Chapter 23

Monika slowly opened her eyes, squinting as a bit of sunlight shone in her eyes from a crack in the curtains.

She felt Sayori shift against her, remembering what had happened last night.

Monika blushed, smiling softly as she brushed the bangs from Sayori's eyes.

She leaned down, giving Sayori a soft kiss to her temple.

"Mrnfnr..." Sayori shifted, wrapping her arms tighter around Monika as she buried her face in her chest.

Monika chuckled, rubbing Sayori's back slowly.

Sayori grunted, her eyes fluttering open to rest upon Monika's chest against her face.

She backed up, gazing up into Monika's emerald green eyes.

"Good morning." Monika whispered, kissing her forehead.

"Morning..." Sayori blushed as she remembered what happened between the night before.

"Did you sleep well?" Monika cooed, smiling to her.

"Yeah... Did you?" Sayori asked.

"Mhm." Monika said, holding her close.

Sayori nodded, hiding her blushing face against Monika's chest again.

"I love you." Monika said suddenly, making Sayori look back up at her.

"I-I love you, too." Sayori said, stretching up to plant a quick kiss to Monika's smiling lips.

Monika leaned forward, kissing her lips again.

"I love doing that." Monika said, connecting their lips a third time.

"Me too." Sayori said with a smile.

Monika's eyes widened with a thought, letting out a gasp of panic.

"Shit! We're late for school!" Monika sat up quickly.

"Why don't we just skip? We're really late as it is." Sayori shrugged, yawning.

Monika stopped, turning to see Sayori rub the sleep from her eyes.

"Yeah.. I guess we could." Monika agreed, laying back down beside her.

Sayori pumped a fist in triumph, grinning widely at Monika.

"So what should we do?" Monika asked, not liking when she has nothing to do.

"Hmm..." Sayori pondered, playing with Monika's hair.

"Why don't I take you out on a date?" Monika suggested.

"You don't have to. I'd feel bad if you used what bit of money you had on me." Sayori shook her head.

"So? I'll get a job. Don't worry about it." Monika shrugged, smiling at her.

Sayori puffed out her cheeks, sternly glaring at her.

"Monii, I'll feeel baad." Sayori whined, clinging to Monika's arm as she pouted.

"And I'm saying, don't." Monika giggled, tapping her nose.

Sayori blushed, letting out a huff as she rolled her eyes.

"Fine. But I wanna pick what we do." Sayori bargained.

"Sure! What did you have in mind?" Monika agreed.

"I want to... Get ice cream!" Sayori said excitedly.

"Okay, then that's what we'll do." Monika nodded as Sayori whooped and cheered.

"Yaaaaayyy~!!" Sayori bolted out of bed, grabbing a change of clothes before sprinting towards the bathroom.

Monika sighed, shaking her head as she waited for Sayori to return.

Her clothing would be presentable, so she decided to just throw back on the clothes Sayori gave her last night.

"Ready?" Monika asked, standing outside the bathroom door as Sayori opened it.

Sayori nodded eagerly, her hand reaching over to find Monika's.

She laced their fingers, softly swinging their arms back and forth as they walked.

"Can we walk? It's so nice out!" Sayori asked.

"Sure." Monika said with a smile, her heart fluttering at how happy Sayori looked.

"Hey. Guess what?" Monika said softly.

"What?" Sayori turned her head to face her.

Monika responded by pressing her lips against hers, placing her free hand on Sayori's cheek.

"I love you." Monika answered in a whisper, grinning.

"I-I love you, too." Sayori said, flustered by Monika's action.

Sayori leaned her head on Monika's shoulder as they walked, smiling as she squeezed Monika's hand gently.

~~~

"What kind of ice cream do you want, Sayo?" Monika asked, holding the door open for her.

"I want rainbow sherbet!" Sayori grinned as she walked inside.

"What? That's not an ice cream." Monika teased with a smirk.

"Says who? It's better than mint chocolate chip." Sayori countered, knowing that's what Monika was going to order.

"Hey!" Monika shoved her shoulder lightly, giggling.

"Kidding~!" Sayori sang.

Monika rolled her eyes as they made their orders.

They sat down at a table and began eating in a comfortable silence.

"How is it?" Monika asked as Sayori hummed in delight.

"Really yummy! Wanna try?" Sayori held out a spoonful of brightly colored food.

Monika blushed, leaning forward as she put her lips around the spoon.

"It's really sweet." Monika said, licking her lips as she sat back against her seat.

"Can I try yours?" Sayori asked, pointing to Monika's dripping cone.

"I-I guess so." Monika said, handing her frozen treat over.

This is literally an indirect kiss!

"Mmm, it's so good!" Sayori grinned, passing it back over.

Monika giggled, noticing Sayori had a bit of green on her face from the ice cream.

"What's so funny?" Sayori asked as she tilted her head a bit.

Monika grabbed a napkin, gently wiping Sayori's face as Sayori blushed from the action.

"You had some on your cheek." Monika said as she set the tissue paper aside.

Sayori nodded, her blush deepening as she continued to eat her snack.

Sayori and Monika had been dating a few months now and the brunette still managed to render her speechless, a blushing mess from Monika's words or actions alone.

They ate in silence until they were done as they stood to throw away their trash.

Monika wrapped an arm around Sayori's waist as the blonde tripped into someone, making Sayori blush deeper as she was pulled close.

"You okay?" Monika asked, making sure Sayori was alright.

"Uh huh..." Sayori nodded, averting her eyes to the floor.

They began walking once more, Monika neglecting to remove her arm and absently tightening her hold.

She glanced over at Sayori, who kept her gaze glued to her feet as they began wandering through the park.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Monika asked.

"I-I'm fine." Sayori assured her in a squeak.

"Are you... nervous?" Monika asked with a smirk.

"N-No!" Sayori lied, biting her lip as her face grew hotter still.

"It's just me." Monika reminded her.

"T-That's why I'm nervous!" Sayori admitted quietly.

Monika chuckled, kissing Sayori's flushed cheek.

"Moni!" Sayori whined, hiding her face in her hands.

Monika laughed, kissing the top of Sayori's head instead.

"I can't help it! You're being adorable." Monika defended.

She pulled Sayori over to a nearby bench, sitting down as she tugged Sayori into her lap.

"M-Monika!" Sayori cried, wrapping her arms around Monika's neck so she wouldn't fall.

Monika wrapped both arms around Sayori's waist, peppering her face and neck with kisses.

"Moni, that tickles!" Sayori giggled, leaning away from Monika's touch.

Monika grabbed Sayori's chin, turning her face so their lips met in a sweet kiss.

Sayori pulled Monika closer by the neck, deepening the kiss as her hands kneaded into Monika's hair.

"Sayori.." Monika mumbled between kisses, gripping Sayori's waist even tighter.

They eventually pulled away, resting their foreheads together.

"Thank you... For taking me out today." Sayori said with a smile.

"Thanks for letting me." Monika said, gazing deep into Sayori's eyes.

They stayed like that for a while longer before walking back to Sayori's house, hand in hand.