Chapter 31

Sayori hadn't stopped crying for over an hour.

Monika had finally found an apartment after working her job for two months and Natsuki still refused to talk to her inside or outside of school.

(I realize it takes longer than two months to find an apartment at 17 just go with it)

She sighed, rolling over onto her back.

It was way too late to call Monika; The poor girl had a shift until school.

Who can I talk to? Nat hates me right now and Moni's at work...

An idea, memory, flashed into her mind.

"You're welcome anytime. That includes you, Sayori."

Yuri...

Yuri would probably be awake, right?

She took out her phone and sent Yuri a quick text.

S: Is it okay if I come over?

She set her phone down, getting a buzz almost instantly.

Y: Yes.

S: Thanks.

She typed out a quick response and stood.

Sayori grabbed a scarf before slipping on her shoes and leaving the house.

She walked in the direction of Yuri's house, seeing her breath a white cloud before her lips.

Cloud.... That's what Monika calls me... Her happy... Little... Cloud...

Without realising, she had started to cry all over again, rapidly wiping her tears as she rounded the corner to Yuri's house.

Sayori knocked on Yuri's door, waiting a bit before Yuri finally opened it and motioned her inside.

"Welcome." Yuri said as she closed the door.

"Thanks for having me." Sayori said nervously as she took her shoes off.

"There is something I wanted to discuss with you, if that's alright." Yuri sat on the couch, taking a sip of tea.

Sayori nodded, taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch.

Sayori waited in an anxious silence as Yuri took another long sip, sighing when she sat the cup down.

"I know your little secret." Yuri said without looking at her.

"W-What secret?" Sayori laughed rather loudly.

"Your severe depression." Yuri answered.

Sayori's eyes widened as her face paled, her heart hammering quicker and the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.

"W-What?" Sayori said quietly.

"Please, don't play dumb. Ignorance is rather annoying." Yuri sighed, taking a sip.

"H-How did you..?" Sayori trailed off,  dumbfounded.

"How did I figure it out?" Yuri finished for her.

Sayori nodded slowly as Yuri turned to face her.

"I've known since I saw you in French class on your first day of high school." Yuri said.

"Wha- H- J- You- But- What?!" Sayori stuttered, blinking rapidly.

"I find it's easy to spot when people are hurting inside if you yourself are as well." Yuri said quietly, a sad smile gracing her lips.

"Yuri..." Sayori said softly, a sense of knowing overcoming her.

"But we're not here to talk about me. I want to see if I can help you a bit." Yuri told her.

"How?" Sayori asked.

"Well...." Yuri trailed off in thought.

"If you promise not to tell anyone, I could tell you how I cope with my emotions." Yuri whispered as if someone might hear.

Sayori hesitantly nodded, yet followed behind Yuri as they went up the stairs.

They entered Yuri's bathroom as Yuri lifted a loose tile on the floor that otherwise would appear normal.

Sayori gasped as she saw three large knives of different sizes and color.

Yuri picked one up, gently tracing the blade with her pinky as she eyed it longingly.

"There are many outlets for aggression or negative emotions. But I find this way provides both comfort... And pleasure..." Yuri glanced up to see Sayori giving her a weary look.

This is insane! Ohmigod, she's gonna chop me up and use my blood in her weird herbal tea!

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you, Sayori." Yuri sighed.

"I-I know!" Sayori lied.

Yuri giggled as she placed the knife back in it's place, placing the tile over it once again.

"I realise this way may not benefit you in the same way, but it's one idea, at the very least. But I want to help you find a way that you can enjoy that will positively help you." Yuri explained.

"Like what?" Sayori asked, tilting her head as they walked back downstairs.

"Well, I've read that writing your feelings down can help. Little letters or poems to yourself. No one even has to see them unless you so choose." Yuri suggested with a shrug.

Sayori nodded and hummed as she considered the thought.

"It's just a thought. Maybe rip it up when you're done as well." Yuri added.

"Why rip it up?" Sayori asked.

"Symbolism, I suppose. It's supposed to be equivilant to throwing those negative feelings themselves away." Yuri explained.

"Oh, okay." Sayori shrugged.

"It's getting late and we have school in the morning. Why don't you stay here for the night?" Yuri said as she took her cup to the sink.

"Sure, thanks." Sayoei smiled, genuinely grateful for the offer since she had been dreading the thought of making the journey back in the cold.

"No problem. You may use the couch or my bed if you like. I wouldn't mind sharing." Yuri shrugged.

"U-Um, no thanks. The couch is fine. You take your bed." Sayori blushed.

"You sure? It would be a lot warmer." Yuri raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yup! Positive! Thanks!" Sayori quickly lied down to sleep as Yuri made her way up the stairs to her room.

Geez... She was just being considerate. She wasn't implying anything weird! Why did I get so defensive? Ugh, maybe it's cuz I miss Moni? I don't know.. I need sleep...

~~~

"Sayori!" Yuri said softly, shaking the strawberry blonde by the shoulder.

Sayori groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Yuri? What time is it?" Sayori slurred.

"It's five thirty." Yuri said nonchalant.

"What?!" Sayori said, aghast.

She had never once woken up that early.

"I was going to wake you up shortly after I did, but you looked like you really needed the rest." Yuri shrugged.

"Thanks.." Sayori said slowly.

"I figured it would be best to wake you early seeing as you must make a trip to your house to grab your things for school and all." Yuri continued.

"Oh! Right! Thank you! I'll be going now." Sayori stood with a stretch.

"Thanks again for letting me stay. And for last night..." Sayori added sheepishly.

"Of course! We should have tea together sometime. Maybe discuss the book I got for you once you read it?" Yuri suggested with a smile.

"Yeah! Sounds great! See you at school!" Sayori giggled, waving before clicking the door shut behind her.

She's a good girl. I'm glad Monika found someone like Sayori.

~~~

(Surprise! I bet y'all thought this would be angst cuz of the title. Nope. Told ya! This is meant to be a cute fluffy story with only a few angsty scenes in it!
-Another note: In case you couldn't tell, I'm attempting to include all Doki ships into my series. So please don't spam me with "Yuri's trying to take Sayori from Monika" or "Natsuki's gonna be jealous" or the like because if you read the first book you know obviously Sayuri, Yurika, and Saysuki are NOT going to be endgame ships. That being said I love all Doki ships and wish to include them in my series. Thank you.-
Anyway stay tuned for the next update! Byee~!)