12 Friends

[Natsuki let out a sigh after seeing Yuri's awkward expression]

Natsuki: I can mostly judge how it tastes by how it looks, so it doesn't matter too much if I can't eat it.

Yuri: Y-Yeah...

Natsuki: But I don't really understand why she's so hooked on learning how to cook. It's not like we eat that kind of stuff anyway. Not to mention, it seems that learning new skills is extremely difficult when you become a ghost.

Huh. You saved her from falling just to throw her right back off?

Sayori: A-Ah, I see!

Yuri: ...

[Yuri was blushing furiously, feeling like a complete fool. Sayori noticed this and tried her best to save the situation.]

Sayori: Er- I think that's really sweet! Trying so hard to help someone out!

Natsuki: ...It doesn't really help me though.

T-That's cold! Did you even read the mood?

Yuri: ...

Sayori: ...

[Natsuki didn't realize how her words affected the others and simply began pulling out the various ingredients before preparing the tools. As for Yuri and Sayori, the two of them looked at each other in silence. As Sayori was thinking about what to say, Yuri spoke up first.]

Yuri: Um, would you like to read the book with me? You did buy it after all...

Sayori: Wah! You recovered already? Even when she...

Yuri: Eh? Natsuki is always like that. You shouldn't take her rude words too seriously.

Sayori: A-Ah...

Natuski: I'm right here, you know?

I guess Yuri's used to it if they've been together for decades.

Yuri: Is it that you don't wish to read the book with me? If so, I understand I'm... probably not who you wish to spend your time with after all...

Sayori: Eh? No, it's not like that at all! I would love to read it with you!

Yuri: Ah, I'm glad!

Wait... why is this starting to sound like some romance story? Wasn't this supposed to be about ghosts?

[Yuri sat down on a nearby couch, and Sayori sat next to her. Yuri placed the book down on the table and observed the cover for a few moments. The cover had a girl with long brown hair being blown to the side by the wind. Her eyes were tightly shut, and she had a book of her own clutched tightly to her chest. All around her were petals of cherry blossoms, scattered by the wind.]

Yuri: Say, why did you choose this book?

[Sayori flinched. In truth, she randomly selected it because it was the first title that caught her interest, but she wasn't sure if she should say that. Sayori raised a finger into the air with a forced smile.]

Sayori: B-Because... it sounded romantic!

Natsuki: Eh? Do you even have a boyfriend?

Sayori: T-That...

Wh- Ok now asking that kind of question is way too far! I take it all back, Sayori. You're not the demon, she is!

[There was a small smile on Yuri's face]

Yuri: Ah, so you like these kinds of novels...

[Sayori blinked a few times. For whatever reason, she could feel a tiny bit of disappointment from her voice, despite the fact she was smiling.]

Sayori: Should I have not picked a romance one?

Yuri: No, no. It's a very normal choice. Many girls like this kind of thing.

[Natsuki muttered just quietly enough so that Sayori couldn't hear.

Natsuki: ...Yeah, the boring kind.

Did someone hurt you? Why are you so rude! It's not fair to take it out on other people!

...Even if that's what I also do!

Yuri: Sit a little bit closer to me. It will be a little hard to read otherwise.

Sayori: O-Ok.

[Sayori did as told and got slightly closer to her, enough to feel her body heat. Yuri pulled on her side gently, not enough to actually move Sayori, but rather to convey her intention. While blushing slightly, Sayori got even closer.]

Sayori: D-Does it really have to be this close?

Yuri: Sorry! It's just... when you read for a long time in an awkward position, it can make you feel sore.

Natsuki: Especially the neck.

Yuri: Eh? I would say I have more problems with my back.

[Natsuki blushed when she heard that]

Natsuki: Shut up! That's not important, just read your story. You're distracting me from my cooking!

Eh? That's a random thing to be upset about. And weren't you the one that spoke up?

Yuri: Um, ok!

[Yuri slowly opened the book up to the first page and placed two fingers at the spine to keep it open. Almost immediately, she intently began focusing on the words written on the page. Sayori also looked at it curiously.]

Sayori: Um... so, we just read?

Yuri: Ah! I forgot, just tap me on the leg whenever you finish reading, then I'll turn the page.

Sayori: Ok!

She sounds really excited about the reading. That's kinda weird, she didn't really strike as the type to enjoy those kinds of things.

[Sayori and Yuri began reading while Natsuki was cooking something. It was going pretty well at first. Once Sayori read the first page, she tapped Yuri on the shoulder, prompting her to silently turn the page.]

Hm... I wonder what the story is about.

[As Sayori began to read the second page, her short attention span got the best of her, causing her to look over at what Natsuki was doing. Yuri didn't notice this, but Natsuki caught onto her gaze from the corner of her eye.]

Natsuki: Hey, Yuri's going out of her way to make several compromises so that you can read as well. She's the one holding the book open, turning the page, and will be the one waiting for you to finish reading. The least you could do is read with her.

T-That was a lot.

Sayori: Sorry! I didn't mean it!

Yuri: D-Don't worry! It's not as big of a deal as Natsuki is making it out to be... plus you were the one that bought the book for me. If you don't want to read, then you can just tell me.

[Sayori blinked a few times as a sense of guilt filled her]

Sayori: Sorry, sorry! I'm just... not very used to reading, so my attention kinda goes everywhere. I really do want to try reading though!

Yuri: Haha, it was kinda just like that when I tried to get Natsuki to read with me.

Natsuki: W-What!? I definitely got further than two pages, right?

Yuri: Um... you didn't make it past the first one.

Natsuki: ...

Wow, judging people when you aren't even better than them in the first place.

[Sayori couldn't help but giggle]

Natsuki: What are you laughing about!

Sayori: I just never thought you guys were so close...

[She pressed the tips of her fingers together]

Sayori: I might be... a little bit jealous.

Yuri: Ah, it really looks that way?

[Natsuki rolled her eyes]

Natsuki: We've spent more time together than anything else, so that's only natural.

[A small smile formed on Yuri's face]

Yuri: I guess so.

Sayori: Wah! My heart feels all warm and fuzzy! And it's not even about me!

Yuri: Ah, it's not like you can't be close to us either!

Sayori: Really?

Yuri: Yeah!

Natsuki: But it's not going to happen immediately. These kinds of things can't be rushed. You just have to give it some time.

...Time, huh? I wonder if that's all... actually, never mind.

Sayori: That sounds exciting!

[Natsuki clicked her tongue]

Natsuki: Did you not understand? It's not something that's supposed to be exciting.

Sayori: Eh?

Ok yeah, I'm not following either.

[A small smile formed on Yuri's face]

Yuri: I think she's trying to say that it's not something you should anticipate. Rather, it should be something that naturally happens.

...

Sayori: Ehehe, but when I think about the future when I can spend time with you both, I can't help but feel all bubbly!

Natsuki: Why are you thinking about the future? It's happening right now, no?

Sayori: Ah! You're right!

Natsuki: Now focus on reading. The start of a book is always slow, but if you just give it a chance, then maybe you'll find yourself really enjoying yourself.

Sayori: Got it!

[After making a salute, she turned her eyes back to the book, and forced herself to pay attention only to it. There were times when she felt the urge to look somewhere else, but she stopped herself once she realized she was being distracted.]

Yuri: ...Oh my.

Sayori: W-Wah!...

[And so, time gradually passed like this. Every so often, Sayori would break their still image by tapping Yuri on the shoulder, prompting her to turn the page. The sounds of Natsuki cooking were soft, mixing with their quiet breaths.]

I'm really bored. Can't you at least let me look at the book too?

[No]

.....

[By the time they had finished the second chapter, Natsuki called out to them.]

Natsuki: I think I made something passable. I probably need to try a different method though.

[She brought over a few small dishes. The most notable of them was the carefully sliced lamb meat. Considering the amount, it was only enough for one person. Saying that it was for two would be stretching it, while it would probably only be a snack for three.]

Sayori: Eh? Is there enough?

Natsuki: I admit I didn't make too much, but a person shouldn't overeat anyway.

Sayori: Hm? But there also aren't enough utensils!

Natsuki: What are you talking about? You need more than one fork?

Sayori: Eh?

Yuri: Um, Sayori, did you forget that we ghosts don't really eat?

Sayori: Oh...

...They told you not too long ago. What are you even doing?

[Sayori smiled bitterly]

Sayori: I remembered, but I thought you all would still get one.

Yuri: Huh? Why would you think that?

Sayori: It's probably just me, but... it feels a little lonely to eat alone.

Natsuki: ...Ok fine, I'll make some for all of us next time. Just deal with it for now.

Sayori: Alright!

[Sayori began to happily eat the food placed in front of her.]

Sayori: I-It's so good! Wow, Yuri wasn't lying, you really are a pro cook!

Yuri: Yeah, she really is!

[Natsuki averted her gaze]

Natsuki: It's more the ingredients than the cook.

Sayori: I'm sure I wouldn't be able to make it even close to this good!

Yuri: Me neither...

[Natsuki shut her eyes and she began blushing]

Natsuki: Whatever! Anyway, what was that book about?

Yuri: Ah, not much happened yet, but I believe with how they set the story up, the main character will soon-

Natsuki: Yuri, you're doing it again.

Yuri: Ah, sorry!

Sayori: Whoa, you already know what's going to happen? But we didn't even read that far!

Yuri: No, no... it was only my prediction, it could very well be wrong.

Natsuki: Though she's almost never wrong.

Yuri: I-I wouldn't say that.

Natsuki: How about you describe it for me, Sayori?

Sayori: Ah, ok!

[She began to sweat slightly, suddenly feeling quite pressured]

Sayori: Um, it starts with a girl opening a diary and going over the pages inside!

Huh. This is a story, where we go into a story that has people reading about a story, and that story is also about someone reading a story.

My head hurts. Did you understand that, Reader?

Sayori: She was reading a certain part of the diary, which talked about when she met a person that was really important to her.

Yuri: Ah, you forgot that she looks at the cherry blossoms falling before looking at the diary.

Sayori: Eh? Is that part important?

Yuri: The title of the book gives a signal that cherry blossoms have some sort of symbolic meaning, so it is indeed important.

Sayori: Oh, I didn't realize. Um, she talks about meeting someone special at school. It was a really nice person that helped pick up her textbooks when they fell out of her bag!

Natsuki: Eh? How do textbooks even fall out of a person's bag?

Sayori: Hm? But don't they do that all the time?

Natsuki: ...

Sayori: Um, anyway, she was first too scared to talk to that special person and only observed. But then, the semester ended. She had the same courses, but unfortunately didn't even share a single class with him!

[A smile formed on her face]

Sayori: Then the girl got really brave and tried to go out of her way to talk to him! Then right when she was about to talk to her, the chapter ended!

[Yuri also smiled]

Yuri: D-Did you enjoy reading?

Sayori: It was a little hard at first, but yeah! You were right Natsuki!

Yuri: Ah, I'm glad. What was your favorite part so far?

[Sayori was slightly taken aback. Nothing had really happened so far, but the way Yuri was looking at her expectantly made it hard not to say that. And so, she quickly came up with an answer.]

[Loading Choices...]

[1 - When the girl met with her special person]

[2 - When she decided to go talk with her special person]