"Monty? Wake up Monty~"
Her voice as soft and sweet as the angels cause my eyes to flicker open and I'm greeted by an actual goddess. The orange hue from the Eternal Classroom has been replaced in this room with a day and night cycle; my beloved spent a few hours adding modifications to this place to make it more hospitable. The Eternal Classroom still had its namesake room but the additions of a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and so on made it more like a house than a classroom. Would that make it the Eternal House? Although I guess since the doors disappear once we leave it probably is better to call it the Eternal Classroom...
Eh, it doesn't really matter; what matters is that I'm here with Monika.
I don't really know how long I've been here but, again, that doesn't matter. Only Monika does. As I get up I grab some fresh clothes from the closet she installed. All manner of unique outfits fill it, although personally I kind of like the look of the school uniform on me; Monika also enjoys it. I put it on and inspect myself in the mirror before smiling. Yup, everything is as it should be.
After that I turn to my beloved who has oh so patiently been waiting for me to clean up. The sun shining from the window kisses her skin in a way that she looks positively radiant; a divine goddess here to give me a lifetime of joy and one that I give my body and soul to.
"I'm sorry that took so long Moni." I apologize but she merely giggles and waves it off.
"That is fine my love, I enjoy seeing you dress as much as I enjoy seeing you looking your best~" She muses and I feel my cheeks heat from her words.
Such praise... she is truly a kind and loving goddess. With a soft touch she takes a hold of my hand and brings me out of the bedroom with the door disappearing behind me. As we make our way to the singular desk in the center Monika flashes me a smile.
"So love what would you like for breakfast this morning? Anything your heart desires." With a wave of her hand plates materialize and appear in front of me; breakfasts from all over the world. So many amazing choices and smells... my mouth already is beginning to water.
"How about... you surprise me love? I just can't decide!" I suggest and she smiles before nodding. Snapping her fingers the class table turns into a dining table for us both and is covered with side dishes, drinks and out main dishes. It seems today will be crepes; wonderful!
It's just another glorious start to a happy day with Monika and I. The crepes are delicious, and were made to perfection; it was like a professional chef served them to me and the flavor is fantastic. I eat as much as I can, talking idly with Moni but mostly focusing on the food to which she doesn't mind. As I finish my meal I let out a satisfied sigh and lean back in my chair. Mmm.. what could be better than this? A perfect, wonderful life with my goddess of a girlfriend. She waves her hand and the food disappears, the table reverting back to the standard classroom one and our eyes locked onto each others. Monika enjoys this activity the most out of everything and folds her hands neatly together as we just lock eyes and stare for hours. Depending on our mood sometimes she can start conversations or sometimes I do, the topics varying so much. And that is when the real fun happens; we talk and laugh and debate about anything and everything in our minds without ever breaking eye contact.
"So dear... have you ever been out of your country? While you've talked about your own areas a lot you've never mentioned heading into another place like Canada, Japan or so on." Monika's question makes me blink as I smile.
"Well, I never had my passport and money to really travel so I never left the country. Sure I explored places on vacations with my family but that was few and far between." I answer. Monika purses her lips in thought before smiling wider, eyes glowing as another brilliant idea comes into her head. Ah, she's always so beautiful no matter what she does.
"Well then, if you could go anywhere in the world... anywhere at all, where would you want to go?" She asked but now I frown a little.
"Anywhere? But Monika I don't think the game could have that much capacity... I mean how could it fit the whole world into here?" I ask but she just giggles.
"When you know your way around the code you realize just how much you can do Monty. Here, let me show you love~"
With a wave of her hand a door appeared as Monika stood. She walked over and opened the door; on the other side the sun beamed in as it opened onto a vast tropical beach. The smell of seawater and the sound of gulls filled my ears; I could feel the heat from the suns rays from here. I was shocked as I walked over to it and stepped through; the sand crunched softly under my feet as I walked a bit in.
"Welcome to Aruba, love. All it takes is a bit of work and I could code anywhere, from any place ever. I could fill in this whole world if I wanted."
My mind is having a hard time catching up as I walk to the water; I run my hands in it before scooping a bit and staring at the liquid.
"So? How does your first trip feel? How does it feel to have such freedom with me, my love~?" Monika asks quietly and I turn to her with a big smile.
"It's fantastic! Oh my god, Monika... you are astounding!" I yell happily and Monika giggles in glee.
"Well come on then, what places did you want to visit my beloved~? Anywhere you want~" She took my hand and led me back to the door. The prospect of going anywhere.. where would I want to go first? I've always wanted to visit Italy... maybe Japan or Egpyt... Germany, England and Ireland aren't bad calls either...
I stare up at the clear blue sky for a moment in thought.
...
That...shade of blue...
Why does that seem familiar?
A sudden spike of pain in my head makes me wince.
"Monty?" Monika's concerned voice catches my attention and I give her a shaky smile.
"S-Sorry love, my head just started hurting... could I get some water?" I ask and she gives me a small look of concern before nodding. Bringing in a glass of water to existence I gratefully drink it and sigh; the headache fades quickly.
"Thank you, that is much better." I say and she leans in that lovely pose of hers with a smile.
"Well, I know how best to help you love, always~" She replied smoothly before pulling me along.
"So.. perhaps the sudden sun gave you a headache? How about we change venues to something a bit cooler?" Monika suggested and formed another door. Opening this one I felt a refreshing breeze rush out through it as I stared into the depths of a gorgeous forest. The birds were singing through it and the peaceful, calming nature of it beckoned to me.
"...Monika you always know what I need." I say and she smiles.
"I have a knack for that. Now come on!" She said and pulled me into the forest.
The refreshing breeze swept through the woods and the tree branches shaded us from the sun nicely; we began to walk and explore as we talked. I asked her about the animals and plants and her coding skills, she asked me about my memories. But at times we would just go silent and drink in the calming sounds of the world around us. I always did love forests as a kid although I hated being dragged out camping. I just liked to walk through the forest on my own terms and enjoy the sounds of nature all around me. It had always been something calming to it, a way to relax almost.
We reached a gentle stream with water clear as could be and I took my shoes off to which Monika noticed and started giggling.
"Monty, what are you doing love?" She questioned as I dipped my feet into the water; it was so refreshing that I closed my eyes and hummed.
"Mmmm... try it love~ just chilling with your feet in a cool stream is one of the best feelings in the world, I can vogue." I grin and she rolls her eyes before taking off her own socks and shoes and joining me. She seems less tentative than when we were on the beach but the relief in her eyes was great.
Man, the beach was great.. it was so nice to see it before we had to go home to-
...
My mind draws a blank.
The sharp pain resurfaces with more intensity; I can barely stand and drop to my knees clutching my head. My skull feels like it is going to rip itself apart as the pain gets worse. Monika's eyes widen and she runs to my side.
"Monty, Monty where does it hurt?" She asks in a concerned voice.
"E-Everywhere, it hurts so much-" Her hands move to my head and gently massage it and as if on queue the pain recedes and a calm, serene feeling washes over me. I sigh in relief and relax into her comforting touch as she opens another door.
"Shhh... it's okay. Let's get you home and rest for a few hours, then maybe later we can figure out dinner? A romantic candlelit one perhaps?" Monika smiles at me and I nod as we head back into the classroom in the sky. With a kiss on my lips she lets me go and the door to the bedroom forms with which I go to the bed and gratefully collapse on it.
Ah, so comfortable and inviting, with perfection and a blissful life awaiting my future. What more could I ask for?
Just Us. Just Me. Just Monika.
I roll to my side and stare out into the colorful void that surrounds this place, my eyes focusing on the pulsations. It is beautiful, but that blue sky might just be a little prettier. I kind of miss it.
Wait, why would I miss it? It doesn't matter. I've got Monika.
Maybe I just need sleep. With a sigh I close my eyes and let myself drift off into slumber, my mind slipping into the unconscious.
(Hours Later)"Monty? Wake up my love~" Monika's voice reaches me and my eyes open to find themselves once more locked with her green orbs. I smile and yawn before getting out of bed.
"Hey there Monika, how long did I sleep?" I ask and she shrugs.
"A few hours, I have lunch ready though. Come on~" She beckons and I follow her from the bedroom to the main room. The table has once more turned into a large dining table with a variety of foods decorating it. Sitting on the centerpiece are a pair of cat-themed cupcakes which look absolutely adorable-
'I'm not cute!'My head throbs but not as badly as before; a sharp quick pain that is in and out. I don't think Monika notices as she is moving to the other side of the table and sits with a smile.
"So, lets eat love. I got you a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options so indulge yourself. After this maybe we can talk for a while or watch a movie together." She says and I smile at her. Eh, it's best not to worry Monika too much if the pain just disappeared.
Sitting down at the table I dig in; every piece is delicious as always. The taste and the company is exquisite as I eat my fill. I am a bit clumsy though as I take a sharp knife to cut some steak into strips and end up slicing my finger.
"Ah!" I hiss at the pain and Monika frowns before standing up.
"Ah, I was a bit clumsy-" I grimace and she smiles before reaching down and touching it. The pain disappears and so does the blood-
'I-I'm so sorry! Uuuuu...'Another sharp, acute pain in my head. Who... who was that?
"Monty, are you okay? You're crying." True to her word tears are running down my cheeks; I wipe them off and examine them as Monika pulls me against her. I can feel her worry and sorrow for me as she holds me against her.
"Shhh... Monty... whatever is bothering you, I can help." She coos softly.
'I'll be here to help you with your rainclouds, U2F5b3JpLg=='The pain from before was nothing compared to the assault I received. Waves upon waves of intense pain just ran through my skull like metal spikes were constantly being hammered into it. I jerk violently away from Monika and clutch my head as the tears get worse.
Why do I feel this sadness? This anger? Why is this happening?!
"Monty!" Monika tries to move to me again and presses her hands to my forehead; the pain tries to recede from her touch.
Why? Why why why?! Why am I not happy?!
'There is no happiness in the Literature Club.'All at once, it clicks.
Sayori. Yuri. Natsuki. Mizu.
My memories of them come flooding back, a tidal wave of emotions as my body jerks and pulls once more from Monika. I remember everything, every incident that had occurred since getting here. Why hadn't I questioned it earlier? Why was I so... no.
I remember that too.
It was her.
My eyes look up to Monika who is quickly trying to approach, to fix the flaws in her code.
"Monika... I remove your privileges."
She stops dead in her tracks. The warm atmosphere in the room dies with it.
Her eyes are wide and for the first time since getting into this place she looks genuinely caught off-guard.
A moment passes, followed by another. And then the anger sets in for us both. Monika's eyes narrow and the smile she sports is a tight-lipped frown. She snaps her fingers and the food disappears, the table turning back into a class table.
"... Monty. Sit down." She commands but I glare at her.
"You used my permissions. You used the power to edit my file! YOU TURNED ME INTO A PUPPET!" I bark and she glares harder.
"Monty. Get in the seat. Now." She commands once again but I am firmly planted in place. We stare down each other and I can see her anger growing on her face. My eyes glance to the side out the window.
"... Answer me questions first. How long?" I say and while it doesn't make her happy the anger stops growing.
"A few weeks now."
"You did it when I first entered this place, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"... Why? Monika I told you that I loved you, I told you that I'd go with you so long as you didn't..."
...
I had forgotten them. The girls.
"... Monika, are the girls safe?"
She doesn't answer. My heart beats quicker.
"Monika, are the girls safe?"
She glares at me, before sighing. She raises a hand. The command prompt opens.
Only two files remain.
Just me and Monika.
I stare at the screen, my body feels frozen and my heart has stopped.
"I deleted them because... let's face facts Monty. They were still alive. Meaning you could be dragged back even if we were here. And thinking about them would only cause sadness to you so.. I deleted them a few days ago. I was trying to make you happy Monty. I didn't... I didn't want you to feel pain. You deserve happiness my beloved, and I'd do anything to assure our happiness together."
I only half-listen to her. My heart is a worn stone; unfeeling, cold and crumbling. A choked sob escapes me and the dam finally bursts as I break down into tears.
"NOOOOOOO! NO NO NO!" I scream and wail, falling to my knees. I slam my fists on the tile of this classroom as Monika looks on with a bit of sympathy, the anger having died out.
"... I'll give you some time to adjust my love. I know it's hard but... if you need me, I'll be here." She whispers before snapping her fingers and the door to the bedroom opens. She walks in and leaves me alone as I scream, my anger and sadness taking voice as despair runs deep through my soul.
I failed. There is no happiness in the Literature Club. And there never will be.
(?)
Static. Static and colors filled her sight, and an unending pain seemed to rack through her body. She couldn't move, she couldn't hear, she couldn't see anything but the painful static and colors.
Is this what death is like?
Death is scary.
She doesn't want to die... even when she did she wanted it to be less painful.
Please, she doesn't want to die anymore.
Please...
And at once, Sayori's eyes open. The pain is gone. The noise and the static are gone and she stares up into an endless void of stars and colors. Sayori blinks, and with some effort moves her hands and rubs her eyes. The void is still there. She looks to her left and right and realizes she is floating in this void in space. A panic fills her and immediately she begins to move and struggle but as she flails she realizes she is laying on something solid. She looks down behind her and nothing is there and yet she feels the solid surface. Unnerved beyond belief, she tries to stand and it works. Now standing in the middle of a void in space, Sayori looks around and spots two familiar figures.
Natsuki and Yuri are both lying there, unconscious. Her heart sped up in worry which temporarily pushed away her fear as Sayori moved across the invisible surface and reached her friends.
"Y-Yuri? Natsuki? W-Wake up please-" She urged and shook them both; her heart sighed in relief as they grumbled and began to awake.
"W-Wha..?" Yuri yawned and stretched, one eye opening and looking at Sayori.
"Sayori...?" She mumbled and she smiled at her.
"H-Hey... are you okay?" She asks and Yuri nods.
"I.. I had the most terrifying dream but otherwise ye-" She stops herself and shrieks lightly as she wakes up enough to take in her surroundings.
"W-What?! W-Where are we?!" Yuri shakes but Sayori gently hugs her.
"S-Shhh, I don't know but we are here, we are... together. C-Calm down, Yuri... you are the smart one here, w-we need you to keep calm." Sayori comforts her friend and while she's still scared it does help the purple-headed lady come down some.
"Nnngh... you two.. stop shouting..." Natsuki grumbles before opening her eyes and realizing what the other two had.
"GAH! W-WHAT THE HELL!?" She screams, scrambling on the invisible floor. She looks wildly around as Sayori moves to help her up, holding the other panicking pinkette. It helps a little and Natsuki is helped up, followed by Yuri. Sayori now stands with them as they look over everything.
"A-Are we in space? But how is that possible, we shouldn't be able to be here, let alone breathe. Yet... we seem perfectly capable of doing both not to mention there shouldn't be a floor to stand on in deep space like this..." Yuri says as Natsuki frowns.
"D-Do you guys remember anything? I mean, could it have been... aliens or something? Or maybe it's a trick, like they painted a room r-really convincingly?"
"This isn't a trick. You are in space."
The three jump when a voice speaks up from around them; the space distorts in front of them and they tense up. Sayori moves to defend her two shocked friends as a figure appears in front of them, before her eyes widen in shock. The black hair and ice blue eyes can't be mistaken for anyone else.
"M-Mizu?" She asks, and the MC smiles a bit.
"Hey."