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Family trips weren’t common for Yuri. Her parents were often busy, as both of her parents worked at companies that required most of their time to be away from home. Her father being a CEO only added to the distance as well.
As such, Yuri had grown used to coming home to an empty, quiet house. Or, alternatively, coming home to see her parents either asleep, or too tired to have a proper conversation.
Her mother deciding to take a trip over to Sao Paulo with her spouse and daughter was almost out of the blue. It was the middle of autumn when she had decided that she wanted to spend a week out of the country with her family. Bonding, she called it. The three of them could sightsee, try new cuisine, and reconnect with each other. To her, it was perfect - even if she had begrudgingly got her husband and daughter on board.
Her mother called it bonding. Yuri called it torture.
It wasn’t torturous in the way that one didn’t like spending time with their family. Quite honestly, Yuri missed going out to places with her parents. When she was younger, she used to go to the movies and shopping with her mother and father. Prior to their promotions, the three of them felt like a standard happy family, with the two adults wanting nothing but the best for their daughter.
She missed having dinner together with them - an uncommon practice that had made itself a new normal over the years. Yuri missed the conversations and occasional banter shared between the trio of family. Or seeing both of her parents smiling and eager to explore the city that they were in.
Instead, it tortured Yuri in a different way. She was miles upon miles away from her beloved literature club. From her girlfriends, who gave the young woman a reason to wake up each morning. A reason to socialize and express herself in the few ways she knew how.
The time difference was another thing; Yuri was twelve hours behind the usual timezone in Japan. She was often awake by the time her lovers were asleep. Or, vice versa, she had fallen asleep in her own hotel room around the time Sayori and Monika had been waking up - or already at school.
Texting each other was difficult. Yuri didn’t want to interrupt any of their classes, nor get either Sayori or Monika in trouble for being on their phones.
Relatedly, the purple-haired girl didn’t want to be chastised by her father again for being on her phone during their trip. Even as she and Sayori were trying to message one another, or even call during the occasional ‘down time’ she and Monika had.
Tonight was a night that had hit her like no other. The emptiness of her large hotel bed felt hollow. It taunted her, telling her how alone she was within these late hours without anyone to hold her close. Her parents were in the other room, sharing a bed much more comfortably than before. As for Yuri, she had nothing but two blankets and a few pillows to keep her company.
Usually, on nights like these, she’d hold a pillow close and pretend she was home. That she was cuddling up with Sayori and Monika, holding the former close as the latter hugged Sayori from the opposite side. Yuri would imagine hearing their shared, soft breaths as they nestled onto the same bed together during slumber parties and sleepovers.
It didn’t cut it this time. The room was too cold - too empty, too barren - to even pretend that she was sleeping over with her lovers once more.
She tapped her phone that had been laying at her side. The screen lit up; it was one in the morning on a Saturday.
A faint smile pressed itself on Yuri’s lips. It’s the weekend, she thought. Neither of them would be busy, would they?
She hoped that was the case. The last thing she had wanted to do was interrupt something important.
She opened her lockscreen and tapped in her pass code. Her purple hues made contact with the video call app on her home screen. The green background and white camera icon beckoned her to call. To speak to one - or even both - of her lovers. It was the afternoons, after all. Surely both Monika and Sayori would be awake by this hour.
Without another thought, she pressed the app icon, and scrolled to find Sayori’s contact. In the next second, she pressed the ‘call’ function.
The ringing of her phone felt louder than it should have been. It echoed against the sterile hotel walls. Against the too-white ceiling. Against the emptiness that pressed into her ribs whenever she tried to sleep. Outside her window, São Paulo’s city lights shimmered like distant stars trapped beneath glass. Cars moved endlessly below, their low hum reminding her how far she was from home. From familiarity, and the warmth that felt safe rather than foreign.
After a third ring, Sayori appeared on Yuri’s screen sitting criss-cross on her bed. Her hair was rumpled into soft tangles as she pulled her blanket around her shoulders like a cape. Her eyes widened immediately upon seeing the purple-haired girl. “Yuri! Hi!” She greeted her partner, a smile on her face as if it were second nature. Her voice then softened as she noticed the dimly lit background. “Isn’t it late over there? Did something happen?” She asked, her voice immediately brimming with urgency.
The question broke through Yuri’s practiced composure. Her eyes widened at the sudden change in tone, only for her to giggle softly to herself. It wasn’t unlike Sayori to be worried about her wellbeing, even if she was countries away. “No, no. I’m perfectly fine.” She answered with a slight laugh. Her expression had then turned mildly apologetic, as if she had done something she hadn’t been given permission to do. “I… “I… I apologize if I disturbed you.” She had then added..
“You didn’t!” Sayori responded quickly, brushing her fingers through the messy tangles. “I was awake anyways! I was hoping you might call tonight.” She paused her action and looked at Yuri once more. This time, she really took in her older lover’s state, her expression shifting into something gentler. “You look really tired…”
A second head popped up behind Sayori, familiar brown hair dangling as she looked at her girlfriend’s phone screen. Monika leaned into view, curling up beside Sayori with a second blanket. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she wore an oversized hoodie. It was far more casual than her usual polished appearance.
Her eyes scanned Yuri’s face with quiet attentiveness, and gave Yuri a gentle smile. “Good evening, Yuri.” Monika greeted her gently. “It’s pretty there, isn’t it? What’s going on?”
Yuri hesitated. She knew that being mature and composed meant that calling for such lonely feelings were childish, or even pathetic in some cases. After all, she preferred to appear composed and wise.
Sometimes, however, it was okay to let that slip away. For one night, at least.
Words sat heavy in her throat. They were complicated, tangled, and difficult to translate into something concise. Yuri drew her knees closer to her chest, blanket pooling around her like a fragile shield.
“I… may have underestimated how lonely this trip would feel. Especially at night.” She admitted quietly. “The days are full and vibrant. But when they end, the silence is… overwhelming.”
Sayori’s expression softened instantly. Her messy hair bounced as she nodded along. “That makes sense.” She spoke, “New places are fun until bedtime. And you don’t have your people with you.”
Yuri’s lips spread into a soft smile, her eyes crinkling just a little. Sayori had said exactly how she felt. That’s who she missed indeed - her people. Her lovers, who shined as brighter than she ever could. Or would, for that matter.
Monika nodded as well, her head resting onto the palm of her hand.. “Thank you for telling us, Yuri.” She hummed. “We’ve been missing you too. The literature club isn’t the same without you around.” The brunette confessed, her smile drifting somewhat sadder for a moment.
The words settled warmly in Yuri’s chest. They were fragile, but authentic and real. She had always been grateful to be able to express herself towards and along with her girlfriends.
Yuri shifted her body a tad, so her phone rested against a pillow. That way, Sayori and Monika could see more than just the dim outline of her face. The hotel room looked impersonal behind her. There were sterile, white sheets, and generic artwork on the walls. A small desk could be seen cluttered with travel brochures she had barely glanced at. It wasn’t something that Yuri would typically sleep in at all.
Sayori tilted her head slightly, her eyes flicking between Yuri’s face and the unfamiliar room behind her. “It looks really… quiet there,” She murmured a comment, her voice dropping into something softer. “Didn’t you say Brazil is lively?”
Yuri’s gaze followed Sayori’s toward the empty wall behind her. “I did, yes.” She answered after a moment. “Usually during the day, or early evenings.” She added, before tittering softly at an upcoming thought. “I’ve heard others celebrating during the later hours, however. My father barely got any sleep that night.”
The sound of Sayori and Monika giggling along made Yuri’s heart skip a beat. Her resolve softened further as her smile grew much more relaxed and fond. Even if they were millions of miles away, just this small interaction made Yuri feel as if she was in one of their bedrooms, spending time together comfortably.
Monika shifted closer to Sayori, pulling her blanket around both of them as if instinctively trying to share warmth across the distance. “Do you want to tell us about your day?” She asked, her eyes squinting slightly in intrigue. “Was there anything interesting you saw today? Anything worth sharing?”
Yuri then nodded slowly, her cheek nuzzling against one of the plush pillows. “We visited a botanical garden this afternoon.” She began, her heart almost melting as she watched Sayori’s face bloom with excited curiosity. As for Monika, Yuri swore that she saw the brunette’s eyes twinkle, as her smile grew wider.
Continuing on, Yuri’s voice took on a faint, thoughtful rhythm as she spoke. “There were… towering glass domes filled with tropical plants. It reminded me of a greenhouse I read about in a Victorian novel once.” She paused for a brief moment, eyes drifting unfocused as she replayed the memory. “My mother seemed… very happy. She and I took dozens of pictures.”
Sayori smiled brightly. “That sounds really pretty! Did you like it?” She asked.
“I did.” Yuri admitted, her eyes becoming half-lidded. “There was a small reading area near a koi pond. I sat there while my parents spoke with a tour guide.”
“It sounds beautiful, Yuri.” Monika commented, a near dreamy sigh leaving her lips as she imagined the reading spot. “I wish we could have something like that in our club. Alas, the school’s budget…”
Yuri nodded along, her hair messing itself up against the pillow. “I don’t think our school could afford that.” She replied with a slight laugh. “It would be a lovely spot. We could have club meetings outside occasionally, too.”
The calm atmosphere settled around Yuri like an extra blanket. Her shoulders dropped slightly, tension loosening in small increments. Outside the window, a faint drizzle had begun to fall. Raindrops traced slow paths down the glass, reflecting the scattered neon lights of São Paulo. The city felt distant, like a living painting she could observe but not quite touch.The calm sound of rainfall and casual conversation was enough for sleep to begin taking its course through Yuri. It felt close enough to home that she could easily rest without too much to worry about.
“What did you do after the garden today?” Sayori asked once more, eager to keep Yuri talking.
Yuri thought for a moment before speaking, her thoughts beginning to muddle themselves amidst her growing drowsiness. “My parents insisted we try a traditional restaurant.” She answered. “The food was very flavourful. There were many rich spices and new textures.” She paused, then added with a shy smile, “I… took notes. I thought perhaps we could attempt to recreate a dish together once I return home.”
Sayori’s eyes lit up instantly. “Cooking date! Yes please!”
Monika laughed softly along with Yuri . “We’ll probably make a mess, but it’ll be worth it."She had added.
“I believe… a mess would be acceptable,” Yuri replied, the faintest hint of playfulness in her tone.
The rain outside thickened into a steady rhythm, tapping against the glass like quiet applause meant only for the three of them. Yuri found herself lulled by the gentle cadence and shared laughter. The familiar rise and fall of Sayori’s bright voice,and the warm steadiness of Monika’s responses.It had felt comfortably familiar. Comfortably perfect. The distance between continents felt thinner somehow, stretched into a delicate thread instead of a vast, aching void.
Nuzzling against Sayori, Monika hugged her knees. “Did you take pictures of the food too?” She questioned curiously. “You always take the prettiest pictures of things.”
Yuri let out a soft, breathy laugh. Her cheeks warmed at the compliment of her occasional habit of taking photos she enjoyed. “I did, yes. Though… I fear my father found it somewhat embarrassing.” She tucked a loose strand of purple hair behind her ear. “He said I looked like a travel critic documenting every bite.” She chuckled, the melody of her laughter mixing beautifully with Sayori’s bubbly giggles.
“You should send us those photos. And of anything else you took.” Monika suggested, “We could make a scrapbook for you before you come back.” Sayori bobbed her head eagerly into a happy nod. “Yeah! We can get Natsuki to help us make it, too! It’ll be our way to give you a gift to say that we missed you!”
With a hum, Monika continued. “You always notice details other people miss, in photos or not. It’s one of my favorite things about you.” Her tone carried a quiet sincerity that made Yuri’s chest tighten in a warm sense. As if her words were candlelight, and she was a moth seeking to bask under its warmth.
“Yeah! Like when you described tea as ‘a warm hug for your thoughts’ before!” Sayori chimed in happily. “I still think about that sometimes.”
Yuri’s cheeks warmed faintly. “I… don’t recall saying that so poetically,” She murmured, though the fondness in her eyes betrayed how much she cherished the memory.
The warmth of their shared chatter lingered long after the words themselves had faded. Yuri’s breathing slowed, her eyelids dipping lower with every passing moment as the rain continued to whisper against the glass. The gentle rhythm of Sayori’s voice intertwined with Monika’s calmer one was like a lullaby built from familiarity.
Her eyes were slowly closing, covering her hues from the bright screen in front of her face. With a low, content breath, she allowed the feeling of sleep to crawl into her. She could hear the two voices of her lovers continue to speak, talking her into the comfort of dreams.
Sayori tucked her chin into the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “We should totally make that scrapbook.” She hummed softly, as though speaking too loudly might disturb Yuri’s growing drowsiness. “Like… we could add little notes next to every picture. And poems. And – Oh! Yuri loves when poems are tucked into unexpected places.”
Monika smiled faintly, her expression fond yet thoughtful. “That sounds perfect. And maybe we could add pressed flowers. She’d appreciate the symbolism.” She paused, glancing back at the screen. “What do you think, Yuri?”
Yuri’s lips curved into a slow, sleepy smile. “It… sounds lovely,” She mumbled. “Though… you needn’t go to such lengths on my behalf.”
Sayori’s expression softened. “It’s not a chore.” She replied gently. “We want to. Because we love you.”
Monika nodded. “You’ve always been the one to remember the small details about everyone else. Let us return the favor.”
The words settled over Yuri like a warm shawl. She shifted slightly under her blankets, the soft hotel sheets rustling faintly. If she had the energy to, her cheeks would have blushed once more at the instistance. “Ah… Then, do not exert yourselves. I’ll send the photos in… the morning.” She responded, only to be interrupted by a yawn.
Monika noticed Yuri’s half-sleep tone. How her words began to cascade into whispers, and her words trailing off. “You should get some rest, Yuri. It’s quite late.” She softly commented.
“I… apologize,” Yuri murmured, stifling another yawn. Her strawberry blonde lover was quick to interject. “No apologies,” Sayori replied instantly. “Sleepy Yuri is very cute.”
Yuri’s face smiled slightly more at the comment. “I… would like to stay on the call… if that is acceptable.” She hummed.
Monika’s expression softened, her posture relaxing as she leaned further into Sayori’s side. “Of course that’s acceptable.” She replied. “You don’t have to hang up just because you’re tired. We can stay with you as long as you need.”
Sayori nodded eagerly, her blanket slipping slightly as she scooted closer to the phone. “Yeah! We can have a long-distance sleepover!” She added, her voice dropping into a soft, conspiratorial whisper. “Just like when we all end up falling asleep together anyway.”
Yuri’s shoulders eased at the suggestion. The idea settled warmly in her chest, dissolving the lingering sharp edges of loneliness that had haunted her earlier that night. “A… sleepover,” she repeated quietly, “That’s perfect…”
Sayori rested her chin in her hands. “Do you want us to talk you to sleep?” She asked. “We can keep chatting about random stuff until your brain gets sleepy enough.”
Yuri let out a small, tired laugh. “It… already is. She tiredly admitted. “But… I would appreciate hearing your voices a little longer.”
She didn’t need to look at her screen to see Sayori practically perk up. “Let’s tell her about the club meeting yesterday!” She suggested, “I don’t think any of us told her about it yet.”
Monika tittered softly and nodded in agreement. “As long as it doesn't involve any intense debates about literature, I accept. We should spare Yuri tonight.”
Yuri wouldn’t have cared if her lovers were to debate about literature at all. The sounds of their voices as they recounted yesterday’s literature club meeting made Yuri feel at ease. As if she was falling asleep to one of their conversations during a normal sleepover. The two of them could have talked about anything, and Yuri would still be at peace.
As they talked, Yuri’s breathing grew deeper and more rhythmic. Her hand relaxed around the pillow, fingers loosening as sleep pulled her further away from wakefulness. Every so often she hummed softly in response, her voice barely audible.
Eventually, Yuri fell asleep, her mind falling comfortably into the world of dreams. The rain softened outside,the room darkening as passing headlights faded. Yuri’s earlier tension seemed to dissolve completely beneath the steady presence of her girlfriends.
Sayori glanced at the screen and smiled. “Sweet dreams, Yuri.” She whispered
Monika followed her gaze. Yuri’s eyes were fully closed, lashes resting against her cheeks. Her lips held a faint, content smile. “We love you. Talk to you in the morning.”
Far from home, beneath unfamiliar blankets in a foreign city, Yuri slept deeply. Comforted by the gentle murmur of her two favourite people, they made any place feel like somewhere she belonged.