Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

2.8 Double Date

What am I doing?

Y/N stared at the foam swirling in her coffee cup, watching it dissolve slowly, just like her afternoon plans. She should have been on a bus right now. She should be halfway across town by now, toward Yuna and Hayato, toward answers.

But she wasn't.

Instead she was sitting in a too-warm café, at a corner table, opposite Sylvie and Shiro.

Y/N frowned into her drink, trying to retrace the steps that had brought her here. After class, she'd been ready. Backpack slung over her shoulder, her coat buttoned to the top, she was halfway down the stairs toward the bus station when Sylvie had come barrelling toward her.

"Y/N!"

She'd skidded to a stop, breathless and, strangely, radiant.

Y/N blinked. "What happened?"

Sylvie practically bounced on her heels. "Shiro was quite nice to me. I think he's warming up to me."

Y/N had blinked again, slower this time. "...Really?"

Sylvie nodded, beaming. "I struck up a conversation with him and he didn't ignore me this time. He even held the door open for me so it didn't... well, hit me in the face. Progress..."

Y/N's eyebrows lifted slightly. She remembered the conversation again, with her telling Shiro, somewhat sharply, that he ought to stop treating Sylvie like an inconvenience, or something like that. A part of her hadn't really expected him to listen. But she was happy he had.

She smiled faintly. "Good. I'm glad."

Sylvie leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "So I have a plan."

Y/N's smile faltered. "A plan?"

Sylvie nodded, eyes gleaming with an uncharacteristic mix of mischief and nerves. "He has friends, right? I see him hanging out with other members from the Circle. I figured... maybe if we made it a group thing, it'd be easier for him. It wouldn't be a real date-date, just something casual."

Y/N saw it coming before Sylvie even said it. "No."

Sylvie blinked. "No?"

"I can't," Y/N said quickly. "I have stuff to do."

Sylvie's expression dimmed, though she tried to play it off. "Right. Of course. You're busy."

Y/N nodded, already backing away. "I hope it works out."

Sylvie gave a small smile, clearly trying to be graceful. "Of course. I understand."

She turned to leave.

Y/N paused.

Sylvie's shoulders were hunched a little now. Her phone was already in her hand, but she wasn't typing.

Y/N sighed. Loudly enough that she annoyed herself. "Wait."

Sylvie turned. Hope already lighting her face before Y/N could even speak.

"...I could make some time. But not too long."

Sylvie nearly squealed, immediately typing on her phone. "Thank you, Y/N. You're a delight! I'll text him immediately."

And now, here they were.

Y/N took another sip as she looked across the table at Shiro, who was sipping something dark and bitter-looking with his typical indifferent expression.

She glanced at the door, then back at him. "When is this friend of yours supposed to show up?"

Shiro didn't look up. "Any minute now."