find myself demanding her to continue, feeling more and more irritated.
— I asked her if he had ever done something to her, but she said no. I believe this may be the first time.
— The first time... —Natsuki's friend mumbles to herself, still with that enraged tone—. If that's the case, then it would be a great shock.
— That would explain why she hasn't told anybody —Yuri suddenly says, surprisingly calm—. Not only is she stubborn by herself, but how would you feel if someone close to you suddenly harmed you like that?
No one says anything to that. Indeed, it would make sense if that was the case, and given how Natsuki is not one to be sharing the things troubling her, I can imagine her keeping it in. That would explain why she's trying to be extremely friendly with everyone today, or why she's making less of everything bad that has happened. The pink gremlin I know would snap at whatever or whoever is bothering her, but I don't know anything about her family situation except for what I'm hearing right now. I clench my fists really hard, to the point where my nails are almost piercing through my skin.
— Well, we... —Sayori timidly says—. We should call the authorities on him, shouldn't we?
— Yes, but there's an issue —Monika replies, sounding frustrated—. I don't think sending that guy to jail would be too difficult, or at least making him lose custody. But Natsuki doesn't know of any other relatives, so where would she go after that?
Of course. I was just thinking of how it's so stupid that no one has reported him to the authorities, but I guess that, apart from the natural fondness she has for her dad, makes her scared of what could possibly happen after they get separated. The law is too complicated sometimes.
— She could stay with one of us! —yells Sayori, looking at everybody—. That could be one way we could help her, right?
— I would love to, but... My parents wouldn't allow it —Monika tells us with a saddened tone—. They are very strict.
— Then... Yuri?~
— Eh? No no, I can't! —Yuri panics, but she immediately corrects herself—. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just... My parents have gone through a lot of struggles to raise me and my brother, I don't want to cause more trouble for them...
— Why don't you nominate yourself then? —the girl suggests, talking to Sayori—. It's your idea.
— I... Ehehe...
— Then, she can come with me.
Everyone looks at me, with an air of disbelief that even I am able to perceive. However, I don't waver and instead maintain a firm posture, trying to tell them with my body language that I mean what I said.
— That's... —Sayori speaks first, later correcting herself— But, wouldn't your parents be against it?
— I don't care —I look at her, observing those blue orbs of her and what they reflect—. I have my reasons.
— Hey, don't look at me like that...
Even I'm confused by what I'm currently feeling. But it's something so intense that it's basically impossible to ignore, so I'm just going with the flow. Somehow, deep inside of me, I know it's the right thing to do. But still, I think I may be acting a little too intense, so I drink some tea so I can calm down.
— Well, it's still too early to decide that sort of thing —Monika says, this time leaving room for a gentle smile—. We still have to talk to Natsuki about it. We should leave it at that today —she stands up, puts her hands together and bows before the four of us—. I truly appreciate the support from all of you. I'm sure Natsuki would, too.
— Ah, don't worry about it, really! —Natsuki's friend quickly waves her hands, laughing nervously—. You know, I'm her friend too, so I obviously worry!
Monika's smile becomes a bit bigger after hearing that.
Right after, we say our goodbyes and leave the room, preparing to head home. Remembering the morning, I ask Yuri if she is gonna come with Sayori and I but she declines, saying that there is another route she likes better to head home. I don't insist further, although Sayori tries a little harder without success. In the end, it's just the two of us as we're already used to, and we start walking back home in silence. It's only when we're halfway there that Sayori finally says:
— I'm really sorry, Yuu...
— Eh? For what?
— I never thought your stay in the club would end up this chaotic —she looks at the ground, all the while walking slower than just moments ago—. I'm sorry.
— Sayori —I stop moving, forcing her to stop and look at me—. First of all, this has nothing to do with the club, ok? This is a personal matter —I raise my voice inadvertently, getting a little worked up—. This is not the time to be thinking about whether the club is good or bad. Our friend is going through a rough time, and that could happen to any of us independently of what happens anywhere else. So please, don't say something that stupid again.
— I...! —Sayori raises her voice too, only to go back to a worried tone moments after—. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking straight...
I sigh, continuing with our walk and hoping for Sayori to follow me—. I should apologize too, I didn't mean to sound so aggressive. It's just, well... —I hesitate, scratching my head—. This matter made me really mad.
I look to the side, avoiding her eyes. She already started following me, but she's as silent as the air. I feel worried that I might have hurt her with my attitude, so I turn around quickly, although without a single sound coming out of my mouth. However, I'm met by Sayori's smile, her eyes looking deeply into mine.
— You may not admit it, but you really care about us already, don't you?
— That's...! —I try to think of something to say, but it's futile. In any case, I think she is actually right—. Whatever you say...
After some familiar turns and traffic lights, we finally find ourselves in front of our houses. I intend to wave goodbye to Sayori as usual, but before I can raise my hand she grabs me by the sleeve without saying anything, keeping a strong grasp on it. I look at her for a couple seconds, deeply confused and waiting for something to happen, but in the end I still have to inquire about her intentions.
— Something wrong?
— I... Do you want to... —she murmurs something, but her voice is so quiet I can barely understand anything.
— Sayori, I can't hear you.
— ... —Sayori stays silent for an extra second before letting me go and smile to me—. It's nothing, I already forgot what I was gonna say, ehehe.
— What is it with you, honestly...
She waves goodbye as usual and I stay put making sure she doesn't forget anything. I briefly enjoy watching her clumsily enter her house before she disappears behind the door, and then I do the same myself without the clumsy part. Golden is already waiting for me behind the door, meowing quietly as his way of saying "Hello". Well, who knows, maybe he's insulting my mom or something like that, but I like to think he loves us. I pet him gently, messing with his fur, and go straight to my room after taking off my shoes. Neither mom nor dad are here yet, so I guess I have a couple hours of leisure before one of them arrives and gets me back to being useful. Before I throw myself on my bed as usual, something colorful catches my attention from the corner of my eye. When I look to the side, I see the "Parfait Girls" manga just sitting on my desk, with the cover being just a little lifted. Huh, now that I think about it, I already finished reading the first volume and just forgot to bring it back. Looking at it now, I can't help thinking about Natsuki and everything that's happened lately. I really have mixed feelings about this situation and it's making my chest feel heavy. In an impulsive act I drop my things and pick up the manga, sitting on the chair and going through its pages once again. I frown, trying to remeber the plot as I go through the story quickly, passing pages faster than I intend. However, one thing is clear to me after doing this: I must find her tomorrow. I must find Natsuki and talk to her myself.