Chapter 29

They pulled into Yuri's driveway, climbing out of the car as Monika ran and knocked on the door.

Yuri hugged her while Natsuki and Sayori approached the door as well.

"Hello, Sayori," Yuri greeted with a smile, "How have you been today?"

"I'm good. You?" Sayori smiled back.

Yuri opened her mouth to speak, yet grew silent as Natsuki came into view from behind her friend.

Natsuki and Yuri locked eyes as a blush filled both of their cheeks.

"H-Hello, N-Natsuki." Yuri greeted with a nod, refusing to tear her eyes from the short girl.

"Hey." Natsuki said cooly, hiding the twinge of upset she had gotten when Yuri reverted from her nickname.

Yuri stepped aside as everyone filed into the house, immediately covering Sayori's eyes with a strip of fabric.

"Am I being kidnapped?! I mean, I kinda expected this eventually but I thought it'd at least be in my own house or-" Sayori was cut off as Monika placed her hand over the girl's mouth and giggled.

"You're not being kidnapped. It's us." Monika said.

"How do I know you guys don't want to kidnap me?" Sayori said jokingly, but was still a bit suspicious that that could be just the case.

"Because then you'd miss the surprise." Yuri cut in.

"What surprise?" Sayori said as she reached for the blindfold.

"Not yet!" Natsuki scolded, slapping her hand away.

Sayori huffed, rubbing her sore hand as Monika and Yuri lead her towards the dining room table.

"Sit." Natsuki commanded.

Sayori did as she was told while Yuri and Monika quietly snuck into the kitchen and Natsuki sat beside her.

"Nat, what's the surprise?" Sayori whispered.

"How'd you know it was me?" Natsuki asked.

"I know your scent." Sayori said.

It didn't surprise Natsuki in the slightest; She knew Sayori's scent by heart, too, from how often they were around each other.

"I can't tell you yet." Natsuki flicked the unsuspecting girl on the nose, making her yelp and rub her nose.

Monika and Yuri placed the store bought cake on the table as Yuri pulled out her Polaroid camera.

"You can take it off now." Monika whispered into Sayori's ear as she slung her arms around her lover's shoulders.

Sayori gasped as she saw the cake: A round vanilla cake with sky blue frosting and slices of strawberry on top.

"Oh my gosh..." Sayori whispered, covering her mouth with a hand in shock.

"Happy birthday, baby." Monika kissed her cheek softly, lying her head against Sayori's shoulder.

A single tear snaked down Sayori's cheek, catching Monika's attention.

"Sayo, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm just... Just... Thank you... Thank you guys so much... Thank you, Moni... This is the best birthday ever!" Sayori gushed, crying a bit more.

She rubbed at her eyes with the balls of her hands, laughing with each sob that racked her body.

Natsuki surged forward, hugging the girl close as Sayori clung to her tightly.

"Shh, shh... Calm down... Let's eat cake, 'kay?" Natsuki said softly, tilting Sayori's chin so their eyes met.

Natsuki rolled down her sleeve, using it to wipe at her friend's eyes.

"Thanks, Nat. Yeah, let's eat." Sayori nodded with a final sniff.

Yuri took a large kitchen knife and quickly and skillfully cut equal sized pieces.

"Happy birthday, airhead." Natsuki nudged her in the ribs with a smirk.

"Thanks, Nat." Sayori said again as Monika took the seat on the other side of her.

Sayori whipped around to face her girlfriend as a plate was placed before her, a large strawberry atop it.

"Did you plan all this?" Sayori asked as Monika took a bite of her own slice.

"Yuri and Natsuki helped, of course, but yeah." Monika agreed with a nod.

Sayori giggled, planting a quick kiss to Monika's cheek before diving into her own cake.

"Mmm~!" Sayori hummed, savoring the taste.

"Thish ish sooo goood!" Sayori said, her mouth full of cake.

"Ey! Watch it, airhead!" Natsuki shoved her lightly. "You'll get cake 'n slobber all over me!"

"Sorry.." Sayori said after swallowing.

"So you like it, then?" Monika chuckled.

"Mhm! It's the best cake ever- I mean, the best that wasn't made by you, Nat. Your cakes are still my favourite thing ever!" Sayori giggled nervously.

"Of course they are," Natsuki scoffed pridefully, "I'm awesome!"

Yuri chuckled as her face flushed slightly, making Natsuki tense and blush deeply.

"You sure are." Sayori ruffled her hair, receiving a growl from Natsuki.

"Stop that!" Natsuki snapped, swatting away the hand.

Natsuki blushed deeper, embarrassed that Yuri was watching Sayori treat her like a little kid.

"Got your present..." Natsuki grumbled under her breath.

"Yay! Can I have it now?" Sayori asked impatiently.

"Are you gonna keep treating me like a fucking dog?" Natsuki said slightly annoyed.

"Sorry..." Sayori pressed her fingertips together, blushing softly at her actions.

"Okay, I'll get it." Natsuki sighed then smiled, finding it impossible to stay mad at the bubbly girl.

As she left Yuri took Natsuki's seat to speak with Sayori.

"Happy birthday, Sayori! H-How old are you now?" Yuri asked out of curiosity.

"Sixteen now." Sayori nodded proudly.

"That's wonderful! W-Well congratulations."

Natsuki plopped a small package onto the table, startling everyone.

"Present." Natsuki muttered simply, blushing as she slumped into Yuri's chair since hers was occupied.

Sayori tore through the bright pink wrapping paper, squealing at the contents.

"I-I didn't have much, but I h-hope you like it.." Natsuki said quietly.

Sayori held up the small ring, accompanied by a piece of navy blue thread.

"I love it, Nat!" Sayori hugged her friend, who was fitting the ring through the string.

"Yeah yeah, gimme your neck." Natsuki blushed deeper as all attention was placed on her, tying the makeshift necklace around Sayori's neck.

"I, uh, have a matching one..." Natsuki untucked her own bronze ring, which hung from a magenta rope.

"Does this mean..?" Sayori gasped, shaking Natsuki's shoulders.

"Yes! I got us friendship necklaces, okay?!" Natsuki turned her face away, staring towards the floor to avoid everyone's gazes.

"Awwwwe! Natsukiiiiiii!" Sayori nuzzled her cheek against the short girl's, despite Natsuki trying to force her away constantly.

Monika and Yuri shared a laugh at the scene, causing both girls involved to become aware and pull apart embarrassed.

"Don't lose it, airhead..." Natsuki huffed.

"I'll never take it off." Sayori nodded with a smile.

"I-I got you a gift as well..." Yuri chimed in.

"Really?" Sayori perked up again.

"Yes. It's in the other room. Allow me to get it for you." Yuri excused herself, gliding up the stairs.

"She's always so formal." Monika said under her breath with a chuckle.

Sayori joined in, quieting as Yuri returned with her hands behind her back.

"I was at the book store the other day to grab the newest volume of my favourite horror series, but when I saw this book I thought you would enjoy it." Yuri presented the book from behind her, holding it out to Sayori.

"You thought The Bell Jar was something Sayori would like?" Monika asked, confused.

"Well I certainly liked it. And I thought Sayori and I... Aren't so different." Yuri replied, though she was staring into Sayori's eyes knowingly.

Sayori swallowed dryly, giving a lopsided grin as she took the offered book into her arms.

"Thanks, Yuri!" Sayori said, unable to tear her gaze away.

She... She knows... How? Did Monika tell her? Natsuki? I haven't told anyone else... Did she... Did she figure it out by herself?!

Yuri sat down and started (attempted) to talk to Natsuki as if nothing happened.

Sayori shook off the weird feeling and placed a second slice on her plate to eat.