DDLC Ex: Weekend Apart, Pt 2

A day around town with Natsuki. She says she’s never really been around, and to be honest it’s hard to blame her. The main city is a short bus ride away. But there’s still a nice quaint sort of mini business district in the center of your suburban town. It’s actually not far from school, but you’re always too worn out to bother going out after school. It mostly consists of a few small stores and restaurants, almost all of which are family owned. While it’s never busy it doesn’t seem like there’s any risk of everything going out of business.

“So what all is there to do in town?” Natsuki asks. “Wouldn’t we just be better off going to the city?”

“I dunno, I just thought it’d be nice to stay closer to home.”

“Sounds like you’re just lazy.” she says, giving a sly grin and a wink.

“Well as far as I know there isn’t an arcade in the city.”

Natsuki’s eyes light up hearing this.

“Don’t worry, I’ll even give you some coins so you can play.”

*****

Meanwhile Sayori and Yuri have gotten on the bus to take them in to the city. Yuri timidly sits by the window, clutching her bag and keeping her feet firmly together. Sayori sits casually, staring out the window. Occasionally Yuri glances out, her glances getting longer each time. Finally after a few minutes she relaxes and enjoys the scenery as the two ride into town.

*****

“So what do you want to do first, Natsuki?”

“Hmm… I guess we can look around at the shops. What kind of shops are even in a suburb like this?”

“Mostly more traditional things, food, fabrics, you know…”

“So like stuff for old people?” Natsuki says, sounding disappointed.

“I wouldn’t say that, I’d describe it as ‘rustic’ or ‘homemade’.”

“Well Yuri has mentioned shopping around here before, though I don’t know what for…”

“Let’s look around before you make up you mind. Besides, there is a lot of good places to eat here.”

Natsuki smiles.

“I think it mighta been better if you kept your mouth shut on that! Because I sure do like food!”

Laughing, the two of you walk around. While it’s not exactly centralized this part of town seems to have two central areas, an old temple and a park. They’re not right next to each other, but close enough that most consider them to be one in the same. Just as well the merchants and store owners seem to respect this idea and leave an open path between the two. A few food stands dot the area of the park opposite the temple while the entrance has a sort of gift shop area where one can purchase omamoris and other such things.

The part closest to your house, however is the park, which is where a majority of the shops are. Passing by a few convenience stores you come up to a textile shop that seems to catch Natsuki’s eye.

“Hey! Let’s check this place out!”

“Why, do you want a kimono or something? I said I’d take you out but I don’t have that kind of money.”

Natsuki jabs you in the ribs and grins.

“Oh, don’t be silly! I’ll have Sayori or Yuri buy it for me!” she says with a laugh.

As you enter the old woman running the store greets you.

“Good afternoon. Is there anything I can help you with.”

“Nah,” Natsuki says, “just taking a look. Thank you though!”

The shop has a few racks of premade kimonos and yukatas. Simpler in style, but obviously they’re the cheaper ones. On top of the counter is a fabric sample book. The pages it’s open on shows a very intricate, hand-embroidered pattern. At the bottom of the square sample you can see a few prices. While you can’t see exact numbers, the amount of zeroes gives you a good idea of the quality of the workmanship.

“Excuse me, miss?” Natsuki says to the lady behind the counter. “Would it be ok if I tried on a few of these?”

“Oh, go right ahead, dearie!”

As Natsuki looks through the racks of kimonos you look around at the rest of the store. On the opposite end a few tapestries hang on the walls. Knitted caps and sweaters line a few shelves, while others have handbags and cloth wallets.

“Your sister is adorable, isn’t she.” you hear the store owner say to you as you’re looking around.

“Actually she isn-”

Stopping yourself you look over at Natsuki, who is happily looking through racks of garments. You think back on how recently you met her and how close she’s become to you. Not only that, but how much closer she’s become to Sayori. Sayori, who’s always been more than just a friend, closer to a sister herself. If Natsuki is Sayori’s little sister then she might as well be yours too.

“Yeah, she is, isn’t she…”

Natsuki looks over

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Oh, nothing dearie, just talking to your brother.”

Natsuki smiles back, seemingly not even a bit surprised that the store owner called you her brother.

After a few minutes you feel a tap on your shoulder. Turning around you see Natsuki, wearing a blue and pink yukata with a white chrysanthemum pattern around the sleeves and bottom.

“Whaddya think?” she asks, turning in place.

“It actually looks nice on you, Natsuki.”

“R-Really… y-you think so…?” Natsuki stutters, blushing.

“It sure does, young lady. Actually that one’s on sale. Made it a long time ago for a customer that never picked it up. Don’t know why they didn’t, but since then it’s sat on the racks with the cheaper ones. Guess the size is too small for most customers but it seems to fit you almost perfect! Tell you what, you can have it for 2000 yen.”

Taking a closer look you realize this is indeed a custom made yukata. The fabric is excellent quality, much more so than the others on the premade racks. The chrysanthemum pattern is hand done with embroidered details.

Natsuki digs through her small handbag. She barely even has half the money to buy it, even discounted this much. Noticing this you decide to pay.

“Don’t worry, Natsuki, I’ve got it.”

“My, what a sweet brother you have!” the woman says with a warm smile.

Natsuki hugs you in thanks as the store owner folds and bags her new yukata.

“I gotta come back here with Sayori, maybe she’ll find something nice too!” Natsuki gives a cheeky grin, “Maybe you can get her something here when you go on your first date.”

All you can do is smile nervously in response. ‘Would Sayori even like a date like this?’ you wonder. Half a million questions like this race through your head in an instant.

“Well thanks, miss!” Natsuki shouts to the store owner as you two walk out.

“It’s no problem! Please, come again!” the woman says, smiling warmly as she waves.

*****

Thankfully for Sayori and Yuri, the city convention center has a bus stop right by the entrance. The book fair is being held in one of the smaller convention halls, but to someone like Sayori, it’s massive.

“Woah! Yuri, there’s so many books here!” Sayori says in astonishment.

“Yes, it’s the largest collection of people buying and selling books, manuscripts and other such things in the entire city. You’ll even find some people selling self-published books that you rarely find outside of conventions like this. Not to mention the large selection of vintage and collectible books.”

The two girls browse the shelves and tables, thumbing through crates and stacks of books. One table is stacked up with foreign language books. Sayori recognizes one she’s seen before. The book with a solitary eye on the cover and a Cyrillic title on the spine.

“Hey, Yuri! Check this out! It’s that Markov book you have.”

“Oh yeah, I have this edition. Looks slightly cleaner than mine, but I still have the dust cover.”

“Say, Yuri, how did you get into Russian books so much? I looked at your bookshelf and a lot seem to be completely in Russian. Can you even read it?”

“I can, more or less, actually. My grandfather is actually Russian. He came over right after the war and ended up meeting my grandmother. They taught me how to speak it a little bit as a young child. Actually my grandfather taught me a lot about Russian culture, even though he seems to have fully embraced Japanese culture himself. It’s funny, the way my grandfather spoke of my grandmother, she was indistinguishable from a Russian Babushka.”

“Wow, Yuri, that’s actually really cool!” Sayori says, smiling brightly. “You gotta teach me some of it!”

“Well, we’ll see. Maybe I can teach you some recipes I picked up before they passed away.”

“Sounds good!” Sayori says with a lighthearted smile.

The two girls continue browsing. Yuri grabs some older Russian novels, along with some old Japanese ones and even a German one or two. To Sayori these European books are a sort of curiosity.

Along the back wall seems to be where most of the self-publishing and small run authors set themselves up. Not many people seem to be interested in these sorts of things, but Yuri is.

“You ever buy any of these books?” Sayori inquires.

“I have a couple. There’s definitely a reason these books aren’t picked up by bigger publishers. Some of them are definitely worthy of it, but the author can’t sell themselves well enough. Others aren’t even really worth the ink. Then there’s those that appeal to an obscure reader base, or aren’t in it for the money and would rather only make a few copies. Most of them post them online though.”

As they look through the different tables of books Sayori seems to find one that interests her.

“Hey, Yuri, check this one out! Apparently it’s about a boy that starts reading a mysterious old book and slowly comes to realize the main character in the book is actually someone trapped inside, calling out for help. Sounds neat, huh?”

“Hmm, could be an interesting concept if done right. Most people use those kinds of meta tropes for cheap shock value though. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it being done in the form of a book within a book.”

Yuri walks over to the booth and grabs a second copy of the book, paying for both hers and Sayori’s.

“Hey, I know!” Sayori exclaims, “Let’s both read this and decide if we should assign it for the club. Natsuki can read my copy since she lives with me and I guess Anon can borrow yours.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

The girls continue browsing the massive amounts of books for the next few hours.

*****

After looking through most of the shops, you and Natsuki go to the arcade. It’s not big, but it has enough games to keep Natsuki entertained for most of the afternoon. Eventually, however, you run out of coins.

“Sorry, Natsuki, can’t break these bills, I still gotta take you to eat, remember?”

“Oh yeah! I was concentrating so much on the games I forgot to be hungry.”

“Any idea what you want?” you ask.

“Hmm… Well you’re paying, so it’s only fair I let you pick, right? But if you pick wrong I’ll tell you!”

“Well there’s a nice little ramen shop. Can’t go wrong with ramen, right?”

“Hehehe… You read my mind!” Natsuki says, placing her fists on her hips. “You’re really starting to get a hang of this big brother thing!”

The ramen shop is a nice little indoor place, seating about a dozen people. The window looks right out onto the park. Despite being small a nice breeze makes its way in through the open door. You sit at a table, opposite Natsuki. She sits, smiling giddily across from you. Every so often she accidentally kicks you as she sways her feet back and forth in excitement. It seems she’s really happy you’re doing all this for her. After you order your food a pot of tea arrives and you pour each other’s cups.

“So,” Natsuki says, as she pours tea for you, “I hope you’ve been paying attention today so you’re prepared when you and Sayori go on a date.”

“What do you mean? Who said anything about me going out with her?”

“Oh come on, stop playing dumb. Like I’ve said before, it’s so obvious between you two! Plus, and don’t tell her I told you this, but she mentioned that she wants you to take her out some day.”

Hearing this your heart skips a beat and your face goes slightly flush. Natsuki seems to pick up on this.

“Eh, looks like that caught your attention.” she says with a smug grin.

“Wh-Whatever!” you say, turning away from her. “She’s been my friend for years, it’s only natural we’d eventually spend a day together.”

“‘A day together with Anon! We’d go out and hold hands and he’d kiss me goodbye when he takes me home!’” Natsuki says, trying to imitate Sayori’s cheery voice. “Sounds like she thinks of it as more than just ‘being friendly’. And looking at your reaction-”

“Ok, I get it, Natsuki!” you say, ending the conversation.

Natsuki laughs smugly.

“You’re not good at handling being teased, are you?” she says with a grin.

Thankfully for you, however, the waiter arrives with you and Natsuki’s bowls of ramen and plate of octopus balls. Natsuki stares at the food greedily as she breaks her chopsticks.

“Alright, let’s eat!” she says quickly before digging in.

For her size, Natsuki sure does eat quickly. In fact she finishes her food before you do!

“Thank you, come again!” the store owner shouts as you and Natsuki leave.

“Geez, Natsuki, it wasn’t an eat contest you know. You coulda slowed down.”

Natsuki smiles in response.

“What can I say, I love food!”

“I can see that…”

Suddenly Natsuki seems a bit self conscious as she looks down and pokes her belly.

“I-I didn’t mean like that, Natsuki!” you say, assuring her that she misunderstood.

“I know… I know… Now that I’ve been living with Sayori I think I’ve been eating more than I should be. Even at our age it’s not good to eat too much, at least not without exercise!”

“Who knew you’d be so concerned about your health.”

Natsuki jabs you in the ribs with her elbows and laughs.

“Don’t worry! I’m not gonna get some kinda eating problem! Me and Sayori talked about going to the gym at some point anyways, maybe we’ll have Yuri join us too!”

You’ve thought about going to the gym, but it’d probably be awkward working out with three girls. Especially since you’re pretty sure, even being as un-fit as you are, you can most likely bench press Natsuki.

You and Natsuki walk around the park for a bit as dusk sets upon you. Eventually you come to the end of the park that meets up with the temple. You’ve never been religious or anything, but you’re respectful of tradition, so you decide to go pay respects at the temple. You buy an omamori for yourself and one for Natsuki. The two of you find a bench nearby to rest at.

“Anon, I never took you for a spiritual guy.” she says, putting the amulet around her neck.

“I wouldn’t say I am, I’m just respectful of our country’s history and traditions, I guess.”

“Man, the more you talk the more in common with Sayori you end up being! Guess you both come from conservative parents.”

“Well, what about you?”

“Huh? I dunno, I don’t think much about that stuff. My grandpa was in the army during the war, and one of my uncles is in the self defense force. Other than that it’s never been a big deal for me either way.”

“Hey, it’s getting late, maybe we should head back soon.”

As you get up Natsuki grabs your hand.

“Wait… Let’s at least watch the sunset.”

As you sit back down you feel Natsuki’s head rest upon your shoulder.

“You know, I had fun today. Thanks, big bro.”

*****

After the book convention Sayori and Yuri decided to look around some of the shops in the city by the convention center. Most of these shops are higher end ones Sayori would probably never set foot in, but Yuri takes her in.

In one of the boutiques Yuri finds something.

“Sayori! Come over here!”

Yuri holds up a strapless, white summer dress.

“I think this would look great on you.” she says, holding it up to Sayori.

“Y-You think? It looks like it’d be expensive.”

“Don’t worry, Sayori. My mom gave me extra money before we left.”

Sayori goes to the changing room to try it on. As she comes out she turns to show it off to Yuri. The light, nearly translucent material clings to Sayori’s body around the cinches waist line. Half sleeves hang loosely off her arms. The back is laced up. The whole dress ends just above her knees.

“So, how do I look?” she asks Yuri.

“You look beautiful.” Yuri responds.

Sayori blushes before going back in to change back to her clothes.

“I do think it was a bit tight though. Guess you can save your money after all!” Sayori says, trying to politely decline the gift.

“Oh, don’t worry. My family knows a tailor in town actually. I can take it to him for you. I’ll get your measurements when we go home.”

Sayori can only smile and accept her that she’s getting a new dress, no matter how bad she feels about it.

As the girls leave Sayori insists that Yuri didn’t have to buy it for her.

“Oh, but I wanted to! Really I want to give you some of my old clothes that don’t really fit anymore, but I thought that’d seem like I was being stingy.”

“Yuri, not everything is about how much you spend. It’s the thought that counts too!”

“I-I know that, it’s just… Well…”

Sayori gives Yuri a hug and smiles reassuredly.

“I know, Yuri. You don’t have to say anything else.”

Yuri smiles back, her eyes watering in happiness.

*****

You walk Natsuki home in the last rays of twilight. She skips along ahead of you the whole way. Eventually you make it to Sayori’s house.

“Hey, come on in for a few, why dontcha?” she says as she takes her shoes off in the doorway.

As you walk in she turns on the TV. You sit down next to her in silence for a few minutes.

“You know, I know I already said it, but thanks for today. Really, you didn’t have to do all that for me.”

“I thought I was your big bro.”

Natsuki laughs and jabs you with her elbow.

“Even still, thank you.” she says, giving you a hug. “You know, I’ve got something I want to show you. I haven’t even shown this to Sayori yet, but maybe how you react will help me tell her about it. Wait right here!”

Natsuki runs up into her room and slams the door. You can hear her rummaging through something. What could she possibly be doing? What is it that she wouldn’t show Sayori? After a few minutes you hear her door open and her run back over to you. She’s wearing a slightly oversized hoodie that she holds tight to herself as she sits next to you.

“So, I haven’t shown this to Sayori yet. Not because I don’t trust her, I just don’t know how she’ll react. So you know how I told you about my grandfather, right?”

“Right? What do you-”

Before you can finish your sentence Natsuki opens up the hoodie to reveal a holstered pistol.

“Natsuki! Where did you get that!” you shout, jumping back slightly.

“Calm down, dummy! It’s not loaded! Like I said, it was my grandfather’s in the war. I think it’s called a Nambu or something. Anyways, after he died my dad had it. And that was years before my mother died. Thankfully it never had any ammo. I actually found it a few years back. Drunk idiot must’ve forgot he had it and I didn’t want him having it, so I hid it.”

“Is it even legal for you to have that?” you ask, worried not only for yourself but her.

“I dunno. Probably not. Not like I’m gonna use it, I just think it’s neat. I guess it gives me something good about my family to hold on to.”

“I mean, as long as you don’t go waving it around or anything.” you say, somewhat more relaxed after having a chance to recover from the shock.

“Like I said, I’m not an idiot! I know enough about guns to know they’re not a toy.”

“I know plenty about them too, but still, I didn’t expect you to have one. Though I think if you’re going to show it to Sayori it’s best you tell her first.”

“Hehehe… Yeah, maybe… I just wanted to see the look on your face.” she says, grinning, before getting up to put the gun back.

“Anyways, thanks again for tonight. And sorry for scaring you, hehe…”

As you leave Natsuki gives you a hug goodbye.

“See ya later, big bro!”

*****

Finally coming back to Yuri’s after a long day, her and Sayori go to her room.

“Hey, Yuri, you mind if I take a shower real quick before bed? I usually like to take a quick one to wind down after a day out.”

“Sure. Actually I might as well join you.”

The girls go in to the bathroom and prepare the shower.

“Want me to wash your back again?” Sayori asks.

“Sure, go ahead.” Yuri says, turning around.

Sayori gets a loofah lathered up.

“Oh, and Sayori, can you do my hair too?”

“Ehehe… I was actually going to offer myself…”

Sayori uses a lot of shampoo but gets Yuri’s hair completely lathered up. After Yuri rinses the suds out, Sayori puts in conditioner, gently massaging it into her scalp and being careful as she runs her fingers through Yuri’s hair.

“Thanks, Sayori.”

Without a word, Sayori turns around as Yuri washes her back and hair in return. But this time Yuri doesn’t use a loofah. Instead she massages the shower gel onto Sayori’s back.

“Mmm, Yuri… That actually feel pretty ni-”

Suddenly Sayori feels that it’s not just her back getting cleaned.

“Y-Yuri! S-Stop… Y-You’re making me feel…” Sayori stutters as Yuri rubs the shower gel on to her breasts.

“Don’t worry Sayori, it’s fine…” Yuri says softly and assuredly into Sayori’s ear.

While Sayori feels uncomfortable at first, Yuri’s soft assurance makes her feel at ease as the out of hand massage quickly comes to an end. The two girls get out of the shower and dry off, donning their underwear and sleepwear.

“Y-You should warn me before you do that next time!” Sayori says, feeling slightly violated.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Yuri says, bowing her head.

Sayori sits down next to Yuri on her bed.

“It’s fine. Besides… I definitely feel clean!” she says, smiling brightly.

“Do you want me to get a guest room for you?” Yuri asks.

“Nah, your bed’s big enough! I’d feel bad making you all clean extra sheets for me.”

Sayori and Yuri both get under the sheets. While there’s plenty of room for the both of them in Yuri’s bed, they both end up close together.

Sayori’s phone vibrates as she receives a text. It’s from Natsuki.

“Heyyy big sis! Hope you and Yuri had a good day! Anon took me out for dinner and got me a cute yukata at a store in town, I gotta take you and Yuri there! See ya soon!”

“I’m glad you two had fun together! Hope you weren’t too much trouble for him, loljk. I’d love to go check it out with you two, can’t wait to see you.”

Smiling to herself Sayori sends you a text.

“Hey, Anon. Thanks for hanging out with Natsuki today. Me and Yuri had fun today. She said she was gonna teach me some recipes. I think I’ll make you one of them as a reward ;) Anyways, ttyl.”

Once again, Sayori finds herself falling asleep, truly happy.