[N] Natsuki works at Borger King (Green)

>You amble through the main stretch of the mall, trying to pick where to go next.
>You'd been shopping for some new clothes today, your wardrobe was in desperate need of a fix up.
>Suddenly a loud growling catches your attention.
>It's your stomach!
>In fairness, it has been a while since breakfast.
>Looks like your next destination is set.
>You step onto the escalator and slowly make your way up to the second floor.
>As you approach the food court, you weigh your options.
>Borger King, Bubway and Mama Jolyne's sit next to each other.
>You settle for a Borger King, it's closest and you're starving.
>As you approach the counter, you notice a familiar face at the cash register.
>It's Natsuki!
>You do remember her telling you she got a job, but she never said where.
>She notices you, her face going beet red.
>She hisses under her breath.
>"A-Anon what the hell are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question."
>"I work here, dumbass!"
"With that attitude?"
>She clears her throat.
>Still glaring at you, she goes through her routine.
>"Welcome to Borger King, how may I help you?"
>You place your order and move to the side to wait for your food.
"Slow day, huh?"
>"Always is, ever since Bubway opened they've been nabbing all our customers.
>So it seemed, the Borger King section of the food court was practically empty.
>You were never good at small talk.
"So... How are things?"
>Your food starts coming as she answers.
>"They're uh..."
>She sighs.
>"Look, go sit down in the far corner against the wall. I'll be over in a minute."
>She puts your food on the tray and hands it to you.

>You sit down at the table in the corner and start eating.
>After a few minutes, Natsuki steps out of the Borger King booth and walks towards you, carrying a single wrapped burger.
>She sits down and sighs, avoiding eye contact.
>"Hey."
"What's up, Natsuki?"
>She starts opening her burger and she talks.
>"Nothing much I guess."
"Is that really all you're eating?"
>"Yeah."
>You push your trey closer to her and gesture to the large fries you ordered.
"Here, have some."
>"I'll be fi-"
"Just take them, please."
>"Alright alright."
>She reaches over and takes the entire bag.
>"T-Thanks."
>She falls silent as she wolfs through her lunch.
"When do you get off?"
>"About five, depends on how long clean up takes."
"Ah."
>More silence, the two of you finish up fairly quickly.
>Finally you get a good look at the girl. She looks... Off.
>Her hair isn't as pristine as it always is, there are dark bags under here eyes.
>And you swear you can make out a faint, black mark on her cheek.
"Natsuki. You know I can tell when something is wrong. Right?"
>"Huh?"
"You look like you've seen better days."
"What's wrong?"
>She pauses, staring at you.
>Then she looks around for anyone close by that might overhear.
>And finally, her gaze drops to the table. Giving an empty burger wrapper the thousand yard stare.
>"Anon.. Papa kicked me out.."
"He what?!"
>Her voice is almost a whisper.
>"He kicked me out of the house, Anon."
>You can see tears forming at the ends of her eyes.
"Why the hell would he do that?!"
>"I don't know."
>"He just got drunk one night, like a week or two ago, and just booted me out."
"Well, where have you been staying."
>"I've..."
>She chokes back her next words, as if ashamed to admit something to you.
>"I've been sleeping on a park bench."
"Natsuki..."
>"I've been showering in the swimming pool showers."
>"I'm lucky I managed to sneak in through an open window and steal some of my clothes."
>She buries her face in her hands.

>You reach across the table and place a hand on Natsuki's shoulder.
"Natsuki."
>She lifts her head to look at you.
>Her cheeks tear stained, her eyes glistening.
>"I'm sorry I lied to you.. I just didn't want anyone to worry."
"You get off at five, right?"
>"Yeah."
"Look, I'll meet you outside after work. Okay?"
>"What? Why?"
"Just trust me, Natsuki."
>She nods.
>You hand her a napkin, she takes it amd wipes her face off.
>"My lunch break is over. I'll see you later I guess."
"See you soon, Natsuki."
>She stands and walks back to the Borger King counter. Flashing a glance at you as she steps back inside.
>You give her a small wave before standing and clearing your table.

>Leaning against your car, flicking through your phone as the sun begins to set.
>You've been keeping your eye on the mall entrance, more so than your phone.
>Finally, about 5:27, Natsuki appears from the entrance.
>You wave over and grab her attention. In no time at all she's beside you.
>You pull her into a hug, she doesn't resist at all.
"Hey."
>"Sorry I took so long. Cleanup is a bitch, especially when none of the others help you out."
"Don't worry about it, Natsuki."
>You let go of her and turn to your car, unlocking it.
"Get in."
>"Why?"
>You open the door and get in the drivers seat.
"I'll explain on the way."
>She reluctantly gets in the seat next to you and throws her bag into the back.
>You start the car and take off, driving for a few minutes in silence before Natsuki finally speaks.
>"So... Where are we going?"
"Home."
>Natsuki almost jumps out of her skin.
>"NO! I'M NOT GOING BACK TO HIM!"
>"YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"
"Not that home, Natsuki."
"Mine."
>"Y-Yours?"
"You're coming to stay with me."
>"With... You?"
"Yes, Natsuki."
"I would rather shoot myself than have you lie on a park bench at night."
>"C'mon Anon, you don't mean that."
>You turn and look her dead in the eyes.
"I do."
>Her brilliant pinks widen a little.
>"Oh.."
>The rest of the trip is silent, save for the occasional sad sigh from the girl next to you.
>Eventually, you pull into your driveway and switch the car off.
>You grab Natsuki's bag and step out of the car, Natsuki follows you.
>Fumbling with the keys a little, you unlock your door and usher Natsuki inside.
>You set her bag down on the floor as you lock the door behind you.
"It's not much but.. It works for me."
>Natsuki is silent.
>You can't see her face.
>But you can make out the fact that her entire body is shaking.

"Natsuki?"
>She sniffles.
>Suddenly she whips around and grabs you around the waist.
>As you wrap your arms around her, she starts sobbing into your chest.
>You can feel her tears wet your shirt.
"Shhhh..."
>You bring a hand up and stroke her hair.
>"W-Why are you being so nice to me?!"
>"I'm just a massive... Jerk. To everyone."
"Natsuki, you're my best friend."
>"You're just saying that."
"If I were 'just saying that' would I really have spent all these months with you in the club room?"
"Would I really have read with you, listened to all your manga related ramblings, helped you whenever you needed it, if I didn't think of you as a best friend?"
>Natsuki pulls away a little and looks up at you.
>Her cheeks are covered with tears, a fresh one rolls from her eye.
>Using a thumb, you wipe it off and smile at her.
>You sigh. Not sure if your next move is the right one.
"The truth is, Natsuki."
"I love you."
>She stares into your eyes, and you into her.
>"Y-You.. You.."
"I love you, Natsuki."
>"Anon.."
>"I love you too."
>A small smile creeps along her face.
>She hides it by burying her face into your chest again.
>"Thank you."