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Natsuki really wishes anger remained an emotion past elementary school.
A sound set her off, it's always the stupid little noises that get to her. She's throwing a tantrum because of a noise, and there's no one in this house who will barge in and tell her to control herself.
Even now, she can see his face.
It's less that she didn't want to break something and more so that she didn't want to break something someone she cares about bought for her.
That's most of her room, really. Bought by someone else, because she couldn't buy anything herself.
And now her hand hurts because she punched it like an idiot who doesn't think and it's sore and she's so, so tired.
A knock at the door.
"Natsuki? Can I come in?"
Monika.
Of course they heard her, of course they sent the one who Natsuki assumes is scared of her the least. They're so obvious like that.
She's so small, anyway. What would she do? Even Sayori could restrain her if she really wanted to.
"Whatever." Natsuki ends up saying. It's kind of mumbled under her breath and she really hopes Monika didn't hear her and that she takes the perceived silence as an invitation to not come in.
She comes in anyway. She's holding a small bottle.
"Fruit juice? Fucking seriously? Am I a kid to you?"
"No." Monika answers quickly, sitting next to Natsuki on the floor, "I just thought you could use a drink, something with flavor."
Monika goes to hand her the bottle. Natsuki looks at it for a few seconds. She's kind of thirsty. She grabs it, snatches it out of her hand, really.
When Natsuki looks back at her, Monika's face is neutral. She's not smiling, her brow isn't furrowed, she still has that gentle and patient look in her eyes. It makes her sick, it pisses her off, she wants to yell at her so badly.
She's so tired.
After Natsuki takes a sip, Monika takes the time to ask; "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I didn't break anything."
"That's not what I asked."
She pisses her off so much.
"My hand, a little, I guess. I'll get over it."
"Do tell us if it still hurts later."
Natsuki makes a non-committal noise of acknowledgement, taking another sip of her juice.
She's so mad, she's so tired.
"Say," Monika interrupts her dumb stupid thoughts that are so fucking loud, "Would a distraction help? Sayori wanted to bake cookies, but she wants your opinion."
"Like hell she does. Sayori's baking isn't that bad anymore, she'll do fine on her own."
Monika doesn't say anything, she just looks at her. It's not insistent, it's still patient, she's asking her to understand. Natsuki knows.
"...Fine. Just like, let me wash my face or something before that."
Monika does smile this time. It's small and doesn't just looks like she's satisfied with how that interaction went. She pushes herself off the floor, offering her hand to Natsuki.
"I don't need your help getting up." Natsuki says. She takes her hand anyway, and Monika drives her forward again.