Chapter Text
It was a rather cold evening, the bell had chimed as it rang, signaling it was finally the end of this dreading day. Sayori gathered herself together, groaning. She would rather stay at this school then going out into the trembling cold. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to. She carefully paced to the classroom door, being the only one left and having no one ahead of her. The hallways were eerily empty, but she could hear distant chatter.
She slowly walked to her locker, grabbing her key and inserting it into the slot. It creaked loudly as she slid off her uniforms shoes, tossing them inside the mess of a locker. She grabbed her coat, hands shaking. She could still feel the bitter chills.
“Ugghhh…why does it have to be winter…” She complained, slamming her locker shut. She shivered, stepping out of the miserable school and entering the freezing abyss. Her body fought to give her warmth, while she stood there, staring at all the other students.
Her classmates often hung out with friends, and she was a loner. She didn’t really have anyone her whole life that willingly stuck around her. Well, there were acquaintances, but nothing more. They only looked to talk at the littlest of times, it’s not like they’d be offering to hang out after school or anything.
She frowned before turning her back towards the students chatting and walking amongst friends, heading in the direction she goes each day—her home. If she quickens up her pace, she’ll be lucky enough to be warmer sooner.
The crosswalks were filled to the brim with dazzling snow, glossing in the sun which gave it the effect of melting. Although it probably wasn’t going to melt anytime soon, it didn’t hurt to at least hope a little melts.
The walk was oddly consoling, and she felt at ease for once in her lifetime. Having depression was already a struggle, but it was worse when she can barely be by herself without thinking of horrible things. Her friends kept her from that, they managed to make her thoughts calm down at least a bit.
Even though she could feel the start of her hands going numb, Sayori felt good inside. Like a ray of sunshine has cast upon the blizzard inside her brain. She smiled, even though nothing has occurred to her, she felt happy. It may only be for a limited time, but she was happy. That’s all that mattered.
Sayori kept walking, and eventually, passed the series of shops continuing down a little street next to her block. The shops were aligned together all down in the street. Cafes, plushie shops, small grocery stores, the list goes on. Sayori, oddly enough, was craving a warm coffee. She could use it right now more than ever. Smelling the comforting scent of coffee grounds, she followed her satisfactions and found herself outside the small cafe. It wasn’t very active at this time, which all things considered, checked out. She was practically the only one in there besides one other student shes seen before that attends her school.
“Welcome to 美術喫茶 さんとこ (Art Cafe Santoko), what may I get you today?” A tall, elegant woman with long flowing purple hair questioned. Sayori smiled softly, the woman’s spoken kindly—her voice hypnotizing her with a nostalgic feeling.
“May I get a…” She glanced upwards at the menu. “Vanilla latte? Warm, please.” She replied, clasping her hands together.
“Of course,” the woman straightened her posture and ran in the order. “That’ll be out for you shortly. Would you like anything else?”
“No, thank you!” Sayori sat down at the nearest table she could find and huddled herself together for warmth. Even though the cafe itself was pretty decent with the heating, her body still felt bitter cold.
Sayori glanced outside the window, seeing the effect of snow quickening its pace outside. She frowned at the sight, assuming she’d most likely have to stay a little longer. In a way, it wasn't so bad. She’d get to stay in a small, comfortable, warm area with the fresh smell of delicious pastries. Just the thought of it was making her mouth water…maybe she’d need to order a cookie.
“Here you are, ma’am.” The woman gently smiled, resting her arms behind her back before stepping away quietly. “Thank you!” Sayori managed to murmur. She took a sip, but immediately pulled back once she came to the terms it was boiling hot.
“My tongue!” She muttered, putting the cup down quickly, and burrowing her head into her arms. How embarrassing, she should’ve known to at least wait a little before putting it straight inside her mouth…
She heard a small chuckle from nearby, feeling offended, her eyes darted around. They eventually fell onto the barista.
“Sorry!” The girl blurted out, hiding behind the order counter. She could see her blushing of embarrassment from where she was sitting. That sight alone made her let out a little chuckle as well.
Sayori though still felt hungry. Even after waiting for her piping hot coffee to finally cool down, her stomach still rumbled. She is gonna be in this cafe for a little longer…maybe couldn’t hurt to buy one more thing, right? She mustered up her courage before finally going up to the register yet again.
“Heeyyyy…” She rocked back and forth, swaying her arms around anxiously. “Uhmm…is it okay if i get one more thing— I know it’s getting a little late—and I understand if not!” The barista put a hand to her own mouth, hiding a smirk. “Of course, what would you like?” She put on her best poker face and waited carefully for Sayori’s response.
“A uhh…” Her eyes caught the focus of a chocolate cake roll with chocolate syrup drizzled on it, it was a beauty. She felt almost as if she was drooling. “Sorry! A chocolate cake roll, please?” She watched as the barista typed in her order on the little screen. “Anything else?” Sayori stood in thought, she was craving a cookie still from earlier.
“Hm..” Her stomach growled, she knew the battle couldn’t go on for much longer.
“One chocolate cookie, please.” She gave her biggest grin. “With fudge, peanut butter, or nuts?” The barista tilted her head. “Oooh! Fudge please!” Sayori’s eyes lit up. It’s been forever since she had something fudge filled. Actually, she couldn’t remember the last time she did have something fudge filled…
The classy woman bent down, carefully picking out each dessert and bringing it inside a small, brown bag with cautious hands. The more Sayori looked, the more she could see her hands were shaking.
“Your total for everything today, including the coffee, will be 2218.93 yen. Thank you for eating here today.” She spoke in quite a exquisite mannerism. Sayori pulled out her wallet, paying everything fully. She made sure to thank her server one last time before stepping out into the frigid weather yet again. Her teeth clatter, as she costively continued her journey back to her heated home.
It was beginning to get dark, and fast. That’s what she hated most about winter if anything—the utter cold and how fast the sun sets on wintry days. Sayori fumbled with her keys a few times before finally getting them into the lock and feeling the breeze of relaxation enter her body. She swiftly took off all her winter gear, and dressed more comfortably. She sunk into her couch immediately, grabbing her new purchase of a cookie. To her surprise, it wasn't a normal sized cookie, but rather big. Well, more for later it is.
She could feel the edges of her mouth watering while she took a big bite. It was filled with sweetness, fudge that didn’t make the cookie overpowering or overwhelming, but instead, balanced. The fudge felt just right and hit the spot. She shut her eyes tightly, chewing the cookie into the littlest of pieces ever. She hungrily devoured the rest of the cookie within a minute, licking her lips. For a less-known cafe, their food was hella good—and that was for sure.
Curiously, Sayori checked the time on her phone. Fuck. It was 8pm. Not too late to many people, but she needed to be on time or else she could get a big punishment from the school, even with her explained and documented depression. She scoffed, standing up and tossing the cookie wrapper into the trash.
Her uniform hasn’t been washed for a while now. It definitely needed one soon, but she was definitely unable to do it tonight. She hung it over her door, attempting to make it pretty, but coming out as poorly done instead. Whatever, didn’t matter anyway. She counted all her things off her list, and switched the light off.
Plopping down onto her bed, she could sense the weight of her drifting away into a sleep. Her eyes began to flutter shut, despite every fiber of her being against it, it occurred anyway.
Tomorrow is always another new day.