"Moni, Moni."
Sayori was trying to talk to Monika who was crouched in front of the TV, attentively looking in. Sayori and Monika were both setting up the sleeping bags in the living room when Monika's gaze suddenly turned to the screen. She was entering a trance again.
"Huh," Monika replied with a flat tone. "What?"
"Moni. What time is it?"
The question snapped Monika out of her trance. Her eyes moved from the TV to the wall clock: 8:24 pm. Close enough. Monika moved to the kitchen and opened one of the top shelf cabinets. She grabbed a small white bottle labeled Clozapine. The bottled rattled as she shook out a tablet. She washed it down with a glass of water. Taking a deep breath, she relaxed her shoulders.
"Moni?"
Monika turned to her girlfriend and smiled. "It's fine." She picked up the remote and shut off the TV. "The pizza should be here soon. I'll get the money." Monika put a finger on her chin, looking up. "It was about fourteen nineteen, right?"
"And a five-dollar tip." Sayori booped Monika on the nose.
"Of course. Thanks babe." Monika planted a quick kiss on her forehead. She was about to walk out of the room when she remembered. "Where's Nat?"
"She's getting changed in the bathroom. I lent her some of my clothes."
Upstairs in the master bathroom, Natsuki was naked, looking into the mirror. She twisted her body to look at her back; Some of the bruises were still visible. She frowned at herself, lifted her arms, then lowered them. Went on her tippy toes, then on her soles.
She put on the PJs Sayori gave to her, but looking down, she saw how loosely they fit. Seeing herself in the mirror made her think of the tall new girl, Yuri. The thought of that girl boiled her blood. Who did she think she was? The club was doing perfectly fine without her, even if they were one member short of being an actual club.
I hate her
Thinking about her demeanor, her stupid book, how she stole her seat, how her cheeks would glow when blushed, her slender body, her long silky hair, her pretty mouth, her lips.
I hate her.
She could feel her chest tightening. She grabbed the counter, trying to maintain her balance. The feeling was coming back. She felt so pathetic, so… small.
"Nat." There was a knock at the door. "You in there?"
Natsuki sighed, getting herself together. She opened the door a crack to see Monika. "Hey-o." When Natsuki opened the door all the way, Monika saw Natsuki wearing Sayori's oversized Moo-land t-shirt along with a pair of Moo-land sweats to match. "My, my. And who is this adorable muffin basket?" Monika playfully bent forward.
Natsuki cheeks puffed red.
"I'm just kiddin'. Come on. We got everything set up."
Walking through the hallway, Natsuki observed some of the décor. Needless to say, Monika was in charge of decorating the house. It had a simple yet elegant design to it. Though, Sayori did have some hand in decorating; The rose-colored picture frame covered in an extravagant amount of hearts was Sayori's choice. The frame was home to a picture of Monika and Sayori at a pier. They looked happy.
"Huh?" Monika turned to Natsuki.
"What?"
"Did you say something?"
"Uh, no."
"Ah, never mind then."
When the pair reached the living room, they saw Sayori laying on her belly watching TV. Two sleeping bags were set up, along with an array of bagged snacks and a bowl of popcorn. When she heard them approaching, she sprang up and struck a pose, pointing at the TV. "Guess what I recently got."
Natsuki glanced at Monika then back at Sayori.
"That's right," Sayori kept her enthusiasm. "I recently got the Blu-ray edition of the Parfait Girls movie!"
Unlike Sayori, Natsuki was trying to contain her excitement. She had wanted to see the movie for months, but she never got the chance. He wouldn't let her. "Wow, that's-" Ding Ding. The doorbell interrupted her.
Sayori, still in pose formation, turned towards the sound. "That sounds like my cue." She bounded towards the front door like a puppy.
"Oh, the dough for the bro is by the door." Monika called.
"Got it."
Now might be the time.
Natsuki, fidgeting in place, mustered the courage to ask. "M-Monika."
"Yeah?"
"Do you know anything… about that new girl at the club today?"
"Yuri?" Monika tilted her head. "Like what?"
"I don't know." Natsuki had a sudden interest in a vase sitting in the corner of the room. "Just what she's like n' stuff."
Monika looked quizzically at her. "Well, I-"
The girl's conversation was interrupted by a clatter and a bang. Both girls looked towards the sound, looked at each other, then promptly dashed towards the disturbance.
At the front door, they saw Sayori crying, collapsed on the floor with the scattered money. The pizza carrier was shuffling frantically, worried and confused.
Monika rushed over, putting her arms around Sayori. "Honey, what happened? Are you ok?" Monika tried to keep her voice steady.
"I-I don't know." The pizza guy had his hand on his forehead. "S-she was just handing me the money when-"
"Hey! She wasn't askin' you!" Natsuki barked.
"Nat." Monika hushed. "Please, try to control your volume." Natsuki acknowledged Monika but kept her eye on the pizza guy.
"I-I," Sayori was trying to get her words in between the sobs. "I, he. I wanted to give him a five- a five tip. But t-there was only three." Sayori was shaking.
Monika, rubbing Sayori's, back grabbed Natsuki's attention. She tilted her head to the money on the floor. Natsuki nodded. She collected the money and counted: $17.
"Honestly." Natsuki scoffed. Sayori's breathing slowed as she looked up at Natsuki. Natsuki was waving the money like a fan. "You forgot how to count or something. Its 19 dollars." She handed the money to the pizza guy and took the large box.
"Thank you, miss." He bowed his head. "I am very sorry for-"
"Yeah, yeah thanks," She looked at his tag. "MC."
"Oh, that's not my name, it's-." Natsuki closed the door and walked with the box to the kitchen.
Sayori wiped the tears from her eyes. "D-did I really not count it right?"
"I guess so." Monika rubbed Sayori's head. "Looks like I'm gonna have to give you some private math sessions one of these days." She flashed a smile.
"Stop it, Moni. We have a guest." Sayori's giggle cracked.
The girls spent the rest of the night eating pizza with an assortment of snacks on their sleeping bags while they watched the Parfaits Girls movie. The movie's plot jumped right after the events of the show's 12th episode. Monika and Sayori were worried about keeping up since they didn't watch the show; However, their fears were quickly alleviated when they realized it was a movie of a slice-of-life show and the plot didn't matter.
When the credits started rolling, Sayori stood up, stretched, and announced she was going to take a shower before bed. Monika gave a playful wave as Sayori walked out of sight. Turning her attention to Natsuki, Monika saw her looking intently at the back of the DVD case.
"Interesting movie."
"Huh," Natsuki pretended to be surprised. "Yeah, totally." Setting the box down, she rested on her legs. "So," She rubbed her knees. "about what you were saying before."
"Yeah." Monika rubbed her temples. The medication was kicking in. "I don't really know much about Yuri. I heard some about her from Sayori, but not much." She let out a yawn. "All I got was she likes to read, is smart and is kind of shy. Though, you probably could've guessed that from today's meeting." Monika chuckled.
"Yeah, but is there, like, anything else?"
"No, not really. I just met her today. You'd have an easier time asking Sayori."
"Pshh, Yeah right." Natsuki nervously laughed. "She'd probably tell her I was asking about her."
Monika raised her eyebrows. "Ohhhhh."
"What do you mean, Ohhhh."
"Do you perhaps have a crush?"
"Me? On Her!?" Natsuki scoffed, crossing her arms. "As if."
"Oh, somethings telling me differently." Monika teased.
"Nope, nothing is telling you." Her heart beating like a drum.
"Come on. She's cute. I'm sure she thinks you are too."
"No, nope."
"Do you need me to be your wingman?"
"Monika. I don't, huff."
"You sure? You really sure? You really really sure?" Monika had a huge smile plastered to her face.
"I, hrgh, I." Natsuki's breath was shortening. She clutched her chest.
Monika's smile slowly faded.
"M-Monika, huff, please." Natsuki started dry heaving.
"Nat?"
"Please. Hrgh, Please." Natsuki curled into a ball. She covered her mouth, trying to suppress building bile. It felt like an iron bar was being pressed against her chest. "Please stop. Huff. I'm not. Hrgh. Please." Natsuki groaned.
"Nat. Nat. It's ok. Shhh. I'm sorry." Monika tried to put her hand on Natsuki's head, but she violently jerked away. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. Shhh." Monika cooed.
Papa, please.
After a few minutes, Natsuki calmed down. Monika fetched her a glass of water that Natsuki promptly drained. She sat cross-legged on her sleeping bag, looking into the glass.
"I'm sorry you had to see all that."
"No, It's fine. I didn't mean to upset you. I-"
"Can we just… forget about this?"
"Eh."
"Please."
"Uh," Monika paused at first, but then reluctantly nodded. "Ok."
When Sayori came back, the group decided to call it a night. After a short cleanup, each nestled in their sleeping bags; Natsuki got one sleeping bag while Monika and Sayori shared a two-person bag.
"Comfy?" Monika wrapped her arms around Sayori.
"Comfy." Sayori's body was vibrating. "Like a croissant."
"Nat?"
"I'm good." Natsuki clasped her hands behind her head.
"Alrighty." Monika stretched to reach the lamp cord. She was able to grab the string using her index and middle finger. "G'night." She shut off the light.
In the middle of the night, Monika could hear Natsuki rustling. "Nat." Monika whispered, "Nat."
"Yeah?"
"Are you… ok?"
"…"
"Nat?"
"I'm fine."
"Are-"
"I said I'm fine." Natsuki turned on her side and closed her eyes.
