Peaceful time with Yuri

Tuesday arrived, and with no school, the students channeled their energy into preparing for the upcoming cultural festival. Amidst the usual buzz, there was a distinct noise echoing through my house. 

I was upstairs in my room, trying to relax amidst the commotion below when I heard voices, familiar ones, resonating through the house.

It was Natsuki and Yuri, and their heated exchange was loud enough to reach my ears even from my bedroom.

Curious, I made my way downstairs to find Natsuki and Yuri in the kitchen. They seemed to be having some sort of argument.

"Hey, Yuri, back off from the kitchen, will you? This is my area," Natsuki asserted, her gaze fixed on Yuri, an edge of irritation in her voice.

Yuri, equally agitated, retorted, "This isn't solely yours, Natsuki. Maki's place is for all of us."

A sense of tension hung in the air, and I tried to ease the situation. "Guys, it's all right. Yuri, what's going on? Are you making tea?"

Natsuki, fuming a bit, added, "Just let Maki know it's your tea. Do it somewhere else, like the living room!"

Uwah... Girls are scary...

I approached Yuri, attempting to alleviate the tension between them.

"Yuri, it's fine. If you're making tea, you can do it here in the kitchen. Natsuki, maybe we can share the space for a bit?"

Natsuki huffed, "Fine, but don't mess anything up."

Geez, It's early in the morning...

Yuri continued steeping the tea, her movements graceful yet deliberate. As she worked, I couldn't help but notice the elegant precision in her actions. Her slender fingers danced around the teapot and cups, a stark contrast to Natsuki's more animated baking process.

She looked up from her task, her violet eyes meeting mine. "It's a blend of jasmine and green tea. I find the floral notes complement the subtle bitterness of the green tea quite well."

"Not the usual?"

"N-no."

I nodded appreciatively. "I see. You're quite the tea connoisseur."

A faint blush touched her cheeks, and she diverted her gaze. "I suppose. It's a small hobby of mine."

As Yuri focused on the tea, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was beautiful when brewing her tea.

"By the way, Yuri-senpai."

"S-Senpai?" She stammered, her eyes widening with surprise.

"E-Eh? Of course... senpai...?"

Yuri's response seemed to catch her off guard, and she looked down, her cheeks tinted with a deeper shade of pink. The air between us crackled with an unspoken tension. Was it just my imagination, or did the room feel warmer?

I couldn't help but be intrigued by Yuri's reaction. Her usual composed demeanor seemed momentarily disrupted. What was it about being addressed as 'senpai' that elicited such a response?

"Is something wrong, Yuri-senpai?" I teased, a playful smirk forming on my lips.

She shot me a quick glance, her eyes a mix of embarrassment and mild irritation. "It's nothing, Maki-kun. Just... unexpected."

I chuckled, enjoying the rare sight of Yuri being flustered. "Well, consider it a term of respect for your tea expertise, senpai."

She mumbled a soft "Thank you," her gaze still averted. As Yuri resumed her tea preparations

Oh crap... Her breasts are big too... Hehehehe...

As Yuri resumed her tea preparations, the subtle fragrance of chamomile and jasmine filled the air, creating a serene atmosphere in my living room. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the delicate porcelain teacups that Yuri expertly arranged.

"So, Yuri-senpai," I continued, my tone lighthearted, "what got you into tea ceremonies?"

Her eyes, a captivating shade of amethyst, met mine briefly before she returned her attention to the teapot. "It's a form of meditation for me. The careful process, the measured movements—it brings a sense of tranquility."

"A form of meditation, huh? That's interesting." I leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her with genuine curiosity. "I've never been much into these refined practices. But, you make it sound... enchanting."

Yuri's blush deepened, and she took a calming breath. "It's not for everyone, but those who appreciate it find solace in the ritual. It's about finding beauty in simplicity."

I nodded, absorbing her words, and the air seemed to shimmer with unspoken understanding. The tea ceremony, it appeared, was more than just a hobby for Yuri; it was a part of her that she shared with careful consideration.

After a calming tea session, I noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. 

Hmm...

Deciding to steer the conversation toward a topic that might resonate with Yuri, I eagerly introduced a recent literary find.

"Yuri-senpai, I stumbled upon this truly captivating novel online. The plot weaves through intricate twists, and the characters are remarkably well-developed. I thought it might align with your literary taste," I shared, anticipation coloring my words.

Yuri's eyes sparkled with a genuine interest that couldn't be feigned. "Oh? I'm always in search of compelling reads. What's the title?"

As I began unraveling the narrative's essence, Yuri's expression transformed from mere curiosity to unbridled excitement. Her delicate fingers traced intricate patterns on the teacup's edge, a silent manifestation of her deep engagement.

"It sounds truly captivating, Maki. The exploration of complex characters and intricate plots is something I find immensely appealing," she remarked, her eyes mirroring the shared passion we had for literature.

"Well, it leans more toward the romance genre, but given your inclination toward mysteries, I didn't expect you to find romance equally intriguing," I remarked, curious about her response.

"E-eh? Really? Well... They are interesting..." Yuri responded, her cheeks faintly tinted with a rosy hue.

"Right?"

A comfortable silence settled between us in the living room.

The tea in my cup dwindled to nothing, and the silence between Yuri and me became palpable, stretching into an awkward void. Panic set in—what do I do now?

The room seemed to shrink, and I couldn't find the right words.

With a heavy sigh, I decided to excuse myself. "I'll go check up on Natsuki," I said, slowly starting to rise from my seat. However, before I could fully stand, Yuri's hand gently seized mine.

"Wait!"

Her sudden plea caught me off guard, and my widened eyes met her intense gaze. "W-What is it?" I stammered, the awkwardness lingering in the air.

"U-Uhm... I-If you'd like... can we... uhm... spend the festival together...?" Yuri's words were a mix of nervousness and genuine desire.

"Eh? I-is it just us?"

Yuri nodded, her face a brilliant shade of red, mirroring the intensity of her feelings.

 I found myself looking away, a slow smile forming. "Sure..."

"T-Then... It's settled," Yuri confirmed, her shy demeanor adding a layer of sweetness to the moment.

I met her eyes again, mirroring her smile with my own. The connection felt palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in the agreement.

Unbeknownst to us, Natsuki was eavesdropping from the dining room, her pout revealing, "I want to spend time with Maki too," she mumbled.

[A/N: I just made up why Yuri likes tea a lot, can't find in DDLC Wiki why Yuri likes tea (Except Yuri's habit of drinking tea while reading,]