Natsuki could hardly speak. After telling her story and reliving the events of the past week, everything she had suppressed was coming back to the surface; her pain, her sorrow, her guilt. Overwhelmed by emotion, Natsuki fell into a sort of trance. She was unaware of her friends in the room, or even the room itself. The only thing on her mind was that memory, and what else she could have done.
Gradually, Natsuki returned to reality. She was leaning against Monika, still crying, but more in control of herself. Sayori and Yuri had joined her on the couch, as well. The four of them sat together, and Natsuki struggled to collect her thoughts.
Now that her friends knew the whole story, they must have hated her. She had betrayed Papa's trust. Her own father. What kind of daughter was she? Sure, she had tried to convince herself that he deserved what he got, but then why did she feel so guilty? She already knew the answer to that question. Papa had asked for Natsuki to have faith in him, and after she agreed to, she hadn't given him a chance, not even a single day, before giving up and going directly against his request. Why? Because she wasn't strong enough. She should have at least tried for his sake, but she was just too weak-willed. No, it wasn't Papa who was at fault: Natsuki was the one who deserved what she was getting.
Pushing off against the couch, Natsuki shakily sat up and looked at her friends. "I'm sorry."
Monika gently touched Natsuki's hand. "You don't have to apologize for anything," she said, her voice light and soft.
Natsuki shook her head. "No. My dad… I promised him…"
"Natsuki, you did the right thing," Monika insisted, but she couldn't be right. Hadn't she heard any of what Natsuki had said earlier?
"Y-You don't understand," Natsuki continued. "I betrayed him. I never-"
Monika grabbed her by the shoulders, startling her. "Natsuki! I don't think you understand. You did the right thing. I know you have regrets. You were in a terrible situation, but what matters is that you aren't in that situation now, and will never be in it again, so please, please don't talk yourself into thinking you did something wrong. Okay?"
"I…" Natsuki lost her train of thought. What Monika was saying made sense, but she might not have been grasping the severity of Natsuki's betrayal.
"One day," she eventually said. "Just one day after I promised to have faith, and I called the cops on him."
"You should have," Monika said firmly. "You can't live like that."
"Natsuki…" Yuri spoke up, and Natsuki turned to face her. "I know you feel guilty, but please… believe us. You did what anyone else would have done."
Next to Yuri, Sayori gave a solemn nod. The normally-cheerful girl looked weary, but her eyes pleaded with Natsuki to listen.
Everyone was telling her she did the right thing. Then why did Natsuki feel so terrible?
"I don't understand…" she managed.
"What don't you understand?" Monika softly asked.
Natsuki shifted in her seat. "Why does it feel so… wrong?"
Monika sighed heavily, then looked Natsuki in the eyes, her face set with determination. "Because you got used to it. You got used to how your father acted and tried to convince yourself that it was normal, which he encouraged. Trust me when I say it wasn't. I know it's hard, but you have to fix your mindset. You were abused, and reacted accordingly when you called the police. There's nothing more to it."
It did make sense. It explained why Natsuki felt so conflicted; she had become conditioned to the abuse. At this point, Natsuki was starting to believe her friends might be right. She actually might have done the right thing.
"…Okay," Natsuki said hesitantly.
Monika raised her eyebrows. "'Okay,' what?"
"I understand. I think… I think I need help." Natsuki still struggled to wrap her head around her situation. "Like therapy."
Finally, Monika looked relieved. "I absolutely agree."
Natsuki slowly stood up and was hit by a wave of exhaustion, triggering a yawn. The others rose as well, and she stopped to look at them. They smiled back, and she felt a warm feeling in her chest. Natsuki was already regretting standing, but she had to say something.
"I, um…" She paused, then gave up on trying to not sound corny. "I really appreciate you guys. You know, for listening, and…" Natsuki's voice caught in her throat. She hadn't even realized she was getting emotional. "…And being there for me. I just want you to know that."
"Oh, Natsuki…" Monika stepped forward and embraced her. Sayori and Yuri joined in to make it the sappiest hug of Natsuki's life, but she didn't mind. At least, not then; she would get embarrassed thinking about it later. But for that moment, Natsuki let herself bask in the warmth of her friends.
Natsuki recognized a feeling welling up within herself; one that had resurfaced just before she had made the most important decision of her life. It was hope. She held onto it with no intent of letting go, for it had yet to lead her astray.
Natsuki knew now that everything would not be normal. Never again. No, everything would be better.
AN: Sorry about the hiatus! I went through a period where my creative outlet moved from writing to music, but I managed to finish this chapter. I don't know when the next chapter will be finished, but it will very likely be the last one, so stay tuned.
