Held by a string (Sayori X Male Reader)

After 13 years...

What have I gotten myself into? I've joined this literature club, just so I can be closer to my crush Sayori. She's been my closest friend for years, and I want to date her SO badly... I had written her poems, sent anonymous notes, even getting some of my guy friends to help: NOTHING. Not even a hint!  It had been like this for 13 years... but that all changed on fateful Friday afternoon. I did my usual shtick: wrote a note for Sayori, had my classes, ate lunch, the same old thing.

"Let's face it. Sayori's never gonna like me the same way I her. I've been doing this for years. I need to learn when to give up..." I mumbled. Just then, Sayori walked up behind me and tapped my shoulder. I turned to face her. She's the cutest girl in the world: her pink hair flowing beautifully, a giant red bow adorned in her hair.

" Hey Taro, mind if I talk to you at home later? It's important." She said without her trademark smile. This must be bad. I nodded. She started walking home as a paper fell out of her bag. She didn't notice she dropped it.  I picked it up and was going to give it back to her when I saw the back: it was my math homework... I turned the paper over, revealing the note I wrote her this morning. My eyes went wide as I realized what was going to happen. I began walking home as I was pondering what was going to happen...

(Back home)

I arrived at Sayori's house, knocking on the door as her mother answered the door.

"Oh! Hello Taro! You want Sayori, I assume?" She asked. I nodded. She called for Sayori, who exited her room, a smile on her face, like always. She's wearing a pink long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jean shorts, looking adorable. She puts on house shoes as she walked outside. Sayori closes the door as she looks me in the eyes, or as much as she can before succumbing to awkwardness. I tried playing dumb.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked. She put her hand on my cheek.

"Taro, I saw the note. It had your homework on the back of it.  Was it you who gave me all those notes over the years?" She asked. I panicked.

"No." I said. Her smile faded. I could tell she was disappointed. 

"Oh. Okay. Sorry to bother you then." She said, sadly walking back to her house. I couldn't stand seeing her like this. She's always been so happy. I grabbed her shoulder. She was so startled, she fell against the door. She was sitting on her porch, her back to the door as I was crouching in front of her.

"Sayori, wait. I DO care about you." She started to tear up.

"Why would you burden yourself by caring about me? I'm not worth it! Everything would be better if I just disappeared!" She screamed. I looked her dead in the eyes through her tears.

"Sayori, don't say that!" I told her, but she didn't believe me.

"It's true Taro! If I wasn't here, you wouldn't have to waste your sympathy on me!" She yelled, more tears flowing then ever. I could only think of one thing to do.

"Sayori, if I didn't care about you, would I do this?" and with that, I placed my lips on Sayori's. She relaxed instantly. I kissed her for as long as I could. When we separated, she looked at me with her smile on her face returning.

"Caring about you like this isn't the burden you think it is. It's something that makes me happy. It's something I wouldn't trade for anything else. So, even if it takes an entire lifetime, I'm going to be by your side until you don't feel any more pain." I told her. What I said was from the heart. 100% genuine. She looked away.

"But... I'm scared Taro... I'm really scared..." She trailed off. I asked what she was scared of.

"I'm scared that I might like you more than you like me..." She whimpered.

" Would I kiss you to reassure you if I didn't like you as much as you liked me?" I asked. She looked at me.

"I don't want you to hurt anymore." I held Sayori's hand in my own. She blushed.

"Do you remember what I said I always knew what's best for you? Do you still believe me?" She nods.

"Even if you don't understand all your feelings... I know what you need the most right now. And that's what I'm going to give you." I paused.

"Sayori... I love you." I said. She looked happy, yet puzzled.

"Those are my true feelings. So there's no way you could like me more than I like you. I should have said it sooner. But spending time with you in the club... making new friends... and having fun with you every day... it helped me confirm that you are the most important person to me. That's why I'll accept any of your burdens. As long as we continue like this every day, with you by my side. Then I'll know we'll both be happy." I suddenly felt Sayori wrap her arms around me, still sniffling.

"Taro... Is this... really okay?" she asked. 

"Yeah." I wrap my arms around her and pull her in tight.

"You'll never have to let go of me again. I promise, I'll be there for you. Whenever, wherever. I'll be there." I told her.

"I can't believe I can say this after 13 years, but... I love you Taro... I want to be with you forever." She said, her sniffles finally gone.

"Me too Sayori. Me too." I said, my voice breaking from happiness. Her grip on me tightened.

"They're gone. The rainclouds are finally gone... Is this... happiness? TRUE happiness?" She asked.

"Yeah. This is happiness. And that's all that matters." I responded. We slowly released the hug.

"So... I guess that makes the festival tomorrow... our first date?" Sayori nodded, giving me a kiss on the cheek before her mom called her back inside. She walked back inside as I walked in my house. I ran up to my room, seeing the computer on in front of me. I looked at the screen. It read:

"sayori.chr.rainclouds deleted. sayori.chr.happiness added." I knew then it worked. Sayori was happy. I was happy. We were happy, and no one could drive us apart.