Chapter Nine: Not only Him

Monika's POV

Nat: "Ugh! Are those two did not go to school again? So much for them being lovey-dovey."

Y: "Well, if I may recall, Takagi's not particularly sick. She's taking care of Nishikata, who's sick."

Nat: "See what I mean? They skipped school so that they have the time for themselves. Kissing, cuddling, love, ugh!"

S: "Natsuki, calm down."

Sayori placed her hands on Natsuki's shoulder to ease her anger and frustrations. But her ranting keep continues for what's like 10 minutes straight.

S: "She's there to help him because he's alone and doesn't have anybody to take care of him. She's her best friend after all."

Nat: "So, what? He could just go to the doctor than having a kissy moment with her."

M: "Well, maybe his cold is that bad, and he can't walk to the doctor."

Y: "But how do Takagi know about Nishikata's illness?"

M: "That's…a good question."

Nat: "Sheesh, probably somewhat mind-reading or a red string of fate connected through their minds and bodies."

S: "Is that a thing?"

Y: "You read too much manga, Natsuki."

Nat: "Manga is literature! And that just proves my point! How Takagi knows about Nishikata's illness and taking care of him, they must be dating!"

S: "Actually, probably Takagi's depression is so bad and Nishikata wanted to take care of him so that they made this lame excuse to not go to school, and telling that Nishikata who's not sick."

Natsuki and Yuri stare Sayori with a bewildered and confused expression. But after what's like a millisecond of processing, Sayori did accidentally spits about Takagi had depression.

M: "S-Sayori!"

Sayori who's oblivious to the attention turns at me with a confusing look on her face.

S: "What is it, Monika? And why are you making that face?"

M: "Did you just said that Takagi had depression-"

Upon realizing the words I said, I immediately closed my mouth with my hands. But Sayori heard my words and her expression turns into a shock.

Nat: "Wait, wait, wait. Did you say that Takagi…"

Y: "…had depression?"

I stare Sayori with desperation, hoping that she has an excuse about Takagi's depression.

S: "I-I mean…declaration! Wait no! Dissipation! Wait that's not the word, Shoot! Umm…decompression! No!"

Natsuki and Yuri exchange look of confusion, but they turned to us with worries.

Nat: "Stop playing your lame excuse, Sayori. We all heard what you're saying."

S: "But-!"

Y: "You can tell us anything."

M: "It's not like that guys! It's…Um…"

S: "Should we tell them, Monika?"

M: "But, Takagi said…We have to keep it as a secret!"

Nat: "Spill the beans! I'm tired of your lame excuses!"

Y: "N-Natsuki…calm down."

M: "Sigh… It's no use to argue. Fine…but please don't tell anyone about this."

Yuri nods meaningfully, while Natsuki seems…angry. But her face still shows concern. I guess it's because we didn't tell anyone about this. But Takagi said it will hurt if someone knows about her depression. I guess we have a lot of explaining of what happened.

M: "Yes…Takagi did have depression. She's just…really good at hiding it. Last Friday, 2 days before the festival. She's just lying down in her desk. Nishikata was worried so he tried to talk to Takagi. But she didn't open up to him.

So, he decided it would be better if he asks me and Sayori. She did open up a few things about her. Sayori, care to explain?"

S: "Well, she didn't mention about depression at all. But she did say that she's lonely and her parents left her at early high school."

Y: "What do you mean by "Left her at early high school"."

S: "They're…gone."

Nat: "Gone? Like…Gone gone?"

M: "Yes."

Natsuki and Yuri's expression turns into grief.

S: "And that's about it."

I scoot closer to Sayori, whispering about something.

M: "Should we tell them…about Nishikata being dense?"

S: "Well, I dunno. I don't want to give him the bad apples."

M: "Well, they will discover it eventually. And if we tell them, we probably could tell Natsuki will NOT be happy with this."

Nat: "Are you done whispering?"

M: "Yeah. So, that all I can tell you…so far."

Natsuki and Yuri looked at each other before turning their sad faces towards us. I can tell it's not easy to cope with what we told them. Takagi is the sweetest, kindest, and the smartest person in the literature club. She's very serious about contributing and helping the club while making it also fun. And it's just the tip of the mountain. Outside the club, she was also considered by so many people as the "School Star", beside me.

I always had to put so much effort into putting a good picture for everyone in the school. Because if I didn't then they will mercilessly mock me and turn me down for not being a great and all. It's always stressing me out. But Takagi? She's effortlessly putting that same picture, and probably even better. She handled it so well, organized, much more disciplined, and never fails. Unlike me, who messed up once or twice. But since we know about the truth, we have to embrace it, whether we like it or not.

Guy 1: "Hey, excuse me, miss president."

A boy with glasses and an average height, along with his friend, A fatty short boy, who seems to munch on an onigiri, came to us.

Oh yeah, we did recruit some new members to the literature club. We managed to get four. Not what we hoped but at least we got some.

Guy 1: "You did say Nishikata and Takagi-san were at the literature club. But it's been three days, and we haven't seen them yet."

Guy 2: "Did they quit?"

M: "No! They're absent…again."

Guy 1: "Hmmm…pretty suspicious. What do you think, Kimura?"

Kim: "I dunno Takao. They might be hiding us with something."

Nat: "Well…"

Sayori scoots closer to Natsuki's and Yuri's ear. Probably not to tell the rest of the club members about Takagi's situation.

Guy 3: "What are you guys talking about?"

Tak: "Ah! Hamaguchi! Perfect timing! Did you know about Takagi-san and Nishikata?"

Hama: "W-What? Don't point it at me! I was just here yesterday! R-Right Houjou-san?"

Hou: "He's right, but did you all know where they went?"

Kim: "I was just about to ask them."

Nat: "It's not your problem, fat-ass!"

Kim: "Excuse me!?"

M: "Now now, let's not get things heated up, okay? Nishikata and Takagi were both sick today."

Hou: "That doesn't explain anything, miss president. What happened to them?"

Y: "Please do not interfere with the problem of Nishikata and Takagi, Houjou-san."

Hou: "I-I was just curious…"

Tak: "But, are you sure about Nishikata and Takagi…didn't quit the club?"

Nat: "If you are here because of Nishikata and Takagi, then quit! You are here because of literature activities!"

M: "N-Natsuki."

Kim: "Alright alright, I'll stop. But please, we're concerned about them."

Tak: "If you know anything about them-"

Nat: "We get it! We get it!"

Hou: "But seriously, please tell us, okay?"

Y: "Certainly."

An awkward silence seeps in. I tried to find a way to break it and finally found out that it's the end of the meeting.

M: "Okay, everyone! It's time for us to go home! Please remember to bring a book for the next meeting! Thank you! You all can go home."

And after that, the crowd of dispersing and rummaging their bags, ready to go home.

M: "Oh yeah, you four can go home. I will talk to the core members first about…club stuff."

They all nod meaningfully and started to walk out of the clubroom.

And with that, the four of us are the ones left.

M: "Girls, I have a plan."

Nat: "Spill it."

M: "How about we talk to Takagi now? See how she's doing?"

Y: "I mean, wouldn't it be rude to just…barge into her own house without warning?"

M: "Well, let's just say we encountered her house and just wanted to greet her? How about that?"

S: "Sound like a plan to me."

Natsuki and Yuri started to get worried but with a sigh, they nod.

M: "Great, now meet me at the park later. I have Takagi's address."

Nat: "H-How…did you get it?"

M: "I've gone to Takagi's house several times. We are in the same class for two years now."

S: "Well, okay. See ya guys later!"

Sayori happily skipping as she exits the clubroom.

Y: "Well, I hope to see you all very soon."

Nat: "I hope this plan isn't stupid, Monika."

M: "Hey, now. We're here to help Takagi."

Nat: "See you all soon, I guess."

Natsuki follows Yuri with her. I follow suit.

A few moments later, At the park.

I've casually waited for them for over 20 minutes while thinking about what we should do about the plan.

Nat: "Hey, what are you spacing out about?"

M: "Agh! N-Natsuki! D-Don't scare me like that!"

Nat: "The others are here too, y'know."

Natsuki pointed back with her thumb, showing Sayori and Yuri with their casual outfit. But what caught my attention that Natsuki brought a transparent box, displaying her cupcakes. While Yuri was holding an assortment of candles.

M: "Did you brought all of that for Takagi?"

Nat: "Well, yeah."

Y: "Yes."

M: "I see. I'm surprised you guys care about Takagi."

Nat: "Hey! It's not like…I don't care about her, or anything!"

Yuri and Sayori giggles. Speaking of, me and Sayori didn't bring anything for Takagi.

M: "Looks like you didn't bring anything for Takagi, Sayori?"

S: "Nope!"

Sayori reaches through her backpack and pulls out a cookie box.

M: "You…brought some convenient store cookies?"

S: "It's better than not bringing anything."

Nat: "Right, Monika?"

The three practically laughs at me. I'm the only one who doesn't bring anything for Takagi. But for what I know now, the club members care about Takagi, and always tries her best to cheer her up. Looks like Nishikata isn't the only one.

Nat: "So, what's your plan?"

M: "I was thinking about it earlier."

I put my had in my chin and started thinking again.

M: "So I want you all to be as polite as possible, and try not to spew up her depression immediately. Try to talk to her, and bit by bit she'll open up to us. Also, please do not trigger any sort of fighting and argument."

My eyes suddenly averted to Yuri and Natsuki.

M: "I'm looking at you two. Yuri, Natsuki. I want you to get along, and not having any argument in Takagi's house, even if it's the slightest."

Natsuki and Yuri nodded nervously nodded.

M: "And Sayori, try not to be too loud."

Sayori nodded.

M: "We're all set? Let's go."

I grabbed my backpack and started heading to Takagi's house. I turn around to see the four girls follow me.

A few minutes later.

M: "We're here."

Nat: "Wow…that's quite small."

S: "She lives alone, Natsuki. Remember?"

M: "Alright. Remember what I told you? Try to be polite, nice, and try to stay calm."

The three nodded as I turn my head around and greeted by a doorbell next to me.

M: "Here we go."

*Ding Dong!*

…Nothing.

I try it again.

*Ding Dong!*

…Nothing again…

M: "That's…strange."

Y: "Is her house occupied?"

M: "I'm not sure."

*Ding Dong!*

M: "This is…quite weird. I'm sure this is her house? Right?"

I checked around her house. A small two-story house, guarded with a white fence and a big backyard. This is her house. Did she move?

Y: "Monika? Are you sure this is her house?

M: "It's gotta be. I remember-"

Suddenly, a picture comes to my head.

Takagi…was…dangling in the ceiling while…a rope was…

?: "Excuse me."

A voice heard at the back of our head as we turn around to see…Takagi. I sigh in relief.

T: "What are you doing here, girls?"

M: "T-Takagi! I'm so glad you're okay!"

I rushed to Takagi, hugged her while trembling in fear.

T: "W-what is it, Monika-san?"

M: "I-I'm so glad you're safe!"

T: "I mean…nothing bad happens."

As I was hugging Takagi for dear life, I noticed the situation we're in. The girls were looking at me, confused.

M: "Ah! I'm sorry."

I release from Takagi, she showed me her biggest smile.

T: "It's okay, Monika-san. After all, isn't hug supposed to be so comforting for people?"

This girl…it breaks my heart to think that this sweet little cinnamon bun had to deal with something like depression.

T: "Anyways, what are you girls doing here?"

Nat: "We were just checking on you, since..."

Y: "You left us on Friday with no explanation."

T: "I'm fine, girls. Don't worry!"

S: "Of course we'll worry, Takagi. Leaving the club without excuse, that's strange."

Takagi's eyes looked sadder than before, and her smile slowly fades away. I decided I changed the topic before it got too emotional.

M: "By the way, what are you doing outside?"

T: "Oh me? I was just taking a walk…"

Her face suddenly grows a blush, which is quite a rare sight for us.

T: "With…Nishikata."

Y: "Nishikata? You said he got sick."

T: "Oh yeah, he did. But…he recently got recovered and…"

"He confessed to me…"