"So. Where do we start?" Natsuki asks. We're back in the regular clubroom. Everything is back to normal, except our mental states, apparently. It's clear everyone is VERY shaken up from the events that have just transpired. I wouldn't be surprised if this simply adds to their trauma rather than relieves it.
"We have a lot to do." Mike nods. "And unfortunately the events and the dialogue are all centered around Monika, so it's basically up to her to help each of you."
I nod. "It basically boils down to dialogue options given to me, and choices I make based on those. They usually consist of a question I could ask, or a person I choose to spend time with. They don't come up all that often, I generally have some control over my actions. Unfortunately this also means that YOUR actions, thoughts, and behaviour are indirectly influenced by these choices. For instance if I could only spend time with one person this weekend, and I chose Yuri, Yuri might be excited, or scared, or both. Natsuki on the other hand might feel annoyed, left out, and she'll most certainly speak out against my choice.
"Hey I wouldn't do that!"
Everyone ignores Natsuki's protest.
"I don't really know where I can really start per se," I continue. "But what I can do tonight, since we're all incredibly tired and frankly a bit traumatised-"
"You can say that again." Natsuki mumbles.
"Is challenge you to be mindful of your struggles and wherever you can, try to avoid giving in to intrusive thoughts." I glance down at Natsuki. "As for you, since your struggles aren't a result of your own mind, you'll have to work out another approach."
"I'll be fine tonight." Natsuki says solemnly and slumps. "Papa's usually too tired to do anything on Mondays."
"And what about your mother?" Yuri asks.
Natsuki starts sobbing.
"Ah. I s-see. Sorry I didn't mean to-"
"No it's fine Yuri. It was a reasonable question." Natsuki wipes a tear from her eye, mascara starts dripping down her face. "She died when I was very young. Not long after, the abuse started. He blamed me for his shortcomings and he took his grief out on me."
Yuri opens her mouth, presumably to apologise again, but thinks better of it.
"So you think you'll be fine with another night back at home?" Mike asks.
Natsuki nods.
"Alright. In that time, Monika and I will think up a game plan to help you get outta there."
"Thank you." Natsuki wipes her face. "Thank you so much." She says in a tone I don't think I've ever heard from her. She sounds genuinely thankful.
"I suppose you'll want my knife..." Yuri says, reaching into her bag, but Mike shakes his head.
"No need." He says. "What's the point anyway? You have dozens in your collection at home."
Yuri sweats. "I suppose that's true..."
"Besides. I know how much your collection means to you." He puts his hand on her shoulder. "It has to come from you. You have to resist the urge. Every time you get the urge, splash cold water on your face instead. Wear a rubber band around your wrist and pull it so it smacks your wrist. If you need to, just look at your knife collection, but don't touch them."
"Ok... I'll try..." Yuri's legs shake a wee bit.
"Just remember that if you relapse, that's okay." I add. "Don't think of it as a step back, recovery is an awkward process. This goes for you Sayori, as well."
"Eh?" Sayori looks at me with a scared and upset expression on her face.
"You might have days when you're actually excited for the day ahead, other days you want to curl up into a ball on your bed for 10 hours. Whatever you choose is up to you, but as long as you give it your best effort, you'll get through it. Both of you." I give Sayori and Yuri a hug. "I'm proud of you, all of you." I motion to Natsuki, who joins in. Mike kinda stands aside awkwardly, in an effort not to intrude. After all, Natsuki and Yuri don't know him that well yet, or rather they do, and they just don't remember it. God just thinking about it confuses myself.
"I'll help you as best as I can, Sayori." Mike says, after the hug breaks. "Since I'm close to you, I can come over and check on you regularly. Well, I can also check on Natsuki and Yuri as well, since I can see what other people are doing if I wish, but I don't want to abuse my powers too much, in case I turn into... well..." He trails off, not wanting to say what he meant. But I knew. We all did. The girls looked at me briefly before quickly staring off in different directions, utterly fixated on different parts of the classroom. I sigh internally. "It's also kinda gross as well, since you won't know I can see you. I'll try to limit it best I can, and only at appropriate times. I'll just stick with Sayori, since I can check up on her like a normal human being would." He walks over and puts his arms around Sayori. "I'm not gonna let it happen again."
Sayori starts crying and returns the hug. Mike looks up briefly and nods to me, signalling my cue to leave.
"Let's give them some space." I say to Yuri and Natsuki, who just nod. I hold the classroom door open as they walk out. Closing the door behind me, my sense of hearing gets muffled. It's almost as if my senses are dampened when I'm not with Mike. Or Sayori. Can't tell which one. Or maybe it's my guilt playing tricks on my ears. Natsuki and Yuri can't even look at me. Can't blame them. They're just walking ahead of me by about a couple metres. Much to surprise, they're holding hands. My heart pounds. I look out the window. The afternoon sun sits hesitantly above the horizon. The day is barely over, and I already feel exhausted. The others must feel the same. Natsuki and Yuri are talking quietly to each other so I can't hear them, but I don't care. I take in the environment around me as we turn towards the stairs.
I bid them goodbye at the bus stop, and proceed to walk home. By myself. I'm glad that I finally got it off my chest, but the animosity the club is giving me is obvious. I feel low and sombre, much like one would feel after hearing tragic news. I can't tell if it's better or worse that I was the one who delivered this said news.
I collapse on the couch downstairs. I hear a faint buzzing noise in my eardrums, like a bee trapped in a glass. Vague areas of the room start glitching, merging with the void. The buzzing noise starts getting louder and louder until eventually I black out and lose my senses to the void.