Chapter 6: Confrontation

The familiar ringing of my alarm clock makes it way into my ears and wakes me up. I open my eyes up slightly and look at my digital clock.

6:30, eh? School starts in an hour. I contemplate sleeping for a little while longer. The lure of a hot shower and coffee eventually drag me out of bed.

Walking downstairs, I turn the lights on and make my way to the kitchen. Only then I notice I have no way to make coffee. I consider using VRT to make some sort of Keurig machine. Eh, it's too early in the morning to be thinking that complicated. I end up creating some pre-bottled French Vanilla Iced Coffee. Popping off the vacuum sealed cap, I head to the living room and watch an episode of Seinfield. It's the episode where Jerry and Elaine have to arrange a bris and Kramer is obsessed with a pig-man. It's one of my favorites.

As the episode ends, I turn off the TV and head upstairs. Entering my bathroom, I examine myself in the mirror. My grey eyes look slightly stressed, and my hair is a mess. My designer stubble is still growing and looks good, if I do say so myself. I notice I'm beginning to grow a neckbeard. I quickly shave it off and get in the shower. The water is as hot as ever and quickly fills the bathroom with condensation. Once I'm done, I head back to my room and change into my other uniform, as the original is dirty. As I begin to head out, I remember about my poem. I run upstairs and stuff it in my bag.

The day is still young, so it's a bit dark out. The clouds block out the sun, making the mood melancholic yet calming. A few lonely streetlights accompany me as I walk to school. I pass by Sayori's house. Is she up yet? I know her depression isn't as bad, but it's still there and is still a problem. I head to her front door and ring the doorbell.

No answer.

"Sayori? You up yet?" I call out. Still nothing.

I contemplate heading inside myself. It would be a breach of privacy, but I know what's best for her. I reluctantly open the door and head inside. I call out for her again, but a bit quieter in case she's sleeping. With no response, I search the ground floor. Nothing. I head up the stairs and reach what I assume is Sayori's room. I gently knock on the spruce door.

"Sayori? You decent?" I say.

Just a precaution.

I snicker to myself before finally opening the door. I see Sayori sleeping peacefully on her bed, clutching one of her plushies in her arms. Her eyes are red and fresh with tears. I gently tap her shoulder.

"Sayori…." I whisper sing-songingly. "Time to wake up…"

Sayori slowly opens her eyes. Upon seeing me, she gives a small smile.

"Nathan? What are you doing here?" She says half asleep. Her half-open sky blues stare at me blissfully.

"I was checking to make sure you were alright, silly~" I say as I sit down next her. She sits up and I immediately pull her into a tight embrace.

"Wah?"

"Sayori, please, just listen for a bit, okay?" I say.

I take a deep breath in.

"Sayori, I know about your problems. I've only noticed it recently, and I'm sorry for that. Me, your best friend, not knowing that you're hurting. I'm an idiot."

I chuckle to myself as I continue speaking. Sayori, on the other hand, begins to cry.

"Anyway, the point is, I'm here to help you now, Sayori. I'll make sure you get the help you need, alright? Just please let me help you…"

Sayori is sobbing into my shoulder, only enticing me to hold her tighter.

"Nathan, please, I don't want help! I just..". She barely manages to speak between her sobs.

"Sayori, mental health problems are nothing to be ashamed of. I'm your friend and won't think you any different just because you have depression. Me, Natsuki, Yuri, we're all here to help you. Never forget that."

Sayori continues to cry. I gently stroke the curled ends of her hair.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, it's okay" I whisper in her ear.

Sayori finally returns my embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around me.

"Nathan, you're important, don't waste your effort on me, please…"

I let go off Sayori slightly and stare into her eyes.

"It's not wasted effort, Sayori. Your happiness is all I ever wanted."

Sayori looks at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Is-is this really okay?" She finally asks.

"Of course Sayori, anything for you."

I pull her back into my embrace.

"I promise, I'll make sure you stop hurting."

Sayori returns my hug.

"I trust you…" She whispers in my ear.

We end our embrace and just stare at each other for a short time. I turn my head look at the digital clock on Sayori's bedside table.

"Shit, school starts in 20 minutes!"

I hurry out of Sayori's room as she gets dressed. I head downstairs into her kitchen. There is almost nothing to make breakfast with. I remember the VRT. Staring at her counter, I make a breakfast bar. A couple minutes pass by, and Sayori comes running down the stairs.

"I'm here!" She exclaims. I toss her the breakfast bar as we walk out.

"Where'd you get this?" Sayori questions as she unwraps it.

"I brought it over from my house. I thought you might need one."

That's a lie. In fact, I hate breakfast bars. Like, just eat some cereal or get a bagel, god.

The walk to school is slightly awkward, considering what just happened. Sayori is walking closer to me, almost touching my shoulder. Her hand shoots out and grabs mine. She looks at me, expecting me to pull away. Instead, I smile and continue walking.

As we arrive at school, a few students give us weird looks. Sayori looks embarrassed, but I couldn't care less about my social status. We eventually part ways and head to class. The teacher calls me out for "my remarkable improvement over the last few days." I shrug it off.

High school was easy for me. University, however…

Classes end and I head upstairs to the clubroom. I stand in front of the door. I take a deep breath.

Once more into the breach...