Another day passes, and it's time for the club meeting already.
I've gotten a little more comfortable here over the past couple days.
Entering the clubroom, the usual scene greets me.
Sayori: Hi ~
You: Yo, Sayori.
You: Looks like you're in a good mood today.
Sayori: Ehehe~
Sayori: I'm just still not used to you being in the club, that's all.
You: I see...
You: ...That's a pretty simple thing to get you in a good mood.
You: But I guess it's always the simple things with you, anyway.
Sayori: Speaking of which...
Sayori: I'm kinda hungry...
Sayori: Will you come with me to buy a snack?
You: No thanks.
Sayori: Eh?
Sayori: T-That's not like you at all!
You: I have my reasons.
You: Why don't we take a look at your purse, Sayori?
Sayori: E-Eh?
Sayori: Why that...all of a sudden?
You: No reason, really.
You: I just wanted to look at it.
Sayori: A-Ah...
Sayori nervously retrieves her coin purse.
She fumbles with the latch and gets it open.
Then, she turns it upside-down and lets its contents spill onto the desk.
Only two small coins fall out.
Sayori: A-Ahaha...
You: I knew it...
You: I can see right through you, Sayori.
Sayori: That's not fair!
Sayori: How did you even know?
You: It's simple.
You: If you had enough money in the first place, you would have bought a snack before coming to the clubroom.
You: So, either you're not hungry and wanted an excuse to take a walk...
You: Or, you planned to conveniently forget that you spent all your money, so that I would lend you some!
You: But there's one more thing...
You: ...You're always hungry!
You: And so, that only leaves the one option!
Sayori: Uwaaa~!
Sayori: I give up!
Sayori: Don't make me feel guiltyyy!
You: If you feel guilty, that means you deserve to feel guilty...
Yuri: Ahaha.
Yuri suddenly giggles.
You: Eh?
I didn't notice that she was listening in.
Her face is in her book, as always.
Yuri: A-Ah!
Yuri: I wasn't listening or anything-!
Yuri: It was just...something in my book...
Sayori: Yuriiii...
Sayori: Tell him to let me borrow some money...
Yuri: That's-!
Yuri: Don't get me involved like that, Sayori...
Yuri: Besides...
Yuri: You should only buy what you can responsibly afford...
Yuri: And frankly, after pulling a mischievous little stunt like that, your suffering is fair enough retribution.
You: ...
Yuri: Ah-!
Yuri: Did I just...
Yuri: I-I didn't mean that!
Yuri: I got too absorbed into my book...
Yuri: Uu...
Sayori: Ahaha!
Sayori: I really like when you speak your mind, Yuri...
Sayori: It doesn't happen much, but it's a fun side of you!
Yuri: That's...
Yuri: There's no way you could think that...
Sayori: You were right, though...
Sayori: I did something bad and now I have to accept the revolution.
Yuri: Retribution...
Sayori: That!
Yuri: Still, coming from you, Sayori...
Yuri: I guess there's a little devil inside all of us, isn't there?
Sayori: Ehehe...
You: Don't let her fool you.
You: Sayori knows exactly what she's doing.
You: After all, she told you guys she was bringing me to the club before she even told me...
Sayori: B-But...!
Sayori: You wouldn't have come if it weren't for the cupcakes...
Sayori: So I had to trick Natsuki into making them!
You: Come on, give me more credit than that, Sayori.
Sayori: Ehehe...
Pwap!
Sayori: Kyaa-!
Out of nowhere, something smacks Sayori in the face and tumbles onto the desk.
Sayori: Ow...
Sayori: What was-
Sayori: Eh?
Sayori: A-A cookie!
Sure enough, it's a giant cookie wrapped in plastic.
Sayori glances around.
Sayori: I-Is this a miracle?
Sayori: It's because I paid my restitution!
You: Retribution...
Yuri: Actually, that one almost worked...
Natsuki: Ahahaha!
Natsuki: I was just gonna give it to you.
Natsuki: But then I heard you blab about the cupcakes.
Natsuki: It was totally worth seeing your reaction, though. Ahaha!
Sayori: N-Natsuki!
Sayori: That's so nice of you!
Sayori: I'm so happy...
Sayori hugs the cookie.
You: Jeez, just eat it...
Sayori rapidly tears open the wrapper and takes a big bite.
Sayori: Sho good...
Sayori: Mmf-!
Sayori suddenly clasps her hands over her mouth.
Sayori: I bit my tongue...
Natsuki: Ehehe.
Natsuki: You're going through a lot over just one cookie.
Natsuki takes a bite of her own cookie.
Sayori: Ah, yours looks really good too, Natsuki!
Sayori: Can I try it?
Natsuki: Jeez...
Natsuki: Beggars can't be choosers!
Sayori: But yours is chocolate...
Natsuki: Yeah, why do you think I gave you that one?
Sayori: Fine...
Sayori: Still, I'm really happy that you shared this one with me.
Sayori: Ehehe~
Sayori gets out of her seat and goes behind Natsuki, then wraps her arms around her.
Natsuki: Ah- Jeez...
Natsuki: I get it, I get it.
Cookie still in hand, Natsuki reaches up to nudge Sayori off of her.
Sayori: ...Om.
Sayori suddenly leans down and takes a bite out of Natsuki's cookie.
Natsuki: H-Hey!
Natsuki: Did you seriously just do that?!
Sayori: Uhuhuhu!
Mouth full, Sayori trots away to safety.
Yuri and I laugh as well.
Natsuki: Jeez! You're such a kid sometimes!
Natsuki: Monika! Can you tell Sayori-
Natsuki: -Eh?
Natsuki glances around.
Monika isn't in the clubroom.
Natsuki: Ugh...
Natsuki: Where's Monika, anyway?
Yuri: Good question...
Yuri: Have any of you heard anything about her being late today?
Sayori: Not me...
You: Yeah, I haven't either.
Yuri: Hm...
Yuri: That's a bit unusual.
Sayori: I hope she's okay...
Natsuki: Of course she's okay.
Natsuki: She probably just had something to do today.
Natsuki: She's pretty popular, after all...
Sayori: Eh?
Sayori: You don't think she...
Sayori: She has a...!
Yuri: Ahaha. I wouldn't be surprised.
Yuri: She's probably more desirable than all of us combined.
Sayori: Ehehe, that's true...
Natsuki: Excuse me?!
Suddenly, the door swings open.
Monika: Sorry! I'm super sorry!
You: Ah, there you are...
Monika: I didn't mean to be late...
Monika: I hope you guys weren't worried or anything!
Sayori: Eh?
Sayori: Monika chose the club over her boyfriend after all!
Sayori: You're so strong-willed!
Monika: B-Boyfriend...?
Monika: What on Earth are you talking about?
Monika quizzically glances at me.
You: Ah, never mind that...
You: What held you up, anyway?
Monika: Ah...
Monika: Well, my last period today was study hall.
Monika: To be honest, I kind of just lost track of time...
Monika: Ahaha...
Natsuki: That makes no sense, though.
Natsuki: You would have heard the bell ring, at least.
Monika: I must not have heard it, since I was practicing harp...
Yuri: Harp...?
Yuri: I wasn't aware you played music as well, Monika.
Monika: Ah, I don't, really...!
Monika: I kind of just started recently.
Monika: Something about the feeling of the strings on my fingers.
Sayori: That's so cool!
Sayori: You should play something for us, Monika!
Monika: That's...
Monika looks at me.
Monika: Maybe once I get a little bit better, I will.
Sayori: Yay~!
You: That sounds cool.
You: I'd also look forward to it.
Monika: Is that so?
Monika: In that case...
Monika: I won't let you down.
Monika smiles sweetly.
You: Ah...
You: I didn't mean any pressure or anything like that!
Monika: Ahaha, don't worry.
Monika: I've been practicing a whole lot recently.
Monika: It's become pretty cathartic to me.
You: I see...
You: In that case, best of luck.
Monika: Thanks~!
Monika: So, I didn't miss anything, did I?
You: Not...not really.
I choose to leave out Sayori's mischievous escapade.
I'm sure Natsuki will end up complaining to her, anyway.
It looks like everyone has already settled down.
Sayori somehow already finished her entire cookie.
Yuri is back to her book, and Natsuki disappeared into the closet.
I'm really curious to talk to Yuri a little bit more...
But at the same time, I would feel bad for distracting her from reading.
I catch a glimpse of the cover of her book.
It looks like the same book that she lent to me...
More than that, she seems to be on the first few pages.
Yuri: Ah...
Crap-
I think she noticed me looking at her...
She sneaks another glance at me, and our eyes meet for a split second.
Yuri: ...
But that only makes her hide her face deeper in her book.
You: Sorry...
You: I was just spacing out...
I mutter this, sensing I made her uncomfortable.
Yuri: Oh...
Yuri: It's fine...
Yuri: If I was focused, then I probably wouldn't have noticed in the first place.
Yuri: But I'm just re-reading a bit of this, so...
You: That's the book that you gave me, right?
Yuri: Mhm.
Yuri: I wanted to re-read some of it.
Yuri: Not for any particular reason...!
You: Just curious, how come you have two copies of the same book?
Yuri: Ah...
Yuri: Well, when I stopped at the bookstore yesterday-
Yuri: Ah, that's not what I meant...
Yuri: I mean-
Yuri: I...just happened to buy two of them.
You: Ah, I see.
There's something fairly obvious here that Yuri isn't telling me, but I decide to let it go.
You: I'll definitely start reading it soon!
Yuri: I'm glad to hear...
Yuri: Once it starts to pick up, you might have a hard time putting it down.
Yuri: It's a very engaging and relatable story.
You: Is that so...?
You: What's it about, anyway?
Yuri: Well...
Yuri: Mmm...
Yuri closes the book and scans her eyes over the back.
The book is titled "Portrait of Markov".
There's an ominous-looking eye symbol on the front cover.
Yuri: Alright...
Yuri: I just wanted to make sure I don't accidentally give anything away.
Yuri: Basically, it's about this girl in high school who moves in with her long-lost younger sister...
Yuri: But as soon as she does so, her life gets really strange.
Yuri: She gets targeted by these people who escaped from a human experiment prison...
Yuri: And while her life is in danger, she needs to desperately choose who to trust.
Yuri: No matter what she does, she ends up destroying most of her relationships and her life starts to fall apart...
You: That's kind of-!
That's kind of dark, isn't it?
Yuri made it sound like it was going to be a nice story, so that dark turn came from nowhere.
Yuri: Ahaha.
Yuri gently giggles, all of a sudden.
Yuri: Are you not a fan of that sort of thing?
You: No, it's not that...
You: I mean, I can definitely enjoy those kinds of stories, so don't worry.
Yuri: I hope so...
Yeah... I totally forgot that Yuri is into those things.
She's so shy and reclusive on the outside, but her mind seems to be completely different.
Yuri: It's just that those kinds of stories...
Yuri: They challenge you to look at life from a strange new perspective.
Yuri: When horrible things happen not just because someone wants to be evil...
Yuri: But because they have their own goals, or their own philosophy that they believe in.
Yuri: Then suddenly, when you thought you related to the protagonist...
Yuri: They're made out to be the naive one for letting their one-sided morals interfere with the villain's plans.
Yuri: I'm...I'm rambling, aren't I...?
Yuri: Not again...
Yuri: I'm sorry...
You: Hey, don't apologize...!
You: I haven't lost interest or anything.
Yuri: Well...
Yuri: I guess it's alright, then...
Yuri: But I feel like I should let you know that I have this problem...
Yuri: When I let things like books and writing fill my thoughts...
Yuri: I kind of forget to pay attention to other people...
Yuri: So I'm sorry if I end up saying something strange!
Yuri: And please stop me if I start talking too much!
You: That's-
You: I really don't think you need to worry...
You: That just means you're passionate about reading.
You: The least I can do is listen.
You: It's a literature club, after all...
Yuri: Ah-
Yuri: That's...
Yuri: Well, that's true...
You: In fact...
You: I might as well get started reading it, right?
Yuri: Y-You don't have to!
You: Ahaha, what are you saying?
You: Just a moment ago, you said you were looking forward to it.
Yuri: ...
You: Let me just get the book...
I quickly retrieve the book that I had put into my bag.
You: Alright...it's fine if I sit here, right?
I slip into the seat next to Yuri's.
Yuri: Ah...!
Yuri: Yeah...
You: Are you sure?
You: You seem a little apprehensive...
Yuri: That's...
Yuri: I'm sorry...
Yuri: It's not that I don't want you to!
Yuri: It's just something I'm not very used to...
Yuri: That is, reading in company with someone.
You: I see...
You: Well, just tell me if I end up distracting you or anything.
Yuri: A-Alright...
I open the book and start the prologue.
I soon understand what Yuri means about reading in company.
It's as if I can feel her presence over my shoulder as I read.
It's not a particularly bad thing.
Maybe a little distracting, but the feeling is somewhat comforting.
Yuri is in the corner of my eye.
I realize that she's not actually looking at her own book.
I glance over.
It looks like she's reading from my book instead-
Yuri: S-Sorry!
Yuri: I was just-!
You: Yuri, you really apologize a lot, don't you?
Yuri: I...I do?
Yuri: I don't really mean to...
Yuri: Sorry...
Yuri: I mean-!
You: Ahaha.
You: Here, this should work, right?
I slide my desk until it's up against Yuri's, then hold my book more between the two of them.
Yuri: Ah...
Yuri: I suppose so...
Yuri timidly closes her own copy.
Once we each lean in a little bit, our shoulders are almost touching.
It feels like my left arm is in the way, so instead I use my right hand to hold the book open.
You: Ah, I guess that makes it kind of difficult to turn the page...
Yuri: Here...
Yuri takes her left arm and holds the left side of the book between her thumb and forefinger.
You: Ah...
I do the same with my right arm, on the right side of the book.
That way, I turn a page, and Yuri slides it under her thumb after it flips to her side.
But in holding it like this...
We're huddled even closer together than before.
It's actually kind of distracting me...!
It's as if I can feel the warmth of Yuri's face, and she's in the corner of my vision...
Yuri: ...Are you ready?
You: Eh?
Yuri: To turn the page...
You: Ah...sorry!
You: I think I got a bit distracted for a second...
I glance over at Yuri's face again, and our eyes meet.
I don't know how I'll be able to keep up with her...
Yuri: Ah...
Yuri: That's okay.
Yuri: You're not as used to reading, right?
Yuri: I don't mind being patient if it takes you a bit longer...
Yuri: It's probably the least I can do...
Yuri: Since you've been so patient with me...
You: Y-Yeah...
You: Thanks.
We continue reading.
Yuri no longer asks me if I'm ready to turn the page.
Instead, I just assume that she finishes the page before me, so I turn it by my own volition.
We continue the first chapter in silence.
Even so, turning each page almost feels like an intimate exchange...
My thumb gently letting go of the page, letting it flutter over to her side as she catches it under her own thumb.
You: Hey, Yuri...
You: This might be a silly thought, but...
You: The main character kind of reminds me of you a little bit.
Yuri: You...think so?
Yuri: How does she?
You: Well, I guess she's more blunt in a lot of ways...
You: But she also second-guesses all of the things that she says and does.
You: Like she's afraid she'll do something wrong.
You: It's not like I can see into your head or anything...
You: But they're kind of reminiscent of some of your mannerisms.
Yuri: I-I see...
Yuri remains silent for a moment.
Yuri: But...
Yuri: That's probably...
Yuri: ...a terrible thing to have in common with her!
Yuri: Uuuh, that's so embarrassing that you think that...
You: W-Wait!
You: I didn't mean it in a bad way or anything!
You: Sorry, I really didn't know you were self-conscious about that sort of thing...
Yuri: ...
You: I guess I more meant that it's kind of cute...
Yuri: A-Ah-
Yuri: What are you saying all of a sudden...?
Yuri: I...!
Monika: Okay, everyone!
Yuri: ...!
Monika: I think it's about time we share today's poems with each other.
Monika: We might not have enough time if we wait too long.
Yuri: Ah...
Yuri exhales, spared from finishing her thought.
Monika: Is that alright, Yuri?
Monika: You look kind of down...
Monika: I'm sorry if you haven't been looking forward to this...
Yuri: Ah, it's not...
Yuri: ...It's fine.
Yuri releases her hand from the book, causing it to close on top of my thumb.
You: Alright...
You: I guess I'll do some more reading tonight.
You: Or would you prefer I only read it with you?
Yuri: Um...!
Yuri: I...guess I don't have too much of a preference either way...
You: Hmm...
You: In that case, I'll read a little more tonight.
You: It'll be more fun to read with you after it picks up a bit, you know?
Yuri: That's good reasoning.
Yuri: In that case, feel free to finish the first two chapters in your own time.
You: Alright!
I stand up.
I make a mental note of where I left off in the book, then slip it back into my bag.
Yuri: Let's see what you've written for today.
I grab my poem out of my bag and hand it over to her.
Yuri stares at the poem with a surprised expression on her face.
You: Do you...like it?
Yuri: ...How did you pick up on this so quickly?
Yuri: Just yesterday, I was telling you the kind of techniques worth practicing...
You: Maybe that's why...
You: You did a good job explaining.
You: I really wanted to try giving it more imagery.
Yuri visibly swallows.
Even her hands appear sweaty.
Yuri: I'm not...used to this...
You: Used to what?
Yuri: I don't know...!
You: It's fine, take your time...
Yuri breathes and collects her thoughts.
I know that Yuri likes to think before she speaks, so I offer that patience to her.
Yuri: Yeah...
Yuri: Just...being appreciated like this...I guess.
Yuri: It probably sounds really stupid...
Yuri: But seeing someone motivated by my writing...
Yuri: It just makes me...
Yuri: Really happy...
You: Are you saying you've never shared your writing before?
Yuri nods.
You: Really? I don't believe it.
Yuri: I really only write for myself...
Yuri: And besides...
Yuri: ...People would just laugh at me!
You: Do you really think that...?
Again, Yuri nods.
You: Huh...
You: Even your close friends?
Yuri: ...
Yuri doesn't respond to that.
I wonder why...
You: Anyway...
You: Do you want to share the poem you wrote today?
Yuri: ...Yeah.
Yuri: I do!
Yuri: If it's with you...
Yuri: The Raccoon
It happened in the dead of night while I was slicing bread for a guilty snack.
My attention was caught by the scuttering of a raccoon outside my window.
That was, I believe, the first time I noticed my strange tendencies as an unordinary human.
I gave the raccoon a piece of bread, my subconscious well aware of the consequences.
Well aware that a raccoon that is fed will always come back for more.
The enticing beauty of my cutting knife was the symptom.
The bread, my hungry curiosity.
The raccoon, an urge.
The moon increments its phase and reflects that much more light off of my cutting knife.
The very same light that glistens in the eyes of my raccoon friend.
I slice the bread, fresh and soft. The raccoon becomes excited.
Or perhaps I'm merely projecting my emotions onto the newly-satisfied animal.
The raccoon has taken to following me.
You could say that we've gotten quite used to each other.
The raccoon becomes hungry more and more frequently, so my bread is always handy.
Every time I brandish my cutting knife, the raccoon shows me its excitement.
A rush of blood. Classic Pavlovian conditioning. I slice the bread.
And I feed myself again.
Yuri looks at me, waiting for a response.
Monika: Okay, everyone!
Monika: We're all done reading each other's poems, right?
Yuri looks a little disappointed.
Honestly, I couldn't be happier though.
Monika: I have something extra planned today, so if everyone could come sit at the front of the room...
Natsuki: Is this about the festival?
Monika: Well, sort of~
Natsuki: Ugh. Do we really have to do something for the festival?
Natsuki: It's not like we can put together anything good in just a few days.
Natsuki: We'll just end up embarrassing ourselves instead of getting any new members.
Yuri: That's a concern of mine as well.
Yuri: I don't really do well with last-minute preparations...
Monika: Don't worry so much!
Monika: We're going to keep it simple, okay?
Monika: We won't need much more than a few decorations.
Monika: Sayori has been working on posters, and I've designed some pamphlets we can give out during the event.
Natsuki: Okay, that's great and all...
Natsuki: But that doesn't tell us what we're actually going to be doing for the event.
Monika: Ah, sorry! I thought you heard about it already.
Monika: We're going to be performing!
Natsuki: Performing?
Yuri: P...
Yuri: Um, Monika...
Monika: Yeah! We're going to be having a poetry performance.
Monika: Each of us are going to choose a poem to recite during the event.
Monika: But the cool part is, we're also going to let anyone else come up and recite poems too!
Monika: Sayori's putting it on all the posters in case anyone wants to prepare ahead of time.
Sayori: Ehehe~
Sayori, who's been coloring a poster, holds it up for us to see.
Natsuki: Are you kidding me, Monika?
Natsuki: You didn't...you didn't already start putting those posters up, did you?
Monika: Eh? Well, I did...
Monika: Do you really think it's that bad of an idea...?
Natsuki: Well, no.
Natsuki: It's not a bad idea.
Natsuki: But I didn't sign up for this, you know!
Natsuki: There is no way I'm going to be performing in front of a group of people like that!
Yuri: I...I agree with Natsuki!
Yuri: I could never...in my life...do something like that...
Imagining it, Yuri shakes her head in fear.
Sayori: Guys...
Monika: No, Sayori...
Monika: I understand where they're coming from.
Monika: Remember that Natsuki and Yuri have never shared their poems with anyone until just a couple days ago...
Monika: It's a lot to ask for them to recite their poems out loud to a whole room full of people.
Monika: I guess I kind of overlooked that.
Monika: So, I'm sorry.
Natsuki: ...
Monika: ...But!
Monika: I still think we should give it our best!
Monika: We're the only ones responsible for the fate of this club.
Monika: If we start the event and each put on a good performance...
Monika: Then it will inspire others to do the same!
Monika: And the more people who perform, the better we'll be able to show everyone what literature is all about!
Sayori: Yeah!
Sayori: It's about expressing your feelings...
Sayori: Being intimate with yourself...
Sayori: Finding new horizons...
Sayori: And having fun!
Monika: That's right!
Monika: And it's those reasons that we're all in this club today.
Monika: Don't you want to share that with others?
Monika: To inspire them to find the same feelings that brought you here in the first place?
Monika: I know you do.
Monika: I know we all do.
Monika: And if all it takes is standing in front of the room for two minutes and reciting a poem...
Monika: ...Then I know you can do it!
Natsuki: ...
Yuri: ...
Natsuki and Yuri remain silent.
Sayori looks worried.
I guess that leaves me no choice...
You: I agree...
You: I don't think it's too much to ask.
You: I think that Sayori and Monika have been trying really hard to get new members.
You: The least we can do is help them out a little bit.
Natsuki: Well...maybe, but...
Natsuki: ...
It looks like Natsuki doesn't have any arguments left.
Natsuki: Uu...
Natsuki: ...Okay, fine!
Natsuki: I guess I'll just have to get it over with.
Sayori: Alright~!
Monika: Phew...
Monika: Thanks, Natsuki.
Monika: What about you, Yuri...?
Yuri: ...
Yuri dejectedly glances around at everyone else's expectant faces.
Yuri: Sigh...
Yuri: I-I guess I don't really have a choice...
Sayori: Ahaha! That's everyone!
Sayori: You're the best, Yuri~
Yuri: This club is seriously going to be the death of me...
Monika: Oh gosh...
Monika: You'll be fine, Yuri.
Monika: But anyway...
Monika: Let's move onto the main event!
Monika: I want each of you to choose a poem of yours.
Monika: We're going to practice reciting them in front of each other.
Natsuki: N-N-No way!
Yuri: Monika...!
Yuri: This is too sudden...!
Monika: Well, if you can't recite your poem in front of the club, how do you expect to do it in front of strangers?
Yuri: Oh no...
Monika: Don't worry.
Monika: I'll start off to help everyone feel a little more comfortable.
Sayori: Can I go next?
Monika: Ahaha. Of course.
Monika: Now, let's see...
Monika flips through her notebook to the specific poem she has in mind for herself.
She then stands behind the podium.
Monika: The title of this poem is The Way They Fly.
Monika: Ahem...
Monika begins reciting her poem.
Her clear, confident voice fills the room.
More than that, her inflection is pristine.
She knows exactly how to apply emotion behind each line she recites, bringing the words to life.
Is this something she's done before, or is she simply a natural?
I glance around me.
Everyone has their eyes on Monika.
Sayori looks amazed.
Yuri has an intense expression on her face that I don't understand.
Finally, Monika finishes the recitation.
The four of us applaud.
Monika takes a breath and smiles.
Sayori: That...that was so good, Monika!
Monika: Ahaha, thank you very much.
Monika: I was just hoping to set a good example.
Monika: Are you ready to go next, Sayori?
Yuri: I...I'll go next!
Sayori: Uwah! Yuri's fired up all of a sudden!
Yuri clutches a sheet of paper between her hands and stands up.
Keeping her head down, she walks quickly over to the podium.
Yuri: This poem is called-!
Yuri anxiously glances at each of us.
Sayori: You can do it, Yuri...
Yuri: It...It's called...Afterimage of a Crimson Eye.
Yuri's voice shakes as she starts reading the poem.
Just a moment ago, she practically refused to do this.
Why is she suddenly putting in so much effort?
As Yuri gets past the first couple of lines, her voice changes.
It's almost like what happens when Yuri gets absorbed into her books.
Her quivering words transform into the sharp syllables of a fierce and confident woman.
The poem is full of twists and turns in its structure that she enunciates with perfect timing.
This must be a rare glimpse into the whirling fire Yuri keeps concealed inside her head...!
Suddenly, she's finished.
Everyone is stunned.
Yuri snaps back into reality and glances around her, as if she bewildered even herself.
Yuri: I...
...It's up to me to save this situation.
I'm the first to start applauding.
Everyone joins me afterward, and we give Yuri the recognition she deserves.
It's not that we didn't want to applaud for her.
But we were caught so off-guard that we must have forgotten.
As we applaud, Yuri holds the poem to her chest and rushes back into her seat.
Monika: Yuri, that was really good.
Monika: Thank you for sharing.
Yuri: ...
Looks like Yuri is down for the count...
Sayori: Okaay~
Sayori: I guess I'm next, then!
Sayori hops out of her chair and cheerfully walks to the podium.
Sayori: This one's called...My Meadow.
Sayori: Ah...
Sayori: ...Ahaha!
Sayori: Sorry, I giggled...
Sayori: Ehehe...
You: Sayori...
Sayori: It's a lot harder than I thought!
Sayori: How did you guys do it so easily?
Monika: Ah...
Monika: Try not to think of it like you're reciting to other people.
Monika: Imagine you're reciting it to yourself, like in front of a mirror, or in your own head.
Monika: It's your poem, so it'll come out the best that way.
Sayori: I see, I see...
Sayori: Okay, then...
Sayori begins her poem.
Somehow, it feels like her soft voice was made as a perfect match.
The poem isn't aimlessly cheery like Sayori is.
It's serene and bittersweet.
If I were to read this on paper, I probably wouldn't think much of it...
But hearing it come from Sayori's voice almost gives it a whole new meaning.
Maybe this is what Sayori meant when she said she likes my poems.
It's like I get to reach more deeply into someone I thought I knew through and through.
Sayori finishes, and we applaud.
Sayori: I did it~!
You: Good job, Sayori.
Sayori: Ehehe, everyone liked it.
Sayori: I guess that's a good sign~
You: What does that even mean...?
Monika: It came out nicely, Sayori.
Monika: The atmosphere of the poem fits you really nicely.
Monika: But it might be that other poems wouldn't work quite as well with that kind of delivery...
Sayori: Eh? I don't really understand...
Monika: In other words, I've seen poems of yours where that sort of gentle delivery wouldn't work as well.
Monika: They might need a little more force behind them, depending on what you're reading...
Sayori: Oh, I know what you mean!
Sayori: That's...well, I've been practicing that kind of thing...
Sayori: It's just embarrassing to do in front of everyone...
Sayori: Ehehe...
Monika: Then next time, I'm going to make you pick a poem that challenges you a little more.
Monika: We don't have much time before the festival, you know?
Sayori: Okaaaaay.
Monika: Now, who's next...?
Monika: Natsuki?
Natsuki: Hmph.
Natsuki: It's not like I can compare to you guys, anyway...
Natsuki: Might as well lower everyone's standards a little before I have to do it.
Natsuki looks directly at me.
Sayori: Natsuki...
You: It's fine, it's fine.
You: I might as well get it over with.
You: But it's not like I have much of a selection of what to read...
You: I'll just have to go with what I wrote for today.
I stand up and step in front of the podium.
Everyone has their eyes on me, making me feel terribly awkward.
I recite my poem.
Since I'm not exactly confident in my own writing, it's hard to put energy into it.
Despite that, once I finish, I receive applause anyway.
You: Sorry I'm not really as good as everyone else...
Monika: Don't worry about it so much.
Monika: I think it's less about your abilities, and more about your lack of confidence in your writing.
Monika: That's something that'll improve over time, though.
You: Yeah... Maybe.
Monika: Alright, then!
Monika: That just leaves you, Natsuki.
Natsuki: Yeah, yeah.
Natsuki: I'm going.
Natsuki begrudgingly gets out of her seat and makes her way to the podium.
Natsuki: The poem is called...
Natsuki: It's called...
Natsuki: W-Why are you all looking at me?!
Monika: Because you're presenting...
Natsuki: Hmph...
Natsuki: Anyway...the poem is called Jump.
Natsuki takes a breath.
Once she starts reciting the poem, her sour attitude disappears a little.
While she's still a little unenthused, her poem has a rhythm and rhyme to it.
It's Natsuki's trademark style, and it works surprisingly well when spoken aloud.
The words feel like they bounce up and down, as if giving life to the poem.
Natsuki finishes, and everyone applauds.
She huffs back to her seat.
Monika: That wasn't so bad, was it?
Natsuki: Easy for you to say...
Natsuki: You'd better not make me do that again.
Monika: Ah, well...
Monika: Do you at least feel prepared enough to recite a poem in front of other people?
Natsuki: I mean, doing it in front of other people will be way easier!
Natsuki: I can put on whatever face I want for other people.
Natsuki: But when it's just my friends...
Natsuki: It's just...embarrassing.
Sayori: That's a surprise, Natsuki...
Sayori: I think it would be the other way around for me.
Natsuki: Well, that's just how it is, so...
Monika: Well, I guess in that case...
Monika: You won't have much to worry about for the festival.
Monika: That said, I want to thank everyone for coming through.
Monika: It might be hard, but I hope that you all have an idea of what it's like now.
Monika: Make sure you pick a poem and get enough practice before the festival, okay?
Monika: I'll be making pamphlets, so let me know ahead of time what you'll be reciting.
You: Jeez...
You: I should probably find some other poem to recite instead.
Monika: That's fine, too!
Monika: It doesn't have to be your own.
Monika: It's just nice to see how much you care about the club.
Monika: It makes me really happy.
You: Ah... Yeah, no problem...
Monika: Okay, everyone!
Monika: I think that's about it for today.
Monika: I know the festival is coming up, but let's try to write poems for tomorrow, as well.
Monika: It's been working out really nicely so far, so I'd like to continue that.
Monika: As for the festival, we'll finish planning tomorrow, and then we'll have the weekend to prepare.
Monika: Monday's the big day!
Sayori: I can't wait~!
Yuri: I can do this... I can do this...
You: Alright-
I stand up.
There's no way I'll be able to find the same enthusiasm as Sayori and Monika, but I'll do my best to get through it.
If it's for the sake of the club...
And impressing Monika...
Then I'll have to do my best.
You: Ready to go, Sayori?
Sayori: Yep!
Natsuki: Look at you two, always going home together like that.
Monika: It's kind of adorable, isn't it?
Sayori: Ehehe~
You: Jeez, guys...
You: Don't make such a big deal out of it.
Yuri: It must be a little nice, though...
You: Well...
You: Ah...
How am I supposed to respond to that?
Sayori: It's okay you don't have to say it.
You: ...Whatever. Let's go already.
I walk home with Sayori once more.
Even though it's only been a few days, a lot of things have already changed.
But today, Sayori is being a little quieter than usual on the way home.
You: Hey, Sayori...
Sayori: ...
Sayori: ...Sorry! I was spacing out!
You: Ah, no wonder...
Sayori: Um...
Sayori: I was...thinking about something from earlier.
Sayori: I like how we get to...
Sayori: I-I mean...
Sayori fumbles with her words.
Sayori: So...let's just say that one day, Yuri asked to walk home with you...
You: Huh?!
Sayori: What would you do?
You: What kind of question is that...?
You: You're kind of putting me on the spot here...
Sayori: Ehehe...
Well...
I would walk home with Yuri.:
You: Walking home with Yuri, huh...
Why does the thought of that make my heart pound...?
You: I mean...
You: Given how hard it is for her to socialize, I would feel awful turning her down, so...
Sayori: Isn't she so beautiful and smart?
You: That has nothing to do with what I just said!
Sayori: Ahaha! You admitted it!
You: Jeez...
You: There's not even any point in speculating something that's never going to happen.
Sayori: Well, maybe...
Sayori: But I just like to think about it.
Sayori: I can only make you so happy.
You: Sayori...
You: I can't figure out how you're seeing things in your head right now.
Sayori: Sorry...
You: Everyone is different...
You: Nobody in the club is a replacement for you.
Sayori: Hmm...
Sayori: If you say so...
The conversation trails off, and I'm left feeling awkward.
But it was kind of her fault for trapping me with such a weird question...
I can't just lie to her.
But if there's something that makes her happy, I would hate to take that away from her.
That's why I said there's no point in speculating.
Then again, the festival is only a few days away...
Who knows what will happen in that time?