I lean up next to the door – it's the only way to reach it with my hands occupied as they are – and knock. It takes a moment before the door opens: she'd been reading one of the manga I'd put in the classroom.
"Hello?" Natsuki says, looking up at me.
"Hello," I say. "I am Doctor Meyer. Might I come in?" I proffer the tray in my hands, stacked with sandwiches and snacks. Natsuki's eyes light up at the sight, a microexpression of delight.
"Why?" She says. "What do you want?"
"I'd like to talk. Don't worry – this will be brief."
"O...kay?" I think the food convinces her more than my words, but, then again, that's why I'd brought it in the first place.
She steps aside, allowing me in. I take a couple desks and orient them together, and we sit facing each other. Almost immediately Natsuki dives into the food. I can tell she's enjoying it, but of course she won't say she is. I take one of the sandwiches, not really because I'm hungry, but because it'll make Natsuki trust me more, in a subtle, unconscious way.
"What did you want to talk about?" Natsuki asks.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing," I say. "I'm visiting each of the Literature Club members, checking on your status."
"Why? Did something happen?"
"You could say that. I think you'll be fine, though. I don't have much to say to you – you were mostly on the periphery of the... event. I do have a couple of words for you.
"Firstly, yes, manga is literature.
"Secondly, I admire your strength and courage. I know some people might think of you as a bit of a coward for not being able to admit when you like something, but I think that can be excused when they consider that's probably a result of dealing with your father."
Natsuki flinches slightly as I say this. I wonder what her relationship is with him: certainly he's been abusive and she either hasn't had the power to get away from him – either because she's afraid of what would happen were she to leave, or because she thinks she has it under control – but I'm also certain Monika exaggerated just how bad it was. I'm also certain that some part of Natsuki loves her father, with that inexplicable bond of blood, and perhaps sometimes the sun pierces through the stormclouds to brighten a room filled with their harmonized laughter. Perhaps.
"I also want you to know that your friends do care deeply for you," I continue. "Even Vergil. I know you're probably a little disappointed that he's now going out with Sayori, but I think he'll still be a good friend for you – you two have very similar interests, after all."
Natsuki is silent for a while, munching on a sandwich while she furrows her brow at me.
"Have you been stalking me?" She says. "How do you know so much?"
"I think the better term is 'observing'," I say. "And I've been observing the entire Literature Club for the last couple days. But I'm here to help, not to creep on you or take pictures or blackmail you. Indeed, I think this will be the last time you see me."
Natsuki frowns and says nothing.
"Right," I say. "Then I best be off. I still have the rest of the club to speak with.
"I think the future will be a brighter one for you, Natsuki."