Credit: TakuyaRawn

(Thank y'all for the support on the last chapter! :3 So sorry I suck at updating on time. It's literally been a year. I had this written several months ago, but I decided at the last minute I didn't like it and ended up not publishing it. I kept putting this off (I'm such a procrastinator :( for even more time, and then I randomly came up with something at 1 in the morning. So here it is. About time! Hope you enjoy!)

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Sitting uncomfortably against the front door, Yuri scanned the next few pages of her book. Though the serenity that surrounded the place was nice and convenient for silent reading, Yuri would have enjoyed some consolation, too. Especially after finding out that her phone was missing. She continued to read her book to distract her from the growing worry that gnawed at her stomach. Yuri knew very well that worrying would do her nothing, so she tried her absolute best to keep calm.

They'll be here soon, Yuri reassured herself. Just keep reading...

And so she did. For a silent fifteen minutes, she read, and was at the point where she was unable to put the book down or pay attention to anything else.

Reading was the only thing she looked forward to after school, since it was one of her only activities, and she didn't have anyone to keep her busy. Even during break and lunch, her head was buried in a book.

One of the reasons she joined the literature club was because she knew that she was more confident when she talked about her passions, such as reading and writing. She thought that perhaps she would find a sense of belonging with people who enjoyed the same things as she did.

The strong, frigid winds that swept past broke Yuri's concentration on her book. Her eyes widened when she realized that the some of the pages of her book had fallen out and were now scattered all over the floor.

I forget how old this book is!

With a sigh, she walked over to where the pages had scattered, all the while noticing how dark it had gotten outside. Night had arrived.

It's already dark out, and getting colder too. What am I supposed to do?

As Yuri bent down and reached for the last page, she saw that it was no longer there. Yuri's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

I could've sworn it was here just a second ago.

"Here," a sudden voice in front of her sounded.

Slightly alarmed, Yuri looked up and saw a familiar face. Though the darkness concealed most of the dark shape in front of her, Yuri was just able to make out the glowing eyes and vibrant pink locks which belonged to Natsuki.

"Natsuki?"

The bubblegum-haired girl lifted her eyes towards Yuri. "Hey..."

"What are you doing here?" Yuri's soft lavender eyes peered down at Natsuki.

A brief silence followed Yuri's question, until Natsuki answered. "...I took a wrong turn on my way home, ended up here, and decided to to stick around; that's all."

Yuri was puzzled. Why would someone be out here wandering alone, willingly, rather than be in the comfort of her own home? Didn't she have something better to do?

Gazing at Natsuki in confusion, she tried to come up with reasons why the other was doing what she was doing.

Natsuki seemed to notice the taller's puzzled expression. "What?"

Yuri smiled shyly and shook her head. "I-It's nothing. I'm just surprised you're out here, especially since it's chilly out."

"Eh? I don't think it's cold at all," Natsuki replied. But what are you doing out here, if you think it's so cold?"

"The only reason I'm still here is because the door is locked. I can't get in."

"Oh? Really?" Natsuki padded over to the nearby step in front of Yuri's front door. Her hand on the door handle, she tried twisting it, but the door didn't budge.

"Like I said, it's locked."

"Hmm..." Natsuki backed away from the door, scrutinizing the handle. "Oh! I know!"

Swiftly taking a bobby-pin from her hair, she thrust it into the lock, bending and twisting it around until a quiet clicking sound was heard. The door was now wide open.

Yuri stared, mouth agape in awe as she asked, "Where did you learn how to do that?"

Natsuki shrugged. "Saw it in a manga once."

Before Yuri could say another word, Natsuki waltzed right in as if it were her own home and began to explore.

"N-Natsuki, wait!"

Yuri hastily dragged her bag inside the house before hurrying after the little pink girl. When she arrived in the kitchen, she saw Natsuki sitting at the dinner table, reaching for a bowl full of sushi. Upon Yuri's arrival, she stopped, plopped back down on the chair, and looked at Yuri, just realizing that she barged into a stranger's house.

"Uh... I'm sorry..." she began. "But can I have some?"

Yuri blinked, baffled. "Oh, uh, of course! Help yourself!"

She did unlock the door, after all. This is the least I could do.

"Thanks!" Natsuki exclaimed, her mouth already full. It wasn't long before she scarfed down the rest of the sushi.

Yuri sat down across from her, watching in bewilderment. Not knowing what to say, she stayed silent for a while until Natsuki spoke up.

"Listen, I'm sorry again for just barging in here and eating your food..." she paused, and then muttered quietly to herself, "that apology sounded a lot better in my head. But the point is...!"

Natsuki faced Yuri, slipping a phone out of her right pocket. "I came here to give this back to you."

"H-huh? But didn't you say you took a wrong turn?"

"Well, I did say that." Natsuki lowered her gaze to the floor. "Honestly... I lied because I stopped and thought of all the money I'd have if I sold it. I was seriously debating whether I should give it back or not. I was still thinking about it while I was walking, and when I saw you, I panicked and lied right to your face."

Yuri was was once again at a loss for words as Natsuki pushed the phone towards her. "But here it is. Again, I'm sorry. I feel guilty the thought even crossed my mind and I—"

"Thank you, Natsuki." Yuri peered at her, smiling shyly.

"You're not angry?"

Yuri shook her head. "I have no reason to be. You gave it back, didn't you?"

Natsuki sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. And, um, if you don't mind... can we be friends?"

*Smexy lines* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~