Side Effects (Natsuri)✔️

Part 5. Girls' Day Out

The girls got back in Yuri's car, still not sure where they were even going.

"Well, uhh, where to?"

"Dunno. Let's just go into town and see what happens."

"Sounds fair."

The two of them drove around until they reached downtown, there they parked the car in a public parking space decided to walk around. They wanted to explore their options of things to do.

Natsuki pointed something out. "Oh, there's a pretty good place for bubble tea, wanna go in?"

"Sure, I haven't had bubble tea in a while, not my number one favorite, but I like it enough to get some today."

The two walked inside and waited in line, which was an about average length for a small mom-pop shop like the one they stopped in. They waited about five minutes until their turn.

"I'll pay for both of ours, Yuri."

"Are you sure? I've got more than plenty of money on me."

"Positive. This is how I'm thanking you for keeping me with you."

"Ah, I see, well alright then."

Natsuki got herself a strawberry flavor, and Yuri had mixed berry. They decided to take the drinks to go along with them the rest of the way.

"Yours good?"

"Yep. Yours?"

"Mhm."

They walked a little longer until they walked up to a small clothing place, which looked like a place that sold rather casual attire. The two walked in to see what they could find. Natsuki found herself a mint green top with white lace, and a sky blue, casual skirt to go with, which she didn't take long to find. Yuri took a little longer, observing the darker colored clothing, she wanted to know what she really wanted or needed, since it could've been the only day she'd do this in a long time, if at all after this. A few minutes in, and she found a long sleeved black shirt, which had sleeves that were wider and looser towards the bottom, it was a flowy, yet casual shirt, and with it a pair of grey jeans.

"That's really all you're getting?"

"Yeah, I didn't want to go too expensive I guess."

"Fair enough, nice choices though, they fit your personality."

When they got what they wanted, Yuri went up front to pay, it was her turn after Natsuki paid for the bubble tea. They went back outside to walk around some more to see what they could find, and came upon a fountain with some benches nearby.

"Wanna sit down?" Natsuki offered.

"Sure, I like sitting near these little fountains. They're fun to watch."

They two sat side by side on the bench, staring at the dancing water as it spurt out of their jets. Up and down, up and down, Yuri watched this movement of the water, and enjoyed watching young children play around it. Something about this feeling made Yuri feel good, almost as if she could forget her morning cuts, and be at peace, maybe even be happy? Something about it made Yuri want it to last, she wanted more moments like this with her little tsundere friend. Natsuki enjoyed the scenery, until something frightened her, in the far distance, she saw a man walk across, that man was her father. Quickly, she grabbed Yuri's arm and insisted they should walk around and away some more, when Yuri willingly agreed, she still took hold of Yuri's arm and sped off.

"Natsuki, is something wrong? All of the sudden you're acting as if something frightened you."

"Oh no, everything's fine, my back was cramping from slouching on that bench and uhhh, wanted to go see more stuff y'know? Eheh,"

Yuri knelt to the ground on one knee and held her friend's hand comfortingly. "Look, you can tell me anything, I'm here for you, and always will be. I won't tell a single soul, I swear on my own life."

Natsuki sighed. "Fine, it was my father, and I know you'll say that it's nothing to act so afraid of, but the truth is, is that, well, he uhh, he," She showed the bruises on her left shoulder. "He did this, he abuses me, and I'm terrified as shit of him. I always am trying to get away from him for as long as possible, he doesn't even know where I am I bet, but I know he wouldn't care unless he ever saw me again. I just, I, I just wanted it to be the two of us Yuri, because I trust you more than anyone."

Yuri was in utter shock. "I-I'm so, I'm s-so, I'm so sorry to hear you say h-he did s-such a thing! Don't worry, I'll keep you safe, you can even stay in my house again tonight, and we'll go to school together in the morning, we'll be like roommates. Just you and me."

"Really Yuri? You mean that."

"Of course. Anything for you, Natsuki."

"Thanks Yuri. This means almost the world to me." Only she knew it was Yuri herself that meant the world to her.

"Shall we keep walking again?"

"Sure."

The duo walked down the street some more, stopped in a few boutiques, and stopped around noon for lunch. They small-talked about whatever was on their mind.

"What should we look for next Natsuki?"

"Well, I guess we both need, like, dresses or something, you never know if you'd ever get invited to a fancy party."

"I never get invited."

"Well, what if there's a formal coming up? Won't you need somethin for that?"

"You have a point. Let's plan on it."

Later, they decided to stop into a formal place to look around, since dresses weren't their thing, it took them both a while to decide what they wanted. In the end, Yuri picked a simple, flowing black dress that went a little past her knees, with long sleeves that loosely fit her arms. Natsuki selected a pastel yellow dress that was mostly consisted of lace and beads across the neck, it fit a little above her knees. They decided to try them on and see how they looked on each other. When Natsuki saw Yuri in hers, she thought she'd never seen her so beautiful in her life, Yuri felt the same about Natsuki, seeing how confident and cute she looked. They bought the items and went on their way.

...Hours after, they returned to Yuri's, still pondering about their feelings for one another...