Sunday Lounging With Natsuki!

>it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, and the school blues are setting in strong
>you ask Natsuki if she wants to hangout, expecting her to be busy or not wanting to, but to your pleasant surprise she seemed excited by the idea
>she heads off to your house where you’re sitting on the curb waiting
>hi anon!
>she must’ve had a rough day if she’s so open about being happy to see you
>hey Natsuki! How are you feeling?
>a strange look spreads across her face before a moment before it returns to its former brightness
>not too bad!
>that’s good to hear! What do you wanna do?
>wanna head to the park?
>sure thing
>you get up and reconvene with her on the sidewalk
>you both walk slow to match each other’s pace and you can tell it’s comforting to Natsuki to spend time with you which makes you happy
>she has a carefree happy stride and she passively enjoys the sites of the neighborhood as she trudged along. Eventually she says
>you ever feel a little down on Sunday ?
>what do you mean?
>it sometimes feels like I only have one day long weekends because I spend Sunday sad that my time relaxing is coming to an end and I have to start worrying about school. Which is really ironic
>oh yeah I definitely know what you mean. That’s part of the reason I wanted to hang out with you. I was feeling pretty crumby about it as well
>well I’m glad I could do somethin for ya !
>you don’t know if she is teasing or serious by this remark but whatever the intent it doesn’t seem to be too malicious or biting
> eventually you reach the park and find yourselves magnetized to the swing set in the middle
>being in high school you don’t find yourselves blasting into the air like you used to as a kid, but rather just enjoying the casual swaying as you talk to one another
>every once in a while you turn to get a glance at Natsuki and her pink hair looks wild and strangely beautiful in the depressing twilight hue of the sun
>Natsuki looks concentrated, as if she trying very hard to stay tuned into the moment, which seems odd to you by how casual the time you’ve been spending together is
>she says something about inconsequential but very meaningful memories, and how there’s certain types of nostalgia that you can’t talk with anyone without being a bore. The type of stuff you find in slice of life stories that you keep to yourself but warms your heart just the same
>you’re not sure what to say but acknowledge the sentiment, feeling like this moment, as casual as it is, will probably be something you remember for the rest of your life
>Eventually Natsuki stops swaying and asks if you want to climb a nearby tree
>she points at it and it has thick sprawling branches, perfect for climbing and nesting in
>you get up off the swings and head to the tree
>Natsuki gets on the tree first and because of her size finds it easy to crawl up to a relatively high altitude and nest herself between the branches
>once she seems adjusted she looks down at you with an inviting and comfy look
>you climb up until you’ve nested yourself in a similar position a few feet away from her
>it’s silent for a moment before you turn to her and ask
>what’s cookin
>at this remark she bursts into laughter, which uneases you for a second and how she’s shaking in these high branches, but she seems to know what she’s doing
>you join her in her laughter and laugh for a minute until it dies off
>you didn’t answer my question though
>Natsuki goes into another wave of laughter which you smile patiently through
>you’re such a dork anon
>for a brief moment you feel offended but this makes you laugh as well
>again the laughter between you two dies off into a silence that would normally be awkward if it was with anyone but Natsuki. She asks
>wanna play some music ?
>you agree and she finds some Elliot Smith, namely a song called Say Yes
>the song is kind of sad but it fits the tone well, even if you are having fun with Natsuki
>you enjoy a minute or two of the song together in silence before she says something and you’re brought back into conversation
>you two talk for a while about topics varying in mundanity and excitingness, all the while switching between your favorite songs and her favorite songs
>you whittle the hours away until it seems like the sun is setting
>you’d seen the sun set in your town before and it never seemed all that exciting, but on this particular day it’s lit the sky up with a hue of gold that looks like a Bob Ross painting or something
>you both stare off into it for a moment, slowly taking in its implications, and then you wordlessly climb down one after the other
>Natsukis eyes dart around a bit to find that you and her seem to be the only people nearby, and it certainly feels that way too
>the weather is nice but it’s a strange day and a bit late so it makes sense why people would be inside
>as you walk slowly side by side out of the park Natsuki's hand entertwines with your own
>for a moment you’re so surprised you just stare down at your hands like an idiot, and you can tell Natsuki is questioning her decision due to this reaction
>to assure her everything is all right you force a smile and grip a bit tighter and then stare back ahead
>you seem to be handling it well but on the inside you’re shitting all over yourself
>you get an insane butterflies in the stomach feeling, but it’s nice all the same
>you and Natsuki head off to her house first, and by the time you’ve reached there the sky is a vibrant but dark purple
>her hand unspirals out of yours and she looks into your eyes for a second
>she leans in and gives you an awkward peck
>she seems regretful but glad she could convince herself to do it
>you’re blushing like mad and smiling like an asshole, so you don’t say anything at first
>that was a really nice time, Anon. I hope we can hang out in that tree plenty of more times
>you get ahold of yourself
>definitely! I always enjoy your company
>same to you, anon. I was having a crumby day so th-thanks for making me feel better
>there doesn’t seem any words left to say and you don’t want to spoil the moment by saying something cheesy, so all you say is “no problem!”
>she walks slowly into her house and you part ways, strolling down the path to your own house with your hands in the pocket
>when you get home your phone vibrates and you check it to see it’s Natsuki
>it’s just a simple <3 but it means more than you think she could ever know
>you take a shower, brush your teeth and get ready for bed, all the while thinking about her and looking forward to all the fun times that will be ahead