Sorry!

I could faintly remember that this girl's name was Yuri.

Yuri held out her trembling hand, with my pencil resting on top. It was as though she had been afraid to get too close.

Yuri's nervousness rubbed off on me. She was like a fragile flower, one that was highly sensitive to touch.

Not wanting to sully this flower, my thumb and index finger gingerly took the pencil from her, without touching her skin.

Yuri's hand darted back. She held her hands close to her chest, as though she had done something wrong. Yuri closed her eyes and mumbled faintly to herself. Suddenly, she shook her head and hurriedly reached for her book.

I panicked a little, as it seemed Yuri still didn't realize a lesson was going on. I lowered my voice and gave a tiny wave.

"Yuri!"

Yuri flinched and held her arms close, as though she wanted to protect herself.

"I-I'm sorry!"

I blinked a few times.

"Eh? I didn't mean anything bad, it's just that class has started!"

Yuri seemed overwhelmed. She turned to me shyly before looking towards the front of the class.

"Ah, I didn't notice again!"

She buried her face in her hands.

"I'm always so oblivious..."

A small smile spread out on my face.

"Hehe, I'm like that too!"

Yuri held her long hair with her slender fingers. She brought her hair up to block her face.

"A-Ah... sorry for being a bother."

I held my hands together and interlocked my fingers.

"You were never a bother, Yuri."

Yuri giggled softly.

"Sorry... this is just how I'm used to talking."

I tilted my head to the side and smiled blissfully.

"Hehe, you're so cute."

Yuri held her cheeks with her palms.

"E-Eh? There's no need to lie to me..."

I laid a hand over my chest melodramatically and put on a distraught expression.

"How could you call me a liar!"

Yuri panicked, waving her hands in a fluster.

"No, no! I didn't mean that!"

A cheeky smile spread out on my face.

"So you admit you're cute!"

Yuri blinked a few times in confusion. Suddenly, she gasped in realization and covered her face with her hands.

"Noooooo~"

I stuck out the tip of my tongue teasingly.

"Yes!~"

Yuri squirmed with embarrassment, making her look unbelievably adorable.

"D-Do you really mean it?"

My heartbeat sped up a little. I gave a small nod.

"Of course!"

A faint smile appeared on Yuri's face, but she quickly covered it with her long purple hair.

"W-Why are you telling someone like me that?"

I put my elbows on the desk and held up my chin with the palms of my hands.

"Hehe, it felt like you needed someone to tell you that."

Yuri's gaze fell to the floor.

"S-Sorry for being this way."

I tilted my head to the side.

"Eh? What way?"

Yuri smiled bitterly.

"I-I forced you to compliment me because of how sad I looked. Isn't that right?"

Her words hurt my heart. I unconsciously reached out and grasped Yuri's hand. She looked at me with surprise while I stared deeply into her bright purple eyes.

"Yuri... you can't say that! I said you were cute because I really really meant it!"

Yuri blushed furiously.

"A-Ah..."

She took a few breaths before regaining her composure.

An enchanting smile appeared on Yuri's face.

"Sorry for misunderstanding so much."

A bright smile appeared on my face.

"Hehe, no problem."

Yuri slowly pulled back her hand from my grasp. It felt like silk was running down my fingers.

Suddenly, I latched onto Yuri's hand once more.

"I lied!"

Yuri gasped.

"E-Eh?"

I puffed up my cheeks.

"I do have one problem with you!"

Yuri tensed up. She held her free hand in front of her mouth.

"Ah! S-Sorry, what is it?"

A cheeky smile appeared on my face.

"You say sorry too much!"

My voice softened.

"Sometimes, a thank you is so much more meaningful."

Yuri's lips parted slightly.

"Ah..."

She smiled, suddenly sending me into a beautiful starry night. She stared at me gently and tightened her grasp on my hand.

"Thank you."

My heart leaped while my cheeks heated up.

For a few moments, I was in a stupor.

Suddenly, I shook my head. A small smile emerged on my face.

"Hehe, that's better. No more saying sorry, ok?"

Yuri nodded.

"I-I will try!"

I pouted playfully.

"No trying! You must!"

Yuri panicked.

"Sorry!"

She covered her mouth with the fingers of her free hand, realizing she messed up once more.

"Ah! No, sorry!"

I giggled with a tender smile on my face. Yuri blushed furiously, but smiled as well.

"Excuse me..."

At that moment, Yuri and I snapped our heads to the side.

The English teacher was standing there with a twitching eyebrow.

Yuri and I hurriedly bowed.

"Sorry!"

...

I no longer spoke to Yuri for the rest of the class, letting the teacher lecture without interruptions.

Time passed by in a flash. The school bell rang, signaling the end of class. Yuri and I packed our bags.

As I slung my backpack on my shoulder, I enthusiastically waved at Yuri.

"See you later, Yuri!"

A small smile formed on Yuri's face. She waved reservedly.

"Goodbye... ah, I don't know your name."

I made the peace sign with my hand and peeked in between the gaps of my fingers.

"It's Sayori!"

Yuri bowed.

"Nice to meet you, Sayori! My name is-"

She cut herself off before blinking a few times with confusion.

"Y-You know my name!"

I giggled mischievously.

"Yep!"

Then, I dashed out of the classroom.

Yuri reached out her hand.

"Wait!"

With that, I escaped, leaving Yuri to her worries.