Fuzzy and Warm

*Sayori POV

I lethargically stuck my fork into some green beans and stuffed them in my mouth. It tasted bland. I continued to slowly eat my food, hoping that Natsuki would come sooner or later.

Suddenly, I heard the clatter of a tray in front of me. My head perked up.

"Natsuki!"

I blinked a few times to see Monika looking at me with an awkward smile. She laughed teasingly.

"I was never aware my name changed."

I brushed the side of my hair nervously.

"Hehe, sorry. I was just... expecting someone."

Monika smiled sweetly.

"It seems Natsuki has been held up."

I gasped before blinking a few times.

"Wah! You know Natsuki as well?"

Monika sat down and set her light green backpack to the side. She giggled with a tiny bit of mischievousness.

"I know all the people I share classes with. Knowing that is an obligation of the class president, no?"

Ah, so that's why she knew my name.

I scratched my cheek with my index finger.

"Hehe, you really are hardworking, Monika!"

Monika laid her elbow on the table and held up her cheek with her palm.

"Haha, I'm just trying to make the best of my time while I'm alive."

I looked down shyly. A small smile appeared on my face.

"That is so admirable!"

Monika chuckled beautifully, like a song from a piano.

"Is it? I've never seen it that way, but I'm flattered nonetheless."

I interlocked my fingers together and held them above my chest. I gave Monika a curious stare.

"So... why did you come to sit with me?"

Monika lifted her head from her palm. Then, she gingerly laid a finger on her chin, all the while smiling confidently.

"I simply wanted to sit with you. It felt a little empty without Natsuki by your side complaining to you."

I smiled involuntarily as memories of Natsuki appeared in my mind. Then... I sighed.

"I really hope nothing happened to her."

Monika leaned over to me and patted my head gently.

"Don't worry, the school is a very safe place. I'm sure she just has business to attend to."

I lost my composure under Monika's relentless assault.

"A-Ah. Alright!"

My eyes involuntarily closed.

"Mm..."

The soft touch of Monika's hand was far more pleasing than I ever imagined it could be. Something about the way her delicate fingers stroked my hair sent tingles down my spine. It made me feel comfortable, like I was snuggled deep into my bed.

Why did Natsuki hate these so much?

Monika pulled her hand back, causing my eyes to flutter open. The sudden transition was almost like a fleeting dream to me.

I swallowed.

"A-Ah."

Monika leaned back and giggled.

"We should start eating. If not, we may not be able to finish before classes start."

Monika gingerly picked up a set of wooden chopsticks. She skillfully used her delicate fingers with the chopsticks to navigate her tray. She had a small portion of rice and a large helping of green beans.

Monika would use her chopsticks to pick up a tiny portion before gently placing it in her mouth. She would chew silently, before repeating the process.

Seeing her eat in such a refined manner made me a little embarrassed about my own habits. I looked down at my tray.

There was a rather large helping of rice along with a medium helping of green beans. There was also a medium helping of sweet and sour pork, though half of it was missing, leaving a section of sauce stains on the tray.

Overall, I was eating far more than Monika. My cheeks flushed as I silently prayed Monika didn't think I was a pig for all the food on my tray.

Perhaps I have to thank Natsuki for chastising how unhealthy I ate all the time. If it was the me of the past...

...the green beans would be replaced with sweet and sour pork. Which was really bad for me, hehe.

I tried to eat in a similar fashion as Monika, little by little, and without making any audible chewing sounds. However, I unconsciously sped up.

By the time I realized what I was doing, my chopsticks picked up a portion of rice that was the size of a tennis ball and were about to shove it in my face. I froze awkwardly, still holding the large portion of rice right in front of me.

My eyes slowly drifted towards Monika, who was looking at me with a small smile.

Her eyes narrowed lovingly.

"You're so cute. Did you know that?"

The embarrassment immediately made my cheeks flush. I clumsily set down the big portion of rice and looked away.

"Hehe... I-I'm better than this! I swear!"

Monika rested her head in her palm.

"If you're cuter than that, you must be an angel."

She covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers and giggled teasingly. I looked down even further, too scared to meet her gaze.

Mm... I showed a bad side of me to Monika! I totally ruined my first impression! Oh...

I continued eating, but was super conscious of how fast. Although I could not see Monika's eyes, I could feel them on me, making me even more conscious.

It was like a strange form of torture.

Suddenly, I felt a soft sensation on my head. Monika was patting me with a small smile on her face.

"You're so beautiful, Sayori. There's no need to try and hide it."

My eyes involuntarily drooped down, feeling sleepy from Monika's touch. To my dismay, Monika pulled back before I could really enjoy it.

After regaining my composure, I nodded bashfully.

"O-Ok!"

Hearing those words made my heart feel reassured. At first, I was reserved... but it rapidly descended into chaos.

Monika continued eating, but also watched me closely.

It was a little embarrassing, showing off my more shameful side.

But Monika's gaze made me feel all fuzzy and cared for.