Chapter 4: Something's not right

Monika: "Aw, man…I'm the last one here again!"

Nishikata: "Don't worry, I just walked in too."

Sayori: "Were you practicing piano again?"

Monika: "Yeah. Ahahaha…"

Yuri: "You must have a lot of determination. Starting this club, and then picking up the piano."

Monika: "Well, maybe not a determination. But, I guess just passion. Remember that the club wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of you. And I'm super happy that you willing to help out the festival too!"

Natsuki: "Aaah, I can't wait for the festival! It's gonna be great!"

Nishikata: "Eh? W-weren't you complaining it just yesterday, Natsuki-chan?"

Natsuki: "Well, yeah! I'm not talking about our part of the festival. But it's a whole day of school where we get to play and eat all kinds of delicious food!"

Nishikata: "You sounded like Sayori-san all of the sudden."

Sayori: "Eh…?"

Natsuki: "Monika! Do they usually have fried squid?"

Monika: "Squid…? That's a pretty specific thing to look forward to…"

Natsuki: "Oh, come on! Are you saying like you don't like squid? You, of all people?"

Monika: "Eh? I didn't say I don't like it. Besides, what do you mean by 'you all people'?"

Natsuki: "Because! It's right in your name! Mon-ika!"

Monika: "Eh!?"

Me and Sayori giggled at Natsuki's weird joke.

Monika: "That's not how you say my name at all! Also, that joke makes no sense in translation!"

Natsuki: "…?"

Monika: "Ah…Never mind! Let's just focus on our own event now, okay?"

Natsuki: "Ehehe. Fine fine, your reaction is nowhere close to Nishikata's. Isn't that right?"

Natsuki winked at me, making my face slightly red.

Nishikata: "H-hey! Not f-funny!"

Everyone laughed, but I felt something's missing.

Nishikata: "W-where's Takagi anyway…? Oh there you are."

Takagi is sitting at a desk in the corner of the room, looking down at nothing. I walked over to her.

Nishikata: "Takagi."

I waved my hand in front of her face.

Takagi: "Eh?"

Nishikata: "Were you spacing out?"

Takagi: "Yeah..."

Nishikata: "Is everything alright?"

Takagi: "…"

Nishikata: "It…just feels like you're a little off. Sorry for assuming things."

Takagi: "Don't worry too much about me."

Takagi still looks down, not wanting to look up at my worrying gaze.

Takagi: "Don't let me distract you from having fun with everyone else."

Nishikata: "A-are you sure? I-I mean…we can talk right now…"

Takagi: "Nah, I'm fine. Just…need some time alone. I'll see you guys later okay?"

Nishikata: "Well…alright, if you say so."

I worriedly glance at Takagi before turning back to everyone else. But the conversation is already dispersed, with everyone doing their own activities.

Maybe I should ask Monika if she's noticed anything about Takagi recently. Since her and Takagi were classmates, they must be spending a lot of time together. I timidly approach Monika, who is shuffling trough some paper at her desk.

Monika: "Nishikata! What's up?"

Nishikata: "Hey, this might sound a little strange, but…have you noticed anything up with Takagi lately?"

Monika: "Anything…up with her? In what way do you mean?"

Nishikata: "Maybe I'm reading it too much, but she seems a little bit downcast today…"

Monika: "Oh? Do you think so? I can't say I've noticed anything wrong about her…"

Monika peers across the room at Takagi, who buried her head into her desk, arms over her head.

Monika: "Maybe there's something on her mind…But I'm surprised I'm not the one asking you, Nishikata. You certainly know her a lot better than I do."

Nishikata: "Yeah, but she never really like this. She always seems to be very happy, if what not, tease me all this time. But this time, she didn't even looked at me. Wait, S-sorry! I-I know it's not your problem! I just wanted to ask if you knew anything, I'll…drop it now. I can talk to her the way home…"

Monika: "No, no…It's important to me too. She's my classmate after all, and I also care about the well-being of my club members, y'know? Maybe I'll try talking to her with Sayori. She's also her good friend."

Nishikata: "Eh? Are you sure about that? She seems she wanted to be left alone."

Monika: "Maybe she just has a hard time bringing it up with the person of interest…"

Nishikata: "What…?"

Monika: "I'm saying that probably the thing on her mind is you, Nishikata."

Nishikata: "Me!? Are you t-trying to tease me here? How on earth do you come to that conclusion!?"

Monika: "I probably shouldn't say too much, but…Takagi talks about you more than anything else, y'know?"

Nishikata: "WHAT!?"

Monika: "She's been so much happier ever since you joined the club. It's like, an extra light has been turned on inside her."

Nishikata: "What? No way! Since middle school, she's always happy when I'm with or without her. She's always carefree and sweet. It's not any different now than it's always been."

Monika: "Ehehe. You're funny Nishikata. Have you thought that maybe you've always seen her as so cheerful, because that's just how she is when she's around you?"

Nishikata: "Urk…"

I flushed and turned away from Monika's gaze.

Monika: "Ah…I said too much. I'm sorry…What do I know anyway? I didn't mean to jump into conclusion, you should just forget what I said. I'll try to talk to her, so try not to think about it for now."

Nishikata: "Ah. Alright."

Monika smiles meaningfully. I know she said to forget about it, but I know that I won't be able to get her words out of my head.

Monika calls Sayori as they walk across the room to where Takagi sitting. I watch as Monika kneel down and Sayori stands from the opposite direction of the desk and gently talk to her.

Monika: "Hey, Takagi. What's wrong?"

Takagi: "N-nothing."

Sayori: "Oh come on, you've been acting kinda down lately. Tell us what's wrong."

Takagi: "…"

I can hear Takagi sigh as she kept her voice down, so that none of us can hear beside Monika and Sayori.

And the conversation goes on as I sigh to myself and sit down. I know Monika told me not to worry about her. But that's impossible when she behaved like this. Exactly how much do I care about her, that I'm letting this weigh me down so much? Now it feels like I'm the one behaving out of the ordinary. But there's nothing I can do beside wait for Monika and Sayori. But I felt so stress that I can rely on them, and just sleep in the corner.

A few moments later.

Monika: "Okay everyone!"

Monika voice echoes through my ear, waking me up hastily.

Monika: "How about it's about time we share poems?"

And Before I know it, everything is back to normal. Everyone goes to retrieve the poem, and I do the same.

I want to talk to Takagi, so I decided that I share my poem to her first.

Takagi: "…Nishikata, this is your best one so far. It's really, really good."

Nishikata: "Er…Thanks."

Takagi: "Mhm!"

Okay, let's get this straight.

Nishikata: "Takagi, you've been a little quiet today. Is everything alright?"

Takagi: "E-Eh? Of course! Everything is fine! Maybe I'm just a little tired today…Ehehe…"

No, this is not Takagi at all. She would be confident or at least being opened up to me. But now, she looks quite nervous and concerning.

Nishikata: "Do you need a nap?"

Takagi: "No, that's silly! Don't worry about me okay?"

Nishikata: "…Okay then."

Takagi: "Hey, Nishikata. I'm quite surprised, I thought you're gonna write one like Sayori-san does, or even Monika-san. But in the end…"

Nishikata: "I still can't get over how much I want to win against you! So I decided that I make this one a little more…cold, if that's the right one."

Takagi: "Why? You don't want to get closer to everyone else?"

Nishikata: "H-Huh!? Well, kinda! But that doesn't mean I need to try so hard to impress them. I still hate losing! I know sometimes you have to put up with me, and I do so too. But we have…a wavelength or something. And this is how the poem came out. And don't think anything stupid!"

I saw Takagi started to tear up. This is….the first time…of my life seeing her like this…What happened to her?

Takagi: "N-No…Nishikata…I don't deserve this. You're too nice to me…Why are you doing this?"

What the hell? What's wrong with her!?

Takagi: "If you had fun with everyone else…This would be…so much easier!"

Nishikata: "T-Takagi…!"

I glance around the room, to make sure nobody notices us.

Nishikata: "What's gotten into you? What happened to you? You're never usually like this! Tell me what will cheer you up. Tease me if you have to, I won't hesitate."

Takagi shakes her head. She sniffles and keeps shaking her head. Finally, she gathers herself and puts on a smile.

Takagi: "I'm fine. It's okay Nishikata, you don't have to worry so much. It's just a little raincloud, I'm so sorry you have to see that. Ahahaha!"

My heart sinks. I tried to keep a good composure after what I just witness. This girl…what did Monika and Sayori talk to her?

Takagi: "I promise it wouldn't happened again! Just smile okay? That's all that matter."

Nishikata: "T-Takagi…"

Takagi: "Go play with everyone else. I'm gonna go home now. Tell Monika I'm not feeling well, okay?"

Nishikata: "W-what?"

Takagi: "See you later."

Nishikata: "W-WAIT!"

And just like that, she ignores me, walks away from the clubroom and smiles.

Nishikata: "…"

Completely speechless, I decided I rolled with everyone else and share their poems. However, I turn a cold gaze at Monika and Sayori, who's happily share their poems together. What did they say about Takagi!?

A few moments later.

Monika: "Okay, you four! We're all done sharing poems, right? Why don't we start figuring out-"

Natsuki: "Hold on a sec. Is it just me, or did you say something strange just now?"

Monika: "Eh?"

Sayori: "Monika didn't say her catchphrase!"

Monika: "Catchphrase? I-I don't have a catchphrase…"

Natsuki: "Jeez…why is the mood so weird today? Look, even Yuri isn't immune today."

Yuri: "Stagnating air is common foreshadowing somethings bad is about to happen…"

Nishikata: "IN YOUR BOOKS MAYBE!"

I yelled loudly, it seems that everyone was also surprised.

Sayori: "N-Nishikata?"

I pinch my eyes, as I grumbles.

Nishikata: "Look, the only thing different is that Takagi isn't here."

I gave a hard glare to Sayori and Monika, who seem confused.

Yuri: "Sigh…you're right."

Natsuki: "Yeah, she always seemed to lightens up the mood sometimes doesn't she?"

Monika: "Especially Nishikata. Who seemed to having a hard time when Takagi isn't around."

Sayori: "Yeah! You're right!"

The two laughs. I have an urge to slap them in their faces. But I suppressed that urge and continue on.

Nishikata: "I'm fine. She also needs some rest. That's why she run off."

Natsuki: "Seriously? Of all the times to not go home with home with her, you pick the time she's not feeling well? So much to you for being all lovey-dovey."

Nishikata: "STOP MISUNDERSTANDING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH TAKAGI, OKAY!?"

Natsuki jumps back in surprise, and hits her hand on the side of the desk. She deserves it.

Natsuki: "W-What the hell-"

Nishikata: "…"

I gave a hard glare at Natsuki, and she seems to quiet about it.

Monika: "Calm down guys! I talked to her earlier, and she was fine."

Sayori: "Yeah! She just had a fight with her family. That's all!"

Nishikata: "What did she says?"

Monika: "Anyway! We need to figure out-"

Nishikata: "WHAT THE HELL DID SHE SAYS!?"

Monika and Sayori were taken aback from me. I stand up to them and grabbed both collar with my two hands.

Nishikata: "WHAT THE HELL DID SHE SAY!? Ever since you two talked to her, she almost cries and ignores me unusually. I know her for years and she would never do this! Giving me that excuse of fighting with her parents is not gonna convince me enough! TELL ME WHAT SHE SAYS!"

Natsuki and Yuri eyes looked dreaded as she saw a living monster in their own club room. Monika and Sayori exchange looks, and after a few seconds, Monika nodded.

Monika: "Put us down first."

Nishikata: "And why should I care?"

Monika: "PUT US DOWN FIRST! GOD DAMMIT!"

Without thinking I shove them into their desk making a loud thud.

Sayori: "Ow ow ow! You don't have to be so mean!"

Monika: "Nishikata, if you want to know that bad, we're gonna talk it on your house. The clubroom may be not a specific place to talk about her."

Nishikata: "When and where?"

Monika: "Sunday, at your house, afternoon. Me and Sayori only. Sounds good?"

Nishikata: "…"

I took a piece of paper from my bag and write my address and phone number and giving it to Monika afterwards. Before going out of the clubroom.

Nishikata: "Crystal."