(A/N: Well holy schedule slips dear readers! Sorry about the long, out of nowhere hiatus. I went on a trip and when I came back, a combination of procrastination and back-to-back family emergencies kept me from writing this. But this is why I warned you I can't keep a schedule. I won't abandon this story… it just takes a while to get going sometimes. Alright where were we… Oh yes MC, Sayori and Monika, heading to MC's house to make the flyers.)

(A/N 2: I wrote the above A/N over a year ago… yeah, things got even more hectic… I've learned a lot since then. Sorry about all this. I've not abandoned the story, by the way. Here we go.)

Monika POV:

As we walked towards my house, I had a feeling in my gut… Like something is about to happen… but I don't know what. I look towards the smiling face of Sayori, as she talks excitedly to Mikhail. I never see her look more happy and at peace than when she's talking to him… or about him, or even just daydreaming about him. She has it bad.~ But then… Why do I feel like something bad will happen? The hairs on the back of my neck stand up; I feel like I'm being watched. I look around, but don't see anything.

A deep bass-baritone voice suddenly inquires "Monika, what's wrong?" It's Mikhail; hmmm, he's more observant than I give him credit for… though, not enough to see how deep Sayori's affection for him is. "It's nothing, don't worry. I've just never been in this neighborhood before, that's all." Sayori looks a bit confused. "But Monika-" I give her a quick glare to say 'shush up' and she stops talking. Mikhail just looks a bit confused. "Well, If you say so."

Observant, but not very bright.

We start to approach his house… and I look next door to see Sayori's house. I know him and Sayori are neighbors but still, it's a bit amazing that they are so close physically yet don't even realize how they feel about one another. I know Sayori well enough to see that she loves Mikhail and as for the man himself, it's becoming increasingly obvious that he returns her feelings…

… but the both of them are stopping themselves from coming forth with it! I know Sayori has her issues with depression, but it seems Mikhail has issues of his own as well. He doesn't seem to be the depressive type… he might have self-confidence and image issues… Heh, look at me, trying to psychoanalyze my club members! I walk up to his front door and turn to face Mikhail, who has stopped to talk with Sayori.

"Let's get started, shall we?"

MC POV

On the walk over I felt… odd. Monkia is acting strangely, like she's nervous. Is… is it me? Does she think I'm dangerous or weird? O-or has she just never been to a boys house before? She's so pretty though, I doubt that… unless she's into girls? I mean, she doesn't give that vibe… wait, is that offensive? I… I need to stop thinking about this. I turn to Sayori as we approach my house to try to take my mind off this.

"So, Sayori, Monkia has never visited your house before?" Sayori thinks for a minute. "Well… It's more like, I usually go over to her house, ya know?" She looked a bit… guilty? "Oh… I don't think that answered my question though?" Sayori looked towards Monkia and furrowed her brow. "She has been to my house, yeah." "So then why did she say she hadn't been here before?" Sayori shrugged. "I dunno, but I don't think she wants to talk about why." That's… odd. "Why-"

Monika interrupted us with a "Let's get started, shall we?" We turned to face her, as she stood in front of my front door. She smiled at us with an angelic, if practiced, smile, as she moved out of the way so I could unlock the door. I did so, and welcomed them into my home. "Come in, I'll clear some space on the table." Sayori skipped into my home like it was her own house and Monkia looked around curiously as she walked in. "Thank you." She said as she gazed at the simple decor.

I walked over to the table in the dining room and cleared off the placemats and some books I'd left lying there. Sayori sat down and cheerfully started pulling out supplies and papers to get to work, humming softly to herself as she did so. Monkia sat down and pulled out a notebook and pencil, and then turned to me. "To be honest, we don't particularly need much help with this, though, we are more than happy to have your help." Ah… Right, they probably have been planning these flyers for at least a month or more…

"Well… Damn, anything I can help with?" I ask, trying to be useful. Monika opens her mouth to say something, and is cut off by a burst of exuberance from Sayori. "Ooh, ooh! You should make us some snacks!" I can't help but smile at her excited energy; and out of the corner of my eye, I see Monika with a look on her face that just says 'Oh, Sayori.' like we're in a sitcom. Sayori giggled at our reactions, and Monika shrugged. "Well, I am curious. Sayori has spoken highly of your breakfasts, so let's see what you can do."

Well, looks like I'm a Chef now. Not a bad job if I say so myself. "Pasta sound good to you guys?" Monkia nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that sounds lovely, thank you." Sayori bounced in her chair in delight. "Hehehehehe!~ Just wait Monkia, you'll love his cooking!" I blush at the compliment. "Monkia, are you allergic to garlic?" I inquire. "No, I have no food allergies; thank you for checking."

I got out some good linguini, some olive oil, red pepper flakes, a bunch of parsley, a lemon and a lot of garlic. Figure I shouldn't make anything too fancy, so a simple dish would work best. I heavily salt some water and set it to boil as I get to work preparing the ingredients.

Monkia POV

Me and Sayori get to work making base copies of the flyers. We figured out what we wanted to say and how we wanted it to look long is just to finalize the work and make some copies. The School has a color copier, and I managed to schedule some time to make duplicates of our work (thanks Mom). Things went smoothly and quickly, and I looked over at Mikhail to see he was beginning the arduous process of peeling about a half a bulb of garlic.

I think about Sayori and Mikhail and how, despite the obvious crushes for one another they have, they refuse to make any moves, or confess… or even talk about it! It's so aggravating… Well, since we're just doing crafts really… I'll set things in motion then.~

"So, Sayori…" I say quietly "How long have you had a crush on 'MC'?" Sayori tensed up, and looked over at Mikhail in a panic. He didn't hear us, too busy focusing on the food. She turned back to me with an annoyed pout. "Monika, not so loud, he'll hear us!" She whisper-yelled. "He's more likely to hear you, if you keep that up; also, you didn't answer my question." Sayori looked angrily at me… which, considering it was her, was far more cute than threatening, though I did feel bad for having to force her hand like this. Sorry Sayori, it's for your own good.

"Well? If you don't talk, maybe I'll ask Mikhail if he-" Sayori, in a panic, responded quickly. "Alright, alright, I'll talk, just don't tell him!" "I won't.~ Now talk." Sayori sighed, and looked wistfully at Mikhail chopping the garlic cloves. "I think I've always had it… There was just a time when I was too young to realize it… He's always been so kind, and wonderful to me… He… he makes the rain clouds go away... " Awwww, childhood love. So precious.

"But…" But? "... I can't ever tell him…" Why not? "Sayori, you have to." She shook a bit. "I can't… if I do… he'll hate me… I've been so lucky that he hasn't been able to see how… pathetic I am… Heh, I've pined for him all these years, and it's dumb luck he hasn't caught on to how desperate I am... I-" I see where this is going, and cut her off. "Sayori, for your sake and his, you have to tell him. Tell me, what if- and don't say 'it's not possible', what if he likes you back? Really think about it."

Sayori gave a sad smile. "I think that's even worse than being rejected." … Oh dear, this… this might be beyond my help… "Sayori… You are worthwhile… You can't keep hiding this from him…" She sniffled, and looked at me, misty eyed. "I have to…" I sigh… I didn't want to have to use this but… "If he was feeling the same as you, not just the crush, but everything you're feeling, what would you want him to do?" She stopped… A tear fell down her face silently. "That's not fair Monkia… you know I'd want him to tell me… I'd want him to share everything, so I could help him, so I could be there for him… so I could… give him the love… he deserves…"

"Then let him be there for you." She took a steadying breath. "F-fine… I will… you meanie…" I let out a sigh of relief; that was harder than I expected it would be. I sniffed the air… Oh my, the food smells amazing! Sayori picked up on it too, as she wiped her eyes, and got excited about the food. "Oh wow, what is that MC?!" Mikhail plated up some bowls and carried them over to us. Twists of linguine with parsley and garlic, with a delicious smell, rested inside the bowls.

Sayori POV

Oh wow! A tasty, home cooked meal from my best friend is just what I need to wash away the aftertaste of that uncomfortable conversation with Monkia. I can't wait, as soon as it's placed in front of me, I grab a fork and dig in. "MMMMMMM!~ Shooo goood!" MC makes the best food!

Monkia takes a bite, and looks delighted. "Mmmm, this is quite good. Pasta Aglio e Olio, right? " I looked at Monika with my head tilted. What did she say? MC laughed. "So that's how you pronounce it? Heh, I just called it 'Garlic Pasta' because the name was too complex." Monika nodded. "Yes; it's a simple Italian dish. Where did you learn how to make it?" I know the answer to that! "MC wanted to cook when he was younger so his dad would always buy him cookbooks when he traveled abroad!" MC nods. "Yeah, that sums it up nicely." Monkia giggles, it's a beautiful sound, like soft bells ringing. "My my, how cultured.~ They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach but the same is true for women you know.~"

MC blushes and I pout. Come on Monkia, don't hit on him in front of me… Even if you are much, much better for him… Then, Monkia winks at me. WHAT?! It's my turn to blush. What does that- wait, is she trying to say 'If you don't confess, then I'll make a move on him'? No fair! I have to tell him how I feel now; if he thinks Monkia likes him as more than a friend, I won't stand a chance!

"MC, can we talk? Not now but… After we're done? Like, before we go home?" MC looks at me. "Oh, sure thing Sayori." Monkia smiles at me, and gives me a silent thumbs up. "Well, let's dig in, and finish up the work, right?" Me and Monkia both nod at that, and dig into the delicious pasta.

Time flies as we eat, make small talk, and work on the Flyer copies. Soon, it's getting late, and Monika needs to start heading home. She gives me a gorgeous, yet knowing smile, and quirks her eyebrow up at me. She then says to MC "Hey, weren't you going to talk to Sayori?~" He nods dumbly at her. Stop using your perfect charms on MC! Darn it Monkia! Just because you're a beautiful and perfect woman who's smart and friendly and wants what's best doesn't mean you can just make me do things you think are in my best interest!

I pout at her, but then put on a happy face. "O-oh yeah! S-so… MC…" MC looks at me with kindness and patience. "Yes, Sayori?" Monkia looks eagerly at us. I can almost hear her cheering me on. "I like… I mean, I always… Ya know how we… Um…" Monkia silently makes a 'Go on' gesture, acting nonchalant when MC looks at her. I take a deep breath. "I really love yoooooo... " I trail off, not wanting to really go through with this. "You really love my… what?" MC asks, accidentally giving me an opening to avoid the confession. "-Oooour Stand! I love your stand『Picnic Of Love』!" Sorry Monika… She looks disappointed, while MC blushes, looking bashful.

"R-really? You don't think it's lame?" I smile at him; on this, I can be truthful. "No, not at all! It's cute, and I love the hearts and it's name, and it even has cool powers! It's amazing MC!" He scratches the back of his head, a goofy grin on his handsome face. "Heh, thanks Sayori. He's really made life easier. Two extra hands around the house is a godsend."

We wrap up, gathering up the finished flyers, and helping MC clean up. We say our goodbyes, and Monkia and I leave his house. "You won't be able to avoid this." I look at her sadly. "Monkia… You know you can't just-" "I know, but now you have to deal with something else." I tilt my head in confusion. "Yuri and Natsuki will be coming over to his house as well. And, I don't know if you know this, both of them are developing crushes on him as well." WHAT!?

"T-they are?!" Monkia nods. "Yes; I've seen it. I know my club Members well, Sayori. And I know that, even if you are polyamorus, you wouldn't want to be with anyone but Mikhail first and foremost. You can only see yourself loving others if you get to love him, right?" I nod, worried. "Well, then you'll have to wonder if he'll turn to you if he is with someone else." I… I… "He shouldn't be with me… e-either of them would be better for him…" Monkia's response is swift and brutal. "Really? Well then, you won't have to worry about it. Because I know one of them will make a move first."

It was like a punch to the gut… I know he deserves them, and that any of my friends would make a better fit… but to think he'd be with someone without me… it still hurts… it burns… I want… I want to be there… I want to hold his hand when we walk to school… I want to be his g-girlfriend… I want to open my heart to love… But I… I…

"Monkia…" She looked at me, and gave me a hug. "You are worth it Sayori." I limply hugged her back, and then we separated, and she walked home, concern for me in her face. I sigh… "MC…" I walk home… It's gonna be a long night and 2 days…