While the literature club had officially disbanded, Jin and the girls kept in touch with each other. They hung out with each other nearly every day after school for the next couple of weeks, learning more about each other than they ever had in the club. They could support each other better, and able to shoot the breeze more with less responsibilities. Jin had more time for anime again (much to Sayori's chagrin), Monika had more time to practice piano, Yuri had started to write a fantasy novel, and Natsuki had more time to practice baking. Sayori however didn't really spend more time in hobbies than before. She'd spend most of her time writing short poems, doing nothing in her room, or spending time with Jin. She was happier than usual, especially when she was with her friends, but on her own she didn't really do much at all aside from feel a little blue.
One day, Sayori was sitting alone in her room listening to "The Wall" when she got a text from Jin. "I'm going into town. Wanna come with?" he asked.
"Sure. I'll be there in a few minutes," She replied. She laced up her new blue sneakers that Jin bought for her 19th birthday the week before. She felt a bit of warmth whenever she put them on. She hadn't asked Jin for anything for her birthday, but receiving a gift like that really put a smile on her face. She grabbed her wallet, phone, and house keys, then raced downstairs.
She met Jin outside, and they two of them greeted each other with a quick hug. "Ready to go?" Jin asked. "I was thinking about going to the music store, thought you'd like going there."
"Sure! That sounds great," Sayori said. She giggled to herself a bit.
"What's so funny?" Jin asked.
"Get it? SOUNDS great? Aaaah? Get it?!" Sayori made a funny smile and put up a pair of finger guns pointing at Jin.
Jin smiled with a look of disappointment at the pun, and ruffled her hair for a second. "Puns are the lowest form of comedy, dummy." Sayori giggled to herself again. She knew it was a lame joke too.
Once they had gotten into town, they made their way toward a music store. Inside where walls upon walls of records and instruments. Sayori was in awe. The music playing over the speakers made her feel so serene, and the sights of all the instruments was almost too much for her mind to process.
"Why'd you want to come here Jin? I didn't know you were a musician or anything," Sayori asked.
"I'm not. I just got a record player the other day and wanted to buy some vinyls. After we listened to Pink Floyd the other day, I've been listening to tons of old rock bands, and frankly, I can't get enough. I want the real record experience." Jin explained. Sayori was impressed that the music had such an impact on him. "I was also talking with Monika earlier, and we're planning on getting the five of us together to hang out this evening, and I was gonna bring the record player with me."
"That sounds fun!" she exclaimed. These days had been treating her so well. She felt happy when she was with her friends, like she meant something. It felt like she had a positive impact in their lives, and she didn't want to let them down by not being there for them. She no longer felt worthless, even in her times of despair.
The two of them started to aimlessly browse the store. Jin was checking out records while Sayori found herself browsing instruments, messing around with the keyboards and picking up guitars for a few strums. "I bet Monika would like it here," she said to herself. While perusing the guitars, she came across one acoustic guitar with a deep mellow tone that resonated deep within her chest. It felt to her as if it spoke directly to her soul with its deep base rumblings and warm melodic tones. She felt as if that guitar was made for her.
Jin, holding a few records in his hands, walked over to where Sayori was sitting and noticed her messing with the guitar. She didn't look up immediately, seemingly entranced by the voice of the instrument in her hands. "Sayori, I'm ready to go, I've got everything I need," She looked up at him with a face of wonder.
"I really want this guitar," she said with a tone of excitement.
"Do you have the money for it? It's quite pricey…" Jin wondered.
"I'm gonna use my birthday money. I have just enough to buy it," she replied. Standing up, she walked over to the cashier with Jin, who paid for his records first. She placed the guitar on the counter and the cashier scanned it. Buying a case with it, she left the store with the instrument slung on her back. "I'm gonna be a rock star Jin! Just you wait!"
Jin chuckled and patted her on the back. "I can't wait. I'm sure you'll be great at it."
Later that night, the five friends retreated to Monika's backyard to gather around the fire pit and listen to records on Jin's new turntable. The troupe spent the evening roasting marshmallows, telling silly stories, and getting to know each other better. It was a fun night for all of them.
"I'm really glad I have you guys," Sayori said as they began to pack up their things late in the evening. "You all make me feel like I'm worth something, and you all have shown me that sympathy isn't wasted, it's a gift. I'm just so thankful for all of you."
Monika smiled wide and gave Sayori a big hug as Jin packed up the last of his records. "I'm thankful for you too Sayori. I want nothing more than for you to be happy. Heck, not just you but all my friends."
"Thanks for inviting us over, Monika!" Said Yuri as she left through the front door. "I'm glad you enjoyed what I've written of my novel so far!"
"No problem Yuri, it's coming along quite nicely," replied Monika. "Is Natsuki going home with you tonight?"
"No," interjected Natsuki. "I have to go home tonight since my dad will be home. If I'm not he'll be super pissed." Everyone's mood fell a bit at that line. They all had their internal struggles, but none of them had to deal with an abusive parent like Natsuki. Sayori ran up to Natsuki and gave her a hug, which Natsuki returned promptly. "I'll be fine Sayori, I know my friends have my back…"
"We're going to do something about it as soon as we can Natsuki, don't worry," Sayori said. Natsuki grinned
"I'm not worried. I'm tough, I've learned to handle it. Though, I still appreciate the help," she said, trying to keep a tough face, though tears were clearly welling up in her eyes. She fought them back before leaving the house and waving goodbye to the other four. After saying their goodbyes as well, Jin and Sayori returned home.
"Jin…can I spend the night again? I just…want to listen to music for just a little longer," Sayori asked him sheepishly.
"Sure, I was actually thinking the same thing," Jin answered. He took her hand as the two of them walked home to his house.
"Home,
"Home again.
"I like to be here,
"When I can.
"When I come home,
"Cold and tired,
"It's good to warm my bones,
"Beside the fire."
The living room was dimly lit as Sayori and Jin cuddled underneath a warm blanket on the couch, the record player humming the songs of the Pink Floyd greatest hits album that Jin had bought at the record store. They didn't say much, other than a few short words of "I love you" and "You're precious", here and there. Sayori started to feel more and more tired as the night went on, and she dozed off as "Shine on you Crazy Diamond" queued up on the turntable.
The melancholic hums and echoes of the guitar and bass coming from the player was equal parts haunting and soothing to Jin. The sound of the composition was almost entrancing in its tone and mood. He reminisced over the past weeks that had led up to now. The good times, the bad times, it all started to blend together in a bittersweet amalgamation of recollections and memories. He would go through all the emotional hell he had gone through to save Sayori again and again if he had to. He would do anything to support her, no matter the cost.
Jin's phone vibrated on the side table next to him. It was Monika.
"Are you still up?" She asked.
Jin quickly typed, "Yeah. What's up?"
"I woke up about two hours ago and couldn't go back to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about everyone. I know you're the one that stays up late, so I wanted someone to talk to," Monika explained. "I promise I'm not trying to win you away from Sayori or anything, just in case you were worried."
"I wasn't, and I know," Jin reassured her.
"Is Sayori alright? I'm just…really worried about her so much. I want her to be happy," Monika asked.
Jin replied, "She's actually sleeping on my shoulder right now. We were listening to some music and she just dozed off. Also, if you think you're worried, think about how I feel. Not to downplay your feelings or anything, but just try to imagine having someone you love constantly tip-toeing a tightrope where their happy ending is on the other end, and below is total despair, but they don't have a balance pole to help keep themselves aloft. That's what it's like for Sayori. She's sadly incredibly fragile. One minute she's on top of the world and the next she's in the darkest doldrums."
Monika started typing after about a minute. "I can imagine…gosh I feel so bad for her. Does it exhaust you at all?"
"I love Sayori too much for it to be exhausting. There's very few things in life that give me energy or motivation. It's why my hobbies are so pedestrian. You know, anime, video games, and the like. But I love Sayori so much that she is motivation for me in and of herself. I've seen her on the brink of suicide, and I don't want her to fall into those depths ever again if I can help it," Jin explained. Monika didn't reply for several minutes, at which point, the lyrics of "Shine on you Crazy Diamond" kicked in. Their impact was profound on Jin, and tears started to form in the corners of his eyes.
"That's so beautiful Jin…I hope that you two can have a bright future together someday…I wish the best for you two," Monika answered. Jin had put down his phone however. He was holding Sayori tightly in his arms while she slept, crying softly while the music continued to hum. He loved Sayori so much, and wanted nothing more than to protect her from everything that threatened to take her away from him.
