15 Troubled Yuri Part 4

"Vice-President? Monika repeated.

"Yeah, that was what Fuyu said," Shujinkou confirmed.

Shujinkou and Monika were currently in the middle of their journey to Yuri's place of residence, but one of the two minds was having trouble keeping their head on the task at hand. Shujinkou tried his best to keep his mind focused, but he couldn't help but think back to Fuyu's sudden proposal.

"That's interesting," Monika replied.

She kept her eyes trained on the road ahead as Shujinkou continued.

"To be honest, I'm not sure how she even knows me," Shujinkou said.

"It's probably because I usually talk about the club whenever I have to deliver things to her," Monika answered.

Now another thought invaded his unfocused mind: What did Monika talk about with Fuyu?

"But why me?" Shujinkou asked.

The curiosity he had building up in him was enough to drive a man mad.

"I don't know really know," Monika closed her eyes as if she was contemplating that very question herself. "To be honest, I don't really know what goes through her head. She's a real wild card."

Shujinkou could agree with that observation. Just in the short time he spent in the Student Council office, Fuyu managed to baffle him at least three times.

"But I wouldn't worry about the proposal too much right now. Right now we need to focus our attention on Yuri," Monika said.

"Right," Shujinkou nodded his head in agreement. He knew that he shouldn't be focusing on his own insignificant worries. He had to focus on his task on leading Monika to Yuri's house. He continued to lead the way in silence, only opening his mouth to say one thing… "We're here."

"Before we go in, we should probably make a game plan regarding how approach her," Monika suggested.

Shujinkou silently nodded his head in agreement, until he noticed something from the corner of his eye.

"Um, Monika…" Shujinkou said.

"I wonder how we should approach her," Monika wondered aloud.

"Monika…" Shujinkou said once more.

"I hope I can do this right…" Monika mumbled.

"Hey, Yuri," Shujinkou waved.

With only two words, Shujinkou was finally able to get through to Monika. The surprised club president immediately snapped herself out of her own thoughts and finally noticed Yuri standing next of them.

"Um… Hey there, Yuri," the flustered girl weakly smiled, slowly backing away in embarrassment.

"Ah, hello," Yuri nervously waved.

Shujinkou glanced towards Monika, then back to Yuri. Monika was clearly embarrassed over Yuri hearing her openly strategizing and Yuri seemed to be surprised that the two of them were at her house. It was actually kinda funny to him. For once, he was the calmest person in the immediate area.

Moments later, the three club members sat on the front porch as Yuri handed her guests their own cup of tea.

"Thanks, Yuri," Monika smiled.

"Mm-hmm," Shujinkou grinned.

"It's nothing special," Yuri said. "It's customary to offer your guests refreshments."

Monika took a quick sip of her tea and expressed her delight. The calming effect of the tea was exactly what she needed at that moment.

"So, Yuri, how come you weren't at the club today," she asked.

"Um…" Yuri went silent for a moment and turned her worried gaze to Shujinkou. He wasn't sure how to respond. Should he apologize for indirectly instigating this visit or…?

Yuri then turned her attention to her tea cup and sighed.

"I needed some time alone to think," Yuri answered.

"Well, we can't fault her for that," Shujinkou thought.

"But you all probably hate me for ruining today's meeting," Yuri lamented.

"We don't hate you, Yuri," Monika assured her with a gentle smile. "We were just worried about you after learning you have some bad history with a teacher at school."

"Ah…" Yuri averted her gaze and started playing with her hair; her expression constantly switching between sorrow and disbelief. "Sorry for making everyone worry."

"Don't apologize. Even though we're not fully aware of the situation, we can't really blame you for taking a day for yourself," Shujinkou said, his gentle smile providing a sense of comfort for Yuri.

"If you don't mind me asking, Yuri, what happened between you and Akuma?" Monika asked.

Just hearing the name sent a heavy chill spiraling down Yuri's spine, something that didn't go unnoticed by her companions.

"Maybe we shouldn't ask," Shujinkou thought.

"I guess it must be a tough thing to talk about, but we're here to listen, just so you know," Monika assured her.

"He… He was a former teacher of mine and my literary tutor," Yuri started.

"Literary tutor?" Shujinkou was surprised to hear that Yuri was once tutored in literature. He was the last person he expected to need tutoring for that subject. He then realized that he's been surprised a lot the last few days. "Well, to be fair, I have been learning a lot of things that invalidate my perceptions. Perhaps I should talk with the others more so that I'm not constantly surprised by new information."

"He opened my eyes to a lot of literary tropes and I'm still grateful for all he taught me, but…" Yuri remained silent for a full minute before continuing. "He was suspended as a result of us having a fallout."

"I see…" Monika took another sip of her tea. "I guess that must make things pretty awkward for you at school. But why did you two have a fallout?"

"That's because…" Yuri couldn't find it herself to finish that sentence.

"Does this mean that you won't be coming to the club anymore?" Monika asked.

"Well…" Yuri didn't know what to say. She wants to come to the club, but she frightened by the idea of staying in the same building as Akuma when she didn't have to.

Noticing the internal struggle that was taking place in Yuri's head, Shujinkou began to wonder if there was something he could say to help. Suddenly, a thought penetrated his drifting mind.

"It's a long shot, but…" Shujinkou cheeks turned bright red as he contemplated whether or not he was really about to do what came to mind. After debating back in forth in his own head, a sigh escaped through his mouth before he decided to speak what was on his mind: "May your heart be your guiding key."

"Eh?" Monika and Yuri turned their attention to Shujinkou, causing his rosy cheeks to grow even redder.

"It's a quote I heard of once. It's a fancy way of saying to follow what you're heart says," Shujinkou explained. "It's kinda cheesy, but it's something I live by. Anyway, right now your mind is telling you to avoid this guy at all costs, but what does your heart tell you to do? Does it to tell you to avoid a place you feel happy at just to avoid some guy or…"

"Ah, but…" Yuri wasn't sure what to say.

"If it makes you feel better, there's another quote I live by," Shujinkou said.

"What's that?" Yuri asked.

"'When a friend needs me to be there, I'll be there… to help'" Shujinkou quoted.

Shujinkou nervously scratched his right cheek as Yuri smiled bashfully.

"That goes for me and the rest of the club too," Monika added. "After all, all of us worked together to try to figure out what was going on with you… even though that all amounted to reading files."

"Hmm… I guess it would be irresponsible of me to ruin the experience for everyone," Yuri said, wearing a small smile on her face.

"So we'll see you at the club tomorrow?" Monika asked.

"Yes!" Yuri replied in a surprisingly enthusiastic manner.

"Kingdom Hearts quotes have saved the day. I kinda find it hard to believe," Shujinkou chuckled to himself.