I can't believe it! A good day is ahead of me. I know it. As I chant this mantra over and over in my head, I get out of bed and calmly but hastily prepare myself for today. As I do I look out the window and I spot a pair of ears and a cat paw moving in a really weird way. 'What is it this time?' I think that as I walk toward the window to reveal the "mystery" stalker. "Meow!!! Morning!" Shouts Sayori right in my face and blows me on a chair behind me. "Ouch Sayori… What's wrong with you? Think for once before you do something crazy like this!" I said as I recover from the fatal injury I just sustained. "Hehe sorry. I just woke up reallllllllly excited today and I'm suuuuper happy for you too." She really is happy, that much I can tell. Sayori and I know each other better than anyone and of course I told her why this day is so special for me. "Thanks Sayori. I couldn't have done it without you. And I'm grateful to you. Thank you for being such a great friend". Sayori shifts into a cool manga character pose and says "You're very welcome. Sayori will always be by your side!" I can't help but giggle a little and then I go back to stuffing my bag with a book and some snacks. "Soooooo… Are you taking her to that 'special place' of ours?" Sayori asked me. "Yup. That spot exactly. I sure hope she'll like it". "Why won't she? Remember, we're talking about Yuri here. Introvert, sophisticated, dark and gloomy. A little color in her life would make her feel warm and... And… Okay I lost it… But she'll like it! I just know it" Sayori really knows how to get me up with her words. But she's right. Her tone, in contrast to her word choosing, really brightened me up. It's gonna work out. I'll make sure of it. "Alright, I'm ready to head out.

Snacks-check.

Book-check.

Money-check…

I guess that's it then". As I approach the door Sayori jumps and yells "WAIT!!!" and I can't help but feel stunned as the whole neighborhood might've just heard that awfully paralyzing shout. "W… What is it?" she then replied: "Did you forget the THING?" And I suddenly remember about that THING. "Oh gosh you're right! I… It's in my room. I'll go fetch it". I find the envelope on my desk near the keyboard and I quickly rush downstairs. "Okay. Now I really am ready. For real". Then I hear my phone vibrate in my pocket. 2 messages. One from Yuri that indicates she's on her way to the train station now and she'll arrive in 20 minutes or so. The other is from Monika, Simply written "Good luck today champ! If there's someone who can make this girl's life a little brighter- it's you (believe me I know). Monika’s tip for today: use your imagination- the name of the hero can he anything you want, just take this one as a template and alter it as you see fit. Why did I say that? Eh, doesn’t matter. Now show her how charming you can be [Lips and book emojis]". I have no idea how Monika knows about this. Maybe Sayori told her or something… Well, she's our club's president after all. I guess she really cares for all of us. I leave my doubts behind and head out to the train station as well. Sayori waves at me and shouts repeatedly "Go Reef! Go Reef!" and I can't help but think how lucky I am to be surrounded by such amazing friends. And as I reach the station I am greeted by a girl waving at me from afar. That was Yuri of course. I'd recognize her fashion sense from the other side of the planet. A comfy knitted skin toned sweater, skinny reddish purple jeans, black high boots and a dark blue hairband that goes well with her dark purple long straight hair. I couldn't help but feel dazzled for a moment before approaching her, but I shook my head and waved her back while walking toward her. "Hey Yuri" I said as I got close to her. "G… Greetings Reef. I-I've been looking forward to this the whole week. I'm glad we are able to do this together." Yuri said with her soft voice. It is always nice hearing her talking about her emotions, like she's becoming a lot cuter than she already is. How is that possible? Don't ask me. "M-Me too. This is going to be extremely fun. It always is when I hang out with you Yuri." I say with a little grin. Her cheeks turn red and she covers her face with her hands "N-No… You're being too nice to me. I… I'm sure it's more because of you than it is because of me". I cut her off before she gets a chance to keep looking down on herself: "Well, there's no point in debating on that since I'll just counteract your every saying and you will do the same and we will stand here forever. Let's get to the train Okay Yuri?" she takes her hands off her face and slowly coming back to herself. "A-Alright Reef. Let's go then" Yuri whispered with a little smile. Seriously, if I'm able to witness this smile every day it'll be the best day ever in a loop. We look for the train headed to a remote village in the outskirts I used to visit as a kid with Sayori. I told Yuri about the importance of this place on the way and she was fascinated about how much I know of its history, culture and environment. Most of the way we kept reading a book that we started together when I joined the literature club. We almost finished when the train was about to reach our destination. When we arrived, I took Yuri towards the exit of the train station and showed her where we will be hanging today. First, we went to a historical park which features exhibits telling the history of the village and its many struggles to even exist (honestly, it was mostly because of the many weapons and ancient artillery that were displayed there…). Next, we ventured through the main streets in the village and witnessed the many colors, smells, looks and customs of the people living there. At last- we've climbed the mountain behind the village. THAT was the "special place" Sayori mentioned earlier in the morning. At the top there was a large ancient tree surrounded by many flowers of several colors and a gorgeous view of the village and a narrow river passing near it. Yuri seemed astounded by the scenery. I looked at her and asked curiously "So, what do you think?" and she replied "It's- It's just… So extraordinary. All these vibrant colors, the life, the… everything here is just…" She was out of words so I decided to break the ice. I grabbed her arm and walked with her to the tree in a spot with enough shade but where some light particles still reach. "There. We can finish reading our book here. Can't believe we're at the final chapter already huh?" I said as I pull the snacks out of my bag and place them beside me, and the book of course. "I'm so glad. Really, for being able to read it here. With you. Thank you for everything Reef." Yuri was confident like she has never been before when she phrased that sentence. I can't describe the happiness I felt as I've heard these words. "I… I'm really happy to hear that Yuri. I um…" Now I'M the speechless one. Yuri signaled me to come sit next to her and read the book. So I do as expected. I feel her shoulder next to mine, we both hold the book, each in the edge that's close to us, aaaaand… "W-Wait! I uhh… I forgot to give you something" Yuri looked confused as I reach to the bottom of my bag and pull out an envelope. "Yuri… I… I wrote this for you. I'd like you to read it. If you… want to, I mean." Yuri seemed puzzled, but intrigued to figure out what's written in there and as she opened it she added "You know what? Keep reading the book. I already know the end anyway. While you do that, I shall read your poem. Is- Is that acceptable?" her voice went down a little bit at the end. Maybe a doubt that I will not find it right in my opinion. "Y-Yes! Great idea. Oh and one more thing Yuri. I wrote this from my very soul. Every word there is real. I… I really hope it'll get through to you." Yuri was smiling. But she was not red, nor tried to hide her expression. Instead, she seemed quite… determined. And happy. More than usual. "I shall read it as I read each and every one of your poems. With delight and high expectations." I blushed over there… I definitely blushed over there. But when I snapped out of it and spotted Yuri deep inside the note, I soon got my eyes back in the book. Several minutes have passed and I feel really nervous. Was it because of my curiosity about the ending? Because I imagined a scenario that Yuri won't like what I wrote her? I still don't know. I tend to think it's both but I guess I'll never be certain. The story ended in a powerful climax and I took my gaze off the book and passed it onto the horizon. "Wow…" I felt awe and as soon as I finished murmuring to myself I found Yuri's head lying on my shoulder. A gentle and soft shivering has been sent down my spine. As it wore off, I smiled. And I felt Yuri taking my hand that is close to her and wrap my fingers around hers. That… was the nicest feeling. I was amazed. We were simply… happy. All I had to do at this phase was to lay my head on hers, keep holding the book, and imagine the beautiful screenshot of us, under the tree, surrounded by flowers, midday sky and tranquility. "I love you. Reef. I truly love you" I heard Yuri whisper quietly. "I love you too Yuri." And we stayed like that for some time before realizing it was about to get dark and headed down the mountain, our hands locked together the whole way. When it was finally time to say goodbye, we didn't say anything. We didn't have to. All it took to express ourselves… was the gentle and soft touch of our lips. Coming in contact with one another. No doubts, no second thoughts, no regrets. We both felt right about this. And we both parted with a smile.

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