When I enter the school, I am hit with the sights and sounds of the school festival. Rooms are turned into makeshift little cafés and restaurants, there are stands set up in the halls trying to grab people's attention for games or for some other activity. The smell of fried foods wafts through the air. My stomach rumbles and I am reminded that I haven't eaten all day long. I had skipped breakfast to make room for all the food today, as I had planned on spending the day with Sayori and the other girls in the club. But now…
Wait. I've been here before, or…have I? I know that's impossible but I could have sworn this has happened before. Hmm. Strange.
I snap back to reality, and continue on my way to the classroom. I pause before entering. I've seen this before. I know I have. This curtain in front of the door, I remember it. More memories start to come back to me. They're hazy, but I can feel that they're real. Before I enter, I think. I know how many people should be inside. I know that as soon as I enter, I'll smell Natsuki's cupcakes. Monika should be up in front of everyone reciting her poetry. Monika…wait. The last thing I remember was talking to her. I confronted her about Sayori. But she did something. I can't really remember what. I'm drawing a blank here.
Whatever she did, I can't let it happen again. If it even happened at all. I could just be losing my mind, but the memories feel real. I brace myself and enter.
Everything is just like I expected. The crowd, the cupcakes, Monika. My thoughts are confirmed as I make eye contact with Monika. I give her a look and she responds with a seemingly nervous smile. This isn't good. I wait for her to finish her poem and she makes her way over to me somewhat hurriedly. Before she can speak, however, I start first.
"Monika, we really need to talk. It's pretty urgent."
"Sure (Player), what's up?" She gives me that same innocent smile I remember. I need to change my approach to this. I grab her arm and drag her outside the classroom, only to be stopped by Natsuki.
"(Player)! Monika! Where do you think you're going?"
I push past her. "Sorry Natsuki, this is important, it can't wait." She seems pissed, but she steps aside.
She calls out after us, "Hey by the way! Yuri said she was going out for a few minutes but she's been gone for like half an hour. If you see her, tell her to get back here! I can't run this by myself!"
"I remember!" I called back. Oops. I probably shouldn't have let on that I know. Monika seems to realize now, and she starts to pull away from my grasp.
"(Player), what's going on? You're acting kind of strange, don't you think?" She looks nervous; I can tell she knows I remember what happened.
"Cut it out Monika," I say angrily, "You and I both know what I'm here for, so don't act dumb." She freezes briefly, all doubt of my lack of memory dissipated. She recovers just as quickly, however, and continues her innocent act.
"(Player) I have no idea what you mean. Are you sure you're feeling alright? Maybe you should go inside and relax for a little while. Ahaha~" The longer she keeps this up, the more I can feel my anger boiling inside. I don't know what this girl did to drive Sayori over the edge, and I certainly have no idea how she was able to erase my memory of what happened the last time I tried to confront her. All I know is that she is not the sweet, innocent girl I thought our club president was.
I'm seeing red. She can't get away with this. I have to do something.
Without even thinking, I lash out. I hear the sound of what I can only imagine is her nose breaking. A sort of wet, crunching noise.
One punch is all it took for Monika to fall to the floor. She looks up at me, absolutely shocked, blood flowing from her nose. It looks really bad, but I'm not phased.
"I don't know what exactly you did to Sayori, or whatever you tried to do to me, but it ends now," I spit out coldly. "I want answers Monika. So, get up and start talking." I am amazed to hear the tone of my own voice. I shouldn't be surprised though. This…monster in front of me. She drove my best friend, the girl I love, to attempt suicide.
Monika sighs. "Fine. You want to know so badly? You couldn't just leave it alone, could you? I'm surprised, and a little impressed, that you can even remember what happened."
How is she not in any pain? I think to myself.
"Let's go somewhere else. You wouldn't want anyone thinking you beat up a poor innocent girl, would you?" She flashes her signature smile, although I will admit it looks a little disturbing with all the blood on her face. She stands up slowly, wincing from the pain.
We start walking slowly down the hall and into another classroom that looks almost identical to the clubroom, but I can tell it's rarely used. There's dust everywhere, and it's pretty dimly lit. I can't help but sneeze upon entering. Monika sits down at one of the desks and gestures for me to sit next to her. Still remembering how angry and distrusting I am of this girl in front of me, I tentatively take a seat next to her.
"Okay (Player). I'll tell you everything. Some of it won't make sense though, just as a warning. You're going to have to bear with me, alright?" Monika looks nervous, like she never thought she would have to explain her actions to anyone. But I can see a hint of…sadness? It might be from the broken nose, but it looks as if Monika is about to start crying.
"I just want answers, Monika. I don't care about your 'warnings,'" I say back.
"Alright then, here it all is…"
Whew! Sorry to leave you all with a cliffhanger like this. I feel like i should explain the whole ending to chapter 3 thing.
My intent was for it to act like the scene in act 2 where you walk in on Yuri cutting herself, and then the screen rewinds and you end up back in the clubroom with no memory of the events that just occurred. I hope that makes sense to everyone.
As always, next chapter will be out in 1 week! thank you all again for your support of my work! I know i'm not a great writer (This is the first story I've ever written), but seeing all the positive messages and reviews i have received, I can't help but feel a little pride for my story so far!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I won't let your expectations down!