( reading a yuri manga. )

she's reading yuri.

what's a fourth of july.

I've lasted all of pride month without someone thinking I'm attracted to women. . .

A. . . Music competition? I don't know about singing in front of crowds. . .

" Natsuki. . . " She would wince at the grab at her arm. A bit of pain at her wrist. . . Tears began rolling down her face. " I can't. . . Even if it wasn't me, how can you call me your friend? "

" Natsuki. . . I can't understand how you can even bare to look at me. " She would tug her hand away, afraid.

" You're afraid of me. I'm afraid of me. I did horrible things. . . I shouldn't be here. " She would tug at her sleeves, clearly on the verge of breaking down. " I. . . I'm horrible—! "

" I. . . I. I see. " She started to look. . . terrified. Looking over to Natsuki, trembling. She can't believe she could have done that to her. To her friends. Yuri stood up. " I should. . . go. "

" I wasn't myself. . . " That just confirmed it for her. Yuri began to shake herself. . . It was real, wasn't it? She hurt her friends. " I've been having nightmares. Where I tried to. . . I would. . . Natsuki. Please tell me, I didn't hurt anyone. "

" I don't. " Though. . . it seemed like she had a faint idea of what she was talking about. " What happened, Natsuki? "

" Natsuki. . ? " She looked a bit more. . . worried. " /Was/ I punched in the face? "

" A bruise. . ? What, was I punched in the face? " Yuri just let out a chuckle as she looked over.

" Does my face. . . hurt? Sometimes, but not normally. " Yuri took a sip from her coffee, raising a brow to her question. " Does yours? "

Looking in the mirror. . . " Girls can't love girls, right? "

" Of course. " A nod.

" Tell me what you need to say. " Yuri began to cross her arms, looking toward the pinkette. " I don't want you to be uncomfortable if I'm here, or at all. "

She doesn't mind at all.

" Well. . . partly the reason I thought it was because of me. . . was that the only reason you began acting this way is when I waved to you. " A sigh. " So it's either me, or you have a problem you need to get off your chest. "

" As would I for you. " Yuri just nodded, staring to the other.

" Natsuki. Be honest with me. " She saw right through that. . . For someone bad with social cues, she was surprisingly sharp. A quick sip of her coffee.

" I'm never comfortable with myself. But it needs to be done, you know? " A grin.

" Thank you. And if you'd like. . . I could tell you my own faults. " She's running her hands through her hair.

" Oh. That's actually. . . incredibly comforting to hear! I was so worried all this time. " There's a rare smile on Yuri's face. A wide grin, even! " But. . . I have to ask. What has you so shaken up? "

" Of course, Sayori. " The girl would let out a laugh. " You know. . . you can tell me what's wrong when you're ready. "

" Well, we never did get along. And you're so shy right now. . . Have I read the situation wrong? " Yuri would place her hands over her chest, worried.

" A little less is always good. Each 'little less. . .' It builds over time. Eventually it'll hurt a lot less. Right? " Who knew she could be so positive?

" Sometimes. But it's nice to get out of the house. " She let out a chuckle. . . eyes trailing off. " You look. . . " A sigh. " I know you don't exactly like me. "

" Ah. . . I like to do my studies in places like these. Suppose I've been here for a while. " Yuri would rub the back of her neck, letting out a sigh. Noticing her 'friend's' mood. " Is everything alright, Natsuki? "

" Do you. . . feel better? " She would pull her close, a bit surprised by the sudden embrace. Giving her a shoulder to cry on.

Yuri would cover her ears, trying to drown out the screaming. She wasn't good with loud noises, especially sudden ones. But for her friend. . . Her voice like that. . . It made her so curious. Why was it like that?

The purplette would smile and take a seat across from her. Taking a sip from her own drink. " I do hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just thought it would be nice, to hang out with a friend. " Yuri brushed her hair off to the side, looking off to the side herself.

She would just smile, standing while picking up her laptop and coffee. Making her way over to Natsuki's table. " What a coincidence. Mind if I sit? Or were you with someone else? "

" It's sort of past school hours, and the other club members aren't here. If anyone does hear. . . I'll explain the situation. " Yuri just gave a gentle smile.

She's just looking over, from a separate table. Just in one of her usual sweaters. Giving a wave.

" I know that feeling. . . I know it so well. " Yuri took a deep breath. Looking over to the other. " Scream. "

" . . . Do I—? " The purplette would look downward. Letting out a sigh, before looking at the sleeves over her arms. " More often than you'd think. "

She'd tilt her head. . . sliding over a few of the snacks for her. Eating some of her own. " . . . Sayori. Please tell me what's wrong. I know you're hurting, and I don't want you to hurt. "

Soon, she'd return with a few bags full of snacks and other things. Smiling, seeing Sayori is awake. " I hope I didn't worry you. I thought you could use something to eat. You. . . seemed really afraid to be alone. "

She just gave a smile to her. Then, writing a note and setting it beside Sayori. She'd gone to get some snacks for the two.

She would smile, eventually breaking the hug. Though— She put her to sleep? Yuri didn't think she'd end up doing that. But. . . It is expected of Sayori. It just made her giggle a bit. " Sayori. . ? Well, at least you're getting some sleep. " The purplette would move a few desks together,

Yuri's voice would shake as she sung. She wasn't so used to singing for others. . . especially one of her friends. Just trying to relax the girl, soothing her.

" Hear me. . . Sing? I don't. . . " She was embarrassed by her singing. But. . . it'd help her feel better. It's the least she could do. So. . . she began to sing. Quietly, and gently.

A hand would brush through her hair, trying to soothe the girl. Beginning to hum softly, holding Sayori close. " Everything will be okay. "

" I. . . Sayori. I won't leave you alone. . . " She looked so scared. Sayori was the priority here for Yuri. Just pulling her back into a hug, setting a hand atop her head.

Oh, just. . . recent events.

" I'm. . . So sorry, Sayori. I don't know what could have gotten over me. I don't really remember it. . . If anyone's a terrible friend, it's me. " She would loosen her grip in the hug, voice becoming shaky.

" You're not selfish. You've never been selfish to me. " Yuri would pull the other into a hug, tightly. " I've been having nightmares. About myself trying to. . . kill you all. Is that what this is about? "