Monika: Hi again!
Monika: Glad to see you didn't run away on us yet. Hahaha!
You: Nah, don't worry.
You: This might be a little strange for me, but I at least keep my word.
Well, I'm back at the Literature Club.
I was the last to come in, so everyone else is already hanging out.
Yuri: Thanks for keeping your promise.
Yuri: I hope this isn't too overwhelming of a commitment for you.
Yuri: Making you dive headfirst into literature when you're not accustomed to it...
Natsuki: Oh, come on! Like he deserves any slack.
Natsuki: Sayori told me you didn't even want to join any clubs this year.
Natsuki: And last year, too!
Natsuki: I don't know if you plan to just come here and hang out, or what...
Natsuki: But if you don't take us seriously, then you won't see the end of it.
Monika: Natsuki, you certainly have a big mouth for someone who keeps her manga collection in the clubroom.
Natsuki: M-M-M...!
Natsuki finds herself stuck between saying "Monika" and "Manga".
Natsuki: Manga is literature!
Swiftly defeated, Natsuki plops back into her seat.
Sayori: Don't worry, guys~
Sayori: He always gives it his best as long as he's having fun.
Sayori: He helps me with busywork without me even asking.
Sayori: Like cooking, cleaning my room...
Yuri: How dependable...
You: Sayori, that's because your room is so messy it's distracting.
You: And you almost set your house on fire once.
Sayori: Is that so... Ehehe...
Yuri: You two are really good friends, aren't you?
Yuri: I might be a little jealous...
Sayori: How come? You two can become good friends too!
Yuri: U-Um...
You: S-Sayori-
Sayori: Hmm?
You: ...
As usual, Sayori seems oblivious to the weird situation she just put me into.
Sayori: Oh, oh! Yuri even brought you something today, you know~
Yuri: W-Wait! Sayori...
You: Eh? Me?
Yuri: Um... Not really...
Sayori: Don't be shy~
Yuri: It's really nothing...
You: What is it?
Yuri: N-Never mind!
Yuri: Sayori made it sound like a big deal when it's really not...
Yuri: Uuuuh, what do I do...
Sayori: Eh? I'm sorry, Yuri, I wasn't thinking...
I guess that means it's up to me to rescue this situation...
You: Hey, don't worry about it.
You: First of all, I wasn't expecting anything in the first place.
You: So any nice gesture from you is a pleasant surprise.
You: It'll make me happy no matter what.
Yuri: I-Is that so...
You: Yeah. I won't make it a big deal if you don't want it to be.
Yuri: Alright...
Yuri: Well, here.
Yuri reaches into her bag and pulls out a book.
Yuri: I didn't want you to feel left out...
Yuri: So I picked out a book that I thought you might enjoy.
Yuri: It's a short read, so it should keep your attention, even if you don't usually read.
Yuri: And we could, you know...
Yuri: Discuss it...if you wanted...
Th-This is...
How is this girl accidentally being so cute?
She even picked out a book she thinks I'll like, despite me not reading much...
You: Yuri, thank you! I'll definitely read this!
I enthusiastically take the book.
Yuri: Phew...
Yuri: Well, you can read it at your own pace.
Yuri: I look forward to hearing what you think.
Now that everyone's settled in, I expected Monika to kick off some scheduled activities for the club.
But that doesn't seem to be the case.
Sayori seems to be cheering up Monika about something in the corner.
Yuri's face is already buried in a book.
I can't help but notice her intense expression, like she was waiting for this chance.
Meanwhile, Natsuki is rummaging around in the closet.
I end up waiting around for Monika and Sayori since to finish their chat and then approach them. I know those two best right now. Maybe I'll tell them tomorrow.
Monika: By the way, did you remember to write a poem last night?
You: Y-Yeah...
My relaxation ends.
I can't believe I agreed to do something so embarrassing.
I couldn't really find much inspiration, since I've never really done this before.
Monika: Well, now that everyone's ready, why don't you find someone to share with?
Sayori: I can't wait~!
Sayori and Monika enthusiastically pull out their poems.
Sayori's is on a wrinkled sheet of loose leaf torn from a spiral notebook.
On the other hand, Monika wrote hers in a composition notebook.
I can already see Monika's pristine handwriting from where I sit.
Natsuki and Yuri reluctantly comply as well, reaching into their bags.
I do the same, myself.
Who should I show my poem to first?
Yuri...
Yuri seems the most experienced, so I should start with her.
I can trust her opinion to be fair.
I approach Yuri and hand over my poem.
She gingerly gives me hers as well.
Hers is called "Ghost Under the Light"
The tendrils of my hair illuminate beneath the amber glow.
Bathing.
It must be this one.
The last remaining streetlight to have withstood the test of time.
the last yet to be replaced by the sickening blue-green hue of the future.
I bathe. Calm; breathing air of the present but living in the past.
The light flickers.
I flicker back.
Yuri: ...
Yuri: I...I'm sorry I have such terrible handwriting!
You: What?
You: I wasn't thinking that at all...
Yuri: But it took you a long time to read...
You: Ah-
You:Well, I just don't read script very often...
You: I actually think your handwriting is pretty.
Yuri: Eh?
Yuri: That's...a relief...
You: Also, I liked the poem.
You: Even though it's short, it was really descriptive.
Yuri: It wasn't too short?
Yuri: I usually write longer poems...
You: Not at all.
Yuri: I'm...really glad you like it.
Yuri: I'll be honest...
Yuri: Since it's our first time sharing, I wanted to write something a little more mild.
Yuri: Something easy to digest, I suppose.
You: Are you into ghosts, Yuri?
Yuri: Huhu.
Yuri: Actually, the story isn't about a ghost at all.
You: Really?
You: I must have totally missed the point...
Yuri: Well, I suppose you did only glance over it, after all...
Yuri: But remember that poets often express their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their work.
Yuri: They usually do more than tell a simple story, or paint a picture.
Yuri: In this case, perhaps the subject of the poem is only being symbolically compared to a ghost.
Yuri: Lingering in her last remaining place of comfort, unable to let go of the past.
Yuri: And soon to be left with nothing...
You: ...That's a lot more solemn, putting it that way.
You: I hadn't even thought of that...
You: That's impressive.
Yuri: Eh?
Yuri: I-It's nothing, really!
Yuri: Yours was impressive too, so...
You: Nah...
You: If anything, I could probably learn a thing or two from you.
Yuri: ...You think so?
You: Yeah, of course.
Yuri: Ah...
Yuri: You know...
Yuri: I was really nervous about doing all this.
Yuri: But in the end, I enjoyed it.
Yuri: I'm going to keep doing my best for you.
You: Ah...
You: Me too.
I continue to share my poem with others, until everyone has read it.
You: Phew...
I glance around the room.
That was a little more stressful than I anticipated.
It's as if everyone is judging me for my mediocre writing abilities...
Even if they're just being nice, there's no way my poems can stand up to theirs.
This is a literature club, after all.
I sigh.
I guess that's what I ended up getting myself into.
Across the room, Sayori and Monika are chatting.
My eyes land on Yuri and Natsuki.
They gingerly exchange sheets of paper, sharing their respective poems.
As they read in tandem, I watch each of their expressions change.
Natsuki's eyebrows furrow in frustration.
Meanwhile, Yuri smiles sadly.
Natsuki: (What's with this language...?)
Yuri: Eh?
Yuri: Um...did you say something?
Natsuki: Oh, it's nothing.
Natsuki dismissively returns the poem to the desk with one hand.
Natsuki: I guess you could say it's fancy.
Yuri: Ah- Thanks...
Yuri: Yours is...cute...
Natsuki: Cute?
n Did you completely miss the symbolism or something?
Natsuki: It's clearly about the feeling of giving up.
Natsuki: How can that be cute?
Yuri: I-I know that!
Yuri: I just meant...
Yuri: The language, I guess...
Yuri: I was trying to say something nice...
Natsuki: Eh?
Natsuki: You mean you have to try that hard to come up with something nice to say?
Natsuki: Thanks, but it really didn't come out nice at all!
Yuri: Um...
Yuri: Well, I do have a couple suggestions...
Natsuki: Hmph.
Natsuki: If I was looking for suggestions, I would have asked someone who actually liked it.
Natsuki: Which people did, by the way.
Natsuki: Sayori liked it.
Natsuki: And he did, too!
Natsuki: So based on that, I'll gladly give you some suggestions of my own.
Natsuki: First of all-
Yuri: Excuse me...
Yuri: I appreciate the offer, but I've spent a long time establishing my writing style.
Yuri: I don't expect it to change anytime soon, unless of course I come across something particularly inspiring.
Yuri: Which I haven't yet.
Natsuki: Nn...!
Yuri: And they both liked my poem too, you know.
Yuri: He even told me he was impressed by it.
Natsuki suddenly stands up.
Natsuki: Oh?
Natsuki: I didn't realize you were so invested in trying to impress our new member, Yuri.
Yuri: E-Eh?!
Yuri: That's not what I...!
Yuri: Uu...
Yuri: You...You're just...
Yuri stands up as well.
Yuri: Maybe you're just jealous that he appreciates my advice more than he appreciated yours!
Natsuki: Huh! And how do you know he didn't appreciate my advice more?
Natsuki: Are you that full of yourself?
Yuri: I...!
Yuri: No...
Yuri: If I was full of myself...
Yuri: ...I would deliberately go out of my way to make everything I do overly cutesy!
Natsuki: Uuuuuu...!
Sayori: U-Um!
Sayori: Is everyone okay...?
Natsuki: Well, you know what?!
Natsuki: I wasn't the one whose boobs magically grew a size bigger as soon as a boy started showing up!
Yuri: N-Natsuki!
Monika: Um, Natsuki, that's a little-
Natsuki and Yuri: This doesn't involve you!
Sayori: I-I don't like fighting, guys...!
Suddenly, both girls turn towards me, as if they just noticed I was standing there.
Yuri: She- She's just trying to make me look bad...!
Natsuki: That's not true!
Natsuki: She started it!
Natsuki: If she could get over herself and learn to appreciate that simple writing is more effective...
Natsuki: Then this wouldn't have happened in the first place!
Natsuki: What's the point in making your poems all convoluted for no reason?
Natsuki: The meaning should jump out at the reader, not force them to have to figure it out.
Natsuki: Help me explain that to her!
Yuri: W-Wait!
Yuri: There's a reason we have so many deep and expressive words in our language!
Yuri: It's the only way to convey complex feelings and meaning the most effectively.
Yuri: Avoiding them is not only unnecessarily limiting yourself...it's also a waste!
Yuri: You understand that, right?
You: Um...!
Natsuki and Yuri: Well?
You: ...
How did I get dragged into this in the first place?!
It's not like I know anything about writing...
But whomever I agree with, they'll probably think more highly of me!
menu:
So, of course that's going to be...!
You: Natsuki.
You: You're right that I liked your poem.
Natsuki: See?
You: Wait!
You: That's not an excuse for you to be so mean!
You: You shouldn't pick a fight just because someone's opinion is different.
Natsuki: That's not what happened at all!
Natsuki: Yuri wouldn't even take my poem seriously!
You: Mm...
You: I understand.
You: Yuri.
Yuri: Eh?
You: You're a seriously talented writer.
You: It's no secret that I was impressed.
Yuri: W-Well, that's...
You: But here's the thing.
You: No matter how simple or refined someone's writing style is...
You: They're still putting feelings into it, and it becomes something really personal.
You: That's why Natsuki felt threatened when you said her poem was cute.
Yuri: I...see...
Yuri: I didn't notice that I...
Yuri: I-I'm sorry...
Yuri: Uuu...
You: But Natsuki, you took it way too far!
You: Yuri means well, and if you just told her how you felt...
You: Then this wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Natsuki: Are you kidding?
Natsuki: That's exactly what I did!
Natsuki: It was her that-
Monika: Natsuki, I think that's enough.
Monika: You both said some things that you didn't mean.
Monika: Yuri apologized. Don't you think you should, too?
Natsuki: Nnn...!
Natsuki clenches her fists.
In the end, nobody has taken her side.
She's trapped, at this point being defiant only because she can't handle the pressure.
I end up even feeling bad for her.
Sayori: U-Um!
Sayori: Sometimes when I'm hurt...
Sayori: It helps to take a walk and clear my head!
You: Sayori, she doesn't need to-
Natsuki: You know what?
Natsuki: I'm going to do that.
Natsuki: It'll spare me from having to look at all your faces right now.
Without warning, Natsuki snatches her own poem up from the desk and storms out.
On her way out, she crumples up the poem with her hands and throws it in the trash.
Sayori: Natsuki...
Monika: She always does that...
I look across the room.
Yuri has her chin buried in her hands while she stares down at her desk.
I gingerly approach her and sit in an adjacent chair.
Yuri: Sigh...
You: Everything alright?
Yuri: I'm so embarrassed...
Yuri: I can't believe I acted like that.
Yuri: You probably hate me now...
You: No-Yuri!
You: How could anyone not have gotten frustrated after being treated like that?
You: You handled it as well as anyone could.
You: I don't think any less of you.
Yuri: Well...
Yuri: ...Alright, I believe you.
Yuri: Thanks. You're too kind.
Yuri: I'm thankful to have you a part of this club now.
You: Er- It's nothing.
Yuri: One more thing...
Yuri: Um, that one thing that Natsuki said...
Yuri: About...you know...
Yuri: I would never do anything...so shameful...
Yuri: So...
You: ...Eh?
You: What thing did Natsuki say?
Yuri: -!
Yuri: U-Um!
Yuri: Well, never mind that...
Yuri: I-I'm going to go make some tea...
You: Ah, good idea.
You: Make enough for more than one person, okay?
Yuri: Y-Yeah.
Monika: Okay, everyone!
Monika: It's just about time for us to leave.
Monika: How did you all feel about sharing poems?
Sayori: It was a lot of fun!
Yuri: Well, I'd say it was worth it.
Natsuki: It was alright. Well, mostly.
Monika: How about you?
You: ...Yeah, I'd say the same.
You: It was a neat thing to talk about with everyone.
Monika: Awesome!
Monika: In that case, we'll do the same thing tomorrow.
Monika: And maybe you learned something from your friends, too.
Monika: So your poems will turn out even better!
You: ...
I think to myself.
I did learn a little more about the kinds of poems everyone likes.
With any luck, that means I can at least do a better job impressing those I want to impress.
I nod to myself with newfound determination.
Sayori: Ready to walk home?
You: Sure, let's go.
Sayori: Ehehe~
Sayori beams at me.
It truly has been a while since Sayori and I have spent this much time together.
I can't really say I'm not enjoying it, either.
You: Sayori...
You: About what happened earlier...
Sayori: Eh? What do you mean?
You: You know, between Yuri and Natsuki.
You: Does that kind of thing happen often?
Sayori: No, no, no!
Sayori: That's really the first time I've seen them fight like that...
Sayori: I promise they're both wonderful people.
Sayori: You don't... You don't hate them, do you?
You: No, I don't hate them!
You: I just wanted your opinion, that's all.
You: I can see why they'd make good friends with you.
Sayori: Phew...
Sayori: You know...
Sayori: It's nice that I get to spend time with you in the club.
Sayori: But I think seeing you get along with everyone is what makes me the happiest.
Sayori: And I think everyone really likes you, too!
You: That's-!
Sayori: Ehehe~
Sayori: Every day is going to be so much fun~
You: Sigh...
It looks like Sayori still hasn't caught onto the kind of situation I'm in.
Sure, being friends with everyone is nice, but...
...Does it really need to stop there?
You: We'll just have to see what the future holds, Sayori.
I pat Sayori on the shoulder.
I said that more to myself than to her, but it's easy to use Sayori as an internal monologue sometimes.
Sayori: Okay~!
Yeah...
Let's do this!