Quiet and Comforting

"Well, now that you have a friend, you can go to the cafeteria now, right?"

I poked Yuri's shoulder. We were currently sitting on the stairs next to each other.

Yuri laughed awkwardly.

"I'm just not used to crowds... It's still a little too scary for me to go there."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Eh? Does that mean you can't even get into the classroom?"

Yuri shook her head.

"It's not like that. I can get into the classroom fine."

I tilted my head to the side.

"But... there's basically the same amount of people in the classroom and cafeteria. You could even sit at a corner far away from everyone else."

Yuri smiled bitterly.

"I-I don't know."

She hugged the book she was carrying closer to her chest.

"It's just different."

I blinked a few times.

"What do you mean?"

Yuri slowly closed her eyes.

"Well, there's something with all the talking around me when I'm in the cafeteria."

She hugged the book a little more tightly.

"It makes me feel... so lonely. I can't even read my books."

I laid a hand on Yuri's shoulder.

"W-Well, you're not alone anymore!"

Yuri's eyes fluttered open. A small smile appeared on her face.

"Y-Yeah."

We remained there in silence for a while. My hands tightly grabbed onto the edges of my skirt.

I felt... a little antsy.

Thoughts about Sayori filled up my mind involuntarily. Just knowing that every second spent here was one that could've been with Sayori hurt my heart.

Yuri seemed to notice my distress.

"I-Is it too uncomfortable for you to stay with me?"

I rested my head in my hand in frustration.

"No, no. I just... miss my friend right now."

Yuri looked away despondently. It was like she would've rather heard me say I was uncomfortable with her over the fact I was missing my friend.

"A-Ah, I'm keeping you from her, aren't I?"

I shook my head.

"It doesn't have to be that way! We can go to the cafeteria together."

Yuri hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"A-Alright!"

The two of us walked quickly towards the cafeteria. The hallways were mostly empty given how much time we spent on the stairs.

Soon, we reached the doors to the cafeteria. The doors had several large windows within and a handle that was a long metal bar. I placed my hand on the door handle, but before I could push, I felt a tug on my arm.

I turned around to see Yuri holding my wrist with both hands. Yuri smiled awkwardly.

"Wait... I don't think I can go in. Please don't leave me here."

Eh? But... what about Sayori? I took a peek through the windows on the door to see Sayori's despondent figure, poking at her food. A small pout emerged on my face.

"We are so close! Just try to push a little further!"

Yuri's breathing became heavy. Her face flushed slightly, while her grip on my wrist became tighter.

"I can't! I really can't! I'm sorry..."

I furrowed my brows. I really wanted to at least greet Sayori, but I told Yuri I was going to be her friend. I meant it and if Yuri was abandoned at this moment, she might not realize this fact.

With a heavy heart, I nodded.

"Ok... we don't have to go to the cafeteria."

Yuri smiled brightly.

"T-Thank you so much!"

I took one last fleeting look at Sayori. A pout slowly formed on my face.

"W-Well... I guess we go now."

Yuri nodded enthusiastically. To my surprise, she swiftly walked away with her fingers still wrapped around my wrist. I was being dragged away by Yuri. My eyes were glued to the window of the cafeteria.

Slowly but surely, Sayori disappeared from my vision.

Yuri had led me to a random staircase. I shook my head, getting rid of my thoughts about Sayori.

I must admit, it was very quiet here. Even while we stood outside the cafeteria doors, there was a racket.

Perhaps this is why Yuri refused to go to the cafeteria, because she wasn't used to all the noise.

Yuri let go of my hand, then sighed in relief.

"Ah... sorry for dragging you out here."

I crossed my arms and looked to the side.

"It's fine, it's fine."

Yuri sheepishly took a seat at the bottom of the staircase. She nervously brushed her hair to the side.

"W-Well... we can eat here."

Yuri was wearing a light purple backpack. She set it down next to her and unzipped it with her delicate fingers. Yuri peered inside her backpack curiously, like there was an exciting secret inside.

She reached inside and pulled out a black bento box. It was shiny and sleek, almost like something rich people would have. Yuri laid the bento box on her thighs like she had done that many times before.

Yuri gently lifted off the lid of her bento box and laid it on the top of her bag. She pulled out a set of smooth black chopsticks and was about to dig in.

...For some reason, I was pulled in by the way her fingers moved. It was like... a gentle tide at the beach.

Abruptly, Yuri gasped.

"Ah, I almost forgot to wait for you!"

I blinked a few times and tilted my head to the side.

"Eh?"

Yuri smiled shyly before turning away.

"When people eat together, they should start at the same time. This was my error."

She put a hand over her chest and slightly bowed.

I trembled a little before taking off my pink backpack. I sat down next to Yuri.

"T-There's no need to be so formal!"

I hurriedly unzipped my backpack and pulled out a sandwich wrapped in plastic wrap. My eyes darted towards Yuri's refined bento box and my crude sandwich.

Yuri smiled sweetly while looking right at me.

"Hehe, to me eating at the same time is a tradition. It doesn't feel like a formality, but just something normal."

I partially unwrapped the plastic wrap covering my sandwich with a bit of embarrassment.

"O-Ok. I'm ready now, so we can start."

Yuri nodded and let out a soft, affirming grunt.

"Alright."

...Yuri wouldn't judge me for the presentation of my lunch, right?

With those thoughts in my head, I held the sandwich where it was still covered with plastic wrap and took a small bite from where it was unwrapped.

As I chewed, I felt a soft hot breath tickle my cheeks. My head snapped to the side to see Yuri.

She was staring at me in a daze, as though she was longing for something. Her lips were slightly parted, letting out faint exhales. Her body was slowly leaning towards me.

My cheeks flushed. I turned away and closed my eyes tightly.

"Y-You said to eat at the same time, but you aren't even eating!"

Yuri pulled back and gasped. She raised her hands up to her shoulders apologetically.

"Ah, right!"

Yuri quickly poked her chopsticks into her bento box and pulled out a bit of rice. She gingerly placed it into her mouth. After confirming that Yuri was actually eating, I continued eating my sandwich.

We spent our time quietly. The only sound came from our quiet chewing.

...But it didn't feel so bad.