Walking to school with pretty boy is one of the best things I look forward in the morning. It's like waking up to see your dream come true. Every morning, I sort of expected him to hold my hand. It's all because of that poem. Still, the thought of it kept my morning grogginess away.

"So, what's gonna happen with Sawako? Is she gonna participate in the talent show?" Shinji asked.

Oh yeah, I didn't tell him. We just sort of went home quickly after that.

"I'm actually helping Sawako." I said to him. "We're doing a dance!"

Shinji stopped walking and looked at me with disbelief.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh, it's just that… You're… " He looked away.

"What? You want to say something, say it!"

"Sayori, you're a terrible dancer…"

I froze. Shit, I'm doing something totally out of character again.

"Sayori?"

"Ah! It's nothing!"

"I'm just being honest, Sayori. As long as you're not the one deciding the dance steps, then I think you two should be fine."

It's the first time I felt negative emotions with this pretty boy but it's understandable. I was in Sayori's body after all. Still, he could've phrased that better. I slapped his back a bit hard. Okay, maybe a little harder.

"Ah!" He jolted.

"Don't worry! We can handle this!"

Lunch break. Sawako went to the rooftop and I showed her what I got with the dance so far. Her jaw was just dropped most of the time. I guess Sayori really can't dance if even anyone's impressed with just basic steps. With the dance, I kept it simple for Sawako but stylish enough that it doesn't look too cutesy like the videos she showed me.

"At this point, we actually become school idols!" Sawako excitedly said, shaking her fists in front of her.

"Idols?" Like what, American Idol?"

"Yeah! Wait no! I mean, you don't know about school idols, right?"

"No clue. And I'm not interested."

"Oh come on!"

"Besides, we have to focus on the dance, remember? I came up with the dance just for the talent show so now I have to teach you with every free time we got."

Sawako saluted. "Aye, ma'am!"

"Let's get started. Come on, get to position."

"Right now?" Sawako wondered, still holding the salute.

"When else? Move it!"

School ended and I went to Sawako's seat. Her cheek was on the desk and looked so drained of life. I guess she hasn't done an actual dance routine.

"Hey, Sawako. We have to go our clubs." I poked her forehead.

"Zou-chan. Can you lift me to the club room?" She mumbled as I still kept poking her forehead.

"No."

"How cruel." Sawako lifted herself off the chair. "I can't believe you actually came up with those moves, Zou-chan."

"Yeah, yeah, let's go."

After a bit of groaning from Sawako, we eventually reached our clubrooms. This time, I got in the Literature Club room before Monika, though everyone else was present. I actually almost forgot about writing a poem for today because of the dance but I managed to write something. Of course, I wrote two poems like Shinji did. I'm not gonna embarrass myself showing my feelings to the other girls.

"Monika's still not here?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," Shinji noticed, who was just sitting on a chair near the door, reading a book. The Portrait of Markov. God, that eye really looked creepy. "What's she up to?"

"Maybe with her boyfriend," Natsuki nonchalantly commented.

"Boyfriend?" I repeated. "She doesn't have one, you know."

"How would you know that, Sayori?" Natsuki questioned, looking at me with a raised eyebrow after she lowered her manga.

"She's taking piano lessons," I explained.

"Piano?" Natsuki repeated.

"Sorry! I got late!" Monika said as she came into the club room, almost crashing into me. "Oh! Sayori! Sorry, I was in a hurry."

"It's okay!" I smiled at her. "How's piano practice?"

Monika looked at me, eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"Uh…" Shit. Sayori wasn't supposed to know! Even she was surprised in the original game! "Lucky guess?"

"What, you were just guessing?" Natsuki said.

"Yeah, ehehe~"

Monika just looked at me while Natsuki just went back to her manga. Yuri was too absorbed in her book that she didn't notice what I just said.

Monika then smiled at me. "Why don't we just start exchanging poems?"

Everyone put away their stuff, even Yuri who was too engrossed with her reading. She must really like this activity. Of course, Shinji went to me first. It's the little things that always make my day.

We sat down and faced each other.

"So, you brought something for today?" Shinji smiled at me.

"Yeah." Hell yeah, I did, pretty boy.

"I'm surprised you can find the time to write a poem even though you're so busy."

"I actually almost forgot." I scratched the back of my head.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you did."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pouted at him.

"Maybe this will make you feel better," he handed a sheet of notebook paper.

"Guess I'll take a look."

And so I read his poem.

I've always wondered

How she can be so clumsy

I've always wondered

How she always daydream

I've always wondered

How silly she always can be

I've always wondered

How excited she always each day

I've always wondered

About the ways she made me smile

Then I realized the answer's so simple

It's because it's her

The poem was simple but sweet. The prince sure knows his words.

"What do you think?" He asked.

"Simple. A little repetitive." I said in a serious tone.

"Oh, so you don't like it?"

I smiled at him. "I love it."

He looked surprised. "Wait, you like it?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you were gonna complain."

"Just because I like something doesn't mean I can't see it's flaws."

Shinji looked at me with wide eyes. "Wow, didn't expect to hear something like that from you, Sayori."

I pouted at him again. "You're not making your position any better, Shinji."

"Sorry! Can I read your poem now?"

"Fine." I passed him my poem.

I just watched him read my poem. I can see his eyes reading as his gaze moved across the notebook sheet. And then, he was done.

"I like it. It's really like you."

"How?"

He smiled at me. "Just you."

This prince always knew the words to capture my heart. I just looked down.

"Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome."

So. More awkward silences. Yay. We just sort of looked away from each other then occasionally look each other in the eye then immediately look away. And then the whole process looped. A time loop I don't mind getting trapped into. Unfortunately, reality ensues and we had to share our poems to other members.

"You can keep my poem," he said.

"You can keep mine too," I said to him, which made him smile.

"Thanks. I'll see you later then."

Isn't he lovely? He went to Natsuki and I went to—

"Hey, Sayori," Monika called out.

I turned and saw Monika already behind me then took a seat next to me.

"Want to exchange poems?" she asked.

"Sure."

"So, you seem to be getting along with Shinji." Monika smiled.

"Well, we are childhood friends, so I guess that's a given."

"I see. I can see you're really quite fond of him and he to you. Like, more than friends should."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes, really. Though it's as if he saw something in you the last few days."

That sounded suspicious. Was she still doubting me? Or maybe she's worried about Sayori?

"Sayori, did something happen between you two? Usually you'd tell me these things over the phone or personally. Did I do something wrong?" Monika asked, looking worried.

"What, no! You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why aren't you being open to me? Lately you're more open with Sawako than me. I'm not blaming her for anything but I just want to know if I'm missing something here. I trust you. I just hope you still trust me." Monika held my hand. "Please."

So Monika was one of Sayori's closest friends then? And I'm screwing it up by not talking to her. I'm an idiot. I made her worried. What should I tell her?

"I'm sorry for making you worry, Monika. I trust you, honest. It's just that…"

"What? What is it?" Monika looked at me eagerly. I guess there's no way out of this, huh?

"I confessed to Shinji."